Our Physical Shop Experience

Step inside our chocolate boutique, where every detail tells a story.

Welcome to URKU! As we approach the boutique at 126 Greville Street, you'll immediately notice the modern glass storefront that invites you to peek inside. Look up and you'll see the address "126" displayed on the horizontal window at the top. Welcome to our Chocolate House at Greville.

The boutique front features three elegant glass panels. The centre panel is actually the entrance door, adorned with URKU's signature bronze logo—two beautiful cacao pods positioned one behind the other. 

On the left panel, you'll spot the bronze "URKU" logo that matches the cacao pod design on the door.

Through the right panel, you can already glimpse some of what awaits inside: signature pastries, handmade bonbons, unique ceramic cups, a professional custom-made coffee machine and a menu of our offerings, all created around cacao's unique profiles and aroma.

As we get closer, take a look at the displays positioned outside. To the right, there's a vibrant orange sign showcasing one of our specialties— cedar wood-aged cacao made into Bonbons and Pralines. The sign highlights the "creamy" texture and reminds you there's "dark chocolate inside", just a taste of the unique chocolate experiences waiting for you!

You'll find our menu display, strategically placed so you can browse our offerings before entering. Need a moment before heading in? You can relax under the umbrella.

Notice the distinctive black fences with honeycomb-patterned engravings featuring the URKU logo and cacao pods—a little preview of the attention to detail you'll find inside.

As we cross the threshold, prepare for all your senses to be engaged…

As we step through the door, our eyes are immediately drawn upward to the unique lighting fixtures—three circular ceiling lights arranged diagonally, with the centre light slightly larger. Notice how they're connected by delicate strings to three circular halo-shaped lights below, creating a striking visual element that draws us into the URKU experience.

The rich aroma of chocolate fills the air—a deep, complex scent that might be mingled with notes of Sandalwood, Black Amber, or Fresh-Baked Cookies from one of our Signature Scented Candles. The warm lighting creates a gentle glow against the dark green walls, creating a feeling that's both comfy and sophisticated.

Looking to your right, you'll see Seb, Caro, or Eva greeting you with a warm smile from behind the main counter with its landscape menu display. This is where your URKU journey truly begins.

"Listen," I'll whisper as the coffee machine hums and grinds in the background, providing a gentle soundtrack to our chocolate adventure.

Behind the counter, you can glimpse the specialised equipment used to craft our Signature Chocolate Drinks. Look up at the wall and you'll see our chocolate beverage menu featuring Signature Chocolate, Hot Chocolate, Pintado, and Iced Chocolate options.

The wall display also features our URKU philosophy – "Premium Chocolate" that's "Sustainable, Direct Trade" with "Floral Aroma" and "100% Organic, Vegan Cacao." Be sure to scan the QR codes if you're interested in our tastings or want to reserve one of our limited seats for special events.

You'll notice something special between the chocolate beverage menu on the left and the URKU philosophy on the right: four brown squares with intricate engravings arranged in a diamond pattern. A wall light below them thoughtfully illuminates these pre-Columbian-inspired artworks from Ecuador.

Each engraving tells part of the story of cacao: the top represents the sun that nurtures the cacao, the right depicts the farmers who tend it, the bottom symbolises the seas that influence the growing conditions, and the left portrays the community that chocolate brings together. This artistic installation honours URKU's deep connection to Ecuador's cacao farmers, the land, and the rich cultural heritage of chocolate.

Here you'll find various display areas showcasing URKU's incredible offerings. Look for the Melbourne Collection featuring unique flavour combinations like Guava, Raspberry, and Tangerine—you can actually see what each piece looks like before you buy! Above this, you'll notice another portrait menu highlighting our offerings.

The first shelf is what we call our "URKU at Home" collection. Here, you'll find Handcrafted Bags, Aroma Diffusers, and Scented Candles that bring the essence of URKU into your own space. The "URKU at Home" letter represents this collection, extending the chocolate experience beyond your visit.

