Bruntsfield
The Chocolate Tree is an established company that sells wonderful chocolate goodies in various places across town, as well as having a stall at the weekly Farmer’s Market in Castle Terrace.
Bars of chocolate come in an array of flavours, as well as individual chocolates, chocolate spread and large cakes for special occasions with every ingredient being both ethical and organic. A range of gluten free and vegan cakes can also be ordered.
The Chocolate Tree reacted to public demand for a shop and before Christmas, opened up this slice of chocolate heaven in Bruntsfield. I try my best to resist this place for the sake of my waistline, but have no will power despite living in the North of the city. Good cafes and cakes are worth travelling for.
Chocolate heaven in Bruntsfield
I paid another visit this week and felt instantly at home when I walked in. There are only a few tables in here, but also a little room at the back which holds 6 or 7 people which is great if there is a group of you. Everyone is welcome, with highchairs and changing facilities available for those with children.
My friend opted for a cup of Spanish style hot chocolate thick and gloopy) and their version of a churro at a very reasonable £2.
Spanish style hot chocolate
The drink was delicious and the quality was equal to that served in Spain.
I had a pot of darjeeling tea and a slice of one of the many cakes on offer. The majority of the cakes slices are gluten free and some are vegan, with choices changing daily. Today I went for the nutty chocolate cake at £2.40 a slice.
Nutty chocolate cake
The cake was chocolate perfection. The pistachio nuts worked well with the chocolate and the cream made the taste experience a little lighter. I am proud to announce, that no cake crumb was left behind.
If you don’t want to partake in a full slice of cake, then perhaps a smaller chocolate brownie will hit the mark – available for £1.
Reasonable prices
There are teas and coffee (Artisan Roast) available alongside a selection of truffles and ice cream. The prices are very reasonable for Morningside. Neighbouring Falko Konditormeister can be double the price for one of their cakes (although the quality is fantastic).
Service was friendly and there was no feeling of being rushed out the door.
Verdict – £6 for afternoon tea of this quality is cannot be beaten in town at the moment.
*edit, 16th May* Please see comments below from owner re a few price increases.
Suitable for disabled? Yes, ground even access with a fully accessible bathroom.
All that was left in the cup
Map of this location
Tags: Bruntsfield, cake, chocolate tree, review
My Spanish friend Veronica took me to the Chocolate Tree and I’m now hooked. This cafe has everything ,very friendly service. To die for spanish style hot chocolate. Delicious cakes and chocolates. Very reasonable prices. The closest thing to chocolate heaven on earth.
My visit was spoilt by the surly, to the point of rude, server. She snapped at me, making me feel uncomfortable sitting on my own. The hot chocolate was good, not fabulous.
…and they have increased their prices by 25%.
Hello, found this whilst browsing to see what people think. Thanks for the ace review Spotlight.
Although we are very dissapointed to find that a staff member has been rude to Julie! It’s a bit frustrating not being able to be at the cafe all the time, due to being needed at the kitchen and managing the wholesale side too. Not being with the staff makes it hard to ensure that they are providing the positive and welcoming atmosphere that we intended.
The organic hot chocolate recipe has just been improved to be a little less rich, and we have also introduced a range of 5 new single origin hot chocolates to try. Although the original organic recipe goes down well at outdoor events due to being quite thick & rich, we have come to think that the cafe atmosphere requires something a bit lighter. We understand that the atmosphere (and service!) will affect the enjoyment too
For the true dark chocolate fan, please give the Spanish style a go!
Prices.. Despite an increase on some of the products, we still think our prices reflect great value for money. The Spanish style hot chocolate had to move up to £2.50 when we introduced real fried churros. The raw ingredients we are using can be often expensive, and the running of the cafe is of course huge, with rent, rates, staff, the list goes on and on.. Compared to the other artisan chocolatiers in Britain, I hope we come out quite well for value
The Chocolate Tree is absolutely wonderful and is one of the few places in Edinburgh I consider true high-quality, in all aspects of its operation. I am an authentic, dark-chocolate lover and The Chocolate Tree has become my number one source for the stuff : )
Although that wasn’t necessarily a negative comment about the prices going up 25%, I just want to add that consumers should be prepared to spend money on fair, high-quality food. Most food is priced too low (with unacceptable externalities we pay for in other ways) and we are losing small, independent, artisanal producers that make food the diverse and wonderful pleasure it is! So I am more than happy to pay Chocolate Tree’s prices, which I find very decent for the quality I have experienced in return.
Thank you, Chocolate Tree!
Anna,
you must have a share in this business I`ve never heard so much guff in my life
Prefer Falkos and Coco. More original and better quality
Best place for hot chocolate in the whole city. I just wish it could be larger and have more tables without losing its current atmosphere.
And every time I’ve been in, the service has been quick and delightful.
I agree with Julie if she means a girl, blonde, early to mid 20s with dreadlocks. She was rude to me and although the choccy was nice, her attitude put me off. No thank yous or pleases.
My wife and I popped in to the cafe yesterday the place was busy,the lady said there was a place at the back a wee snug if we didnt mind sitting with a lady with a baby,we were chatting away to this lady as you do about Russia as she was from there,we had hardly finishing our tea/coffee and cake when this surly server appeared a small man with an attitude problem and wisp of a beard he didnt ask us if we were finished but whipped the cups and plates away asking the lady with the baby`is that your milk`the lady asked if there was baby changing facilities here to which he replied ” you can do it here” she was embarrassed we were embarrassed he more or else chased us out the place,never again cake was delicious staff were nice apart from this twerp,they must must increased the prices as well £7.50 for a piece of cake[small] a tea and a coffee !!!!!!