It’s often said that we take the places we live in for granted.
How often have we gone on our travels and completed walking tours, discovering hidden lane-ways with their secrets exposed as we ooh-ed and ahh-ed over what we deemed as fascinating overseas.
The grass is greener, blah blah blah.
So it was with a determined heart, whilst on our recent travels to America when we received an invite that simply read, “Chocolate Walking Tours!” run by the lovely people at Chocoholic Tours.
I looked at The Boy and said, “If this was something that came up right now on our holiday here (in America) we would jump on it, so why not back in Melbourne itself?”
So we graciously accepted the invite and turned up on a rare sunny winter Sunday when we arrived back in Melbourne.
Cacao Lab
The Chocoholic we chose to partake in was for a Sunday Chocolate Taste Walk which began at 12pm. Guests were asked to meet at Cacao Lab (next to Emporium) before the group would depart on a nearly 2 hour walk around the city.
The tour which we joined consisted of 20 other chocolate addicts eagerly awaiting to taste and sample some of the city’s finest chocolates. At Cacao Lab, we sampled the classic Cacao of milk chocolate praline with crispy rice puffs encased in white chocolate before moving on for some liquid chocolate tasting. On samples were pots of Salted Caramel, Milk, Dark and Chilli Chocolate!
Address
Cacao Lab
Driver Lane
Melbourne VIC 3000
Phone: (03) 9662 4777
Opening Hours
Monday – Wednesday: 9am – 6pm
Thursday – Friday: 9am – 9pm
Saturday: 9am – 6pm
Sunday: 10am – 5pm
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Koko Black
From Cacao, we cut across bustling Bourke Street Mall, hopping along to the local buskers at play (man, they are getting awesome these days) and strolled into the beautiful Royal Arcade, which incidentally is my favourite building to take tourists to when they visit.
Home to Koko Black’s flagship store, the Royal Arcade (opened in 1870), lends a certain atmospheric charm to the Belgian inspired Koko Black lounge.
Here we sampled the classic Koko Black chocolate with raspberry filling and each received a complimentary drink voucher when we next come back and dine.
Address
Koko Black
Royal Arcade
Shop 4
335 Bourke Street
Melbourne VIC 3000
Phone: (03) 9639 8911
Opening Hours
Monday to Thursday 9.30am–5.30pm
Friday 9.30am–7.00pm
Saturday 9.30am–6.00pm
Sunday 10.30am–6.00pm
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Haigh’s Chocolates
After Koko Black, it was another short stroll up Swanston Street towards Swanston Walk (entrance of Mercure Hotel), where we sampled more chocolate goodies and played chocolate trivia!
One of my favourite go-to places (as I work very close to their Rialto branch) to buy chocolates. Indeed not a day goes by that my team at work does not munch on a bag of Haighs.
As the oldest family-owned chocolate retailer in Australia, it certainly is a must visit!
You can read more about Haigh’s Chocolates from our previous post.
Address
Haigh’s Chocolates
Shop 6
191 Swanston Walk
Melbourne VIC 3000
Phone: (03) 9662 2262
Opening Hours
Monday – Wednesday 8.30am – 7.00pm
Thursday 8.30am – 8.00pm
Friday 8.30am – 9.00pm
Saturday 9.00am – 6.00pm
Sunday 10.00am – 6.00pm
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2 Pocket Fairtrade Espresso Bar
This little espresso bar tucked away in a hidden corner between the two buildings of Melbourne Central was certainly the highlight for me.
I loved everything it stood for and I loved how passionate the staff were when talking about Fair Trading and how a little goes a long way in helping communities in need around the world.
I’ve definitely got it on my wish list to go back for a visit. I also most want to buy two blocks of quinoa coated chocolate bars! (YUP, YOU READ RIGHT!) It’s practically a salad! And for a good cause too
Address
2Pocket Fairtrade Espresso Bar
277 Little Lonsdale Street
Melbourne VIC 3000
Opening Hours
Monday – Friday 7:30am – 5pm
Saturday 9:30am – 4:30pm
Sunday 9:30am – 4:30pm
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Theobrama Chocolate Lounge
The final stop for the group was at Theobrama Chocolate Lounge at Melbourne Central.
As we sat down on the soft comfy chairs, we ordered a hot mocha each, sampled more chocolate available at our tables and a flourless chocolate cake – all part of the tour!
Address
Theobroma Chocolate Lounge
Melbourne Central
Shop T157
211 LaTrobe Street
Melbourne VIC 3000
Phone: (03) 9662 2778
Opening Hours
Monday – Thursday 9.00am -7.00pm
Friday 9.00am – 10.00pm
Saturday – Sunday 10.00am – 7.00pm
So not quite sure what to do on a free weekend coming? How about taking a look at Melbourne with a different set of eyes?
Are you a fan of chocolate? If so, go on to the Chocoholic Tours website now and find a Chocolate Walking tour that suites you!
*hint – they also make great gifts to tourist friends and families coming to visit (as well as birthday, anniversary, just-because presents)
Details:
Chocoholic Tours
Website: http://chocoholictours.com.au/
Online Bookings: http://chocoholictours.com.au/switchboard/category/tours/
[Ms I-Hua and The Boy attended the Chocolate Walking Tour as guests of Chocoholic Tours]