Boston's Best Hot Chocolate: A Food Tour Guide

By Adam Branco

It's winter in Boston and we need to warm up, what else is there to say? Here's a list of my favorite hot chocolate spots in the Boston area:

Excellent South End Sweets at Cacao

Cacao: Quickly rising the ranks of my favorite chocolate spots in the area, husband-and-wife team Perla Rosario and Leo Baez founded Cocao in 2018 to show what the Dominican Republic offers through chocolate. Their rich and deep hot chocolate might be my second favorite in the city, and their cafe on the corner of Mass Ave and Columbus in the South End is a lovely hangout spot. They have additional locations downtown and in Newton.

Joanne Chang's Creations at Flour Bakery + Cafe

Flour Bakery + Cafe: Founded by Harvard alum Joanne Chang in 2000, the casual sit-down bakery Flour has exploded into 10 locations around the Boston area. With so many spots, their quality control for both sweet and savory products is to be commended. They also do a rather good hot chocolate that would pair great with one of their cookies. If you're feeling a little more adventurous, they have a spicy version that makes your taste buds feel just a little bit more alive.

Artisan Chocolates From Around the World at Beacon Hill Chocolates

Beacon Hill Chocolates:  We head to Beacon Hill for an adorable shop on Charles St. Beacon Hill Chocolates has a wide variety of chocolate treats as well as a pleasantly nostalgic hot chocolate that's nothing to sneeze at. While you're there, make sure to buy some salted caramel chocolates and I strongly recommend checking out Beacon Hill Books & Cafe just a few doors down.

Creating Community in Cambridge at 1369 Coffee House

1369 Coffee House: Spoiler alert: I'm doing a Best Cafes part II blog at some point and this will absolutely be on it. With one spot in Inman Square and another in Central Square, 1369 is one of Cambridge's quintessential coffee shops. Their hot chocolate is also a quality menu edition and will quickly warm you up during this particularly cold Boston winter.

With Help From a Somerville Chocolate Company at Cafe Beatrice

cafe Beatrice: As you can tell from other blogs, I'm a huge fan of the pastries from here. They also do a rather good hot chocolate that uses Somerville's very own Taza Chocolate, which uses a stone-ground technique to give its own unique texture. Pair this with their maple kouign amann for a particularly indulgent treat.

An East Cambridge Favorite at Curio Coffee

Curio Coffee:  A straight shot down the road from 1369, Curio Coffee is a quaint and eclectic coffee shop not too far from the Lechmere stop. Like Beatrice, they also use Taza Chocolate, but the way they prepare it gives it a texture that makes it richer and an adventure for your palette. They're known for their waffles, so feel free to pair the two of them for another indulgent treat while in East Cambridge.

Hot Chocolate From the Group Behind One of Boston's Best Bakeries at Atelier Colette

Atelier Colette: Owned by the same people who own Colette, one of my favorite bakeries in the area, this Beacon Hill shop does not only lovely artisan chocolates but also a rich hot chocolate that's worth picking up and bringing with you for your adventure in the neighborhood.

Boston's Best Chocolate at LA Burdick

LA Burdick: Anyone who's been on my website for more than 5 seconds knew this was coming. Ridiculously rich and decadent, this institution is the spot you will compare every other Boston area hot chocolate to once you have it. The Boston area shops in Back Bay, Harvard Square, and Coolidge Corner are all decked in Parisian brown tones and offer an array of chocolates and other baked goods that make for a wonderful hangout.

Join Up & Adam Food Tours

You can try LA Burdick's hot chocolate on either of my Back Bay Chocolate Tours! If you're not a fan of chocolate, I run three other food tours that might suit your taste a bit better. Check out upandamfoodtours.com, and email me at info@upandadamfoodtours.com or message me at (508) 271-7124 for more details.