Living in Paris full-time since 1992, I admit it. As a local, I have taken this Parisian luxury somewhat for granted. With so many options to choose from, finding the best hot chocolate in the city can be a challenge. But you asked me so here's my take on it.
These days there are even more choices - from the most famous hot chocolate in Paris to our local favourites. So I've gradually put together your own guide: from the richest, thickest Parisian chocolat chaud, to the lighter versions, more and less sweet, vegan, chilled, to the best with a view.
Remember that this list is purely my personal opinion and is subject to change as I continue my hot chocolate journey. None of the establishments mentioned are sponsored - just my honest, updated recommendations for your next trip.
While hot chocolate can be found in most chocolate shops, not all boutiques offer it (even famous ones like À la Mère de Famille!). For this guide, I'm sticking with the cafés or tearooms. In the meantime, I would love to hear your top picks in the comments below.
What are The Famous Hot Chocolates in Paris?
There's more than one Parisian establishment. The following are the famous addresses you'll find in most Paris tourist guides and on social media. So what makes them so legendary, apart from their queues?
Angelina's 'Choc Africain'
A Parisian institution since 1903, c'est normal to find Angelina's queue snaking along the pavement to 226 rue de Rivoli. The line of patient phone scrollers finding this address on Tiktok is usually for their legendary 'Choc Africain', now known as old-fashioned chocolat chaud à l'ancienne.
Why is Angelina's so good? It's an extra thick hot chocolate, named "African" since it's composed of three different cacao varieties: from Niger, Ghana and the Ivory Coast. It's slightly fruity and incredibly intense; they pride themselves on a secret recipe unchanged for 100 years. Served with a little pot of whipped cream - the norm in Paris for extra thick versions - you may find it doesn't need anything else. A cup is a dessert on its own.
Like the Parisians, if queuing isn't your thing, there's also a take-away hot chocolate stand in front of the boutique. Plus, at the same price of their large hot chocolate to go, you can buy a bottle (starting at €9.50) to take home. I also recommend a take-away goblet to enjoy in the park across the road from their quieter store. For more, see my article on rue du Bac - Paris Pastry street.
Les Deux Magots and Café de Flore - How Much?
Another Parisian café landmark that needs to be experienced is les Deux Magots. Who would think its humble beginnings in 1812 would have reached such artistic and literary heights?
The hot chocolate is so velvety and thick, be careful if sitting on the terrace outside (opposite the church). If you're busy taking photos for social, it may just cool and set. Their range of hot chocolate to the frappé (cold) can cost you 14 euros ($15).
Café de Flore's chocolat spécial costs 9€50. Add its topping of whipped Chantilly cream with the Chocolat Viennois will cost you 11.50 euros. But this is all in the ambiance of tasting in such a mythic spot where the literary elite used to hang out on boulevard St Germain.
Carette and Ladurée
Except I'm not here to talk about the price - especially with the rising cacao prices in 2025! When in Paris, sipping chocolat chaud from a porcelain cup in a famous establishment is all about the experience. The rejuvenating pick-me-up brimming with endorphins is about watching the world go by.
Let time stand still or just be engrossed in that cup. It's about le plaisir. So take pleasure - until the bill comes.
Like all the others here, Carette and Ladurée are similar. Not as thick, both are sweeter with the Chantilly cream on the side - as well as a little chocolate to nibble on for later.
Café de la Paix
Another popular Parisian address on Place de l'Opéra is le Café de la Paix. I'd recommend sitting indoors as the decor is pretty next to the window. However, try to avoid the back of the café (it's dark and tables sad without the flowers for the same price).
Not as thick, but quite sweet. However, I like the touch of an added little pot of hot milk to keep your chocolat chaud actually hot.
Most Popular with the Locals
It was so sad to see my absolute favourite address close three years ago, Un Dimanche à Paris. Just a few steps away from le Café de Flore and les Deux Magots, here they served their chocolat chaud in traditional ceramic pots with a molinillot whisk. After animating my Chocolate Walks in St Germain-des-Prés, this was where I'd finish our tasting on a high note.
However, if it's an old-fashioned chocolate pot with a whisk that you need, for a little more, enjoy sheer luxury at the Crillon's Butterfly room - without the crowds. Made with 3 different chocolates (dark and milk), it's perfect. Not bitter, nor too sweet.
There are now even more exciting addresses popping up around Paris to sit in and enjoy a cup or a mug of your nectar.
Vérot Dodat - A Hidden Passageway Gem
Beware of ordering a pot-for-one for one if you plan on eating - or eating later in the day. This is fabulous and serious stuff. It's so thick, it even has any spoon stand to attention inside the cup!
When I last came here with my daughter, even between two of us for only one chocolat chaud, we asked to take this as a carry-out, now possible in Paris. We love that it's not that sweet and in a quiet setting upstairs in the newly renovated historical passageway. It's bliss - even next day reheated for our goûter takeout at home.
My tip: To ask for a doggy bag, just politely ask,
"à emporter, s'il vous plaît."
Café Pavane - Double Chocolate 'Hévin' (Heaven)
Run by Manon Hévin (famous chocolatier Jean-Paul Hévin's daughter) since 2018, her hot chocolate with milk has just a little added spice. Light and not sweet. It's just pure and simple luxury without the fancy setting, in front of the Palais de Luxembourg, on rue de Vaugirard. Add one of Paris's best macarons from Jean-Paul Hévin to nibble on the side.
