11 Phenomenal Spots for Hot Chocolate in Paris (Plus One to Skip)

Parisian hot chocolate just hits different. Maybe it’s the adorable table setups. Maybe it’s the extra creamy cocoa. Maybe it’s because in a country obsessed with coffee and wine, hot chocolate still manages to hold its own.

As someone who will happily drink hot chocolate any day, it’s been an absolute pleasure to hone my expertise on this subject.

After trying hot chocolate all over Paris, I’ve rounded up 11 delicious places to enjoy chocolat chaud, from famous cafés and luxury hotels to small neighborhood chocolatiers. Plus, one very popular café I’d personally skip.

1. Angelina

Angelina Café is the OG of hot chocolate in Paris. Well, to me, at least. It was the first spot I ever went to for chocolat chaud, and I’ve been back at least half a dozen times since.

Their flagship location is on Rue de Rivoli, right across from the Jardin des Tuileries in the 1st arrondissement. It’s one of the prettiest cafés in Paris, with elegant Old World decor that makes the whole experience feel extra special.

Angelina’s signature drink is chocolat chaud à l’ancienne (Old Fashioned Hot Chocolate), served in a ceramic pitcher with a matching teacup and a pot of whipped cream on the side. It’s extremely thick and rich, basically melted chocolate in the best possible way.

Besides hot chocolate, Angelina is most well-known for their housemade Mont-Blanc pastry, a baked meringue topped with chestnut cream. And if you’re looking for more than a mid-afternoon treat, I’ve also really enjoyed their savory dishes.

Angelina is very popular, and you might wait 20-45 minutes (or more) unless you come early in the day.

2. Carette

Carette is one of those cafés that feels like a little Parisian fantasy: a cute patio, wicker chairs, and the most aesthetic hot chocolate service. It’s no wonder it’s one of the most viral spots in the city.

Their hot chocolate is served in a metal teapot, with your own teacup and a mountain of whipped cream on the side (make sure you order the chocolat viennois to get the cream). The server pours the first round, then leaves the pot so you can help yourself. It’s dark and smooth, but you can also add as much whipped cream as you want to lighten it up a little.

There are a few Carette locations in Paris. The one by the Eiffel Tower gets the most attention, but the Place des Vosges location in the Marais is just as pretty and usually not as busy. There’s also a location in Montmartre, but it’s takeaway only.

3. La Réserve Paris

La Réserve Paris is a luxury hotel just off the Champs-Élysées, with a bar called Le Gaspard that’s open to visitors, not just hotel guests.

The bar is an elegant, cozy space with deep red upholstered couches and armchairs, and it’s a lovely place to settle in for hot chocolate. Their version is served in a teapot with a matching cup and two yummy little cookies on the side.

The hot chocolate itself is thick, smooth, and quite dark, and the server pours your first cup for you. They also bring out a little pitcher of steamed milk, which I especially liked because you can add some to make the chocolate creamier and a little less intense. There’s sugar available if you prefer something sweeter, but no whipped cream.

And they certainly don’t skimp on the portions. I drank almost two full cups, and there was still enough chocolate left in the pot for at least another cup.

At €22, this was easily the most expensive hot chocolate I’ve tried in Paris, but I really did love the experience. The room was gorgeous, the chocolate was excellent, and it was so much more peaceful than the famous cafés that draw long lines.

4. Ladurée

Ladurée is one of the most famous patisseries in Paris, best known for its colorful macarons. (And after doing extensive macaron taste-testing, I can confirm they’re excellent).

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Travel|Lifestyle (@byxandrine)

There are multiple Ladurée boutiques around Paris, but the Champs-Élysées location also has a full-service café with a very romantic feel. It’s decorated with soft pastel colors, ornate moldings, and crystal chandeliers, and even has a grand staircase and a white piano surrounded by flowers.

The hot chocolate came in a little pot with a generous serving of whipped cream, much like Angelina and Carette. It was creamy and full-bodied, and I loved having an excuse to linger in such a beautiful dining room.

If you’re looking for a classic Parisian tearoom experience, Ladurée is a very good choice, especially if you want to try a few macarons while you’re there.

5. Bacha Coffee

Bacha Coffee is a stunning Moroccan-inspired coffeehouse on the Champs-Élysées, with black-and-white checkered floors, chandeliers, and elaborate details throughout.

It’s best known for its enormous selection of coffees sourced from around the world, but their traditional Sahara hot chocolate is also fantastic.

It had a deep chocolate flavor but wasn’t quite as thick as some of the other versions on this list, making it easy to drink every last drop. We also ordered their raspberry and crème brûlée croissants, both of which were delicious.

6. Plaq

Plaq is a working chocolatier tucked into a quiet street in the 2nd arrondissement near Rue Montorgueil, and walking in smells like stepping into a chocolate workshop. The shop itself is pretty understated, with a simple counter and minimalist decor, plus a couple of benches outside where you can sit. But that simplicity is a big part of the appeal.

Their hot chocolate is made with house-milled, bean-to-bar chocolate, and the quality really comes through. It’s rich and not overly sweet, with a deep chocolate flavor that doesn’t need anything added to it.

