Pastry chef Patrice Demer’s hot chocolate topped with a caramel mousse {photo © Patrice Pâtissier}
Latest update: November 2019. A version of this article was first written for Tourisme Montréal
Nothing says cozy and comforting like a steaming mug of hot chocolate. Luscious, warm, rich, sweet or spicy, the beverages listed below are the perfect mix of premium ingredients and creativity. From classic to completely decadent and utterly funky, these Montreal hot chocolate spots are the perfect mugs of comfort to dive into in these frigid temperatures. Enjoy!
Patrice Pâtissier
Patrice Demers and his lovely, sweet-laden store don’t need an introduction anymore, but did you know that they serve one of the best hot chocolates in Montreal? Their classic version contains Araguani chocolate, cocoa, vanilla and a light infusion of spices. For a small supplement, you can get a caramel mousse topping, and yes, you’ll want the caramel mousse topping.
Au festin de Babette
Au festin de Babette is a classic go-to spot for great hot chocolate in Montreal. Its hot chocolate selection is separated into three categories: dark chocolate, white chocolate and Valrhona Grands Crus. In all, twelve different flavours for you to enjoy, from a classic mix to comforting brews flavoured with spices, orange, nuts or piment d’Espelette.
Geneviève Grandbois’ decadent hot chocolate
Chocolats Geneviève Grandbois
Geneviève has been one of Montreal’s foremost artisanal chocolate purveyor for several years now, thus contributing to the happiness of her young and mature clientele alike. Her European-style hot chocolate is prepared from her homemade blend of 70% chocolate and vanilla cane sugar. It’s served at the Geneviève Grandbois Mile End boutique on Saint-Viateur Street West.
Suite 88 Chocolatier
Suite 88 Chocolatier is a chocoholic paradise! From delicate, filled bonbons et cookies and cakes, you can indulge in all things chocolate, including one of the best hot chocolates in Montreal. Try one flavoured with vanilla or spices or stick to a classic topped with homemade whipped cream.
Juliette et Chocolat’s beautiful hot chocolate creations {photo © Juliette et Chocolat}
Juliette et chocolat
Juliette is the doyenne of all things chocolate in Montreal. Her stores are so popular it’s often hard to find a table at any time of day or night. Several hot chocolates are on this institution’s menu, including the latest, a campfire hot chocolate with velvety thick hot chocolate smoked with wood chips and served with a brownie and toasted marshmallows.
C’ChoColat
C’ChoColat takes toppings to a whole new level! Its crazy and fun concoctions include hot chocolates topped with salted caramel, Oreo bits, marshmallows, and more! Pick from one of its six hot chocolate flavours (including a vegan one) and add some extra toppings for a more decadent drink.
Le Butterblume’s rich hot chocolate {photo: Marcella}
Le Butterblume
The Mile End café has become one of the most popular in Montreal from day one. Its take on the tartine made on its homemade sourdough bread is now legendary. Its hot chocolate concoction is made with Weiss chocolate (a bean-to-bar French brand), cocoa and love. Oh, and milk of course, regular or plant based.
Marius et Fanny
Close to 12 flavours of hot chocolate await you at Marius et Fanny. The beverages are divided into two categories: soft for milk or white chocolate-based drinks and intense for drinks with darker chocolate (anywhere from 65% to 75%). The intense flavours also include single origin chocolates. Marius et Fanny also serves special seasonal concoctions such as a coconut-flavoured one.
Hof Kelsten’s hot chocolate {photo © Hof Kelsten}
Hof Kelsten
This Mile End Jewish-style bakery has garnered a loyal following since its opening. Hof Kelsten’s flakey pastries and scrumptious breads are some of my favourites, hands down. Its hot chocolate is made by preparing a thick Valhrona chocolate ganache, which is then thinned out with hot steamed milk, in the same manner one would make a latte.
Automne Boulangerie
The Scandinavian-inspired Rosemont bakery serves some of the best bread in the city. Its pastries are also delicious and so is its hot chocolate. Automne uses 58% dark chocolate, cocoa powder, chai spices and a sprinkle of salt. You can get yours with regular or plant-based milk. Either way, it’s delicious!
Rich hot chocolate from Noir Chocolat {photo © Noir Chocolat}
Noir Chocolat
This tiny Plateau spot has quickly garnered a loyal following and has become a favourite among neighbours and tourists alike. Its unusual, elegant cake and bonbon designs distinguish it from the competition. Its classic hot chocolate is a comforting combination of milk, cream and 64% dark chocolate. The result is an unctuous drink that can quickly become addictive.
