The first time I came across Hazel Mountain Chocolate, I was halfway through my very first triathlon at Lough Cutra Castle. Somewhere along the climb out past the stone walls tired, cranky, slightly regretting life choices, the road leveled out, and boom: the smell of chocolate hit me like a punchline from heaven. I swore right there and then I’d come back.
Spoiler: I didn’t. Not that time.
But the following year, during the exact same 70.3, that glorious scent hit me all over again. And this time, I kept my promise. Four years later? I’ve been back over 15 times. At this point, I’ve probably spent more time with Hazel Mountain Cafe than with some of my extended family… no regrets.
Bean to Bar in the Burren
Hazel Mountain Chocolate isn’t your average chocolate shop, it’s a full-blown bean-to-bar factory nestled in the limestone folds of the Burren. They’re one of the only spots in Ireland that import raw cacao beans, roast them on-site, and handcraft every bar from scratch. Fun fact the other is in County Down (UP DOWN!)
There’s something grounding about this place. Maybe it’s the Burren stone walls, the low clouds rolling off the hills, or the scent of roasting cacao drifting out across the limestone landscape. Maybe it’s just that the people here care.
Care about the craft. Care about where things come from. Care about the experience of walking in and just sitting still with a warm cup of something truly, deeply good.
There’s something magical about watching the process through the glass of their tiny factory. Roasting, cracking, grinding it all smells like comfort and craft. It’s a sensory experience long before you ever taste a thing.
This isn’t just chocolate: it’s story, process, and place all wrapped into a bar. It’s definitely a foodie destinations Wild Atlantic Way.
The Story Behind Hazel Mountain Chocolate
Hazel Mountain Chocolate isn’t just about indulgence it’s about integrity. Since opening in 2014, this small but mighty bean-to-bar operation has become a standout on the Wild Atlantic Way, drawing in locals, tourists, and even Nigella Lawson (who famously “oooh’d” over their hot chocolate on TV…that’s class).
Behind the magic are Kasha and John Connolly, who’ve built something rare: a chocolate factory that’s both award-winning and grounded in real values. They keep it small-batch, family-run, and close to the source, working directly with farmers and co-ops across Madagascar, Venezuela, Costa Rica, Mexico, and Cuba.
Everything here is slow-crafted: beans roasted in-house, hand-cracked and stone-ground over two days, aged for three weeks. They use less sugar, no shortcuts, and lean into seasonal flavours that make their chocolate feel alive. Even the milk comes from grass-fed cows that probably blocked your car on the way in.
Add in their eco-friendly approach to product, and you’ve got a product that’s as thoughtful as it is addictive. Hazel Mountain doesn’t just make chocolate they tell and tell a story with every bite.
The Café at Hazel Mountain Chocolate
The café? Unreal.
Whether you’re a die-hard hot chocolate fan or just need a proper flat white after exploring the Burren, Hazel Mountain Chocolate delivers in spades. Their hot chocolates are balanced, rich, spiced in ways that make you question every watery version you’ve ever had elsewhere. Sometimes they seem Aztec-inspired, sometimes seasonal but always deep and layered.
Oh, and don’t skip the baked goods. From cacao-nib-studded brownies to chocolate-drenched scones, everything sings. AND guess what?! If you’ve got dietary needs gluten-free, dairy-free, refined-sugar free they’ve got beautifully made options that don’t feel like afterthoughts…maybe just not chocolate free.
Final Thoughts on Hazel Mountain Chocolate
Places like Hazel Mountain Chocolate aren’t just stops on the map they’re the kind you build day tour and route around. A reward after a hike. A detour on a long drive. A reason to do another triathlon just so you can smell that magic in the air again.
Heads up a lot of tour buses can stop here randomly but if you pull up and see one sitting there don’t fret they move through quickly.
Come for the chocolate. Stay for the smell. Return because it quietly becomes a part of your Ireland. Also their artwork is epic! So cool.
Quick Look
- Where: Oughtmama, Bellharbour, Co. Clare, Ireland
- Open: 10:00am – 5:00pm daily (check seasonal variations)
- What to Expect: A bean-to-bar chocolate factory, scenic café, and on-site bakery
- Known For: Award-winning hot chocolate and small-batch chocolate bars.
- Don’t Miss: The chocolate-making viewing area and the stone-ground hot chocolate.
- Parking: On-site and free
- Great For: Families, foodies, cyclists, foodie destinations Wild Atlantic Way
Check out more on their website: HERE