When it’s icy, cold, and forbidden, you might consider buying some of the best hot chocolates Paris has to offer. Unfortunately, corner coffee is not always advisable – it is common to serve barely warm water with chunks of undissolved industrial cocoa powder floating on top. To add insult to injury, you may end up paying four or five euros a pop for this poor man’s chaud chocolat.
Fortunately, the artisan hot chocolate makers listed below are the real deal. They use high-quality cocoa and bar chocolate, real milk (gasp!), And are often creative with flavors, mixing their rich chocolate drinks with notes like spicy ginger and cardamom or sweet mint and orange. Without further ado, here are our picks for where to warm up and indulge yourself in the French capital. Just don’t forget to wipe the milky foam off the top of your lip before heading back to sightseeing or shopping!
Angelina
Direction
226 Rue de Rivoli, 75001 Paris, FranceGet directions
Telephone
+33 1 42 60 82 00
Web
Visit the website
Probably the most coveted spot for hot chocolate in Paris, and always flooded with tourists, this circa 1903 Vienna-style Belle Epoque tea room is famous for its ultra-traditional and strictly traditional chocolate chaud. It’s not my personal favorite (I find it too sweet and thick), but for many people Angelina’s hot chocolate is the gold standard. Always book in advance, especially in the colder months and on weekends, when long lines of tourists waiting for tables loom onto Rue de Rivoli. If you prefer tea, Angelina is also one of our picks for the best tea houses in Paris.
- Address: 226 rue de Rivoli, 1st district
- Metro: Tuileries, Concorde
- Telephone: +33 (0) 1 42 60 82 00
Chocolaterie Jacques Genin
Direction
133 Rue de Turenne, 75003 Paris, FranceGet directions
Telephone
+33 1 45 77 29 01
Web
Visit the website
I still haven’t tried the hot chocolate at self-trained chocolate master Jacques Genin’s recently opened Marais boutique, but the Paris by Mouth food network offers a review. Genin’s chocolat chaud is reportedly one of the best in town and served with warmth and grace. Like Hevin’s chocolate bar, the vibe is ultra-modern here, so reserve some time for a lounge here after wandering around or shopping in the trendy Marais district.
- Address: 133 rue de Turenne, 3rd district
- Metro: Filles de Calvaire
- Telephone: +33 (0) 1 45 77 29 01
Chocolate House
Direction
52 Rue François 1er, 75008 Paris, FranceGet directions
Telephone
+33 1 47 23 38 25
Web
Visit the website
This prestigious French gastronomic house offers, of course, an excellent hot chocolate in some of its premises. If you prefer a thicker, richer and less sweet variety of chocolate chaud , this version should satisfy your cravings. And if you don’t have time to sit down, you can always buy a bag of pure chocolate “beads” (available in two different “strengths”) to make your own at home.
- Address: rue Francois 1er 52, 8th district
- Subway: Franklin D. Roosevelt
- Telephone: +33 (0) 1 47 23 38 25
Jean-Paul Hevin
Direction
41 Rue de Bretagne, 75003 Paris, FranceGet directions
Telephone
+33 9 72 60 82 02
Web
Visit the website
Jean-Paul Hevin is already known as one of the best chocolate artisans in Paris. Hevin invented a menu of hot chocolate for different times of the day, some energizing, some relaxing. Our absolute favorite is the 4pm “Aphrodisiac” with strong notes of ginger and spices. Even more exotic? Chocolat aux huitres (Chocolate with oysters), Chocolat a la carotte (carrot) or Chocolat zen with matcha green tea. For traditionalists, there is also a selection of more classic recipes, using only high-quality chocolates.
- Address: 41 Rue de Bretagne
- Metro: Tuileries
