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Overhead view of a liege-style waffle on a white paper bag and a white mug of hot chocolate, both on a wooden table — A waffle and hot chocolate at Curio Coffee in East Cambridge.

Where to Warm Up With Boston’s Most Comforting Mugs of Hot Chocolate

Steel yourself against the cold with rich chocolate drinks — including some spiked with booze — at excellent local cafes, chocolate shops, and bars

by Dana Hatic and Rachel Leah Blumenthal Updated Jan 4, 2022, 12:36pm EST

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A waffle and hot chocolate at Curio Coffee in East Cambridge.

| Rachel Leah Blumenthal/Eater

by Dana Hatic and Rachel Leah Blumenthal Updated Jan 4, 2022, 12:36pm EST

When it’s cold or snowing, there's almost nothing better to warm you up than hot chocolate (except soup, maybe). Whether you’re looking for a simple, straightforward, and nostalgic cup of cocoa or a dense and soul-warming treat — or perhaps some hot chocolate spiked with booze — the Boston area has plenty of great options.

Here are over 20 sure-fire places to find excellent hot chocolate in and around the city as the Northeast gets swept into colder months. Some are sweet, some have a kick of spice, some are topped with delightful whipped cream, and some include alcohol.

Health experts consider dining out to be a high-risk activity for the unvaccinated; it may pose a risk for the vaccinated, especially in areas with substantial COVID transmission. Note that as of January 15, 2022, restaurants in Boston will be required to check for proof of vaccination for customers dining indoors. Non-Boston venues with their own vaccination proof requirements are noted as such on this map.

Note: This map was originally published on February 9, 2017; it is updated periodically, and the date of the most recent update appears above.

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Eater maps are curated by editors and aim to reflect a diversity of neighborhoods, cuisines, and prices. Learn more about our editorial process.

Short Path Distillery

At Short Path Distillery, taste a boozy chocolate orange with the Snow Day cocktail — hot chocolate mixed with the distillery’s own triple sec and gin (its Old Tom variety, aged in whiskey barrels and slightly sweetened).

71 Kelvin St, Everett, MA 02149

A boozy hot chocolate in a clear glass mug sits on a bar and is garnished with ample marshmallows — The Snow Day at Short Path Distillery.

Also featured in:

River Bar

With Mystic River views and a patio with fire pits, this Assembly Row bar offers several hot cocktails over the winter, including hot chocolate spiked with peppermint Baileys.

Proof of vaccination required for indoor dining.

661 Assembly Row, Somerville, MA 02145

Also featured in:

La Saison Bakery

While picking up a loaf of the best sourdough bread in town or an out-of-this-world chocolate cake, you might as well grab a cup of La Saison Bakery’s hot chocolate, too, with or without espresso. And a cookie, and a brownie, and a scone...

407 Concord Ave, Cambridge, MA 02138

Also featured in:

EHChocolatier

This outstanding local chocolatier debuted its Cambridge storefront in 2019 after years tucked away inside a Somerville factory. While browsing the beautiful bonbons, grab a cup of hot chocolate or buy sipping chocolate mix to bring home, available in French, Mexican, blondie, and masala chai varieties.

145 Huron Ave, Cambridge, MA 02138

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by EHChocolatier (@ehchocolatier)

Gâté Comme Des Filles

Located at Bow Market, Somerville’s inimitable chocolate shop Gâté Comme Des Filles offers an incredibly rich Parisian-style hot chocolate topped with creme chantilly; watch for seasonal flavor specials. (Note that the shop is on a short winter break, expected to reopen on January 22, 2022.)

1 Bow Mkt Wy #8, Somerville, MA 02143

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Alexandra Whisnant (@gatecommedesfilles)

1369 Coffee House

This Cambridge coffee house has two locations, one in Inman Square and one in Central, and both serve a couple different kinds of hot chocolate: a standard version, made with Dutch-process cocoa, and Mexican hot chocolate spiced with coriander and cinnamon.

1369 Cambridge St, Cambridge, MA 02139

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by 1369 Coffeehouse (@1369coffeehouse)

Also featured in:

Curio Coffee

This quaint spot in East Cambridge serves hot chocolate made with Taza chocolate, and it pairs nicely with one of Curio’s Liege waffles, making for a warm and sweet treat for cold days.

