By Ruth Cawley
With December finally upon us, the air is crisper and there’s no better way to embrace the Christmas spirit than with a steaming cup of rich, velvety hot chocolate. Whether you favour the classic blend or prefer to sample adventurous flavours and toppings, these cafés and chocolatiers around the world are guaranteed to elevate your cocoa experience.
From cozy alpine chalets to chic urban hideaways, students can explore the unmissable hotspots where the warmth of Christmas meets the magic of the perfect hot chocolate cuppa. The following establishments have earned a worldwide reputation for their exceptional brews and comfortable ambience.
Butlers Chocolates, Dublin
First and foremost, the Irish brand Butlers Chocolates is a popular upscale chocolatier and coffee shop with several locations all over the country. Students in Ireland may already be familiar with it as it is a staple across Dublin city.
Come Christmastime, Butlers serves many a weary chocoholic and offers a festive menu with seasonally special drinks. This includes hot chocolate drinks infused with essences of peppermint, chilli, coconut, praline, cookie, and almond. You can also avail of regular coffees and teas at the café. Each drink purchased automatically includes your own choice of chocolate sample, i.e. truffles, salted caramel, etc. In the shop, there are chocolate gift boxes, coffee beans, and travel mugs on offer which are ideal to fill out this year’s Christmas stockings.
Looking out into the hustle and bustle of Dublin, Butlers can act as a comfortable stopgap for shoppers and students alike. The cafés are compact, but there is indoor and outdoor seating to accommodate customers for a short break and a warm beverage. Butlers is a quick stop-off in between shopping sprees and studying for exams and provides a nice chocolatey treat in these cool December days.
Knoops, London
Entrepreneur Jens Knoop opened Knoops in 2013 and turned it into a deluxe café chain and retailer specialising in chocolate drinks. The brand now has several shops littered throughout London. The owner has a deep passion for chocolate since early childhood and launched this business to experiment with new flavours.
Knoops Chocolate is centred around a menu of drinks with over twenty different kinds of chocolate and adjusted to specific percentages based on customer preference. This style is coined ‘Knoopology’ by the chain. Each drink is ordered with the customer’s preference of chocolate level at 28%, 34%, 54%, 70%, 80%, or 96% in strength. Options of chocolate include white, milk, dark, and vegan. For those who prefer cooler chocolate beverages, the café also serves milkshakes, iced drinks, and coffees. Different varieties of milk and flavouring (orange zest, chilli, etc.) are also available for purchase.
Apart from beverages, the company also sells an array of products such as drinking chocolate flakes, seasonal giftboxes, cookbooks, and more. This café is certainly a sweet treat for students visiting London in the throes of winter.
Angelina, Paris
Known for its “L’Africain” hot chocolate, this historic tearoom serves a decadent, thick, and creamy drink. For the past 120 years, Angelina’s has become renowned throughout the city and often considered the epitome of Parisian indulgence.
Angelina’s hot chocolate is blended from three African cocoas sourced from Niger, Ghana, and the Ivory coast. The result is a rich taste and thick texture that is unmatched by other establishments. The exact recipe remains secret to this day and its popularity is unquestionable. Customers can enjoy this coveted cup of chocolate at any of the thirty beautiful locations across France and the world.
Angelina’s also offers a selection of delicious signature pastries such as their Mont-Blanc (chestnut cream with meringue), Paris-Brest, and Trocadero. It has also assembled a gourmet Christmas collection which includes Chocolate-Hazelnut Trocadero, Red Fruits, Passion-coconut log, and a Mont-Blanc log. Customers can place online orders and have it delivered to them within two working days.
Chocolatería San Ginés, Madrid
Chocolatería San Ginés is a delightful spot in the San Ginés Passageway in Madrid and has been a renowned hotspot since 1894. It makes and serves an extensive range of food and drinks featuring chocolate as a primary ingredient. Its menu is based on traditional Spanish cuisine, so this café is a highly recommended activity for tourists.
