Cacao Route

Our Story

From Istanbul to Walton-on-Thames — A Journey Built on Friendship, Passion & Chocolate

Discover how a 30-year friendship, a love for pure chocolate, and a vision for quality built one of the UK's most unique premium chocolatiers.

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Cacao Route Chocolatier Interior
2018 Founded
Our Beginning

Where It All Began

Welcome to Cacao Route — a family-owned chocolatier founded in 2018 by self-made co-founders Mahammer Celik and Ali Ilhan. Their very first shop opened in Istanbul, and from those humble beginnings, they've built something truly special.

Driven by a shared passion for exceptional chocolate and a desire to bring the finest handcrafted treats to the UK, Mahammer and Ali opened the Walton-on-Thames location — the only Cacao Route of its kind in the country.

Today, Cacao Route is more than a café. We're a premium chocolatier, a wholesale supplier, and a trusted hospitality partner for businesses across the UK. Every creation begins with pure, ethically sourced chocolate — never powder, always real.

Mahammer Celik & Ali Ilhan, Co-Founders
A Bond Like No Other

30 Years of Friendship and Counting

Mahammer Celik and Ali Ilhan have been best friends for over 30 years. Their bond has only grown stronger with time — Celik was even the best man at Ilhan's wedding. Their families are incredibly close, and it was that closeness which sparked the joint decision to bring Cacao Route to the UK.

That deep personal connection is the foundation of everything we do. When you visit Cacao Route, you're not stepping into a chain — you're becoming part of a family story that spans three decades and two continents.

"At Cacao Route, every customer deserves the best — and we strive to provide just that. Our commitment to quality, ethics, and family values sets us apart."

30+ Years of Friendship
2018 Year Founded
100% Pure Chocolate
Only One in the UK
What We Stand For

Our Core Values

Every decision we make is guided by four principles that define who we are and how we craft our chocolates.

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Handcrafted Excellence

Every treat is meticulously crafted by our master chocolatiers using the finest ingredients and time-honoured techniques. No shortcuts, no compromises.

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Ethically Sourced

We use only high-quality, ethically sourced chocolate. Our signature hot chocolates are made from pure melted chocolate — 100% natural, free from artificial additives.

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Family Values

As a family-owned business, warmth and care are at the heart of everything we do — from how we treat our customers to how we craft our products.

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Personalised Touch

From custom chocolate boxes to branded corporate gifts, we bring a personal touch to every creation — making each order unique and memorable.

Our Journey

Milestones Along the Way

2018

The Dream Begins

Mahammer and Ali open the very first Cacao Route shop in Istanbul, Turkey — bringing their vision of pure, handcrafted chocolate to life.

2020

Expanding the Vision

With growing demand and a loyal following, the co-founders begin planning their expansion to the United Kingdom — a market they've always been passionate about.

2022

Walton-on-Thames Opens

The UK's first and only Cacao Route opens at 30 High Street, Walton-on-Thames, Surrey — bringing premium hot chocolates, truffles, and luxury gift boxes to the community.

2024

Wholesale Launch

Cacao Route expands beyond the café to offer wholesale supply, corporate gifting, hospitality partnerships, and event chocolate services to businesses across the UK.

2026

Growth & Partnerships

With trade accounts and franchise opportunities on the horizon, Cacao Route enters its most exciting chapter yet.

Our Promise

Quality is at the Heart of Everything We Do

At Cacao Route, we believe every sip and every bite should be an experience worth remembering. That's why we never compromise on ingredients, technique, or care.

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100% Pure Chocolate

Every product is made with real, high-quality chocolate — never powder, never artificial. From our hot chocolates to our truffles, purity is non-negotiable.

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Freshly Handcrafted Daily

Our waffles, cakes, pastries, and chocolates are made fresh every day. Early visitors are greeted by the aroma of pastries as they bake.

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Ethically Sourced Ingredients

We source only the finest, ethically produced chocolate and natural ingredients — free from preservatives, artificial flavours, and additives.

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Vegan & Dietary Options

We offer a selection of vegan and dairy-free options so every customer can enjoy the Cacao Route experience.

Handcrafted chocolates
Chocolate truffles
Premium chocolate bars
Meet the Founders

The Chocolate Masters

Two lifelong friends. One shared dream. Decades of passion for crafting the finest chocolate.

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Mahammer Celik

Co-Founder & Master Chocolatier

With a lifelong passion for chocolate and an eye for perfection, Mahammer leads the creative vision behind every Cacao Route creation. His dedication to pure ingredients and handcrafted quality sets the standard for everything we do.

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Ali Ilhan

Co-Founder & Business Director

Ali brings strategic vision and operational excellence to Cacao Route. His expertise in business development drives our expansion into wholesale, corporate gifting, and hospitality partnerships across the UK and beyond.

More Than a Café

A Premium Chocolatier & Trusted Business Partner

Cacao Route serves three distinct markets — and excels in all of them. Whether you're a customer, a business, or a hospitality partner, we deliver excellence.

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Premium Chocolatier

Visit our café for indulgent hot chocolates, handcrafted truffles, luxury gift boxes, and freshly baked treats — all made from pure, real chocolate.

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Hospitality Supplier

We supply premium chocolates to cafés, retail stores, delicatessens, dessert shops, and gift shops across the UK — with private label and custom options available.

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Event Hosting

Host your next event at Cacao Route. We offer a unique venue for private celebrations, corporate gatherings, chocolate tastings, and special occasions.