Chilly Santa Ana winds have finally made their way back to LA, meaning only one thing: hot chocolate season, baby! Take a break from the holiday shopping grind and get bundled up with a rich, creamy cup of hot cocoa. If that’s not convincing enough, studies show that drinking hot chocolate can actually make you smarter. Seriously! Enjoy it thick and decadent like the Belgians, or spiced with chile like the Mayan way. Whatever your style is, The LA Girl’s got your back with an ultimate guide to the 7 best hot chocolate spots in LA!
1. Best White Chocolate⼁Lavender & Honey Espresso Bar
Address: 1383 East Washington Blvd, Pasadena, CA 91104
LA Girl Pick: Campfire Hot Chocolate
Rain or shine, Lavender & Honey Espresso Bar has a special treat for every kind of chocolate lover. Stick to the traditional milk and chocolate combo, or choose from their wide selection of flavors like campfire, cupcake, tuxedo chocolate, white coconut, and way more. Stop by in the summertime to refresh with their wildly delicious frozen hot chocolate!
View this post on Instagram
2. Best Spiked⼁High Rooftop Lounge
Address: 1697 Pacific Ave, Venice, CA 90291, inside Hotel Erwin
LA Girl Pick: Spiked Hot Chocolate & Apple Cider
For days you can’t decide between a steamy cup of hot cocoa or a glass of whiskey to get you in the holiday spirit, take a beach trip to High Rooftop Lounge at Hotel Erwin. There’s nothing more LA than sipping on a warm, spiked cup of hot cocoa while watching the Venice Beach sunset. We love that their hot cider and hot chocolate are crafted in a way that isn’t overpowered by the alcohol.
View this post on Instagram
3. Best Vegan⼁Chocovivo
Address: 12469 Washington Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90066
LA Girl Pick: Hot Chocolate with Strauss Vanilla Bean. You’re welcome.
With today’s endless chocolate variations and “sugar conditioning” (we’re looking at you, America!), most chocolate nowadays includes some form of dairy. But not at Chocovivo! Women-owned and purely vegan, Chocovivo makes its own chocolate using only cacao nibs and whole spices. Choose from 65% to 100% cacao, depending on your desired thickness and sweetness. Too many options got you chocolate crazy? They have a sample bar for you to try anything and everything.
View this post on Instagram
4. Best Spiced⼁Chokolatta
Address: 5264 Tujunga Ave, North Hollywood, CA 91601
LA Girl Pick: Spicy Mayan Mocha & Chai Latte Bonbons
Attention all spicy hot cocoa lovers! Your search for the best chile, cinnamon-y, Mexican-style hot chocolate is officially over! Chokolatta has answered your prayer with their Spicy Mayan Mocha, which can also be served as decaf. Tucked between a local hotel and apartment complex, Chokolatta also offers unique crepes and a huge array of organic coffee and hot chocolate flavors.
View this post on Instagram
5. Best European-Inspired⼁Lady Chocolatt
Address: 12008 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90025
LA Girl Pick: Extra Dark Hot Chocolate
If you’re on Tik Tok, chances are you know that one viral video from Paris, where a buttery croissant is being dunked in a gooey, steamy mug of hot chocolate and fresh whipped cream. Well lucky for you, we found a striking replica hidden at a local mom-and-pop on Wilshire. Since 2003, Lady Chocolatt has been praised for its unforgettably thick and creamy combo of melted Belgian chocolate with just enough milk. Being in LA, they do offer milk alternatives such as soy, almond, or coconut. While you’re people-watching or catching up with friends on their patio, make sure to try a box of their handmade Belgian truffles!
View this post on Instagram
6. Best Bombs⼁Mignon Chocolate
Address: Glendale & Pasadena locations (but the one in Pasadena is cuter)
LA Girl Pick: Milk & Hot Chocolate Bombs
There’s something about watching a hot chocolate bomb melt apart in a pool of steaming milk that makes it taste even better. If you feel the same way, we know the best place in LA for these little balls of happiness: Mignon Chocolate, a family-owned chocolate truffle business. Don’t be fooled by their simple selection of two bombs. One ball provides that much richness while also keeping the sweetness level at bay. We also recommend taking home some of their insanely delicious vegan and gluten-free truffles.
View this post on Instagram
7. Best Marshmallow Topping⼁Demitasse
Address: 1149 3rd St, Santa Monica, CA 90402
LA Girl Pick: Liquid Lavender Hot Chocolate
A good ol’ classic cup of hot cocoa never lacks its one true pairing: marshmallows! Demitasse specializes in just that. Their famous liquid lavender hot chocolate includes E. Guittard Cocoa Rouge cocoa powder mixed with Tahitian vanilla and a drop of lavender oil. Talk about fancy! While the lavender flavor is only subtle, you can always opt for the traditional style without the floral finish. Topping off this sugary decadence is a fluffy marshmallow square that is blow-torched to order!
View this post on Instagram
For more delicious holiday drinks, check out our top list of the 8 Best Pumpkin-Spiced Lattes in LA! Get in the festive spirit and find out our favorite Things to Do in LA this Holiday Season. Cheers!
