London does hot chocolate exceptionally well, especially during the colder months when cafés across the city serve everything from thick Italian-style chocolate to festive winter specials topped with marshmallow, cream or warming spices. Whether you’re exploring Soho, wandering Christmas markets, or simply looking for a comforting drink on a cold day, London offers an impressive range of rich, indulgent hot chocolates made by expert chocolatiers, bakeries and dessert specialists. This guide highlights the very best hot chocolate spots in London, covering classic favourites, festive editions and must-visit cafés worth seeking out.
London’s Must-Try Hot Chocolate Spots
Hotel Chocolat – Christmas Velvetiser Specials
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Location: Multiple London locations
Festive drink: Gingerbread Hot Chocolate
Why it’s festive: Made with warming gingerbread spice and smooth milk chocolate, this seasonal blend is exclusive to the winter menu and perfect for cold evenings.
Availability: November to January
Website: https://www.hotelchocolat.com/uk
Chin Chin Labs – Toasted Marshmallow Winter Edition
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Location: Camden Lock Place, NW1 8AF
Festive drink: Hot Chocolate with Torched Marshmallow
Why it’s festive: Served with an oversized blowtorched marshmallow, this winter favourite feels like a Christmas dessert in a cup.
Availability: Winter months
Website: https://www.chinchinicecream.com/
Dark Sugars – Spiced Winter Chocolate
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Location: Brick Lane, E1 6RU
Festive drink: Spiced Dark Chocolate Hot Chocolate
Why it’s festive: Rich dark chocolate with warming spices and dramatic chocolate shavings, ideal after exploring nearby Christmas markets.
Availability: November to February
Website: https://www.darksugars.co.uk/
SAID Dal 1923 – Triple Chocolate Christmas Cup
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Location: Broadwick Street, Soho
Festive drink: Triple Chocolate Hot Chocolate
Why it’s festive: Thick, indulgent and often decorated with seasonal chocolate details, this is one of London’s most luxurious winter hot chocolates.
Availability: Year-round, especially popular during Christmas
Website: https://www.said.it/
EL&N Café – Spanish-Style Festive Chocolate
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Location: Multiple London locations
Festive drink: Spanish Hot Chocolate
Why it’s festive: Extra thick and ideal for dipping festive pastries, EL&N’s version feels indulgent and winter-perfect.
Availability: Winter menu
Website: https://www.elnlondon.co.uk/
Humble Crumble – Marshmallow-Topped Christmas Chocolate
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Location: Borough Market, SE1 9AL
Festive drink: Hot Chocolate with Blow-Torched Marshmallow
Why it’s festive: Served alongside winter crumbles and topped with a toasted marshmallow for full Christmas-market vibes.
Availability: Winter months
Website: https://www.humble-crumble.com/
Venchi – Italian Winter Chocolate in Covent Garden
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Location: Covent Garden
Festive drink: Classic Italian Hot Chocolate
Why it’s festive: Dense, European-style hot chocolate served in a festively decorated flagship store.
Availability: Winter season
Website: https://uk.venchi.com/
Knoops – Festive Hot Chocolate Specials
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Locations: Chelsea, Soho, Richmond, Covent Garden, Clapham
Festive drink: Custom festive chocolate blends such as 54% festive spice hot chocolate or 70% orange winter warmer
Why it’s festive: Seasonal spice blends and orange-chocolate combinations with customisable cocoa percentages.
Availability: Winter menu
Website: https://knoops.co.uk/
The Chocolate Cocktail Club – Boozy Festive Hot Chocolate
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Location: Farringdon
Festive drink: Baileys Hot Chocolate or the Mint choc winter warmer
Why it’s festive: A grown-up Christmas option combining hot chocolate with classic festive liqueurs.
Availability: Winter evenings
Website: https://www.thechocolatecocktailclub.co.uk/
Ruby Violet – Seasonal Gelato Hot Chocolates
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Location: King’s Cross
Festive drink: Spiced Ganache Hot Chocolate
Why it’s festive: Made using melted chocolate ganache, often infused with orange, cardamom or nutmeg at Christmas.
Availability: Winter months
Website: https://www.rubyviolet.co.uk/
Conclusion
If you’re exploring London’s festive markets or simply want something cosy for winter, these hot chocolates offer some of the richest and most indulgent flavours in the city. For more London living guides, explore Essential Living’s blog or search available apartments.
For more home lifestyle inspiration, visit Homequarters.co.uk.
Festive Hot Chocolate in London – FAQs
Which London café has the best Christmas hot chocolate?
Hotel Chocolat’s Gingerbread Hot Chocolate and Chin Chin Labs’ marshmallow-topped hot chocolate are among the most popular Christmas options in London.
Are festive hot chocolates available near London Christmas markets?
Yes. Dark Sugars is close to Brick Lane Christmas markets, while Humble Crumble is located inside Borough Market, making both ideal winter warm-up stops.
Do London cafés offer limited-edition winter hot chocolate flavours?
Many do. Hotel Chocolat, EL&N Café and Dark Sugars introduce seasonal winter hot chocolate flavours each year, often featuring festive spices.
Where can I find the richest hot chocolate in London?
Dark Sugars and SAID Dal 1923 are known for ultra-thick, luxury-style hot chocolates made with real melted chocolate rather than powder.
What’s the best festive hot chocolate in central London?
Knoops in Covent Garden and Hotel Chocolat on Oxford Street are especially popular during the Christmas season.
Where can I get Instagrammable hot chocolate in London?
Chin Chin Labs and Dark Sugars are known for highly photogenic hot chocolates, featuring torched marshmallows, chocolate curls and dramatic presentation.
Which hot chocolate shops open late in London?
Many Hotel Chocolat cafés, including Oxford Street and Leicester Square, stay open later than independent cafés. Always check individual store hours.
Where can I warm up with hot chocolate near London Christmas markets?
- Southbank Centre: Whittard (Waterloo)
- Leicester Square: Hotel Chocolat
- Covent Garden Market: Knoops and Whittard
