Wouldn't it be just grand if Hotel Chocolat was indeed a Chocolate Hotel. That would be…read morescrumptious! Sadly for me and the other chocolate freaks out there it isn't, but what it is, well, it's a luxury chocolate establishment that not only tantalises your tastebuds, but gives your eyes and nose a sensory treat too. With Valentine's Day approaching, Hotel Chocolat provides a welcome shake up to all the run of the mill chocolate gifts unadventurous other halves will be scrambling for on Saturday afternoon when mad panic ensues. There's plenty to impress with, the large hearts are works of art just for the eyes. The pink and fruity one is super girly, and will go down a treat with girlfriends for all those hapless boyfs out there. Even it's just to appreciate the craftsmanship that's gone into those square feet of chocolate wonders. The fruit and nut version of this large heart looks like a piece of sculpture. It is magnificent, at £28 it's worth it just this once. The store is nicely open plan, so it's perfect to spot your target and have a general nosey at what else is in the offing. From the small trinket treats to the large hampers, there's a splash of decadence for everyone's budget. The sheer effort gone into the show pieces is extraordinary, and worth paying, to make someone smile. I'm already bracing myself for the Easter Eggs, as they are natural, colourful, and make a good solid Easter gift for a kidlet or special half. Aside from gifts and trinkets there's a good selection of chocolate boxes, cooking chocolate, bagged chocolate treats, Smudge (I shalln't explain as it's worth going in, buying, tasting and finding out for yourself), drinking chocolate, chocolate slabs, and probably many other chocolate things I've failed to mention. There's also a nice and adventurous combination of flavours here, different to the normal chocolate box selections, and that's part of what makes the price so acceptable.

Did I not review my dining experience at Hotel Chocolat? Crazy! Well, I didn't love it. I had one…read moreof the most expensive burgers I've ever had in Leeds (around £16+) and it was my least favourite burger experience. The bread was too tough and stodgy for my tastes (I like a soft brioche) and the meat was a little over done for me. I realise the gimmick for the menu would of course be the cocoa nibs, but their being involved in almost everything was also a little much. I guess I was hoping for things like chili with chocolate sauce? I don't know! That being said, service was grand and the amuse bouche was a treat! Regardless, I love love love love love their hot chocolates. You really won't find better in Leeds. Salted caramel is my current winner, but the chili comes a close second! And the service in the cosy bar downstairs is just so fabulous. You should also give the sweet potato shavings a try -- they're a fantastic snack. I didn't love the restaurant, but everything else about this place is lovely. I'll always be a fan of their chocolate!

This is a nice Hotel Chocolat location, located on James Street in Harrogate town centre. It…read morefeatures a store and a small Cafe area, they manage to pack a lot into the space they have, without the store feeling too cramped. It is a premium chocolate brand, so the items are more suited for gifts than your day-to-day chocolate needs. The store inside seemed to match the high-end brand, it was presentable and modern, and the staff seemed average. They even had some of their own brand of alcoholic spirits too which sounded interesting. Sadly they didn't seem to be any sampling going on in-store on my recent visit. Opening Hours are in line with other shops in the town, closing at 17:30 Monday to Saturday, and an hour earlier on Sundays - not great but seems to be a problem throughout Harrogate's town centre. 4*

Service was excellent! Our server Poppy was so lovely! Can't wait to go back next time im in…read moreHarrogate!

If you adore marzipan combined with dark chocolate then you have missed a trick: the dark chocolate…read moreassortment bag sold here no longer appears to contain these delectable sweetmeats, which were huge flat squares closer to a chocolate bar than a truffle. Ah well, at least they still do the dark chocolate mint thins, which are pretty heavenly. And I won't say no to a cherry dipped in chocolate from Bon Bon's either. Go on, try me, see if I'll turn it down The great thing about Bon Bon's is, it's located right next door to a juice bar. So you can stock up on pounds of calorific naughty goodies, and then head next door for a wheat grass smoothie - which of course will magically undo any damage done! Genius, eh?

This is a great little shop. The chocolates are amaaaaazing and you can get them packed up into…read morelittle gift boxes so they make perfect presents. They also sell bags of some real old school sweets, like midget gems, bon bons and cinder toffee. Far too tempting for my liking!

I used to go to Betty's for wonderful tea and coffee. Their bakery items are superb. On a 4-day…read moreholiday to London, a colleague and I took some orange scones for a breakfast train ride. The scones were pure perfection. I've tried to duplicate Betty's bakery items, and though I got close, it was never close enough. Betty's also has wonderful meals. It's a definite must-see place if you end up in Harrogate.

Don't bother to order from Bett's as they do not care whether or when the goods arrive once they…read moreget your money

If you have been to Haworth on a sunny day, you will have had a taster of their coconut chocolate…read more I had kilo's of their samples. Simon the owner has a great little shop. Their handmade chocolates are certainly to die for. The range goes from oranges dipped in dark chocolate, to lime and chilli, to parma violets, to cherry liquors, truffles and everything in between. They also sell vegan chocolates, so if you are vegan or have a dairy intolerance/allergy you can still indulge yourself. What can I say? I am a chocoholic and you can taste the quality. A great shop for gifts for someone special or just yourself.

