The best hot chocolate in London with kids
As soon the temperatures drop, you’ve got the perfect excuse for scheduling a pitstop for hot chocolate in London with kids into your day.
I’m usually first in the queue as soon as autumn rolls around, but if you’ve braved a festive ice rink, Christmas market or winter light trail, you’ll welcome the chance to defrost with something warming and sweet too.
Forget any ordinary everyday versions, because London specialises in some indulgently extravagant drinks to try – from traditional to madly good, this is where to find some of the best hot chocolate in London with kids.
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Knoops, various locations
There really is a hot chocolate for everyone at Knoops, with a huge choice of 22 different cocoa levels – from creamy white right up to 100% dark chocolate.
Started in Rye, where it’s a favourite of ours, there are multiple branches in London now too, including Covent Garden, Kensington, Chelsea and Richmond.
Rococo, various locations
Rococo is another great spot if you’re looking for a range to choose from, with some unusual flavours to add to the high-quality chocolate.
Think luxurious white chocolate and cardamom, for example, as well as ultra-dark chocolate and child-friendly milk chocolate.
There’s a branch in Covent Garden, as well as Marylebone, Chelsea and Belgravia (not far from Knightsbridge), and it’s hard to resist the opportunity to pick up some of the fantastic flavoured bars while you’re there.
Hotel Chocolat, various locations
If you’re looking for an indulgent version of a classic hot chocolate, Hotel Chocolat has branches across the city including in Covent Garden.
There are seasonal flavours to watch out for, including chilli hot chocolate and a salted caramel version, plus quirky options like mince pie hot chocolate.
Or their child-friendly flavours include mint chocolate as well as hazelnut (you’re not drinking Nutella, but it might be the closest you’ll get), and you can get chocolate whipped cream on top too.
Venchi, Covent Garden/Harrods
For another classic version with added treat factor, traditional favourite Venchi has branches in Covent Garden as well as Harrods.
Founded in 1878, the Italian chocolatiers have had plenty of experience refining their recipes to create the best sweet creations (look out for ice cream in summer too).
Thick, creamy, chocolatey – no messing around, this is just what you want.
Chin Chin Labs, Camden/Soho
Chin Chin Labs might be better known for its liquid nitrogen ice cream, but when temperatures drop, you’ll find fabulous hot chocolate too.
Almost as much of a treat for the eyes as for your stomach, try the oozily delicious charred (veggie) marshmallow fluff on top for the most Instagrammable version (if you can wait to photograph it before diving in).
There are branches in Soho and Camden, plus a vegan option on the menu too.
For more things to do in Camden with kids, check out my top picks
Ruby Violet, Kings Cross
Ruby Violet in Kings Cross, another favourite stop for ice cream, also has some fabulously rich hot chocolate: served in a small gold cup, the ‘short and intense’ is a bean away from simply being melted chocolate.
Or you can make your own ‘long and frothy’, pouring warm milk until you get your own perfect mix. Throw in a nibble of almond brittle on the side, and it’s all the indulgent sugar hit you need.
For more ideas of the best desserts in London with kids, check out my top picks
Dark Sugars, Shoreditch
If you’re in east London – or happy to travel for the ultimate hot chocolate – it’s hard to beat Dark Sugars on Brick Lane (as well as the Cocoa Houe in Greenwich).
Not just for the fantastic flavours, but because you can have a gigantic amount of chocolate shavings to top your drink.
The big question is… do you try to scoff them before they melt or let them turn your hot chocolate even more chocolatey?
The Knot Churros, Kensington
Chocolate and churros is a classic combination. But head over to The Knot Churros cafe in Kensington and it’s all about the candyfloss.
Yes, that’s hot chocolate topped with a sugary swirl of brightly coloured candyfloss – along with milk and hazelnut hot chocolate for the traditionalists.
Although yes, you can get churros as well.
El&n, various locations
It’s oh so pink at El&n – and that goes for the hot chocolate too. Choose the Turkish Delight Hot Chocolate, and you’ll get rose-flavoured white hot chocolate, topped with whipper cream.
Or for the full-on drink that thinks it’s a dessert, the S’mores Hot Chocolate has Nutella, Biscoff crumbs, torched marshmallows and a molten chocolate dome on top of the hot chocolate of your choice.
That includes classic white, milk and dark hot chocolates, plus a Nutella version – you can also choose any of those four flavours on their own, or dressed up with extras including cherry, mint and salted caramel.
You’ll find around 10 locations across London, including Wardour Street in Soho, Carnaby Street, Selfridges and St Pancras station.
Mamasons Dirty Ice Cream, Chinatown/Westfield
If pink hot chocolate doesn’t appeal, how about purple? The sound of purple yams mixed with white chocolate might not instantly make you go, yum, but this pastel creation is as good as it looks.
Made with ube, a vegetable from the Philippines, there’s even an option to top your Mamasons Dirty Ice Cream hot chocolate with purple whipped cream as well.
Locations include Chinatown as well as Westfield London in Shepherd’s Bush.
Copperhouse Chocolate, Islington
One of the best places to come if you’re looking for vegan hot chocolate, Copperhouse Chocolate in Islington’s Chapel Market even lets you choose different single origin cocoa if you’re serious about your hot chocolate tasting experience.
There are various different spiced options – Gingerbread, man! is a fab winter option, or for something stronger there’s Masala Mojo with a chai blend of nine spices, along with Chilli Con Choccy containing cinnamon and nutmeg as well as chilli.
For a sweeter tooth, there’s raspberry or orange flavours, along with mint, plus the guaranteed winner with kids – chocolate affogato. Yes, hot chocolate with a scoop of ice-cream in.
Fortnum & Mason, Piccadilly
The Parlour at Fortnum & Mason is always child heaven for its ice-cream, but they don’t disappoint when it comes to hot chocolate either.
This is the perfect place for kids who like their drinks to be juuuust right, Goldilocks style, as you can customise your drink from a milk or dark chocolate base.
There’s whipped cream, marshmallows and chocolate shavings, of course, but you can throw on biscuits, nuts, sauces and other sweet toppings – and there’s even salted caramel and ruby hot chocolates on the menu too.
Needless to say, it’s not the cheapest hot chocolate in London with kids, but hard to beat for a memorable treat.
The Fairy House, Battersea
If you’re visiting London with younger kids, it’s worth making the trip to Battersea – not least for the unicorn hot chocolate at the Fairy House.
More of an experience than a simple drink, you step inside the magic house which is home to hundreds of tiny fairies (and a few human-sized ones), where spell books line the shelves and furniture comes to life as you go on an adventure mixing storytelling, dancing, puzzles and craft-making.
But there’s also an option for afternoon tea at the end including hot chocolate (or white hot chocolate) with marshmallows, sprinkles and sparkles, as well as other treats including vegan hot chocolate.
Must be prebooked, but this is a seriously enchanting hot chocolate for little ones.
For more of the best things to do at Christmas in London with kids, check out this post
PIN FOR LATER: THE BEST HOT CHOCOLATE IN LONDON WITH KIDS
Image courtesy Depositphotos/Instagram as credited
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