A Personal Welcome to Scotland’s Chocolate Capital
I am delighted to invite you to Cocoa Black, Scotland’s Chocolate Capital. Join us at our Peebles patisserie for an exquisite moment of indulgence. Whether you are sipping a signature hot chocolate, or enjoying one of our award-winning pastries handcrafted by master artisans at The Chocolate Factory, we take pride in upholding a world-class standard of craft in everything we serve.
Our heritage of excellence has been featured on the BBC and Netflix, and we were honoured to have HRH Prince Edward officially open The Chocolate & Pastry School. Today, I invite you to discover the secrets of French patisserie, or simply find a moment of peace in our Riverside Garden.
Before you leave, browse our boutique for our award-winning boxed chocolates. Beautifully packaged and filled with our signature artisan creations, they are the perfect way to take a piece of the Capital home. I look forward to sharing the very best of our craft with you.
Opening Hours
Monday
10:00 – 16:00
Tuesday
10:00 – 16:00
Wednesday
10:00 – 16:00
Thursday
10:00 – 16:00
Friday
10:00 – 16.30
Saturday
10:00 – 17:00
Sunday
10:00 – 16.30
Discover Cocoa Black in Peebles
France, Vienna, and Germany are famous for their sweet traditions, but the historic town of Peebles has carved out its own world-class reputation. What started in 2008 as a kitchen table passion project for husband-and-wife team Ruth and David Hinks quickly became a national success story. Within three years, their dedication to perfection earned them the title of UK Confectioner of the Year, putting these artisan treats on the global map.
Cocoa Black is housed in a beautifully restored Category B listed building right beside the historic Cuddy Bridge. Great care was taken to renovate this special site, honouring the local heritage while creating a stunning, atmospheric home for these award-winning chocolates. It is a unique piece of history that now serves as the heart of everything the team creates.
Today, this landmark is a premier destination for those exploring the Tweed Valley, with many visitors travelling internationally just to experience this world of chocolate. Whether enjoying the scenic local paths or the beauty of Haylodge Park, every guest receives a warm and friendly welcome. It is the perfect place to step out of the everyday and enjoy a moment of artisan excellence in the Scottish Borders.
The Patisserie & Chocolate Boutique
Housed in a beautifully restored listed building, the Cocoa Black flagship boutique and patisserie is a premier destination for artisan craft. Unlike mass-produced high street chains, every creation is handcrafted in small batches at the Chocolate Factory to ensure world-class quality. Over the years, it has become a must-visit spot for Royalty, celebrities, and hundreds of thousands of chocolate lovers looking for something truly special.
As a Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice winner, the boutique is consistently ranked in the top 10% of properties globally. The cake fridge offers a huge selection of freshly prepared patisserie, including many low-gluten and vegan options, while the counter is filled with luxury gifts – including the world-famous Chocolate Haggis. Ruth is even honoured to provide HRH Prince Edward with his annual box of Christmas chocolates, a tradition that began following his first visit in 2012.
As a popular destination, weekends can be extremely busy. To ensure you don’t miss out, the Click & Collect service is the best way to pre-order online – the perfect finale for your next dinner party. With extensive parking available directly to the rear, it’s easy to nip in for a quick collection or stay for an indulgent hot chocolate in the Riverside Garden.
Patisserie
Strawberry Cheesecake
Patisserie
Raspberry & Chocolate Tart
Patisserie
Banana Caramel Sponge
Patisserie
Caramel Pear Crumble
Patisserie
Black Forest Cheesecake
Patisserie
White Chocolate & Pistachio Dacquoise
Patisserie
Mint Chocolate Cheesecake
Patisserie
Coffee & Caramel Mousse
Patisserie
Lemon Meringue Tart
Patisserie
Chocolate Caramel Crunch
Patisserie
Salted Caramel & Chocolate
Patisserie
Mango & Roasted White Chocolate
Patisserie
Milk Chocolate Orange Sacher
Patisserie
Sticky Toffee Tart
Patisserie
Spiced Truffle Mousse
Patisserie
Milk Chocolate Mousse
Patisserie
Caramel Praline Mousse
Patisserie
Raspberry Cremeux
Patisserie
Praline & White Chocolate
Patisserie
Salted Caramel Dacquoise
Patisserie
Hazelnut Dacquoise
Patisserie
Gateaux Opera
Patisserie
Raspberry & Chocolate Sponge
Patisserie
Raspberry & Chocolate Mousse
Patisserie
Sticky Toffee Pecan
Patisserie
Chocolate Brownie
Hot Chocolate
Hot Chocolate Gingerbread
Hot Chocolate
Hot Chocolate Orange
Hot Chocolate
Hot Chocolate Indulgence
Hot Chocolate
Hot Chocolate Salted Caramel
Hot Chocolate
Hot Chocolate Praline
Hot Chocolate
Hot Chocolate Mint
The Chocolate & Pastry School
Widely regarded as the UK’s premier destination for anyone who loves the art of chocolate, the school is located directly above our boutique. Since its official opening in 2016, our heritage of craft has reached millions on BBC1’s The River and through over 600 prime-time appearances on Channel 4 as the flagship of the South of Scotland’s first nationwide TV campaign.
To date, we have welcomed over 25,000 guests – including many celebrities – to master their skills alongside Ruth Hinks. Ruth’s expertise has been showcased globally as the expert judge on The Hairy Bikers’ Chocolate Challenge, and we have been proud to host world-renowned guest chefs including Frank Haasnoot, Melissa Coppel, and Hans Ovando.
A brand-new range of public classes is currently being created, bringing fresh techniques and contemporary flavours to the high-spec studio. Whether for a curious beginner looking for a fun chocolate workshop or a passionate home baker attending an intensive masterclass, the school provides a relaxed and inspiring environment. Every guest departs with a truly generous bounty of their own handmade creations – up to 60 artisan chocolates or 25 professional patisseries.
Corporate Hospitality and Executive Away Days
We offer a prestigious, hands-on experience for professional gatherings in the heart of Scotland’s Chocolate Capital. These tailored sessions are designed to spark creativity and offer a rare “behind-the-scenes” look at our artisan craft, providing a sophisticated environment that colleagues will talk about for years.
To complete the experience, we offer a private, bookable event space located directly adjacent to our serene Riverside Garden. This elegant setting is perfectly suited for professional socialising, allowing your group to unwind by the water and celebrate their success. Every participant departs with their own handmade creations – a truly generous reward for a day of shared craft.
The Riverside Garden: A Serene Escape
Perched beside the historic Cuddy Bridge, the riverside garden is a tranquil sanctuary. A natural sun trap along the banks of Eddleston Water, it offers the perfect south-facing haven to slow down and enjoy a moment of pure, uninterrupted bliss.
Framed by wildflowers, this peaceful setting is the ideal spot to indulge in an award-winning patisserie or a signature hot chocolate, freshly made in seven decadent flavours. Nature lovers can often spot our local heron or catch a rare glimpse of otters playing in the river as it flows past.
Visitors with dogs are welcome to this dedicated outdoor seating area. Please note that the interior boutique remains a pet-free environment to maintain our high standards of craft (with the exception of assistance dogs).