We firmly believe that the quickest (and tastiest) way to warm up in winter is via our taste buds and belly. So with that in mind, we have done the hard yards and scoured Sydney for the best hot chocolates in town. It’s a tough job, but we were happy to oblige and share the results of our research with you lovely people.
Go on guys, take a cheeky scroll. Here are the best damn hot chocolates in Sydney.
The Clean Treats Factory
Alexandria
Known for, well, clean treats and a kick arse café menu that’s healthy AF, The Clean Treats Factory is serving up huge salad bowls, pancakes that feel naughty (but really aren’t) and, wait for it, hot chocolates. We’re going to go ahead and assume this one is good for us too…
Koko Black
CBD
With two locations in the CBD (in The Strand Arcade and nearby QVB), Koko Black is the luxe chocolate boutique (yes, they’ve made it a thing) serving up equally lush hot chocolates and truffles. We recommend you head here, grab a ho-cho to go and stock up on chocolate goodies for later.
Koi Dessert Bar
Chippendale & Ryde
If you’ve tasted one of the next-level desserts from KOI then you already know their hot chocolate will be extra special. As above, grab a hot choc and a box of desserts to go (are you noticing a theme?).
Bourke Street Bakery
Multiple Locations
Goldilocks would be seriously smitten with the sweet cups coming out of Bourke Street. Yep, these hot chocs are juuuuust right and will warm your belly in the way only a good pair of trackies could. And in case you're wondering, it’s totally justifiable to spend all your hard earned dosh on these rich babies every day, every week #treatyoself.
T Totaler
CBD
Look, pop a bit of fairy floss on just about anything and we’ll take it. The vegan hot chocolates at T Totaler (aka the mecca of all things drinkable and tasty) are killer. Think a French earl grey-infused hot chocolate with rose Persian fairy floss. We know.
Adora
Marrickville
They’re rich. They’re creamy. They’re dangerously addictive. We’re not going to lie, the chocolatey beverages here pretty much taste like melted brownie mix. Actual melted brownie mix. Melted. Brownie. Mix. We can’t even.
Anna’s Shop Around The Corner
Cronulla
Renowned for her hot chocolates, Anna’s confectionary cups of heaven are the kind you’ll gladly ditch those abs for. This quaint bookstore/cafe churns out the smoothest hot chocolates around in porcelain cups so darn pretty you can tick-off kidulting off your list.
Rustic Pearl
Surry Hills
So we’re low-key having a very major (but totally appropriate) love affair with the hot chocolates here (yeahhhh there’s more than one) and trust us we have enough love to go around. Behold: the Callebaut hot chocolate. Choose between the orange blossom version, the rosewater version and whether you’d like it served up in a cup or a bowl, because you know, choice.
The Copper Mill
Alexandria
Disclaimer: it’s not our fault if you casually become addicted to the chocolate beverages at The Copper Mill. Seriously. Do not blame us. The coconut hot chocs already speak for themselves (always a solid choice)—mixed with coconut milk, vanilla and cow’s milk for added frothy goodness. You’ll be thanking the holy mother of choc, because these are that damn good.
Barefoot Coffee Traders
Manly
Barefoot Coffee Traders do a mean hot n’ silky cup of coco (did someone say made with real chocolate?). The Manly folks already know they’re blessed with a gem because sippin’ on one of these is a rite of passage when you’re born around these parts. No lie.
The Bathers Pavilion
Balmoral
Rumours are true and tastebuds don’t lie, the hot chocolate here is the real deal. Sure, we’ve all had a Belgian hot chocolate but you haven’t reaaaaaally had one until you’ve indulged in a sip or two at The Bathers Pavilion. You’re right, who sips a hot chocolate? You’ll be chuggin’ this beauty.
Café Shenkin
Erskinville
Just when you thought you were a coffee fiend, Café Shenkin whips out the big cocos. If drinking hot chocolate is on your daily bucket-list, then you’ve come to the right place. Let’s just say if Willy Wonka brunched in Sydney, this is where he would go. And he would certainly order up two hot chocs with added coconut flavour for extra goodness.
Cafe Con Leche
Surry Hills
We’re kind of freaking out about how good the chocolate stuff here is. And it may or may not be due to its Colombian influence. Heads up—they like a lil’ bit of cheese in their choc and we can confirm, it’s what our hot chocolates have been missing until now.
Kakawa
Darlinghurst
These dreamy hot choccies are not for the fainthearted. However, if you’re a diagnosed chocoholic, this place is definitely your jam. That’s right, Kakawa is serving up melted hot chocolate and we kid you not, this is the kind of richness we need in our lives. You’ll find flavours like brandy, chilli, milk, hazelnut and dark. Look, we’re not saying go overboard. We’re just saying you’ll need to try them all.
Coco Chocolate
Mosman
Meet the masters of chocolate making; the kings of hand-made sweet perfection, and let’s be honest, they definitely have this whole hot chocolate thing covered. In other words, expect to find a huge array of heated deliciousness including white chocolate and lemongrass, and a pepper hot chocolate you’ll want to get into ya.
Pana Chocolate
Alexandria
Pana Chocolate is known for their raw, organic, hand made, vegan chocolates that are free from dairy, soy, gluten and refined sugar. Plus, they make a seriously good (and surprisingly creamy) hot chocolate. In case you’re confused about what is actually in a hot chocolate that is free of all of the naughty but oh-so-tasty things above, listen up. Their organic hot chocolate is made with warm Brazil nut milk, vanilla beans and cinnamon and served with raw chocolate shards.
RivaReno Gelato
Darlinghurst + Barangaroo
If a big cup of molten chocolate sounds like a good idea to you (it should), then RivaReno Gelato is worth a visit, if not only for the Cioccolata Calda hot chocolate, then for the hot chocolate affogato. Their affogato is a choose your own adventure situation, where you can choose your favourite gelato flavour to douse in hot chocolate. Made with 64% single origin cocoa from Madagascar, the thick, rich and creamy hot chocolate is exactly what you need on this cold winter’s day.
Orchard Street Elixir Bar
Bondi + Paddington
Be your own alchemist and design your own personal hot chocolate blend at either of the Orchard Street Elixir bars in Sydney. The rules are simple: choose your remedy (radiance is always a good idea), then your flavour (such as cacao) and then your favourite milk. We recommend the cashew milk because it is super creamy and makes the perfect hot chocolate when paired with good quality cacao. This is perfect for a treat without any of the guilts.
Earth to Table
Bondi Junction
We’re already convinced that the hot chocolate at Earth To Table is actually healthy and there is nothing you can do to change that. Their house-made cocoa mylk is steamed and served ready to warm up your day. Grab one either pre or post yoga class to sweeten up your day.
Tella Balls Dessert Bar
Multiple Locations
Everyone knows Tella Balls Dessert Bar is the place to go for the ultimate Nutella fix. So, it only makes sense to order a Nutella hot choc to go alongside your Nutella waffles, Nutella soft serve and Nutella kebab. Just in case you didn’t get the hint, you’ve kinda gotta go hard or go home here.
Once you're done here, warm up at these pubs (they all have fireplaces).
Image credit: Pana Chocolate