The Best Hot Chocolate in Paris

Hot chocolate in Paris comes in many varieties, from ultra-dense and gourmet to frothy and creamy. The beloved chocolat chaud is more than just an indulgent drink for the little ones; Parisians of all ages partake of this pleasure.  

If you only have time for one cup, the most famous hot chocolate in Paris is Angelina's l'Africain, the thick chocolat chaud à l'ancienne they have been ladling out on the Rue de Rivoli for more than a century. It is a treat all year round, but there is nothing quite like wrapping your hands around a steaming cup on a grey Paris afternoon in autumn or winter, which is exactly when I find myself craving one most.

Balancing the bitterness and sweetness in each cup of molten chocolate is a serious endeavor. All the best chocolatiers try to make the perfect cup of hot chocolate!

Whether it’s an iconic tea room or a corner cafe, here is a list of the best hot chocolate in Paris – hot chocolates to die for!

Angelina

Address: 226 Rue de Rivoli, 1st Arr. There are more locations throughout Paris, but this is the original spot.

A favorite meeting place of the gourmands, Angelina’s is probably the most famous hot chocolate in Paris. Located on Rue Rivoli across from the royal Tuileries Garden, the cafe transports you to the Belle Epoque era. With mirrors, marble tabletops, and crystal chandeliers, Angelina is a gorgeous setting for more than just a chocolat chaud.

This is my go-to spot, and Mr. Misadventures never leaves Paris without indulging in a cup of creamy hot chocolate.   Expect to pay around €9 to €10 for a cup of l'Africain, and it is worth every centime at least once.

Angelina’s hot chocolate is a dessert in itself! A thick concoction of some of the finest cocoa, it is known as l’Africain (the African) or Chocolat chaud à l’ancienne (hot chocolate made in the traditional way). Angelina has been using a special blend of cocoa sourced from Niger, Ghana, and Côte d’Ivoire for more than a century to create its signature flavor.

It is served in French style, where a ceramic pitcher holds enough for two cups. You serve yourself, and you can also add a dollop of unsweetened whipped cream if needed. Angelina is a must-try when visiting Paris!

[It was also a near-daily spot for Coco Chanel, who adored this chocolate!]

Carette

Address: 4 Pl. du Trocadéro et du 11 Novembre, 16th Arr. They have another tea room in Place des Vosges in the 3rd Arr.

Founded in 1927 by Jean and Madelaine Carette, this cafe is located right across the Eiffel Tower and serves a sublime cup of hot chocolate in Paris. One of the city's most iconic cafes, its hot chocolate is a perfect blend of rich and sweet. Connoisseurs of this creamy hot concoction rate Carrette's as the best in the city.

Although the cafe has a laid-back bistro ambiance, it is an elegant bistro with scrumptious macarons and decadent hot chocolate with a velvety texture that will keep you coming back for more. They are also known for their amazing pain au chocolat, but that is too much chocolate for me to have at one time!

Un Dimanche à Paris

Address: Cour du Commerce Saint-André, 6th Arr

Nestled on a charming cobbled passageway near Odéon, Un Dimanche à Paris is a concept store dedicated to chocolate, and without a doubt, serves a great cup of hot chocolate! In the adjoining tea room, visitors can enjoy a creamy cup lightly flavored with vanilla and cinnamon, served with cream.

To get the whole experience, ask to sit by the curved stone wall, which was the base of one of the towers of the 12th-century defensive wall of the city.

Ladurée

Address: 75 Av. des Champs-Élysées, 8th Arr. There are several spots throughout the city.

As you probably know, Ladurée is a popular macaron store, but it also has great hot chocolate! An elegant tea room straight out of the 19th century, Ladurée’s hot chocolate is a blend of bittersweet, velvety chocolate that will leave you wanting more.

The tea room on Champs-Élysées reflects the Paris of the Art Deco era, whereas their second tea room in the 6th Arr has gorgeous blue interiors as cozy as their hot chocolate.

Plaq

Address: 4 Rue du Nil, 2nd Arr

Plaq is a temple of gourmet chocolates in Paris! Their chocolate is made with the most aromatic cocoa beans from Venezuela, Peru, and Belize, and paired with their no-nonsense packaging, Plaq is undoubtedly one of the best places to enjoy a cup of chocolat chaud (or two!).

With their motto ‘bean to bar’, Plaq makes an artisanal, velvety-thick hot chocolate with the right amount of sweetness without going overboard on decadence.

Jean-Paul Hévin

Address: 3 rue Vavin, 6th Arr

Another French chocolatier, Jean-Paul Hévin has been a creative confectioner for over 30 years! Each year, he chooses a theme to inspire his chocolate creations. The hot chocolate from this Maison comes with a generous serving of whipped cream to warm you up on chilly winter days.

