The first thing you need to know about Jaz and Jul’s is that it is a veritable chocolate mecca. As soon as you walk in the door you are greeted with the sweet, rich aroma of hot chocolate and on a cold winter’s day, it is a welcome smell.
Chocolate artisans Jaz and Jul’s have been in business for eight years as traders in all things cocoa. They focus on drinking chocolate which is ethically sourced from around the world. But around two years ago the pair of entrepreneurs decided to open a flagship store and Islington was the perfect location.
The Chocolate House can be found at Chapel Market — an historic street struggling to balance its independent shops and local market with big chain superpowers such as Costa and McDonalds, who have managed to muscle their way in.
Inside Jaz and Jul’s Chocolate House you are welcomed by scratched wooden floors, colourful light fittings and displays of cakes and sweet treats, most of which are vegan. It is not an entirely vegan establishment, but it is 100 per cent meatfree and most of the menu options are vegan or can be made vegan.