13 Of London’s Most Decadent Chocolate Shops
With Valentine’s month now in full swing, now’s the perfect time to treat the chocolate lover in your life to goodies from London’s chocolate shops. From Alain Ducasse’s specialist choc shop to Harrods’ beautiful chocolate hall, here are the best places to visit.
Adam Handling Chocolate Shop
From Michelin-starred chef Adam Handling, this chocolate-focused offshoot applies fine-dining precision and sustainability-led thinking to handmade confections. Expect expertly crafted chocolates made with carefully sourced ingredients and low-waste principles, reflecting the same Michelin-level discipline found across Handling’s restaurants. Ranges change seasonally, but expect flavours like Champagne, Passionfruit, Raspberry, browned butter, and many more.
Expect expertly crafted chocolates made with carefully sourced ingredients and low-waste principles…
Where: 17 Maiden Ln, London WC2E 7NL
Website: www.adamhandlingchocolate.co.uk
Hotel Chocolat
Looking for a range of chocolate options to choose from? You’ve come to the right place. Hotel Chocolat crushes the basic cup of cocoa with its variety of flavours and goodies to choose from.
Looking for something not too sweet? Try the creamy, award-winning milky hot chocolate made with 50% cacao. How about something to dark and spicy? Try the chilly-dark hot chocolate made with 70% cacao and habanero chilli.
where: Various Locations
Website: Hotelchocolat.com
Pierre Marcolini
For the prettiest chocolates around town, you’re going to want to head to the luxury chocolate brand, Pierre Marcolini.
Marcolini is one of the only chocolatiers to roast his cocoa beans himself and sources the beans directly from growers across the world, helping to produce the silkiest blends and chocolates on offer.
With multiple outposts in London, you can explore his collection from handpicked gift selections to chocolate tablets for real chocolate lovers. The products are both delicious and perfect to score some likes for the ‘gram.
Marcolini is one of the only chocolatiers to roast his cocoa beans himself …
where: VARIOUS LOCATIONS
website: WWW.EU.MARCOLINI.COM
Rococo Chocolates
Established back in 1983, Rococo Chocolates now boasts three London shops bursting with the finest luxury chocolate blends, handcrafted truffles and artisan hampers.
The chocolatiers pride themselves on using only the finest, most ethically sourced ingredients, for sustainability purposes but also to maximise the taste. Rococo continues to wow all year round, with its innovative creations and speciality products. We love their sea salt original milk chocolate thins and dark chocolate options too.
where: VARIOUS LOCATIONS
website: WWW.ROCOCOCHOCOLATES.COM
Le Chocolat Alain Ducasse
It wouldn’t be a chocolate shop guide without mentioning Alain Ducasse’s signature choccie-infused outpost in Coal Drops Yard.
The legendary French chef, famed for his three Michelin-starred restaurant at The Dorchester and his distinct flavour combinations, also boasts a more relaxed coffee shop-cum-chocolatier in Kings Cross, housing some of the finest chocolates in London. Le Chocolat Alain Ducasse specialises in three main chocolate families: ganaches, pralines and truffles, each using different recipes to create new textures, flavours and indulgent bites of chocolatey goodness.
There’s also a whole host of bars, candied fruits, hot chocolate mixes and spreads to try too. These are the poshest chocolates you’ll find in London.
where: COAL DROPS YARD, UNIT 15 BAGLEY WALK, KINGS CROSS N1C 4DH
website: WWW.LECHOCOLAT-ALAINDUCASSE.COM
Charbonnel Et Walker
If you’ve ever attended a dinner party with friends, family or work colleagues, chances are you brought a box of Charbonnel et Walker’s Pink Marc de Champagne truffles in tow to win over your hosts, and if you didn’t, that’s probably the reason you haven’t been invited back.
Truly indulgent and absolutely moreish, you can’t go wrong with a truffle following any kind of occasion. To see where the magic happens or to explore their collection in all of its entirety, head over to their confectionery store at The Royal Arcade. From 007-inspired treats to the heritage collection, you can guarantee you’ll be leaving with your bank balance looking a little lighter.
