On my way from work to a friend's house for book club and dinner, it was my responsibility to bring…read morethe dessert. But with a convenient bus going directly from Bank to just around the corner from her house, I was a frantic mess searching for a basic shop in which to buy some sweets. Luckily, I didn't find a convenience store (let's think about the location here) -- I happened upon Paul A. Young and was in choc heaven. It's a wonder that the place was still open, considering the area -- shops and cafes usually close at 5 or earlier when you're surrounded by office buildings. I can guarantee I was the only customer that day, which meant I got wonderful personal treatment from the shopkeeper. First of all, I want to bottle the smell of the shop's interior and sell it for millions. I could spend hours in there just sniffing. The kind man behind the counter was very helpful in pointing out EVERYTHING in the shop that was dairy-free. Because he was so nice, I ignored the prices and bought 4 dark chocolate mice, a small box of ferrero rocher style chocolate clusters, and a small box of mint chocolate slices. All wrapped up in some tissue paper in a beautiful carrier bag, and I was on my way. And I have to say, the girls were impressed with my dessert choice. I'll definitely be going back to Paul's again.

Get the Aztec hot chocolate! It's amazing, pure decadent chocolate that just coats your tongue and…read moresends bolts of pleasure straight to your brain. You can add various spices to it to customise it for your tastes, but overall it will satisfy even the most demanding of chocolate cravings. I first went to this place to find an appetiser for the "dessert as dinner" concept for a first date. I had heard rumors of delicious chocolate mice and had to see these for myself. I can confirm the rumours, they are delicious and well worth the hunt. I was grinning like the Cheshire cat as I walked away carrying my prize. The shop is small but stacked with chocolate in all conceivable forms and flavourings. The smell is overwhelming and breathing deeply can be enough to hit your chocolate limit.

I went into a million artisinal chocolate shops in London searching for gifts and the best…read morechocolate and this was one of my favorite places for fine chocolate! (Tied in 1st for my favorite London chocolate was the Pump Street chocolate curated by Harrod's department store, and one from Whole Foods hah!) Paul A Young is famous and won awards for their salted caramel chocolates, unique and unlike any other I've had because they're much softer than the usual caramels, but at the same time not completely liquid. I personally thought their brownies were the best part - they seemed overly dense but were so rich and perfectly decadent. I also purchased the sampler of different varieties of milk and dark chocolates, and it was my least favorite because I felt the darks were a little too dry and bitter and the milks were too creamy and sweet. I'd recommend you taste the samples on the main table before purchasing. The truffles were beautiful and the flavors unique but personally I was not a big fan (except for the salted caramels). Overall, highly recommend a visit here for the salted caramels and brownies!

At a time when investing can be hazardous because of the volatility of the world economy. I have…read morespotted one product which seems immune to the winds of recession. High end chocolate is on the up with chains like Maison Chocolat opening new shops. Paul A Young's flagship shop in Soho follows this pattern of extremely tempting and exclusive chocolates on show with prices which would make your bank manager and my Chinese Thrift Gene blush! My CTG won't allow me to buy these expensive products for myself but it's a good destination for a nice present for someone special. They do sell interesting products like savoury flavours in their chocolate Fortunately, I have more of a savoury tooth than a sweet tooth, so this place won't bankrupt me

Excellent chocolate shop- it smells amazing inside! The customer service is excellent as well!…read more You can purchase a box or a few pieces, I ended up getting two 26 piece boxes (the smallest ones they had and I believe it's 26 or maybe it's 16 pieces haha I don't remember); along with that I got two pieces to treat myself, and a bar of vegan chocolate for a friend. The ones I tried are delicious! Will absolutely be back and recommend this spot to others. So excited to gift a box to my S/O and family!

Lovely chocolate shop in Notting Hill ! I like to pop in for a hot chocolate on a cold day after…read morewandering around portobello market. We walked in one day when their cafe space had been reserved for a private event and the staff was very kind and accommodating, clearing up the little nook by the window for us to sit and enjoy our drinks. It's a fun visit, made even better by the nice staff and great music they play. Needless to say the hot chocolate in wonderful!

I concur with other reviewers that this place is a bit on the pricey side. If you really need your…read morechocolate in the shape of a frog or a shoe, then by all means, this is the place for you. I've only samples a couple of their truffles. I would say they are good, but nothing special. My main interest at Theobroma Cacao is the hot chocolate. The first time I went their and tried a ginger hot chocolate, it was like liquid heaven. The chocolate was piping hot and oh-so smooth. The ginger gave it just the right kick. I would have rated the place 5-stars for that experience alone. However, the second time I went and tried the strawberry hot chocolate, I was sorely disappointed. It was thin and not very flavorful. I suppose I'll have to give it another try one of these days to see which experience is the norm.

