A mix of hot milk and melted chocolate – the recipe for hot chocolate is far shorter than its history. The ancient Maya had already been drinking cacao for thousands of years, served cold and very bitter during religious ceremonies, long before the Spanish arrived. Brought back to Europe via Spain in the 1520s, sweetened and heated chocolate soon became the drink of the aristocracy, before it was introduced to France in 1615 during the marriage of Louis XIII and the Spanish princess Anne of Austria. It became popular in Paris in the eighteenth century, particularly in cafés such as Le Procope.
And now, four centuries later, as soon as the cold sets in, the question arises once again: where can you get a good hot chocolate in Paris? Here’s our pick. These hot chocolates aren’t too sweet, aren’t too watery, and are always made from high-quality beans. Just remember that with every steaming cup, you’re drinking 4,000 years of history. Here are our tried-and-tested favourites in Paris.
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Antoine Besse is the Food and Drink Editor at Time Out Paris. At Time Out, all of our travel guides are written by local writers who know their cities inside out. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines.
Plaq Chocolat, the chocolaterie on Rue du Nil, known for its bean-to-bar approach, naturally serves hot chocolate made from Tanzanian cocoa beans roasted on site. The best way to enjoy it is to sip it out on the little terrace, and there’s two versions to choose from: water or milk. Don’t be scared of the water – it skips the richness for a cleaner, more pronounced flavour that’s surprisingly good.
Where? 4 Rue du Nil, 75002 Paris
How much? €5
Top-notch chocolatier Jean-Paul Hévin Vendôme makes its hot chocolate to order right in front of you, using offcuts from their own bars and whole milk. The result is incredibly smooth, beautifully balanced, and just the right level of bittersweet. It’s takeaway only, though – and a shame there’s no plant-based milk option.
Where? 231 Rue Saint-Honoré, 75001 Paris
How much? €6.50
In this classy tea room – a showcase of the Left Bank’s understated luxury – they serve a grand cru Maracaibo hot chocolate that’s perfectly whipped, silky, and just sweet enough. Bread & Roses is real treat (albeit a pricey one).
Where? 62 Rue Madame, 75006 Paris
How much? €8.50
Like everything else sold in Dengo, the chocolate used here – a blend of 50 percent and 70 percent cacao – is 100 percent Brazilian and sustainably sourced. Dengo’s hot chocolate is gentle and velvety, thanks to the oat milk they use as standard.
Where? 58 Rue Bonaparte, 75006 Paris
How much? €7.90
You’ll have to overlook the interior at Hoct & Loca – it’s not the most aesthetic. But the fountains of continuously flowing melted chocolate (white, milk, or dark) more than make up for it. Your glass arrives only a third full, accompanied by a bottle of warm milk and a small whisk so you can mix it to your liking. It’s quite fun, and the dark chocolate version (made with Ivorian cocoa) has a pleasantly fruity flavour. All in all very reasonably priced too.
Where? 99 Rue de la Verrerie, 75004 Paris
How much? €5.25
This small shop uses a cold-processing method and offers chocolate that’s organic, dairy-free, and gluten-free. Rrraw Cacao Factory’s hot chocolate is made by melting a 75 percent bar into hazelnut milk, which gives it richness and a rounded flavour — though it might disappoint anyone who insists on a strong cacao taste.
Where? 8 Rue de Mulhouse, 75002 Paris
How much? €5
Bookshelves, impeccable service, a (ethanol) fireplace lit… the hot chocolate at La Réserve feels like a full, blissful escape from the world’s chaos – all of which explains the rather hefty price tag. In your cup, a subtle blend of Venezuelan dark chocolate, orange peel, vanilla, cinnamon and spices, to be topped up with hot milk. It comes with two superb chocolate madeleines by the hotel’s pastry chef, Jordan Talbot.
Where? 42 Avenue Gabriel, 75008 Paris
How much? €35
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