London, secret capital of chocolate

Before meeting the expert in gastronomy and tourist guide Magali, I had no idea London could be a real kingdom of chocolate. As we usually hear about the famous afternoon tea, scones and cupcakes in the British capital, the truffles, pralines, and other delicious chocolate names generally fall into oblivion. And yet!

London, gateway city of luxury chocolate for centuries

Did you know that the first place of hot chocolate tasting in London, White’s, dates from 1693 at a time when the delicious beverage was the ultimate luxury and a real stooge of social status ? This private club reserved for an elite, still exists in Saint James Street, Mayfair.

Today, with its multiculturalism and its economic power, London has a very wide gastronomic offer that places it at the top list of gastronomic destinations in Europe – where the consumption of ‘hedonic goods’ such as chocolate is a lifestyle in itself.

Originality and high quality, the key words of chocolate confection

For fine chocolate lovers, London is a small paradise with its hundred of chocolate houses creativity to delight the senses. Original recipes, bold design, neat packaging : each house has its own making secrets and can adapt itself to the new trends punctuated by the Londoners’ requirements.

Some chocolate houses even organize culinary workshops giving visitors the opportunity to create their own chocolates accordingly with their tastes and desires.

Where to find the best chocolate houses in London ?

If there are excellent chocolates everywhere in London, Notting Hill, Mayfair and Chelsea are the chocolate houses’ preferred neighborhoods for their chic and avant-garde atmosphere. Imagine yourself in Portobello Market enjoying a bite of chocolate ganache with milk and hazelnut chips at Melt ! Or in the Saatchi Gallery with a praline or truffle with dark chocolate of La Maison du Chocolat while you enjoy one of the wacky exhibitions which typify the famous art gallery in Sloane Square ! Personally, all this makes me hungry…

And if like me you are a chocolate addict and you are going to London for the Christmas holidays, don’t miss the opportunity to grab a hot chocolate in one of the most beautiful Christmas markets in the city : South Bank, London Bridge or Hyde Park.