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 London's Top Choc Shops
 Londoners - like most folk - love their chocolate, which is lucky because the capital really does feature some of the best choc shops in the world. Exquisitely crafted, lovingly made, these lip-smacking boutiques are a cocoa-bean lover's Valhalla. Enjoy.
  L'Artisan du Chocolat
 89 Lower Sloane Street, SW1W 8DA Ever tried lapsang souchong flavoured chocolate? How about Sichuan pepper or red wine and tobacco? If not, you probably haven’t yet visited this innovative, highly revered, choc shop. Trained in Belgium (the home of chocolate), ex-pastry chef Gerard Coleman has elevated this simple, small-scale London shop to almost iconic status. While some of the flavours might seem a tad unusual, you just have to trust Coleman’s expertise and judgement and dive right in. All of the chocolates are made entirely of natural ingredients (one of which is large quantities of sugar) and have to be consumed within two weeks – no nasty additives or preservatives here. While there’s no point singling one particular flavour out for special attention – every one of these hand-made delicacies is a real tongue-tingling delight – most customers become instantly addicted to a favourite combination that demands regular return visits. For some it’s the fresh blast of Moroccan mint, others the comforting spice-filled eruption of cinnamon. A range of beautifully presented assortment boxes allow you to experience a range of flavours and invest in some hard taste-bud testing before deciding on your chosen favourite. Keep an eye / tongue out for the liquid-salted caramels. Chocolate-filled heaven. Address: 89 Lower Sloane Street, SW1W 8DA Phone: 020 7824 8365 Timing: Mon to Sat 10am-7pm Nearest Station: Sloane Square Tube L'Artisan du Chocolat - Information  Charbonnel et Walker
1 Royal Arcade, Old Bond Street, W1S4BT In 1875, at the behest of Edward VII, Mme Charbonnel quit her post at Parisian chocolatier Maison Boissier to set up a fine confectionary house in London with Mrs Walker. The result has been 130 years of the finest chocolate in traditional French style. This long-established chocolatier is now the holder of a royal warrant. In spite of the shop's continental origins, the goodies feel very English and traditional, as you would expect from this location on Old Bond Street. Their gift boxes are among the best-known upmarket treats in the world. They also have a venue at Canary Wharf Address: 1 Royal Arcade, Old Bond Street, W1S 4BT Phone: 020 7491 0939 Timing: Mon to Sat 10am-6pm Nearest Station: Piccadilly Circus Tube Charbonnel et Walker - Information  The Chocolate Society
36 Elizabeth Street, SW1W 9NZ The Chocolate Society is one of the most luxurious shops in London. They really know their stuff and produce handmade confections that will knock your socks off. Their gift packages for birthdays and Christmas are superb, and there are delightful treats available to suit all budgets. Once you get inside and smell the chocolate, it's impossible to walk out without stuffing your face. They also have a venue in Shepherd Market. Address: 36 Elizabeth Street, SW1W 9NZ Phone: 020 7259 9222 Timing: Mon to Fri 9.30am-5.30pm, Sat 9.30pm-4pm Nearest Station: Sloane Square Tube The Chocolate Society - Information  Demarquette Fine Chocolates
285 Fulham Road, Chelsea, SW10 9PZ From Thai Lemongrass to Coriander and Kaffir Lime, Dark Champagne Truffles to Java Cinnamon, Demarquette offers a unique range of chocolates to sort every palate. Leaning heavily towards the Orient for inspiration, each individual treat is handmade using the finest ingredients combined with traditional artisan techniques. With four awards under their belt (all of them under the ‘Best Filled Chocolate’ category of the World Chocolate Awards 2006), a dairy-free range, and a ‘Pure’ collection highlighting the best in single-origin products, this north Kensington emporium is well worth a visit. Address: 285 Fulham Road, Chelsea, SW10 9PZ Phone: 020 7351 5467 Timing: Tue to Sat 11am-2pm, 2.30pm-6pm (Fri 7pm). Sunday openings vary according to the season. Nearest Station: South Kensington Tube Demarquette Fine Chocolates - Information  La Maison Du Chocolat
45-46 Piccadilly, W1J 0DS Extremely upmarket Piccadilly branch of the world-renowned Parisian chocolatiers. For some reason the shop staff all insist on speaking French to you despite the fact that they are living and working in England - perhaps because French is the language of love or food or some such. Never fear - they all speak English very well and it's a friendly, joyous place given over to the adoration of chocolate. The delicious produce on sale here is definitely worth a few moments of pretentious nonsense. Address: 45-46 Piccadilly, W1J 0DS Phone: 020 7287 8500 Timing: Mon to Sat 10am-7pm, Sun midday-6pm Nearest Station: Piccadilly Circus Tube La Maison Du Chocolat - Information  Melt