441 Cambridge St, Cambridge, MA 02141

A Liege-style waffle sits next to a frothy hot chocolate in a white cup and saucer. — Waffle and hot chocolate at Curio.

Also featured in:

Zinneken's

Nothing pairs better than waffles and hot chocolate, as mentioned above, and Zinneken’s also has both on hand in Cambridge. The shop’s tagline is “Belgian waffles made by real Belgians,” so of course the hot chocolate (whipped cream is available as an optional topping) is made with Belgian chocolate. Want to go all in on chocolate? Also order a Nutella-topped waffle.

1154 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, MA 02138

Also featured in:

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Pepita Coffee

Spicy hot chocolate (available iced, too, if that’s more your thing) is the move at Pepita, located inside Lamplighter Brewing, which features cozy spots to read or play board games. Want something a little more caffeinated? Try the double chocolate mocha when it’s available, also spicy or not and hot or iced. (The hot chocolate can also be made “double,” using chocolate milk when available.)

Proof of vaccination required for entry into the taproom.

284 Broadway, Cambridge, MA 02139

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Pepita Coffee (@pepitacoffeeco)

Earnest Drinks at Gracie's Ice Cream

Earnest Drinks, the Kendall Square sibling to Somerille’s Gracie’s Ice Cream, will happily spike its hot chocolate — a blend of hot fudge and milk — with whiskey, rye, rum, brandy, or amaro. (Might as well grab some ice cream while you’re there, too.)

399 Binney St, Cambridge, MA 02142

Also featured in:

Where to Find Boozy Milkshakes and Floats in Greater Boston

Alcove

This West End restaurant is a more upscale alternative to the neighborhood’s typical sports bar vibes; sit down for a nice meal and a boozy hot chocolate before catching a game at the Garden. La Marseillaise pairs a house-made spiced cocoa and oat milk with Ricard Pastis de Marseille for a boozy hit of anise. (It’s also available without the alcohol, and you can purchase the hot chocolate mix to bring home, too.)

50 Lovejoy Wharf, Boston, MA 02114

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Alcove Boston (@alcoveboston)

Also featured in:

Caffe Vittoria

If you're in the North End craving some hot chocolate with a little something extra, Caffe Vittoria — which is nearly a century old — has all the answers. There are two kinds of cocoa cocktails on the menu: the sleigh ride, with Godiva chocolate and Baileys, and the Italia, which is rounded out with hazelnut liqueur, Kahlua, and brandy. There's also a standard cioccolatto caldo with whipped cream, available hot or iced, made with whole, skim, soy, or almond milk.

296 Hanover St, Boston, MA 02113

Also featured in:

Darwin's Ltd.

There are four Darwin’s locations around Cambridge and four opportunities to satisfy a hot chocolate craving — and support the employees’ unionization, one of several such efforts in the Massachusetts cafe scene. Almond and oat milk are available.

313 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, MA 02139

Thinking Cup

Thinking Cup’s French hot chocolate is described as a drinking chocolate (read: ultra-rich), made with 64% Tainori Valrhona. If you sit in the window at the Tremont Street location, you can watch snow fall on the Common while you stay nice and warm inside with a steamy cup of chocolate. There are also locations in Back Bay and the North End.

165 Tremont St, Boston, MA 02111

Also featured in:

L.A. Burdick

L.A. Burdick has locations in Cambridge and Boston (and a few others around the country) where visitors can indulge in hot chocolate made with either dark, milk, or white chocolate; retail bags of hot chocolate are also available, including a spicy variety. It's less liquid than your average hot chocolate and more akin to a straight-up melted chocolate bar. Proceed slowly, and perhaps buy a box of the shop’s famous chocolate mice, too.

220 Clarendon St, Boston, MA 02116

A frothy hot chocolate in a to-go cup sits on a stone surface — L.A. Burdick hot chocolate.

Also featured in:

Athan's Bakery

With locations in Brighton and Brookline, this European-style cafe is a lovely place to sit and relax over a mug of hot chocolate and some baklava or gelato.

407 Washington St, Boston, MA 02135

Also featured in:

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Trident Booksellers & Cafe

With the standard hot chocolate and white hot chocolate options on the menu, Trident also offers a "chocolatino," which is espresso with steamed chocolate milk that's topped with whipped cream, cocoa, and chocolate syrup. In early January 2022, keep an eye out for the Betty White special, too, a boozy hot chocolate with O’Reilly’s White Chocolate Irish Cream, topped with whipped cream and a white chocolate drizzle.

