As the weather gets colder and we wake to frost layering the ground and cars, we’re officially entering hot chocolate season! A tasty, chocolatey cup of sweet goodness is key to keeping warm during cold D.C. winters and even boosting one’s intelligence! So to help you cozy up a decadent cup, we’ve put together a list of some of our favorite D.C. spots to grab one of the best hot chocolates in D.C.:
1. Dolcezza Gelato – Multiple Locations
Known for its mouthwatering freshly made gelato, Dolcezza Gelato serves up a thick, delicious, and soul-cleansing cup of hot chocolate that is truly one of the best hot chocolates in D.C., today. Made in-house using quality ingredients, this place even has an extra seasonal version complete with seasonal spices if you think a normal cup of hot chocolate isn’t exciting enough!
Where: Multiple Locations
2. Café Georgetown – Georgetown
Leave it to Café Georgetown to create whimsical, seasonal drinks! This winter, the Georgetown coffee shop is serving regular and peppermint hot chocolates with whimsical candy cane decorations and cute gingerbread-men cookies! Win-win!
Where: 3141 N St NW, Washington, D.C., 20007
3. L.A. Burdick – Georgetown
Hot chocolate comes in small doses at this popular D.C. spot. But don’t be fooled by its small appearance, Burdick’s “drinking chocolate” is made with either their dark, milk, white, or spicy dark chocolate blends, all mixed in a rich and creamy cup of chocolatey goodness!
Where: 1319 Wisconsin Ave NW, Washington, D.C., 20007
4.Tryst – Adams Morgan
This trendy coffee house in Adams Morgan serves its hot chocolate with a fresh, floral twist — lavender syrup! At Tryst, you can enjoy your hot chocolate the traditional way, choose to add their house-made lavender syrup, or kick things up a boozy notch by adding creme de menthe!
Where: 2459 18th St NW, Washington, D.C., 20009
5. Pitango Gelato & Café – Adams Morgan
This Baltimore-based café is known for its rich, thick, and decadent cups of hot cocoa made with traditional sipping chocolate from Torino, Italy. Buonissimo!
Where: 1841 Columbia Rd NW, Washington, D.C., 20009
6. Colada Shop – Multiple Locations
This Cuban eatery serves its hot chocolates with homemade churros! Dip Colada’s mouth-watering, cinnamon sugar-coated churros in a cup of their traditional Cuban hot chocolate, Chocolate De La Abuela, and enjoy!
Where: 1405 T St NW, Washington, D.C., 20009; 10 Pearl St SW Washington, D.C., 20024
7. Bayou Bakery – Arlington, Va.
This New Orleans-style bakery in Arlington makes its hot cocoa with traditional Valrhona chocolate, Madagascar vanilla, and a pinch of sea salt, all topped off with a generous dollop of whipped cream. Yum!
Where: 1515 N Courthouse Rd, Arlington, Va., 22201
8. Nicecream – Arlington, Va.
This popular nitrogen ice cream spot creates its chocolatey concoctions using homemade chocolate syrup and grass-fed cow’s milk. Options include a spicy Mexican, caramel, lavender, or Nutella hot chocolate, all topped off with whipped cream and a drizzle of chocolate syrup!
Where: 2831 Clarendon Blvd, Arlington, Va., 22201
9. Stable D.C. – Atlas District
If there’s something Switzerland is known for is for its incredible chocolate. So it should come as no surprise that Stable, a D.C.-based Swiss restaurant, serves some of the best hot cocoa in town! Try their Schoggi Twist, made with caotina chocolate, Godiva chocolate liqueur, mint liqueur, and, of course, whipped cream, for a cup of tasty, boozy cocoa!
Where: 1324 H St NE, Washington, D.C., 20002
This article was written by Alex Striano, Ma Del Rosario Castro Diaz, and Jenna Romaine