The Chocolatarium (solo trip)
How Solo-Friendly is The Chocolatarium?
What makes it 84% Solo-Friendly: The tour accepts single guests by email, lets you craft a bar and taste 40 chocolates, and is minutes from the Royal Mile; drawback is no solo discount and sessions can feel group-heavy.
Positives:
- Hands-on Learning: You create and take home your own chocolate bar for a creative solo activity.
- Small Group Setting: Group tours keep numbers low so you can ask questions and meet fellow travelers.
Challenges:
- Email-Only Solo Booking: You must email the team to reserve a solo spot since online single tickets aren’t available.
- Limited Pairing Availability: Wine and whisky sessions may not accept solo bookings on short notice; call ahead.
What is The Chocolatarium?
- A purpose-built centre in Edinburgh’s Old Town dedicated to the craft, history and science of chocolate
- A facility combining open-plan demonstration kitchens, interactive exhibition galleries and a specialty chocolate boutique
- A modern conversion of historic premises showcasing glass-fronted production areas alongside curated artisanal displays
What is so special about The Chocolatarium for solo trip?
- Join a hands-on 90-minute chocolate tour to craft and taste your own bar
- Browse the free-entry shop for exclusive truffles and ask for samples
- Contact ahead to join chocolate & whisky or wine pairings as a solo visitor
Recommended visit duration: 2-3 hours
Why 2-3 hours visit duration is ideal for solo trip: A 90-minute tour plus time for browsing the shop and any enquiries fits neatly into a half-day visit.
Solo-Friendly Activities in The Chocolatarium
Tour of Chocolate:
Join a 90-minute guided session to learn cacao origins, craft your own chocolate bar, and sample over 40 varieties.
Tip: Email the venue to book a solo spot; allow 3–5 days for confirmation.
Gift Shop Browsing:
Explore exclusive bars, truffles, and souvenirs with free entry.
Tip: Drop in between 10 am–5 pm; ask staff for sample tastings.
Chocolate & Whisky/Wine Pairings:
Pair artisan chocolates with selected whiskies or wines in a 90-minute tasting session.
Tip: Call +44-117-2051079 to check solo availability before visiting.
How to Make the Most of Your Visit to The Chocolatarium
- Book Early: Email at least one week before your visit to secure your place on the tour.
- Visit Off-Peak: Arrive before 11 am on a weekday to avoid the busiest tour times.
Reviews of The Chocolatarium
MARIA HUSSAINI
What a great experience.we enjoyed learning about the cocoa and making our own chocolate bar with plenty to add. Was interesting to taste cold chocolate prepared old fashion way and also taste dark, milk and white chocolate with diferent flavour. Our favourite was the dark with scotch pine and Cadbury chocolate.
Nefeli Vroulli
Delightful, mouthwatering experience 🤩 The fragrance of chocolate when entering the shop says it all, and the quality chocolates we got to try along with the excellent service will definitely keep us coming. Our tour guide, Bogi, was very friendly and witty, and kept your interest throughout the tour, keeping it interactive and fun. We did the wine & chocolate tour, that had a nice selection of w...
Stephen Dattoli
My wife and I visited The Chocolatarium during our anniversary (first) trip to the UK back in 2024. Sorry I'm a procrastinator 🙃, but it's a testament to how great the experience was that I'm still thinking about it 18 months later 😁). We did a lot of cool stuff while we were there. But, I love chocolate, so this was probably in my top 5. Our guide was awesome (Annabeth? it's been so long my mem...
Gary Johnston
A really worthwhile and interesting experience. Kelly was brilliant with our tour, trying the different chocolates with the guided tasting session was the highlight, but we also learnt alot about its origins and varieties from different countries. Was also fun making your own chocolate to take home. Definitely recommend booking a tour if you have a spare couple of hours on a rainy day.
Boyet Valeriano
Great experience. The guide for the tour, Emma, was very knowledgeable and entertaining as well. The chocolate making and tasting parts of the tour were fantastic. And the choices in the chocolate shop were unbelievably varied. Highly recommended.
When is the best time to visit The Chocolatarium (Edinburgh, United Kingdom)?
Tours run year-round but fill up fast during December festive events. Book solo spots at least two weeks in advance if you visit in November or December.
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Typical Budget for Solo Traveler (1 Adult)
| Item | Cost (Approx.) |
|---|---|
| Tour of Chocolate ticket | GBP 28 |
| Artisan chocolate bar in shop | GBP 5 |
| Total Estimated | GBP 33 |
Note: All prices are indicative and may vary. Please check directly with the venue for the most accurate and up-to-date information.
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Map of The Chocolatarium
Address: 3-5 Cranston St, Edinburgh EH8 8BE, UK
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About The Chocolatarium
Opening Hours
Hours may vary during holidays, special events, and peak seasons. Please check the official website for the most up-to-date information.
Website
Official WebsitePhone Number
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