About Venchi
Venchi is an Italian chocolate boutique and gelateria in the Market Building on the Covent Garden Piazza, selling pralines, bars and its signature Gianduiotto alongside gelato made fresh every day. The brand has been making chocolate in Piedmont since 1878.
Venchi was founded in Turin by Silviano Venchi and still produces in Castelletto Stura in the province of Cuneo. Several recipes are made today much as they were 140 years ago, built on Italian ingredients such as Piedmont IGP hazelnuts, almonds and olive oil. The Gianduiotto 1878 is the house classic, and the Cremino, Chocoviar and Nougatine lines fill out a counter designed for both gifts and immediate indulgence. Staff are trained to guide a tasting across the range rather than just weigh out a bag.
Italian gelato and chocolate in Covent Garden Market
The gelato counter is the reason most people stop. Flavours run from dark chocolate and pistachio to fruit sorbets, served in cones dipped in chocolate and hazelnuts, and there is a chocolate fountain behind the counter that feeds the signature cone finish. A small cafe section serves coffee, hot chocolate and gelato shakes, so the shop works as a breakfast, afternoon or late-evening stop as the Piazza empties.
What to expect on a visit
Expect a queue at the gelato end on weekends, a quieter chocolate shelf for browsing, and late opening every night of the week. Boxed assortments can be made up to order, which makes it a practical place to pick up a gift before the theatre. Venchi sits among the other dessert shops in Covent Garden, and shares the Market Building with Santa Nata, so a custard tart and a gelato can be had within a few metres of each other.
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Reviews
I avoided this place for a long time because it is a well-known chain, and I usually prefer smaller independent gelaterias, but after finally trying the gelato here, I have to admit that the popularity of Venchi is justified. The texture is very good: smooth, creamy, dense, and properly satisfying. The flavours are also much brighter and more expressive than I expected, especially the chocolate and nut-based ones. Brutto Buono, Cremino, and Nougatine were all excellent — rich, indulgent, and full of character rather than just sweet. Nougatine was especially impressive. It tasted exactly like proper dark chocolate with hazelnuts, but transformed into a creamy gelato form. I also definitely recommend trying the chocolate bars and truffles here. The quality is absolutely top-level, and you can really feel the natural taste of good ingredients, especially the DOP/AOP nuts.
The ice cream is simply delicious! I believe the employee who served us was Sonita. I apologize for not recalling her name well, but she had a supervisor’s name tag. She was incredibly kind and allowed us to sample the flavors before purchasing the ice cream. We accidentally dropped the cone, and she kindly offered to replace it for free. This place is definitely worth visiting! ♥️
On a cold winter day, it’s nice to have a hot chocolate at Venchi’s. Sweet with cream ,but some say it’s bitter. I found it just right 4 me. I opted for raspberry sweet with cream. 6.50 pounds was quite expensive. Yet , u pay for maybe an 8 oz . Not your American size. As always, post wherever u end up. So we all know to try or not.