As the temperatures drop and our final flush of an Indian summer fades, focus is shifting to where one can pick up a warming drink to lift the spirits. Here is our pick of the best places to pick up a hot chocolate.
The Clifton Observatory's Cafe 360
The Parlour at Fortnum and Mason, Piccadilly
For hot chocolate in the poshest of surroundings, Fortnum & Mason's The Parlour on London's Piccadilly just doors down from The Ritz is as high-falutin' as it gets. Take a seat on the pastel banquettes and choose from dark, milk, or salted caramel and "smother the gloopy treat in whipped cream and chocolate shavings", said Condé Nast Traveller.
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
The Chocolate Lounge, Grandtully
"Few take chocolate as seriously as Iain Burnett," said The Herald Scotland. His Hot Velvet Ganache won the Best Hot Chocolate In Europe award. The chocolatier's Highland Chocolatier empire has a "pretty special hot chocolate" in its "Chocolate Lounge" attached to his workshops. Opt for the Classic Hot Chocolate (a Velvet Truffle Ganache), or one that comes "infused with your choice of raspberry, orange, strawberry, cinnamon, chilli or peppermint."
Dark Sugars, Greenwich
The four-storey "Cacao House" in Greenwich whips up "thick hot chocolates" covered in a mix of white, milk and dark chocolate curls and sprinkles for a "super chocolatey hit", said Condé Nast Traveller. And you can stock up on chocolate to take away, too, including "tubs of hot chocolate inspired by West African flavours".
Goat Ledge, East Sussex
You can "pimp up" hot chocolates at this colourful cabin cafe right on St Leonards on Sea with alcoholic spirits, said Muddy Stilettos, whether that's with alcoholic White Russian or Triple Sec versions or, if you're looking for some calm, a shot of CBD. But it's the white lemon hot chocolate that takes some beating.
Luxe, Cirencester
If you need to drink your hot chocolate and take a photo of it, too, the Cotswolds' most "Insta-friendly" cafe, said So Gloucester, Luxe has a Terry's Chocolate Orange flavoured version, as well as Nutella, Biscoff and Kinder Bueno. Before you drain your cup, though, take a picture of the chocolate work of art next to its pretty pink flower wall.
Knoops, Rye
The first Knoops chocolate cafe was opened back in 2013 in Rye and now there are 13. Customers can choose "a completely customised chocolate-based drink" said Delicious magazine's Fiona Logan, with a menu that offers 22 different percentages of chocolate, 20 different hot chocolate blends, including vanilla and almonds, as well as different milks and "botanicals", such as dry spices, herbs, fruits and roots.
-
5 cinematic cartoons about Bezos betting big on 'Melania'Cartoons Artists take on a girlboss, a fetching newspaper, and more
-
The fall of the generals: China’s military purgeIn the Spotlight Xi Jinping’s extraordinary removal of senior general proves that no-one is safe from anti-corruption drive that has investigated millions
-
Why the Gorton and Denton by-election is a ‘Frankenstein’s monster’Talking Point Reform and the Greens have the Labour seat in their sights, but the constituency’s complex demographics make messaging tricky
-
Caribbean resorts that call for serious rest and relaxationThe Week Recommends Serenity is a flight away
-
February’s books feature new Toni Morrison, a sapphic love tale and a criticism of Mexican historyThe Week Recommends This month’s new releases include ‘Autobiography of Cotton’ by Cristina Rivera Garza, ‘Language as Liberation’ by Toni Morrison and ‘Heap Earth Upon It’ by Chloe Michelle Howarth
-
Spoil those special someones with these charming Valentine’s Day giftsThe Week Recommends Make them ooh and aah
-
February’s new movies jump from rehab facilities to 1990s Iraq to a maybe apocalypsethe week recommends Time travelers, multiverse hoppers and an Iraqi parable highlight this month’s offerings during the depths of winter
-
Exploring Vilnius, the green-minded Lithuanian capital with endless festivals, vibrant history and a whole lot of pink soupThe Week Recommends The city offers the best of a European capital
-
The best fan fiction that went mainstreamThe Week Recommends Fan fiction websites are a treasure trove of future darlings of publishing
-
The 8 best hospital dramas of all timethe week recommends From wartime period pieces to of-the-moment procedurals, audiences never tire of watching doctors and nurses do their lifesaving thing
-
Dive right into these 8 underwater adventuresThe Week Recommends It’s time to make a splash