Chapon - New Tea Salon
From the legendary 100% chocolate mousse maker, if you wanted to try Patrice Chapon's chocolat chaud, it was only possible to carry out. Plus only from one boutique opposite Saint Sulpice church (St Germain-des-Prés).
The good news? He now has a new tearoom to taste it in a mug-like cup with a few to try: old fashioned with milk (my preference) or a plain one made with hot water.
The bad news? You need to jump on the RER A train to Saint-Germain-en-Laye! It's totally worth the 20 minute trip from Paris, as I have prepared your own DIY chocolate pastry tour of Saint-Germain.
Le Procope - The Oldest Café in Paris
If you prefer yours in a historical setting, head to Le Procope's refurbished café bar. For Paris's oldest café, they have reasonable prices. Not as thick but I personally found it too sweet. Ideally there should be no added sugar but, if this is your preference, then this is your address.
Foucher
For another historical chocolate shop (1819), head to Foucher's quiet tea salon on Rue du Bac for their hot chocolate. On such a popular street, I love the peace, the chocolate is perfect and great value. The bonus: enjoy the tantalising wafts from the laboratory behind the tea caddies! Did you know they were the first to create international delivery?
Café Verlet
Although Café Verlet is famous for its coffees since 1880, their hot chocolate is still worth the detour. Lighter, not too sweet and the ambience either downstairs or upstairs is a lovely haven on rue Saint-Honoré.
Paris Chocolate Museum - Drink Like the Aztecs
You heard me. For total choco immersion, what about a visit to the chocolate museum? A visit here ends with an optional historical tasting. Complete with spices and hot water rather than with milk, discover how the Aztecs drank their spiced drink, known for centuries as an aphrodisiac. Just saying.
Une Glace à Paris - Incredible Choices
When a Meilleur Ouvrier de France makes the most incredible ice creams at Une Glace à Paris, what does he do over the Winter? He continues my favourite macarons (on my top 20 Paris list) but also turns to creating some of the best hot chocolate around.
He has at least EIGHT, including Grand Cru chocolate. Quite honestly, it's difficult to choose from 75% Tanzania with a hint of Ceylon cinnamon to an intensely chocolatey Inaya at 65% with a smoky taste.
It's not all dark chocolate - for the sweet toothed, there's Bahibé 46% with hazelnut paste or Ivoire, a blend of white chocolate and Madagascan vanilla.
If you're more just good old-fashioned dark with milk and intense flavours (like me), then go for their Madagascan Grand Cru Manjari 64% with slightly acidic hints of red fruits. In le Marais or enjoy takeaway chocolate powders to make your own.
Cold Chocolate Drinks in Summer
It's not all about just drinking it chaud in winter. Many of the above also serve chocolat glacé, frappé or iced chocolate.
Pierre Marcolini Cocoa Bean Infusions
Pierre Marcolini, however, makes a warm or chilled version with his natural grated cocoa bean infusions. I first tasted this at le salon du chocolat, where Marcolini himself told us of its virtues: rich in minerals and polyphenols. Try the ginger cocoa drink for a stimulating, hydrating and antioxidant rich drink.
C'est Dengo!
Dengo France - their 'X'ocolatte' cold chocolate drink is sure to refreshen the senses during a French summer heatwave. Try the 100% Brazilian chocolate from the Cabruca forest.
Vegan Options
More Parisian establishments are providing vegan options with a variety of non-dairy milks. Over the last few weeks, I've seen oat milk, almond milk and soya options listed.
Particularly worth a mention here are La Bossue and Une Glace à Paris.
See more in your DIY Chocolate-Pastry Walk in Montmartre.
Green Hot Chocolate - 'Le Green Chaud'
Try le Green Chaud, a green hot chocolate, on the winter slopes for some adult après-ski. With its touch of herbal green Chartreuse at 55° alcohol, this is warming the cockles of high-flying skiers (couldn't resist that one).
Chartreuse, from the same town in the Isère region, is the old lady of liqueurs as it's centuries old based on 130 different plants. It's normally served as a digestive after a meal but this hot green cocktail with chocolate is an original way to serve it.
Hot Chocolate with a Parisian View
However, in my personal opinion, I'll stick with the classic version. For the best hot chocolate to watch a view of Paris at golden hour, head to the 5th floor of Printemps' Le Perché bar. Sip this treat either indoors or outside on the terrace.
This one falls into the lighter category yet still packs that punch of strong cocoa endorphins. Most of all, I loved that it's not sweet and great value for such an overall feel-good experience. It also stayed hot in the mug, another major bonus - even while sitting outside during a chilly January late afternoon. Frankly, this is tops when actually hot!
They use the Celaya drinking chocolate by Valrhona, also used in various addresses in Paris (e.g. La Comtesse Café in the 7th). If you see it being served, then you're in good hands.
Best Parisian Experience at Home
Can't make it to Paris? Then the good news is that you now make your own best French hot chocolate recipe, just like our favourite Parisian ones.
You'll discover that the most historically famous of love potions is not made just with heavy cream, but milk.
Looking for more cafés by famous landmark or arrondissement?
See my Guide to the Best Tearooms in Paris.
Kate W
I think my six month old daughter decided she could drink with a straw when we offered her a tiny taste of our to go Ladurée hot chocolate through a straw and she suddenly had a mouthful and looked VERY pleased with herself!
Thanks for this delicious list!
Jill Colonna
Now that is THE best way of introducing your daughter to great hot chocolate. You've set the bar high for her now, Kate! Thanks for popping in and hope you try the others! There are a lot to get around...