This haven for chocolate-lovers specialises in the Spanish tradition of making thick hot chocolate served with delicious churros or porras. Both churros and porras are deep-fried pastries and the idea is to dip them into the chocolate before consuming. The main difference between the two is that porras are thicker and softer in texture. Churros tend to be coiled into a knot and coated with sugar or cinnamon.
Despite its popularity and attracting large crowds, service is quick and efficient. As an added bonus, Chocolatería San Ginés is open on a 24-hour basis. They are a great warm treat for visiting students in the cooler winter weather in Madrid. There is an option of indoor or outdoor seating on the terrace. Other notable landmarks are nearby the café such as the Teatro Barcelo and Cerveceria San Andres.
Demel, Vienna
Demel is a historic café situated in the heart of Vienna that has been famous for its freshly baked pastries and chocolate since circa 1786. With its ornate décor and delicious products, Demel provides a cultural experience of artisan Austrian baking. The location is close to Kohlmarket where you’ll find many shops and brands in the 1st District.
The homemade hot chocolate is one of many highlights on Demel’s menu, often served with the option of cream and liqueur flavouring. Alternatively, there are house coffees and teas available to order. Demel makes all its pastries from scratch. There are sweet delicacies like cakes (e.g. sachertorte), scones, strudels, and signature pancakes (kaiserschmarrn). There is also an array of savoury dishes for lunch. Visitors can sit in the upstairs terrace to enjoy these delightful treats while overlooking the bustling city.
The sweet aroma of baked goods is strong within the Demel café, creating an appetizing atmosphere. The décor is a nostalgic remnant of old architecture and culture in Vienna, so it is always a wonderful blast to the past for tourists. Thus, the prices at Demel are slightly higher than average, but it does offer a unique look into historic Austria.
Max Brenner, USA
Littered with locations all over the United States, Max Brenner is a global chocolate bar chain famous for its extravagant hot chocolates. Some of the best locations are in New York City with prominent backdrops like Times Square and Macy’s. Max Brenner Chocolate Bar is both a café and retail shop which also sells chocolate gift boxes and related products aimed at celebrations for Christmas, new parents, and birthdays.
In addition to making a chocolicious blend, Max Brenner goes a step further in customer satisfaction. All drinking chocolate is served in unique “hug mugs”, adding a whimsical aspect to the experience. The mug is designed so that both hands can be wrapped fully around it and be warmed by the hot chocolate inside. It heightens the aroma and relaxation of the experience for customers. Each mug is beautifully decorated with different colours and intricate patterns.
The menu and mugs of Max Brenner together form a comfortable dining experience for customers as well as an upbeat holiday atmosphere. Therefore, it is highly recommended to drop in while Christmas shopping in New York or any other US location.
Koko Black, Australia
The Australian premium chocolatier, Koko Black, offers luxurious hot chocolate made from high-quality couverture chocolate. Their range includes spiced and specialty blends. You can pick up a cup of hot chocolate or coffee at one of the shopping centre locations littered across Melbourne, Sydney, and Adelaide.
The brand is focused on handcrafting delicious chocolate products using locally sourced ingredients wherever possible. The chocolate is made entirely from cocoa butter and without synthetic oils or fats. This makes the chocolate richer in taste and smoother in texture. Chocoholics always appreciate a tasty handmade hot chocolate with a special addition from the owner’s ‘secret recipe’.
Koko Black also operates as a retailer with an extensive store of chocolate and chocolate-based products for sale. Orders can be placed on their website or purchased directly from the shop locations. Products vary from chocolate-filled hampers to shavings and powders to chocolate blocks. You can find a lovely gift for any occasion or even just a lovely blend to take home for a cold winter night.
All the listed locations provide a unique twist on the hot chocolate beverage that would light up your Christmas this year. Happy chocolate-hunting and enjoy the holidays with the right cuppa!