Not surprisingly I am a fan of chocolate, good chocolate, obviously…read more Currently I have only had the opportunity to try the drinking chocolate, they have a very long list of all the different ways you can have it. Plain chocolate, chocolate and banana, chocolate and amaretto, chocolate and hazelnut, chocolate and butterscotch, chocolate and chilli are only a few that come to mind. For me its plain chocolate with marshmallows, at £4.50 a cup. Even on a cold night one of those with your date on the tiny tables outside will make you feel warmer in the tummy and your heart. As you would expect the shop smells exquisite, and the low tone lighting gives an amazing glow to the chocolates that you can buy in a selection of the shop's most popular chocolates. These include chocolate marzipans, fudge, chocolate coated fruits and chocolate sticks. Attention though, 500g cost £40, yep stiff isn't? We are spending christmas with a friend of mine and her family, and she is a chocolate lover so I think a selection of handmade cognac truffles will make her very happy.

We visited their smaller location on a super hot day, however, we didn't want to miss out on the…read moredeliciousness.

Came here with my coworkers and was expecting it to be bigger but it was a quaint packed shop. The…read moreline was out the door but moved quickly. We each ordered a different flavored hot chocolate and were amazed at the customer service and the guy preparing the toppings for the drink. We were all in awe at the taste. Definitely worth the two tune rides and the street was amazing. Can't wait to check out the main location.

Since 1913, Leonidas has been making choco treats using the best possible ingredients…read more This little retail center reminded me of a fine jewelry shop, only the delicate pieces of art behing the glass were pralines and chocolates. There are dozens of individual choices, but because I had no clue, opted for a pre-selected variety pack, which is available in different sizes and prices. The prices might seem a little high, but once you start eating them, you realize that each is an individually designed little present. In fact, I had several women making eyes at me on the tube but then I realized it was the chocolate they were admiring. If you're a chocoholic, this is a must-visit stop on your "bar" crawl.

We all like chocolate but once you taste Leonidas chocolates, you get addicted. This nice little…read moreshop sells fresh belgian chocolates... all kind of chocolates. I suggest that you taste two of their special recipes: the fresh butter cream pieces and the champagne tuffles. At Leonidas, you can choose your own assortment of chocolates and get them wrapped in beautiful boxes (up to &kg) to offer.

Gorgeous chocolate shop in Shoreditch! Love that the chocolate pieces are mix and match as they're…read morepriced the same. I got a variety of chocolates to try and my favorites were the coffee hazelnut and pistachio crunch chocolates! Love that they have a good variety of vegan and dark chocolate options! Everything was so good and super fun to get a variety mix.

This was a worthwhile stop during our stroll along Brick Lane. Located in a small shop at the…read morecorner of Brick Lane and Bacon St. (just to add to its appeal), the vintage feel jives with the overall ambiance of the Brick Lane experience. But inside this shop is an experience all its own. Those of us well into our adult years will still get that proverbial "kid in a candy store" sense when walking into a place like this. The immediate reaction is "I'll take one of everything". The number of choices and sheer number of chocolates displayed in a confined space are both exhilarating and overwhelming at the same time. It was clear from the choices that this was a true artisan shop. In an act of fiscal and dietary restraint, we took away a half-dozen pieces. My wife always compares chocolatiers using their Chocolate Orange Peels (Chocolate Orangettes is what they called them at this place) as a benchmark. This place passed with flying colors. They also offered an intriguing Mango-infused Dark Chocolate with a pipet of Mango compote that you could inject before eating. It was also a highlight. The prices are fair for what this place is and the service is friendly, polite and efficient. If you are meandering up and down Brick Lane, this establishment is worth a stop. If you are a Chocolate fan, then this place is a must-stop. I guess there are people out there who are not chocolate lovers (or at least likers), but that is like not being a fan of oxygen from my perspective. I would like to stop again sometime to try one of the chocolate drinks. We opted to not get one this time on top of the candy pieces we bought to avoid the sugar overload. But they looked amazing from what I saw of others who did indulge.

This has to be the best chocolate shop in London. Its certainly not cheap, so I think they might…read moreknow it already. The chocolate is amazing, full of spices and flavors that you never would have thought to put together. I tried a slice of white chocolate with masala spices which was minty, sweet and spicy. Also tried some dark chocolate with a strong chili aftertaste. I got some hot chocolate to go, which was perfect for a winters day. They do small cups for 1.50, and larger ones for 3, all from hand-roasted cocoa from their kitchen. There is no milk in it, and its rather thick, leaving a lovely aftertaste in your mouth. This is what real chocolate tastes like... try it!

Friendly service, mouthwatering chocolates, and on a cute street. What more can you ask for???…read more We spoke with nick and he's super nice! Knows his chocolates and can even help you plan a special memory! Bought a dark chocolate fudge brownie and I'm in heaven. Yum!!!!