Blue Mountains Chocolate Guide
Meta: A guide to the handmade chocolates, hot chocolate, cakes and gelato of Katoomba and Leura, with some visitor tips for your trip.
If you are in the Blue Mountains NSW, the artisan chocolate is to be found in and around Katoomba and Leura so it is a simple matter of fitting it in with any sightseeing you have on the day. Whether it is to sample some Italian-style gelato, a hot drink or a good cake, there is plenty to do before or after a trip to the Three Sisters and Echo Point Lookout.
Damian Rockwell here. I like to put together a practical plan for regional travel and keep an eye on the map and opening times. The topography of the Blue Mountains does not lend itself to easy walking; between venues a short distance can seem a lot further when you have bags in hand, are putting up with the cold rain or trying to make way for the weekend hordes. I have put this guide together to tell you what to make of a chocolate stop in New South Wales and how to go about it.
The Mountains’ Fine Chocolate Stops
A good itinerary will connect Katoomba and Leura instead of making of them separate food stops. They are a convenient base for anyone in the Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area but one is better for a sit-down drink and the other for a leisurely perusal of a shop. Katoomba is where you will want to be if you have been to Echo Point, Leura for a more unhurried walk of the Mall and its environs. And if the weather is as rough as guts, you will be glad of indoor options near by the cafés and transport. For a shop-focused stop, see josophans reviews.
Mood dictates where you should stop
| Experience | Best For | Some practicalities |
|---|---|---|
| Blue Mountains Chocolate Company | For a café break with hot chocolate, gelato and cake | Sensible in Katoomba to get warm and put your feet up |
| Josophan’s Fine Chocolates | Handmade pieces and gifts | Make time to look around and combine with a stroll down Leura Mall |
| Chocolate tasting | Those inclined to put flavours and textures to the test | Inquire as to what is on offer, stock is not static |
| Workshops | A way to give families and groups something to do | Put in a booking ahead of time |
Millions make their way to the Blue Mountains in a year, though the figures will depend on how you define it, whether it is day trippers or overnighters and the reporting period. In the event of a busy weekend that means queues and a lack of parking or seats. Do not try to cram a chocolate stop in between three lookouts and the train, leave yourself some room and it will be all the better for it.
Blue Mountains Chocolate Company, Katoomba
More than just a box of chocolates is what you will find at the Blue Mountains Chocolate Company in Katoomba. With fresh made drinks, cakes and gelato on top of the usual treats, it is a no brainer for a group who would otherwise hold a referendum over which dessert to have. On a cool day it is most welcome, a warm drink puts right a damp interlude in the sightseeing and the gelato is a quick indulgence before you move on through Katoomba. But check the hours first, a venue may alter its trading times for the holidays or for staff reasons.
What to put in first
On your first visit order a drink and a chocolate item, resist the urge to clear out the cabinet. The hot chocolate will tell you all you need to know of the café and a few of the handmade ones are enough to form an opinion on the sweetness and texture without being done in for the rest of the afternoon. You will hear “world famous hot chocolate” bandied about in tourist circles and in their own copy, but I do not put much store by such promotion. I have my own measure: is it properly hot but not scalding, is it chocolatey and not syrupy? That is a sound enough standard on a cold morning in these parts.
As for reviews of the company, look at what has been said of late re service and the menu and the like. They show you patterns but are no replacement for seeing for yourself. What one calls a small cake another might consider a sensible snack, and “busy” to some is six people in front of them on a Saturday in the rain.
Handmade Chocolate And Dessert Choices
There is a wide variance in style from one artisan chocolate shop to the next in the Blue Mountains. There are those who make a point of the boxed chocolates and gifts, then again there are establishments that put in more of a café appearance with their gelato, cakes and drinks. Which artisan chocolate maker in the Blue Mountains NSW is going to be the one you pick has as much to do with your budget, what you can eat, how long you have for a queue and the way the day is unfolding.
Then there is the matter of handling and the weather. Chocolate does not take kindly to being left in a hot car where it will soften or lose its fine finish; put it in cooler climes and it will see you through. For those driving on, make sure it is kept level and in the shade, away from any heaters. The glovebox is no climate-controlled pantry for all that some travellers might like to think.
A Small Tasting
Couples and the like will find a straightforward tasting is enough. Put together an assortment: a dark and a milk chocolate, something with a filling, a seasonal piece. There is no need to put them down and go about identifying the ingredients as though you were on a cooking programme, just savour the texture and the finish.
Make an inquiry of the staff as to what is fresh and how they store things. One should not assume “artisan” is a byword for organic, vegan or free of allergens, and displays are subject to change. Where nut, dairy or gluten allergies are concerned, get your answers from the venue before you order.
Reality Check
You may expect: to find everything put on offer at a given place. In reality: handmade wares and cake have a habit of selling out and the gelato selection will be different.
You may expect: a ten-minute stop for chocolate. In reality: when the town is up and about you would be wise to put aside 20 or 40 minutes to order, put your purchases away and have a seat.
You may expect: the nearest shop to be the one for you. In reality: it comes down to whether a warm drink or a toilet is required before you set off on foot.
Josophan’s Fine Chocolates In Leura
For a Leura visitor wanting to pair a chocolate shop with a bit of browsing in the village, Josophan’s is the obvious option. They deal in the handmade article and gifts so you are better served here than if you were after a full meal from a large café.
