In the cold of the winter we all look for some warming comfort. That little treat to heat the cockles and soothe the soul. And there are few better ways to do this than the sweet taste of a hot chocolate.
York has a great selection of places offering up their own exceptional versions of the drink. From the simple and the sumptuous to the sprinkled and the spiced, there’s a perfect hot chocolate in York for everybody. Here’s where to find nine of the best:
By its very name, Brew and Brownie excel at hot drinks with chocolatey delights. Whilst their wonderful coffee and loose leaf tea are hard to overlook, you’ll be rewarded if you do with an equally excellent hot chocolate. Enjoy a large cup of rich and creamy goodness in their relaxed interior or treat yourself on the go.
The Pig is a York favourite for those in the know, and a visit to Bishopthorpe Road is always worth it. Alongside delicious breakfast, brunch and lunch dishes are expert hot drinks, and it is their hot chocolate which offers the option of added indulgence with lashings of cream and marshmallows.
To really indulge those chocolate cravings, head to York Cocoa House. This chocolate factory is a chocoholic’s dream, and unsurprisingly means they do a tasty line in hot chocolates too. Choose from about a dozen options of their traditionally handmade blends, from white to milk to dark, and after a luxury cup in the cafe it’s hard to resist taking a packet or few home.
Betty’s
The famous Yorkshire tea rooms serve much more than the finest Yorkshire tea. Here you’ll also find a fabulous traditional food menu and of course a magnificent selection of hot chocolates. As well as a luxurious cup in the elegant setting, you can take away a refill bag of Swiss dark chocolate made from Venezuelan cocoa beans infused with Madagascan vanilla. Yum.
It may be coffee in the name, but curiously this Haxby haven makes a marvellous hot chocolate. Not so surprising for a place that knows its chocolate through their sensational brownies, the liquid version offers the choice of milk, white, honeycomb, or jazzed up ‘with the bits’.
Partisan is a cosy and chic café whose quality food and drink match the laid-back style. Their hot chocolate continues this trend, coming in a choice of four varieties which all offer equal parts indulgence, elegance and comfort.
Busk
This friendly and stylish café has put an extra twist on the classic hot chocolate that is perfect for the festive feels. Yes, it’s the chocolate orange hot chocolate! Or should that be the hot chocolate orange? Either way, grab one while they’re here; they’re delicious.
With a rightly earned reputation as coffee specialists, it may be hard to order away from their single origin brews. But venture onto their hot chocolate, with the option of cream and marshmallows, and you’ll discover that equal care and attention is put into all the hot drinks at Bison.
Haxby Bakehouse is always an awesome visit for the fresh produce, from the centrepiece bread to the many deli delights. So they were hardly going to come up short on the hot chocolate, sourced from York Cocoa Works, who deliver milk chocolate, white chocolate or chocolate orange, all balanced to perfection!
Images: Brew and Brownie, Partisan, Haxby Bakehouse
