Last updated January 6, 2025 by Brady Goodman-Williams
Written by Yazmin Cruz
Prepare your taste buds for a decadent journey as we embark on a quest to discover the most luscious, velvety, and downright irresistible hot chocolates in Los Angeles.
We figured we couldn't be the only ones, so we dedicated ourselves to finding the best hot chocolate in the city. From creamy drinks dolloped with mountains of whipped cream to spicy Mexican hot chocolate varieties, LA's hot chocolate game is rich. Here are our favorites – enjoy!
Photo: Lavender & Honey Espresso Bar
1383 E Washington Blvd
Pasadena, CA 91104
No matter what the weather's like, Lavender & Honey Espresso Bar has a drink for every cocoa bean lover. Keep warm with their traditional hot chocolate or choose from their variety of flavors like P.B. cup, white coconut, salted caramel, cupcake, and more. Check out the full list of flavors here! They're even prepped for summertime with an insanely delicious frozen hot chocolate.
Photo: Cafe DemitassE
1149 3rd St.
Santa Monica, CA 90402
Lavender hot chocolate is a perfect blend of floral notes with rich chocolatey flavor. It will for sure be one of your new favorites. Cafe Demitasse serves it up with a torched marshmallow for extra yumminess. You can also order their Lavender Hot Chocolate Kit to take home for the holidays or give as a gift.
photo:Playa provisions
119 Culver Blvd
Playa Del Rey, CA 90293
Next time you’re on the West side, treat yourself to a traditional Mexican hot chocolate at Playa Provisions, owned and operated by Top Chef winner Brooke Williamson. Brooke serves her hot cocoa with house made vanilla bean marshmallows, too.
3922 Sunset Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90029
If you want to switch it up while grabbing your morning pick-me-up, we recommend trying a hot chocolate at your local Intelligentsia. They use single-origin Ghanaian cocoa, with zero additives or preservatives. Pro tip: it comes in a giftable tin too, if you want to take some to a friend or fellow hot cocoa lover.
photo:
La Monarca Bakery
Huntington Park, Santa Monica, Hollywood, East LA, South Pasadena, Whittier, Cesar Chavez, Highland Park, Lincoln Heights, Boyle Heights
La Monarca Bakery offers homemade Mexican hot chocolate like nothing you've ever tasted before. Luckily, there are various locations around Los Angeles where you can get this extra decadent chocolate fix. Made from organic cocoa nibs, you can taste the love in every sip.
DTLA Arts District, Pasadena, Redondo Beach, Orange
While pie is the name of the game at this bakery, The Pie Hole also happens to serve up some of the best hot chocolate in the game. The hot cocoa has a rich dark chocolate flavor that intensifies as you sip. You'll have dreams about it for days.
3014 W Olympic Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90006
Chocolate de Agua, please never leave our lives. Stop by Koreatown's Guelaguetza for an array of wildly addictive Mexican sweet breads and hot chocolate. With authentic ingredients inspired by Mexico's state of Oaxaca, this spot is hard to pass up.
Photo: lady chocolatt
12008 Wilshire Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90025
Stop by for a box of chocolates, stay for a cup of Belgian bliss. Choose from classic, extra dark, sugar-free, white, or soy hot chocolate — the list goes on! You can even add a scoop of ice cream to bring your cocoa-drinking game up to a whole new level.
3319 W. Pico Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90019
Stop by this Koreatown spot for a homemade warm cup of hot cocoa and enjoy their delectable chocolate gifts. They offer plenty of delectable treats to dip in your warm chocolate goodness! With a decade-long partnership with Slice, it offers convenience and multiple locations, making meals affordable and satisfying for locals.
5264 Tujunga Ave.
North Hollywood, CA 91601
For all you North Hollywood chocolate lovers, this is the place to unite. Come in on a cool, winter day and order a fresh cup of Spicy Mayan hot chocolate or their traditional hot chocolate. You can also buy the cocoa powder to make some at home for yourselves. It's just that good!
6834 Hollywood Blvd
Hollywood, CA 90028
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1541 Ocean Ave
Santa Monica, CA 90401
Ghirardelli Soda Fountain & Chocolate Shop brings the kid out in all of us with their specialty ice cream sundaes. However, their chocolate drink menu makes it hard to pick just one. A few of our favorite options include the "Lombard Street Hot Cocoa," which incorporates a cup of hot steamed milk served with four delicious milk truffle square chocolates, the "Sea Salt Caramel Hot Cocoa" topped with whipped cream and served with a Ghirardelli milk chocolate square, or their "Peppermint Cocoa!"
Photo: cacao mexicatessen
1576 Colorado Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90041
Hot chocolate with a Mexican twist is always a good idea. We especially love the options found at Cacao Mexicatessen including their "Abuelitas Mocha Latte" and "Azteca Mocha," made with Oaxacan chocolate, cinnamon, sugar, milk, and a nutty toasted almond garnish in a large mug.
