Max Brenner

Nothing fancy to shout out about. Pretty decent hot chocolate. Used to taste good few years back
Now it’s just average though.

This used to be my favourite place for a warm dark chocolate that was thick and rich chocolate but I got a watered down version of the original.

Utter rubbish. Slow service, inattentive barista and mediocre drinks. The Chai Latte I just had have completely ruined my day.

So, I am from the states and we don’t really have anything like this where I live. The European hot chocolate is to die for. It is melted chocolate mixed with a little cream and nothing like the water and powder mixes that I am used to. The dipping chocolates that come with other treats are also really good.

San Churro is better. There, I said it.
I can’t believe I didn’t like this place! I never ever EVER give 1-​star reviews, it takes a whole lot, but when someone hands you a steaming mug of hot chocolate and you still leave with a sour taste in your mouth, well, that’s saying something. I will still give two stars because the food wasn’t nasty, but believe me, unless someone else is paying, I won’t be back!
Ridiculously overpriced gifts. A small tube of chocolate-​covered waffle cone pieces ran me 10.00 bucks – either that, or they charged me for the gift bag it came with. Not sure, they don’t list the prices anywhere and it’s sort of stingy-​looking to change your mind upon hearing the price of something.
The customer service wasn’t very friendly and there is nothing I hate more than when someone tries to upsell you something, (would you like cream with your hot cocoa?) without adding that there’s an additional charge. If you make it sound standard, people will add it. Luckily I’d read the menu beforehand and realized whipped cream was an additional 1.50 to an already 6.00 small hot chocolate.
The themes are cheesy and sort of uncomfortable. The «chocolate love story» theme was weird and the stories on the table about «sitting around the fire with grandma at Christmastime» were cringeworthy! The massive sign above the gift shop that says, «I want you to feel, taste, touch, and smell my love story» is awkward, right?
A little catalog of Christmas gifts on every table pointed to the ridiculous prices again. A 12-​piece box of chocolates was over 40.00. A small awkwardly shaped mug was 20.00.
This place just reeked of overpriced ridiculousness without much to back it up.
The hot chocolate at San Churro is cheaper, you get more, and it’s tastier. The atmosphere is much more inviting and the service beats out this place, hands down. It doesn’t take much to please a customer when you’re serving nothing but chocolate, but it certainly takes an effort to make you cringe.
Oh, and dude behind the counter making a (EIGHT DOLLAR FIFTY) tiny dipping cup of chocolate and 10 strawberries? Please do not lick chocolate off of your fingers and then touch the food. I’m sure it’s tempting, chocolate is the world’s best food, but that’s nasty.
/​rant

It’s used to be good café. Now they don’t know how to make just good latte anymore. Don’t mention the overpricing on low quality drink.

I thought this location was pretty decent and recommend the Peanut Butter Iced Chockie with chocolate ice cream. Desserts down here will be less rich than compared to average USA ones in my experience, so I wonder if that puts some off? The place is quite small and can get crowded, but hey, this is trendy QV!

This place used to be great when it first opened. The hot chocolate is so watered down now that I’m better off having a mug of Milo at home. The last time I was here we ordered the banana praline crepes and you can see visible hard water spots on the plates and utensils. It’s disappointing how far the quality has deteriorated.

Arrived for hot chocolate with friends in June 2012. Staff unsmiling slow and unhelpful. Couldn’t hear what I said over the noise of the coffee machine and loud banging of plates being washed. Couldn’t see the price being entered and they ended up getting my order wrong. Hot chocolate not hot — took 10 minutes to arrive. Place crowded yet cold and drafty. Disappointing on every level. I had watched the film «Chocolat» the night before and this was a million miles away from Juilette Binoche’s chocolaterie.
Never ever again.

i was SO confused! my first experience @ Max Brenner was in their flagship NYC store (ONLY one in the US @ the time) which had all bells and whistles… when i was visiting my cousins in australia i was surprised to learn that MB was EVERYWHERE
ambiance/​/​***
forget charlie and the chocolate factory. in aus, MB is like baskin robbins or wetzels pretzels. you can find it in every shopping mall or store front… no fancy she-bang…if nyc was a 10, this is like a 5.7 still cute and fun, but on a normal scale
service/​/​***
as with the baskin robbins/​wetzels comparison, you basically order at the counter and sit off to the side when you eat… no waitstaff to serve your every whim
desserts/​/​***
they’re still yummy and fun, but somehow the plating isn’t as impressive
a slight adjustment of expectations, but MB was still as good as i *remembered* and a chill place to hang out and catch up with friends & family

I won’t say that the mighty have fallen, but they have tripped a bit.
Max Brenners, purveyors of deliciousness, have let the service standards slip. The hot chocolate is still amazing, but the staff aren’t fussed. If you are there with a group of people, don’t expect to get your orders at the same time or anywhere near it — some of my friends were finished before my order even arrived.
Still a nice way to end a cold night (I recommend hot chocolate with a chocolate soufflé), but if you want a good hot choc during the day, then go find Coco Black.

A chocolate addicts place to indulge! Their menu caters for lovers of decadence with just about everything dipped in chocolate form Belgium waffles, to chocolate pizza with marshmallows. My favorite is the chocolate lick, for $ 2 you can get your own little pot of pure chocolate heaven eat in or take away. With a ‘lick stick’ and white chocolate milk duds. This place is so crowded in the evenings; you’ll be lucky to pull up a chair. Its open air outdoor dining allows for a relaxed casual environment backing onto QV Square that is always bustling.

I’ve never left Max Brenner’s without feeling extremely unwell. And, admittedly, I have only myself to blame for this. Don’t get me wrong, I like the idea of it I do, I just regret my purchase every time. Usually when the nausea starts to set in.
Everything is just so insanely chocolatey and sickly sweet. If that’s your thing then you will in absolute sugar induced heaven. Otherwise, somewhat like myself, you may find it all just a little too much. From waffles drenched in chocolate to choc-​fudge brownie sundaes this is place I’d only recommend for those with a serious sweet tooth.

I have two words for you my friend… «Chocolate Soufflé».
Max Brenner, a house of chocolate is one that will send your sweet tastebuds into overdrive. I indulge (once in a blue moon i swear!) in the «Chocolate Soufflé» and my god… I question god… is he in the soufflé? Is that what makes it taste so darn good? The soufflé is brought out warm, you take your spoon and as soon as you make contact, it melts on the plate. Perfection.
Now that the fantasy is over, i will go on. Max Brenner is located in the QV building /​area and is usually quite busy.
You will find a range of beverages and desserts available (but seriously try the soufflé, you wont regret it). Personally my tastebuds agree with the desserts here but not the beverages. I find a good hot chocolate at San Churro to be more appetising but as you’ve probably guessed theres no beating the «Chocolate Soufflé».