Cozy Up With These 15 Cincinnati Hot Chocolate Havens

By CityBeat Staff

Cafés are mostly associated with a range of coffee-inspired beverages, but instead of caffeine, you can also turn to the cup-of-joe’s often overlooked, sweet cousin that will keep you just as warm this winter: hot chocolate. Disrobe yourself of pretension and take a sip of the best Cincy has to offer — trust us, these are a step up from hot water and Swiss Miss. Here’s a list of some of our favorites.

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Cozy Up With These 15 Cincinnati Hot Chocolate Havens

Carabello Coffee

107 E. Ninth St., Newport
Cross the bridge into Newport and enter the tweest coffeehouse in Northern Kentucky: Carabello Coffee. Along with a menu of craft coffee drinks and their rare Analog Slow Bar, patrons claim that this philanthropic endeavor also has the best hot chocolate around. And honestly, it’s hard to beat. The smooth and familiar mug o’ cocoa is delicate and made like a latte (instagram-worthy art included). It’s blended with dark chocolate Monin and a touch of vanilla syrup — perfect for keeping your insides cozy. It’s served with a spoon to scoop up the sweet, sweet foam on top.
Photo by Hailey Bollinger

The Whole Bowl

364 Ludlow Ave., Clifton
The Whole Bowl offers a vegan hot cocoa made with molten chocolate and a sprinkle of sea salt.
Photo via Facebook.com/TheWholeBowlCincinnati

Rohs Street Café

245 W. McMillan St., Clifton Heights
Rohs Street kicks it up a notch with Xocolatl, cocoa (steamed milk and housemade chocolate sauce) dosed with cayenne pepper.
Photo: Hailey Bollinger

Maverick Chocolate Co.

129 W. Elder St., Findlay Market, Over-the-Rhine
Maverick’s “drinking chocolate” makes cocoa with their in-house drinking chocolate mix (65 percent dark chocolate) and whole milk. In the French style, this drinking chocolate is topped with fresh whipped cream and chocolate shavings (add marshmallows for 50 cents). It’s more bitter than its counterparts and could only be rivaled by Willy Wonka’s chocolate river. Located in Findlay Market, it will make you feel like royalty. Or Augustus Gloop. Either way, it’s magical. You can even buy a bag of mix to make your own at home.
Photo via Facebook.com/MaverickChocolate

Taste of Belgium

Multiple locations
If you’re looking for something slightly less rich than Maverick’s blend, look no further than Taste of Belgium. Made with dark chocolate and topped with soft whipped cream, it feels snug and at home among the eatery’s waffles and seasonal tortes.
Photo: Devin Luginbill