We hardly get a proper winter here on the Gold Coast, but we like to think we do. We wake up, pull on our track pants, shake off the dust from our favourite coats and jackets only to shed all layers before it hits lunchtime. Some nights, we might even close our balcony doors.
The decadent winter drink of molten chocolate in a mug, also known as a hot chocolate, is the best treat on those rare days when Jack Frost comes to play. We’ve done the hard work for you and sipped our way around to find the best hot chocolates on the Gold Coast/Kombumerri Country.
Paddock Bakery
20 Hibiscus Haven, Burleigh Heads QLD 4220
You’ve seen it on Instagram, now it’s time to dive into this bad boy IRL. Reinventing the classic hot chocolate with their usual Paddock Bakery flair, the famous Paddock Signature Hot Chocolate is officially back for winter and we are ready.
This drool-worthy hot chocolate is made with nothing but melted Lindt milk and dark chocolate, then topped with a huge dollop of house torched marshmallow. Warning: she’s RICH and may just send your taste buds into a sugary heaven frenzy. This heaven-sent delight is best enjoyed with a freshly baked croissant in one hand while sunbaking in Paddock’s country-style courtyard. Oh Paddock, how we love thee.
Cardamom Pod
3/3 Brolga Ave, Southport QLD 4215
Ever heard of a Gingerbread Hot Chocolate? Neither had we but we are here for it. Cardamom Pod’s plant-based hot chocolate is a purple extravaganza of gingerbread, cacao and steamed milk, topped with chocolate drizzle, rose petals and gingerbread crumble.
Best of all, it’s served in a cute-as-can-be handcrafted ceramic mug, which is perfect for wrapping your mitts around. Now that’s what we call a hug in a mug.
Tarte Bakery & Cafe
1748 Gold Coast Hwy, Burleigh Heads QLD 4220
Image Credit: Tarte Bakery & Cafe | Instagram
Tarte Bakery & Cafe is possibly the Gold Coast’s most Instagrammable cafe—the collision of Parisian and New York style creates a stunning space, and good news for us, both Paris and New York whip up incredible hot chocolates. We’ll let you do the maths.
There’s more chocolate than there is milk in Tarte's Parisian Hot Chocolate. It's essentially a cup of high-quality French melted dark and white chocolate topped with flame-torched housemade marshmallow. Let yourself be tempted by one of Tarte's French-inspired, buttery pastries, which pairs perfectly with, well, anything.
Custard Canteen
1525 Gold Coast Hwy, Palm Beach QLD 4221
Custard knows how to do chocolate well—the mountains of chocolate-covered, dipped and filled pastries we’ve consumed at this sweet cafe are proof. It comes as no surprise that the Custard Canteen’s hot chocolates would be just as addictive.
Their rich hot choccies are simple yet dreamy, creamy and have just the perfect amount of chocolate goodness without being overwhelming. We don’t blame you if you pair your hot chocolate with a pastry of equal decadence because let’s be honest, everyone puts on a bit of a winter coat.
FARINA & Co.
15 Pinter Drive, Southport QLD 4215
Image Credit: Farina & Co. | Clayten Fowler
If a European bakery, cafe and pasta bar had a lovechild, FARINA & Co. might be it. So yes, you know their hot chocolates are going to be pretty damn impressive. Southport's newest hotspot, FARINA & Co. pulls out all the stops when it comes to their hot chocolate special.
Think: a decadently rich hot chocolate topped with housemade marshmallow which is piped around the glass rim, torched to perfection and topped off with a scoop of vanilla gelato. Wow. It's the perfect amount of richness, contrasted by the scoop of refreshing gelato.
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Pretty Handsome
18 Christine Ave, Burleigh Heads QLD 4220
Sometimes you just can’t go past the OG, no-frills hot chocolate and when you’re in a hot choccy mood, Pretty Handsome is here to deliver.
Whipping up one of the best bad boys we’ve had the pleasure of wrapping our mitts around, they keep it straightforward and simple: loads of sweet chocolate, steamed milk and melt-in-your-mouth marshmallows. Snag a table in this grungy cafe and sip on your chocolate goodness while falling in love with all the cute doggos that frequent this local.