338 Newbury St, Boston, MA 02115

Also featured in:

Flour Bakery + Cafe

Sure, go to Flour for the sticky buns, but stay for the fiery hot chocolate. The rich beverage brings the fire with some chile powder and cayenne pepper accents. Also keep an eye out for specials, like a white hot chocolate. There are nine locations around Boston and Cambridge.

131 Clarendon St, Boston, MA 02116

Overhead view of a white mug of hot chocolate on a wooden table There’s whipped cream and cocoa powder on the hot chocolate. A bouquet of flours peek in from the top right corner of the photo. — Fiery hot chocolate with whipped cream at Flour.

Also featured in:

Paris Creperie

Nutella is the name of the game at Paris Creperie in Coolidge Corner. The restaurant's hot chocolate embraces the hazelnut spread, but there’s also a more standard hot chocolate made with Taza chocolate. Mint, vanilla, hazelnut, raspberry, and lavender are available as add-ons, along with whipped cream and espresso shots.

278 Harvard St, Brookline, MA 02446

Also featured in:

Render Coffee

With one South End location and another downtown, there's twice the opportunity to get hot chocolate from Render Coffee. (And watch for a Seaport District location debuting in early 2022.)

563 Columbus Ave, Boston, MA 02118

A hot chocolate in a large white mug on a saucer with heart-shaped foam art — Hot chocolate at Render.

Also featured in:

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Lulu Green

South Boston’s cheery vegan cafe Lulu Green adds reishi to its hot chocolate, which can be made with either almond or oat milk. Add a double espresso shot, if you choose.

246 W Broadway, Boston, MA 02127

Also featured in:

Cacao

With locations in Jamaica Plain and Newton Highlands, this chocolate and nut shop also functions as a cafe, and fans flock there for the hot chocolate in particular. Watch for seasonal specials like the peppermint hot chocolate — and get a side of peppermint bark, of course. Retail hot chocolate mix is also available in standard, dark, and spicy.

660 Centre St, Boston, MA 02130

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by nuts - chocolate - coffee (@cacaoboston)

Also featured in:

Reign Drink Lab

Creative Dorchester cafe Reign Drink Lab pairs dark chocolate with Vietnamese coffee for its seasonal Vietnamese hot chocolate, topped with sea salt whip.

1370 Dorchester Ave, Boston, MA 02122

Also featured in:

© 2024 Vox Media, Inc. All rights reserved.

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Short Path Distillery

71 Kelvin St, Everett, MA 02149

At Short Path Distillery, taste a boozy chocolate orange with the Snow Day cocktail — hot chocolate mixed with the distillery’s own triple sec and gin (its Old Tom variety, aged in whiskey barrels and slightly sweetened).

71 Kelvin St, Everett, MA 02149

Visit Website

A boozy hot chocolate in a clear glass mug sits on a bar and is garnished with ample marshmallows — The Snow Day at Short Path Distillery.

River Bar

661 Assembly Row, Somerville, MA 02145

With Mystic River views and a patio with fire pits, this Assembly Row bar offers several hot cocktails over the winter, including hot chocolate spiked with peppermint Baileys.

Proof of vaccination required for indoor dining.

661 Assembly Row, Somerville, MA 02145

Visit Website

La Saison Bakery

407 Concord Ave, Cambridge, MA 02138

While picking up a loaf of the best sourdough bread in town or an out-of-this-world chocolate cake, you might as well grab a cup of La Saison Bakery’s hot chocolate, too, with or without espresso. And a cookie, and a brownie, and a scone...

407 Concord Ave, Cambridge, MA 02138

Visit Website

EHChocolatier

145 Huron Ave, Cambridge, MA 02138

This outstanding local chocolatier debuted its Cambridge storefront in 2019 after years tucked away inside a Somerville factory. While browsing the beautiful bonbons, grab a cup of hot chocolate or buy sipping chocolate mix to bring home, available in French, Mexican, blondie, and masala chai varieties.

Open in Google Maps

145 Huron Ave, Cambridge, MA 02138

Visit Website

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by EHChocolatier (@ehchocolatier)

Gâté Comme Des Filles

1 Bow Mkt Wy #8, Somerville, MA 02143

Located at Bow Market, Somerville’s inimitable chocolate shop Gâté Comme Des Filles offers an incredibly rich Parisian-style hot chocolate topped with creme chantilly; watch for seasonal flavor specials. (Note that the shop is on a short winter break, expected to reopen on January 22, 2022.)

