Chocolate Apothecary in Isle of Wight

The family at AtlasAdventured recommends coming here! Amazing place for drinks! The name caught my eye, the inside of the restaurant made me want to stay all day, but the hot chocolate is what stole the show. We ordered a few coffee drinks, which were so delicious, but the kids' hot chocolate was the best. It’s more of a drinking chocolate, thick and rich but not too sweet. It’s in a great location, right on the esplanade and directly across from the bus and train stations. Cute interior and very clean. They have beautiful chocolates for sale and a great selection of baked goods. We only came for the drinks, but next time we’ll get some delicious looking bakes!

Arrived at 3.15 pm and queued for around 10 minutes only to be told by a sullen faced young girl, 'I need to remind you we only serve takeaways now' even though the person in front of me had been dining in and managed to get a table. No signs at front of store to forewarn people. Just a miserable and intimidating experience. Never go again.

I’m not typically much of a hot chocolate fan, but I couldn’t pass up trying one here. And I didn’t regret it! Quite possibly the best hot chocolate I’ve ever had in my life. The unique decor and atmosphere was a delight.

What a delightful cappucino I had here. It was decorated with real chocolate sprinkles that really complimented the taste of the drink! Had a chocolate brownie - was very rich. Would have liked some choc chunks in it. Tried the coffee walnut cake - light sponge, really delicious and moreish. Sat outside on the pavement table with my dog. Beautiful hot drinks and yummy cakes. Please do chocolate fudge cake!

What a beautiful place to stop off and have coffee, tea and delicious cake! Set, facing the sea, you can choose to sit inside on an inclement day or there are a few tables outside to sit people watching or looking at the sea. The coffee was lovely and the cakes out of this world. They also sell their own handmade chocolates. What's not to like!

Gorgeous hot chocolate, mint choc chip with a generous amount of whipped cream and chocolate bits drizzled all over the top!

Exemplary and charming service. The staff working on 2 July could not have been more patient, helpful and delightful. The choice of individual chocolates and bars made it very difficult to make a selection! The dark hot chocolate was so delicious. If ever you are in Ryde, pay the Chocolate Apothecary a visit but it is worth a special trip.

A nice place, great customer service and also reasonably priced. Nice coffee too ☕️ Steeped in history too

Really lovely location opposite the pier. Hot chocolate was a dream as was the carrott cake (huge moist slab!). Staff friendly and welcoming

Fab place on Ryde seafront for a coffee. What a really lovely find, excellent coffee at a reasonable price. Very friendly staff and beautiful setting.

What a lovely find! Such an amazing cafe with historical items dotted around, the original chemist bar and cupboards and very friendly and helpful staff. We had the best hot chocolates, scrummy cookies (that couldn’t be f in I shed in one go) and a lovely break from the rain!

What a find , opposite the bus and ferry terminal. Great coffee, homemade cakes and pastries. Super staff so friendly . What else is there to say . Excellent value for money. Lots of road works at the moment but worth a visit .

Stopped here for coffee while waiting for a bus. Beautiful shop and the carrot cake was amazing. Unexpected and extremely enjoyable. Highly recommended

My wife and I love the Isle of Wight and the Chocolate Apothecary is a must visit on our trips. We drove to Ryde from the East Cowes ferry terminal and headed straight to the CA for our first hot chocolate-dark chilli for me and absolutely delicious!! Only on the island for 4 nights we managed two further visits for our hot choc fixes-one after parking at Puckpool Park and walking along a breezy seafront into Ryde and another as we headed back to the ferry. Roll on next IoW trip!!!

The quality of the Chocolate here is not in question but some of the staff are. Quite an unwelcoming visit and I notice from previous reviews this has not improved, some quality customer relations training would benefit here. The cafe is open until 4 pm according to the information but it seems they are keen to get going either dead on 4 pm or before. Not a good experience with staff sweeping the floor at 3.45pm making you feel quite uncomfortable so be prepared for this as it occurs quite regularly.

Attempted to visit earlier on in the year but said closed for refurb. Luckily open when we came back later on in the year, however did not see much of a refurb, though I did not use the bathroom facilities so it could have been...

Just arrived on IOW to worsening weather and 2 of our group recommended the Apothecary for its hot chocolate. Many of us went for this. Instead, I went for the Stomach-Ease tea and the nougat cake. Both delicious. Love the decor (apparently the premises were...

The coffee shop is a lovely place to visit and enjoy a very good cup of coffee and what I reckon is the best chocolate brownie (made on the premises) I have ever tasted. The atmosphere is relaxed and unhurried and the staff are brilliant...

