Do hot chocolates taste better when you’re childfree?🤔Discuss.
I think most people by now knows I am somewhat to a hot chocolate, but not many know how the ‘Mumbler Reviews: Hot Chocolates’ came to be…
It all began in 2017, about 6 months after the Norwich Mumbler website launched, when I decided to start a mission to try and find the best hot chocolate in Norwich/Norfolk. I began posting about where I’d been and what I thought of the hot chocs on the Norwich Mumbler FB page and I had people messaging asking for recommendations and suggesting places to go, so I thought it was time to make ‘the list’ to help me remember them all.
To begin with, I wasn’t after just any old hot chocolate. I used to live in Queenstown in NZ, and there was a cafe called Patagonia where they sold THE MOST thick, chocolatey delicious hot chocolate I have ever tasted. I wanted to try and find similar, but was worried that my memories of the Patagonia hot chocolate were probably rose (or chocolate) tinted and that I would never be able to do so.
BUT…I’ve never been one to give up and even if I never find another to match the one in Queenstown, I will grab life by the chocolate covered horns and try as many as I can anyway 😁
If you have any suggestions or favourites let me know and I’ll be MORE than happy to verify them for you.
Contact Me, Katrin at Mumbler
Frå.kost – a Danish eatery
St Augustine’s Gate NR3 3BE
Frå.kost is a new addition to NR3 and owned by the lovely Maggie, who used to cycle round Norwich delivering her pastries, but has now opened her own cafe!
This Frå.kost hot chocolate wasn’t overly chocolatey, it wasn’t sickly sweet or milky tasting either. A lovely addition alongside one of the Danish buns!
Hot Choc: 6/10
Leslie Terrance Home Gift and Garden
128c Magdalen Road, NR3 4LB
Before I talk about the hot chocolate, let’s talk about that bun!! Possibly one of the best belgian chocolate buns I’ve ever had? Chewy, chocolatey, soft, delicious…all the things you want in a bun. The hot chocolate, however, was average. I didn’t check, but I would assume it is a powder hot chocolate as it lacked chocolate oomph and was too sugary tasting. LOVED the bun though, so I would happily return to the cafe to buy plants and more buns. Buns, buns, buns 😍
Hot Choc: 4/10
Kofra
1 Bell Road, NR3 4RA
I was really looking forward to this one as I’d reviewed the Kofra at the Sainsbury Centre before (see list below of Pre-Covid hot chocolates), but was really surprised to learn that this one was just a Cadbury powder hot chocolate. If you read my review from Kofra a few years ago, it is pretty clear that it was one of my fave hot chocolates; a really good flavour and a proper chocolatey hit.
They’ve said that their hot chocolates haven’t changed, so I’m slightly confused, but anyway, this hot chocolate from Kofra was ok. Bit too milky/sugary and not enough chocolate flavour for me though, I’m afraid.
Hot Choc: 3/10
The Hungry Otter
Top of the hill, Salhouse Broad
A lovely location for this little Hungry Otter van, perched on top of the hill looking out over Salhouse Broad. The hot choc was very nice; proper chocolate not powder and not too sweet, and the sausage roll was pretty decent too.
(After posting on FB when I visited, I received messages asking what the new play equipment is like and whilst I love a visit to Salhouse Broad, I can’t say that I would recommend going there *just* for the new play equipment, especially with little ones. It is too high for young ones and with only a cargo net, platform and small climbing wall, it doesn’t look like enough to entertain older ones either. A bit of a shame as there is so much space and the bits they had there before were more suitable for a greater range of ages.)
Hot Choc: 6/10
Churros & Chorizo
The Little Park Cafe, Thorpe Recreation Ground, Laundry Lane, NR7 0XQ
This place ticks all the boxes for people with children in tow:
Play area ✅
Lots of parking ✅
Giant field to run around in/play games ✅
CAFE – the lifeblood of sleep-deprived parents everywhere -✅✅✅
The hot chocolate was powder and tastes ok. If you get it to takeaway, do say yes when they offer you a stirrer as a lot of my chocolate could have done with a stir by the time I’d eaten my way through a DELICIOUS sausage sarnie and some churros. Well-worth a visit to this cafe whilst the Mini Mumblers tire themselves out on the play area!
