Born from the Aztecs and now an integral part of our cosy season activities, hot chocolate has been on one hell of a ride. Poured over marshmallows? Drizzled with melted chocolate? Drenched in liqueur? Served perched on the riverside? 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 Best Hot Chocolate In London
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 and hot toddies.
The Boozy One: Fire And Fromage
If you're after something on the spirited side, then check out Fire And Fromage's steamy little number. Whether you've been naughty or nice, their hot chocolate (£5) is the only present you need. Made with an optional creamy Black Cow vodka (£4), it's the ideal treat after a feast of fondue and steak.
Enjoy this boozy hot chocolate under twinkling lights.
The Marshmallow-Flamed One: Chin Chin
Since starting as a small shop in Camden in 2010, this dessert haven has become well-known for making sweet treats with liquid nitrogen and going big on flavours. A viral favourite that you can't miss on Instagram, Chin Chin's hot chocolate (£4.95) is thick, indulgent and finished with torched marshmallows. 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? Try the best hot chocolate Soho has to offer.
The OTT One: Dark Sugars
From spirited and spiced to classic and vegan, Dark Sugars have something for all palates. Born in 2013, when Nyanga brought her artisan handcrafted chocolates to Brick Lane, the store has grown, with a four-storey flagship store in Greenwich. Expect authentic African cocoa and quirky flavours in these hot chocolates. 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 Ladurée is up there for its luxury spin on the classic. Get a taste of France right here, as you pair yours with macaroons (fun fact: it invented the very first macaron in 1930) 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 the best 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 (from £4). Choose your chocolate percentage, pick between add-ons like sea salt and chilli and - better yet - get it to take away from locations including Knightsbridge, Notting Hill, 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 One From A Fountain: Badiani
Not only known for an epic selection of authentic gelato, Badiani should also be on your radar when winter rolls around. Served from a fountain, this luscious Italian hot chocolate is richer, thicker, and creamier than your bog standard cocoa, and can be finessed with whipped cream, chocolate shavings, wafers and pistachio sauce drizzled on top. This year, it's introducing a Chocolate Affogato, with a scoop of signature gelato, to the menu, plus a Hot Pistachio and Buontalenti Mocha.
Badiani has shops all across Central London.
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 Italian One: Italian Bear Chocolate
In the heart of Soho, Italian Bear Chocolate has been serving up pure indulgence since 2012. This West End gem is run by Italian chocolate artisans who’ve mastered the art of crafting decadent treats with authentic, heritage-inspired recipes. Their hot chocolate (from £4.90) is a London must.
Choose between milk, Gianduia or dark chocolate, and take things up a notch with a hit of cinnamon, ginger, or chilli. For the ultimate experience, add their signature ‘triple chocolate’ blend for a truly velvety, melt-in-the-mouth finish. From its famous Triple Chocolate Mocha and Chocolate Cake to rich pastries and Italian wines, Italian Bear Chocolate is a haven for chocoholics and dessert devotees alike - a little slice of Italy in the heart of Soho.
Italian Bear Chocolate's delicious drink (pictured right).
The Aesthetic One: Daisy Green Collection
For gorgeous hot chocolates that'll make your Instagram stories pop off, head to these Daisy Green Collection spots across London. At the Portrait Pavilion (National Portrait Gallery), Glamarama Green, Beany Green Southbank and Holland Park Café, you'll be able to get your hands on white hot chocolates, salted caramel s’mores beauties and 54% dark chocolate brownie affairs all year round (from £4.40) - delicious.
These guys are looking hot-to-choc.
The Marshmallow One: Mello Deluxe
Mello Deluxe is rewriting the rules of dessert with the world’s first marshmallow bar - and yes, it’s every bit as outrageous (and delicious) as it sounds. Created by the team behind Chin Chin, this Soho spot is dedicated to all things soft, molten and torched to perfection.
Think Hazelnut S’mores Hot Chocolate, the ethereal 'London Fog' (a matcha marvel of hojicha, Earl Grey, spirulina and Mello crème), and indulgent Baked Alaska Lemon Meringue Bombs that look almost too pretty to eat. Every creation is torched to order, and for those who can’t get enough of that gooey goodness, you can even grab a tube of their signature marshmallow crème to take home.
This place has even got its own marshmallow drawer.
The Festive One: Mercato Mayfair
Visit Mercato Mayfair this winter and discover a festive playground for chocoholics of all ages. Housed inside the stunning Grade I-listed St. Mark’s Church, the venue has been transformed into a twinkling Christmas haven, where thick, toasted Italian-style hot chocolates steal the show.
Think torched mallow meringues, grated chocolate, and Le Choux biscuits crowning each cup, plus indulgent hot chocolate cookie pots perfect for dunking - and yes, you can even ring a bell when you’ve had your fill.
Meanwhile, little ones (and their furry friends) can join in the magic via Mercato Mail letters to Santa or festive pup cups.
Enjoy some hot chocolate at Mercato Mayfair this winter.
The Hot Chocolate Trolley One: ABC Kitchens
This December, ABC Kitchens at The Emory invites Londoners to escape into a glimmering festive courtyard near Hyde Park. Highlighting the season’s sweetest offerings, the Hot Chocolate Trolley serves premium chocolate drinks paired with delicate Crullers, featuring flavours inspired by New York favourites.
From Mexican-spiced Xocolatl to Black Forest with sour cherry and Tahitian vanilla, each pairing is an indulgent treat.
We can't get enough of these hot chocolates.
