Subscribe to our weekly newsletter to get our top stories delivered straight to your inbox.
Originally published by Ching Yuen. Last updated by Beverly Ngai.
What is winter without a heartwarming cup of hot chocolate? Now that Hong Kong’s erratic weather has suddenly decided it’s time to act like a properly cold winter, a mug of gooey hot chocolate is the only thing on our minds to help us make it through the week. We’ve rounded up what we think are the best hot chocolates in town; think you can handle this sweetness? Sip a few of these velvety treats and let us know your favourite!
As one of the world’s foremost chocolatiers, Godiva does not disappoint when it comes to their signature 72 percent dark hot chocolate ($50). The lush dark chocolate and bitter notes will be sure to keep you warm throughout the chilly winter and leave with a beautiful creamy finish! Godiva also has a collection of iced chocolate and ice cream, in case you are one of those who opt to fight the cold with cold.
The art of chocolate is hard to perfect, but we would say that La Maison Du Chocolat has come quite close to it. Their shop in Lee Garden has a sit-in café area offering some of the most exquisite chocolate in town. Served piping hot, their Guayaquil hot chocolate ($61) is a blend of smooth dark chocolate lightly infused with vanilla. Pair it with some of their signature chocolate biscuits for a perfect afternoon tea treat!
La Maison Du Chocolat, Shop B03A, Basement, Lee Garden One, 33 Hysan Avenue, Causeway Bay | (+852) 2907 2002
Coming all the way from Italy, Venchi brings 140 years of experience into town, and their rich history is demonstrated with columns and trays of different chocolatey treats lined up against the walls of their flagship stores. While their gelatos are to die for, we would like to focus on their signature classic hot chocolate ($40), crafted using the brand’s traditional Italian recipe. Have a sip of the melted, rich goodness along with a bite of their nutty biscuits to enjoy the full experience, or maybe mix it up with some scoops of gelato to make your own dessert. We can feel the sugar rush coming on!
What goes better together than chocolate and marshmallows? Cupping Room is taking full advantage of this perfect pairing with their wintery chocolate with marshmallow ($45). Would you eat all the marshmallows on top first, have one marshmallow with measured each sip, or leave it until you finish all of the hot chocolate? So many choices and tough decisions... but we’ll tell you this: As their cafés are among the best in Hong Kong for passing time and people-watching, with a cup of their chocolate with marshmallow on hand, we know we can spend the better part of an afternoon here.
As the chocolatier with the longest—and possibly most colourful—history, Dalloyau was established over 300 years ago by the same French head chef who served in the court of King Louis XIV. Armed as they may be with an arsenal of different desserts and patisseries, their hot chocolates are the most sublime items on their menu. Served on opulent plates and gilded teacups, their signature Cocoa Delight by House Chocolatier ($65) uses 72 percent Araguani dark chocolate from South Africa and Madagascan 33 percent milk chocolate. Heated together with hot milk and cream added, the heavenly cup of thick chocolate goodness comes to life and dances across our eager taste buds!
Easy Joe’s signature chocolate ($48) drinks are the highlight of the store and also the key to its popularity. Everything is handmade, especially their chocolate milk mixture, which is served hot or cold and takes five hours to make, using milk from Japan to build up the creaminess. It is then chilled for another four hours to condense the flavour and improve the smoothness of the drink. Now, we think that it takes this long to make, it has to taste incredible, right? Fitting for the season, if you would like it served hot, the staff will instantly heat up the chocolate mixture and serve it to you with a dusting of chocolate shavings on top!
Easy Joe, G/F, 18 Fuk Tsun Street, Tai Kok Tsui | (+852) 2506 0638
Passion by Gerard Dubois does a scrumptious hot chocolate that also doubles as their trademark drink, the Chocolat Chaud “Passion” ($34). The Valrhona chocolate is rich and thick, covered in a thin layer of tempered chocolate with the Passion logo printed on top, so you can enjoy a gleeful crème brûlée moment à la Amelie when you break open the chocolate lid before lapping up the melted goodness underneath. Each order is served with a juicy raspberry to balance out the sweetness with a touch of fruity sourness.
Passion by Gerard Dubois, locations across Hong Kong Island and Kowloon
Having lived in Hong Kong, Beijing, and London sure is a fun fact whenever people try to guess Ching’s accent. She loves switching between all these language channels and her “mother tongue” is just determined by how many drinks she’s had for the night! She loves movies, travelling, and exploring cities, from hidden alleys to gourmet dining, so feel free to hit her up if you need any suggestions for dinner!
Top