Hot Choc: 5/10
Fika
25 Wensum Street, NR3 1LA
This was a chance encounter as I passed on my way next door to have my hair cut. I ALMOST didn’t order a hot chocolate as he said it was powder, but I had a word with myself not to be such a hot chocolate snob and ordered one anyway. Whilst it wasn’t the pure chocolatey hit that I’ve been after since the Patagonia days, it was drinkable and NOT overly sugary or sweet.
Hot Choc: 3/10
Urban Bull Lounge
31 Magdalen Road, NR3 4LQ
Another awesome new addition to NR3, the rather cool and vibey Urban Bull Lounge. I popped here for a childfree breakfast and I have to say, I think this is the best hot chocolate I’ve had in a while. Apparently it was made with real chocolate AND powder, maybe this is why??? Lovely flavour, smooth and frothy all in one deliciously chocolatey mouthful.
Hot Choc: 7.5/10
Dollie’s Bakery
77 Church St, Coltishall, Norwich NR12 7DW
I visited here after going paddle boarding at Little Hautbois and I know lots of people say how amazing their breakfasts are. We didn’t have breakfast, but picked up some lunch bits and, of course, a hot chocolate. It was a Galaxy powder hot chocolate and whilst it tasted nice and chocolatey, I could tell it was a powder as the texture was too thin and not creamy enough for me. I shared it with the girls when I got home and they liked it!
Hot Choc: 3/10
St Gile’s Pantry
95A Upper St Giles St, Norwich NR2 1AB
Another powder hot chocolate, but a locally sourced powder chocolate! I walked up from the car park at Toys R Us (no longer open!) with the Teeniest Mumbler and can’t believe I haven’t visited some of these roads in the city before. Thatched cottages, buildings covered in wisteria, lovely churches (by Norwich Arts Centre), it really did look lovely, especially in the sunshine!
The hot chocolate tasted nice, particularly with a large amount of squirty cream on the top. I could tell it was a powder hot chocolate, but only just. The accompanying chocolate orange bun was really nice too, it was a big hit with the Teeniest Mumbler, in fact!
You can also stop off at Cupcake & Co nearby 🙂
Hot Choc: 6/10
Figbar
St John Maddermarket, Norwich NR2 1DN
I used to love their hot chocolate so much, but I had one recently and, it actually pains me to say this…I couldn’t drink it *sob* The consistency was lovely and I thought it was nice to begin with, but then the cinnamon/spices hit and it was just way too overpowering and not nice to drink. Even my Mini Mumblers couldn’t drink it.
Such a shame because they used to be one of my favourite hot chocolates and I’d never normally be so negative, but I really can’t recommend these hot chocolates any more. Cakes and sweet treats, however, still a big thumbs up!
Hot Choc: 1/10 🙁 Sorry
Bread Source
7 Marriott Close, NR2 4UX
I can’t go too long without popping to Bread Source for some of their ciabatta and a glazed doughnut, or three. Their hot chocolate is really nice to drink, but still not what I’m looking for in the best hot chocolate in Norfolk. They don’t offer extras like cream/marshmallows either.
Still one of the nicer ones I’ve had.
Hot Choc: 6.5/10
☕️☕️☕️☕️☕️☕️☕️☕️☕️☕️☕️☕️
The ones below are the ones I tried PRE-COVID. I’ll leave them here, but they probably need a revisit, right???
You can tell how old these are from the fact the baby in the high chair is actually my middle Mumbler, who is now nearly 6 – ha!
Whitlingham Cafe
Whitlingham Country Park, Whitlingham Lane, Trowse, NR14 8TR
A great stop off if you’re visiting Whitlingham Country Park. The hot chocolate was a little too sweet for me and nowhere near chocolatey enough.
(I seem to remember baby changing facilities in the visitor centre part of the cafe, limited room for buggies within the cafe).
Figbar
St John Maddermarket, Norwich NR2 1DN
This is the closest I’ve found flavour wise to the Patagonia hot chocolate I had. Delicious and chocolatey, not too milky and not too sweet. No cream or marshmallows but it absolutely does not need them, definitely delivers an awesome chocolate hit.
