Chococo in Winchester

Popped in today with family for hot chocolate. The place is always busy as it has a good reputation. BUT, there has clearly been a change in staff and they simply weren’t coping with the volume of customers. The queue was out the door and the stress seemed evident, with one staff member being quite brusque with us when serving. The table we found hadn’t been cleared of the previous’ empties. They did sort this out for us relatively promptly. After ordering I had to ask for an additional loyalty stamp (according to the card it’s per hot drink, not visit) for the two hot chocolates I ordered and when the drinks arrived they weren’t as hot as either of us would have liked. Didn’t make a fuss, as by then the queue was out the door again and I didn’t want to stress out the already stressed manager. Next thing we knew, two younger male staff members sauntered out of the kitchen like they had all the time on the world, whilst the manager was still clearly running around like a headless chicken. Unfortunately the choc chip scones we had were dry. I think they had previously been frozen. To be fair we were offered these to be heated up for us but declined. Biggest issue is clearly training the new staff who aren’t pulling their weight. I feel disappointed as the staff used to be super here, efficient and friendly and it used to have a lovely atmosphere, even when busy. Unfortunately I feel there were neither here today. Really hope you’re able to iron these issues out. :)

Without doubt they serve the best hot chocolate in Winchester! Friendly staff, a warm atmosphere and above all, delicious chocolate. The manager, Viola, is authentic and welcoming. Well worth a visit and my favourite place to go for a chocolate treat.

We have been coming for years and we're today turned away because they refuse cash. I don't have any cards. We travelled 30 minutes to get there. Stay way, there are plenty of businesses who do take legal tender.

Flies all over the cups and near the uncovered cakes/pastries! Off putting to say the least, as well as being a health and safety issue. Brought it to the attention of the staff/manager who said there wasn’t much they could do as the flies just loved the chocolate!

Went in on a whim as wanted a coffee before a meeting. The staff are really friendly, served quickly and with a smile! Even got a free taster of some delicious chocolate. The lady that used to work for wagamama is amazing- sorry I didn’t catch your name!

Lovely place specialising in chocolates and indeed hot chocolate. Popped in today for a vegan hot chocolate, pot of tea and two cinnamon buns. All really good and a couple of salted caramel pieces of chocolate as tasters too. Will happily return to try some more and perhaps buy some chocolates too.

What a lovely spot for an amazing hot chocolate or any other hot drinks, I was served by 2 young ladies and also their manager Viola and they were so helpful and friendly when choosing a hot choco to drink and the atmosphere was super cosy and nice to be in. Really enjoyed it and I will return soon!

Had a tea cake which was stale and basically bread. Ordered a box of chocolates and some ribbon only to told to wrap it myself. The youg girl had no customer service skill and acted like I was bothering her. A real shame as it used to have a lovely atmosphere.

What an absolute delight this restaurant is. 🧡 We had the most divine hot chocolate and (heated) brownies. They were truly the most delicious and well presented hot chocolate refreshments we have ever had. Chapeau. 😃😃🧡

Charming cafe seating on the pavement. If a person leaves the shop with out his/her chocolate fix, it would be a pointless visit. Hot chocolate was beautifully smooth and stayed blended to the end. A good stop in the afternoon break.

Came in for a lunchtime snack had a toastie and coffee which i enjoyed very much and the place seemed very busy it was a shame that coffee was in a take away cup but the staff did explain about using take away cups

This cafe is not far from Winchester cathedral at the quieter end of the high street so it had some free tables even though the city was busy with the Christmas market. The outside is prettily decorated for Christmas and it looks like it is just a chocolate shop. Inside there are two queues, one just for chocolate purchases and the other for food, make sure you are queueing in the right one and in the right direction! The staff are very friendly and there is a delicious looking selection of cakes and scones, it is hard to make a choice. Unfortunately having ordered it took ages to get our coffee and cakes delivered to our table. However when it arrived the excellent coffee was accompanied by a little taster of their delicious chocolate.