Popped in here for a quick hot chocolate (gorgeous!) and a coffee (lovely!), while we were waiting for the hovercraft which goes from across the road. Quirky interior and quick service by friendly staff. We must come back here and sample the chocolates or cake...

Stunning building opposite the pier. We sat outside with the dog and were treated very well. The waitress really looked after us and the dog, giving him water and a treat We had a section of chocolates that all tasted amazing, id highly recommend this...

As usual hot chocolate was fabulous, staff were amazing, happy welcoming. And as usual doggies are allowed. As usual bought some chocolate for a gift, the staff are helpful and pleasant. Thanks Chocolate Apothecary.

My partner and I walked around Ryde and found the chocolate apothecary we both had a earl grey tea and a piece of walnut cake each it was great

What a lovely cafe, very traditional and old fashioned inside. I am normally a coffee drinker but the it's name suggested i should have hot chocolate tried the mint one it was rich and delicious. Had a sip of my husbands coffee that was good...

Good hot chocolate, nice strong coffee and extremely kind staff who looked after our dog by giving him some biscuits and lots of fuss.

Might be new owners or something as the lovley young ladies from our previous visits werent there,unfortunately its no where as good as it has been in the past! The cakes were very dense and tad dry and the drink selection (cold) was awful gone...

Always visit this lovely shop when I am in Ryde. The hot chocolate tastes brilliant and the chocolate is lovely. The staff were friendly and helpful. I love the interior of the shop and they have a great vegan chocolate range. Thank you

Delicious hot chocolate and cookies, would recommend for either takeaway or eating in. A box of their chocolates make great gifts too.

Bit gutted to arrive at 3.25pm this Saturday to find they were taking the tables in, shutting the doors, and told takeaway only til they shut at 4pm 😞 Especially as we'd gone specially and paid £1.90 to park outside. Never mind, we went up...

I had a raisin pastry swirl which was badly baked and was just raw pastry in the centre. I didn't bother complaining as the staff member who served me was being incredibly rude to another girl with her who was clearly new and in training....

Another dreamy hot chocolate! Our third visit here this holiday. The hot chocolate is the best we’ve had! We visit at least twice each holiday.

The shop is a delight, staff were lovely, and I think it's the best hot chocolate I've ever had, (even better than my Mum's!)

Always visit when on the IOW, lovely service, lovely building and delicious coffee, cake and chocolates. Wonderful as always thank you!

Truly delightful coffee shop with a fascinating collection of cakes, chocolates and teas to buy and try. Possible the best Americano I've had out. Rich and strong served in not too big Denby style cups. Treat if being able to watch chocolatier at work in...

Nothing about the coffee/cake was in anyway bad, however, the staff in this place lack any true customer service skills. Unpleasant first welcome, an older lady turned her back us when trying to order, and general service was very lacklustre. When a larger group than...

This is our favourite coffee shop in Ryde and is so because of its lovely atmosphere, delightful staff and superb coffee !! We will certainly return when next in Ryde and hope that all its current standards are maintained. A credit to its staff and...

It was time for a midday coffee and the name was intriguing enough to enter. What a Fantastic Place! The decor is just as it should be in a stylish coffee shop (I liked the most the tables with coffee beans – very original), a...

Took the Island Line train up to Ryde from Shanklin. Had a wonderful walk down the pier, back to the Esplanade, and rewarded ourselves with perhaps the best hot chocolate and cookies we have ever tasted. Great service and great food and drink. Highly recommend...

been her a few times when on the island, great hot chocolate, love the mint hot chocolate, (just wish it was a large mug, to have more) they also serve tea, coffee, cakes, which look lovely, you can also buy chocolates to take away. We...

Popped in for coffee and cakes as a couple as been a few times before and sat at an empty table. A lady wanted our table and a member of staff told us to give up the table where we were already sat to this...

Our 2nd visit here and again it was lovely, after reading other reviews I thing it should be made clear its a cafe that does chocolate, tea and coffee don't come here expecting to see willy wonker and his factory its a small cafe with...

Probably the best of Ryde. Beautiful coffee and scrumptious cake as well as individual chocolates with amazing flavours.

Wish there was one locally, so nice. Sat outside but lovely inside. Good choice of hot chocolates and sell chocolate/coffee

Lovely cafe, excellent coffee, amazing cakes, kind staff, extremely dog friendly. Great views opposite the sea front and pier.

I had a decaf Americano with an extra shot. It was very strong (but not at all bitter) which was great for me. Not everyone would need an extra shot as it is quite strong anyway. The staff did warn about that in case it...

