7 Spots for the Best Hot Chocolate in Paris, France (2024)
Searching for the best place for hot chocolate in Paris? Keep reading for all of the top spots for authentic hot chocolate in Paris plus some culture and history around chocolate chaud (french hot chocolate).
You find hot chocolate in cafes and patisseries throughout Paris, but there are several stand-out venues to get your classic Parisian hot chocolate.
For those short on time, here are my two picks for the best Paris hot chocolate after many visits over 30 years:
👉 Best Hot Chocolate – Paris, France (in a nutshell):
- 🥇 Angelina’s – Best for an overall experience. Legendary historic cafe and iconic Parisian hot chocolate.
- ☕ Patisserie Viennoise – Best for an old-world, authentic hot chocolate in Paris in a cozy setting. A hidden gem in the Latin Quarter.
I have been to Paris many times over the years and I absolutely love the chocolate and especially hot chocolate.
7 Spots for the Best Hot Chocolate in Paris
Having an afternoon hot chocolate (chocolat chaud) is a winter tradition in Paris. It is more for adults than small children, and drunk as a break in the late afternoon to get through the long colder months.
☕ Culture Tip – Chocolat Chaud: French hot chocolate is usually made by melting high quality bittersweet chocolate and adding whole milk, not with syrups or powders. Chocolate chaud was traditionally drunk in a bowl and can be a breakfast beverage. When I lived with a French family, they had special bowls (not cups) that were used for hot chocolate in the morning.
Below is the list of seven places for some of the best hot chocolate in Paris, each with something special: unique atmosphere, iconic status, modern techniques, traditonal, vegan and more.
1. Angelina Paris – Iconic and Decadent
It’s probably no surprise that Angelina Paris is topping this list. If I had to pick one only place, I would choose Angelina’s as the best place for hot chocolate in Paris, both for the excellent quality and the beautiful, iconic setting.
This historic tea room was founded in 1903 and is located on the busy Rue de Rivoli across from the Jardin des Tuileries. Angelina’s hot chocolate is so popular they have bottled their secret recipe and you can buy it online.
The chocolat chaud at Angelina’s in Paris is exquisitely rich and decadent, the perfect introduction to Parisian hot chocolate. (For a complete guide to navigating Angelina’s, see my post on hot chocolate at Angelina’s.)
You can choose between dining in their beautiful cafe or taking your hot chocolate and other treats to go. It’s great to visit regardless of the time of year because during the heat of summer, you have a choice between hot chocolate or a chilled version, chocolate froid.
It’s also one of the best spots thanks to its prime location near the Louvre.
- Hours: 7:30 am – 7:30 pm M-F. 8:00 am – 7:30 pm Weekends
- Reservations: no
- Google Maps Pin (Jardin des Tuileries/Louvre)
🥇 EDITOR’S CHOICE – CHOCOLATE TOUR OPTION: I love this tour. You try french hot chocolate, pastries and artisan chocolate in local historic cafes and chocolate shops. The reviews are stellar!
☕ CHECK TIMES & BOOK Chocolate and Pastry Walking Tour!
2. Patisserie Viennoise – Hidden Gem
The classic Patisserie Viennoise, opened in the 1930s, is my personal favorite spot for hot chocolate; it a bit off the beaten path and has a cozy laid-back environment in the Latin Quarter.
The famous chef, pastry chef, and author, David Lebovitz, wrote in The Sweet Life in Paris about trekking to Patisserie Veinnoise specifically for their authentic Paris hot chocolate, piled high with chantilly cream, similar to fresh whipped cream. The hot chocolate here is a bit darker and richer than at other venues.
Space is limited to only a few tables, so this is the perfect place to stop for a hot chocolate if you’re traveling solo or with a friend.
👉 Tip: For an excellent read about real life in Paris, plus authentic french recipes and humor, check out The Sweet Life in Paris by David Lebovitz. It is a good book and one of my favorite books on real life in Paris.
- Hours: 8:00 am – 7:30 pm M-F. closed Weekends
- Reservations: no
- Google Maps Pin (Latin Quarter)
3. Ladurée – Upscale
Ladurée first opened its doors as a bakery in 1862 and claims to have invented the double-shell macaron that we all know today. They may be known for their upscale cafes and artful macaroons, but they also make a mean hot chocolate.
Like everything you’ll order at Ladurée, it’s perfectly sweetened and made with exceptionally high quality ingredients.
There are a few Ladurée locations throughout Paris, but one of the most famous is along the Champs-Élysées near the Arc de Triomphe. On a chilly winter day, you can grab a cup of great hot chocolate and walk along this famous street in Paris.
- Hours: 8:00 am – 9:30 pm daily
- Reservations: no
- Google Maps Pin (Champs-Elysees – Arc de Triomphe)
4. Ara Chocolat – Bean-to-Bar/Vegan
Ara Chocolat is not far from the base of the Basilica of Sacré-Cœur in Montmartre, and this place takes all things chocolate seriously. They make the hot chocolate with hot water, not milk and each week change the type of cocoa they use in their hot chocolate recipe.