You can guarantee you’ll be leaving with your bank balance looking a little lighter.
where: Various locations
website: www.charbonnel.co.uk
Venchi
Home to multiple London locations, Venchi is the place to shop for traditional Italian-style chocolates.
From indulgent spreads to pick and mix that’ll win over any chocolate fan, there’s something for all hidden inside one of Venchi’s stores. They’ve also got a wide selection of smooth, authentic Italian gelato for when you want something refreshing on warmer days.
They’ve also got a wide selection of smooth, authentic Italian gelato for when you want something refreshing on warmer days.
where: Various Locations
website: www.venchi.com
Melt London
Let all of your senses salivate as you step foot inside one of Melt’s chocolate shops. Your Willy Wonka dreams will come true as you watch the world-class chocolatiers create fresh, handmade choccies right in front of you. Their in-house kitchen allows you to see firsthand just how chocolate is created, whether it’s fresh truffles or their incredible vegan chocolate.
They also boast several on-site experiences, including many family-friendly workshops.
where: Various locations
website: www.meltchocolates.com
Dark Sugars
Dark Sugars’ story stems from a love of cocoa, not chocolate. Nyanga, the founder of Dark Sugars, chose to tell the story of cocoa, the integral ingredient in chocolate, and display its journey from tree to tummy. From experimenting with the flavours derived from cocoa, Nyanga opened up the first brick-and-mortar shop in 2013 and hasn’t looked back since.
Bringing influencers from West African culture to Brick Lane, the shop sets out to educate and take you on a cocoa journey. From their luscious truffles to their infamous freshly shaved hot chocolates, head down to experience chocolate like never before.
where: various locations
website: www.darksugars.co.uk
Melange Chocolate
From flavoured bars to chocolate buttons, Melange has become a favourite among chocolate enthusiasts thanks to its wide range and intriguing flavours.
The in-house chocolatiers craft intricate and innovative flavours, from coriander and grapefruit to lavender and lemon, truffle oil and turmeric to matcha and strawberry. Try some of their award-winning treats for yourself.
The in-house chocolatiers craft intricate and innovative flavours, from coriander and grapefruit to lavender and lemon…
where: 2 Maxted Road, SE15 4LL
website: www.themelange.com
Läderach
If there’s one thing the Swiss know how to nail (there’s actually a tonne, from luxury watches to army knives and fondue), it’s chocolate. So head to one of Läderach’s branches to try some of the finest, authentic Swiss chocolate outside of the Alps.
The luxury Swiss chocolatiers specialise in special occasion chocs, from truffles and pralines to slabs and decadent chocolate figures. With a history that dates back to 1962, they are one of the largest chocolate retailers in Switzerland. We’ve sampled some of the delights and can verify we’re thrilled they’re here.
where: various locations
website: www.laderach.com
Artisan du Chocolat
This Chelsea-based chocolatier has mastered the art since 1999 in the much-loved Borough Market. From chocolate pearls to truffles to even their “couture collection”, Artisan du Chocolat has a creative and tasty kick to their products that you should not miss out on.
Head on over to the flagship store in Chelsea or check them out when you’re next in Selfridges.
This Chelsea-based chocolatier has mastered the art since 1999…
where: 89 Lower Sloane Street, SW1W 8DA
website: www.artisanduchocolat.com
Harrods Chocolate Hall
If there’s one place that always impresses, it’s Harrods, and the Brompton Road Chocolate Hall is well worth the visit. A haven for those with a sweet tooth, the chocolate is delicately crafted by cocoa experts on-site, making it all the more special.
From Turkish delights and chocolate-covered fruits to selection boxes and vegan delights, there is something for everyone to try. As well as their own-made chocs, you’ll be able to peruse a selection of options from some of the best chocolatiers in the world.
where: GROUND FLOOR, 87-135 Brompton Road, SW1X 7XL
website: www.harrods.com