They offer a large and small size, but I’d recommend getting the small. It’s more than enough. If you care more about having highest quality chocolate than a fancy café experience, Plaq is one of the best places to go.

7. Violetta & Alfredo

Violetta & Alfredo is an adorable little tearoom in the 9th arrondissement. The decor is inspired by La Traviata, the famous Italian opera, with heavy draped curtains, antique-style couches, and all sorts of decorative details that would be right at home in a period opera.

Violetta & Alfredo is known for its brunch, especially their signature fluffy pancakes. I added the hot chocolate as a last-minute addition to the meal, but it ended up being one of my favorites in Paris.

They offer a couple different hot chocolate options, and I ordered the milk chocolate version. It really was noticeably milkier than most of the hot chocolates I’ve tried in Paris, while still being wonderfully silky and thick.

I’d happily come back for another round of pancakes and cocoa.

8. La Jacobine

Like Violetta & Alfredo, La Jacobine is somewhere I originally came for the food, with hot chocolate being a happy bonus.

The restaurant is tucked into Cour du Commerce Saint-André, one of the most charming hidden passageways in the 6th arrondissement. It’s a cozy spot, with friendly service and excellent traditional French food. I particularly enjoyed the coq au vin.

I also ordered a hot chocolate with my meal, and it turned out to be one of the most drinkable versions I’ve tried in Paris. It was smooth and creamy without being overwhelmingly rich, and came in a cup and saucer with little speculoos crumbles sprinkled on top. I really liked that little addition.

I’d definitely recommend La Jacobine for a meal, and the hot chocolate is well worth ordering while you’re there.

9. Café de Flore & Les Deux Magots

Café de Flore and Les Deux Magots are two of the most famous literary cafés in Paris, with a long list of notable former customers, including Ernest Hemingway, Pablo Picasso, Jean-Paul Sartre, and Simone de Beauvoir.

They’re right across the street from each other in Saint-Germain-des-Prés, and between their façades and history, both are major social media favorites.

Both serve classic French café fare and are known for their hot chocolate. I’ve tried the chocolat chaud and a few dishes at each, and for me, there’s a clear winner.

Café de Flore tends to be the bigger social media darling—the facade is just a little bit more picture-perfect, and the tablescape is very charming.

Unfortunately, their hot chocolate was a huge disappointment. It was thin, watery, and didn’t have much flavor. Of all the places on this list, it was easily my least favorite.

Les Deux Magots, on the other hand, was much better. The hot chocolate was smooth and velvety, much closer to what I’d expect from a famous Parisian café.

I’ll admit that I liked the tablescape at Café de Flore a little more, but when it comes to the actual hot chocolate, Les Deux Magots wins easily.

If you’re looking for that classic literary café experience, I’d take your photos at Café de Flore, then head across the street to Les Deux Magots.

10. BO&MIE

BO&MIE is a self-described creative boulangerie that makes both traditional French pastries and some fun, more modern creations.

We originally stopped in for their incredible croissants framboises (raspberry croissants), along with their kouign-amann, a buttery, caramelized pastry from Brittany.

And of course, we couldn’t help ordering hot chocolate to go with the pastries. You can get hot chocolate at plenty of boulangeries in Paris, but most aren’t particularly memorable. BO&MIE’s was very good, and I’d happily order it again.

There are multiple locations around Paris, but we stopped at the one right behind the Louvre, next to the Louvre-Rivoli Metro station.

11. Jean-Paul Hévin

Jean-Paul Hévin is a high-end chocolatier with several boutiques around Paris, where you can pick up beautifully made chocolates or a cup of hot chocolate to go.

The boutiques are small and calm, and I liked that they actually prepare the chocolate right in front of you at the counter, surrounded by displays of all their chocolates.

The hot chocolate itself was excellent, with the deep, dark chocolate flavor I’d expect from an artisan chocolatier. It’s a great option if you want something delicious without spending a lot of time at a café.

So, What’s My Favorite Hot Chocolate in Paris?

If I could only choose one, I’d probably have to go with Angelina. The hot chocolate is fantastic, and I love the beautiful, historic tearoom. But I’ve also had some incredible hot chocolate at places with a completely different atmosphere, like Bacha Coffee, La Réserve, or Violetta & Alfredo.

Honestly, with the single exception (ahem, Café de Flore), I’d happily return to any of the cafés on this list. My advice is to pick somewhere that fits easily with your plans for the day

Because while Angelina and Carette are iconic and fabulous, you really don’t need to stand in a long line at one of the most famous cafés to enjoy a great cup of hot chocolate in Paris.

Still Planning Your Paris Food Bucket List?

Hot chocolate is just one of the many delicious things to eat and drink in Paris. If you’re planning the rest of your culinary adventures, these guides can help:

• Unwritten Rules of Dining Out in France – What to know about French restaurant customs, from ordering to paying
• Best Restaurants in Paris – A curated mix of classic spots and memorable meals
• French Desserts You Need to Try – 15 most classic and delicious French desserts
• Ultimate List of Things to Do in Paris – Because you can’t spend all day eating (or can you?)

If you want everything in one place, my Paris travel guide page pulls together neighborhood guides, attraction and museum guides, foodie recommendations, and travel tips in one hub.