Leura is agreeable to walk around but it is not without its effort; the incline of the streets, odd surfaces, prams and the odd shower will slow you down. A good plan is to park where you can near the Leura Mall and make your way through the shopping district with your purchases in hand instead of making several trips back to the car.
The Menu at Josophan’s
An internet search for the menu at Josophan’s will turn up user photos and the odd seasonal listing. Take that for what it is and then ring the venue to be sure of opening times, prices and the current range.
Do not be caught out expecting a full-service café experience. If a long lunch is in order, look at what the cafés nearby have to offer; for a well-chosen box of chocolates or a sweet respite from walking, Josophan’s is a better fit.
What the Reviews Tell You
Peruse the josophans reviews for a sense of value, service and the quality of the chocolate. Try to read a few of recent vintage to spot any patterns rather than be swayed by a single effusive or grouchy opinion. Context is also called for. One person may want a family activity and demonstrations in the manner of a Chocolate Factory NSW and rate it accordingly, another is content with a European style treat in a smart box to put in the car.
Who is it for?
Chocolate connoisseurs, couples, families with older kids and those of a mind to browse local food shops will be in their element at Josophan’s. It is not the place to go for a workshop or a sit-down meal you can count on, or for a wide array of labelled allergen-free products unless you have made inquiries first.
Consider how far your gift has to go and if the packaging is up to it. Should you be making the train back to Sydney, do not load up on too much for a protracted and crowded trip unless you can be certain of keeping it in check. A box in pieces makes for a sorry souvenir no matter how good the bits taste.
Chocolate Near Echo Point
There is a logic to pairing chocolate with the likes of Echo Point Lookout and the Three Sisters, two of Katoomba’s more popular sightseeing draws, provided one is careful in planning. A stop for chocolate offers a way to put some warmth and a seat under you and regroup after a walk about the lookout precinct.
One would be hard pressed to find a chocolate shop at every lookout though. The surest way to go is to make of Echo Point your first port of call, put in some time for photographs and a stroll, then head into Katoomba for refreshments. The mountains are not kind to sudden changes in the weather; a cold wind or poor visibility can turn the paths wet and the lookout less agreeable than you might have thought.
Make Time To Get Back
Public transport users should consult the Blue Mountains train timetable for the day and factor in any service alterations or the weekend crowds, as well as the walking from station to shop or lookout. Katoomba station is fine for getting in, but it is best to have the return leg sorted before settling in with a hot chocolate. Carrying a box of truffles does not lend itself to running for a train.
Those behind the wheel need to mind the parking signs and marked bays and see that residential access is not impeded. On a busy day, park up and put in the walk where you can. For anyone with limited mobility, do not make assumptions about what an older building or a steep street will demand of you over a short distance; verify toilet and seating arrangements in advance.
A Day With Chocolate
An itinerary for the day is better served when the chocolate is complementary to the sightseeing. Make your way to the Three Sisters and Echo Point, follow on to Katoomba for something to eat or drink and if you have the energy and means of transport, Leura for some gifts and handmade chocolates. In poor weather I would put the order in reverse and start off inside. The Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area is still worth seeing, but lookouts can be clouded in or slippery. Any change of route or venture onto bush tracks should be preceded by a check of the NSW National Parks information for the Blue Mountains on current safety and access.
Quick Checklist
- Before you leave, see what the opening hours are and if there are any workshop bookings to be made.
- Have your train or parking covered before you put in an order for dessert.
- A cooler bag is called for if the chocolate has to stay in the car.
- Medically speaking, you should enquire on cross-contamination and allergens.
- Factor in 20-40 minutes for a chocolate stop at peak times.
- Wear sensible shoes and a jacket, the mountain weather has a way of changing on you.
As for cost, a small sweet and a drink are a modest enough outlay at the café, but add in gift boxes and cakes and the food bill will mount. I would not put a figure on it since prices are subject to change, so look at the menu. Put aside a little for an emergency coffee and parking.
Some Questions Asked
Is there a chocolate shop in the Blue Mountains?
You will find them in Katoomba and Leura for the most part, such as the Blue Mountains Chocolate Company or Josophan’s Fine Chocolates. Do confirm they are open and where they are before you make the trip.
Where to get artisan chocolates in Australia?
Specialist chocolatiers and markets will have them, as will some cafés. In the Blue Mountains, Katoomba and Leura are where to start to compare reviews and the wares on offer.
What is the best chocolate in Australia?
There is no objective answer to that. It comes down to how you like your cocoa flavour, the texture, price and freshness. Try a few and form your own opinion instead of taking a marketing line as gospel.
Which brand is the most ethical?
That is not a title any one brand can claim without you defining the criteria and looking at the evidence. “Artisan” is not proof of ethical production; look for good reporting and transparent sourcing.
Workshops?
Some venues may put these on from time to time but it is not a given. Before you build your trip around one, ask as to the terms, dates, minimum numbers and whether they are suitable for all ages.
Putting It All Together
Visitors to the Blue Mountains in NSW tend to recall the artisan chocolate experience when it is done with some common sense and good timing. Go to Katoomba for a no fuss café break close to the sights, or to Leura for the handmade stuff, but do not let the whole affair become a sugar-fuelled exercise in logistics.
My advice is to keep your plans flexible, dress appropriately and shield your purchases from the heat. With a sensible plan for the return and a warm drink in hand, even an unremarkable day of sightseeing is improved.
