The Chocolate Tree

This used to be one of our favourite spots for tea or hot chocolate and cake when we were living in Edinburgh, in the neighbourhood of Morningside.
Not only is the place really cute, cosy and welcoming but the choice of cakes is impressive, and they are delicious! They also have some vegan and gluten free options.
I have never tasted their artesan chocolates but will make sure I do on my next visit!
The only downside comes from the limited seating since this spot is always packed.
I definitely recommend this lovely tearoom!

Cute, cozy and delicious.
I haven’t actually been in to sit as I find the place jammed at the weekends. However, the past few years I’ve headed here for a few gifts. They always go down well, particularly the haggis spice chocolate bars which are delicious and great for friends who are nervous about the real thing!
The staff seem polite and trendy.
Unfortunately there’s not much else I can say about here!

I’ve been going to the Chocolate tree for years, but haven’t been in a while thanks to not living in Edinburgh anymore. Oh how I’ve missed it!
There have been a few chances. They have even less seating now than they did before, which was never very much. But the place does have a lot more of a chilled vibe now.
Their selection of coffees, teas and specifically hot chocolates is impressive. I usually go for the dark, syrupy spanish chocolate as it comes with hot churros but I decided to try a Hot Chocolate Chai as it came recommended. I can’t go to the chocolate tree and not sample a selection of chocolates!
We managed to get a table, now the only table in the front of the shop and our order came promptly.
It was the BEST hot chocolate I have ever had. Divine chocolate, milky, with subtle notes of chai spices. Amazing.
We got a few of the old favourite, Salted Caramel with Milk Chocolate, then tried some variations, I got the Honey and Thyme, and my partner got a Cinnamon truffle type. Exquisite.
Seating was fine as it was a Monday afternoon, but don’t expect to be able to sit in.
Also, if you’re looking for fancy stocking fillers, pay them a visit for sure!

Not been here for coffee just pop in to buy some slabs of chocolate but usually pretty busy. Think this place is slightly better value than Coco but possibly not as refined flavours. Love their Chai flavoured chocolate, which they often have samples of to try. However the absolute daddy is their salted caramel spread which is to die for drizzled over vanilla ice cream with sliced banana or licked straight off the spoon. An instant sugar high.

*They take debit, but add a 50p charge if the bill is under £5*
A VERY small coffee shop, it’s taken me 3 attempts to get a seat, but worth the effort! The coffee is good, the real attraction is that you can have one of their amazing chocolates for 50p on top of the charge your drink.
Will be back — if I can get a seat ;)

This is a must for chocolate lovers when coming to Edi!
It is true that it is tiny place, therefore there might be a struggle to sit down. However, if you will be lucky enough without booking in advance, you will be rewarded with the wide choice of hot chocolates … I just wanted to try them all!
The cakes were also lovely… It did reminded me a bit of movie Chocolat… And I would be probably the guy eating in the window until he fell unconscious!
Service + chocolate — great
Space — on the small side
But for me on this occasion it was 5*

Let’s start with the chocolate. Very rich with a variety of unique and innovative flavours from floral or fruity, to alcoholic, to latin spiced. Moral of the story, I came to chocolate tree expecting quality chocolate and I was not disappointed.
The game changer for me, however, were those churros! How they can make them so delicate and light — with that perfect balance of cinnamon and sugar — is beyond me. Whatever they are doing, they should keep it up because despite living across the border from Mexico, the best churros I have ever had in my life was at Chocolate Tree.

As an extreme chocoholic and vegan this place is heaven for me. They have plenty of vegan options and every one of them that I have tried has been delectable. I am particularly fond of their cakes, and it takes a lot of restraint to not get a slice every time I walk in. The staff have always been very helpful and friendly. My friend gave me about £20 worth of milk chocolates from them for my birthday, not realizing that I’m vegan. They were very happy to let me exchange them all for £20 worth of vegan chocolates! Such lovely folks and amazing products. I just wish their premise was larger so more people could fit, but it’s usually not a problem and you can always take your treats to go.

I visited the chocolate tree for a coffee with a colleague for an impromptu meeting.
I walked in looking for a cappuccino and came out with a fresh iced coffee (none of that powder rubbish) and some Chai ice cream (absolutely and unexpectedly delicious by the way). The service was perfect, and the food/​drinks were amazing.
It was also nice to sit outside in the glorious weather we’ve been having.
Will go again soon and try a churro as I see it’s popular on here.

