Ah February in London – think cold nights, plenty of brisk walks (preferably ending at pubs with a pint or two or a non-alcoholic bevvie) and finding free places to save the old cash! Oh, and steaming hot chocolate too just in time for Valentine’s Day. From sophisticated mugs of rich, chocolatey heaven, to goblets of milky goodness with gooey marshmallows and cream, we’ve found the best places to grab a hug in a mug – yes, it can only be hot chocolate. Here’s your guide to London’s dreamiest hot chocolates. Just what the doctor ordered! Here’s a rundown of the best places for hot chocolate in London:
1. Italian Bear Chocolate, Soho
Italian Bear Chocolate is a delightful café and chocolate shop located in the heart of Soho, London. Established in 2012, it offers a unique Italian twist on the chocolate experience, featuring a variety of handcrafted chocolates, pastries, and signature hot drinks, including their famous triple chocolate mocha.
📍You’ll find Italian Bear Chocolate at 41 Broadwick Street, London W1F 9QL.
🚇 Nearest stations is Oxford Circus.
2. Dark Sugars, Brick Lane and Greenwich
It’s the one thing you see people cradling around Brick Lane and in Greenwich Market, no matter what day it is. The ultimate hot chocolate drink that can come flavoured (think Hazelnut Praline or Hot Chilli) and topped with as many chocolate shavings as you could possibly want.
📍You’ll find Dark Sugars at 141 Brick Lane, E1 6SB and 9 Nelson Road, SE10 9JB.
🚇 Nearest stations are Shoreditch High Street and Greenwich.
3. Chin Chin Labs, Camden and Soho
Hot chocolate and torched marshmallow? Life is bound to get a whole lot better on a bad day with this molten marvel. Their super rich signature hot chocolate is also popular, or why not try the vegan version with notes of raspberry and apricot? Specials include an intense hot chocolate and charred gooey marshmallow fluff with a fudgy brownie cookie stuffed inside for extra indulgence. Get ready, things are about to get messy!
📍You’ll find Chin Chin Labs at 49-50 Camden Lock Place, NW1 8AF and 54 Greek Street, Soho, W1D 3DS.
🚇 Nearest stations are Camden Town and Tottenham Court Road.
4. Rococo Chocolates, various locations
You’d think a place offering up handmade chocolates and luxury gifts would know a thing or two about a good hot chocolate, right? Well, you’d be right. This drink comes to you thick and rich – and it’s even available to take away so you can make it for yourself at home.
📍You’ll find Rococo Chocolates at various different locations in London. You can find out more here.
5. Ruby Violet, King’s Cross
If you’re looking for the ultimate chocolate hit, order the ‘short and intense’ hot chocolate from this cute ice cream parlour nestled away in King’s Cross. Not your average stuff out of a tin, this small gold cup is served alongside almond brittle for the sweetest of treats and there are other desserts rustled up here too.
📍You’ll find Ruby Violet at Midland Goods Shed, 3 Wharf Road, N1C 4BZ.
🚇 Nearest station is King’s Cross St. Pancras.
6. Melt Chocolates, Notting Hill or Holland Park
Wander into the heart of Notting Hill or Holland Park and slide into Melts for a deliciously rich hot chocolate – milk or dark. Treat yourself to some of their stunning handmade fresh chocolates to go with your beverage, and watch your chocolate being made in the kitchen right in front of you. A sophisticated, sipping experience that won’t leave you disappointed.
📍You’ll find Melt Chocolates at 59 Ledbury Road, Notting Hill, W11 2AA and 6 Clarendon Road, Holland Park, W11 3AA.
🚇 Nearest stations are Notting Hill and Holland Park.
7. DeRosier Chocolates, Wimbledon
This award-winning chocolatier – which has gained multiple Academy of Chocolate and Great Taste Awards – is world famous for its chocolates and eyecatching packaging too. Run by husband and wife Leona and Andrew, they also have some absolutely delicious hot chocolate, and this one certainly belongs on this roundup of the best hot chocolate in London.
📍You’ll find DeRosier Chocolates at 81 Revelstoke Road, SW18 5NL.
🚇 Nearest stations are Wimbledon Park and Southfields.
8. Venchi Chocolate and Gelato, various locations
Long established since all the way back in 1878, Venchi Chocolate and Gelato whips up some of the best hot chocolate in the whole of London Town. They’ve got an incredible array of different chocolate assortments on the bill here, as well as some lip-smackingly good hot chocolate. There’s also gluten-free options on the bill here too, as well vegan varieties too.
📍You’ll find Venchi Chocolate and Gelato at various locations in London. You can find out more here.
9. Melange Chocolate, Peckham
Artisan chocolatier Isabelle Alaya founded her Melange Chocolate Shop and Café on bougie Bellenden Road in Peckham back in 2008, and it has since developed into a cocktail bar too. She also founded Brixton’s Chocolate Museum (temporarily closed), so you can tell that she really knows her stuff! The hot chocolates rustled up here are absolutely to die for, though the recipe is strictly confidential, so we don’t actually know what’s in them! They are worth heading south of the river though that’s for sure! She even offers chocolate-making workshops – perfect date-night material.
📍You’ll find Melange Chocolate at 2 Maxted Road, London, SE15 4LL.
🚇 Nearest station is Peckham Rye.
10. Konditor, Waterloo, Farringdon and Bank
With three stores dotted across Central London, Konditor is the brainchild of Gerhard Jenne, who started out baking cakes for the rich and famous – Tina Turner and the Rolling Stones thank you very much! Since opening his first store in Waterloo back in 1993, the business has gone from strength to strength and has won rave reviews along the way from critics and punters alike. As well as excellent cakes and desserts, they do one hell of a mean hot chocolate here – it’s sure to warm the cockles on a brisk Autumn night that’s for sure!
📍You’ll find Konditor at various different locations in London. You can find out more here.
11. Badiani, various locations
Badiani has just launched its luscious Italian hot chocolates just in time for the colder weather. Their velvety smooth hot chocolate is served from the chocolate fountain of dreams with a dollop of whipped cream, chocolate shavings and a wafer on top. If you’re feeling up for some extra creaminess, indulgent pistachio sauce can be drizzled on top to take it up a notch which we highly recommend.
📍You’ll find Badiani at various locations in London. You can find out more here.
12. Knoops, various locations
Rounding off this list of the best hot chocolate in London is Knoops – a charming cafe which has various different branches dotted across London. The speciality here is based around a carefully-curated percentage menu which offers chocolates to suit every taste and mood. From 70% variety to 28%, there’s something for everyone here!
📍You’ll find Knoops at various different locations in London. You can find out more here.
So there you have it – a roundup of some of the best places to get your fill of hot chocolate in London. From King’s Cross to Wimbledon, we’ve got you covered if you’re looking to warm yourself up this Winter.