We bought Chocolate and caramel ice creams and a couple of brownies The ice creams were good but the brownies: excellent

Unique and wonderful chocolate shop cum cafe. If only we had one in our own town. Possibly the best hot chocolate I have ever had. There are several different types and the lovely staff will help direct you to the one most suitable to your palate - do ask. The milks are apparently very sweet for grown-up tastes, so I went for their most commonly sold dark. Amazing. I wanted a second. Toasties and brownies very nice. Chocolates are in a league of their own and truly wonderful. They allow you to have one free with a drink purchase. We were also allowed to try one when we purchased a box. A tiny chocolate gem amongst the high street monotony.

I went in to buy some chocolate (the most delicious chocolate I have ever tried!) and wanted to thank Siobhan for the most amazing customer service - she went above and beyond my expectations. I will definitely be back :)

My favourite cafe! Lovely hot chocolates - great to have such a good choice, and good ice cream. Haven't had lunch here yet but need to try some time

Ugly Terrible behaviour customer service from the staff (man). I have been here for 5 years and I have collected drink points. Today I got told off and tell me to leave the shop. I have collected 8 stamps and I am absolutely sure it is. As I did before, you gets free drink after 8 stamps. I ordered a hot drink and he asked me to pay because the point wasn’t enough. I asked to give me the card back and let’s count it again and he didn’t bother. The card was tear off now. Loved the chocolate and the shop. Only one person that’s not very nice and rude to the customer.

Finally, some decent vegan truffles in a proper chocolate box. There was a ready made box to buy or a good choice to pick from the display. The service was attentive and patient. It is a lovely memory to take away from Winchester.

Plenty of options for different %s of cocoa, plenty of milk alternatives, and a gluten-free knowledgeable staff. Fun, friendly atmosphere. Take a moment, sit down, and enjoy rather than order to-go. That's why we have Chocolate after all.

We have previous purchased chocolates from Chococo on many occasions (which have always been excellent) but had not had the opportunity for a few years. On this occasion, a nice, polite staff member helped me select some chocolates, individually wrapped them, boxed them up and then gift wrapped. Another staff member offered to take payment - only to then tell me that they did not accept cash! (I had the exact amount). I politely said that it was legal currency and that they should be able to take it, but he immediately became defensive - no apology, blaming the company, covid, banks and saying it wasn't the staff's fault. I said that not taking cash was unfair. Not least, denying payment created a pressured and uncomfortable feeling after the whole selection, boxing and gift wrapping process. Which is a pity. I felt forced to pay by card in the end; I thanked them anyway and left with the purchase. As it was made clear that it was not the staff's fault, and reading other similar complaints on here, I have left this review for the company, and the rating reflects this. Reading other complaints, I notice that the answers all revolve around saving money and reducing staff - but no mention of meeting customer needs (although I am sure they will try to claim it saves the customer money - on a luxury product). They also mention an A5 'poster' (which I do not recall seeing), but A5 is actually a small 6 inch sign. A small sign next to the till (which again I do not recall seeing) is useless if the serving process does not require you to go to the till until the end. And how is this communicated to those with visual or cognitive issues? Even though the law allows retailers to chose what payment they will accept, this was originally intended for another purpose - it should not be unreasonably extended to exclude what the vast bulk of service providers readily accept. Companies may want to save money, but should it be at the customer's expense. How many people walk away if they DO manage to spot the sign? Why can the small independent cafe just along the road be able to take cash, but not this place? Arguments that it will help with covid are redundant - the staff have just been handling the product anyway, as well as clearing cups, plates, receipts, taking cash tips etc...(how can cash tips be banked and accounted if payments cannot?) It is surely discriminatory against those who cannot, or will not, use cards for whatever reason - often worst affecting those on low incomes, or those with cognitive issues, or the elderly, children etc (and perhaps some visiting from overseas) - it just creates yet more distance. I work with the Equalities Act and this sort of stuff really irks.

Venezuela hit chocolate ... whipped cream ... marshmallows. Not much more to say than that other than delicious and warming on a cold January afternoon in Winchester! Excellent service, clean tables and counters etc. Welcoming atmosphere.

Really friendly service - we were given good advice on what to choose and the hot chocolate and truffles were delicious. There are lots of options for all tastes.

We'd had a big hotel breakfast and were on our way to Shoal for fish and chips across the road for lunch, so only had time for a cuppa, rather than trying the chocolates which looked absolutely fantastic.

