Belfast’s best chocolate hotspots

Located in the University Quarter, A Peculiar Tea is, as the name suggests, one of the most peculiar eateries Belfast has to offer. Owned and operated by the talented Chef Gemma Austin, A Peculiar Tea is known for its unique and creative themed menus that range from broadway productions to movies to music and more. Menus change regularly, so you can always expect something new and delicious every time you visit. Their main gig is their six course tasting menu, which offers a variety of creative sweet and savoury dishes that are sure to entrance your senses.

Known as an ‘Emporium of Imagination’, Chef Gemma aims to offer diners a sense of nostalgia through each and every dish, allowing them a few hours to be a child again and fully immerse themselves in an all-round sensory dining experience. If you’re in the mood for something sweet and chocolatey, we recommend trying their Afternoon Tea, which follows the current theme of the six course tasting menu and features an array of sandwiches, scones, and sweet cakes and treats.

Located in the heart of the city across from Belfast City Hall, Parisien is a French-themed eatery offering brunch, lunch, evening dining, and afternoon tea. Combining the finest local ingredients with French cooking techniques, you can expect a wide variety of creative and delicious French dishes, such as Duck Liver Paté with fig chutney, cornichons, and toasted brioche, Croque Madame served with dressed salad, French fries, and mustard mayonnaise, and a 900g Sharing Cote de Boeuf with your choice of two sides and two sauces.

When it comes to sweet chocolate treats, you’ll be spoilt for choice. Their delicious Afternoon Tea is a true feast for the senses featuring a range of savoury sandwiches, rolls, and soups, as well as plenty of sweet treats including an indulgent Choux Bun with orange cream diplomat, dark chocolate, and hazelnut. What a treat!

Afternoon tea with a view, anyone? The Grand Central Hotel on Bedford Street is the tallest hotel in Belfast offering epic views out over the city skyline. Afternoon tea is available daily and is the perfect way to enjoy a celebration or a break from a day of shopping in the city.

Bear in mind, however, that the dress code is smart-casual and staff have the right to refuse entry if you don’t fit the regulations, so make sure you’re dressed properly so you don’t miss out. The afternoon tea menu is undoubtedly one of the best in the city, with a huge range of finger sandwiches, scones, and sweet treats, all accompanied by delicious teas, coffee, and sparkling wines. Priced at £45 per person, you can expect everything from a Gingerbread, Hazelnut Praline, and Chocolate Choux Bun to a Dark Chocolate and Amarena Cherry Mousse and a S’more Macaron with Chocolate Ganache.

A UK-wide chocolate chain, Hotel Chocolat has two outlets in Belfast City Centre and is the perfect place to go when you’re in the mood for something sweet and delicious. Home to a shop and cafe, you can go inside and browse the shelves full of chocolate treats, from hot chocolate powders to indulgent filled chocolate snacks, or sit inside and indulge in their freshly prepared sweet treats. Sit inside with a view of Belfast’s City Hall and choose from their varied patisserie menu of cakes including original and salted caramel brownies, shortbread biscuits, and chocolate biscuits.

Quench your thirst with one of their tasty drinking chocolates, teas, coffees, or cold drinks. Good for the soul, they offer a wide range of drinking chocolates including a Mint Chocolat, a Vanilla White Chocolat, a Chilli Chocolat, and much more. On warmer days, why not opt for a Chilled Chocolat in any flavour you choose or their popular ‘Ice Cream of the Gods’ infused with pure roasted cacao.

Officially one of the top 40 chocolateries in the world, Co Couture specialise in hand-crafted chocolates in the heart of Belfast. A shop and accompanying cafe called Daisies, you’ll be spoilt for choice with what awaits you in this little emporium of sweet treats hidden below the pavements of Chichester Street.

You can expect everything from warm chocolate brownies to fluffy waffles topped with chocolate sauce, freshly made cannolis to delicious and creamy homemade hot chocolate that is pure medicine for the soul. A must-visit during a cold day exploring the city, you can even take home some treats for your friends and family from their artisan chocolate store.

