By Jennifer Barton
As anyone who’s read Charlie and the Chocolate Factory will tell you, the best chocolate experience should involve a bit of an adventure.
Which is why Harry’s Chocolate Emporium in Tooting, run by a local mum, is such a fun trip: you wind your way through a non-descript car park before entering chocolate heaven, with two spacious café rooms that can easily fit your double buggy (NCT groups welcome) or a gaggle of 7-year-olds for a birthday party.
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In fact, the space is so, well, spacious, that it plays host to a range of workshops and classes, including Rhythm ‘n Babes music classes for Tooting babies, as well as chocolate workshops where kids can make chocolate lollies and learn to roll and dip truffles (adults get to do the same, but with wine). It can also be hired out as a birthday party venue.
People – and not just those with kids in tow – also flock to Harry’s for the hot chocolate. It’s just divine, whether you’re after white, milk or dark chocolate (there are two variations to choose from). Bonus: biccie included.
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You can also get fed at Harry’s, whether you come first thing or lunchtime, with porridge oats, bacon sandwiches and mini pizzas and falafel for kids. The relaxed atmosphere makes you feel you could easily spend a couple of hours there (the kids can run around one of the rooms if it’s not too busy, plus there are blackboards for them to draw on).
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Of course, there’s also the enticement of chocolate – and wow, what chocolate. Harry’s stocks a range of truffles, bars and boxes of goodies that are super-local (chocolates from Tooting) and come from further afield (Europe), in a range of zingy flavours like chilli as well as more kid friendly ones, like plain milk with a cute dinosaur design.
There are chocolate lollies and bars in mini and larger sizes – Harry’s Bars make a lovely gift and come in a range of flavours like Bakewell, Mint, Ginger, Orange, Sea Salt and Honeycomb.
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You can also select your own truffles to make a gift box for a special someone (we can attest that the Harry’s Christmas crackers, in a range of different sizes, from mini to wonderfully huge, make the best teachers’ gifts).
If you can’t get enough of the chocolate in the shop, sign up for a Harry’s chocolate subscription box.
Harry’s Chocolate Emporium, 332 Balham High Road, SW17 7AA