We stopped off for a vegan hot chocolate with our son and it was absolutely lovely. Great to see a good vegan selection on offer, thank you.

Nice little coffee shop close to King Alfred's statue. Friendly staff, great smelling coffee and limited but satisfactory selection of cakes. If you want sugar in your coffee, you have to ask because it is hidden away on the counter. The tables only had small bowls with sachets of artificial sweeteners which are known to be carcinogenic which I refuse to consume. Biggest complaint is that Chococo only take plastic and refused my cash, even though there was a tips jar on the counter that contained ... CASH!! Luckily, I did have a card with me, but will not visit again because I choose to use cash.

Pre covid I used to stop off for a hot chocolate to take to the bus station on my way home from my voluntary role. It was always delicious, not sweet but thick, milky and tasting strongly of chocolate. I dislike over sweet hot choclate. Not any longer. Chococo must be saving money on their hot chocolates. At some point earlier this year, I stopped off not remembering what I used to have I had a Madagascar hot Chocolate, the one at the top of the list. It barely tasted of chocolate. My mistake I thought, not the one I used to have so I returned today and asked for a Ecuador, the next one down the list, expecting something stronger. What I got was thin, almost watery with a strange orange flavour at the top, and again barely tasting of chocolate. How can thin, weak hot chocolate taste of orange? No more hot chocolate for me at Chococo!! Standards have dropped.

Best coffee break. I always try to favour an independent place over a high street chain, and this place wins hands down. Went to Costa first - terrible everything-then here after lunch. Great: service, coffee and chocolate. What's not to love?

as the barista turned away from serving me, he turned to a colleague and said (and i quote), i have really got the hang of the chocolates, but i have not no idea how to use the coffee machine. and he was 100% right. lovely...

We visited today for some breakfast and tried to pay with cash, which they wouldn't accept. This is in infact against the law as cash is still legal tender, and shouldn't be refused in any establishment!!! My husband said it was a crap rule, and...

We popped in for a coffee and cake on August bank holiday. We took one of the tables outside - granted it’s right at the bottom end of the high street. The coffee and cakes were good and the service efficient.

We have visited Chococo a few times now and we have never been disappointed. Tea and coffees always come with a chocolate on the side which is a wonderful little treat. The hot chocolate is brilliant - it tastes how hot chocolate should taste! No...

Went here with high expectations as had been to a hot chocolate shop like this before. Ordered a white hot chocolate as the board said “for a really really sweet tooth”. I had also had one previously before and it was very SWEET. So I...

I had the house hot chocolate, which given it's the house hot chocolate I thought would be a safe bet. I found it to be quite bitter, though. I wasn't expecting a super sweet hot chocolate but I wasn't expecting it to be bitter! I...

My friend and I decided to visit for a luxury hot chocolate, whilst visiting Winchester. My friend ordered a deluxe hot chocolate, which came in a coffee bowl. I asked if I could have a coffee bowl too, but was told no, as mine wasn't...

Usually when visiting a café there is probably hot chocolate available, and if you're lucky it'll be a milky barista style one... but at Chococo there is a choice of hot chocolates!! I love the 85% cocoa hot chocolate although last time I visited 85%...

A disappointing visit - the staff were unfriendly and unwelcoming, they couldnt manage a smile - we just felt like an inconvenience. Such a shame as the products are brilliant but the staff leave a bitter aftertaste. Wont be going back sadly.

Just had two decaf cappuccinos very nice but the service was with a grunt. Why can’t you train your staff? A welcome would be nice etc etc

I have got into the habit of taking my son to Chococo every Saturday; I have a coffee and he has either a hot chocolate or ice cream. I look forward to coming each week, the coffee is really good quality and served with a...

Less is more. Went there as a final treat for my small granddaughter after a few days away visiting the New Forest and Pepper Pig World. The ice cream sundries were basically tasteless with the toppings offered just sweets. - Jellybabies, marshmallows and Maltesers (...

Super place for chocolate with a fantastic choice of different varieties of chocolate. Granddaughter loved the chocolate ice cream.

We looked all over Winchester to get ice cream. Something different from the ubiquitous St Judes, which is nice, we finally found Chococo. Cherry Almond, 45% chocolate and a blob of Dorset Cream. Delicious. Great ice cream, lovely staff.

