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Ridiculously delicious hot chocolate and melty goodness await you at these DC hot spots.
The handmade churros from the vibrant eatery were made for dipping into a cup of Cuban hot cocoa. The sweet cinnamon sugar swirls perfectly with the Spanish-style chocolate, creating a spiced flavor combination sure to please your taste buds. Enjoy a cup of classic Cuban chocolate at The Wharf, Dupont Circle and 14th Street locations.
Known for its custom latte art by talented artisan baristas and cutting-edge printer, this charming café in historic Georgetown offers peppermint hot chocolate as part of its holiday menu. This hot drink at Café Georgetown is sure to glam up your ‘gram and get you ready for the season with colorful candy cane artwork floating on top.
Baked and Wired uses Callebaut, a Belgian brand of chocolate, melted down to craft essentially a perfect hot chocolate. That might be all you need to hear, but just in case you’re not convinced, the Georgetown bakery also offers a house-made whipped cream with notes of vanilla and caramel. And if you’re not into the dairy, drop a vegan marshmallow (also made in house) into it, instead. You’ll forget this place sells cupcakes.
Like its name suggests, L.A. Burdick Chocolates knows a thing or two about chocolate. The Boston-based shop adds a gem to DC’s food and drink scene with the “country’s best hot chocolate.” Customize your experience with emilk, white, dark or spicy dark chocolate for your drink.
As is the M.O. for Baked by Yael, DC's first cakepoppery®, the hot chocolate here comes your way served on a stick. Forget cocoa powder – stir a block of delicious gourmet Belgian chocolate on the end of a wooden spoon into the hot beverage of your choice: milk, water or coffee. The interactive element makes your drink that much sweeter. While you're at Baked by Yael, be sure to check out their nut-free and kosher baked goods, made from scratch in their bakery across from Smithsonian's National Zoo.
The Willard InterContinental is a DC institution, and, for those who know, so is the hot chocolate. Grab a cup from the counter of Café du Parc, or order it at the storied Round Robin Bar. While we believe in hot chocolate year-round, this cup shines during the holidays, hopefully with snow, surrounded by the hotel's dazzling decor.
Head inside the Four Seasons Hotel to the Lounge at Bourbon Steak for an indulgent take on the sweet treat. Made with a secret ingredient of condensed milk, this hot chocolate is lighter than many others on this list. Treat yourself to layers of flavor from the sweet and creamy drink served in adorable glass tumblers.
Black Coffee is a coffee shop that is doing hot chocolate right. No powders or syrups here, just melted chocolate in a perfect ratio to milk. Offering an incredible depth of flavor, the chocolate-y finish will stick with you but not overpower. Nearby, Blue Bottle churns out a similar no-frills but all-the-thrills cup of cocoa with Valrhona chocolate.