I don’t want to spoil the party here, folks… I don’t know. The Chocolate Tree just wasn’t as much of a swizzle of fairy dust as I’d been expecting. It was nice, for sure. It was cosy and cute.
My expectations may have been too high; not that I was picturing myself leaving the premises like a confectionery version of Queen Elsa in Frozen, summoning flurries of rich chocolate at my fingertips, but suffice to say I was preparing to feel ensconced in a warm choccy glow, and instead I just felt like… Well that was nice.
I have something of an issue with places that don’t make it clear whether you order at the counter or wait for service. To be honest, I’m still not entirely clear on that; it seems like a waitress service sort of place but after waiting for twenty minutes we ended up just going up and ordering. It’s not a big place but always busy so be sure to book ahead. Cute and weeny, it fits in in the area very well, and let’s not forget they also have a check in deal if you’re in the market for buying chocolate bars! Always a good thing.
The hot chocolate was really very nice; sweet and in a nice big mug I could wrap my hands around. The legendary churros were less of a delight; a little dry and over-​cinnamoned, I felt, but nice and twisty nonetheless and not stingy on the portion. And it’s a genuinely lovely little shop; we sat in the tiny corner by the window and watched the world go by for a while. So in all, it’s a definite three from me, in that I’d gladly return at someone else’s suggestion but probably wouldn’t be the person to suggest it myself.

HOT HOT HOT CHOCOLATE for ALL chocolate LOVERS!
The chocolate tree is located on a busy road and still it’s easy to find car parking nearby, especially on a Sunday. Also conveniently accessible by bus.
There is not much sitting space, such best to book in advance. We got a lovely table at the front window (which by the way is the only table in the front of the shop). I believe there is a very small sitting area in the back.
You can find lots of chocolate variations on display on cupboard shelves. At the moment they offer 10% off chocolate bars before a certain time of the day.
There are also macaroons, ice cream a (not gelato), pralines and little «cakes». Above the main entrance you see the drink menu written on huge chalk boards: Traditional chocolate, one for kids and one for adults, white chocolate, milky chocolate, dark chocolate and much more. They do coffee too.
I ordered salted caramel ice cream and milk chocolate, which was the best hot milk chocolate in Edinburgh so far, and not to mention I got served plenty of it in a big mug.
Definitely worth the money.
Must confess, my eyes were bigger than my stomach and next time a hot chocolate will be plenty :-)
They are also present with stalls at various Edinburgh markets, like Stockbridge.
Its an ideal place to take away and enjoy the «pleasures» somewhere else.

So I had kept hearing about the churros con chocolate and I had to try them. Being half Spanish I love my churros con chocolate and was well excited to have access to freshly made churros in the Burgh! Amazing!!!
For my first visit I got a wee bow churro which was lovely but it was literally caked with sugar in cinnamon. Now, this isnt a Spanish style churro this is more reminiscent of the Mexican style ones you get in the states. These of course are much nicer cause they are freshly made and not as stodgy, but not like the Spanish ones.
Second visit I remembered how small the churro was so I ordered 2 and asked for a light dusting of sugar. Well, this time the churro was HUGE! It was 3 – 4 bowties at least! The hot chocolate was amazing as well but I couldnt finish it all. Definitely should order just one cause you never know what size you are going to get! Overall good quality and my mate thought her mocha latte was divine.

I had a yummy hazelnut soy hot coco. The hazelnut dominated the drink but it was still lovely. And the macrons! O sooo wonderful! I had a camel and apple one (seasonal!). Such a lovely chocolate shop and café! Expensive but well worth a treat now and then ;)

I love the chocolate tree! As a complete chocaholic it is certainly the place for me. They do all sorts of delicious different hot chocolates along with cakes, desserts and macaroons.
For me, it has to be the Spanish hot chocolate with churros. It is heavenly. I’d recommend sharing a hot chocolate and getting some extra churros for the perfect quantity of dark chocolatey goodness.
The also do great ice cream in this place, which is also stocked at The Beach House in Portobello. I’ve tried a few of their flavours, but the salted caramel is my favourite.
Would definitely recommend this place. The only downside is that is often is very busy and can be tricky to get a table. But hey, I guess that’s a sign that it’s good!

Oh.Ya.Dancer
As we’ve been sweltering in the office all week, we decided to treat ourselves to some ice cream. I’m not a huge fan of what’s on offer at S Luca so suggested the Chocolate Tree for something different.
We seemed to have the same thought as everyone else and wow, we were impressed. The flavours were an interesting mix of standard and slightly unusual (amaretti and cinnamon — nomnomnom) with vegan sorbets thrown in. Two of us got the mint chip and while the ice cream was fantastic the chocolate chips in it were … well ridiculous in how good they were. The chocolate sorbet was so loved by our resident vegan that within 10 minutes of finishing he suggested another Chocolate Tree run.
This is going to be a dangerous love affair.