A contemporary Italian eatery located in the heart of the city’s Cathedral Quarter in St Anne’s Square, Coppi is undoubtedly one of the very best spots for chocolate in the city. A family-run restaurant, you can taste the love and passion that goes into every dish as they create an almost unrivalled atmosphere that would make you think you’ve been transported to the streets of Italy. In true Italian style, they offer a wide variety of delicious chocolate desserts to suit all tastes and preferences – they even have a tasty chocolate option for vegans! When you’ve finished up your pasta or pizza, you can indulge in a delicious vegan Belgian Chocolate Torte, which comes with toasted pistachios, or a typically Italian Cannoli Dolce filled with chocolate, ricotta, and pistachio. 

Located in North Belfast, Ben Madigan’s is a family friendly neighbourhood bar and restaurant that is the perfect place to enjoy a leisurely lunch or a casual evening meal. Offering a delicious menu of pub grub favourites, this spot has something for everyone from succulent grilled 10 oz sirloin steaks and traditional beer battered fish and chips with homemade chunky tartare sauce and mushy peas to delicious vegan and vegetarian options including buffalo cauliflower wings, crispy tofu, and a tasty vegan falafel burger.

However, it’s the desserts that you really don’t want to miss. If you’re a chocoholic, you’ll have your pick of tasty treats including an indulgent Chocolate Fudge Cake with chocolate sauce and vanilla ice cream, a tasty Winter Berry Cheesecake with a rich chocolate sauce, a tasty Homemade Tiramisu with chocolate shavings and Amaretto cherries, and a tasty trio of ice cream complete with toffee and chocolate sauce. So you’re certain to be spoiled for choice!

Another iconic Italian eatery in the city centre, Chubby Cherub is the perfect place to enjoy a romantic date night or a meal out with friends. Known for their intimate, fairytale atmosphere that will transport you to the streets of Italy with decadent white interiors, hanging chandeliers, and intimate booths for relaxing with friends, this is the perfect place to enjoy a delicious bite to eat, a few drinks, and a tasty chocolate dessert.

After you’ve indulged in some delicious pasta, pizza, or risotto, you can treat yourself to something sweet such as a traditional Italian tiramisu with Amarena cherry and chocolate shavings or a tasty Chocolate and Orange Zabaione with dark chocolate and a preserved orange and dark fall berry compote. If you fancy something lighter, they also offer a tasty selection of traditional Italian gelatos and sorbets with various chocolate, vanilla, and fruit flavours available. If you’re visiting earlier in the day, you can also enjoy a tasty coffee and cake from their cafe. Whether you fancy a traditional Italian cocoa cake or a rich and indulgent caramelized white chocolate cookie, you’re sure to find something that takes your fancy.

A beloved restaurant and bar tucked away on Upper Arthur Street, AMPM is a great spot to enjoy some tasty chocolate treats. We highly recommend checking out their fantastic Afternoon Tea, which takes place in their elegant Champagne Lounge. Served daily from 2 pm to 4 pm daily, you can indulge in this timeless tradition enjoying a tasty selection of delicate finger sandwiches, homemade scones with clotted cream and jam, and a wide range of fine teas.

If chocolate is on your mind, you’ll love their delicious homemade white chocolate and raspberry scones served with Irish butter, gourmet jam, and clotted cream and their delicious chocolate and salted caramel brownie for dessert. If you’re heading for lunch or dinner, they also serve a delightful array of tasty chocolate desserts, including a rich chocolate torte with hazelnut crumb and raspberry sorbet and a tasty lemon posset with white chocolate crumble, and a lavender meringue crumb.

An elegant yet relaxed restaurant and wine bar located on the Upper Lisburn Road, Millar’s Restaurant and Wine Bar is a great spot to enjoy a family meal, a relaxed lunch with friends, or a date night with your significant other. Offering a delightful seasonal menu made from the finest locally-sourced ingredients, you can expect everything from a succulent chicken satay to a tasty baked hake fish pie to plenty of delicious vegan and vegetarian options to suit all tastes.

When it comes to dessert, that’s when the magic happens. For chocolate lovers, they always have plenty of delicious offerings. For example, their current menu features a delightful chocolate croissant bread and butter pudding served with orange custard and orange ice cream, a sweet and delicious raspberry and white chocolate financier with raspberry mousse, macerated raspberries, and a raspberry consommé, and double chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry ice cream with honeycomb. A chocolate lover’s dream!