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

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.

I had no interest in Cadbury and came across articles recommending this luxury chocolate brand, so…read morewe ventured to this location out of only three. A vast range of chocolates and flavors could be found. The print on the packaging was quite distinct. ----- Espresso Shots Gift Tin: little solid chocolate drops shaped like coffee beans and flavored with rich roasted coffee (£16.95). Certainly powerful in coffee taste and yet not too bitter. Chocolate consistency was smooth with a tiny hint of grittiness from the ground coffee beans. Quality was good and best to eat a couple at a time. ----- Milkshake: choose your ice cream flavor. Add whipped cream (optional) (£5.95). My brother picked their one of their best sellers: Dark Chocolate ice cream flavor, made from a blend of three types of imported Dutch Cocoa. He thought it was good, although was too rich for him to finish. Toppings like gold sugar, rose petals, and wafer thin piece can be added at an extra cost. ----- The Belgravia store is along Motcomb Street lined with independent boutiques and restaurants. A couple of tables are outside in addition to indoor seating.

The wife is really into gourmet chocolate so I trekked across Green Park from St. James to…read moreBelgravia just to find this little shop. Rocco is a quaint little store/cafe located in the upscale residential part of Belgravia. They carry an eclectic collection of unique flavors of chocolates such as earl grey, scrumptious peach, almond cardamon coffee marzipan, award-winning Persian pistachio and Tawny Fig, etc. The prices are pretty reasonable for handmade gourmet chocolate. I am not a connoisseur of chocolate; but they wife seemed to really enjoy them.

William Curley's is known for their chocolates (which I haven't actually tried), but the shop is…read moreworth a visit just for the fine, beautifully-presented pastries. (I'd rate them 5 stars, except that I found their pistachio cookies almost inedible. But to each her own.)

I could sum this adorable little shop up in just two words: chocolate heaven! I'll tell you a…read morelittle more though... Chocolatier, William Curley (his real name) has won many industry awards for his sumptuous creations. Amongst the silver award winners is a dark chocolate mint square, unlike any other mint chocolate you'll ever have experienced. It has a deeply, intense, dark chocolate shell containing an extraordinary mint filling with a surprising (and stunning) savoury edge; you really experience the mint leaves here with no remote evidence of nasty, synthetic, sickly flavourings. Many customers come-in just to buy a single chocolate (including me) that delivers the most intense chocolate hit and satisfies the deepest chocolate craving. Staff are helpful and patient and if you want a sit-down chocolate treat, there is one petite table where you can enjoy a hot chocolate and a super-rich chocolate patisserie.

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.

My friend and I got lost while we were visiting London from NYC, and happened upon this amazing…read morechocolate shop. I can't imagine anyone having anything other than praise for this place. I recognized immediately that it wasn't exactly cheap, but you also can tell right away that it will all be worth every penny. And it was. The woman behind the counter, who I assume was probably the owner, was extremely helpful and patient. She gave extra details on all of the chocolates that I asked about. I ended up getting one of each of the following ganaches: marc de champagne, passionfruit jelly in milk chocolate, a hand-painted heart with a bee, an earl grey, and I'm afraid I can't remember the last two. But every single one was divine, and it was all packaged in a perfect little box. Happy birthday to me! What a shame we don't have one of these in the states.

When I need a little something for someone - whether it's to say "Thank You" or to apologise - I…read morecome to Rococo Chocolates. I especially like their various "fun" chocolate designs and they quirky packaging. A chocolatey gift from here will make even the fiercest heart melt...

This chocolate shop is full of vibrant colour and amazing looking chocolates shaped as animals…read morewhich are beautifully painted. The people serving however are snooty and rude. The chocolates from the counter were delicious - I highly recommend the salted caramel ravioli & pear willams chocolate - but the bars they sell (sold in Selfridges as well) are not great. They offer these as tasters and NONE of them had an overly chocolate flavour and the texture was a little odd. Unfortunately I wouldn't recommend this place if looking to spoil someone with a few posh chocolates - there is more choice and better service in Selfridges!

This is a small chocolate shop that is right next to the Marylebone Farmer's Market. They have…read morechocolates that are prepackaged as well as lots of choices in their display case. The workers were nice and answered all my questions. I ended up going with something prepackaged because I thought it would travel well. I brought them home and my husband loved them. It's really good chocolate, just a bit pricey.

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.