Autumn time is here again, and along with it come the changing of the leaves, the annual pumpkin spice invasion, orange and black Halloween parties, and the build-up to the festive season.
But it’s not all trick-or-treat and deck-the-halls, on the flip side, shorter days and colder weather are on the horizon. It’s the time of year when outdoor activities become a bit less doable, and it’s generally more appealing to start cosying up indoors with blankets, armchairs, pets, and log fires.
A crucial part of keeping toasty in the darker evenings is wrapping your palms around a hot steaming mug of something, too late for coffee? Sick of tea? Too early for a hot toddy? Hot chocolate is the answer, and whether you’re looking to meet with a friend in a café, or hide away indoors, WeLoveBrighton.com have listed some of the best places to get the velvety cocoa comfort you sorely need while planning a Halloween costume or searching for stocking fillers in Brighton.
Where to find the best hot chocolate in Brighton That you need to try Right Now!
Cloud 9
In 2010, Hannah and Paul gave up their 9-5s in London and moved to Brighton to live their dream of opening Cloud 9 and making amazing ice cream and cakes to serve drop-in customers, birthdays, wedding parties and everything in between.
Cloud 9 has two locations, one in the North Laines, a short walk from the famous Snooper’s Paradise, which offers its patrons a calming place to sit down and enjoy a cake, ice cream, brownies, and even hot beverages. The second, on York Place, also offers treats and beverages but with the additional chance of seeing the team make their signature cakes, ice creams, or even wedding cakes as everything Cloud 9 serves is made fresh on-site. They also have a play area if you’re out and about with your little one.
Cloud 9 offers an excellent variety of hot drinks from tea to cappuccinos, but the focus of this article is their treat-stacked hot chocolates. These extravagant creations allow you to choose-your-own-adventure so to speak. Start with choosing your hot chocolate; milk, white, mint, or hazelnut, then adorn your beverage with whipped cream, marshmallows, brownie pieces, and chocolate chunks, and drizzle sauce over it, the sky’s the limit in their amazing Brighton locations!
Address: 11 York Place, Brighton, BN1 4GU or 15 Kensington Gardens, Brighton, BN1 4AL
Website: www.cloud9brighton.co.uk
Treatz
Treatz is a luxury dessert bar franchise that has recently opened a location on Western Road in Brighton. The brand prides itself on its hand-crafted products made by its expert dessert chefs ensuring quality through all its products from a simple coffee & cake to its maximalist waffle shake. The café contains a large amount of seating, decorated to reflect the indulgent opulence of their menu. With gold detailing and marble adorning their booths and tables, Treatz would be a great location for large or small groups.
Their categorised menu of desserts is extensive and comprehensive, anybody with the slightest sweet tooth will surely find something on Treatz’s menu to suit their tastebuds. The decadence doesn’t stop at their cakes and desserts, it carries through to the beverages, specifically the hot chocolates on offer.
Classic hot chocolate is a safe bet for a satisfying cup, but the appeal of Treatz is the extremity, so when in Rome, why not go for a Terry’s Hot Chocolate Orange, a Bounty Hot Chocolate with coconut whipped cream, or even a Hot Chocolate Shot available in milk, white, or even Nutella!
Address: 66 Western Road, Brighton, BN1 2HA
Website: www.treatz.co.uk
Brass Monkey Ice Cream
Tucked away on Hanningtons Lane, just off North Street, is Brass Monkey Ice Cream. This independent artisanal ice cream parlour offers delicious organic ice cream and sorbets made on-site daily. With 10 rotating flavours including Saffron and Rosewater, Tonka Bean, Cardamom, and – my favourite – Roast Banana, Brass Monkey has something for the adventurous and the classic lovers alike.
All the ice creams and sorbets are made in small batches with locally sourced (where possible) and organic ingredients, ensuring easy pronunciation of all their ingredients. However, this list isn’t about cold vanilla, it’s about hot chocolate, and with the weather beginning to cool down Brass Monkey Ice Cream in Brighton still has you covered.
The café also serves delicious cakes and hot beverages including great coffee from Pharmacie Roastery and delicious hot chocolates. With seating inside and friendly laid-back staff, Brass Monkey Ice Cream is a great place to get comfortable, watch the rain outside the window, sip a steaming cup of cocoa and enjoy a slice of cake.
