Who likes sugar rushes? I like sugar rushes! I developed a completely healthy obsession with hot chocolates during Christmas 2019 in London. So naturally I dragged my partner around trying out different ones… Not that he complained because we were also ticking off a ton of stuff on our bucket lists. So they were necessary pit stops to warm up and refuel, and refuel we most certainly did. So here are my top three best hot chocolates in London. In my eyes they are all different and add different ambience to the experience, all found in great locations. You could try them all out in one day if you like, which I totally wouldn’t recommend… Who would do that…Not me.
In no particular order, here we go!
1. Chin Chin Labs
The first contender for the one of the best hot chocolates in London. Tucked away in Camden Lock market is Chin Chin Labs. Just like the name it does look like a little laboratory as well which keeps up with the uniqueness of Camden.
As we walked through the door we could already smell the toasted marshmallow which I had come here for. My attention was drawn to the left-side of the shop; behind the counter, it is all completely open to see what the staff are doing. There are glass beakers full of chocolate and sweet ingredients, waiting to be whipped up as hot chocolate. A lovely staff member greeted us and started a conversation. However we quickly realised that they are currently only taking cash, not card.
Looking longingly at my partner, it dawns on me that I will have to run across the road to get some cash out. I give him strict instructions not to order anything just yet as I want to see it made! I dashed to the cash point and back in record time, dodging and weaving my way through the crowds. I’m ready to finally order.
The hot chocolate was made right in front of me. I can’t help but stare as the marshmallow fluff is carefully placed on top and then toasted with a little blowtorch. There’s some space for us to sit but it is quite small in there. We had previously been walking around Camden so we gladly took the weight off our feet for a while. Our delicate little table was a haven as we watched others come and go. The bustle happening outside as people flow past like the Camden lock nearby.
Ooey gooey goodness
Now, there is some debate, and if there wasn’t before then I shall start it now; would you eat the marshmallow first? Or carve a little hole so you can sip the hot chocolate and slowly nibble at the toasted fluffiness? However you eat/drink it, it’s delicious! I could taste the slightly burned sugar of the marshmallow. There is a small spoon to slowly lift out and watch the gooeyness unfold before your very eyes.
The hot chocolate was easy to drink, it wasn’t too rich or sweet, which made the marshmallow a good accompaniment; a perfect pairing. The thickness of the marshmallow and the lighter taste of the chocolate went together so well!
Chin Chin Labs is great for a quick drink or ice cream as you explore Camden. Have a respite from the hustle and bustle or take it away as you wander around the lively market stalls. It’s not as expensive as you would think either; I paid £4.95 for this gooey treat and it was delicious. Take a closer look at their website here.
Address: 49-50 Camden Lock, Camden Town, London NW1 8AF.
Nearest tube station: Camden Town.
Maybe I’m just bad with directions but it took us a while to find the shop. We went the long way round through all of the market stalls! Turn right from Camden Town tube station and walk down the high street to the bridge that crosses the canal; in front of you, there is the famous painted bridge with “Camden Lock” painted across it. Cross the traffic lights to the left side of the road and there is the market sprawled out in front of you. There are two lines of market stalls in front of you that stretch all the way back. Walk down the left-hand side of these and Chin Chin Labs is on your left. Did that make any sense? If not, enjoy getting fabulously lost in one of the best places in Camden, it’s all good!
2. Dark Sugars
Next up is Dark Sugars in Brick Lane, situated in another beautiful place in London. Brick Lane is famous for being an artistic and cultural gem. There’s a mix of different cultures and fabulous curry houses. It’s easy to get lost exploring its narrow streets, finding markets and alternative shops. Plus it’s home to one of my favourite things – Beigel Bake, which has the best salt beef bagel you will ever taste in your life.
I discovered this one after eating said bagel. My partner and I knew there was a good shop here somewhere but didn’t know where, and we stumbled upon this treat. What a good thing we did too, because the weather was rainy and awful, and we definitely needed a pick-me-up after trudging about in it for so long.
A dark temptation
Immediately when I entered the smell of chocolate hit me and I was surrounded with so much chocolate. There are shelves of it, and every counter was filled to the brim with delights, chocolates, and truffles of decadent flavours. Wandering around the small shop is worth the views, just to feast with your eyes.
