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, Notting Hill 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 Chelsea, as well as Marylebone, 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.
Badiani 1932, various locations
There’s nothing quite like authentic thick Italian hot chocolate – and Badiani 1932 (also a winner for its gelato in the summer) even has a special machine to produce its concoctions.
As well as the classic hot chocolate, which also comes in kids’ sizes, you can find affogato and mocha (including a scoop of gelato) and delicious pistachio concoctions, drizzled with pistachio sauce – a winner for those like me, who aren’t normally pistachio fans.
There are branches in Covent Garden, Westfield White City and Stratford, Notting Hill, Canary Wharf and Chelsea, among others.
Venchi, Covent Garden/Harrods
For another classic version with added treat factor, traditional favourite Venchi has branches in Covent Garden as well as Harrods, Piccadilly, Carnaby Street and Soho.
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, and Seven Dials Market in Covent Garden, plus there’s a vegan option on the menu here too.
For more things to do in Camden 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 House 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, Westfield
Chocolate and churros is a classic combination. But head over to The Knot Churros cafe 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. There is also a branch in Knightsbridge, although the South Kensington location is now closed.
For more ideas of the best desserts in London with kids, check out my top picks
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 whipped 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, Westfield White City and St Pancras station, with different variations at different branches.
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 and Kentish Town.
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.
Italian Bear Chocolate, Soho
What’s better than hot chocolate? Hot chocolate with melted chocolate drizzled all over it, that’s what.
At Italian Bear Chocolate in Soho, you can have a thick layer of melted chocolate coating everything you order, whether that’s cake, fruit or hot chocolate, with a choice of milk, dark and hazelnutty gianduja hot chocolates, not to mention spiced versions..
There’s also another location in Fitzrovia, not far from Tottenham Court Road tube station. The big question is… do you lick your cup at the end?
Copperhouse Chocolate, Islington
CURRENTLY CLOSED AND NEW LOCATION STILL TO BE ANNOUNCED One of the best places to come if you’re looking for vegan hot chocolate, Copperhouse Chocolate even lets you choose different single origin cocoa if you’re serious about your hot chocolate tasting experience.
While the cafe in Chapel Market closed a little while ago, you can still buy online while you wait for the new location to be announced…
There are various different spiced options – Gingerbread, man! is a fab winter option, or for something stronger there’s Chilli Con Choccy containing cinnamon and nutmeg as well as chilli. For a sweeter tooth, there’s raspberry or orange flavours, along with mint.
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
Badiani image copyright MummyTravels, other images courtesy Depositphotos/Instagram as credited
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