Where to find the best hot chocolate in Surrey

As the temperature drops, few things are more comforting than a steaming mug of hot chocolate. Sophie Farrah finds the sweet spot...

Knoops

At Knoops, the possibilities are endless. With more than 20 chocolate percentages, from sweet white to intensely dark, plus a choice of milks and extras including giant marshmallows, fresh herbs, spices and sea salt, every mug is made just for you. My go-to is the 72% single-origin Peruvian dark chocolate with oat milk and just a hint of chilli.

Local stores include 1 George St, Richmond TW9 1JY and 4 Market St, Guildford GU1 4L; knoops.com

Danieli

Hot chocolate lovers flock to Richmond for Danieli’s legendary Italian hot chocolate. Made from scratch in-house using 70% single-origin chocolate, it’s extra thick, astonishingly delicious and dangerously addictive. You will definitely need a spoon.

16 Brewers Lane, TW9 1HH; gelateriadanieli.com

Cocoba

At Cocoba’s chocolate café in Maidenhead, there are various hot chocolate temptations. Its signature 55% dark is smooth and rich, while serious chocolate lovers can dial things up to 71% or 80%.

There are also milk, white, vegan, and sugar-free options, plus creative specials. Better still, its chocolate drinks are CocoaTrace certified, supporting more sustainable, traceable cocoa.

2B High Street, SL6 1QJ; cocobachocolate.com

Myrtle & May

Myrtle and May

On the Basingstoke Canal in Woking, Myrtle & May is a picture-perfect floating boat café that serves gloriously loaded hot chocolates with a smile. The chocolate orange is my top autumn pick, although it’s hard to go wrong.

Saturn Way, Woking, GU21 4LL; instagram.com/myrtleandmay_

Cacao Route

This family-run chocolatier in Walton-on-Thames takes hot chocolate seriously, crafting every cup with 100% real chocolate. You’ll find dozens of imaginative options, from Biscoff and cacao orange to praline and vegan varieties. For something different, the Aztec, infused with chilli, turmeric or beetroot, is a winning winter warmer.

30 High Street, KT12 1BZ; cacaoroute.co.uk

Fortescues of Windsor

Few hot chocolates come with Windsor Castle views. Pop into family-run Fortescue’s of Windsor for one of its indulgent seasonal creations, including a caramel version piled high with decadent toppings. The pistachio hot chocolate is well worth a try, too.

13 Church St, SL4 1PE; instagram.com/fortescuesofwindsor