Many of us Janes took the brave decision to give up something very special indeed at the start of Lent; chocolate. But at by the end of March it’ll all be over. So to give you something to aim for, we’ve put together a list of the best chocolate cafes and shops in London – perfect for a well-deserved choccy binge!
Artisan Du Chocolat
Location: 81 Westbourne Grove, W2 4UL.
Nearest Tube: Bayswater
Artisan Du Chocolat. The name alone says it all really. Chocolate is taken very seriously here. So much so they produce their own from ground beans rather than buying in couverture (a clever word for high quality processed chocolate). The shop itself is amazing, offering up everything you could possibly want from bars to truffles. The standard range is amazing but it’s always worth popping into one their boutiques to see what they’ve rustled up for special occasions – especially at Christmas! We also love that they cater for special dietary requirements too. Some chocolates are made from buffalo and almond milks, as well as sugar-free dark and milk. They also do a subscription service if you’re really serious about your choc!
Choccywoccydoodah
Location: 30 – 32 Fouberts Place, W1F 7PS.
Nearest Tube: Oxford Circus
We’ve all just about watched the show while flicking to find Friends at one point, but you may not have actually visited Choccywoccydoodah’s London shop. It’s located just off Carnaby Street near Oxford Street and it’s fair to say they don’t do things subtlety. The fantastical cakes are incredible to see up close but there’s a wide range of chocolate here too. We suggest you head in, grab your Instagram photo and settle down to a cup of hot chocolate and a slice of chocolate cake. You’ll be in choc nirvana before you know it!
Melt
Location: 59 Ledbury Road, W11 2AA.
Nearest Tube: Notting Hill Gate
One of London’s many chic choc boutiques, we love Melt. Located in Notting Hill in the west, Melt makes seasonal chocolates daily in its on-site kitchen. It’s being going for well over a decade now and the shop is a must-visit if you want to see chocolatiers mastering their craft live. They’re also big on ethical trading which means they use carefully sourced beans from ethical producers around the world. The store hosts chocolate tasting and making classes for adults, teenagers and children too!
Dark Sugars
Location: 141 Brick Lane, E1 6SB.
Nearest Tube: Liverpool Street
Heading to the other side of London, you’ll smell Brick Lane’s Dark Sugars before you see it. Founded by Ghanaian lady named Nyanga, the shop is all about authenticity and the best possible ingredients. Mounds of uncut truffle shards can be seen through the window, while Dark Sugars’ global origin means flavours come from all over the world, ranging from cardamom to Jamaican rum. Everything comes in a vegan option, including our favourite chocolate-covered medjool dates, ginger and mango. Yum!
DeRosier
Location: 81 Revelstoke Road, SW18 5NL.
Nearest Tube: Southfields
One of the best kept secrets in London when it comes to chocolate shops is DeRosier. Located in deep south-west London, the café/shop has a very loyal local following for a reason. DeRosier specialise in handmade, single-origin chocolates with high cocoa content from Peru and Venezuela. In addition to a small but not less scrummy selection of bars, truffles and boxes, they also sell novelty chocolates like Wimbledon-themed chocolates, chocolate iPhones, and chocolate cups & saucers – perfect for a stocking filler!
SAID dal 1923
Location: 41 Broadwick Street, W1F 9QL.
Nearest Tube: Oxford Circus
Though this bustling Soho café-cum-shop is a spin off from one of the oldest chocolate factories in Rome, SAID feels far more accessible than some upmarket chocolate shops. Their main pull? The incredibly decadent range of hot chocolates. They comes in either dark or milk, are packed full of hazelnuts, and are almost thick enough to stand a spoon in. As well as chocolate spoons, cups, saucers and shot glasses on sale, they also do a pizza Romana – basically a Nutella pizza!
Paul A Young
Location: 143 Wardour Street, W1F 8WA.
Nearest Tube: Tottenham Court Road
Another award-garlanded chocolatier, Paul A Young is arguably the most loved in London. Known for his unusual and innovative flavour combinations, Paul A Young and his team make all their chocolates daily, in small batches, completely by hand in the shops’ own kitchens. They use fresh ingredients – never flavourings, concentrates, essences, additives or preservatives – and produce every flavour combination you could think of. From Marmite dark chocolate to their multi-award winning sea salted caramel, Paul A Young on Wardour Street is a must for anyone on a chocolate voyage in the capital.
So there we have it – London’s Best Chocolate Shops. But if you’re not into chocolate – then what is wrong with out?! – check out our brothers Average Joes’ list of the best alternative Christmas advent calendars 2017!