London's Best Chocolate shops

London isn't short of a chocolate shop or seven, and last week I got to go and visit several (for work, honest). So if you're in town and fancy some posh chocs, here's where you should head.

Charbonnel et Walker: My new favourite food shop. I have never had truffles as good as these. Their pink champagne truffles are like gloriously girly crack. They start at£11 a box, but they do bars of the same chocolate for £3.99. You can get them delivered and I can't think of a prettier, tastier package to find on your doorstep.

Hope & Greenwood: Forget Mr. Simms and Mr. Humbugs, if you're after traditional sweets there's nowhere better than H&G.

La Maison du Chocolate: The most expensive of the bunch. I'll be honest, I'm not sure it's worth the price. At £20 for a teeny tiny box of chocolate (nine, I think), I wanted excellent service with a smile and I just didn't get that. I'm not smitten with the chocolate either - far too rich for me.

Melt: I don't come here for the chocolate, I actually come for the caramels. Little treats wrapped in brown paper sweeties wrappers, they're perfection. Love their branding and boxes as well.

Montezuma's: These guys have fun with their chocolate, but they've also got a strong eco message behind their tasty goodies as well.


Paul A Young: Regarded by some as the best chocolatiers in London. They certainly do an excellent sea salt caramel. They've just opened up in Soho, but there's a certain charm about their flagship Camden Passage location.

Prestat: I'm so sad that by the time I got to Prestat in Prince's Arcade at the weekend, Prestat was shut (I may have been buying glassware in the market down the road). I'm very taken with their packaging and I've heard very good things, anyone tried their chocolatey treats?

The Rabot Estate: This little chocolate cafe is cute, and a perfect pit-stop if you've been playing in the foodie haven that is Borough Market. They have their own chocolate brand, but they also stock Hotel Chocolat - a firm favourite of mine and great value despite being a little bit commercial.

Rococo: Thumbs up for their absolutely beautiful packaging (pictured), and excellent chocolate to boot. I'm a massive fan of their chocolate chilli bars.


William Curley: Honestly, Curley is the king of desserts. If you're after fine chocolate puds, then head here. Their chocolate is pretty darn tasty as well.

Phew! So many to choose from. You might as well start at the top and work your way down the list. Have I missed one? Tell everyone about it in the comments!