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The best hot chocolate in Boston

Nothing beats a rich mug of hot chocolate on a chilly New England day—here’s where to find the best, most decadent cups of hot cocoa in Boston

JQ Louise
Katie McAleer
Edited by
JQ Louise
Written by
Katie McAleer
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When the temperature drops, and the snow starts falling there are very few things that are worth leaving home for in Boston. But one delicious treat that always gets us to layer up and pull on the snow boots is a steaming cup of hot chocolate. Boston is brimming with rich, sweet, spicy and boozy hot cocoa options. Grab one of these comforting libations to warm up after braving the freezing cold this winter. Hot cocoa pairs well with taking a stroll through the best parks in Boston, or following a spin on the ice at one of the best skating rinks in Boston. If hot chocolate doesn't satisfy your sweet tooth, check out our guide to the best desserts in Boston to satisfy your sweet tooth.

RECOMMENDED: Full guide to the best restaurants in Boston

Where to find the best hot chocolate in Boston

  • Restaurants
  • Bakeries
  • Back Bay
  • price 1 of 4

When it comes to all things cacao, this New Hampshire-based chocolatier is one of the biggest names in the Boston area, with chocolate cafés in Back Bay and Harvard Square. Their old-school, European-style hot chocolate—or “drinking chocolate,” as Burdick bills it—is made with either Burdick’s dark, milk or white chocolate blends, or with single source varietals, e.g. robust mineral-flavored cacao from Grenada.

  • Restaurants
  • American creative
  • Seaport District
  • price 4 of 4

This waterfront restaurant located in the Seaport offers a Mexican-style hot chocolate with an optional kick. The beverage is made with Taza stone ground Mexican chocolate—it’s organic, fair trade and crafted right over in Somerville—and topped with fresh whipped cream. Want a little extra zip? You can also have this rich drink spiked with tequila!

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  • Restaurants
  • Italian
  • Back Bay
  • price 3 of 4

This Newbury Street favorite offers a creamy hot chocolate made with not one, but two different types of chocolate. This decadent drink is topped with house made whipped cream and chocolate chips. You can kick this one up with a shot of vanilla vodka, or just sip on the original and enjoy its sober sweetness.

  • Restaurants
  • French
  • Back Bay
  • price 3 of 4

The contemporary French restaurant right in the heart of Back Bay, Rochambeau, offered one of our favorite hot chocolate cocktails last winter. A warm cocktail with amaro and anise-flavored Pernord. Finish your holiday shopping at the Pru and then head next door for Rochambeau’s hot chocolate this season as well.

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  • Restaurants
  • American
  • Back Bay
  • price 3 of 4

Don’t want to choose between all the excellent hot chocolate options? Stephanie’s Hot Chocolate Experience allows you to mix and match different gourmet hot chocolates in a flight of four. Available both regular or spiked, if you love one, you can also order a single flavor instead of a flight.

Last winter they had: Classic milk chocolate, pumpkin spice white chocolate, peppermint milk chocolate, and espresso mocha. We can’t wait to see what they come up with this year!

A small French café tucked away in downtown crossing, Café Bonjour is the perfect spot to cozy up with a mug of hot chocolate and some crepes.

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  • Restaurants
  • Bakeries
  • Back Bay

This bright, modern café located on Newbury St. is the perfect oasis from the cold. Recharge with a cup of hot chocolate, hand-picked selection of fine coffees and teas, fresh juices and exquisite baked goods. 

  • Restaurants
  • Coffee shops
  • Inman Sq
  • price 1 of 4

The grand dame of Cambridge’s many coffeehouses serves cups of hot chocolate that you'll want to savor. Both locations—Inman Square and Central Square—offer a variety of Dutch cocoa-based hot chocolates including a standard version, a spicy Mexican cup with chipotle and cinnamon, and the decadent Almond Joy, which is prepared with almond syrup and coconut.

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  • Restaurants
  • Coffee shops
  • East Cambridge

Curio, located in Cambridge, may be known for their Liège waffles but in the winter you can pair your waffle with a cup of hot chocolate made with Taza chocolate. The perfect warm treat for a cold day.

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  • Restaurants
  • East Boston

This Eastie gastropub’s hot chocolate is anything but child’s play. From the bar, patrons can order up the You Sexy Thing cocoa cocktail, Cunard Tavern’s homemade hot chocolate made with unsweetened cocoa powder, whole milk and vanilla syrup—spiked with black rum and topped with handshaken cinnamon amaro whipped cream. Sexy indeed.

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  • Restaurants
  • Coffee shops
  • Downtown
  • price 1 of 4

Thinking Cup calls its hot chocolate French-style, which means it is made with melted chocolate—in this case, industry bigwig Valrhona’s Tainori, which has a fruity, yeasty flavor and 64% cocoa solid count (that's wicked high for milk chocolate).

  • Restaurants
  • Bakeries
  • price 1 of 4

For something a little different, Tatte serves up a cup of cocoa that uses Belgian white chocolate. Steamed milk is poured over white chocolate morsels, then the creamy concoction is hand mixed. It's a delightful sweet treat to enjoy while lingering in the welcoming, European-style cafe.

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