Where to Find the Best Hot Chocolate in Paris?
There is nothing quite as delightful as preparing a hot chocolate in Paris and watching the city fill up with life. Be it walking on a beautiful street in the icy winter morning or sitting at a café taking a pause after visiting famous landmarks, no traveler should leave Paris without trying traditional French chocolat chaud.
Unlike a regular hot chocolate, the Parisian version is prepared with melted real chocolate, fresh milk and well-mixed flavors giving you a dense feel. Not only a comforting beverage, but it is also part of the café culture and culinary heritage in Paris.
Whether you are looking for an old-world tea salon or a upmarket chocolate boutique, if it has the ultimate in rich hot chocolate, even coffee shop / café de quartier experiences, all of these would be a good start at the best hot chocolate in Paris. In this guide, we uncover some of the best places in the city to indulge in this classic French delight and help you plan a perfect day of café-hopping.
The Reason Hot Chocolate is Famous in Paris
As for Paris, it's already known as wunderbar when it comes to winning and challenging the art of chocolate making. French chocolatiers spent generations perfecting recipes that utilized high end cocoa beans yielding desserts and drinks emulated worldwide.
The difference with Paris hot chocolate is that it has a velvety thick consistency. Instead of powdered cocoa, many cafés use actual melted dark-chocolate bars to make their drinks they end up thicker and creamier with a stronger chocolate taste. Paired with warm, buttery croissants or flaky pastries or delicate macarons, a cup feels like a celebration.
No matter what time of year you've come to visit the city unless it's summer, then it would just be evil to even think of that after running around sightseeing all day, but French hot chocolate is perhaps THE one great comfort food in the fall and winter months.
Angelina Paris, The Most Iconic Hot Chocolate in the City
Angelina Paris is always the first name that springs to mind when people talk about hot chocolate in Paris. Founded over a century ago, this elegant tea salon has become famous for its distinctive drinkable chocolate global warming the richest and creamiest type in.
Its plush decor, traditional Parisian ambience, and exquisitely designed pastries have made Angelina one of the most visited cafes in the city. Most mortals have their hot chocolate with the famous Mont Blanc dessert, and it makes for a lovely afternoon after seeing the sights around places like The Louvre Museum or Tuileries Garden.
Even if there may be long lines in certain seasons, most travelers believe it is worth it.
Carette (Near the Eiffel Tower, Paris)
Situated just near Trocadéro and Place des Vosges, Carette is another great stop for those searching to sip real hot chocolate in Paris. With stunning décor in the café and a chilled-out atmosphere, this place is a favourite for both tourists and locals.
Its velvety chocolat chaud is noticeably lighter than the one at Angelina, but just as rich. After taking a trip to the Eiffel Tower, most tourists go to sector Carette as it creates the best pretense to unwind by having traditional French cakes and also fresh baked goodies.
Experience the Parisian sun raiding through friendly outdoor seating, on good days.
Jean-Paul Hévin – Heaven for Chocolate Lovers
If chocolate is your idea of heaven, then a trip to Jean-Paul Hévin is a must. Internationally recognized for their artisanal chocolates, this award-winning chocolatier also serves one of the best cups of French Hot Chocolate in town.
Each creation is meticulously crafted with premium cocoa, resulting in a refined palate-perfect drink made for real chocolate lovers. The hot chocolate is not overly sweet but focuses on the depth of flavour in the cocoa making it an authentic taste of Paris; perfect for visitors to savor.
Jacques Genin – Artisan Chocolatier
Tucked back away from the bumper-to-bumper main tourist paths, Jacques Genin has quickly garnered a strong clientele with its small batch chocolates and high-end pastries. The Paris hot chocolate of the café upholds the same, reaching a silky texture balanced with bold chocolate without excessive sweetness.
It's a quiet spot away from the hustle and bustle, perfect for those traveling to find out about one of Paris's lesser-known culinary gems.
