When the temperature drops, Toronto warms up with some seriously good hot chocolate. The city has a strong bean-to-bar chocolate scene, so you’ll find everything from thick, spiced drinking chocolate to marshmallow-loaded hot chocolate bombs. Here are the best spots to try this winter.
Bean-to-bar drinking chocolate
- Soma Chocolatemaker (Distillery District and King West): roasts its own cacao; famous for its spiced Maya drinking chocolate. A perfect stop at the Distillery Winter Village.
- Chocosol (St. Clair West and St. Lawrence Market area): stone-ground bean-to-bar chocolate, with unsweetened and chili-spiced options.
- Soul Chocolate (east end): a bean-to-bar maker with a Mayan-style hot chocolate.
- Cacao 70 (several locations): factory-style hot chocolates and a spicy champurrado.
Rich, indulgent cups
- Mary’s Brigadeiro (Danforth): Brazilian-inspired drinking chocolate thick enough to be dessert.
- Bobbette & Belle (Leslieville and Leaside): creamy hot chocolate with classic French-style pastries.
- Le Gourmand (Queen West): a café with half a dozen hot chocolate versions, including Nutella.
Hot chocolate bombs and fun flavours
- Stubbe Chocolates (Wychwood): German-style chocolatier known for its cocoa bombs.
- The Grand Order of Divine Sweets (Queen West): playful, comic-inspired hot chocolate bombs.
- Hot Shot Chocolate (Little Italy): hot chocolate jars for home, which make great gifts.
Hot chocolate at Christmas events
- Distillery Winter Village: specialty holiday hot chocolates at market stalls and the district’s cafés.
- Miracle on Harbourfront: festive drinks and free s’mores kits for kids beside the rink. Christmas pop-up bars
- Skating rinks and markets: bring a thermos for parades and outdoor rinks.
Menus change seasonally, so check what’s on before you visit.
Types of hot chocolate to try
- Drinking chocolate: thick, intense and made from melted chocolate rather than powder, often served in small cups.
- Classic hot chocolate: milkier and sweeter, usually topped with whipped cream or marshmallows.
- Spiced hot chocolate: with chili, cinnamon or cardamom, inspired by Mexican and other traditions.
- Flavoured: peppermint, salted caramel, gingerbread or orange, especially popular in December.
- Hot chocolate bombs: chocolate shells filled with cocoa and marshmallows that melt open in hot milk.
- Dairy-free: many cafés offer oat, almond or soy milk versions.
Plan your own tasting route
Pick a neighbourhood and visit two or three spots on foot, sharing small cups so you can taste more. Good areas for a crawl include the Distillery District, Queen West, Kensington Market and Yorkville. Combine it with skating or a lights walk for a perfect winter afternoon or date. See Christmas date ideas.
Hot chocolate at home
Want to recreate a café-style cup?
- Use good chocolate, chopped, rather than cocoa mix.
- Warm whole milk gently (or a plant-based alternative) without boiling.
- Whisk in the chocolate until smooth and glossy.
- Add a pinch of salt and a little vanilla.
- Top with whipped cream, marshmallows or a sprinkle of cinnamon.
Many Toronto chocolate makers sell drinking chocolate to take home, which makes a great gift. See Toronto-made gifts.
Best hot chocolate: FAQ
Where’s the best hot chocolate in Toronto? Bean-to-bar chocolate makers offer the richest drinking chocolate; cafés near rinks and markets are great for a classic cup after skating.
Where can I get hot chocolate while skating? Cafés near Nathan Phillips Square, Harbourfront Centre and the Distillery District, plus vendors at some rinks and markets.
Make a hot chocolate crawl
Start at Soma in the Distillery District, walk to the St. Lawrence Market area, then take the King streetcar west to Queen West’s cafés. Pair it with our Christmas lights walking tour.
More: Christmas dining in Toronto · Christmas bakeries in Toronto
