While Chicago can get brutally cold in the month of December and beyond, it’s also the perfect time to warm up with a cup of hot chocolate! There are so many decadent options in the area, offering innovative flavored choices, spicy options, and tried and true favorites. Enjoying a tantalizing cup of hot chocolate is a surefire way to beat those winter blues. Whether you want to grab a marshmallow-jammed cup or a more adventurous flavor, you can’t go wrong at any of these top spots. Keep reading for a list of the best hot chocolate in Chicago!
1. Ancient Grounds
This picturesque coffee shop feels like it should be in a town on a CW show. However, lucky for us citygoers, Ancient Grounds is situated in Lakeview. The charming shop was built by founders Jim, Paul, and Josh, who wanted to create a community through good coffee, food, and friends. When you walk in, you’ll be delighted by the inviting aroma of coffee grounds—with your tastebuds beaming after sipping their smooth and creamy coffee. Even better, their hot chocolate is one to remember.
Address: 1022 W Belmont Ave, Chicago
2. Bombo Bar
Filled with unique flavors, Bombo Bar has a gorgeous West Loop location in the Fulton Market. They’re known for their iconic S’mores Hot Chocolate, a chocolate melted blend liquid topped with marshmallow fluff, chocolate drizzle, and graham cracker biscotti! Whether you go for the S’mores or opt for the classic, odds are you’ll leave satisfied! Grab a donut as well for the optimal sugar rush—and grab a pup cup for the pets in your life! We suggest the pawsible sundae or the woof-cream!
Address: 832 W. Randolph St., Chicago
3. XO Marshmallow
The Lincoln Park location is practically made for Instagram Stories, but the hot chocolate is what you’ll keep in mind once you leave. Thought to be the original marshmallow cafe, try any number of innovative marshmallow flavors in a cup of decadent, Instagram-worthy hot chocolates in town. We recommend the pistachio marshmallow or a s’mores hot chocolate.
Address: 6977 N Sheridan Rd, Chicago, IL 60626
4. Chocolat Uzma
Grab a hot chocolate bomb at this incredible spot in Pilsen! Brimming with South Asian-inspired desserts, you’ll have to try the hot sipping chocolates between bites of scrumptious chocolates! From a dark Belgian mix to a bittersweet option sourced from Mexico to limited edition seasonal flavors, this lesser-known shop should very well become a go-to spot for the best hot chocolate in Chicago.
Address: 1900 S. Halsted St., Chicago, IL 60608
5. Katherine Anne Confections
This one is perfect for the adventurous pallet! Katherine Anne Confections has a dedicated following for a reason– offering a wide range of flavors; each mi is made from real chocolate. With options like salted caramel, peanut butter, chai, or cinnamon! Big ups on the homemade marshmallows as well. Gab a box of chocolates to go along with the incredible drink!
Address: 2745 W Armitage Ave, Chicago, IL 60647
6. Cocoa + Co.
If you want to go fancy, go to Cocoa + Co! The Old Town spot is known for its decadent flavors (like pumpkin!). Here, it’s called drinking chocolate. You’ll want to grab a cookie or 12 as the bakery serves up unbelievable cookies and pastries.
Address: 1651 N Wells St, Chicago, IL 60614
7. Xurro
If you’re a fan of Mexican restaurants, then this spot’s hot chocolate will delight you! With everything from peppermint to white chocolate, pumpkin spice, spicy Mexican chocolate, and a Mayan mocha, Xurro tops each drink with a decadent churro! They also sell their famous Abuelita Hot Chocolate by the gallon, so you can enjoy it long after leaving the store.
Find the closest Xurro location to you here.8. Caravanserai
If you’re a fan of Dark Matter Coffee, try this offshoot cafe specializing in Mexican drinking chocolate! Find everything from sweet to spicy options using chocolate from partners La Rifa Chocolatería, their Mexico City-based partners.
Address: 2901 W Belmont Ave, Chicago, IL 60618
9. Mindy’s Bakery
Mindy Segal has been on the restaurant scene in Chicago for almost two decades, and you might have heard or probably gone to her first restaurant, Hot Chocolate, which was a beloved neighborhood staple.
However, the restaurant closed in 2020, morphing into a weekend bakery pop-up that would eventually become Mindy’s Bakery in the summer of 2022. Enjoy delicious hot chocolate blends (medium, dark, or Mexican) and inventive flavors like Earl Grey lavender. Topped with giant marshmallows, the bakery has become known for bagels and pastries, but we must say, the hot chocolate is up there in our ranking.
Address: 1747 N Damen Ave., Chicago, IL 60647