From bean-to-bar chocolate bars to indulgent chocolate cakes, here’s where to visit if you’re nuts about cocoa. There are generally two camps when it comes to chocolate. Some prefer the candied sweet of milk chocolate as it comes with the addition of dairy and sugar. Others, those who proclaim themselves to be cocoa purists, are all about dark chocolate as they believe it is the true way to savour and celebrate its complex, nuanced flavours without competing noises. Whichever faction you belong to though, we can all agree that we love chocolate. From single-origin, bean-to-bar creations from local labels to internationally renowned brands below, here are 10 chocolate shops and bars in Singapore to get your cocoa fix.
1. Beanfolks by Lemuel Chocolate
Local chocolatier Lemuel Chocolate recently unveiled Beanfolks, a hot chocolate speciality bar located within Jewel Changi Airport. Founded by Ronald Ng and Hideki Sakanishi, the bean-to-bar brand sources its own cocoa beans directly from farmers before roasting and making the chocolate in-house. At Beanfolks, start by choosing between hot or iced chocolate or mocha (from $7.50) before choosing the variety of chocolate you would like. This ranges from 30 percent white chocolate from Ecuador to 90 percent dark chocolate from Ghana. Then, choose the milk of your choice, which includes plant-based options, and finally, choose any flavour add-ons such as herbs, spices and flowers to further dress up the drink. There are also preset drinks to pick from, if you can’t make up your mind.
2. Laurent’s Cafe & Chocolate Bar
Laurent’s Cafe & Chocolate Bar is the brainchild of Laurent Bernard. In case you don’t know who he is, the Frenchman is renowned for his chocolate and baked goods, which put him on the path to setting up shop here in 2006. No surprise then that chocolate-based desserts are the star here, with options such as Hot Chocolate (from $9.70), Chocolate Tart ($62) and Black Forest Cake ($76). They make chocolates for gifting too.
3. The Dark Gallery
If dark chocolate is the only kind that is acceptable to you, then head over to The Dark Gallery to satisfy all your cocoa cravings. The brand uses both single-origin cocoa and premium chocolate brands like Valrhona to make its bittersweet creations. The Signature 80% Dark Chocolate Ice Cream (from $6) and chocolate drinks (from $8) are must-tries. But if you’re looking for more substantial desserts, there are Ice Cream Waffle ($19), Dark Chocolate Sliced Cake ($9) and Single Origin Chocolate Platter ($18), among many others. For snacking or gifting, there are bonbons, pralines, macarons and chocolate tablets.
4. Awfully Chocolate
Founder Lyn Lee wanted to create the perfect chocolate cake — one that was rich but not cloying. The result was Awfully Chocolate, which was founded in 1998 together with her friends. Since then, Awfully Chocolate has become one of the most well-known purveyors of chocolate and related desserts in Singapore, and hasgrown to encompass overseas outposts too. Cake flavours here include the All Chocolate ($45), Chocolate Banana ($48), Salted Caramel Chocolate ($70), Chocolate Mille Crepe ($128) and The Opera House ($108). Awfully Chocolate also has hot chocolate, brownies, tarts, and ice cream.
5. Janice Wong Pure Imagination
Janice Wong Pure Imagination is another local chocolate label that has expanded beyond the shores of Singapore. Pastry chef and founder Janice Wong began in 2007 with 2am:dessertbar before opening Pure Imagination in 2014 to focus on chocolate and confectionery, including bonbons and cakes. Once you’re there, try one of its single-origin bean-to-bar chocolates that come pure or spiked with flavours, such as Laksa Leaf and Lemongrass ($12) and Lemon Myrtle and Mint ($12). Otherwise, check out the slew of cakes and cookies or the chocolate appreciation workshop.
6. Mr. Bucket Chocolaterie
Mr. Bucket Chocolaterie is another bean-to-bar establishment that focuses on using cocoa sourced around Asia. All the usual suspects can be found here — chocolate drinks (from $8), bonbons, bars and desserts — alongside savoury food. There are children-friendly options on the menu too. Mr. Bucket Chocolaterie also offers chocolate-making experiences, which promise to be both educational and entertaining for adults and children alike.
7. Godiva
Belgian chocolate label Godiva needs little introduction, if at all. Its chocolate ice cream ($8) and hot chocolate are both fan-favourite treats to get when you’re at its boutiques. Or else, take any of its chocolate creations home with you to enjoy privately. Serious chocolate lovers can consider enrolling in the membership program where you get 10 percent discounts on regular-priced products, among other benefits. You just need to cross a certain spending threshold to be a part of it.
8. Royce’
Founded in Hokkaido in 1993, Royce’ is another well-known global chocolate brand, and has been in Singapore since 2001. Royce’s most well-known product is the Nama Chocolate ($17), which combines chocolate and cream, together with liquor depending on the flavour, to create moreish bite-sized chocolate. If you’re game to try more adventurous combinations, get the chocolate-covered potato chips ($16) or popcorn ($12.50) and enjoy the contrast between sweet and salty, luscious and crunchy.
9. Embrace Chocolate
Embrace Chocolate is a homegrown chocolate label founded by Namita Gupta at the end of 2021. It focuses on creating small-batch vegan, single-origin bean-to-bar chocolate. Only dark chocolate is available here, though, with beans coming from across the world, ranging from Vietnam and The Philippines to Ecuador and Tanzania. Each bar costs between $16 to $17.50. Check out its Instagram for new launches, including the Rum & Raisin flavour available in-store.
10. Fossa Chocolate
ay Chua, Charis Chia and Yilina Leong were among the first in Singapore to introduce single-origin chocolate to Singapore when they started Fossa Chocolate in 2017. While it doesn’t have a retail store, it has an online shop, and its factory in Sembawang doubles as a space for its chocolate-making and appreciation workshops. It has also since expanded to multiple stockists locally and globally. Fossa Chocolate is also where to go to if you are looking for unique flavours. Think Tomato & Maqaw Pepper ($13.08), Ginseng Chrysanthemum ($15.26), Pineapple Tart ($13.08), Citra IPA ($13.08) and much much more. They are vegan iterations too.
