clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Warm Up With These 14 Artisan Hot Chocolates

View as Map

Nowadays, one never exactly knows what they'll taste inside their chocolately drink. From spiced ingredients to boozy flavors, restaurants all around Chicago have put their spin on the classic warm and frothy beverage. Check out the map to see where you can "warm up" (or even "cool off," if you dare) on a chocolate sipper.


Eater Chicago intern Aimee Gasior contributed this story.

Read More
If you buy something or book a reservation from an Eater link, Vox Media may earn a commission. See our ethics policy.

Mindy's Hot Chocolate

Copy Link

Home of the 2012 James Beard "outstanding pastry chef" winner, this urban café produces numerous flavors of hot chocolate topped with giant house-made marshmallows.

Mercadito

Copy Link

Served hot or cold, the "chocomole" is flavored with the same warm, rustic ingredients as the restaurants traditional mole.

Katherine Anne Confections

Copy Link

Topped with two of their house-made marshmallows or house-whipped cream, this Logan Square confectionary destination is serving up ten types of ridiculously rich hot chocolates.

One of the only restaurants in the country to produce their own chocolate in house, Xoco offers five meticulously constructed chocolate beverages. Pro tip: Use the house-created churros as a dipping vessel.

George's Ice Cream & Sweets

Copy Link

Nestled up north in Andersonville, this psudeo-ice cream parlor serves everything from standard confections to whimsical desserts, including their specialty hot and cold chocolate creations.

Hidden inside the Four Seasons Hotel, Allium offers not one, not two, but three choices of spiked or sans-spiked specialty chocolate beverages.

Cafe Spiaggia

Copy Link

Just as its sibling Bar Toma does, Cafe Spiaggia delivers a rich-yet-delicate hot chocolate. The “cioccolato” is available with or without peppermint schnapps.

Xocoatl

Copy Link

Emerging from a passionate world of churros, this enclave is also known for its original Mayan hot beverages. Five lavish-yet-uncomplicated hot chocolates are up for grabs.

Cafe Jumping Bean

Copy Link

Served in a tall glass, this spiced hot chocolate is a local favorite that is filled with an array of blended chocolates and steamed milk to create a smooth pick-me-up.

Bar Toma

Copy Link

Want to escape the tourists on Michigan Avenue? Head to Tony Mantuano’s neighborhood pizzeria and espresso bar to warm up with a Venetian-style cup of cocoa.

Las Palmas

Copy Link

This family-run Mexican spot is serving up two specialty beverages. A neighborhood favorite is the "chorriado," which includes hot milk with raw cane sugar, cinnamon, and tequila.

Starting with a blank cup of Valhrona chocolate, the possibilities are endless at this fully-stocked hot chocolate bar. House-made marshmallows, candy canes, sugary candies, and even liquor are just some options in this lavish spread.

Inside the Waldorf Astoria restaurant, four chocolate beverages created by bartender Michael Knox are all made using a base of house-made chocolate syrup and steamed whole milk. Additional holiday coffee and liqueur enhancements can be added to any of the cocoa creations.

Cassava

Copy Link

This cafe named for the cassava plant offers a traditional hot dark chocolate beverage or a spicy alternative, topped with cayenne pepper, chili powder, and cinnamon.

Mindy's Hot Chocolate

Home of the 2012 James Beard "outstanding pastry chef" winner, this urban café produces numerous flavors of hot chocolate topped with giant house-made marshmallows.

Mercadito

Served hot or cold, the "chocomole" is flavored with the same warm, rustic ingredients as the restaurants traditional mole.

Katherine Anne Confections

Topped with two of their house-made marshmallows or house-whipped cream, this Logan Square confectionary destination is serving up ten types of ridiculously rich hot chocolates.

XOCO

One of the only restaurants in the country to produce their own chocolate in house, Xoco offers five meticulously constructed chocolate beverages. Pro tip: Use the house-created churros as a dipping vessel.

George's Ice Cream & Sweets

Nestled up north in Andersonville, this psudeo-ice cream parlor serves everything from standard confections to whimsical desserts, including their specialty hot and cold chocolate creations.

Allium

Hidden inside the Four Seasons Hotel, Allium offers not one, not two, but three choices of spiked or sans-spiked specialty chocolate beverages.

Cafe Spiaggia

Just as its sibling Bar Toma does, Cafe Spiaggia delivers a rich-yet-delicate hot chocolate. The “cioccolato” is available with or without peppermint schnapps.

Xocoatl

Emerging from a passionate world of churros, this enclave is also known for its original Mayan hot beverages. Five lavish-yet-uncomplicated hot chocolates are up for grabs.

Cafe Jumping Bean

Served in a tall glass, this spiced hot chocolate is a local favorite that is filled with an array of blended chocolates and steamed milk to create a smooth pick-me-up.

Bar Toma

Want to escape the tourists on Michigan Avenue? Head to Tony Mantuano’s neighborhood pizzeria and espresso bar to warm up with a Venetian-style cup of cocoa.

Las Palmas

This family-run Mexican spot is serving up two specialty beverages. A neighborhood favorite is the "chorriado," which includes hot milk with raw cane sugar, cinnamon, and tequila.

NoMI

Starting with a blank cup of Valhrona chocolate, the possibilities are endless at this fully-stocked hot chocolate bar. House-made marshmallows, candy canes, sugary candies, and even liquor are just some options in this lavish spread.

Balsan

Inside the Waldorf Astoria restaurant, four chocolate beverages created by bartender Michael Knox are all made using a base of house-made chocolate syrup and steamed whole milk. Additional holiday coffee and liqueur enhancements can be added to any of the cocoa creations.

Cassava

This cafe named for the cassava plant offers a traditional hot dark chocolate beverage or a spicy alternative, topped with cayenne pepper, chili powder, and cinnamon.

Related Maps