The lady behind the counter was chatty and friendly, and we gladly watched her make our hot chocolates for us. She mixed the chocolate with frothy milk and then started to expertly slice big blocks of dark, milk, and white chocolate into thin fragments. I expected only a minuscule amount of chocolate to be placed on top but with two hands she piled the whole thing on! No stinginess here! How generous. It immediately started to melt into the frothy hot chocolate as I closed my freezing fingers around it.
There were no seats in the shop so we headed back out onto the street; We had stumbled into the smaller shop of the two Dark Sugars on Brick Lane, but that didn’t bother us, because we now had our drink!
The chocolate was smooth and just the right temperature, and surprisingly wasn’t too sweet considering the amount of chocolate I watched dissolve as I drank it. We were given wooden spoons to mix it in as well.
It tasted as good as it looked, which was pretty damn good.
A classic hot chocolate cost £4. Check out more here.
Address: Dark Sugars Chocolates are at 141 Brick Lane, E1 6SB.
The second shop – Dark Sugars Cocoa House is the bigger branch, at 124-126 Brick Lane, E1 6RU.
Nearest tube station – Shoreditch High Street.
Once you come out of Shoreditch High Street station turn right and walk down Bethnal Green Road. Turn right down Brick Lane, go past Beigel Bake (grab a bagel) then Dark Sugars Chocolates is at the first intersection on your right.
3. Italian Bear Chocolate
This one may just be my favourite. Previously called Said, Italian Bear Chocolate is located in Soho, another interesting area of London, and I had the most fun with this one. This café originated in Rome so it’s thick Italian hot chocolate, and they also serve chocolate and desserts. We visited this one after a day exploring Soho and by the time we arrived the winter evening was closing in, so we hustled inside and were given a small table against a wall in the centre of the restaurant. There are a couple of tables outside too which looked snug but we opted for inside. We had been walking all day and wanted to warm up!
There was an air of coziness and comfort as I settled into my seat. The tables are packed close together giving it a very close and intimate atmosphere. The walls are lined with copper awnings and the chocolate on display looks enticing as we shed our coats and begin to side-glance at what other people have ordered. The hot chocolates and desserts look simply amazing and as the waiter approached we noticed the little cauldrons of warm chocolate on the counter, ready to be generously poured and served. This was going to be good.
I spotted which one I wanted so we ordered a large hot chocolate with the extra chocolate to share, and fell into an easy conversation as we waited. We were in no rush, and the atmosphere was so cosy and romantic that I could have spent hours in that little bubble. I watched the chocolate being poured over the cup – a mixture of white, milk, and dark – and it ran all down the sides before the hot chocolate mixture was generously poured in. I couldn’t believe my eyes!
Triple-goodness
When the warm mug of chocolate was placed down before us it was like nothing I had ever seen before. Am I exaggerating? Probably, but at the time it was pretty magical. There was so much and it was so thick and creamy, one cup was enough for both of us. I mean, in truth I probably could have drunk another one to myself – but Dane would have had to roll me out after.
It tasted like it was pure chocolate that had been melted down, and it took a while to drink because we were just enjoying ourselves too much. This is an experience you do not want to rush. I also most definitely used the spoon to scrape the chocolate off the side of the cup and made sure I got every last bit, probably to the embarrassment of Dane. It felt so decadent to sit there on a romantic date in winter, warming ourselves up by sharing a hot chocolate in the middle of Soho. I made a silent resolution to come back to this place whenever we could.
I paid £7.80 for a large hot chocolate with the extra chocolate. A small with the extras would be £4.30 and a regular £5.80. Their website is here.
Address: 41 Broadwick St, Soho, London W1F 9QL.
Nearest tube station: Pretty much smack-bang in the middle of Oxford Circus and Picadilly Circus stations.
The verdict:
Each of these three hot chocolates is so different, in the style, location, and taste, it is a delight to experience all of them. Chin Chin Labs is more alternative and quirkier, ideal for a quick rest from exploring Camden. Dark Sugars is more for the chocolate lovers as it also offers a range of different flavoured hot chocolates to warm your cockles as you discover Brick Lane. Italian Bear Chocolate is more sumptuous and allows you to sit down and take everything in, a quiet chocolatey haven amidst Soho.
These are (in my opinion) the three best hot chocolates in London, and the great thing is there are only more to come upon as you explore.
A great way to fill your day in between these pit stops is to find unusual things hidden in plain sight around central London, to keep your interest peaked! I’ve done the hard work and found some gems for you in another post here. Happy discovering!