A brief stopover in Ryde en-route to the ferry uncovered this lovely cafe focussing on hot chocolate. Lusciously rich hot chocolate was tried, house, dark and white. Plus to die for chocolate brownie. Only minor criticism was lack of skimmed milk for our sole coffee...

My daughter and I have eaten here before, and thought we would have a treat as she was home from Univesity. It was busy (it was after all August), but the rudeness we encountered was uncaleed for. Whern we entered the cafe, the middle aged...

We visited today and ordered a mint hot chocolate, a cappucino and two large chocolate chip cookies. They were the best we've had in a long time (both the drinks & the snacks). The staff were really lovely and very sweet to our little boy....

We had gorgeous white and dark hot chocolates. The carrot cake and brownie were both perfect, and generous portions for not stupid prices which made a pleasant change from some places on the island! We also had a piece of chocolate indulgence. I really would...

Lovely staff and lovely iced coffee! The chocolate brownie was amazing! Highly recommend sitting outside for a coffee and watch the world go by! Doing that as I type

Lovely hot chocolate as you would expect we had 2 white chocolates, a standard hot chocolate and a mint hot chocolate. However, marked down due to the people serving us one wearing a mask as an earring and the other not wearing one at all....

A lovely experience, excellent coffee, lovely cake, and attractive decor - would love to have had time to go back to buy chocolates!

A lovely find, lovely cafe, the most chocolatey, amazing tiffin I have had, perfectly complimented by a really good flat white, very friendly service,

The hot chocolate was decent , but the flat white was awful. Milk was heated too hot, and very bitter for my taste. Also the ladies in the bar wear their mask as an ear ring rather than to cover their face. Not very Covid...

Excellent hot chocolate. Great selection of snacks and hot and cold drinks. Well worth a visit. Interesting interior and friendly staff.

good place for a strong coffee and a cake/chocolates. all delicious. good service and quick, always a treat

The chocolate milk here is fantastic. There are different flavours but I like the dark chilli version in particular. I never drink chocolate milk in any restaurant but I make an exception for this place. Highly recommended

Stopped on the off the chance the the building looks very interesting,we both the iced hot chocolates (one milk and one dark) and cookie each and it was beautiful! You can taste the quality

This is a lovely and unusual cafe with lots of original and reclaimed features. The coffee is excellent and the mint hot chocolate I had was like drinking an after eight! They also do a big range of teas and hand made chocolates.

After nearly giving up finding decent coffee on this Island we found this place. lovely atmosphere and decent coffee. Thank you!

We were in Ryde for the day and it was suggested we try it. The Chocolate was luxurious and the coffee was robust (just to my taste) we returned later in the day to buy chocolates and the hot chocolate drops. Highly recommended.

We visited this place as it looked inviting and a bit of us (chocolate and coffee)The two ladies ignored us as we entered, (I’m not expecting the red carpet)...but maybe just a smile?I then asked one of the ladies what was the “white and dark chocolate indulgence slice” she replied “it has a mousse texture” (thats weird I thought) but ordered the slice anyway, as it did look good....It didn’t taste remotely like any chocolate, just crumbly biscuit, unsure where this “mousse” texture or any actual chocolate was in this slice of biscuit crumble!But my wife’s hot chocolate on the other hand, was pretty incredible.

Amazing, the most wonderful hot dark chocolate with chill, At a time when we all need something to cheer us up I accompanied this with a Choc chip cookie, all delicious So many delightful hand made chocolates, to choose from. Will definitely go back a lovely experience.

Avoid like the plague. Dirty tables, indifferent but expensive coffee and possibly the rudest server/owner it’s ever been my misfortune to meet. The elderly grey haired chap who I encountered clearly has a problem with the concept of customer service.

A really lovely and welcoming atmosphere. Gorgeous food and drinks with a wide selection. Amazing range of chocolate products on display for purchase. Very reasonably priced.

Great location. Opposite Ryde Pier. Lovely chocolate store. Huge pieces of delicious cake. Lovely for a break.

We visited this place as it looked inviting. We ordered various drinks which were lovely, but the waiter himself was not at all friendly. Quite blunt tbh. This made the experience very unpleasant. :(

I've been struggling to write this review as all that comes to mind is that it was "ok". The service was nothing special, they weren't particularly helpful but not rude. There was only coffee and walnut cake available, which was a large slab served on a pretty shell plate. Would have been good if it had been labelled as being made with cream cheese (as I've just read here), as to me it just tasted a bit tangy and odd and did not taste much of coffee, but it makes sense now.The hot chocolate drinks (one white and one house) were perfectly nice but nothing exceptional.

