5 Chocolate-based experiences in and around Cape Town

Indulgently milky, 85% dark and smooth, oozing from a fondant, drizzled with nuts and other goodies or steaming from a mug. Chocolate is addictive in any of its delicious forms. The ancient Mesoamericans were definitely onto something when they used it for medicine and offerings for the gods.

More readily accessible today, the sacredness and healing properties remain the same. Consider Cape Town the Willy Wonker of SA with all it has to offer chocoholics and sweet tooths alike.

De Villiers chocolate tasting

One of the first of its kind in Africa, the De Villiers brand of chocolate pride itself on being Rainforest Alliance certified as well as vegan friendly.

Sit down for a sweet experience of a chocolate tasting at the Spice Route Destination in Paarl.De Villiers Chocolate offers four chocolate tasting options for just R35 per person: Milk Chocolate tasting, Dark Chocolate tasting, Nut Butter Chocolate Tasting, and a No-Added-Sugar Tasting.

Try the Bean to Bar Single Origin Collection that contains only chocolate and cane sugar, or the African Collection which is made from pure African cocoa beans. Afterwards, be sure to make a stop by the ice cream shop and take some edible souvenirs home.

Or go all out and get a Spice Route Passport for R260 per person which gives you access to five different tasting experiences including five 15g mini bars of De Villiers chocolate.

• Location: Paarl Spice Route Farm, Suid Agter Paarl Road, Paarl
• Operating Times: Monday to Sunday 9am to 5pm

Honest Chocolate 

Honest Chocolate has to be at the top of the list as it’s the most obvious choice for Cape Town’s chocolate-loving community. A small and charming artisanal Bean to Bar chocolate company based in Cape Town. Committed to using old-school methods to make the purest chocolate, Honest Chocolate keeps the environment and local communities in mind when acquiring quality organically produced ingredients.

Think pure chocolate with a deliciously distinct feel and taste, made with care for the people who taste it, consideration for those who make it and with love for the planet in mind.

Make yourself cosy in their cafe on Wale Street and indulge in blissfully chocolatey creations that include the likes of truffles, cakes, tarts, and their famous banana bread ‘bunny chow’ with a side of dairy-free hot chocolate and milkshakes, of course.

They offer tasting boards at R40 per person, along with a Chocolate Bonbon workshop for R350 per person (a minimum of eight people needed).

• Location: 64A Wale Street, City Centre
• Operating Times: Monday to Friday 10am to 6pm | Saturday 9am to 5pm | Sunday 9am to 4pm

Huguenot Fine Chocolates

Hugged by the rolling vineyards and majestic mountains of Franschhoek is Huguenot Fine Chocolates. What’s great about this spot is not only the views but the Belgian Qualified Chocolatiers. They offer some of the finest chocolates in the Mother City, with hand-crafted goodies made with authentic Belgian chocolate flown all the way for this very purpose.

Huguenot Fine Chocolates also provide a chocolate experience for just R50 where chocoholics can watch as these experienced chocolatiers craft a range of delicious chocolates, discover the story behind chocolate and, of course, sink your teeth into some soul-satisfying treats with a chocolate tasting.

• Location: 1 Daniel Hugo Street, Franschhoek
• Operating Times: Monday to Sunday 8am to 5:30pm

Chocolate and wine tasting

If your sweet tooth is tingling or if you’re not particularly keen on tasting cheeses, then an artisanal chocolate and wine tasting is exactly what you need while everyone else snacks on cheese and wine. The sweetness of the chocolates complements the bittersweet notes of wines perfectly, causing a new world of delightful flavours to burst in your mouth from the combination.

Spier Wine Farm was voted one of the 100 World’s Best Vineyards in 2021 as well as Editor’s Choice for the Winery of the Year 2022, and for good reason. It is always a wonderful experience to drink wine with friends, eat chocolate and have a beautiful view.

Inspired by their Spier Cap Classique and Spier Creative Block blends, Spier offers a delicious paring of chocolates which has been carefully crafted by its resident chocolatier, ensuring the robust flavours from the winery’s ‘liquid treasures’ enhance and unlock nuanced flavours from its perfectly paired chocolate.

• Location: Spier Wine Farm R310, Baden Powell Drive, Lynedoch
• Operating Times: Thursday to Saturday 9am to 6pm | Sunday to Wednesday 9am to 5pm
• Cost: R95 per person

Sweet Lionheart 

Arguably the South African pioneers of ‘bento cakes’ or mini cakes, Sweet Lionheart is an online-based bakery that can also be found at Makers Landing in the Silo District at the V&A Waterfront.

Whether you’re craving something sweet, searching for vegan baked goodies or in need of showstopping occasion cakes, Sweet Lionheart specialises in one-of-a-kind goodies. the patisserie is renowned for its quirky, vibrant and beautifully designed mini cakes, biscuit stacks, rocket pops, vegan cupcakes, chocolate comets and more.

Sweet Lionheart also offers online baking courses and in-person workshops.

• Location: Instagram | Makers Landing, The Cruise Terminal, V&A Waterfront
• Operating Times: Thursday 9am to 6pm | Friday and Saturday 9am to 9pm | Sunday 8am to 6pm
• Website: sweetlionheart.com

ALSO SEE: Yes, it’s true; at ditto you can have ice cream and waffles too

Yes, it’s true; at ditto you can have ice cream and waffles too

Written by Tauhira Ajam for Cape {town} Etc.

Feature image: Unsplash