Café au Chocolat

An organic-certified 70% cocoa hot chocolate with chilli, cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves convinced that a second visit to Café au Chocolat was needed – this time to try the crêpes, which are made in front of customers and looked delicious.

Both savoury and sweet crêpes are offered, the former made from gluten-free buckwheat flour sourced directly from Brittany. The Classique (ham, cheese, tomato) and Forestière (mushroom, cheese, spinach) were really good and perfect for a light lunch. The sweet crêpes will be saved for another time: they also sounded delicious, as did the Mexican savoury special: spicy salsa, peppers, chilli chicken and cheese.

Café au Chocolat is not just about crêpes and chocolate (although we can also vouch for a hot organic white chocolate with red, white and black peppercorns), but also coffee. Carefully selected speciality coffees and a monthly single-origin coffee are carefully made using the ‘theatrical brew bar technique’, and owner Krystyna is a keen proponent of careful product sourcing for this varied and complex bean.

Sweet tooths are rewarded with an array of artisan chocolates, available singly or in gift boxes, as well as a fine selection of French-style patisserie hand made by a specialist pâtissier in Leicester. Smoothies, Belvoir juices and speciality teas are, of course, also available.

Café au Chocolat is housed within a 17th century stone building with exposed stone and timbers, with a mix of tables, leather sofas and suede-covered bar stools creating a warm and chic environment ideal for a quiet coffee or a catch-up with friends.

Disabled friendly, free wi-fi, newspapers and baby changing facilities.

By Robin Stewart, south Lincs editor