Visited Winchester for cluedup day out, popped in for a coffee and ice cream. Probably best ice cream I have had in the UK and coffee was good too. I had salted caramel and chocolate orange flavours.

This was our 1st visit and we will definitely visit again. 🏅 We visited on 13/5/21. The lady serving was lovely and very helpful. The coffees we delicious and so was the cinnamon bun (the lady suggested it was warmed and that was a fabulous...

Absolute riot! Too many staff and too many customers! No one greeted us on arrival, not possible to book a table, and no table service. Very busy and crowded. Definitely not covid secure. (Chocolate great though)

I am new to the city and a good hot chocolate is essential. Chococo is so lovely, getting a choice of how dark you would like your hot chocolate. Lovely treats to take home and they offer a taster truffle too which is perfect. Friendly...

Poor, slow, not clean, cold coffee. Difficult to get table cleaned. Waited ages for drinks which were bearly warm when ready

This is a lovely cafe and sooooo much better than any of the national chains. Coffee is amazing and you always get a luxury chocolate with it! Cake selection is great. Savoury scone is divine. Friendly and efficient staff.

I love Chococo! I'm a hot chocolate drinker and not keen on tea or coffee so Choco is amazing and glad Hampshire has a branch. They have an excellent range of hot chocolates of varying coco %. Finally able to enjoy a hot chocolate that...

We stumbled across this coffee shop in Winchester as we were about to leave the town to head back before going out in the evening. The staff there were extremely friendly. Whilst we were there another man entered the establishment without wearing a mask and...

We've been visiting the Winchester branch most weekends for several years now and, accepting the difficulties caused by Covid, the atmosphere, friendliness, and care of attention isn't the same as when Kevin, Don etc were present. Empty tables took time to be cleared and, disappointingly,...

Always call in for a 100% hot chocolate and a cake on a trip to Winchester. Their gelato is the best I've tasted, and a wide range of chocolates for sale.

Came here yesterday ten minutes before closing and even though they were in the middle of putting all the ice cream away they still made us incredible milkshakes. We had a honeycomb and salted caramel one. We were also given a complimentary chocolate too, lovely...

Well we were passing and heading to a cafe for coffee and we decided to pop in for a hot chocolate instead. Glad we did. What a fantastic selection of varying strength chocolates. The staff were friendly and explained the tastes. Comfortable seats. Coffee and...

A recommended place for afternoon tea. We ordered the set that came with their signature chocolate scone served with clotted cream and caramel sauce. The hot chocolate was piping hot with a generous sprinkle of choco powder. There were a choice of coffees or teas...

Lots of lovely chocolate here; even a free sample with our latte and tea - of which there is a full range. And a discount for bringing our own mugs!

Ideaal bij kil regenweer, om daar een hot chocolate te drinken. Meerdere keuzes qua smaken ! Bieden ook scones en...

Small and compact shop/cafe offering the best Hot Chocolate in Winchester. Each drink is served with a chocolate from their range - making the already good price even better value for money. The selection of cakes and savouries are always tempting and delicous. The shop...

A must for any fans of chocolate! Amazing hot chocolate, cakes and little treats to create the perfect chocolate experience! (Non chocolate options are available) Lovely atmosphere, colourful decor and wonderful staff! I visit every time I go to Winchester!

Came here for a cuppa & something sweet having had pizza at another nearby independent business. Staff are absolutely charming, & the baked goods on offer are delicious - shared a chocolate/biscuit/ brownie concoction that contained raisins or sultanas (I think) & pieces of ginger - just yummy! Coffee was very good indeed, & my friend enjoyed her mixed berry smoothie. Gelato looked amazing, too, though we weren't in a position to buy any to take home & were too full to have any at that point. I bought some of their chocolate slabs to take home as gifts. Apparently this place had escaped my (locally living) friend's notice, but she was raving about it to her husband when we got home & she says they will definitely add it to their 'go to' list of places for future visits. Just a gem of a cafe, well worth a visit - & huge compliments to the people working there who are lovely.

Dorset milk is great; Orange odyssey is “Wow”. Not just in taste, but texture too; believe the best ice cream in Winchester.