The final display shelf on this wall showcases our exclusive Germánico Pinto Collection—cedar wood-aged cacao chocolate available in 1-month, 3-month, and 6-month aging varieties. Each is thoughtfully paired with a recommended whiskey to enhance the tasting experience, creating a sophisticated flavour journey that highlights the complex notes in both the aged chocolate and fine spirits.

As we venture deeper into the heart of URKU, more chocolate treasures reveal themselves…

As you move deeper into the boutique, you'll notice another beautiful display shelf along the right side. This one showcases more of our handcrafted bags, each variety of our Germánico Pinto Collection, special mugs for our hot chocolate, and cacao powder from Kallari, one of our valued partners.

A striking artistic interpretation of a cacao tree, created by an Ecuadorian artist and artisan, stands nearby. The tree features a white trunk and branches adorned with vibrant blue leaves. Look closely, and you'll see that the cacao pods are removable and can be placed anywhere among the branches—an interactive representation of how cacao pods uniquely grow directly from the trunk and branches of real cacao trees.

One eye-catching feature at the end of the counter is our artistic yellow paper columns, with their distinctive honeycomb structure arranged in decreasing sizes. A small green plant adds a touch of nature to the display.

This installation serves multiple purposes: it represents the structure of a cacao tree while demonstrating innovation through sustainability. Made from recycled paper, the honeycomb structure can support 30 times its own weight, a visual metaphor for strength through sustainable design that reflects URKU's environmental values.

As we venture deeper into the boutique, you'll discover the heart of URKU: a beautiful semi-circle counter that serves as the centrepiece of the chocolate experience. This elegant counter displays our upcoming Melbourne collection.

What makes visiting URKU in person truly special is the complete sensory journey—something no online shopping experience can replicate. From the moment you step inside, your senses are engaged: the rich aroma of chocolate and coffee, the warm lighting against dark green walls, the gentle sounds of the coffee machine, and of course, the exquisite taste of premium chocolate.

However, perhaps the most valuable aspect of your visit is the personal interaction with Seb, Caro, or Eva. They're not just staff—they're passionate cacao and chocolate experts eager to share their knowledge and guide your experience.

"Feel free to ask questions," I'll encourage you. "Whether you're a chocolate connoisseur or completely new to fine cacao, the URKU team loves to educate visitors about the origins, processing, and unique qualities of their chocolate."

By the semi-circle counter, also known as the "Tasting Wheel," you can browse the visual menu of chocolate options while the team explains the distinctive characteristics of each variety. They might tell you about the single-origin cacao beans, the sustainable farming practices that support them, or the careful aging process that creates the unique flavours in the Germánico Pinto collection.

Customers often comment on the warmth they feel during their visit, not just from the comfortable environment, but from the genuine hospitality of the URKU team. It's a place where you're never rushed, where questions are welcomed, and where your chocolate journey is treated with respect and enthusiasm.

 

As our visit comes to an end, we carry more than just chocolate with us…

As your visit comes to a close and you've selected your chocolate—perhaps a bar from the Melbourne Collection or some cedar wood aged pieces from the Germánico Pinto bonbons —you might also decide to take home a hot chocolate for the road.

But you'll notice that Seb, Caro, or Eva won't simply hand over your purchases and move on to the next customer. They take care to properly say goodbye, ensuring that even as you leave, you feel seen and appreciated.

"We hope to see you again soon," they might say, and you can tell they genuinely mean it.

What makes URKU special is that you don't just leave with exceptional chocolate, though of course, that's a delightful part of the experience. You also leave with greater knowledge about cacao, its origins, and the artistry that goes into creating premium chocolate.

We look forward to seeing you at 126 Greville Street! Visit us Wednesday to Monday, 8am-4pm, or follow our journey on Facebook, Instagram or Linkedin. Perhaps join our newsletter if you’re interested in deepening your knowledge of cacao and chocolate. 

For now, please come again :)