This coffee shop had been recommended to me at my hotel and they were absolutely right the cake is really good. I had a slice of coffee cake which would have been enough for 2 people but it was much too nice to waste. All the cakes and chocolates are made on the premises and if you look through the window at the back of the shop you can see some of the chocolates being made. I had a Latte but there was also a large selections of herbal infusions that nearly tempted me.

Delicious hot chocolate and treats in a lovely setting. Parking right outside. Dog friendly too. Highly recommend!

This building was previously an apothecary and still has the old furniture and fittings on show including some amazing ventilation fans!That aside the drinks (coffee and chocolate in particular) and the food (including cakes and hand-made chocolates) are delicious and make the visit well worthwhile. Staff were friendly and helpful and most efficient.

Found this nice looking cafe while wandering along the front, noticed they had a good coffee machine and bean selection which is always a winner!Unfortunately one of the waitresses ruined the experience, a young girl with mousey hair. Their was another girl with dark brown hair she was very good so hope they don't get mixed up, she was busy, sanitising everything, delivering coffees etc she was very good. But the other girl was abrupt rude and unapproachable! She snapped at a couple of people while we were sat there for not having their masks on, considering the people sat at tables didn't have them on I'm not surprised customers came in without theirs on. There's no need to snap at them and be rude! Apart from that the coffee and cake was lovely and it was a nice cafe just no need for bad service!

Fantastic decaf soya latte and a slice of vegan tiffin. Great service, fab setting. Also bought loads of vegan chocolate...

I had earmarked this as somewhere to go and was very pleased to find it so easily on the esplanade. Very friendly service and the hit chocolate and florentines were gorgeous. We went on two successive days. All I can say is that it’s a good job for my waistline I don’t live in Ryde. Well worth a visit.

I visited the cafe with two friends for a socialy-distanced catchup and we received excellent service. The staff are friendly and ensured the wearing of face coverings when entering the cafe. I look forward to returning again soon!

The first time we visited this cafe my son found an outside table whilst I went inside to buy the drinks. When I came out he had been told off by the waiter for sitting on the chair before it had been sanitised. We stood up for the sanitising to take place and the waiter used the same cloth to wipe the chairs and table so it appeared he was ticking boxes rather than actually wanting to offer us a clean table. The next day we did a coastal walk and decided to buy another drink at this cafe and planned to sit at an outside table. The tables outside had been put away and rather than coming out to explain why the waiter beckoned me inside and said he was shutting but could just do a takeaway drink. I started ordering a drink and when the order was almost complete the waiter told me off for not wearing a facemask. Admittedly I had completely forgotten to put my facemask on but the reason I probably forgot was that the waiter was not wearing any mask or visor himself and no one else on the premises was wearing one either. The way the man spoke to me about my mask made me feel like a small child so we decided not to proceed with our order.

Popped in for an Americano which was very nice. A little small, though for the price and quality was very good value. Didn’t have a hot chocolate but saw some going past and they looked lovely! Staff were friendly and the gentleman who served me took the time to check on my table halfway through my coffee, which was a nice touch. Mask in shop policy was enforced to the point of quietly asking some (particularly!) rude gentlemen to leave for the safety of customers and staff when they repeatedly refused. For this, I cannot commend the team enough. Decor was unique and pleasing, shop looked very clean. 10/10 can’t wait to come again.

Great cafe with fabulous home made cakes and chocolates. Coffee not bad either! I particularly enjoyed the dark choc and ginger cookie

I don’t really drink hot chocolate but it was a freezing cold rainy day in August and I’m SO glad we came across this little gem of a place. Our waitress suggested my kids had a smaller version and made if for them in little espresso cups which was perfect. Oh my gosh it was delicious and the cookie was just as scrummy. Will definitely be returning if we are ever in the area again!

The chocolate brownie was divine, as was the ginger and almond tiffin. Cute little shop. The small chocolates looked delicious but were too full to try any. The coffee was average.

Visited here on Monday as we were intrigued by the name. We weren't disappointed! The brownies and hot chocolates were delicious. The staff were so welcoming and were lovely with our two young children. I highly recommend.

Thank you - what lovely milkshakes, cakes and fantastic service! We definitely recommend the chilli hot chocolate too!

Beautiful little cafe so nice and quiet and welcoming, best hot chocolate we have ever tasted! Chocolate brownies were to die for aswell! Not overpriced this is a little gem well done chocolate apothecary!x

I missed my dark chilli chocolate during lockdown and I am so pleased that this place is open again. Fantastic chocolate again and tables nicely arranged so that we felt safe. The owner cleaned tables and chairs when customers left, perfect! Visiting this place will become part of our weekend routine again, we are so pleased!

