Christoff.ai

Prestat

food shops markets•
London
London

Prestat

14 Princes Arcade, Piccadilly, London SW1Y 6DS, United Kingdom

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Christoff

Christoff's Take

Insider review

Tucked away in the historic Princes Arcade between Piccadilly and Jermyn Street, Prestat carries the weight of being London's oldest luxury chocolatier with a Royal Warrant since 1975. While the pastel-toned boutique still exudes old-world sophistication, recent ownership changes have stirred questions about whether this heritage brand maintains its legendary standards.

Prestat: Royal Chocolate Heritage Meets Modern Piccadilly Reality

London's oldest luxury chocolatier navigates tradition and transformation

My Honest Review

Atmosphere & Ambiance

Step into Prestat and you're immediately transported into a world of refined elegance that scores an impressive 9.5/10 for sophistication. The boutique features vibrant pastel tones that create an Instagram-worthy backdrop, perfectly complementing the old-world charm that permeates every corner. Attractive gift packaging displays are artfully arranged throughout the intimate space, emphasizing the venue's luxury gifting focus. The historic Princes Arcade location adds gravitas to the experience, with the shop's heritage dating back to 1902 palpable in every detail. This is decidedly a calm, structured environment - scoring just 2.5/10 for energy level - where the emphasis is on contemplative browsing rather than social interaction. The boutique's 8.5/10 uniqueness score reflects its rare combination of royal pedigree and artisanal craftsmanship, creating an atmosphere that feels genuinely special for luxury gifting and special occasions.

Food & Drink

Prestat's chocolate offerings showcase the artisanal craft that earned them their Royal Warrant, with signature creations like London Gin truffles, Rose & Violet creams, and Earl Grey tea-infused thins demonstrating their commitment to sophisticated flavor profiles. Their extensive range spans handcrafted truffles, luxury chocolate bars including Ruby chocolate varieties, wafer thins, and hot chocolate, with seasonal offerings like Easter eggs priced between £26-£42. The Rose & Violet creams remain particularly celebrated, maintaining their reputation as a standout product. However, recent mixed reviews have raised concerns about declining quality since the ownership change, suggesting that while the product range remains impressive and thoughtfully categorized by type and occasion, consistency may have suffered. The availability of sampling allows customers to experience the quality firsthand before committing to the premium pricing.

Service & Experience

The boutique emphasizes personal service from knowledgeable staff who understand the heritage and craftsmanship behind each product. Sampling is available, allowing customers to make informed decisions about their purchases, while elegant gift-wrapping services enhance the luxury experience. Quick counter service facilitates efficient takeaway purchases, though there's no seating area - this is purely a retail environment focused on chocolate sales and gifting. The staff's expertise becomes particularly valuable given the extensive product categorization by type, occasion, and collections, helping navigate the sophisticated offerings for both personal indulgence and gift-giving needs.

Value for Money

With a price level of 3/4, Prestat operates firmly in luxury territory, with small selection boxes starting at £30 and prices generally running 2-3 times supermarket rates. The premium reflects the Royal Warrant status, artisanal craftsmanship, and prime Piccadilly location, but recent reviews questioning quality since the ownership change raise value concerns. For special occasions and luxury gifting, the exceptional presentation and heritage justification may warrant the investment. However, for regular chocolate consumption, the pricing represents a significant luxury splurge that may not align with everyday value expectations, particularly given the mixed recent feedback about product consistency.

Insider Tips

Best Time to Visit

Visit at 10am on Saturday for the freshest selection before weekend crowds arrive. The shop operates Monday-Friday 9:30am-6pm, Saturday 10am-5pm, and Sunday 11am-4:30pm, with weekday mornings likely offering the most relaxed browsing experience.

What to Focus On

Focus on the celebrated Rose & Violet creams and snap up the London Gin truffles before they sell out. The Earl Grey tea-infused thins showcase their sophisticated flavor approach, while the Ruby chocolate bars represent their modern offerings.

Christoff's Insider Tips

The boutique's Royal Warrant status since 1975 with heritage dating to 1902 makes it perfect for impressive gift-giving. The elegant gift packaging and presentation often justify the premium for special occasions. Given recent quality concerns, sampling becomes crucial - don't hesitate to taste before purchasing to ensure the products meet your expectations.

The Final Verdict

Prestat remains a sophisticated destination that successfully trades on its impressive heritage and prime location, scoring exceptionally high for sophistication and uniqueness. The pastel boutique creates an undeniably elegant shopping experience, and signature products like Rose & Violet creams maintain their reputation. However, the combination of premium pricing and recent concerns about declining quality since ownership changes creates a complex value proposition. While the Royal Warrant status and artisanal presentation continue to impress, potential visitors should approach with realistic expectations about both the investment required and current product consistency.

Christoff's Rating:
6.8/10

Perfect For:

luxury gift buyers seeking impressive presentationchocolate connoisseurs willing to pay premium for heritage brandsspecial occasion shoppers who value Royal Warrant prestige

Quick Details

1

Prestat

⭐️ Royal warrant
⭐️ Heritage brand
⭐️ Piccadilly premium
⭐️ Special occasion

London's oldest luxury chocolatier holds a Royal Warrant for good reason - their Rose & Violet creams and London Gin truffles represent chocolate heritage at its finest. The Princes Arcade location between Piccadilly and Jermyn Street feels like stepping into chocolate history, with pastel-toned interiors and elegant gift packaging that screams special occasion. Their Earl Grey tea-infused thins and Ruby chocolate bars show innovation within tradition, though recent ownership changes have affected consistency. The royal heritage creates an atmosphere where every purchase feels ceremonial, perfect for significant gifts or treating yourself like royalty. Despite premium pricing, the presentation and heritage justify the splurge for special moments.

What's Great

✓ Royal Warrant status since 1975 with heritage dating to 1902

✓ Instagram-worthy pastel boutique with luxury gift packaging

Keep in Mind

× Recent reviews note declining quality since ownership change with premium pricing

Christoff

Christoff's Tip:

Hit them at 10am Saturday for freshest selection and snag the London Gin truffles before weekend crowds!

Vibe check scores

Trendiness
Sophistication
Noise Level
Uniqueness

Venue details

🕐"Mon-Fri: 9:30am-6pm, Sat: 10am-5pm, Sun: 11am-4:30pm"
📍14 Princes Arcade, Piccadilly, London SW1Y 6DS, United Kingdom
💷££££
📞+44 20 7494 3372
🌐Website

Featured In My Guides

Prestat has been featured in 1 of my curated guides. Here's where you can find more context and discover similar spots.

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food shops markets in london•
Aug 26, 2025
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