Address: 8 Hanningtons Ln, Brighton, BN1 1GS
Website: www.brassmonkeyicecream.com
Hotel Chocolat
Since 2004, Hotel Chocolat has been producing ethically aware, high-quality chocolate products on Britain’s high streets. Their chocolate and cacao-based goods have won multiple awards through the years from multiple ceremonies, including the Academy of Chocolate.
Their Brighton store is just a brief walk from the Royal Pavilion. The recently relocated Hotel Chocolat shop now contains a café serving hot and cold drinks alongside ice cream and their usual chocolate delights. As you might expect, the Hotel Chocolat café offers a large range of hot chocolate variations to choose from including milk chocolate, dark chocolate, salted caramel, vanilla white, and even chilli-dark for something especially warm!
Most of the drinks offer plant-based milk or gluten-free alternatives. If you visit the café and discover your new favourite cup of cocoa, the shop also sells sachet packs of its hot chocolate so you can also prepare and enjoy your beverage at home!
Address: 19 North Street, Brighton, BN1 1EB
Website: www.hotelchocolat.com
Be Chocolat
Be Chocolat prides itself on delivering small batches, of freshly made chocolates of the highest quality to its customers. The chocolate workshop, located on Duke Street in the heart of Brighton, is run by Maitre Chocolatier Michel Clement and has a focus on being 100% palm oil free. All the chocolates are handmade in front of its patrons every day to ensure all stock is fresh and helps to reduce wastage. The packaging is made from biodegradable resources and is hand-crafted by Balinese women using Bali’s wastepaper (after appropriate processing of course!).
All of Be Chocolat’s products use high-quality, responsibly sourced cocoa, and no artificial ingredients. They also offer some delicious vegan options too and this ethos carries over into their make-at-home hot chocolate drops. This easy-to-make hot chocolate comes complete with a recipe card so you can dial in the perfect ratios for your favourite mug.
The solid cocoa drops come in milk, dark, and white variations and using real chocolate guarantees a decadent experience! When the weather outside is frightful, and the fire is so delightful, you’ll be glad you had a pack of these in the cupboard!
Address: 15 Duke Street, Brighton, BN1 1AH
Website: www.bechocolatbrighton.com/
Knoops
In 2013, Knoops founder, Jens Knoop opened his first chocolate shop in Rye, East Sussex. His passion for chocolate and high quality has allowed Jens to open 12 more stores, including one on Market Street, Brighton. The Brighton branch is famous for its chocolate drinks, coffee, and baked goods and includes an outside seating area so patrons can sip on a speciality hot chocolate while soaking in the atmosphere of Brighton’s South Lanes.
Knoops prides itself on the art of creating the perfect chocolate drink for each individual. Serving hot chocolate, iced chocolate, milkshakes, and mochas, Knoops considers their drink-making process similar to an experiment where the staff can curate a drink to suit every mood.
When you order your hot chocolate, you’re able to choose your preferred cocoa percentage from 20 different varieties – from 100% dark up to a creamy 28% white chocolate. Your preferred chocolate will then be melted into your choice of dairy or plant-based milk and lovingly garnished with extras such as grated orange zest, marshmallows, whipped cream, or even a pinch of sea salt, whatever your heart desires at that moment.
If you are anything like me, too many options can be a little overwhelming. Fear not! Knoops even has a quick quiz you can take on their website to find the drink best suited to your tastebuds!
Address: 42 Market Street, Brighton, BN1 1HH
Website: www.knoops.co.uk
Rainbow Organic Chocolates
Suzanne Brennan, master chocolatier and founder of Rainbow Organic Chocolates has been creating fantastic artisanal chocolates since establishing her company in 2012. In 2014, Rainbow Organic Chocolates moved from Edinburgh to its current location in Brighton’s historic and vibrant Open Market. Suzanne studied chocolate at L’Ecole Du Grand Chocolate Valrhona, and her hand-made creations have earned a finalist’s spot in the Great British Food Awards for 3 years.
Rainbow Organic Chocolates are all made in-house in small batches and hand tempered using the finest organic locally sourced ingredients. All packaging is plant-based and plastic-free, and their chocolate factory uses 100% renewable energy.
Suzanne and her family craft delicious seasonal treats with authentic flavours. Their range of bars, truffles, and selection boxes are always incredible but the star of the show for this article is the hot chocolate mix. Grab yourself a tub of this special hot chocolate blend to keep in the cupboard and enjoy top-quality hot chocolate whenever you please!
Address: Brighton Open Market, Unit 26 – 1 Marshalls Row, Brighton, BN1 4JU
Website: www.rainboworganicchocolates.com/
