With Easter coming up, now’s the perfect time to treat the chocolate lover in your life to treats from London’s chocolate shops.
From Alain Ducasse’s specialist choc shop to London’s very first independent vegan choccy shop, here are the 12 best to visit if you’re a chocoholic. Looking for more foodie gifts? Check out our Easter gift guide.
Pierre Marconlini
For the prettiest chocolates around town, you’re going to want to head to luxury chocolate brand, Pierre Marconlini.
Marconlini 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 three 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.
VARIOUS LOCATIONS
WWW.EU.MARCOLINI.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. We love their Soveria candied fruit ginger for when we need a zap of energy to get us through the afternoon work slump. These are the poshest chocolate you’ll find in London.
COAL DROPS YARD, UNIT 15 BAGLEY WALK, KINGS CROSS N1C 4DH
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.
Charbonnel’s truffles have become the epitome of middle-class affairs, and rightly so, they’re bloody delicious. Truly indulgent and absolutely moreish; you can’t go wrong with a truffle following a dinner party spread. To see where the magic happens or to explore their collection in all of its entirety, head over to their confectionary store at The Royal Arcade. From Sipsmith Gin-infused truffles to their celebratory hamper selection, you can guarantee you’ll be leaving with your bank balance looking a little lighter.
28 THE ROYAL ARCADE, OLD BOND STREET, MAYFAIR W1S 4BT
WWW.CHARBONNEL.CO.UK
Said
If Italian chocolate is your favourite, you’ll want to whizz on over to Said, the London branch of Rome’s oldest chocolate factory.
Said, now boasting two outposts in Fitzrovia and Soho, champions the best of its heritage with traditional chocolate-making techniques, textures and showcases all of the chocolate treats from the Roman establishment on its wide range of chocolatey options.
Sit in and enjoy one of their hot chocolates too; we’ve heard excellent things.
FITZROVIA / SOHO
WWW.SAID.IT
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 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.
141 BRICK LANE, SHOREDITCH E1 6SB
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.
2 MAXTED ROAD, SE15 4LL
WWW.THEMELANGE.COM
By The Handbook
Pierre Marconlini
Le Chocolat Alain Ducasse
Charbonnel Et Walker
Said
Dark Sugars
Melange Chocolate
