Poured over marshmallows? Drizzled with melted chocolate? Drenched in liqueur? Served in an igloo perched on the top of a stunning rooftop? However you like it, these gorgeous restaurants, bars and cafes have got it. Get your winter warmers on with our guide to the best places for hot chocolate in London. You know you want to...
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The One With Fondue In An Igloo: Aviary
What's better than a mug of silky smooth hot chocolate? One that's brought to you from the comfort of your own private igloo. Found in the City of London, Aviary are back with their winter pods, popping up for the season with steaming hot chocolate (£3.50), cosy blankets, cocktails, and your choice of sweet or savoury fondue.
Anyone for hot chocolate on a rooftop?
The Bottomless One: The Chocolate Cocktail Club
One for all you chocoholics, The Chocolate Cocktail Club implores you to join them for a mouthwatering afternoon tea fuelled by classic sandwiches, warm scones, truffle tortes and decadent profiteroles. This Farringdon fave is going all-out in the drinks department too, with 2.5 hours of unlimited hot chocolates, teas and coffees (£25pp) or chocolate cocktails (£32 pp).
Choose from chocolate cocktails to hot toddies.
The Marshmallow-Flamed One: Chin Chin
A viral favourite that you can't miss on Instagram, Chin Chin's hot chocolate (£4.95) is thick, indulgent and finished with torched marshmallow. Whether you're craving a hot chocolate in Soho or Camden, or would rather a kit delivered, it's well worth a try.
Got a sweet tooth? This one's for you.
The OTT One: Dark Sugars
From spirited and spiced to classic and vegan, Dark Sugars have something for all palates. Expect authentic African cocoa and quirky flavours in these hot chocolates (from £4.25). And if you fancy creating your own? Their DIY kits contain traditional utensils and quality chocolate to brew at home.
From white hot chocolate to dark and delicious, it doesn't get much tastier than this.
The French One: Ladurée
The most famous hot chocolate in London? Parisian brand Laduree is up there for its luxury spin on the classic. Get a taste of France right here, as you pair yours with macaroons and fancy patisserie treats after a day of shopping or Christmas light swooning in the West End.
Feast your eyes on one of the tastiest places for hot chocolate in Covent Garden.
The Customised One: Knoops
Giant fluffy marshmallow? Autumnal spiced? Made for vegans? Whichever way you want it, Knoops will deliver. Choose your chocolate percentage, pick between add-ons like sea salt and chilli and - better yet - get it to take away from locations including Kensington, Chelsea, Covent Garden and Richmond. The brand also has stores outside of London in Oxford, Brighton and Rye. This one's a must on your hot choc hit list.
Knoops hot chocolate in London is a perfect, thick pour.
The Ube One: Mamasons
If you thought you'd seen it all before... think again. The Filipino dessert specialists at Mamasons have created all sorts of quirky sips from calamansi-ade to black buko koko. Get your hands on this ube hot cocoa (£5) made with ube and white chocolate, then smothered in ube whipped cream and wafer.
If you've never had ube, now's the time.
The Boozy One: Sky Garden
If you're after something on the spirited side, then check out Sky Garden's steamy little number. Whether you've been naughty or nice, this Sweet Temptation (£11.50) is the only present you need. Spiked with Hennessy, amaretto and cinnamon, it's a proper winter treat.
Soak up velvety hot chocolate in the City.
The Vegan One: Paul A Young
When he's not pairing Marmite with truffle or port and stilton, chocolatier Paul A Young is keeping you warm with high-end drinks. Wrap your lips around his luxury vegan hot choc, available from shops in Soho and Islington.
Have we found the best vegan hot chocolate in London?
For the perfect winter spread, check out our guides to vegan fondue and sign up for our London newsletter.
