Thursday, April 14, 2022

Chocoholic heaven. The best chocolate in the Margaret River region

There’s no denying chocolate is king of the sweets world. Easter eggs hunted in gardens; chunks in chewy gooey cookies; drizzled warm over a scoop of ice cream; tall layers of rich birthday cake; or a simple choccie bar hurriedly torn open when the heart needs comfort. In the Margaret River region, we’re treated to bean-to-bar establishments and award-winning chocolatiers who are on the cutting edge, creating flavour bombs that need to be tasted to be believed.

Here’s where to find the best chocolate in the Margaret River region.

Temper Temper Fine Chocolate

You have officially entered a Willy Wonka-like wonderland. If you’re into imaginative flavours, you really must drop by Temper Temper in Cowaramup. There’s the usual suspects we all know and love, but why not try something new like the Pear and Parsnip, or the Ginger, Togarashi and Sesame Seeds in smooth dark choc. Or evoke childhood memories with cornflakes, fairy bread, or Froot Loops – smothered in their high-quality liquid gold, of course. This zest for innovation is down to the creative team of chocolatiers, led by wizard Temper Temper co-owner Roz, and Georgia, an experienced Vasse Felix-trained chef.

Temper Temper

Yallingup Chocolate

Coffee and chocolate: two items that are a blessing from the food gods. Step onto the land at Yallingup Chocolate and Commonage Coffee Co and you are on sacred turf. Yallingup Chocolate is the newest of all the businesses listed here and, as such, the aesthetics are gorgeous and very on-trend. Bright and airy inside, blush pink containers on the walls, and mouth-watering confectionary displayed neatly for visitors to ooh and ahh over. Grab yourself a tall bottle filled to the brim with petite choc bits, or try the Ruby Raspberry Pistachio block. As one of their Instagram followers so aptly said, it’s almost too pretty to eat.

Yallingup Chocolate. Image by Freedom Garvey.

Gabriel’s Chocolate

In a charming corner of rural Yallingup, Gabriel’s is just a hop and skip across from House of Cards Wines and popular eatery Chow’s Table. A winning trifecta of South West goodness. Gabriel’s was the state’s first bean to bar chocolate makers, and the incredible knowledge flowing from the team is evident as soon as you step inside. Head straight to the tasting section and let the staff explain all the ins and out of their product, so you can find the perfect one for you. The chunky bars are ideal as gifts on their own or as a pack: Mother’s Day packs, kiddies packs, and even isolation survival packs. They also have a small café – be sure to try the ice cream.

Hot Chocolatté

Step over the threshold at this popular hole-in-the-wall chocolate shop/coffee hangout in Dunsborough and let your eyes begin the feast. It’s colourful, welcoming, and eclectic inside; the glass cabinet brimming with all sorts of goodies to accompany you on long car trips. We love everything but particularly the fresh rocky road and moreish mini choc-almond clusters. And, of course, you can’t leave without trying the hot chocolate. If you’re looking for the place that will wow your kids, this is it. Visit Hot Chocolatté.

Bahen & Co

As former winemakers, owners Jacqui and Josh take their craft seriously and have created elegant, understated products without the bamboozle. Stone ground chocolate from bean to bar, they use a traditional approach to chocolate making that harks back to that slower pace of yesteryear. Literally. They use restored vintage early 20^th century machines, which is fascinating in itself. Get your hands on bars of 70% cacao Almond and Sea Salt, Honey Macadamia Organic Milk, and boxes of Persian Wild Figs and Organic Salted Liquorice. Find stockists here.

Bahen & Co.

The Margaret River Chocolate Company

The most well-known of the bunch, Margaret River Chocolate has everything you could possibly want. Chocoholic heaven. Walls adorned with the sweet stuff, aisle after aisle of something new and exciting. Nab yourself a truffle box, drinking choc, and even soaps, massage oils, and bath salts. Help yourself to a spoonful or two of chocolate buttons from the huge bowls and take your sweet time wandering around, choosing your haul. You’ll likely find yourself “buying gifts” that you’ll inevitably keep for yourself. It’s all right, we don’t judge.

Chocoholics rejoice! You are truly spoilt with all the decadent chocolate options in the Margaret River region. Browse our portfolio of luxury holiday homes today.