Stopped here just for a drink with my daughter but hadn’t realised they do toasted sandwiches so decided to order food. Small selection but what was really great was the quality. Delicious bread and fillings, the vegan is really good. Would thoroughly recommend.

We wanted a coffee shop that was different and not a chain. We stumbled across this one at the end of the pedestrianised street and we were not disappointed.

After discovering this little cafe a couple of months ago, we have been back a few times. The coffee is great, the hot chocolates are amazing, and the ice cream is lovely too. We always bring our friends here when they are visiting. Also like the fact that you get a little truffle with all hot drinks. Staff are lovely too.

Stopped for a quick lunch before the walking tour. I was attracted by the look of this little cozy cafe, so I went there. I loved my thick veggie soup and cheese, tomato and chives scone, but coffee was watery and not the kind I enjoy.

My friend and I went here after visiting the City Council for an errand. We had struck up a conversation with a woman in the council and we asked her where the best place was for a coffee and possibly a teacake. It was a horrible rainy day and we didnt want to walk around looking. She suggested Chococo so we went inside and had a pot of tea, and a coffee and two teacakes. It was an inviting place and the staff were friendly and we liked getting two chocolates to try when our order came. I have told other friends about it, just what we needed on a rainy day.

Really enjoy trying the different hot chocolate drinks here; they are accompanied by a small chocolate, delicious!

Only popped in for a hot chocolate. Had the most delicious 100pc hot chocolate with cream. Even came back the next day to get another one because it was so nice. It’s so rare to find anywhere that does 100pc hot chocolate so it was a real find. Also bought a mini chocolate King Alfred that was rather sweet!

Delighted to say that standards are still high here. There appears to be a greater selection of baked goods and the marmite and cheese sconce is a delight warmed with some butter. The cinnamon bun is a cut above anything you'll find in a chain. We were able to sit outside and enjoy the hot chocolate and complimentary chocolates - the tea and damson jam chocolate was amazing and I don't usually do chocolate and fruit.

Looking for a coffee mid morning walking around this lovely town/city??

Four of us had Saturday morning coffee and cakes here. Lovely cafe: really friendly helpful staff, colourful interior, the best gluten free choc brownie I’ve had for ages, and even a free chocolate with your coffee. It’s not cheap but it was worth it for a pre-Christmas treat!

We really enjoyed our afternoon tea set which consisted of a homemade chocolate chip scone served with clotted cream and caramel sucree. The scone was warm, crumbly added with clotted cream was just divine. It came with a pot of tea which you can select from few choices.

I must admit that this is a go to place whenever we’re in Winchester. It always busy but if you time it right you can normally squeeze in and get a table. Lovely selection of hot chocolate, great cakes and delicious savoury scones. The staff are very friendly and the service is swift ( and you get a free chocolate sample ) and they have a couple of little tables outside so on a sunny day you can sit and people watch

Had the Colombian hot chocolate and with it came a little chocolate truffle. Would recommend a visit, very tasty and helpful staff.

I’ve written a review about chococo before but wanted to update it. I have started to come here nearly 4 days a week. They do ‘the best’ hot chocolate. It is good value too. I love the dark hot chocolate as it keeps you going until lunch and a pick up after the gym. The cinnamon bun I had the other day was honestly the most delicious I’ve ever had. They kindly warmed it up which made it even more delicious! Final winning formula is the single chocolate they give you with your hot drink. It’s like a treat each time. I love it!

Always love the hot chocolate here, there’s a selection to choose from and you get a free chocolate with every hot chocolate too.

Had a takeaway hot chocolate and it was a really nice hot chocolate. Warmed me up on a cold day in Winchester. Was a shame the deluxe hot chocolate isn't available as a takeaway.

Lovely little independent chocolate shop and cafe with great service and a trendy vibe. The pecan brownie was devine. If we were local we would definitely visit regularly.

Breen unas cuantas veces con amigos o solo y siempre ha sido increíble.

Wonderfully wicked and indulgent treats. Delicious brownies and rich hot chocolate, really appreciated the free chocolate that came with the drink. Left feeling about a stone heavier....in the best possible way!

I have been back to Chococo twice in the last week not having been since 2017. The hot chocolate was again delicious - I had the Ugandan this time which was darker and not too sweet. A lovely young lady called Hannah served us both times and remembered us from a week ago. Superb service - friendly and attentive without being overbearing.