Absolutely unforgettable. First off, the chocolate is amazing. The best I have ever had, and I've…read morehad a lot of incredible chocolate from all over the world. But the service made it even better. The shop owner was such a delight to chat with, and was so kind to all who came into his shop. I will recommend this place until the day I die.

Yummmm, chocolate!…read more Monk Bar Chocolatiers have a wide array of sweets to serve your dessert needs. When I walked along The Shambles, I was honing in for something to get my sweet tooth, and I spotted this lovely chocolatier. They offer various cream-filled chocolates and truffles, along with larger bar chocolates, drinks, and novelty items as well (I stopped by a month or so before Easter, so got to see a collection of beautiful chocolate eggs). I settled for a small box of 8 - I know I'll eat them all myself and it's my own fault if I get fat. Still, these aren't the types of chocolates you want to scarf down like a candy bar - these are rich and flavourful, and you'll get enjoyment out of each one. I'm personally a fan of truffles so I focused mainly on those, and on darker chocolates. My favourites from my collection were the Cocgnac Truffle, the Whisky Truffle, the Amaretto Truffle, the Coffee Cream (in dark chocolate), and the Gianduja. There was another one that I absolutely loved, something that was bitter and dark and presented like a truffle, but it was a limited item so they don't have it on their standard menu - bummer! If you're looking for chocolates and you're in York, you're bound to find something you like here. Their website lists many of their chocolates, but there are some unlisted options as well. Additional bonuses are friendly and knowledgeable staff, and competitive pricing. I meant to take some photos of my chocolates but...um...I ate them all too fast. Whoops? Guess I'll just have to go back for more.

This place is a bit of a magical surprise on your time travel through the Shambles…read more You begin smelling chocolate before you're even in front of the shop. And it's not uncommon to see hordes of people queuing up outside for one of their chocolate cups with chocolate sauce... and why WOULDN'T you get one of those???? I recommend getting the milk chocolate inside the dark chocolate cup. The rich, buttery, creaminess of the milk chocolate is accented even more by the ever-so-slight bitterness of the dark chocolate. Ok, so I'm now looking up the next train to York.....

This is going to end in tears. I can feel it now as I'm on a total sweet binge. When that mood…read moretakes you and you are in Harrogate you have to check out Farrah's for divine toffee. It is now a brand known across the globe and you may recognise the blue and silver embossed tins. They were established in 1840 and even export to eight different countries. So you know they obviously have a talent for what they do. And oh yes do they ever. Their toffee and fudge is immaculate. They have tins, bars or boxes. It's an embarrassment of riches. You'll also find traditional sweets of the old school variety. We're talking ace boiled sweets of yesteryear. Throw in jams, chutneys, cakes and biscuits too and you can come away with a dream selection. This is my favourite bit though. They even do sugar free sweets. How good is that! Sweets with less guilt, now we're talking. A place to visit for sure and one that may well make your diet falter. I apologize for that but please invoice my accountant not me for damages

I really can't add too much more to what Melissa said in her review except I agree wholeheartedly!read more

Charbonnel et Walker have been making chocolate since 1875, and I think they've got the hang of it…read more The company is approved by The Queen (Elizabeth II, not Brian May and co), and the confectionery on offer is exquisite, both in taste and the appearance of their packaging. The shop itself is reminiscent of the one in the film Chocolat. There are aesthetically wonderful treats galore, with seductively rich smells wafting through the warm air. I bought some Pink Marc de Champagne Truffles last year for Mothers Day, and they were very well received. Although slightly excessive in price, the extravagance of the product for a special occasion is fitting. The Chocolat Charbonnel drinking chocolate is a far superior version of the usual product. Made with hot milk, the creaminess and rich flavours make the taste a delicious and complex one, without being synthetically sweet. I prefer the chocolaty delights of nearby Leeds-based Bon Bon's. I find their products more personal and the flavours more varied. However, if you need a more mainstream gift to impress, chocolates from Charbonnel et Walker would certainly achieve that.

Deary, deary me this is the chocolate shop of dreams! Luxury upon luxury! Gearing up for…read moreValentine's Day, the window display is choc-full of lovingly-wrapped heart-shaped gift boxes complete with white roses and bows. Wow! So kitsch, yet somehow not tacky...just...beautiful! The sensuously curving gold letters swaggering across the window draw you closer...dare you enter? Dare you? I went in. The shop is quiet and I imagine rarely has more than one or two customers at once, except on February 13th! Of course, the chocolates aren't cheap...but how could they be? Where would be the decadence in that? But for that special someone...and considering the sheer quality and indulgence exuding from the classy packaging...the prices aren't through the roof. If just for a window shop, or to splash out on a special gift, I'd recommend you take a look!