As London’s temperature descends, signalling the approach of winter and the festive season, what better way is there to spend your time outdoors with a hot drink in hand? Whether you’re moving between seminars along the Strand, enjoying a relaxed walk in a leafy park, or exploring the city with your friends, I’ve rounded up some of the best hot chocolate finds around London in no particular order, so you can remain warm and toasty this winter!
1) Choccywoccydoodah (Carnaby Street)
The most basic drinking chocolate here is still an indulgent delight, and you get to enjoy it with quirky British-themed interiors. You’ll feel like Alice in Wonderland at the Mad Hatter’s Tea Party! The pure molten chocolate is stirred into warm milk and topped with whipped cream, served with marshmallows and a chocolate straw for £3.99.
2) Rococo Chocolates (Belgravia and Seven Dials)
Rococo is an award-winning British chocolatier that is also vegan, and their drinking chocolates are dairy-free! The hot chocolate cup is priced at £3.20 and you have the option of any spiced topping, including nutmeg, cinnamon, ginger, cardamom, star anise and chili pepper. The hot chocolate shot meanwhile is £1.50.
3) Dark Sugars (Brick Lane)
A must-try if you’re in East London, but do be warned because it can get quite busy! Dark Sugars is an independent chocolatier specializing in West African and South America cocoa. Hot chocolates here are priced at £4.50, and you have a choice of cardamom, chilli, cinnamon, ginger and nutmeg with a generous serving of grated chocolate on top.
4) Paul A. Young (Soho, Various Locations)
An independent chain known for its creativity and ingenuity with chocolate, Paul A Young hot chocolates are world famous and decadently rich. Available at the Soho and Bank branch!
5) Hotel Chocolat (Seven Dials, Various Locations)
Hotel Chocolat offers some great hot chocolate options as well as solid chocolate varieties. Also, don’t forget to show your King’s ID at checkout for a student discount!
6) Rabot 1745 (Borough Market)
Hotel Chocolat’s counterpart restaurant in Borough has incredible chocolate-infused recipes as well as wonderful drinking chocolate to go with it! Grab a pal if you’re at Guy’s Campus and head down to Rabot today for some chocolatey indulgence!
7) Said Dal 1923 (Soho)
This Italian chocolatier and café makes my mouth water whenever I walk past, plus it looks super cozy inside. Enjoy a hot chocolate here with some juicy strawberries for dipping!
8) The Ivy Market Grill (Covent Garden)
If you’re constantly lurking around Covent Garden, because it’s one of the best locations in London (totally not biased here!), then head to the Ivy for some warming food and a decadent French-style chocolat chaud with Chantilly cream!
Let us know on social media if you try any of these irresistible offerings!