BSKT Cafe
4 Lavarack Rd, Mermaid Beach QLD 4218
BSKT, also known as the Gold Coast's favourite healthy cafe, is not pulling any punches when it comes to slinging up top-notch hot chocolates.
While they keep it simple, their classic hot chocolate is the perfect combination of rich, yet no overly sweet, and be sure to ask for marshmallows on top. Your furry best friend is also sorted with their a-paw-able Puppy Board loaded with an oat milk puppachino and doggie biscuit.
Elk Espresso
12 Victoria Ave, Broadbeach QLD 4218
Image Credit: Elk Espresso | Jade Quinlivan
As if Elk Espresso weren’t already killing the breakfast game, they’ve gone and done it again with their legendary hot chocolate menu.
Say hello to their dreamy miso hot chocolate. While we certainly didn't know we need miso crumble atop our hot chocolate, it's a truly game-changing combination that adds a touch of umami flavour and we seriously dig it. Keep up to date with their rotating seasonal menu here—we swear it just gets better and better every season.
Oh My Waffle
6/1837 Gold Coast Hwy, Burleigh Heads QLD 4220
Oh My Waffle doesn’t play around. Winner of the Gold Coast Best Dessert Award 2019, you know their hot choccies are going to be out of this world delicious.
This winter, they’re slinging up a legendary hot chocolates in edible cookie cups, loaded up with all things naughty. We can't even list all of the wild flavours but some of our favourites include the Biscoff hot chocolate served in a vanilla or chocolate edible cookie cup, the choc hazelnut affogato and just the simple Lindt hot chocolate with whipped cream in the edible cookie cup. Although, it's not really simple, is it?
Rise Bakery
1 Masthead Way, Hope Island QLD 4212
The French sure know how to master the art of pastries, and the French culinary team at Rise Bakery have nailed the art of the perfect hot chocolate too.
Simple yet decadently rich, Rise Bakery's classic hot chocolates are our go-to on the Northern Gold Coast. Pair your hot choccie with one of Rise's delicate mille feuilles and you're onto a winner.
Bam Bam Bakehouse
2519 Gold Coast Hwy, Mermaid Beach QLD 4218
As if Bam Bam Bakehouse doesn’t have enough sweet and tasty treats to lure us in, they go and make some of the best hot choccies we've had the pleasure of slurping down.
They're keeping things simple with their classically rich hot chocolate, or level up and indulge in their Nutella Oreo hot chocolate. Both are seriously elevated when devoured with one of their inventive goodies like their new twice-baked Snickers croissant or Nutella cruffin. Check out all of their jaw-dropping sweet treats here.
Burleigh Baker
13/50 James St, Burleigh Heads QLD 4220 &
46 The Esplanade, Paradise Point QLD 4216
Wander down Burleigh’s main strip and you’re overwhelmed with the abundance of bakeries and cafes pumping out sweet scents of goodness. Amidst all the deliciousness, there’s one place you need to stop: Burleigh Baker.
This much-loved Burleigh (and Paradise Point) gem is famous for its organic hot chocolates, which are simple, rich and just what you’re craving. For the full Burleigh Baker experience, grab a loaf of their naturally leavened sourdough that has gained them a cult-like following. Go on, get down to Burleigh Baker. You know you want to.
Max Brenner
Robina Town Centre, Robina QLD 4226 &
3240 Surfers Paradise Blvd, Surfers Paradise QLD 4217 &
Australia Fair, 42 Marine Parade, Southport QLD 4215
There’s nothing better than a warm mug of hot liquid chocolate to warm your insides. Located in three central Gold Coast locations, Max Brenner prides itself on the culture of chocolate and their Hug Mug hot chocolate is as good as a hug from someone you love.
You can order it in classic chocolate flavours (your choice of milk, dark or white chocolate), mocha, caramel, vanilla, hazelnut, mint and coconut. You can also create your own hot chocolate and mix and stir your choice of chocolate in steamed milk to create your perfectly balanced hot choc creation. It truly is heaven in a mouthful or giant gulp. Whichever you prefer.
Looking for more? Check out:
- The Gold Coast's Best Dog-Friendly Cafes
- The Gold Coast's Best Restaurants
- Burleigh Heads' Best Restaurants
Main image credit: Paddock Bakery | Instagram
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