Aimee Lloyd Macarons
Aimee Lloyd Macarons are one of the top wedding dessert creators in the city. Their macaron cakes are a sight to behold and come in an exciting array of flavours, including Madagascan vanilla, Belgian milk chocolate and passionfruit, and orange blossom. While they do not have a walk-in store yet, Aimee Lloyd Macarons will happily help you design your own custom macarons. You can order a few tasters on their website or book yourself a spot in their coveted macaron class. You'll be guided through the delicate process of making and assembling macarons. Plus, you get to keep whatever you make to take home as a sweet little treat!
Details: 67 5th Street, Houghton Estate, Johannesburg | (Tel) 082 391 5951 | [email protected]
The Chocolate Tier
The Chocolate Tier offers one-of-a-kind chocolate tasting experiences. Their venue on the West Rand of Joburg hosts regular chocolate and wine pairing experiences. You'll learn proper chocolate eating etiquette (yes, you've probably been eating it wrong all this time!), as well as how to pair top quality wines with the finest chocolate truffles. If wine isn't your taste, fear not. The Chocolate Tier also offers champagne and chocolate and whisky and chocolate tastings. If you aren't able to attend in person, they've got virtual experience packages available. All you have to do is purchase a tasting box beforehand and join the live tasting session from the comfort of your own home. It couldn't be simpler.
Details: Fairview Drive, Constantia Kloof, Johannesburg | (Tel) +27 83 562 7748 | [email protected]
Createry Co.
We adore testing out new and exciting artisanal ice cream flavours. Createry Co. is our top pick for artisanal ice cream tastings in the city. This bespoke ice cream shop specialises in food styling, recipe creation and crafting the most delicious and unique ice cream flavours around. While they do not offer in-house tasting experiences, their ice creams are perfectly designed for at home tasting parties. Each ice cream flavour comes packaged in a freezable 150ml recyclable glass jar. Their range of flavours includes raspberry cheesecake, Belgian dark chocolate and a divine rooibos and condensed milk concoction. Shop online or visit the Createry Co. store to get your hands on a couple of these delightful ice cream jars to sample on your own or with friends.
Details: 396 Jan Smuts Ave, Craighall Park, Johannesburg | (Tel) +27 82 281 2586 | [email protected]
Urban Dessert Masters
Urban Dessert Masters are specialists in cake decorating, pastries and confectionery. They offer catering services, custom cake design and high tea tastings. We highly recommend the high tea as a way to get a taste of some of their best pastries and tarts. You can then pick your favourites to order for your next event or special occasion. You'll become addicted to their perfectly piped milk chocolate mousse puff rolls with sugar crackling and other assorted petit fours in no time, we guarantee it. You can then order a selection of cupcakes, cookies and pastries online via the Urban Dessert Masters website. They deliver all around Johannesburg, so you'll never be without a sweet treat.
Details: Cnr North Street & Western Service Rd, Wynberg, Johannesburg | (Tel) 011 050 0335 | [email protected]
Château Gateaux
You can never go wrong with a Chateau Gateaux cake or confection. Their celebration cakes are simply to die for. And, they are freezable for up to 12 months, so you can have your cake and eat it whenever you want to! If you aren't quite ready to commit to a full cake, no worries. Visit your nearest Chateau Gateaux store to sample a few of their tastiest treats. They've recently opened a new store in Bedfordview, so pop on over if you live nearby. You can enjoy a freshly brewed coffee paired with your choice of pastry, tartlet or slice of cake. Our personal favourite is the decadent layered Mozart cake made with layers of Italian meringue, light mousse and chopped nuts. But don't take our word for it, visit them to conduct your very own taste test.
Details: Find your nearest Chateau Gateaux outlet here.
Eighteen13
Eighteen13 is a boutique wine store located in Fourways. They offer daily chocolate and wine tastings to help educate your palette and turn you into a true connoisseur. You can book your tasting 24 hours in advance - perfect for those last minute whims or a spontaneous date night. The tasting is an hour long, so you needn't book out your whole day. It's a wonderful little escape from the rush of daily life. Of course, you can book multiple tasting sessions to get the best of the Eighteen13 experience. They've got standard wine tastings, cheese and wine pairings and a fabulous coffee and wine tasting. At only R150 per tasting, it's an absolute steal. So, what are you waiting for? Book your spot now!
Details: Cedar Square Centre, Willow Ave, Fourways, Johannesburg | [email protected]
Chocoloza
Chocoloza is one of the top chocolate confectioners in the city. Their chocolate lounge at 44 Stanley is the perfect spot to sit back with a good book and indulge in the finest Belgian chocolate creations. You can also stock up on their range of chocolate truffles and slabs of delicious melting chocolate here. If you want to take your choccie addiction to the next level, join Chocoloza for one of their regular chocolate evenings. You will be treated to a blind chocolate tasting experience, as well as a masterclass in crafting your own divine creations to take home and enjoy. Follow Chocoloza on Facebook to keep up to date with their events.
Details: 44 Stanley, Braamfontein Werf (Milpark), Johannesburg | (Tel) 010 900 4892 | [email protected]
Time Anchor Distillery
Tucked away inside the vibrant Maboneng Precinct, the Time Anchor Distillery tasting room is the place to be. While the distillery's main export is gin, they offer a chocolate and gin tasting experience well worth venturing into Maboneng for. They hand craft the chocolate themselves as well, so you can be assured that you will be getting only the highest quality products to taste and enjoy. You can also book a private tasting experience with Time Anchor Distillery for 12 people or more. We think that a gin and chocolate tasting would make the most fabulous 21st birthday event or bachelorette do. Click here for more details on private tasting events at the distillery.
Details: 7 Sivewright Avenue, New Doornfontein, Johannesburg | (Tel) 067 369 4842 | [email protected]
Gin and chocolate tasting at Time Anchor Distillery. Photo sourced from Facebook.
Do you know of any other venues that offer chocolate and dessert tastings in Joburg? Let us know about them in the comments below!
