With National Hot Chocolate Day happening on January 31st, I know you’re ready to treat your taste bud for a cup of divine goodness in town! Check out our personal favorite restaurant and cafes with the best hot chocolate in Chicago! From your classic, original hot chocolate, to new flavors you’d never think about, to spiked hot chocolate for a good kick on a gloomy winter day… Whatever you want, whatever Chicago has to offer!
Cocoa + Company
1651 North Wells St. Chicago IL 60614
Voted “Best Spot for Hot Chocolate in the country” by the Food Network, this playground for chocolate lovers is nestled in Chicago’s Old Town neighborhood close to the Mag Mile. Grab a cup of their decadent drinking chocolate along with one of their fresh-baked cookies. They also have plenty of chocolate barks and hand crafted chocolate to choose from!
BomboBar
832 W Randolph St. Chicago IL, 60607
Since 2015, this West Loop staple has been serving up insane desserts and drinks. And their hotter chocolates are back for a limited time! Sinful flavors include s’mores, classic, cookie crumble, or you can build your own concoction. Choose from waffle cones, donut holes, sprinkles, and other condiments. Who can make the tastiest hot chocolate?
Jojo’s ShakeBAR
23 W Hubbard St, Chicago, IL 60654
We don’t need to tell you how good Jojo’s is. But… did you know they’re turning National Holiday Day into a half-year celebration? Yes, you heard that right! JoJo’s ShakeBAR’s Biggie hot chocolates make it the perfect place to honor National Hot Chocolate day. Until April 24, 2022, JoJo’s ShakeBAR will introduce a new decadent hot cocoa to the scene every few weeks in honor of National Hot Chocolate Day and the hot chocolate season.
The Cholotaes are:
- The Birthday Wishes Hot Chocolate (February 21 – March 6, 2022): Topped with toasted marshmallow fluff, cotton candy, a white chocolate pretzel with rainbow sprinkles, a birthday marshmallow dipped in rainbow sprinkle dots, and finished with a candle on top.
- The Lucky Charms Hot Chocolate (March 7 – March 20, 2022): Topped with marshmallow fluff, a chocolate marshmallow with a green drizzle, a clover s’more, and a chocolate dipped pretzel with gold sprinkles.
- The Double Chocolate Hot Chocolate (March 21 – April 10, 2022): Topped with toasted marshmallow fluff, a chocolate marshmallow, and a chocolate s’more.
- The Peep Show Hot Chocolate (April 11 – April 24, 2022): Topped with cotton candy, a bunny peep, and a candy s’more.
- The Salted Carmel Hot Chocolate (available all season): Topped with toasted marshmallow fluff, a gold star marshmallow, toffee marshmallow, and a toffee pretzel.
Mindy’s Bakery
1747 N. Damen Ave. Chicago, IL 60647
Owner Mindy Segal’s hot chocolate blends are truly out-of-this-world. Flavors include Mexican (Mexican – Dark with Cinnamon and Cayenne), Medium (Belgium milk chocolate, French bittersweet chocolate & French milk chocolate with a hint of salt), and Dark (French Bittersweet Chocolate & Butter Cocoa). Each blend makes approximately 8 cups. Grab a bag for $25 each.
Kilwins Evanston
1724 Sherman Ave, Evanston, IL 60201
If you are anywhere near Evanston, you know Kilwins is the holy ground for sweets lovers. During summer, this is the place we go for ice cream and fudges. During winter days, their hot chocolate is the most healing thing anyone can ask for after a stressful week working and coping with miserable weather.
Want to know why their hot chocolate is considered legendary? You gotta try it yourself!
Brasserie Cafe
5940 N Broadway St. Chicago, IL 60660
Craving a Mexican hot chocolate? Spice up your life and pop into Brasserie for their take on the classic warm drink for $4.95. Add on a delicious cookie (chocolate chip, triple chocolate, kitchen floor, and more) for the best day ever.
XO Marshmallow
6977 N Sheridan Rd. Chicago, IL 60626
Step inside this vibrant, sprinkles and rainbows cafe and you can’t help but smile. XO Marshmallow has all sorts of treats but their gourmet hot chocolate takes the cake. Order a s’more to enjoy with your drink for the ultimate dose of nostalgia.
Stan’s Donuts & Coffee
3300 N. Broadway St. Chicago IL 60657
Frozen hot chocolate? Yes please! We know it’s 10 degrees outside but something holy happens when you pair a warm donut with a cold drink. Scoop up some of their glazed old fashioned donuts, a frozen hot cocoa, and experience the magic for yourself.
Ghirardelli Chocolate
400 N Michigan Ave Suite 100 Chicago, IL 60611
Chocolate lovers: run don’t walk to your paws on Ghirardelli’s heavenly hot chocolate drinks. Choose from a Classic Hot Cocolate with a luxuriously deep chocolate flavor, topped with whipped cream and dusted with cocoa powder. Or Sea Salt Caramel which is a classic hot cocoa blended with the creaminess of caramel, topped with whipped cream, sea salt, and caramel sauce.
Chiqueolatte
2643 N Milwaukee Ave. Chicago, IL 60647
This Logan Square gem is a ~vibe~ with green velvet chairs, warm lighting and comforting specialties. Sweeten your day with their signature hot chocolate drink topped with a donut, Oreo, and whipped cream. You won’t regret it!
Beatrix
River North, Fulton Market, Streeterville
All this hot chocolate talk made you feel like a little kid? Need a boost in your adult sassiness? No problem! Come to Beatrix for their spiked peppermint cocoa for a change. Made with creme de menthe, creme de cacao, and white chocolate, this is one of our favorite winter cocktails of all time.
Robert Et Fils
4229 N Lincoln Ave, Chicago, IL 60618
Each $22 kit features three custom-blended cocoa mixes including Dark Chocolate & Salted Butter Caramel Cocoa, Valrhona Dulcey Cocoa, and White Matcha Cocoa. Each blend will produce 2 cups per mix for a total of 6 cups. Robert Et Fils’s Cocoa Kits also come with housemade vanilla marshmallows and butter shortbread cookies. Guests can pick up their cocoa kits from Robert Et Fils on Friday or Saturdays after 5:00 pm. Guests can also pre-order on Tock.
