Nothing cheers us up more on a cold day (any day, to be fair) than wrapping our mitts around a mug of hot chocolate. This sweet elixir is as good for the spirit as it is for the taste buds—leaving you with a smile on your dial (and possibly a milk moustache) on even the bleakest of days. Whether it’s a classic number done right, or a more adventurous drop laced with peanut butter or peppermint, served in an edible cup or even topped with bright pink fairy floss, sippin’ on a hot choccy is always a good time.
So, in no particular order, here's where to indulge in the best hot chocolates in Auckland.
Honest Chocolat
Commercial Bay, Matakana
A boutique that specialises in handcrafted chocolates is surely a good place to pick up a hot choccy, right? Honest Chocolat, which began life in Matakana and now has a store in Commercial Bay, serves up a top-notch version of the treat made from your choice of plain or spicy chocolate and homemade marshmallows, which you can even sip from an edible biscuit cup. As an aside, you can also get your hands on some pretty epic Choc-Tails (that's a chocolate mocktail, to the uninitiated) exclusively at their Chocolate Bar in Commercial Bay. See their showstopping The Volcano (pictured above) and The Macaduka coming together right here.
Amano
Britomart
When it comes to food, Amano knows no wrong and the same can be said of their drinks, in particular their hot choccy. This downtown spot is slinging an extremely moreish Valrhona and macadamia number that we're pretty sure is the cure for any and every winter ailment, especially when accompanied by one of their famous pastries. Oui, merci.
Elisabeth's Chef
Kingsland
Tucked away along the main strip in Kingsland is Elisabeth's Chef. This cosy dessert parlour may look small but don’t let that fool you as they serve a whole bunch of banging treats and their hot chocolates are no exception. They have an entire section of the menu dedicated to this glorious drink—choose from dark chocolate, milk chocolate, salted caramel, ginger, peppermint, Aztec spice or s'mores (pictured above). However, their most famous offering has to be the fairy floss hot chocolate (see main image)—a deconstructed number featuring clouds of pretty pink Pashmak.
Fabric
Hobsonville
If you like your hot choccy with a side of sea views, have we got the cup for you. It comes to us courtesy of Fabric—a café that, if it was any closer to the ocean, would quite literally be in it. Drink in those watery vistas with a cup of their delish housemade hot choccy in hand (made even more decadent by adding caramel or chai spice), or grab your bevvy to-go and wander the adjoining boardwalk.
Miann
Britomart, Morningside & Ponsonby
If you want to experience hot chocolate in an entirely new way, make a date with Miann. These guys take the beloved bevvy to incredible new levels, whether it be with novelty flavours like their dulce de leche (basically Caramilk in a cup), or Wonka-esque experiences like their deconstructed smoked hot chocolate (a sort of edible science experiment)—all made from their very own choccy. Plus, if you visit their Morningside branch, you can enjoy your drink inside one of their beautiful Wintergarden Glass Houses. If there's such a thing as hot chocolate goals, this is it.
The Fed
Auckland CBD
Get fed on one of the city's best hot chocolates at The Fed. This darling of the Auckland dining scene is bringing us its own special take on the bevvy, which you'll find under the pseudonym 'Cup Of Stove-Top Cocoa' and yup, it's every bit as delicious as it sounds. Best enjoyed from the comfort of one of their cosy booths, it's a great way to warm your cockles (even the menu says so).
The Shelf
High Street
Not only does The Shelf on High Street have adorable décor, but their hot chocolates also deserve special recognition. Make sure you order the Special Hot Chocolate, (emphasis on the 'special') as this beauty comes complete with frothy steamed milk, a shot of melted chocolate on the side, and a bar of Whittaker’s choccy that you use as a stirrer (pro tip: pair it with one of their treats from the cabinet for the ultimate sugar rush) or, dig into the stunning Snow White Hot Chocolate pictured above.
Altura Cafe
Albany
Yes, we're talking about the same Altura that whips up (and roasts) award-winning coffee. But make no mistake, when it comes to hot drinks these guys are certainly no one-trick-pony, serving up a hot choccy that's as good as any of its caffeinated cousins. With a rich chocolate base drowned in silky smooth milk, this is a case of simple is best.
Chocolate Boutique
Parnell
If you like your hot chocolate thick, look no further than the Chocolate Boutique's Denso. ‘Denso’ means ‘dense’ or ‘thick’ in Italian and there are no better words to describe this bad boy—it’s so thick, you can practically stand your spoon it in (that is, if you can get past the whipped cream and chocolate curls on top). For a spicy kick, why not order the Chilli Denso—it’s a legit flavour hit. Alternatively, browse their catalogue-thick selection of hot chocolates in every flavour under the sun including Hot Jaffa, Spiced Maple, and our personal fave, Black Forest.
The Cazador Delicatessen
Mt Eden
Cazador might not be the first place you'd think of to go for a hot chocolate, but truth be told, they do some of the best in Auckland. Stop by their delicatessen in Mt Eden for a rich, fruity brew made with real dark chocolate (not cocoa powder), sourced from Foundry Chocolate in Matakana. You can even buy a pack of the sweet stuff to make your very own Cazador-style drink at home.
Little Bird Kitchen
Ponsonby
Dairy-free peeps needn't miss out on the hot choccy fun, thanks to our friends at Little Bird. Keep it classic with their raw cacao mug featuring warmed housemade nut milk and a stick of raw chocolate, or kick things up a notch with their organic spice-infused Spicy Hot Chocolate. If you're after an out-of-body experience, their magic mushroom mug is not to be missed.
Rosie
Parnell
Constructed hot chocolates are good and all, but have you tried a deconstructed hot choccie? If the answer's no, you best get your booty over to Rosie, stat to try either their classic or salted caramel hot chocolate offerings. You’ll be served a glass of milk alongside a jug of thick hot chocolate to pour through your drink. It comes with brownie pieces that you can either munch on as is or add to your bevvy (we suggest doing the latter).
PieFee
Karangahape Road
Wanna drink your hot choccy out of a pie-sized edible cookie cup, coated in chocolate and toffee? Who are we kidding, of course, you do. Enter PieFee—a jaw-dropping treat available exclusively from the popular Karangahape Road bakery of the same name. Choose from a range of incredible flavours including Oreo, sprinkles, chocolate batons, gingerbread and coconut, then fill with your fave hot bevvy. Don't forget to snap a pre-sip 'gram.
Winona Forever
Parnell
Winona Forever doesn’t offer just one hot chocolate on their menu, but three. If you’re feeling like a rich hot choc that doesn’t fool around, dark chocolate is the way to go. Feeling like something a little sweeter? Then the white chocolate coconut is the one for you. But if you want the real deal at Winona, go for the peanut butter chocolate and challenge yourself to a new level of liquid indulgence.
Looking for something a little more substantial? Check out Auckland's best late-night desserts.
Image credit: Elisabeth, Honest Chocolat, Elisabeth, Miann, The Shelf, Chocolate Boutique by @nzfoodlover, PieFee.