The Chocolatarium Edinburgh

The Chocolatarium Edinburgh | Everything You Need to Know

Just off the Royal Mile, tucked into a street in Edinburgh’s historic Old Town, there is a chocolate factory. Not a large one — it’s a micro-factory, intimate and handcrafted — but it takes its chocolate seriously. The Chocolatarium traces the story of cacao from its origins with the Aztecs (who called it the “food of the gods”) through five thousand years of history to the present, and then invites you to make your own chocolate bar and choose from over forty different toppings. Including, if you’re feeling adventurous, haggis.

Founded in 2019 by Jenny, a traveller and entrepreneur who brought her passion for chocolate to Edinburgh’s Old Town, the Chocolatarium has become one of Edinburgh’s most popular food experiences — an award-winning tour that is genuinely engaging for adults and children alike. This guide covers everything you need to know before you go.

Where Is the Chocolatarium Edinburgh?

The Chocolatarium is located at 3–5 Cranston Street, Edinburgh EH8 8BE, just off the Royal Mile in Edinburgh’s Old Town. It sits roughly halfway between Edinburgh Castle and the Palace of Holyroodhouse — about ten minutes’ walk from each.

Nearby landmarks include St Giles’ Cathedral, the Scottish Parliament and the Royal Mile itself. For navigation, any map app using the postcode EH8 8BE will bring you directly to the door.

Opening Hours

The Chocolatarium is open daily from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM, with the last tour starting in the early afternoon.

The attraction is closed on 25 December, 26 December and 1 January. As tour availability varies, checking the official website for current session times and availability before booking is essential.

How to Get to the Chocolatarium Edinburgh

On foot. If you’re already on the Royal Mile, walk towards Holyroodhouse and turn onto Cranston Street — it’s a short detour from the main street. Ten minutes from Edinburgh Castle; the same from the Palace of Holyroodhouse.

By bus. Lothian Buses routes 23, 35 and 45 run along the Royal Mile, with stops within easy walking distance of Cranston Street.

By tram. Edinburgh trams run to St Andrew Square and York Place, from which it’s a pleasant fifteen-minute walk through the Old Town.

By car. Parking in Edinburgh city centre is limited — public transport or walking is strongly recommended.

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The Best Time to Visit

As a fully indoor experience, the Chocolatarium is an excellent choice in any weather — particularly on Edinburgh’s notoriously rainy days. Tours run throughout the day, so timing is mostly about booking the session that suits you rather than avoiding crowds outdoors.

Weekdays tend to be quieter than weekends, and the Edinburgh Festival period (August) is among the busiest times of year. As sessions are ticketed and capped, booking well in advance is the most important step — popular sessions can sell out days or weeks ahead.

Tickets and Costs

The Chocolatarium is an experience-based attraction where all visits are booked as specific ticketed sessions. Each experience is a guided tour of approximately 90 minutes.

Experience	Adult (16+)	Notes
Tour of Chocolate	£24.50	Learn chocolate history, make your own bar, 40+ topping choices, tasting session
Truffle-Making Experience	£29.50	Learn truffle-making techniques, create your own truffles

Prices for children (ages 6–15) and group rates are available — check the official website or contact the Chocolatarium directly for current details, as these may vary. Booking online in advance is strongly recommended, particularly during peak Edinburgh visitor seasons and weekends.

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What to Expect

Every visit to the Chocolatarium is a guided experience — there is no drop-in or self-guided option. The standard 90-minute Tour of Chocolate is the most popular experience.

The tour begins with the history of chocolate — five thousand years of it, from the cacao ceremonies of Mesoamerican civilisations (the Aztecs prized cacao so highly it was used as currency) through the Spanish conquest, the Dutch cocoa press, Victorian confectionery and the modern chocolate industry. The guides are knowledgeable and engaging, and the history is genuinely surprising.

The tour then moves into the chocolate-making experience itself. You’ll learn how raw cacao becomes the chocolate you recognise, and you’ll make your own chocolate bar — choosing from over forty different toppings. These range from the expected (caramel, sea salt, nuts, dried fruit) to the resolutely Scottish (haggis is a real option, and visitors who try it report unexpectedly positive results).

The session ends in the Tasting Room, where a guided tasting of Scottish and international chocolates rounds off the experience. The Chocolatarium also has a gift shop selling handcrafted chocolates — a natural stop on the way out.

The Truffle-Making Experience follows a similar format but focuses on the techniques of truffle production, allowing you to take home your own creations.

A typical visit lasts 90 minutes, plus browsing time in the gift shop.

Safety and Accessibility

Allergens. The Chocolatarium works to accommodate dietary requirements including allergies and vegan diets, but as a chocolate environment, allergens including nuts, dairy and soya may be present. Visitors with severe allergies should contact the Chocolatarium in advance to discuss their specific needs.

Age. The experiences are designed for visitors aged 6 and above. Young children should be accompanied by an adult.

Accessibility. For specific accessibility requirements including wheelchair access, contact the Chocolatarium directly in advance — the team can advise on the best arrangements for your visit.

Where to Stay Near the Chocolatarium Edinburgh

Staying near the Chocolatarium means basing yourself on or close to the Royal Mile — at the heart of Edinburgh’s historic Old Town, with the Castle, the Palace, St Giles’ Cathedral, the closes and wynds of medieval Edinburgh all within easy walking distance.