Les Givrés’ whipped cream-topped hot chocolate
Les Givrés
Popular ice cream stores Les Givrés will also be serving hot chocolate at their three locations until December 24, 2019. The comforting brews come in two different flavours of Cacao Barry chocolate: 70% St-Domingue and Ghana milk chocolate. You can top your drink with a marshmallow or some homemade whipped cream.
Les chocolats de Chloé
This adorable Plateau-Mont Royal shop is among the most loved in Montreal. Les chocolats de Chloé’s basic hot chocolate is made up of cocoa paste, dark chocolate and organic cane sugar. It’s the same hot chocolate mix it sells in the store for you to enjoy at home. It also serves an alternate weekend choice that is either a chai, coffee or mint-flavoured brew.
Vegan hot chocolate at Café Dei Campi {photo © Café Dei Cami}
Café Dei Campi
Everything at Café Dei Campi tastes delicious. Its vegan pastries are some of the best in town, regardless of their butter and egg content. Its hot chocolate is no exception and is prepared with extra brute cocoa with vanilla and sugar and your choice of cow, soy or homemade almond milk.
Cacao 70
Cacao 70’s Montreal chocolate factory as well as all its stores are beacons of chocolatey goodness for all dessert lovers. In addition to all the regular flavours, try the Cacao 70 Factory Hot Chocolate. A snifter of melted 70% dark chocolate is served with a side of milk or dark chocolate base on the side for the clients to mix their own drink.
Café Larue’s beautiful hot chocolate
Café Larue
Café Larue has a centrifuge that churns all day long to keep the rich and thick hot chocolate warm and melted. a small quantity of this mix is added to steaming cow or oat milk to create the ultimate hot chocolate. It’s the perfect consistency, just a little thinner than those really thick Spanish hot chocolates, and ideal for dipping a pastry or a croissant.
Café Bazin
Westmount’s Café Bazin is the chic destination for brunch, lunch or an exquisite pastry date. Its classic hot chocolate is a mix of 64% chocolate, a little bit of sugar and some milk. This makes for a light yet creamy drink that you can top with one of its homemade marshmallows.
Avanaa’s hot chocolate topped with their homemade marshmallow {photo © Avanaa}
Avanaa
The little Villeray chocolate factory makes its exceptional bars from beans that it sources, roasts and prepares in house. Avanaa’s classic hot chocolate is always available as well as a second seasonal option. The classic is a rich mix of two 70% chocolates, a little sugar and oat milk. Don’t forget to top yours with a homemade marshmallow. The hot chocolate mix will soon be available for purchase.
Janine Café
The popular brunch and lunch spot also serves several hot chocolates made with a variety of beans, including white chocolate. Try one of Janine Café’s most popular drink made with 68% chocolate or its 70% spicy mix created by adding several warm spices and topped with a cinnamon stick. It also serves a deconstructed hot chocolate that includes a small teapot with melted chocolate, a pitcher of your milk of choice (cow or plant-based) and homemade marshmallows.
MELK Bar à café’s pretty holiday hot chocolate {photo © MELK}
MELK Bar à Café
With three coffee shops across the city, MELK Bar à Café is slowly expanding its coffee empire through Montreal. Its coffee is exceptional and the latest spot in Old Montreal is Instagram famous for its funky design. The hot chocolate is made like a latte with a dark or milk Cacao Barry chocolate base and an addition of steamed milk. It can be topped with MELK’s homemade marshmallows. For the holiday season, get the peppermint hot chocolate or a marshmallow coated in crushed candy cane.
Pikolo Espresso Bar
This little café in the McGill University ghetto has been a coffee lover destination since its opening. Pikolo’s hot chocolate base is a dairy-free, homemade chocolate syrup made with 70% Callebaut chocolate. A milk of your choice is then added to the syrup base. That same chocolate base is also used in its mochas.
The extravagant hot chocolates of Tella’s Santé ou Sucré {photo © Tella’s}
Tella’s Santé ou Sucré
The name of the game at Tella’s Santé ou Sucré is extravagance! Its list of hot chocolate mixes includes classics such as a milk or dark chocolate base, but it also serves peanut butter, Nutella or caramel infused drinks. Its over-the-top toppings include a whole brownie square, a burning roasted marshmallow, caramelized popcorn, a donut and a waffle.
Arhoma
The Hochelaga-Maisonneuve bakery and pastry shop is one of the most loved in Montreal for its baked goods. Arhoma’s hot chocolate is made with Camino, a fair trade and organic semi-sweet chocolate. Clients also have the option of having their hot brew made with Arhoma’s house brand of 70% chocolate.
{{ PIN IT }} Montreal’s best hot chocolate {photo © Cacao 70}
If you like chocolate, check out my favourite Montreal chocolate shops.
