Luxury Chocolate Café Knoops Opens its Doors in Leeds City Centre

Want a chocolatey, indulgent treat but don’t want to break the bank? Enter Knoops.

If you haven’t heard of Knoops by now, then where have you been? The past few years have seen the luxury chocolatier take the UK by storm, and this Friday sees them open the doors to their 19th store, this time in Leeds. The drinking chocolate cafe offers 20 different varieties that can be converted into hot chocolates, milkshakes or iced drinks with customisable ingredients.

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You’d be mistaken for thinking that founder Jens Knoop had any experience in the hospitality industry before opening Knoops in 2013. “My first store opened in 2013, in Rye”, he told us. “There was no food or beverage experience behind it, but I thought, let’s try it and see how it goes, and it was very successful right from the beginning, because who doesn’t like a good chocolate drink?”

But why Leeds? Well, Jens saw the amount of universities we boast (a whopping six!) and thought that was a good place to start. Combine our thriving student community with our impressive roster of restaurants and a diverse and multicultural population, and it makes sense for Leeds to be at the top of Knoops’ hit list. And boy, are we glad – wait until you see what’s in store.

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Walk through the doors of their Trinity dwelling and you’ll be greeted by a giant menu, ready for you to choose your chocolate, milk and more. The cafe itself is bright and open, and you can watch your drink being made to really engage in the whole process. Dotted on the walls are posters reflecting Jens’ trips to cocoa plantations in Colombia and Venezuela.

And to drink? From 28% white to 100% extra dark, Knoops has over 20 different chocolate percentages from across the world – settle on a familiar blend from your childhood or try something from an exotic country like Tanzania. Next, choose from nine different milks (alternatives are available at no extra cost!), and choose from iced chocolate, a milkshake or a smooth hot chocolate.

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Extras cover everything from handmade Knoops marshmallows and orange zest to Maldon sea salt and pink pepper. If you’re stuck on what to get, here’s what Jens recommends, “I love to play with white chocolate and throw ingredients in. White chocolate with matcha and lime is absolutely sensational – it’s really light and refreshing.”

What’s more, if you want to go plant-based, all drinks using 54% chocolate or above can be made completely vegan. Chocolate aside, Knoops also offers coffees, mochas, teas and matcha lattes. If you’re peckish, choose from a range of baked goods to nibble on whilst you enjoy your drink, from croissants and pain au chocolats to cannolis and almond croissants.

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Still wondering why you should come down and give Knoops a go? “Because it’s something you’ve never had before,” Jens told us. “It’s the perfect chocolate drink for you, and we can make it just how you want it. These are all options you’ve probably never had before – it’s such a unique offering that really adds to the culinary scene.” Well, we don’t know about you, but we’re sold!

Knoops, Trinity Centre, 26-28 Albion Street, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS1 6HX. It opens Friday 14th June 2024. It’s open from 7am to 10pm, Monday to Thursday, 7am to 11pm on Fridays and Saturdays and 8am to 9:30pm on Sundays.

Ella Aldridge Writer

Ella moved to Leeds in 2018 and never looked back. She joined the Leeds-List team as a writer in 2023 and her knowledge of the city continues to grow every day. She never passes up an opportunity to try somewhere new, be it visiting an exhibition or dining out at restaurants off the beaten track.

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