La Maison du Chocolat – Opulence in Every Sip
La Maison du Chocolat, a great spot for chocolate lovers looking for a treat will be another stop on the way. While its in-house chocolates are well regarded, the boutique is also known for providing a very nicely prepared hot chocolate (using cocoa specially selected) in Paris.
The full-bodied aroma, a silky mouthfeel and the classy presentation provide every cup as you indulge. A great option for those travelers who enjoy top of the line commercial French craftsmanship and would like to go out your way to taste one of the chocolates that arguably prepares one of the best hot chocolate drinks in the city.
Café de Flore – A Classic Parisian Café
Any guide to the best hot chocolate in Paris would be incomplete without Café de Flore. The magnificent café, which has been a historic meeting place in the city for famous writers, artists and philosophers for decades.
Though this iconic Parisian destination is mostly known for its coffee and classic French fare, its rich hot chocolate lists it among the best in the world. What could be better than sitting on one of the outdoor terraces with a hot cup of chocolat chaud while people-watching Parisian life?
Les Deux Magots – A Grand Old Name with Good Chocolate
Just a short walk from Café de Flore, Les Deux Magots is another legendary café that embodies the feeling of old Paris. Its literary past may bring visitors here, but its stylish ambience and exquisite menu keep them coming back.
The best thing to do after a stroll through Saint-Germain-des-Prés is, of course, to order a cup of French hot chocolate here. Serve it with a fresh pastry for the true Parisian café experience.
When to Drink Hot Chocolate in Paris
Paris hot chocolate is available year around but the extra experience of it in autumn and winter season make this drink most enjoyable. Every sip of the comfort becomes even more so, especially after spending hours traversing through the city's world-renowned sites in cooler temperatures.
That said, a lot of visitors like to drink Paris hot chocolate on spring days or rainy afternoons from the city when they take a break from sightseeing. Many cafés serve chocolat chaud year-round, so it's never a bad time for a decadent poutinerie.
I hope you enjoy these tips on finding the best hot chocolate to drink in Paris! So, if you want to really make the most of your chocolate adventure, be sure to arrive at famous cafés early in the morning or on a weekday for an uninterrupted experience! For the authentic experience, match your drink with classic French pastries like croissants, éclairs or macarons.
Another brilliant idea is to explore various neighborhoods because each café prepares its own recipe and style for the French hot chocolate. And others mix it until it's more of a fluid, lighter pudding and it all tastes just as good. You can experience the difference with different cafés in Paris if you take time to find several options.
A Chocolate Lover's Guide to Paris
PARIS, Much More Than Its Famous Landmarks. The city's café society, artisinal chocolatiers and sophisticated tea salons have imbued the city with ample culinary credentials to be considered one of the great dining cities in the world.
Whether you're sitting at the foot of the Eiffel Tower, walking in Montmartre or wandering through the historic streets of Saint-Germain-des-Prés, you'll always have a chocolat chaud café right around the corner. They all come with their different vibe, so every stop represents a different stretch of your voyage through the City of Light.
Conclusion
You see, locating the best hot chocolate in Paris is about more than treating your sweet tooth – it's all part of enjoying one of the country's best-loved traditions. Café de Flore, Le Café Hautefeuille, Caron, Jean-Paul Hévin, and Jacques Genin bring masterful chocolates to visitors, making this timeless drink an unforgettable part of the Paris experience.
This hot chocolate experience, whether it be your first time in Paris or you are returning to eat even more of her delicious foods (always encouraged), is one that will stay with you forever. Add some of these cafés to your list, slow it down a bit and enjoy the taste as you soak in the beauty and character that makes Paris one of the best food capitals in the world.
Ready to Taste Paris's Finest Hot Chocolate?
Whether you're planning your first trip or returning to explore more of the French capital, don't miss the opportunity to discover the best hot chocolate in Paris. Add these iconic cafés to your itinerary and enjoy one of the city's most comforting and delicious traditions.