Be warned, it is busy so its worth booking to experience its small but perfectly formed chocolatey goodness.
The Chocolate Tree had been on my radar for ages but the fact that it is always very busy meant that it took ages before testing it out.
I did book (even at 5pm on a Sunday) but it was worth it. Artisan Roast coffee, lux hot chocolates and a fab cake range to suit all tastes, there is genuinely something for everyone.
Being GF, there are tons of choices and also dairy free and vegan options too. Cakes range from chocolate truffle cakes, tarts, sponge cakes, carrot cake and cheesecake. So much choice which is fabulous! I tried the raspberry sponge cake and had a white hot chocolate as I felt chocolate on chocolate would be too rich.
Both were fantastic — my white chocolate was actually in a huge mug, just the right level of sweetness and my raspberry sponge was lovely and light.
Service was friendly but myself and Tanja were left in peace to chat which was great.
I was less than £7 for a huge hot chocolate (top quality) and a decent wedge of cake. Not the cheapest, but also not the most expensive so I’ll definitely be back :-)

Our local! For drinking chocolate there is nowhere better. I can thoroughly recommend the Spanish chocolate with churros, love the white hot chocolate for a soothing break, and one of the higher-​cacao drinks such as Venezuelan for that kick in the pants to finish off the day.
Can be difficult to get a seat so you can reserve in advance by phone or online.
Only downside is that actually I don’t think their chocolate itself is up to much (esp. compared to local rivals Coco), and cakes are often a bit dry. But the drinking chocolate is the best around for sure!
Okay, I’ve done it, now I have to pop down and get me some!

I love the Chocolate Tree and it’s huge list of hot chocolates and it has churros! :) What more could you want. I hadn’t had churros since I lived in America over ten years ago so I was ecstatic to hear the Chocolate Tree do them, and I’ve now tried them twice and they are gooooood with really intense chocolate to dip them into. I also tried macaroons for the first time which I thought were great, but I haven’t tried them anywhere else to be able to compare them.
I’ve only been a few times, but everytime I’ve enjoyed it. I live quite close so I need to resist the temptation to go in regularly, and I try to forget they do take away as I’ll end up spending a fortune. I wish it had more seats but then I also like the intimate atmosphere of the place. Staff always seem friendly which is important too!

I have to raise my rating yet again, as a return to the chocolate tree reminded me why I fell in love with the place. I had a simple dark chocolate sorbet, but really, it was incredible.
The chocolate tree offers really good rich chocolate, very little of that chocolate which leaves you pining for more, and then consuming an entire 100g of the stuff and feeling sick. On offer are decadent tarts and cakes, many of which are magically also vegan and gluten free. The vegan berry cake is probably just about one of the most incredible inventions ever: rich dark chocolate and hazelnut make the base, the sweet red berry coulis/​jelly on top balances this out, creating a taste sensation in the mouth.
The gelato is for sure the most authentic in town, the flavours include chai, pistachio, black forest, honey and almond. The chocolate sorbet is a really good choice if you want a strong chocolate hit.
Hot chocolate and churros make for a very delicious alternative to your morning porridge or afternoon tea and cake.
The selection of chocolate is really to die for, you may just feel a little bit overwhelmed.
I would like a room of my house to imitate the chocolate tree.

Order the Spanish Style Hot Chocolate. More authentic than many places in Spain.
I love chocolate, and honestly this is the best treat I enjoy in Edinburgh. Thick and rich, honestly I can say this is the second best chocolates I’ve ever had in my life (the first in Paris France… and can you ever beat Paris at anything??).
Bohemian style, with glasses of water help to ensure a pleasant experience. Diverse selection of gellato and ice cream, and an array of truffles that are constantly changing.
Congrats to the happy couple by the way!

Diese Schokolade ist vielleicht preislich nichts für Massenware-​I don’t care what crap I am eating as long as its a lot– «Genießer», aber für jeden, der wirklich gerne gute Schokolade isst, der ist hier genau richtig.
Die Tafeln werden ethisch korrekt und lokal hergestellt. Weisse Schokolade schmeckt endlich nochmal nach weisser Schokolade. Ich mag es besonders, wenn noch Himbeeren (ganze Früchte) drin sind. Natürlich gibt es auch extra dunkle Schokolade mit ganzen Kaffeebohnen drin.
Es ist ein wahres Paradies.
Die Torten sehen sehr lecker aus, sind aber vegan. Für manche mag das ein must-​have sein, ich fand sie jetzt einfach nicht lecker. Da das Café am Wochenende aber immer super voll ist, scheinen Veganer aber von diesen Kuchen überzeugt zu sein.
Die nette Bedienung macht wett, dass mir die Kuchen nicht geschmeckt haben, deshalb: Volle Punktzahl. Ein echter Geheimtip, wenn man in Edinburgh ist