Hot chocolate this time of year is basically an essential, whether to warm you up after ice skating on an outdoor rink or to accompany you as you peruse one of the city’s many outdoor Christmas markets.
When it comes to this indulgent treat, Toronto sure doesn’t mess around. Here are 6 spots with some of the best hot chocolate in Toronto.
1. SOMA Chocolatemaker
With two locations in the city, SOMA Chocolatemaker is a tried and true favourite of Torontonians with their selection of decadent chocolate offerings. They have roasted and winnowed their own cacao beans before refining their chocolate since 2003. SOMA’s drinking chocolate menu ranges from classic offerings made with your choice of water or milk, to a unique spiced Mayan version made with dark chocolate, chili peppers, orange peel, and ginger. This season, stop by their location in the Distillery District before wandering through the Winter Village.
2. Soul Chocolate
This small business found in Chinatown offers an array of hot chocolate flavours to try. You can play it safe with their classic hot chocolate, spice it up with their Mayan blend made with nutmeg, cayenne, cinnamon, vanilla, and salt, or try a festive peppermint-flavoured hot chocolate. While you’re there, pick yourself up an advent calendar and countdown to Christmas with daily single origin dark chocolates.
3. Bobbette & Belle
This artisanal pastry shop has two locations in Toronto, one in Leslieville and one in Yonge Lawrence Village. While known for their elaborate wedding cakes and pastries, Bobbette & Belle boasts an incredible hot chocolate, made with a roasted marshmallow topping. They also sell a range of festive holiday treats to take home with you, such as gingerbread, themed sugar cookies, gift baskets, and more.
4. Mary’s Brigadeiro
If this chocolate business looks familiar, it might be because you’ve seen it before on Dragon’s Den! Head to the Danforth to try their handcrafted chocolates inspired by her roots in Brazil, using pure cocoa powder, condensed milk, and high quality butter. Mary’s Drinking Chocolate uses real pieces of Belgium chocolate, cocoa powder, and organic brown sugar.
5. ChocoSol Traders
Specializing in Mexican-style hot chocolate, ChocoSol at 1131 St Clair Avenue W sources their ingredients from Indigenous farmers working in the forest gardens of Mexico. Their drinking chocolate is made with a bar of chocolate, and they offer a variety of flavours to choose from, including Oaxacan Cinnamon and Five Chili Bomba for a kick.
6. Cacao 70
From classic milk hot chocolate to their American-style filled with gigantic marshmallows, Cacao 70 is heaven for anyone with a sweet tooth. It is also a restaurant with an extensive menu of desserts, including chocolate pizzas, waffles, and crepes loading with toppings of your choice.