A palace for Instagram bait, XO Marshmallow is allegedly the world’s first marshmallow cafe and features some of the prettiest hot chocolates in town. Current offerings include a steaming cup of lavender white chocolate cocoa with matching lavender honey marshmallows.

Longtime Green City Market favorite Cookies & Carnitas offers a whole lot more than its name indicates, including a Mexican hot chocolate with Nestle Abuelita and oat milk. It’s inspired by Edgewater community that has supported the businesses for years.

Rich and decadent, Bittersweet’s French-style hot chocolate is served with a scoop of whipped cream but isn't too sweet. This treat is a dessert unto itself, so it’s best to come prepared with a relatively empty stomach.

This Logan Square cafe opened in 2020, the first U.S. location for the mini chain from Europe. The cafe is cute with sandwiches, and while there are tons of espresso drinks, the variety of hot chocolates — vanilla, dark, white, and hazelnut — all made with high quality ingredients, make it a great spot for those who want choices. If hot chocolate isn’t wanted, there’s plenty or frozen hot chocolates for Instagram cred.

Much has been written about the drinking chocolate at Katherine Anne Confections, and just a few sips will explain why. Patrons can choose from 10 varieties including chai, salted caramel, peanut butter, and more, and top off their mug with house marshmallows or Kilgus Farm whipped cream. Order for carryout in 7 or 13 ounces.

Old Town's palace of upscale chocolate features some of the most decadent drinks in the city. Try the pumpkin drinking chocolate, made with real pumpkin puree.

Local cafe mini-chain Fairgrounds has teamed up with luxury brand Vosages Haut-Chocolat on a delectable cup of liquid love. Each comes with a black salt coconut caramel marshmallow. 

Stan’s is a well-known entity in Chicago for its doughnuts, but the familiar brand serves up a surprise with its photogenic pink hot chocolate, adding a pop of color to the brand’s white hot chocolate option. There’s also a new hot chocolate malt featuring chocolate malt balls.

Gourmet chocolatier L.A. Burdick is well known for its precious chocolate mice and penguins, but the drinking chocolate at its cozy State Street cafe shouldn’t be overlooked. Staff expertly blend shavings of single-source chocolate into steaming milk for a truly rich cup.

Rick Bayless’s hot chocolates are just as famous as his tortas in River North. Choose from five concoctions, alongside an additional three that are mixed with coffee. If guests want a spicy kick, order the Aztec with chile and allspice.

Jojo’s usually garners attention for its colorful Instagram-friendly milkshakes, but when the weather turns cold its sweet-toothed staff feature a selection of sugary hot chocolates. Diners can try a classic cup, or amp up the occasion with a double chocolate or salted caramel variation (salted caramel-infused milk, giant marshmallow, chocolate-covered pretzel). Add some Bailey’s for $6. There’s also a location inside Water Tower Place.

Beat the winter blues by hunkering down at this colorful Pilsen coffee shop and sipping on a cup of Mexican hot chocolate. The drink is made with Chocolate Abuelita and is also available as a choco-espresso blend for an extra boost.

Come for the shop’s fine cocoa collection but don’t miss the luxurious collection of sipping chocolate and hot chocolate bombs. Unique options include Original Sin (signature classic dark), Kashmiri Chili (Saigon cinnamon, cayenne), Espresso, and Golden Spice (turmeric, ginger, cardamom). Coffee giant Starbucks selected owner Uzma Sharif as the official chocolatier of its world’s-largest location, and offers her South Asian-flavored chocolates in store.

Neighborhood landmark Back of the Yards Coffee infuses their hot chocolate with a healthy dose of caffeine. Try the “Xocolatte” with creamy espresso, house-made chocolate ganache, cinnamon, and chile ancho.

This cozy Hyde Park cafe connected to Piccolo Mondo specializes in Argentinean pastries, baked goods, and beverages. Try the traditional submarino from the espresso bar for a DIY hot chocolate. It consists of steamed milk served with a dark chocolate bar that drinkers stir into the glass themselves.