Open in Google Maps

1 Bow Mkt Wy #8, Somerville, MA 02143

Visit Website

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Alexandra Whisnant (@gatecommedesfilles)

1369 Coffee House

1369 Cambridge St, Cambridge, MA 02139

This Cambridge coffee house has two locations, one in Inman Square and one in Central, and both serve a couple different kinds of hot chocolate: a standard version, made with Dutch-process cocoa, and Mexican hot chocolate spiced with coriander and cinnamon.

1369 Cambridge St, Cambridge, MA 02139

Visit Website

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by 1369 Coffeehouse (@1369coffeehouse)

Curio Coffee

441 Cambridge St, Cambridge, MA 02141

This quaint spot in East Cambridge serves hot chocolate made with Taza chocolate, and it pairs nicely with one of Curio’s Liege waffles, making for a warm and sweet treat for cold days.

441 Cambridge St, Cambridge, MA 02141

Visit Website

A Liege-style waffle sits next to a frothy hot chocolate in a white cup and saucer. — Waffle and hot chocolate at Curio.

Zinneken's

1154 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, MA 02138

Nothing pairs better than waffles and hot chocolate, as mentioned above, and Zinneken’s also has both on hand in Cambridge. The shop’s tagline is “Belgian waffles made by real Belgians,” so of course the hot chocolate (whipped cream is available as an optional topping) is made with Belgian chocolate. Want to go all in on chocolate? Also order a Nutella-topped waffle.

1154 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, MA 02138

Visit Website

Pepita Coffee

284 Broadway, Cambridge, MA 02139

Spicy hot chocolate (available iced, too, if that’s more your thing) is the move at Pepita, located inside Lamplighter Brewing, which features cozy spots to read or play board games. Want something a little more caffeinated? Try the double chocolate mocha when it’s available, also spicy or not and hot or iced. (The hot chocolate can also be made “double,” using chocolate milk when available.)

Proof of vaccination required for entry into the taproom.

284 Broadway, Cambridge, MA 02139

Visit Website

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Pepita Coffee (@pepitacoffeeco)

Earnest Drinks at Gracie's Ice Cream

399 Binney St, Cambridge, MA 02142

Earnest Drinks, the Kendall Square sibling to Somerille’s Gracie’s Ice Cream, will happily spike its hot chocolate — a blend of hot fudge and milk — with whiskey, rye, rum, brandy, or amaro. (Might as well grab some ice cream while you’re there, too.)

Open in Google Maps

399 Binney St, Cambridge, MA 02142

Visit Website

Alcove

50 Lovejoy Wharf, Boston, MA 02114

This West End restaurant is a more upscale alternative to the neighborhood’s typical sports bar vibes; sit down for a nice meal and a boozy hot chocolate before catching a game at the Garden. La Marseillaise pairs a house-made spiced cocoa and oat milk with Ricard Pastis de Marseille for a boozy hit of anise. (It’s also available without the alcohol, and you can purchase the hot chocolate mix to bring home, too.)

50 Lovejoy Wharf, Boston, MA 02114

Visit Website

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Alcove Boston (@alcoveboston)

Caffe Vittoria

296 Hanover St, Boston, MA 02113

If you're in the North End craving some hot chocolate with a little something extra, Caffe Vittoria — which is nearly a century old — has all the answers. There are two kinds of cocoa cocktails on the menu: the sleigh ride, with Godiva chocolate and Baileys, and the Italia, which is rounded out with hazelnut liqueur, Kahlua, and brandy. There's also a standard cioccolatto caldo with whipped cream, available hot or iced, made with whole, skim, soy, or almond milk.

296 Hanover St, Boston, MA 02113

Visit Website

Darwin's Ltd.

313 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, MA 02139

There are four Darwin’s locations around Cambridge and four opportunities to satisfy a hot chocolate craving — and support the employees’ unionization, one of several such efforts in the Massachusetts cafe scene. Almond and oat milk are available.

