Whether you prefer an upscale hot chocolate or one that reminds you of being a kid, we’ve got you covered with Philly’s festive seasonal spots to enjoy a cup, and some year-round ones too.

Seasonal

Christmas Village

Love Park, 16^th Street and JFK Boulevard

Grab a yummy hot chocolate from one of several hot beverage booths and wander around the authentic German Christmas market at Love Park & City Hall. With both international and local vendors, you can catch up on holiday shopping while being surrounded by the smell of gingerbread, waffles, and mulled wine. Make sure to stop by during the weekend to catch Santa Claus and Phil the Reindeer strolling the market!

Harper’s Ice Cream

2827 West Girard Ave, Brewerytown

From Thanksgiving to April 1st,  stop by Harper’s Ice Cream to indulge in their house made hot cocoa, crafted from dark Belgian chocolate. Topped with either whipped cream or toasted marshmallows, you can’t go wrong. As the winter days fade, make sure to come back and visit Harper’s for their locally sourced, homemade ice cream.

Scoop DeVille

Locations on South Street & Midtown Village

Who doesn’t love hot chocolate bombs? All winter long, Scoop DeVille has (vegan!) dark chocolate and salted caramel hot cocoa bombs to gift your favorite chocolate-lovers. Not only that, but you can customize your own hot cocoa in-store, with flavors including peanut butter, salted caramel, peppermint, and smores.

El Merkury

Locations in Rittenhouse & Reading Terminal Market

Warm up during the cold winter months with Guatemalan hot chocolate from El Merkury. The delightful combination of Guatemalan dark chocolate and almond milk is guaranteed to satisfy any sweet craving. If you stop by during the week between 3 and 6pm, make sure to indulge in their “Churro Happy Hour” and get a free hot cocoa with the purchase of a homemade churro.

Year-Round

Cake Life

1306 Frankford Avenue

Cake Life is an inclusive and sustainable bake shop, and home to a rather delicious hot cocoa. This woman-, trans-, and immigrant-owned bakery serves a rich and decadent hot chocolate, made with cocoa powder, chocolate chips, salt, a little sugar, and your choice of milk. Top it with a large housemade vanilla or raspberry marshmallow and you are guaranteed to leave with a smile.

Ramona Susan’s

1255 Marlborough Street

This bake shop emphasizes homemade classic comfort treats, which of course includes hot chocolate. Their house made chocolate syrup makes for a hot cocoa that has a full chocolate flavor, all without being too thick. Ramona Susan’s recipes “just like Mom makes” are bound to give you that warm and fuzzy feeling.

Gran Caffe L’Aquila

1716 Chestnut Street

This multifaceted Italian restaurant makes their hot chocolate fresh each day using fair trade chocolate from Italy and organic sugar. The self-described “rich, decadent and delicious chocolate experience” made in-studio is creamy, thick, and unlike anything else in Philly. Yum!

American Grammar

2046 North Front Street

American Grammar is an inclusive space that encourages creativity and community, hosting community events such as youth mentoring, authors’ readings and book drives. Aside from local art and books, you can also find delicious hot chocolate at American Grammer.  There is nothing like their maple mocha hot chocolate anywhere else, or try out their spiced hot cocoa during the winter months.

Shane Confectionery

110 Market Street

Franklin Fountain’s sister store down the street is like stepping into a turn-of-the century candy shop, complete with old-fashioned cash registers and period uniforms. Walk past the candy counters to the back, where you’ll find a café serving up drinking chocolates made to order on the stove. Made using ethically-sourced cacao beans, their hot chocolate can be found in four varieties: signature (milk & dark chocolate blend), dark, dark spicy (cinnamon & chili), and mocha (milk or dark chocolate with coffee).

Vita

261 South 17th Street

Satisfy both your hot chocolate and gelato cravings with Vita’s hot chocolate affogato. Your choice of gelato with hot chocolate poured on top and finished with whipped cream and cocoa powder — indulge in their handcrafted masterpiece. What’s not to love?!

La Colombe

It’s only right that Philadelphia’s renowned coffee roasting company is also home to a delicious hot chocolate. With 5 locations in the city, there’s probably one closer to you than you think! They serve traditional hot chocolate with cocoa powder, their homemade simple syrup and your choice of milk.

This article was originally written by Laura Swartz but has since been revised with new information.