One of the best hot chocolates I have ever tasted! Their white and dark chocolate indulgence bar is to die for! Dog friendly too. Definitely recommend!

This place is fabulous and although it’s not advertised it is foggy friendly so you can enjoy an amazing hot chocolate with your doggy friend and take some tasty treats away with you for your human friends

We have been here now a few times and really like this place. The hot chocolate is superb. For me the best in the world. There are many different types, I personally like the dark chilli chocolate the most.

On a cold and wet February day, we stumbled across the Chocolate Apothacary. My husband ordered me a mint hot chocolate and he had a coffee (Americano). My hot chocolate was superb. Hubby assures me that his coffee was excellent. The atmosphere and staff were outstanding. Before writing this I read some of the bad reviews and can only conclude that the problems were on the side of the customers! The staff were really friendly and even gave time to chat. There were plenty of other customers and they seemed perfectly happy too. Before we left we bought some hot chocolate chips with chilli to bring home as a souvenir and I have just made us both a cup- what a treat. I cannot comment on the handmade chocolates as we didn't try any but the drinks really do deserve 5 stars, as do the staff.

We hhad a hot chocolate and a coffee, The hot chocolate was to die for the best I ever tasted and the staff where soo nice and place looked very nice and clean. The coffee was a bit bitter and very strong. The carrot cake was so nice. Beats going into Costa any time. Well recommend it. Keep up the hard work.

Popped in for a coffee walked out with half the shop Amazing coffee amazing chocolate oh and the brownies you need to try them ...delicious

The hot chocolates are to die for (best ever) shame they are slightly dear. The cafe itself is really lovely and I love visiting when we are in Ryde. The only disappointment is the staff. They do not greet you warmly and don't seem very passionate about working there. It's a real shame!

We visited here today instead of going to Chocolate Island on the strength of the reviews on Tripadvisor . We were very disappointed, the cakes were limited as for hot chocolate it was instant which left a bad aftertaste in mouth. When I told my sister of our visit she informed me that many of her friends had also tried this restaurant with a similar outcome. I will not visit this again or recommend it to my friends.

We visited this cafe a couple of times during our last trip to the Isle of Wight and we had fantastic coffee both times- yes they were small, but the flavour was intense and it was a proper coffee unlike Starbucks or Costa!The chocolates were excellent and I swear we must have tried every flavour they had and the Florentines too (to eat over a week or so). We also bought a box as a gift and my parents (the recipients) were very impressed. The chocolate isn't too sweet and neither are the fillings, which is nice as you can enjoy the creaminess and the flavour without being overwhelmed with sugar. I hope they will be selling chocolates online at some point because they are about the best we've had!

We visited on a weekend. Lovely hot choc (although a little small) and on the expensive side, but dogs are welcome which is nice. I would recommend.

We visited on a Sunday. I had a dark hot chocolate and others had the House hot chocolate. We each thought they were worth dying for! The cake was delicious and the portions big enough to share. I bought chocolate chips to take away and handmade chocolates for a gift. The staff were very friendly, chatty and helpful. I just wish that their website was active as I would love to order some more drinking chocolate on line.

Awful cake near enough frozen. Tiny hot chocolate very overpriced and miserable staff won't be visiting again.

Decided to pop in here whilst waiting for my return trip to the mainland. Coffee very good,and I bought some of the organic tea, and the chocolate advent calendar as presents for some friends. Nice relaxing atmosphere, with good service

We enjoyed a really nice morning coffee. We had hot chocolate, coffee and tea along with florentines, flapjack and 2 different cakes. Portions are generous and the standard of food excellent. The bistro style tables with coffee beans as the table top are quirky.

Had the most AMAZING hot chocolate I've ever had. So chocolatey and warming yet not sickly. Small and friendly place for a sweet treat!

Wonderfull hot chocolate and coffee, not forgetting the yummy carrot cake. A place we always visit when on the island for our hot drinks.

I was very excited to try this new shop as I love Hotel Chocolat and Chococco in Swanage. Honestly, I don't think the chocolates are up to scratch. The chocolate casings are good, but the fillings are way way off. The salted caramel lacked both butter, burnt sugar flavour and saltiness. The blueberry lacked any discernible fruit flavour. Not worth the calorie sacrifice! They've got a lot of kitchen work to do here behind the scenes to really up the grade for retailing high end products I'm sorry to say.