It may not be traditional, but more and more, the spring and its Easter festivals puts us in mind of chocolate treats. For chocoholics, the subject may never be too far from your mind. Or perhaps you’re looking forward to a return to coco based delights after a period of abstinence. Well, there’s no better place to experience all that is wonderful about chocolate than London. Explore the gooey to the refined to the downright unexpected. London is a chocolate paradise if you know where to look…
Chocolate Tasting
For the true connoisseur, a chocolate tasting beats wine tasting hands down. It’s a more complex subject than you may expect. From cocoa content to ever more unusual additions, chocolate is a world of delicacy. For excellent tasting events and experiences, look to Artisan du Chocolat Boutique in Chelsea or its home in Selfridges.
Chocolate Making
Melt London are based in Notting Hill and Holland Park. They offer an enticing range of chocolate making classes and courses for those who want to get their hands dirty! From pralines to lollipops, learn to create your own wonders of confectionary!
Chocolate Dining
For a true chocolate dining experience, look no further than Hotel Chocolat’s restaurant Rabot 1745. The menu features ingredients from the cacao tree in all its dishes. Billed as “Cacao cuisine”, the organic, locally sourced ingredients complement the cacao ingredients from their estate in St Lucia. Truly the way to enjoy chocolate guilt free!
Chocolate Afternoon Tea
At One Aldwych, the King of all things chocolate (Willy Wonka of course) is celebrated with a Charlie and the Chocolate Factory themed afternoon tea. You can enjoy not just chocolate and sweet treats, but magic and childhood!
Chocolate Tours
Something really different – and a great way to enjoy chocolate and burn a few calories. Chocolate Ecstasy are based in Chelsea and Belgravia, where an expert guide will take you on a “delicious and historical” walking tour. You can choose from a variety of distances and specialisms… depending on what floats your boat!
Chocolate Shopping
Of course, chocolate is available all around London. But for the longest standing purveyor head to Charbonnel et Walker. This chocolate shop is the oldest in London, since it was established way back in 1875. Originally located on New Bond Street, it’s how house in the Royal Arcade on Old Bond Street. A great location to combine with the rest of your shopping!
Chocolate Cafe
SAID are an Italian retail and cafe destination found in both Soho and Fitzrovia. It’s a stylish hipster environment offering a chocolatey twist on delicious cafe fare. Enjoy cake and coffee or sumptuous hot chocolate while you decide which chocolates to buy.
Chocolate Gifting
For gifts and treats on occasions like Mother’s Day and Easter, you need a good all rounder. Hotel Chocolat is the undisputed place to go. With Easter eggs and gifts available from their stores, and drinks and treats at the cafes it’s a one stop shop!
Chocolate Drinking
Construct your own personal hot chocolate heaven with the “Hot Chocolate Bar” menu at The Parlour at Fortnum & Mason. Fortnum’s chocolate is already world renowned. So what better place is there to drink the stuff? Start with milk or dark chocolate and layer with a catalogue of additions from raspberry marshmallows to pop corn to ginger bread.
Chocolate is universal in its ability to soothe and uplift us through its many forms. So the next time you are in London, take the chance to explore and shop for the many chocolate delicacies across the city. Enjoy it then and there, or take it back to your serviced apartment to enjoy in the comfort and quiet!
