Melange Chocolate — Restaurant in London

There are few greater luxuries on a grey London afternoon than stepping off the pavements of Camberwell into Isabel’s inviting hot chocolate and confectionery shop. It is not simply the waft of cocoa that envelops you, but the sense that you have crossed into a space more akin to a warm French salon than a storefront, made of beautifully hand-painted glass.

Isabel, the French proprietor, has over 17 years cultivated something rare: an atmosphere that manages to be utterly unpretentious and authentic. The shop is small, but its proportions are perfect; walls lined with historic chocolate artefacts (Isabel was once the owner of a chocolate museum in Brixton), boxes of handcrafted chocolates (think artisanal Easter eggs and raw cocoa beans), and cocoa-dusted truffles which surround you. The presence of Lula, the (well behaved and clean) resident shop cat, adds a note of domestic ease, a signal of the home Isabel has made out of her craft.

The hot chocolate itself is an event: Isabel crafts this in full view, mixing a rich, silken, think and aromatic showcase of hot chocolate at its most articulate. Opt for either a purists hot chocolate (70% cocoa chocolate and estate dairy milk), or something avant-garde and add a range of herbs and spices (salt, rosemary, ginger, cumin etc.) Sourced from sustainable producers, it achieves an elusive balance of comfort and sophistication. One suspects Isabel could lecture at length on the science of the perfect hot chocolate, yet she prefers to let her work speak for her.

Perhaps the true reason this shop has become a Camberwell treasure is not the chocolate alone — exceptional though it is — but the familial way Isabel and her team make you feel. A seat at the dark-oak-topped counter brings conversation, warmth, and a kind of intimacy often absent in London retail.

It is worth travelling to, from far beyond Camberwell. In an age of chains and digital commerce, Isabel’s shop reminds us that the best food experiences are local, tactile, and human. For those who believe chocolate can be both comfort and art, this is place to...

This place is truly magical. The hot chocolate is exquisite, the best I have had outside France and potentially even Italy. The entire place screams warmth and intimacy, like a little Parisian Cafe down a back street. When we entered we were welcomed warmly by the owner and the powerful smell of chocolate.

We had two salted caramel hot chocolates that were £4.50 and we thought extremely good value for money given that high street brands charge a comparable price for inferior products. Both of us had the same word for our hot chocolates "heaven". The hot chocolate was dark, thick and comforting doesn't seem enough of a word for it. I felt such a warm glow in my tummy after.

They also sell hot chocolate, a very good chocolate cake, cocktails, chocolate powder, cocoa nibs and multiple flavours of artisan chocolate. We took home a chilli and orange Artisan chocolate £5 and a ginger and lime Artisan chocolate also £5. The chocolate was amazing! "

We adored meeting the owners friendly cat who lazed about meowing for food. We also were delighted by the vintage feel of the shop and the information the owner gave us about how different parts of the shop came together and how old parts were like the gorgeous, round 1970s lamps.

It is a fitting setting for a book or film, or a book, film or poem to be written or to watch the world go by while sipping a sensual hot chocolate! We...

A big shout out to our local artisan chocolatier Isabelle at Melange chocolate!

She never ceases to impress me with her creativity with chocolate! I’m not sure whether I’ll take the giant chocolate lollipop or the chocolate lipstick this time :)

Isabelle creates all her quality chocolates and unique combos, my favourite being white chocolate with cardamom and nutmeg!

She also does the best hot chocolate, thick and comforting!! My family loved her truffles at Christmas and the box was emptied very quickly!

The café is also a great place to hang out, with a welcoming and friendly owner!!

Highly...