A few areas worth considering:

• Old Town & Royal Mile — the most atmospheric option, with the Chocolatarium, Edinburgh Castle and the full sweep of the Old Town on your doorstep. Higher demand, so book ahead.
• Grassmarket & Cowgate — just south of the Royal Mile, a lively area with character, good independent dining and easy access to the Old Town.
• New Town & Princes Street — across Waverley Bridge, elegant and Georgian, with a broader range of accommodation and excellent transport links back into the Old Town.

Edinburgh’s Old Town is very popular year-round, particularly in August (the Festival) and over the Christmas and Hogmanay period — booking well ahead is essential at those times.

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A Brief History of the Chocolatarium

The Chocolatarium was founded in 2019 by Jenny, who combined her background as a world traveller and entrepreneur with a genuine passion for chocolate and its history. The attraction was designed from the outset not as a simple tasting room but as a proper immersive experience — one that takes visitors through chocolate’s five-thousand-year story before putting tools in their hands and cacao in front of them.

Opening just before the pandemic and navigating those disrupted early years, the Chocolatarium established itself as one of Edinburgh’s most popular food experiences, winning the accolade of Best Food Experience in the UK (2022). Its location just off the Royal Mile — in the heart of the historic city that already draws visitors for its castles, closes and cultural institutions — placed it naturally within Edinburgh’s broader visitor landscape.

A detail worth knowing: the Aztec emperor Montezuma is said to have consumed as many as fifty cups of cacao drink a day, regarding it as a source of strength and wisdom. By the time chocolate reached Europe in the 16th century, Spanish colonists had already sweetened it with sugar — the bitter, frothy drink of Mesoamerica would have been almost unrecognisable to anyone tasting a modern bar. The Chocolatarium’s tour covers exactly this transformation, and it’s more interesting than most food histories.

Nearby Attractions

The Chocolatarium’s Old Town location places it within easy reach of Edinburgh’s most celebrated sights.

Attraction	Why Visit	Distance
Edinburgh Castle	Scotland’s most famous fortress — Crown Jewels, Scottish history, panoramic views	~10-min walk
St Giles’ Cathedral	The historic High Kirk of Edinburgh, with its distinctive crown spire	~5-min walk
Royal Mile	Edinburgh’s historic spine, lined with closes, shops and the full pageant of the Old Town	On the doorstep
Palace of Holyroodhouse	The monarch’s official Scottish residence, with Holyrood Abbey ruins	~10-min walk
Real Mary King’s Close	Preserved 17th-century underground street	~5-min walk

A natural day out on the Royal Mile: Edinburgh Castle in the morning, Real Mary King’s Close or St Giles’ Cathedral mid-morning, the Chocolatarium after lunch, then a walk down to the Palace of Holyroodhouse in the afternoon.

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Practical Tips for Your Visit

• Book in advance. Sessions sell out, particularly at weekends and during the Edinburgh Festival. Book online as early as possible.
• Arrive a few minutes early. Tours start on time.
• Wear something you don’t mind getting messy. Chocolate-making can be wonderfully untidy.
• Note allergen needs when booking. If you or anyone in your group has allergies, flag this at the time of booking rather than on the day.
• Pack a compact travel umbrella. Edinburgh’s weather is famously unpredictable and the Royal Mile is exposed.
• Overseas visitor? The UK uses Type G plugs — a UK travel adapter is essential for charging your devices.
• Browse the gift shop. Handcrafted chocolates make excellent, compact and genuinely local souvenirs.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the opening hours of the Chocolatarium Edinburgh?

The Chocolatarium is open daily from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM. It is closed on 25 December, 26 December and 1 January. Session times and availability vary — check the official website before booking.

How much does it cost to visit the Chocolatarium Edinburgh?

The Tour of Chocolate costs £24.50 for adults. The Truffle-Making Experience costs £29.50. Children’s prices and group rates are available — check the official website for current details.

Is the Chocolatarium Edinburgh suitable for children?

Yes — the tours are designed for visitors aged 6 and above, and the hands-on chocolate-making activities are genuinely engaging for children.

Are there any discounts available for the Chocolatarium Edinburgh?

Group discounts and children’s prices may be available. Check the official website or contact the Chocolatarium directly for current concession rates.

How long does a visit to the Chocolatarium take?

Each tour lasts approximately 90 minutes, with additional time for browsing the gift shop.

Is photography allowed at the Chocolatarium Edinburgh?

Photography is generally welcome — confirm with staff on arrival, as some areas may have specific preferences.

Are there guided tours available at the Chocolatarium Edinburgh?

All visits are guided experiences led by knowledgeable staff. There is no drop-in or self-guided option.

What’s the best way to get to the Chocolatarium from the city centre?

Walk from anywhere on the Royal Mile — Cranston Street is just off the main street, approximately ten minutes from Edinburgh Castle. Lothian Buses along the Royal Mile stop within easy walking distance.

Is the Chocolatarium Edinburgh wheelchair accessible?

Contact the Chocolatarium directly in advance for specific accessibility information — the team can advise on the best arrangements for your visit.

Are there dining options near the Chocolatarium Edinburgh?

The Royal Mile has a wide range of cafés and restaurants within a few minutes’ walk. The Chocolatarium’s own tasting session and gift shop provide chocolate treats during and after the tour.