Brick Lane is famous for many things. It has two sensation beigel shops that split loyalties and divide families. It has a swath of curry houses, all claiming to be the best in London. But perhaps most importantly, it also features possibly the best hot chocolates in London. Yes, this is a debate we’ve had before, and no, this will not be the end of it. But seeing a cup of Dark Sugars‘ finest topped with endless shavings of chocolate just makes everything else seem fairly irrelevant, doesn’t it?

Like, really, do we even need to say anything? Just look at it. Loooooooook.

It’s so beautiful it hurts.

If that somehow isn’t enough to tempt you (honestly, you must have a will of iron), then let’s talk about all the different flavours. Hazelnut Praline. White Saffron. The sinfully thick Pitch Black hot chocolate. Even Pink Champagne…? If you’re not drooling, be sure to get tested for taste! And if you absolutely need loads more of that Dark Sugars hot chocolate action in your life, they sell hot chocolate kits for the perfect at home drinks.

There’s more than just hot chocolate at Dark Sugars

Good as the drinks are, Dark Sugars is no one-trick pony. Stretching as far as the eye can see are rows and rows of beautiful, hand-crafted chocolates. Like the drinks, they’re all made from the finest Ghanaian chocolate, carefully sourced by founder Nyanga on her travels. From colourful pearls to giant slabs, you’ll fine a massive range here, from pistachio to liquid sea salt caramel via vodka and orange. They even offer up a hefty vegan range so no one is left out. Unless you don’t like chocolate, I guess. That would be a bit of a bummer.

Unsurprisingly, Dark Sugars operates on a bit of a sugar high, and the place rocks along to African and Latin American beats. Don’t be surprised if the staff combine your drinks with a bit of a boogie, and count yourself lucky if you get to meet Paul, the famed “Chocolate Man”. He’s always ready with a smile, and once you’ve had a taste of those hot chocolates, that smile is sure to become infectious…

The best part of it all (well, one of the best parts…) is that they’ve even expanded beyond Brick Lane, with a flagship four-storey site now sitting pretty in Greenwich too. That’s four floors of chocolatey goodness! PLUS, they’ve also gone and opened an ice cream shop – you know, why not after all?

Find Dark Sugars at Brick Lane, or at their two locations along Nelson Lane in Greenwich. Their Brick Lane store is open from 10AM – 8PM, while the two Greenwich sites are open from 10AM – 10PM. Perfect for those late night sweet tooth cravings! Find out more by heading to their website.

Also published on Medium.