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The 11 Best Chocolate Shops in Manchester That Will Satisfy Your Sweet Tooth
I’ve got a real problem with chocolate – I can’t stop eating it! And every time I set foot in a chocolate shop, I turn into a sugar-crazed maniac, stuffing my face like it’s my last meal on earth.
If there were a rehab for chocoholics, I’d be their star patient. But hey, someone has to brave the cocoa jungles of Manchester and find the best of the best.
Whether you’re a die-hard chocoholic or just someone with a pesky sweet tooth, I’ve got the lowdown on the city’s top chocolate havens. Here are the best chocolate shops in Manchester that will make your taste buds dance with joy!
Hotel Chocolat
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Website: Hotel Chocolat
Address: 7 Market St
Contact details: +44 844 499 1111
Operating Hours:
- Mon – Sat 9AM-8PM
- Sun 11AM-5PM
Hotel Chocolat stands out with its mantra, ‘more cocoa, less sugar’, giving you a richer, more authentic chocolate experience. They made a name for themselves with their thick Easter eggs – while others were thinning out, Hotel Chocolat was making these solid, luxurious treats.
Then there are their Giant Slabs, inspired by the natural pour of chocolate onto a chocolatier’s table, offering a decadent break from the usual bars. But it doesn’t stop at sweets – they’ve got innovative creations like cocoa nib ketchup, white chocolate horseradish, and cocoa gin.
Pro tip: Try the “Chocolatier’s Table” experience for an interactive tasting session that delves into the nuances of chocolate making and flavours. |
Knoops
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Website: Knoops
Address: 56 St Ann’s Square
Contact details: +44 20 8050 3448
Operating Hours:
- Mon – Sat 10AM-7PM
- Sun 11AM-5PM
Knoops in the city centre is the place to go if you’re a hot chocolate enthusiast. They offer 20 different types of luxury hot chocolate, ranging from a milder 39% single origin to a robust 100% from the Solomon Isles.
What sets Knoops apart is the customisation – you can add unique flavours like turmeric, pink peppercorns, chilli, rosemary, and lavender to your drink. It’s a posh, personalised cocoa experience that’s a cut above your typical hot chocolate.
Imagine sipping a perfectly blended, rich hot chocolate on a cold Manchester day, with the flavour just the way you like it. The atmosphere is cosy, making it a great spot to relax and savour your bespoke drink.
Pro tip: Don’t miss their “Knoopology” workshops where you can learn the intricacies of crafting the perfect hot chocolate, from selecting the cocoa percentage to choosing complementary flavours. |
R&M Fine Chocolates
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Website: R&M Fine Chocolates
Address: 123 Bury Old Rd, Salford M7 4QX
Contact details: +44 161 792 1818
Operating Hours:
- Mon – Thu 9AM-5PM
- Fri 9AM-2PM
- Sun Closed
R&M Fine Chocolates is a hidden gem in Salford, especially if you need your chocolates to be kosher. Certified by the Manchester Beth Din, this place offers a delightful range of vegan and milk chocolates.
Raanan, a former chemical factory worker turned chocolatier, has turned his hobby into a sweet success. Want to get hands-on? They offer chocolate making kits complete with all you need to whip up your own truffles, plus a one-hour Zoom class with their head chocolatier to guide you.
They also host in-person classes at their Salford base, covering everything from bonbons to Easter eggs. And for a bit of fun, why not book a chocolate party for your next celebration?
Pro tip: Try their chocolate making kits – it’s a fun, interactive way to enjoy quality chocolate and learn something new at the same time. |
Slattery
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Website: Slattery
Address: 197 Bury New Rd, Whitefield
Contact details: +44 161 767 9303
Operating Hours:
- Mon – Sat 9AM-5PM
- Sun 10AM-4PM
Slattery in Whitefield is a chocolate institution that’s been delighting chocoholics since 1967. This third-generation family business is housed in a grand three-storey workshop that’s a lot like York’s Betty’s Tea Rooms but with a serious chocolate twist.
Here, you’ll find an onsite bakery, a retail shop, and the Masons dining room. The dining room is perfect for breakfast, lunch, or a decadent afternoon tea, but the real star is their mammoth chocolate challenge.
For £20, you get to tackle a massive portion of American-style chocolate fudge cake, served warm with homemade chocolate ice cream, fresh cream, two pots of liquid chocolate, and a glass of hot chocolate.
Finish it, and you earn a chocolate medal and a 100g box of handmade chocolates. It’s a deliciously daunting challenge for any serious chocolate lover.
Pro tip: Book a spot in their Chocolate Workshop for a hands-on experience in crafting your own chocolate delights. It’s a fantastic way to learn more about the art of chocolate making and take home some delicious creations. |
Cocoa Cabana
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Website: Cocoa Cabana
Address: 168 Burton Rd
Contact details: +44 161 312 6912
Operating Hours: Mon – Sun 10AM-6PM
Aside from making the Barry Manilow classic loop around your brain, Cocoa Cabana is a top spot for chocoholics in Ancoats and Didsbury.
Their Augustus Gloop hot chocolate? It’s like a chocoholic’s fever dream – three types of melted chocolate, marshmallows, mini eggs, a cream egg, and a drizzle of even more chocolate.
The place also has a cocktail bar, so you can pair your chocolate with a cheeky drink. They also run workshops on truffle making and cocktail masterclasses, perfect for a fun day out or a quirky hen party.