59 Ledbury Road, W11 2AA Regular tastings, an on-site, open-view kitchen, award-winning master-chocolatier, Keith Hurdman, and some of the best chocs in town make ‘Melt’ a mouth-watering option when it comes to confectionary. Stand and drool as organic truffles, melted chocolate shots and spiced, crispy orange discs are rustled up on cool white marble slabs in full view of customers. Children's Hour offers youngsters the chance to get sticky making their own unique range of chocolate treats. Sleek packaging, cool surrounds and top-quality service complete the picture. Address: 59 Ledbury Road, W11 2AA Phone: 020 7727 5030 Timing: Mon to Sat 9am-6pm, Sun 11am-4pm Nearest Station: Notting Hill Gate Tube Melt - Information  Paul A Young Fine Chocolates
33 Camden Passage, N1 8EA Before he was a full-time chocolatier, Paul Young was patissier for Marco Pierre White. The drama and perfectionism demanded by a Michelin-starred restaurant are both apparent in the exquisite chocolates and desserts produced by his shop. The more impressive are finished at the counter in front of customers, while the smaller sweets and chocolates are jewel-like in their perfection. Young's haute cuisine background - he's a Gold Award-winner at the World Chocolate Awards - means there are plenty of weird and wonderful flavours available, but above all this is a shop that is about freshly made, thoroughly indulgent, luxury chocolates and puddings. Closed Mondays and Tuesdays (chocolate workshop day). Address: 33 Camden Passage, N1 8EA Phone: 020 7424 5750 Timing: Closed Mon and Tue. Wed, Thu & Sat 11am-6pm, Fri 11am-7pm, Sun midday-5pm Nearest Station: Angel Tube Paul A Young Fine Chocolates - Information  Pierre Marcolini
6 Lancer Square, W8 4EH Winner of the Prix du Monde, Pierre Marcolini is one of the finest chocolatiers in the world. His layered truffles and home-made pralines are the finest available in the capital. Marcolini sources his own cocoa beans to create chocolate, and takes as much care and pride in his work as a maker of fine wine. His creations are expensive, but unforgettable. While stockists of this exclusive brand are few and far between, you'll find a huge case of Pierre Marcolinin chocs at the quaint Verde & Co in Spitalfields. Address: 6 Lancer Square, W8 4EH Phone: 020 7795 6611 Timing: Mon to Sat 10am-7pm, Sun midday-5pm Nearest Station: High Street Kensington Tube Pierre Marcolini - Information  Prestat
14 Princess Arcade, SW1Y 6DS With Roald Dahl and Her Majesty counted as just a couple of their biggest fans, this brightly-coloured, richly scented, teeny tiny chocolate shop tucked away in a corner of the Princes Arcade belies its significant status and reach. Prestat is one of the world's oldest and grandest chocolate companies. Founded in 1902 by French émigré, Monsieur Antoine Dufour (a former chocolatier to Napoleon III who stole the recipes from the French Court), Prestat's iconic gilt-embossed packaging continues to offer a striking visual reminder of its royal connections both past and present (Prestat are the official Purveyors of Fine Chocolates to the Queen). Famous favourites include vanilla ganache, marzipan, chocolate-dipped apricots and their world famous truffles. Address: 14 Princess Arcade, SW1Y 6DS Phone: 020 7629 4838 Timing: Mon to Fri 9.30am-6pm, Sat 10am-5pm Nearest Station: Piccadilly Circus Tube Prestat - Information  Rococo
45 Marylebone High Street, W1U 5HG You'll be seduced by the delicious, ornate packaging as well as the chocolate goodies on display at Rococo. With exotic flavours like basil and lime, crystallized ginger and cardamom, even the most unusual tastes are catered for. The brainchild of designer Chantal Coady - owner and co-founder of the Chocolate Society - Rococo is dedicated to producing the finest and funkiest chocolate in the capital. Coady herself is a self-confessed chocolate addict who has penned two books on the sweet stuff. Famed for its unique blend of organic chocolate, made using cocoa beans from the Caribbean, they add extra cocoa butter to ensure that distinctive melt in the mouth feel. For a really special occasion the chocolatier-in-residence will even make individual one-off art pieces. They also have venues on King's Road and Motcomb Street in Knighstbridge. Address: 45 Marylebone High Street, W1U 5HG Phone: 020 7935 7780 Timing: Mon to Sat 10am-6.30pm, Sun 11am-4pm Nearest Station: Baker Street Tube Rococo - Information  Theobroma Cacao
43 Turnham Green Terrace, W4 1RG Serious chocolate-lovers avoid the chocolatiers of Mayfair and their exquisitely designed jewel-like sweeties and head down to this delightful Chiswick boutique. This is chocolate for purists, each piece clearly hand-moulded, with the rough edges that show a true artisan at work. They are also so rich in cocoa that it dusts your hands as you eat, hanging in the air to give the small premises a heady, sultry atmosphere. There are plenty of posh options if you need a gift to impress somebody, but for sheer chocolate deliciousness you simply can't beat the big baskets of roughly-cut dark and milk chocolate that dominate the shop. Address: 43 Turnham Green Terrace, W4 1RG Phone: 020 8996 0431 Timing: Mon to Sat 9am-6pm, Sun 10am-5pm Nearest Station: Turnham Green Tube Theobroma Cacao - Information |
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