Open in Google Maps

313 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, MA 02139

Visit Website

Thinking Cup

165 Tremont St, Boston, MA 02111

Thinking Cup’s French hot chocolate is described as a drinking chocolate (read: ultra-rich), made with 64% Tainori Valrhona. If you sit in the window at the Tremont Street location, you can watch snow fall on the Common while you stay nice and warm inside with a steamy cup of chocolate. There are also locations in Back Bay and the North End.

Open in Google Maps

165 Tremont St, Boston, MA 02111

Visit Website

L.A. Burdick

220 Clarendon St, Boston, MA 02116

L.A. Burdick has locations in Cambridge and Boston (and a few others around the country) where visitors can indulge in hot chocolate made with either dark, milk, or white chocolate; retail bags of hot chocolate are also available, including a spicy variety. It's less liquid than your average hot chocolate and more akin to a straight-up melted chocolate bar. Proceed slowly, and perhaps buy a box of the shop’s famous chocolate mice, too.

220 Clarendon St, Boston, MA 02116

Visit Website

A frothy hot chocolate in a to-go cup sits on a stone surface — L.A. Burdick hot chocolate.

Related Maps

Athan's Bakery

407 Washington St, Boston, MA 02135

With locations in Brighton and Brookline, this European-style cafe is a lovely place to sit and relax over a mug of hot chocolate and some baklava or gelato.

407 Washington St, Boston, MA 02135

Visit Website

Trident Booksellers & Cafe

338 Newbury St, Boston, MA 02115

With the standard hot chocolate and white hot chocolate options on the menu, Trident also offers a "chocolatino," which is espresso with steamed chocolate milk that's topped with whipped cream, cocoa, and chocolate syrup. In early January 2022, keep an eye out for the Betty White special, too, a boozy hot chocolate with O’Reilly’s White Chocolate Irish Cream, topped with whipped cream and a white chocolate drizzle.

338 Newbury St, Boston, MA 02115

Visit Website

Flour Bakery + Cafe

131 Clarendon St, Boston, MA 02116

Sure, go to Flour for the sticky buns, but stay for the fiery hot chocolate. The rich beverage brings the fire with some chile powder and cayenne pepper accents. Also keep an eye out for specials, like a white hot chocolate. There are nine locations around Boston and Cambridge.

131 Clarendon St, Boston, MA 02116

Visit Website

Overhead view of a white mug of hot chocolate on a wooden table There’s whipped cream and cocoa powder on the hot chocolate. A bouquet of flours peek in from the top right corner of the photo. — Fiery hot chocolate with whipped cream at Flour.

Paris Creperie

278 Harvard St, Brookline, MA 02446

Nutella is the name of the game at Paris Creperie in Coolidge Corner. The restaurant's hot chocolate embraces the hazelnut spread, but there’s also a more standard hot chocolate made with Taza chocolate. Mint, vanilla, hazelnut, raspberry, and lavender are available as add-ons, along with whipped cream and espresso shots.

278 Harvard St, Brookline, MA 02446

Visit Website

Render Coffee

563 Columbus Ave, Boston, MA 02118

With one South End location and another downtown, there's twice the opportunity to get hot chocolate from Render Coffee. (And watch for a Seaport District location debuting in early 2022.)

563 Columbus Ave, Boston, MA 02118

Visit Website

A hot chocolate in a large white mug on a saucer with heart-shaped foam art — Hot chocolate at Render.

Lulu Green

246 W Broadway, Boston, MA 02127

South Boston’s cheery vegan cafe Lulu Green adds reishi to its hot chocolate, which can be made with either almond or oat milk. Add a double espresso shot, if you choose.

Open in Google Maps

246 W Broadway, Boston, MA 02127

Visit Website

Cacao

660 Centre St, Boston, MA 02130

With locations in Jamaica Plain and Newton Highlands, this chocolate and nut shop also functions as a cafe, and fans flock there for the hot chocolate in particular. Watch for seasonal specials like the peppermint hot chocolate — and get a side of peppermint bark, of course. Retail hot chocolate mix is also available in standard, dark, and spicy.

660 Centre St, Boston, MA 02130

Visit Website

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by nuts - chocolate - coffee (@cacaoboston)

Reign Drink Lab

1370 Dorchester Ave, Boston, MA 02122

Creative Dorchester cafe Reign Drink Lab pairs dark chocolate with Vietnamese coffee for its seasonal Vietnamese hot chocolate, topped with sea salt whip.

1370 Dorchester Ave, Boston, MA 02122

Visit Website

Related Maps