Where to Find: Hot Chocolate in London
About the Author: Eutonne runs one of our favourite halal instagram pages: @etfoodvoyage. She’s always creating the most mouth-watering dishes, finding the best desserts and rounding up secret halal gems around the city. You can visit her website here: https://www.etfoodvoyage.com/
There’s nothing quite like having a warm cup of hot chocolate in your hands during these frosty wintery days. If you’re looking for the best warm hugs from a mug in town, we’ve got a list of London’s best hot chocolate places, featuring different styles of hot chocolates all around the capital!
The Best Hot Chocolate in London
Knoops, Richmond and High Street Kensington
Knoops have been a game changer to the market when it comes to hot chocolates. There is a galore of options and many different flavour combos for you to choose from. There are all percentages of chocolates available and you can experiment with different types of milk (vegan options included) and toppings to create that perfect cup of hot chocolate for you. Don’t worry if you feel a little overwhelmed with options, simply look for their flavour of the month or just tell the barista what styles & flavours you like!
Locations: Richmond and High Street Kensington
Website: knoops.co.uk/
Santa Nata, Covent Garden
We know they’re absolutely amazing for their pasteis de nata, but did you know that Santa Nata makes a mean cup of hot chocolate as well? Expect rich and lusciously creamy hot chocolate, which is perfect to pair with a nata or two! It’s a little bit on the sweeter end in our opinion, but a very good one nonetheless.
Address: 17 Russell Street, Covent Garden, London, WC2B 5HP
Website: santanata.com/
Dark Sugars, Brick Lane and Greenwich
Dark Sugars remains our favourite hot chocolate spot in London. Their truffle-filled shop is a paradise for all chocolate lovers. For hot chocolate, you might have recognised them on social media where to top the cup with a generous amount of chocolate shavings! The flavours are very well-balanced and not too rich. You can also get different flavours such as hazelnut praline, salted caramel, etc. or why not spice it up with a touch of chilli, cinnamon, nutmeg, or ginger. No matter what you pick, the hot chocolate won’t disappoint you!
Locations: Brick Lane and Greenwich
Website: darksugars.co.uk/
Chin Chin, Soho and Camden
That silky richness and torched marshmallow fluff (halal-friendly) is what made Chin Chin widely recognised as London’s best hot chocolate. It is served in a cup within a bowl because it’s guaranteed to get messy! Fancy them at home too? Order their hot chocolate starter online, which is available for nationwide delivery and don’t forget to include the marshmallow tub as well!
Locations: Soho / Camden
Website: chinchinicecream.com/
Said Dal 1982, Soho
When it comes to rich and thick hot chocolates, it doesn’t get any richer than Said Dal 1982’s. It is traditional Italian hot chocolate at its finest, featuring a super silky & velvety mouthfeel and deep flavours. Still not chocolate-y enough? Ask for more chocolate dripping on the cup! We had the triple dripping, i.e. dark, milk, and white chocolate, and it’s surprisingly well-balanced and wouldn’t feel too overindulging.
Address: 41 Broadwick St, Carnaby, London W1F 9QL
Website: said.it/en/
Mamasons Dirty Ice Cream, Various Locations
Mamasons Dirty Ice Cream is a must-visit for all ube lovers and their ube hot chocolate is one of the
original treats that got them so popular. Ube flavour aside, you can now also get Milo-flavoured hot
chocolate, which is equally as nice!
Locations: Kentish Town / Westfield White City / Chinatown
Website: dirtyicecream.co.uk/
Melt, Notting Hill and Holland Park
Melt is a chocolate boutique in the heart of Notting Hill and Holland Park. Priding themselves as one of the most luxurious chocolate companies in town, you can expect sublime flavours and smooth silky textures from their hot chocolates. If you’re looking for some fun chocolate-filled activities, Melt also runs various “Chocolate Experiences” both virtually and on-site.
Locations: Notting Hill / Holland Park
Website: meltchocolates.com/
Paul A Young, Soho and Islington
His cutting-edge creativity when it comes to chocolates has earned him the reputation for being one of the world’s best chocolatiers. Try out his award-winning Aztec hot chocolate, which is promised to send your palates on a sensational journey. You can also include other flavours with it including chilli, ginger, nutmeg, cinnamon or sea salt.
Locations: Soho and Islington
Website: paulayoung.co.uk/
Apple Blue Café, Balham
Looking for another spot with halal-friendly marshmallows to top your hot chocolate? Check out Balham’s local favourite, Apple Blue Café, for their thick & rich 70% Colombian hot chocolate, filled with milk chocolate rim around the cup and topped with a giant piece of torched vegetarian marshmallow!
Address: 212 Balham High Rd, London SW12 9BS
Website: theappleblue.com/
Yolkin, Chinatown
If you want to switch things up a little bit, you should check out Yolkin’s Pandan White Chocolate Cocoa. If you’re a fan of Far Eastern flavours, this would go down a real treat. The best part though, is the floating panda meringue for topping – it’s seriously almost too cute to eat! Classic hot chocolate is also available in stores.
Address: 24 Rupert St, London W1D 6DQ
Website: chinatown.co.uk/
Milk Train, Covent Garden
It might be a little too cold right now for Milk Train’s signature candy floss-adorned ice cream. What’s perfect for this weather, instead, is their Crème Brulee Hot Chocolate! Not only is it lusciously sweet and beautifully velvety to taste, but that torched caramelised finish is guaranteed to make it a showstopper.
Address: 12 Tavistock St, London WC2E 7PH
Website: milktraincafe.com/
The Alley, Mayfair and Holborn
Milky hot chocolate but with boba! First of all, you can opt for hot drinks at The Alley, which is super convenient if you fancy a boba treat in the cold. Order the Cocoa Brown Sugar Deerioca Milk and have it hot – there you have a milky hot chocolate but upgraded with brown sugar boba. It may not be the luxurious artisan hot chocolate, but it’s the perfect treat when you can’t decide between a hot chocolate or boba!
Locations: Mayfair and Holborn
Website: the-alley.uk/
Venchi, Covent Garden
Don’t let the gelato decorations outside their shopfront fool you. The famous Italian name of Venchi does more than just delicious gelato, but also serves up quite a luxurious cup of hot chocolate. If you enjoy a Nutella-esque richness, then keep an eye out for their Suprema XV Hot Chocolate, which features their signature hazelnut milk spread blended with their finest cocoa. It’s velvet-thick, rich, and no doubt one dreamy cup of hot chocolate.
Address: Unit 18 The Market Building, London WC2E 8RB
Website: uk.venchi.com/
