Chocolate and cacao are one of the most consumed products in the world, and it’s easy to see why! Available in an infinite variety of flavours, strengths, and beans, it can be tricky to dial in your chocolate preferences. Can’t decide what chocolate shop to visit while in Brighton? Below, we’ve listed some of the most interesting places in Brighton to expand your cocoa palate!
Chocolatiers & Chocolate Shops in Brighton Pushing Boundaries and Reinforcing Ethical Chocolate
| Audrey’s Chocolates | Bustling multi-level chocolate workshop |
| Rainbow Organic Chocolates | Family-run friendly shop with an ever-changing selection |
| Brighton Cacao Company | Exciting and unusual flavour combinations |
| Be Chocolat | 100% sustainable, and fair-trade small batch chocolates |
| Paxton Chocolate | Artistic creations and designs using innovative technology |
Audrey’s Chocolates
Probably the closest thing East Sussex may have to a non-fictional Wonka workshop! For over 70 years Audrey’s Chocolates have been creating confectionary in Hove. Each floor of their 5-storey townhouse is used to produce, pack, and sell their handmade chocolates.
The basement is outfitted with copper trays and marble tables dedicated to creating small-batch marzipans, ganache, caramels, butterscotch, and their signature fondant creams which still use the traditional starch tray process.
Their enrobing machines cover as many as 5000 fillings a day with dark or milk chocolate, each finished with their own hand-applied markings. Hazelnut batons, almond clusters, and coconut Roche are also hand-dipped by Audrey’s Chocolates skilled team.
Audrey’s Chocolates are available as a bar, or in pre-packed selection boxes. If you’re getting a gift for a chocolate lover with particular preferences, you can also design a personalised chocolate box by ‘picking and mixing’ from their wide variety of chocolates!
Address: Audrey’s Chocolates, 28 Holland Road, Hove, BN3 1JJ
Website: www.audreyschocolates.co.uk
Rainbow Organic Chocolates
Finalists in the Great British Food Awards for 3 years, Rainbow Organic Chocolates is an independent and family-run artisan chocolate business which began in Edinburgh in 2012 and moved to Brighton in 2014 when they opened doors in Brighton’s historic Open Market.
Founder and Master Chocolatier Suzanne, who completed a professional training program in chocolate bonbon at L’Ecole Du Grand Chocolat, Valrhona. Suzanne and her family make chocolates with passion and commitment using the finest organic ingredients, sourced as locally as possible. They have always been registered as organic and are annually audited by The Organic Farmers and Growers Auditors.
All Rainbow Organic Chocolates are entirely handmade from scratch and in small batches at this chocolate shop in Brighton, including all their candied fruits, marzipans, pralines, ganache, fondants, etc. and hand temper all their chocolate. Pop into Suzanne’s chocolate workshop any day and you’ll find an ever-changing selection of delicious chocolate ranging from classic favourites to intriguing experiments and a welcoming and friendly atmosphere from a family business who are proud of their products and happy to talk you through each creation.
Address: Rainbow Organic Chocolates, Unit 26, The Open Market, 1 Marshalls Row, Brighton, BN1 4JU
Website: www.rainboworganicchocolates.com
Brighton Cacao Company
Founder George Wellicome realised his passion for chocolate while studying at Le Cordon Bleu and dreamed of travelling to cocoa plantations to work with and learn from cocoa farmers. In 2018, following a holiday visiting Honduras, George started the Brighton Cacao Company.
Starting a market stall selling his chocolate bars, George generated some buzz around his creations by experimenting with wacky flavours and combinations in single-origin chocolate. By the end of 2019, Brighton Cacao Company had opened its shop in Hove.
Now the shop produces a variety of chocolate bars, truffles, and hot chocolate mixes including notable flavour combinations such as pink peppercorn & Himalayan salt, raspberry & violet, and passionfruit & rosemary – Brighton Cacao Company is a great choice for anybody looking to add an extra twist to their chocolate fix!
Soon, George is hoping to release a book to share his patisserie and chocolate skills to offer customers some insider tricks and tips on how to get creative with confectionery at home. This chocolate shop in Brighton is also planning to make their production line a fully bean-to-bar process and to open a roastery which will be open for tours!
Address: Brighton Cacao Company, 115 Portland Rd, Hove, BN3 5DP
Website: www.brighton-cacao-company.com
Be Chocolat
A short walk from Brighton train station, Be Chocolat hand make their chocolate daily in their customer-facing workshop. They create small batches of products using some of the best cocoas in the world. They don’t believe in making up large stocks; as their number one priority is to deliver the freshest & highest quality products possible.
Founder and Maitre Chocolatier Michel Clement opened this business after 20 years of experience working in Bali. Not only are their chocolates delicious, indulgent, and classic, but their cocoa beans are also 100% Sustainable and Be Chocolat is 100% FairTrade. Their products contain zero palm oil – the major driver of deforestation and endangering many animal species.
Their packaging is entirely hand-crafted by dedicated Balinese women recycling Bali’s wastepaper. This locally produced hand-crafted paper doesn’t use any chemicals or bleaches in the process and is a product of environmental integrity supporting women in Bali.
The ethos of Be Chocolat ensures its customers a guilt-free experience when enjoying one of their beautifully presented chocolate boxes, slabs, or dipped candied fruits; and with many vegan options available, Be Chocolat chocolates serve as a great gift for chocolate lovers of any ilk.
Address: Be Chocolat, 15 Duke St, Brighton, BN1 1AH
Website: www.bechocolatbrighton.com
Paxton Chocolate
Paxton Chocolate focuses on creating unique and memorable experiences with chocolate. With a background in fashion design and architecture, founder Caitlin Paxton creates beautiful pieces which are as eye-catching as they are flavourful. Deciding to follow in the footsteps of her Swiss pâtissier Grandfather, Caitlin retrained and completed her patisserie diploma at Le Cordon Bleu.
Realising that she could combine her knowledge of design with her new love for tempered chocolate – Paxton Chocolate uses a pioneering digital printing system, or 3d mould making to craft some truly unique chocolate objects including Chocolates featuring famous Gainborough paintings, fully moulded chocolate teacups, and even a dress made entirely from chocolate thins!
Each chocolate is designed to evoke a visual response triggering a precognition of the taste you are about to experience.
Address: Paxton Chocolate, 3 Marine Terrace Mews, Kemptown, Brighton, BN2 1AR
Website: www.bespokechocolatedesign.com
Chocolate Tour
If you fancy experiencing the best of Brighton’s chocolate scene but don’t know where to begin, why not join one of the local chocolate tours?
This 2-hour tour, available daily will guide you through a selection of popular chocolate shops and cafes, allow you to sample a variety of chocolate products, and show you around Brighton’s most important landmarks such as the North Laine, The Lanes, Brighton Dome, the Royal Pavilion, or the Brighton Pier.
Meet your guide at the entrance of St Bartholomew’s Church (Ann Street) and taste your way around Brighton’s best-kept chocolate secrets. If you feel like bringing some chocolate back for loved ones, this tour offers special discounts at some stores!
Find out more here