The Top 10 Places For Hot Chocolate In Chicago Illinois

For much of the year, Chicago, Illinois has a chill in the air. So to keep warm out there, here is a list of spots where you can grab Chicago’s best hot chocolate while you’re on the go.

1. Mindy’s HotChocolate

Bar, Restaurant, American

Start off with an obvious one and head to Mindy’s HotChocolate in Wicker Park. They’re open year-round but are clearly most popular when the temperature drops. Try out their namesake hot chocolate that comes in a seemingly endless amount of combinations. You can even buy giant bags to bring home and enjoy all the time. Don’t forget about their extensive food menu that changes with the seasons – enjoy it for brunch or dinner.

2. Xoco

Restaurant, Bar, Mexican

Visit celebrity chef Rick Bayless’ River North restaurant Xoco for the best authentic Mexican cuisine in downtown Chicago. The menu features tortas, caldos, cocktails, a guacamole bar, plus their famous bean-to-cup chocolate. Come for the five-star food but stay for the freshest chocolate you’ll find in the Midwest. Try the classic, which is plain, or the version spiced with chile or iced down with mint.

3. Intelligentsia Coffee

Cafe, Coffee, American

This well-known upscale coffee chain may not be the cozy local neighborhood cafe, but it makes a quality cup of cocoa. Intelligentsia started on Chicago’s North Side in 1995, and it has since expanded to New York and LA. As long as you can handle the strong scent of coffee beans and the slight air of pretension, it’s one of the best places to grab a mocha in the Loop. It has several locations dotted around the city, which means you never have to walk far for your sweet fix.

4. Medici

Bakery, Pizzeria, Restaurant, Deli, American, Fast Food, Vegetarian, Vegan, Mexican, Dessert

If you’re a University of Chicago alum, you’re probably already well-acquainted with Medici. It’s an American restaurant, bakery, and delicatessen all rolled into one that serves up quality pizza, burgers, and sandwiches to students and locals alike. In the winter, they also offer hot cider, Mexican hot chocolate, and classic cocoa. Try the Medici Mocha and Mexicana shake for a twist on the sweet drinks.

5. Ghirardelli Chocolate

Ice Cream Parlour, Dessert Shop, Ice Cream, Dessert

After a long day of holiday shopping on Michigan Avenue, turn off on Pearson Street for a sweet treat at Ghirardelli. An employee almost always hands you a free piece of chocolate when you walk through the door that you can snack on while browsing the assortments and selection of candy they have on display. But it’s also a sit-down dessert shop where you can order specialty hot chocolates, sundaes, shakes, cakes, and more – pure decadence.