Although Los Angeles isn’t too familiar with a white Christmas, it’s still around the time the weather drops to the 7os. Hey, that’s cold to us! Plus, we still love enjoying the seasonal treats even if it’s still sunny over here — which means the holidays call for at least a few hot chocolates. Besides, numerous studies have shown that chocolate may help anxiety thanks to stress-reducing antioxidants. Not to mention its ability to increase serotonin levels! So drinking hot chocolate is just a necessary therapy. Here are the best places in Los Angeles to get some indulgent cups of hot chocolate.
1. Demitasse
If you aren’t warming up with Liquid Lavender Hot Chocolate and a giant, house-made marshmallow from Cafe Demitasse then you’re not doing winter in L.A. right. Dipping the perfectly toasted sugar pillow into the thick hot chocolate offers the perfect amount of richness without being overwhelming.
📍Location: 1149 Third Street, Santa Monica, CA 90403
💸 Price: $1-$10
2. Churros Calientes
Churros Calientes is an ideal spot for an afternoon treat or satisfying a late-night sweet craving. Imagine being in a Spanish café, enjoying a perfectly golden churro paired with a rich cup of hot chocolate. Their hot chocolate is made with high-quality organic cacao beans, offering an extra delicious dip for your freshly made churro.
📍Location: 11521 Santa Monica Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90025
💸 Price: $10-$20
3. Cacao Mexicatessen
Mexico’s influence on L.A. means you get to choose from these decadent hot drinks with a Mexican twist. Cacao Mexicatessen is an Eagle Rock gem that offers a delicious Abuelitas Mocha Latte made with Oaxacan Chocolate. Alternatively, you can spice things up with an Azteca Mocha.
📍Location: 1576 Colorado Blvd (at Townsend Ave), Los Angeles, CA
💸 Price: $20-$30
4. Playa Provisions
A must try at Playa Provision is the frozen Hot Chocolate. It features warm European drinking chocolate poured over peppermint stick ice cream, topped with a swirl of toasted marshmallow, and served alongside Christmas cookies.
📍Location: 119 Culver Blvd, Playa Del Rey, CA 90293
5. Lady Chocolatt
Sip on pure Belgian bliss with these servings of liquid cocoa from the creators of all things chocolate. Lady Chocolatt is L.A.’s direct link to Belgium’s finest ateliers, and you can have it tailored to your every whim, whether that’s extra dark, sugar-free, white, or standard with a scoop of ice cream. Oh, and it’s all 100% natural.
📍Location: 12008 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90025
💸 Price: $1-$10
6. Lavender & Honey Espresso Bar
Whatever the weather, Lavender & Honey Espresso Bar has the perfect drink for every cocoa enthusiast. Cozy up with their classic hot chocolate or explore a range of flavors like P.B. cup, white coconut, salted caramel, cupcake, and more.
📍Location: 1383 E Washington Blvd, Pasadena, CA 91104
💸 Price: $1-$10
7. Guelaguetza
Guelaguetza is where hot chocolate (Chocolate de Agua) doubles up as dessert. And you simply can’t have it without the highly addictive Mexican sweet bread. Using authentic Oaxacan ingredients this James Beard Winner serving is a must for traditional servings of hot cocoa. Oh, and you’ll want to pick up some Mole while you’re at it.
📍Location: 3014 W Olympic Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90006
💸 Price: $20-$30
8. ChocoVivo
It would be a crime to miss out on a cup of molten chocolate from the cacao experts. ChocoVivo happens to be LA’s first! Bean to Bar Chocolate Factory, and the all-woman establishment, offers natural vegan goodness crafted using ancient stone-ground methods.
📍Location: 12469 Washington Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90066
9. Chokolatta
Attention North Hollywood chocolate lovers, this is your go-to spot! Stop by on a chilly winter day and enjoy a cup of Spicy Mayan hot chocolate or their classic hot chocolate. You can even grab some cocoa powder to recreate the magic at home, it’s that good!
📍Location: 5264 Tujunga Ave, North Hollywood, CA 91601
💸 Price: $10-$20
10. Bardonna L.A.
The hot chocolate bomb craze isn’t going anywhere, and these decadent balls from Bardonna explode into a mouthful of mini marshmallows to enjoy with every sip. They create new ones for every occasion, so if you know where to go for the perfect choclat treat.
📍Location: 1601 Montana Ave Santa Monica, CA 90403
💸 Price: $20-$30
Edited by Sofía Delpueche.