His chocolate bar also offers a variety of different flavors, from banana chili-flavored hot chocolate to hot chocolate with iodized foam and oysters!

La Chocolaterie de Cyril Lignac

Address: 25 rue Chanzy, 11th Arr

A paradise for chocolate lovers, Cyril Lignac's chocolate factory boasts a cozy setting and delicious treats. With artisanal bars handcrafted in the factory, the brand offers some of the finest cookies, muffins, and of course, hot chocolates.

With a creamy, full-bodied texture, their drinks have a hint of vanilla essence, all at affordable prices.

Alain Ducasse

Address: 40 Rue de la Roquette, 11th Arr

Alain Ducasse has been a beloved Parisian chocolatier for ages, and when he opened his chocolate factory in a former garage in Bastille with a mission to offer over 50 different varieties of chocolate!

The hot chocolate is one of the best blends, with finely grated chocolate to match the texture of the milk. He also sells a special hot chocolate kit to make a comforting cup at home.

Toraya

Address: 10 Rue Saint-Florentin, 1st Arr

Take a trip to Japan with Toraya’s traditional Japanese patisseries. And if you love matcha, don’t forget to try their matcha hot chocolate- a delicious drink made with organic soy milk and matcha tea. The calm zen decor and gourmet pastries made by the book are sure to delight all your senses.

Their matcha hot chocolate, made with organic soy milk, runs about €7.90.

Café de Flore

Address: 172 Boulevard Saint-Germain, 6th Arr

The quintessential French café on Boulevard Saint-Germain, Café de Flore has been a historical place since its opening in 1880. Popular amongst Parisian writers of the 20th century, it has retained its status as a literary café in Paris.

According to some, their hot chocolate is the best in Paris – a delicious serving of rich molten chocolate topped with whipped cream. The recipe is simple: warm cocoa with no extra fuss.

Café Pavane

Address: 22 Rue de Vaugirard

Tucked just off the Jardin du Luxembourg, this pretty little restaurant and tea room is run by Manon Hévin, daughter of the chocolatier Jean-Paul Hévin. The hot chocolate leans on the family's exceptional chocolate, rich and beautifully made. It is a lovely place to settle in after a wander through the gardens.

Dengo 

Address: Several locations across Paris, including the Marais and Saint-Germain

If you want a plant-based cup, this is my pick. Dengo is a Brazilian chocolate house, and its hot chocolate is deep and satisfying but less sweet than most, made with oat milk so it is naturally dairy-free. A great choice if you are skipping dairy and still want something properly indulgent.

La Réserve Paris (only in the winter)

Address: 42 Avenue Gabriel, 8th Arr.

For a real splurge, this palace hotel serves a signature chocolat chaud in its Bibliothèque Duc de Morny lounge, blending Venezuelan dark and Peruvian milk chocolate with orange peel, vanilla and warm spices. It is an occasion in itself, and priced like one at around €35 a cup.

Other Honorable Mentions

Paris is heaven for chocolate lovers, so it is probably not surprising that the list of great hot chocolate spots could go on forever. I would be remiss in not mentioning these:

• Les Deux Magots (6 Pl. Saint-Germain des Prés, 6th Arr) across from Café de Flore; this equally iconic café also has great chocolate.
• Jacques Genin (locations throughout Paris) is a brilliant chocolatier, so of course his hot chocolate with dark Valrhona chocolate is to die for.

Frequently Asked Questions

Recipe: How to make French hot chocolate at home

After reading this, if you too are craving a sip of Paris but can’t hop on a plane on a whim, here’s a simple and easy way to enjoy a chocolat chaud chez vous! 

1 ½ cups whole milk
½ cup heavy cream
2 teaspoons sugar (preferably powdered)
8 ounces of bittersweet chocolate, finely chopped (I know this sounds like an insane amount of chocolate, but it’s the only way to get a creamy, thick drink)

• Take a medium saucepan, and whisk the milk, heavy cream, and sugar over medium heat. Don’t boil it; heat it until bubbles appear around the edges.
• Remove the pan from the heat and add the grated chocolate. Return to low heat to melt the chocolate easily.
• Serve it warm (better if it’s in a warm cup!) and top it with whipped cream if needed.

For an extra French kick, add in a pinch of fleur de sel for extra texture. 

Remember to use high-quality chocolate as it will affect the quality of your drink. And please do not use water!

If you want to feel like you’re in a Parisian cafe, sit by the window and dig into your favorite book as the world passes by!

How about you? Are you a fan of hot chocolate? Have you had it in Paris? Do you have a favorite spot? Do tell!