The Highland Chocolatier
Scottish chocolatier Iain Burnett has been honing his craft for decades; something apparent to all who enter his shop in the Perthshire village of Grandtully. Made with an intense, fruity cocoa from the island of São Tomé – and the help of the dairies, berry growers and beekeepers closer to home – his collection of artisan chocolates focuses on truffles and pralines, but also extends to chocolate-dipped Florentines and jars of hazelnut and chocolate spread. Beside the shop is the Chocolate Lounge, a cafe serving award-winning hot chocolates as well as cakes, coffees, chocolate tastings and even frozen ganache ice cream.
Bare Bones
The clue is in the name at this pared-back Glasgow chocolate factory. Known for its sustainable packaging and carefully sourced ingredients, the micro-batch business also has a factory shop where you can stop off to buy bars, mini bars, hot chocolates (or a combination of the above arranged in a ‘cosy night in’ hamper). On the more adventurous side are items including Madagascan vanilla marshmallows and 68 per cent Dominican Republic salted chocolate batons, purpose-designed for making your own pains au chocolat at home. The shop also has a counter serving cups of its own bean-to-bar hot chocolate.
Baravelli’s
Step inside the dapper shopfront of this Conwy chocolatier and you’ll find counters brimming with handmade hazelnut pralines, tiramisu truffles and bonbons in such out-of-the-ordinary flavours as Herbes de Provence. Run by husband-and-wife team Mark and Emma Baravelli, the shop is best known for its seasonal showstoppers. Easter might bring hand-painted ‘dragon eggs’ or versions of the classic seasonal treat decorated with bright plumage – the electric blue and bronze feathers of a kingfisher or the dazzling dreamcoat of a Fischer’s lovebird. Valentine’s Day, meanwhile, sees the focus switch to truffles.
Charbonnel et Walker
If Willy Wonka was setting up shop today he might avoid the capital. From Rococo to William Curley, London is so well stocked with chocolate shops you almost expect the stuff to start spouting from the fountain in Piccadilly Circus. The Champagne truffle of the bunch, however, is Charbonnel et Walker’s Old Bond Street store. Set within The Royal Arcade, which dates back to 1879, the shop’s elegant curved glass windows encase a panoply of sweet treats; the heritage selections come quintessentially boxed with fine dark and milk chocolates and the company’s iconic rose and violet creams.
Pump Street
Mention this Suffolk bakery to those in the know, and they’re likely to comment on either its pink-washed walls or the fact it produces chocolate as well as baked goods. Made in small batches from beans imported directly from family farms and cooperatives, Pump Street Chocolate is best known for its beautifully packaged bars. Visit the dedicated shop across the square from the bakery and cafe for the full range of chocolates, as well as chocolate-themed cookbooks, magazines, DIY chocolate-making equipment and a carefully chosen range of bars from other craft chocolate makers.
Hill St. Chocolates
A favourite with local boy done good Jamie Oliver, Hill St. may now have a second branch in Cambridge but its original shop in Saffron Walden still ticks all the right (chocolate) boxes. Slick pink-and-black branding and sophisticated flavours – think Maldon salted caramel or orange and Earl Grey ganaches – set an indulgent tone. Finely crafted classics are done in fresh, modern ways here: branded bars, wafers, ganaches, marshmallows, nougat, hot chocolate and chocolate-enrobed fruits and nuts. Buy gift boxes to take away, or sit in the lounge and linger over homemade cookies (chocolate, of course), coffees or hot chocolates.