Melange Chocolate

Delicious hot chocolate and truffles. The chocolate tart was also one of the best I’ve had – it melted in the mouth. Also, has an adorable cat wandering around which really elevated the experience.

Absolutely fantastic place - great iced chocolate in the summer and incredible options all year round. We did the wine and chocolate tasting evening, which was lovely - Isabelle is so knowledgeable about the history of chocolate and had great suggestions of how to pair different types of wines with different flavours of chocolate. We had a lovely chat - would recommend to any chocolate-lover! We’ll be back next time we’re in Peckham

There are few greater luxuries on a grey London afternoon than stepping off the pavements of Camberwell into Isabel’s inviting hot chocolate and confectionery shop. It is not simply the waft of cocoa that envelops you, but the sense that you have crossed into a space more akin to a warm French salon than a storefront, made of beautifully hand-painted glass. Isabel, the French proprietor, has over 17 years cultivated something rare: an atmosphere that manages to be utterly unpretentious and authentic. The shop is small, but its proportions are perfect; walls lined with historic chocolate artefacts (Isabel was once the owner of a chocolate museum in Brixton), boxes of handcrafted chocolates (think artisanal Easter eggs and raw cocoa beans), and cocoa-dusted truffles which surround you. The presence of Lula, the (well behaved and clean) resident shop cat, adds a note of domestic ease, a signal of the home Isabel has made out of her craft. The hot chocolate itself is an event: Isabel crafts this in full view, mixing a rich, silken, think and aromatic showcase of hot chocolate at its most articulate. Opt for either a purists hot chocolate (70% cocoa chocolate and estate dairy milk), or something avant-garde and add a range of herbs and spices (salt, rosemary, ginger, cumin etc.) Sourced from sustainable producers, it achieves an elusive balance of comfort and sophistication. One suspects Isabel could lecture at length on the science of the perfect hot chocolate, yet she prefers to let her work speak for her. Perhaps the true reason this shop has become a Camberwell treasure is not the chocolate alone — exceptional though it is — but the familial way Isabel and her team make you feel. A seat at the dark-oak-topped counter brings conversation, warmth, and a kind of intimacy often absent in London retail. It is worth travelling to, from far beyond Camberwell. In an age of chains and digital commerce, Isabel’s shop reminds us that the best food experiences are local, tactile, and human. For those who believe chocolate can be both comfort and art, this is place to be treasured.

Absolutely love Melange. I have no idea why it took me so long to go there but Chocolatier Isabelle does the best thick hot chocolate in London, as well as the most delicious fondant cake. If you want special handmade chocolates, you should pop by. Plus you might get to see Lula - she might even give up her cushion for you 😍

This place is truly magical. The hot chocolate is exquisite, the best I have had outside France and potentially even Italy. The entire place screams warmth and intimacy, like a little Parisian Cafe down a back street. When we entered we were welcomed warmly by the owner and the powerful smell of chocolate. We had two salted caramel hot chocolates that were £4.50 and we thought extremely good value for money given that high street brands charge a comparable price for inferior products. Both of us had the same word for our hot chocolates "heaven". The hot chocolate was dark, thick and comforting doesn't seem enough of a word for it. I felt such a warm glow in my tummy after. They also sell hot chocolate, a very good chocolate cake, cocktails, chocolate powder, cocoa nibs and multiple flavours of artisan chocolate. We took home a chilli and orange Artisan chocolate £5 and a ginger and lime Artisan chocolate also £5. The chocolate was amazing! " We adored meeting the owners friendly cat who lazed about meowing for food. We also were delighted by the vintage feel of the shop and the information the owner gave us about how different parts of the shop came together and how old parts were like the gorgeous, round 1970s lamps. It is a fitting setting for a book or film, or a book, film or poem to be written or to watch the world go by while sipping a sensual hot chocolate! We will be back!

Let your nose guide you to this excellent chocolatier. Lovely people, fantastic chocolate and more!

The chocolate is good but if you go, try and get served by the person working as a cashier: as the owner has limited customer service/interpersonal skills and their business is not a safe space. I realised this when, as I waited in a queue for probably the time it would've taken me to trade cocoa from Ghanaian farmers, travel back to Peckham and make the chocolate myself - the owner started shouting and seemed angry when it was my turn. Disappointed, I left. The owner left the shop to chase me down the street shouting I hadn't paid. This was not true. I had paid for the purchase. She eventually came to and went back inside.

Amazing chocolates (bars, drinks) with the warmest service and most cosy atmosphere! I stopped by Melange today to pick up some chocolate bars; they are all handmade and there’s a wonderful selection of dark, milk and white ones. The owner was the most patient and friendly lady - we had a nice chat while I was choosing the bars. It has a really nice space for people to have a hot chocolate too. This may sound like an overstatement but the other reviews speak for itself. Don’t miss Melange if you are looking for a nice place to relax and enjoy the best chocolate!

I searched Dulwich for and found the legendary Melange Chocolate Shop & Café, presided over by expert chocolatier Isabella Alaya. Isabella has built up her business since its beginnings in Peckham in 2008, and deserves her reputation for her secret recipe for hot chocolate, a top-ten in London. You can find her café at 2 Maxted Road. Et le chocolat est fourni au client avec une floraison française romantique. I had a cup of 72% chocolate and indeed I felt much better after drinking it.

Great place. I recently bought a box of chocolates for valentines day to give to my boyfriend and bought one for myself to try them first. They were simply delicious and each and every one of them was uniquely designed. I will be totally coming back here soon to buy some more sweet goods.

Great workshop. The cocolate that i made vas very yummy. The Workshop included a lot of eplenation, testing and fun. I would defenatly recomend this workshop to a frind.

DONT BOOK OR EVEN MAKE ENQUIRIES ABOUT THEIR COURSES. After making a couple of enquiries about the cost and possible dates for a course I received two abusive emails and she hung up on me accusing me of not turning up. I had not made a booking as I was only at the enquiry stage. As mentioned her emails were extremely rude and very upsetting. I WOULD NOT RECOMMEND DEALING WITH THIS COMPANY AT ALL IF YOU WANT TO BE TREATED WELL. I will now add the abusive email I was sent and my previous ENQUIRY for everyone to judge for themselves When I received the email I was so taken aback and really shocked that I rang the mobile just to talk it through All I said was my name and that I didn't appreciate receiving the email she that became irrate and hung up I was so upset by the whole experience that I wrote my review because I would hate other good natures customers to go through this Sad thing is I really wanted to do this course and go to the shop now I just feel intimidated by the owner