Chicago Connected | Chi’s Best Hot Chocolate
Winter wouldn’t be complete in Chicago without a delicious cup of hot cocoa with extra marshmallows. While you’re out finishing up your holiday shopping, or if you’re just looking for a sweet treat to share with family and friends, stop by any of these Chicago establishments that feature the season’s best hot chocolate concoctions, as well as fresh baked goods, holiday candies, and so much more.
XO Marshmallow
6977 N Sheridan Rd, Chicago
This shop is known for their fun and colorful marshmallow creations and also features some of the prettiest hot chocolates Chicagoans can buy, including a delicious s’mores hot chocolate with graham cracker crumbs and a giant toasted marshmallow.
Bittersweet Pastry Shop & Cafe
1114 W Belmont Ave, Chicago
Bittersweet’s rich French-style hot chocolate is as decadent as it looks, served with a scoop of whipped cream and balanced perfectly in terms of sweetness. Mochas and other hand-crafted goodies area also on the menu.
Chiqueolatte Chicago
2643 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago
This Logan Square cafe is an adorable branch off of the mini-chain from Europe. Its flavors of hot chocolates, including vanilla, dark, white, and hazelnut, offer plenty of choices and are all made with high quality ingredients.
Caravanserai
2901 W Belmont Ave, Chicago
This cafe from local roaster Dark Matter specializes in Mexican drinking chocolate. Specially crafted recipes like Mayan Mochas, made with La Rifa Mexico City chocolate, Dark Matter cinnamon blend, and cayenne, are made authentically and deliciously.
Katherine Anne Confections
2745 W Armitage Ave, Chicago
Katherine Anne Confections has become a staple of the Chicago baking and sweets scene, making delectable truffles, caramels, marshmallows, and their famous hot chocolates. Flavors include chai, salted caramel, peanut butter, and more, topped off with house marshmallows or Kilgus Farm whipped cream.
Mindy’s Bakery
1747 N Damien Ave, Chicago
Acclaimed chef Mindy Segal has moved her famous cocoa concoctions to her new bakery in Wicker Park. She also sells her special hot chocolate blends by the bag, in medium, dark, or Mexican flavors, along with giant marshmallows.
Cocoa + Co.
1651 N Wells St, Chicago
Cocoa + Co. is the perfect cafe for celebrating gourmet chocolate. Freshly baked pastries, regularly updated selections of bonbons and confections, and exceptionally crafted beverages await patrons. Featured at this shop is also an extensive collection of bean-to-bar chocolate from around the world.
Fairgrounds Coffee & Tea
Multiple Locations
Luxury chocolate maker Vosges Haut-Chocolate has partnered with local cafe mini-chain Fairgrounds to create some of Chicago’s most delectable hot chocolate offerings. Each cup is served with a black salt coconut caramel marshmallow.
Veruca Chocolates
1332 N Halsted St, Chicago
Beginning as a wholesale chocolate maker before burgeoning out into the chocolate retail space, this Lincoln Park chocolate lab offers deliciously playful hot cocoa options including a spicy Mexican hot chocolate.
Xoco
449 N Clark St, Chicago
This Rick Bayless cafe is a love letter to Mexican street food and snacks, offering flaky empanadas, hot-from-the-fryer churros, crusty tortas, and meal-in-a-bowl caldos. Paired well with any of these offerings are their hot chocolates, which come in five flavorful varieties alongside three that are mixed with coffee.
This guide is part of our Chicago Connected: Winter Edition series. Stay tuned for more ways to enjoy Chicago this holiday season!