Knoops Cafe: I tried Nottingham’s new luxury hot chocolate shop and was left shocked by the prices

With so many great cafés and restaurants here in Nottingham, we really are spoilt for choice. 

Whether you’re looking for a tasty brunch spot or just a quiet café to unwind on your lunch hour, the city centre food scene has something for everyone. 

Here at Nottingham World we try our best to keep you up to date with new café and restaurant openings so that you can keep track of which places to try. 

Last month you may remember us covering the new Knoops café, which opened at 9 Clumber Street on May 3. 

The café, which serves luxury chocolate drinks and light snacks, is the brand’s first Midlands premises, having taken over the former Paperchase unit. 

Visitors to Knoops can customise their ideal iced chocolates, milkshakes and hot chocolates from its menu of chocolate %s and additions.

Knoops has over 20 different chocolate %s – from 28% White to 100% Extra Dark - nine different dairy and plant-based milks and over 20 extras like sea salt, orange zest, chilli and cinnamon.

Having read plenty of positive reviews regarding other Knoops cafes across the UK, I decided to head down to the new Nottingham shop and give one of its highly-rated hot chocolates a try for myself. 

Mixed feelings 

As you might expect from a three-week-old premises, the shiny, clean interior did give the feel of a luxury café, with plenty of room to sit down. 

As I stood deciding which hot chocolate to order, I would be lying if I said I wasn’t struck by the prices. 

The cheapest hot chocolate available was a 28% cocoa blend (size small), priced at £3.75. 

But things do get pricey if you’re after one of the single origin hot chocolates, particularly if you’d like a regular-sized drink.

The 100% single origin (Philippines) hot chocolate in a regular cup will set you back £7.65, with a small priced at £6.55. 

Keen on trying one of the single origin hot chocolates, I went for the 43% Venezuelan blend. 

Having opted for a small cup, the drink cost me £5.10 - which was £1.10 cheaper than if I’d picked a regular. 

A couple of minutes later my hot chocolate was ready and I took a seat in the swanky café. 

Within the first sip I could tell that I was tasting a premium product. 

The hot chocolate had a perfect combination of sweetness and strength, leaving a delicious aftertaste in my mouth. 

Compared to hot chocolate made from power you buy from supermarkets, this was night and day. 

Having consumed the tasty drink in a few short minutes, I started to wish I'd splashed out for the regular cup. 

Conclusion

Putting the prices to one side for a moment, my first experience of a Knoops hot chocolate was nothing but positive. 

I could definitely tell that hot chocolates were the speciality of the business and would love to try more of the menu. 

With regards to the shop’s prices, I think this is a classic case of ‘you get what you pay for’. 

If you’re after a quick, cheap hot chocolate, my advice would be to go elsewhere. 

Like anything in life, if you want a premium product you have to expect to pay premium prices. 

£5.10 for a small hot chocolate is certainly on the high end of the scale, particularly if you’re looking to treat more than one person, but I’d say the taste just about justifies the price. 

Prior to my visit I didn’t realise that the shop’s full menu can be viewed online. 

Perhaps pick your drink of choice before arriving to avoid any pricey surprises.