Pro tip: Book a workshop and channel your inner Willy Wonka – truffle making or mixology, take your pick! |
Simon Dunn Chocolatier
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Website: Simon Dunn Chocolatier
Address: 1 The Precinct, Romiley, Stockport SK6 4EA
Contact details: +44 161 494 6500
Operating Hours:
- Mon – Sat 9AM-5PM
- Sun Closed
Simon Dunn started his chocolate journey almost 40 years ago at Stockport’s Squirrel Horn sweet factory. Now, his shop in High Lane has become a local legend, even winning over Coronation Street stars and Salford’s own Jason Manford.
The shop offers everything from boxes packed with 72 chocolates to personalised gifts and seasonal collections. Got a vegan mate? They’ve got you covered with delicious vegan chocolates.
And the chocolates printed with bees? Very Manchester, indeed. Simon Dunn’s creations are a brilliant mix of traditional craftsmanship and local flair.
Pro tip: Give their vegan chocolates a go – even die-hard dairy fans won’t be disappointed. Perfect for gifting or just treating yourself. |
Cocoa Tree
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Website: Cocoa Tree
Address: 2 The Barns, Dene Hall Farm, Great Warford, Alderley Edge SK9 7TY
Contact details: +44 162 553 2064
Operating Hours:
- Mon – Fri 9AM-5PM
- Sat – Sun Closed
Cocoa Tree is a charming, family-run business with spots in Chorlton and Ramsbottom, run by the delightful duo Vicky and Chris. Their knack for creating eye-popping, splatter-effect chocolates with natural ingredients is top-notch.
Flavours like lemon meringue, strawberries and clotted cream, Madagascan vanilla, and the ever-popular salted caramel make each bite a treat. The cafes are a cosy retreat, perfect for indulging in cakes and truffles.
And their mocha? A winter warmer that hits all the right spots. Cocoa Tree’s chocolates are as much a feast for the eyes as they are for the taste buds.
Pro tip: Don’t miss out on their salted caramel chocolates – they’re a crowd favourite and just the right amount of indulgence for any day. |
CocoAimes
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Website: CocoAimes
Address: 20 Church St
Contact details: +44 161 238 8888
Operating Hours:
- Mon – Fri 10AM-6PM
- Sat 10AM-5PM
- Sun Closed
Have you ever wanted a piece of chocolate stamped with a picture of your cat? Of course you have. CocoAimes, located in Stockport’s High Lane, is the brainchild of Amy, a chocolatier who’s all about personalisation.
Imagine bars of Belgian chocolate topped with everything from your pregnancy scan to a quote from your favourite movie. Amy’s one-woman operation often pops up at markets across the region, but you can also pre-order these delightful personalised treats online.
Each bar is handmade to order, making every piece unique and special. The farm setting adds a rustic charm, and the personalised slabs make for the perfect gift or a special treat for yourself.
Pro tip: Check out their market schedule online – it’s a fun way to meet Amy in person and see her latest chocolate creations. |
Dormouse Chocolate
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Website: Dormouse Chocolate
Address: The Great Northern, 253 Deansgate
Contact details: +44 754 572 5552
Operating Hours:
- Wed – Sat 10AM-5PM
- Sun – Tue Closed
Dormouse Chocolate is a hidden gem on Deansgate Mews, and it’s not your average chocolatier. These folks are multi-award winners, including Indie Food Producer of the Year at the Manchester Food and Drink Festival Awards 2023.
They run a single estate operation, making bespoke chocolates right from the beans in their own little factory out back. Dormouse is all about those unique northern flavours.
Their bread and butter milk chocolate, made with brown butter and toasted sourdough from their neighbours at Holy Grain, is a game-changer. And if that’s not enough to tickle your taste buds, they’ve also created quirky bars like an egg on toast style bar and a pancake day special.
Pro tip: Try the bread and butter milk chocolate – it’s a delicious nod to northern flavours that’s unlike anything else you’ll find. |
Pure Cocoa
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Website: Pure Cocoa
Address: 92 King St
Contact details: +44 161 833 0000
Operating Hours:
- Mon – Sat 10AM-7PM
- Sun 11AM-5PM
At Pure Cocoa, you get more than just chocolate; you get a front-row seat to the chocolate-making process. This open-plan café offers an insight into a real-life chocolate factory, with handmade chocolate gifts and a menu that showcases chocolate in every form.
From rich hot chocolates and cakes to teas, milkshakes, and the chocolatier’s famous chocolate brownies – huge slabs of freshly baked goodness that are fudgey on the outside and gooey in the middle.
The shop itself is elegant, making it a perfect spot for a relaxing break or to pick up beautifully packaged gifts. It’s an experience that’s both educational and indulgent, giving you the best of both worlds.
Pro tip: Don’t miss their chocolate brownies – they’re legendary for a reason and the perfect balance of fudgy and gooey. |
Sam Joseph Chocolates
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Website: Sam Joseph Chocolates
Address: Altrincham Market, Greenwood St
Contact details: +44 161 929 1115
Operating Hours:
- Tue – Fri 10AM-4PM
- Sat 10AM-5PM
- Sun 11AM-4PM
Altrincham’s Market House is a Sunday hotspot, and Sam Joseph Chocolates is one of its treasures. About nine years ago, Sam and his friend Claire decided to venture into the chocolate world after working together in hotels and restaurants.
They moved into the market and have been delighting visitors ever since. Their offerings range from chocolate bars and chocolate-covered fudge to brownies, ice cream, and a variety of desserts.
The best part? You can watch them make all these delicious treats right in their cosy on-site kitchen. The vibe at the market, combined with the heavenly aroma of chocolate, makes this a must-visit spot.
Pro tip: Treat yourself to their chocolate-covered fudge – it’s a heavenly mix of smooth chocolate and rich, chewy fudge that will leave you wanting more. |