[SHANGHAI] Godiva Cafe
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Godiva Cafe
Address: Shop 106 No. 5 Alley 123 Xingye Lu, Xintiandi 盧灣區新天地興業路123弄5號106號店
Tel: 5382 0715
Hours: 11:00am-Midnight
Price: 55-65 RMB/cake, 45-55 RMB/drink
Whisk and Hof dominated the chocolate dessert scene in Shanghai for a long while before Godiva opened its first ever chocolate cafe concept store in Xintiandi. It seems like the cafe is already quite popular, as the spacious 2nd floor cafe area was completed filled up when I visited. Is this because of the prestige, the convenient location, or the actual offerings of the cafe?
Godiva Cafe
Interior
Bar
The interior, dominated by warm chocolate tones, is nothing impressive but comfortable enough to sit through an afternoon.
Dessert showcase
We first tried the Godiva Chocolate Sin, described as “silky dark chocolate mousse with a chocolate glazed moist chocolate cake, layered with crisp chocolate ganache and crispy crunchies, accompanied by Godiva chocolate sauce and chocolate butter crunch almond crumble.” The actual cake itself was not bad but short of its lengthy description.
Godiva Chocolate Sin, 65 RMB
Chocolate Sin close up
We then tried the Milk Chocolate Banana Elegance, which is “silky-smooth milk chocolate and praline mousse, caramel glazed banana, crispy crunchies, accompanied by passion fruit sauce and banana cubes.” I was quite excited about this as I’m a big fan of passion fruits and the combination of banana with chocolate. The dessert itself turned out to be quite nice but again, nothing to sing about.
Milk Chocolate Banana Elegance, 60 RMB
The Dark Chocolate a L’orange, “a perfect blend between the tartness of orange and the bittersweetness of dark chocolate,” was a godsend for me after walking in the cold Shanghai air for a good half an hour. My afternoon tea date insisted, however, that it tasted the same as what she could make out of the Godiva dark chocolate powder sold in Barnes & Nobles.
Dark Chocolate a L’orange, 45 RMB
1st floor retail space
Everything at Godiva Cafe – from the drinks to desserts to decor – seem to be mediocre. If you are looking for really good chocolate desserts, I still suggest Hof (try their orange chocolate mud cake with caramel and sea salt) or Awfully Chocolate (try the super stacked chocolate cake).
the name sure attracts, but perhaps it’s for those who didn’t know better?
i’d LOVE to give Hof a try when i get back to Shanghai!
mason
16 Jan 11 at 4:00 PM
Did you know that everyone in a party going there have to order something?!
Meaning you cannot order just for you while you enjoy the company of your friends after some shopping.
If not, well they politely insist that you leave!
For those very intent of having a nice hot cup of choco, just wait till you get back home, else enjoy it alone and do not watch for that waist line.FUN FUN FUN!!
Sonia
14 Jan 13 at 9:16 PM
We went to this cafe tonight and the service was so slow. The wait staff were out of sight most of the time and it was hard to flag them down. The manager was also very rude when we requested to get small change for our RMB100 bill. He had an arrogant attitude. Definitely not the kind of customer service you would expect at a place that charges such high prices for the cakes and fondue. We definitely won’t be back and will advise others to spend their money somewhere else.
Jane
28 Jan 13 at 11:55 PM