Often watched chocolate factory videos from abroad and felt a tinge of jealousy? Well, you don't have to do that anymore, thanks to Manam Chocolate Karkhana in Banjara Hills.
This massive 10,000 ft location houses a chocolate factory where you can witness a chocolate being made from beans grown in the heartlands of West Godavari district, Andhra Pradesh. Manam, translating to 'us' in Telugu, works with several farmers across West Godavari to procure homegrown cacao beans. Which results in absolutely decadent chocolates, pralines and chocolate bars. The hazelnut praline is a must-try at this spot. What's super cool is that if you walk around, you also get to learn about the cacao bean farming process, and what goes into making your favourite bar of chocolate.
You can pick from their range of dark chocolates and gift boxes in time for the festive season (or just on a whim, because who doesn't appreciate a box of chocolates?). There's also a station where you can get your chocolate bars customised with toppings and additions of your choice which we thought made for pretty cool customised gifts.
Manam Chocolate Karkhana also has a cafe serving global cuisine with an Indian touch. You can't step out of this cafe without trying the decadent salted hot chocolate with a croissant on the side. The menu is exhaustive and you might spot something new every time you visit. We also liked that the staff here is super courteous, polite, and will do their best to ensure you have a lovely experience.
After years of watching Swiss and German chocolates dominate the scene when it comes to chocolates, it's super cool to witness brands closer to home achieve the same quality with homegrown produce. For this reason alone, we totally recommend taking home a box of their handmade pralines or bonbons when you visit.
Instagram: Manam Chocolate
Timings: 10:00 AM - 11:00 PM
Cost: INR 300 onwards
