Who doesn’t love hot chocolate? Especially in the cold autumn weather. A warm, smooth, rich chocolatey beverage to warm you up inside and out. These are 9 incredible hot chocolate spots in Europe, that chocolate-lovers won't want to miss. From Audrey Hepbern's go-to hot choc spot in Paris to hot chocolate ice cream floats to die for, check out our favourites...
LONDON
ROCOCO
321 King's Rd, Chelsea, London SW3 5EP
Just off Sloane Street in Chelsea, you’ll find Rococo - the best chocolate shop in London (in our opinion). This high quality chocolate shop sells hot choc to die for - and the best part is you can enjoy it in their little Moroccan style garden. Rococo also has it’s very own chocolate school for cocoa lovers who want to learn more at a chocolate making workshop.
The divine hot chocolate comes with marshmallows and the place itself is the perfect retreat after a busy day of sightseeing and shopping around West London. And while this is a luxury chocolate chop, a steaming cup of choc only costs £2.80-£3.80.
Sea salt hot chocolate and a berry marshmallow
It’s just a 15-20 minute walk from attractions such as the Saatchi Gallery, Battersea Park, The Natural History Museum and The Science Museum. Not to mention a 10 minute walk to the Albert Bridge.
Nearest hostel: St Christopher's Inns Hammersmith
BRUGES
THE OLD CHOCOLATE HOUSE
Mariastraat 1, 8000 Brugge, Belgium
Where better to treat your taste buds to quality hot cocoa than Belgium? The exterior of this shop says it all plain and frank “The Place to Be to Drink the Best Hot Chocolate”. Not just a shop, but also a whole chocolate dining experience in a cosy chalet-style restaurant. It’s famous for its hot chocolate where you can actually choose what type of chocolate you’d like to go inside it. Get yourself a table upstairs in the Tea House, taste a wide selection of chocolate from Madagascar to Brazil and soak in the traditional, quaint surroundings. Or, you can even get your hot chocolate to take away for just 2 euros.
Nearest hostel: The Bauhaus
AMSTERDAM
URBAN CACAO
Rozengracht 200, 1016 NK Amsterdam, Netherlands
When wandering the Jordaan area in Amsterdam on a chilly day, make sure you pop into Urban Cacao for your hot chocolate fix. Topped with melt-in-your-mouth whipped cream, the hot chocolate here is simply delicious (as well as the fine quality chocolate selection from bon bons, bars, chilli chocolate and macaroons). The smell of hot chocolate hits you as soon as you walk in...tempting. Jordaan is Amsterdam’s most charming area to explore, so don’t miss it.
Just a 5 minute walk from the Anne Frank house, and a 16 minute walk from the hostel.
Nearest hostel: St Christophers At the Winston
PARIS
ANGELINA
226 Rue de Rivoli, 75001 Paris, France
This is the most expensive stop for a hot chocolate in this list - however it will be worthwhile. Audrey Hepburn would regularly be seen hanging out here sipping this secret hot chocolate recipe. This decadent African hot chocolate is rich, creamy and thick. Angelina is just 1 minute walk from the Jardin des Tuileries.
The setting itself is high-style, charming and totally Insta-worthy. People say Angelina’s hot chocolate is the best they’ve ever tasted, so it’s no surprise this hot choc is what this place is famous for. A cup costs €8.20 but you’re also paying for the experience.
EDINBURGH
MARY’S MILK BAR
Mary’s Milk Bar, 19 Grassmarket, Edinburgh, Scotland
Just a 12 minute walk from the St Christopher's Inns hostel in Edinburgh, make sure you pay a trip to Mary’s Milk Bar in the Old Town. While it’s famous for gelato, the hot chocolate is also noteworthy. You can try an orange and cinnamon hot chocolate, or even amazing hot chocolate ice cream floats! They look pretty impressive.
Mary the owner is a brilliant chocolatier and she learned her craft as Gelato student in Bologna, Italy. Mary serves up the greatest hot chocolate and ice cream in the city - and her shop offers a great view of Edinburgh Castle. This place is a chocolate lovers paradise offering a small cosy setting to relax and sip on something warm.
INTERLAKEN
FUNKY CHOCOLATE CLUB
Jungfraustrasse 35, 3800 Interlaken, Switzerland
Here you won’t only learn how to make Swiss chocolate, you’ll get to try the AMAZING hot cocoa. It serves proper Swiss hot chocolate and you won’t be disappointed. The Funky Chocolate Club has close connections with our sister hostel Balmers in Interlaken where you can book a workshop through the hostel. So for any chocolate fanatic, go check out the chocolate workshop.
Nearest hostel: Balmer’s
BERLIN
RAUSCH SCHOKOLADENHAUS
Charlottenstraße 60, 10117 Berlin, Germany
This chocolate shop in Berlin’s Mitte district will make you appreciate chocolate more than you already do. Relax with a cup of hot chocolate in the Chocolate cafe and treat yourself to a mini Torte to go with it. The tortes are so delicate, creamy and delicious (coming in different flavours). The hot chocolate here seriously lives up to its reputation, too. Those with a sweet tooth won’t be disappointed. You can even smell the chocolate from the outside tempting passers by to pop in. From the hostel it’s only a 10 minute journey on the subway.
Nearest hostel: St Christophers Inn Berlin
BATH
THE MAD HATTER’S TEA PARTY
5 Orange Grove, Bath BA1 1LP
When in Bath you simply must head to Mad Hatter’s Tea Party. Serving the yummiest, heart-warming hot chocolate in a charming English setting this is definitely one to tick off your Bath bucket list. As you can guess from the name, the interior boasts an Alice in Wonderland theme. Just a short walk from the Roman Baths, have a little break from sightseeing, escape from the cold and tuck into some scones and hot choc. Expect lots of marshmallows and whipped cream smothered over your hot chocolate. It’s also the perfect spot for afternoon tea.
Nearest hostel: St Christopher's Inns Bath
PRAGUE
CHOCO CAFE
Liliová 250/4, 110 00 Staré Město, Czechia
The Choco cafe serves the best hot chocolate in Prague. And it’s a super unique experience. You can combine different flavoured hot chocolate with other cool things such as fruit and even alcohol. We suggest sticking to something more traditional just in case you don’t like it - but we hear the boozy ones are pretty tasty. This hot chocolate is very rich, thick and powerful so maybe not for everyone - however we love it! It’s made from 70% dark chocolate.
Nearest hostel: The Czech Inn