(Not much room for buggies in the cafe and there’s stairs, so not very toddler friendly, but they have high chairs in the cafe and don’t forget, you can also pick up Figbar treats and hot chocolate from their market stall).
Alchemista
St Gregorys Alley, Norwich NR2 1ER
We visited Alchemista shortly after it opened and I was very pleasantly surprised by their hot chocolate. A good amount of chocolate flavour, not too sweet or milky. I’d definitely like to go back for this one, especially after seeing their Easter egg hot chocs!
(Limited room downstairs for buggies and they have lovely toilets with baby changing facilities upstairs).
Aroma
Upper King St, Norwich NR3 1RL
A teeny tiny little coffee bar on Upper King St that also do nice sausage rolls! The hot chocolate is made with real chocolate and was tasty but maybe a little too sweet for me. Still a good hot chocolate though.
Prima Rosa
Lower St, Salhouse, Norwich NR13 6AD
I visited Prima Rosa a while ago with a friend (Hi Sarah!) and it is a cafe/shop FILLED with knicknackery, great if you want a little browse for gifts, not so great if you have any small child with you that wants to touch everything.
The hot chocolate came with fresh cream and marshmallows, still too much on the sugary side and not chocolatey enough for me though.
(Not much room for buggies with all the knick-nacks, but they did have a changing mat in their toilet facilities).
Macarons & More
The Royal Arcade, Norwich NR2 1NQ
Ooft, what a backdrop to drink this takeaway! And they kindly put a bit of my hot chocolate into a little cup so Mini Mumbler could have her own. Delicious and chocolatey, and I seem to remember this one was more on the bitter side than sweet side.
(Nowhere to sit inside but if it’s a dry day I highly recommend heading up to Castle Gardens, above Castle Quarter, as it has benches, lots of Norwich as a view and a small play area).
Costa
Tesco Extra, Blue Boar Ln, Norwich NR7 8AB
You can tell how long ago this one was by the fact the Teeny One was still Teeny. But oh, Costa! What a disappointing excuse for a hot chocolate this is. Far too sugary sweet and no real chocolate flavour to speak of. Nice pastry but I will not be returning for a hot chocolate any time soon. 2/10
(Lots of room for buggies/trollies within the cafe area, plus Tesco has a baby changing room and I seem to remember even supplied a few spare nappies in case you’re caught short!).
Kofra
Sainsbury Centre, UEA
We visited the Sainsburys Centre on one of the few rubbish weather days in the Summer holiday, so a hot chocolate felt very justified. Their hot chocolate (and brownie!) was REALLY good. Very chocolatey and quite thick, a definite contender for best in Norwich.
(Quite a bit of seating and room for buggies, the Sainsburys Centre is definitely worth a look round and the UEA lake walk features in the top Norwich Walks list here)
John Lewis
All Saints Green, Norwich NR1 3LX
A lot of cream but a hot chocolate that is more sweet than chocolatey, unfortunately. Still an enjoyable hot chocolate, but not the chocolate hit I’m after.
(Lots of room for buggies in the John Lewis cafe and the staff are always so nice and helpful!)
IKEA
Sweet Briar Retail Park, Sweet Briar Rd, Norwich NR6 5DH
Another disappointingly sweet rather than chocolatey hot chocolate from IKEA – I do LOVE their pastries though so all is forgiven. I would definitely choose to have a cup of tea with the pastry if I go again!
(The click and collect IKEA is good for a bit of a mooch and there’s room for buggies in the cafe area – we really need a REAL IKEA though!!)
Walsingham Farm Shop
Norwich Market
I visited the Market on a REALLY cold day at the end of January and a hot chocolate was just what I needed. They have 4 hot chocolate choices and I chose the 70% classic. I always prefer hot chocolates made with actual chocolate and this hefty choc buttons made a good one. There was quite a lot of sediment at the bottom of the cup, but I wondered whether this was the fault of the freezing cold weather. I might need a re-try!
So it seems I have tried more hot chocolates than I thought – ha!
Do get in touch if you have a recommendation for an awesome hot chocolate 😁