Stopped for a quick drink and enjoyed a lovely hot chocolate. There’s a good selection of drinks on offer and the free samples of chocolates given to us were a nice touch.

This place does the best hot chocolate! You get to choose depending on the percentage of chocolate you want! Each drink is also served with a little chocolate to try which is such a nice touch & also encourages you to buy others they have available. They also serve coffee & a lovely looking menu which I look forward to going back to try. Staff are also really friendly.

Lovely the cheese and marmite scone with chutney and creme frais was yummy, the staff were helpful and the chocolate was really good and thank god for air conditioning in this heat

Enjoyed a late morning pick me up during an easy day in the lovely city. It was hard to make choices with all the beautiful chocolate and other delights on view. For the chocolate fan there were six different types of drinking chocolates. But alas no iced teas. I settled for water and a cinnamon roll. The roll was Fabulous. The chocoholic had cold sweet drinking chocolate and a chocolate covered caramel shortbread which he judged to be very good.

I love this place! Been here a couple times this week. Such a good range of hot chocolates you never get bored, my favourite is the 80%. They do them iced in summer and it's so refreshing. It's great that you get to try a truffle every time you order a hot chocolate too. The biscuits and cakes are good- they have a range of vegan and gluten free options which is great! The mango sorbet is also incredible.

I have visited this shop several times and always found the staff to be friendly and helpful. The hot chocolate is lovely and served with a chocolate as a treat. Today the weather was hot and the shop was busy but unfortunately the staff were a bit slow in clearing the tables. Two staff had a long discussion about moving some advertisement boards but unfortunately they did this right by my table. The ice lollies looked gorgeous but the ice cream fridge was in the way of my table too. It was as if the heat had over come them. Please get back to your usual good service.

Great coffee and hot chocolate but too many people on their iPhones and using the tables for too long and the staff ignore it. Otherwise the staff are great sometimes offering chocolate samples.

Had a quick drink which was pleasant. They had crayons for the littles and lovely chocolate and ice cream for us! .

Managed to get prized window seat over looking the cycle race. Enjoyed the Venezuelan hot chocolate and millionaires shortbread and the two free chocolates. This is a great non-chain café with really attentive staff and wonderful products. It is worth taking advice about the hot chocolate because the taste of some of them can be very bold. If you're sick of the tardiness of the high street coffee chains owned by venture capitalists or giant brewery chains I would try Chococo.

Having had an ice-cream from a street vendor in Winchester the previous week, which was expensive and tasteless we decided to buy one in Chococo. This one was delicious, soft ice cream and every flavour we had was marvellous. While we were eating this superlative tasting dish we noticed the chocolates. We took them home and they were equally as good as the Ice-cream. We will certainly be back.

Recommend the hot chocolates, you get a little chocolate treat too! As a student or NHS there is a 10% discount! The service is good, they are nice and informative. I love this little cafe. Overall, recommend it completely!

What a colourful place with the most yummiest treats Friendly staff and an added bonus of some chocolate samples

Wonderful little cafe perfect for cappuccino and complimentary chocolate! Wish they had more tables outside!

Wow. Want hot chocolate? Come here. End of... Venezuelan was my choice and it’s like drinking smooth silk.

Coffee was lovely and you got a free chocolate as well. Service was good. Lovely and relaxed place to stop.

Wonderful chocolate cafe with amazing hot chocolates. The chocolate chip scone was nice especially with the condiments. Gets very busy so go early or at off-peak times maybe. Bill was £11.50 for what you see in the picture. Staff are friendly too.

Having been here multiple times before we always look forward to coming to chococo and having our favourite Madagascan hot chocolate. The young staff are all very welcoming a make the cafe a comfortable place to eat.

Wide range of cakes and chocolate products available in this cafe, so Easter was the perfect time to visit. Would have been nice to see a few savoury options alongside this, though, as my wife has a sweeter tooth than I.

Milkshake was a little disappointed double choc wasn’t as hoped too milky not very thick :( Lovely chocolate cake and little freebie chocolate too Lively and great for kids

Probably the best hot chocolate and coffee I’ve ever had. As I’m a bit is a coffee geek anyway I’d say this place is well worth a visit!!