In search of the best hot chocolate in Seattle?
It’s the perfect season to warm up with a hot, festive beverage. These 10 cafes, restaurants, and chocolate shops in Seattle will blow your mind with their hot chocolate, whether you’re used to a powdered mix or you’ve had chocolat chaud in Paris. They all offer something special to enhance the experience, from fluffy peppermint marshmallows to a side of cheese. Most of the places on this list are vegan-friendly as well, with the option to choose milk alternatives for your drink.
In no particular order, here’s where to find the best hot chocolate in Seattle:
1. Chocolati Cafe, multiple locations
This local chocolate shop has multiple cafes in Seattle serving up delicious hot and cold drinks along with chocolate truffles and other confections. Locals say that Chocolati’s decadent hot chocolate tastes like brownie batter! You can find their locations in Greenwood, Wallingford, and Green Lake.
2. Rey Amargo, Capitol Hill
This chocolate shop in Capitol Hill provides Seattle with authentic Mexican chocolate in all its forms. Locals say this is your best bet for hot chocolate in Seattle just in terms of the sheer variety of options on the menu! You can choose between hot or iced, add flavors such as mint, orange, or even red pepper, add espresso or extra cacao for an “extra punch,” try Swiss-style white or dark hot chocolate, opt for vegan milk, and more! There’s even their South American Hot Chocolate, which is served with “tasty chunks of Monterey Jack cheese.” And of course, marshmallows are always on the menu.
3. Fran’s Chocolates, multiple locations
Fran’s Chocolates has a national reputation. We highly recommend stopping by one of their local shops and enjoying a hot chocolate while picking up some delicious chocolate gifts. (They offer vegan milk options!) You can find Fran’s locations in downtown Seattle, Georgetown, University Village, and Bellevue.
4. Chocolat Vitale, Ballard
This craft chocolate shop in Ballard offers European-style drinking chocolate along with records, coffee, craft chocolate, wine, specialty cheeses, and other yummy confections. It’s the perfect spot to hang out with a friend or a date and do a little shopping while sipping on their rich hot chocolate.
5. Oddfellows Cafe, Capitol Hill
Oddfellows is a New American cafe and restaurant in Capitol Hill with a cozy vibe. They’re currently offering a delicious peppermint hot cocoa as part of their holiday drinks menu but we’re not sure how long it will be around, so don’t miss out!
6. Hot Cakes, Ballard & Capitol Hill
Looking for late-night hot chocolate in Seattle? Hot Cakes serves hot chocolate as well as molten cakes, festive cold-weather drinks, and other sweet treats—and their locations in Ballard and Capitol Hill are open daily until at least 11:00 p.m.
7. Shug’s Soda Fountain, Pike Place Market & West Seattle
Shug’s is known for their ice cream floats but you can also warm up in the cooler months with their hot chocolate. Don’t forget to add fun toppings such as marshmallows and whipped cream. Their original store is located in Pike Place Market (closed on Tuesdays) and they also recently opened a West Seattle location with a slightly smaller menu that is open on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays.
8. Indi Chocolate, Pike Place Market
Named one of the best chocolate shops in the country by Eater, Indi Chocolate’s cafe and factory is located in Pike Place Market. Their cafe serves coffee drinks in addition to “the best hot chocolate you’ve ever had.” Choose between their standard drinking chocolate and the smaller, even more decadent European-style sipping chocolate. If you want to go wild, additions include flavored marshmallows and syrups, whipped cream, and espresso. You can also shop for edible gifts such as tea sets, boxes of chocolates, s’mores kits, and more.
9. Storyville, Pike Place Market
Another cafe in Pike Place Market that does great hot chocolate is Storyville. It’s crafted with house-made chocolate sauce and steamed milk. Make sure to add their special peppermint marshmallows! Note that they are closed on Tuesdays.
10. Le Pichet, Pike Place Market
Le Pichet is a cozy French bistro next to Pike Place Market that serves thick chocolat chaud with whipped cream, just like what you would find in Paris. It’s the perfect sweet finale for a special lunch or dinner.