The shop is a true artisan establishment, tiny and dedicated to the art of creamy chocolate.
Ara Chocolat one of only a few cacao beans-to-bar chocolatiers in Paris, and they work directly with growers and cooperatives in Latin America to source their cocoa beans.
- Hours: 11:00 am – 6:30 pm M-F. Closed weekends
- Reservations: no
- Google Maps Pin (Montmartre)
5. Charles Chocolatier – Artisan Dark Chocolate
Charles Chocolatier is a trendy and modern chocolatier located in the heart of Paris, not far from the Louvre Museum.
If you’re the type who finds that hot chocolate is generally too sweet for you, the drinks at Charles Chocolatier are for you. This hot chocolate is bitter and rich, with a very strong cocoa flavor. At Charles Chocolatier, the drinks are served with sugar on the side so that you can sweeten them to your liking.
The best way to enjoy a hot chocolate from Charles Chocolatier is to take a sip without any additional sugar, then slowly sweeten it to your taste.
- Hours: 10:00 am – 7:30 daily, except closes at 7:00 on Sundays
- Reservations: no
- Google Maps Pin (Louvre – Les Halles)
6. Les Deux Magots – Classic
Les Deux Magots prides itself on its smooth rich hot chocolate, and it’s also one of the friendliest cafés in Paris and thus one of the best cafés for first time visitors. This historic café first opened in 1885 and is said to have been frequented by both Pablo Picasso and Ernest Hemingway.
A pot of hot chocolate at Les Deux Magots is enough for two people, and the Vienna style comes with a side of whipped cream.
Of course, you’ll want to enjoy your cup of hot chocolate while sitting on the cafe’s terrace outside and watching the city walk by. It’s best to visit when you’re not in a rush so that you can enjoy your hot chocolate in Parisian style.
- Hours: 7:30 am – 1:00 am daily
- Reservations: yes – recommended
- Google Maps Pin (Saint Germain des Pres neighborhood)
7. Carette – Luxurious Experience
Like several other spots on this list, Carette has been a Parisian institution since the early 20th century – 1927, to be exact. This cafe is incredibly popular in Paris, and you’ll often see it mentioned in guidebooks and by social media influencers. For that reason, you can expect long lines, especially during peak hours, and high prices.
Still, Carette is a top spot worth the hype and has serves some of the best hot chocolate in Paris. The rich, sweet hot chocolate comes with a side of chantilly cream. The entire experience is luxurious and waiters will pour your hot chocolate from a jug.
Carette is a popular place to order eggs with cheese and try macarons, but the hot chocolate is likely to steal the show every time.
There are three locations: Eiffel Tower, Place des Vosges and Place du Terte
- Hours: 7:00 am – 11:30 pm daily, except opens at 7:30 am on weekends.
- Reservations: no
- Google Maps Pin (Eiffel Tower – Trocadero)
Where To Stay In Paris
I’ve stayed in six different arrondissements in Paris and each one has left me pleasantly surprised. The key thing you will want to keep in mind is the areas walkability and closeness to metro stations.
Here are my top three choices for the best hotels in Paris.
📍Port Royal Hotel (near Latin Quarter) Great location, complimentary WiFi, close to the metro, offers two types of rooms (one with shared bathroom and one with private bathroom), breakfast for an additional cost.
📍Hôtel des Grandes Ecoles (Latin Quarter) Unique country house atmosphere, country-like setting, gardens, peaceful.
📍Hotel de Crillon (Champs Elysees – Tuileries) Chic rooms, near metro, phenomenal spa, several delicious restaurants, fitness studio, welcoming staff, lavish interior, Neoclassical building design, some rooms have Eiffel Tower views, butler service available, family-friendly.
👉 More Paris hotels with character and culture.
FAQs About The Famous Hot Chocolate In Paris
Below I have answered a few commonly asked question about hot chocolate in Paris based off my personal experience.
What is the famous Paris hot chocolate?
The famous Paris hot chocolate is found at Angelina. It’s a tasty thick hot chocolate that you have to experience for yourself, it’s so good!
Why is Paris hot chocolate so good?
Paris hot chocolate is so good because they melt high quality chocolate and use whole milk.
What is the famous French hot chocolate called?
Chocolat chaud is the famous French hot chocolate known for its thick and smooth texture and delicious taste.
Conclusion: Best Hot Chocolate in Paris
Any traveler searching for the best sweet treats and hot chocolate in Paris are in luck because there are a number of great chocolate shops, pastries, and cafes throughout the city and you can easily fit in a hot chocolate even if only in Paris for a few days.
To try several top French chocolatiers with the help of a knowledgeable guide, consider joining one of the chocolate tours. Not only will you be able to try samples of some of the best chocolate in Paris, you’ll also be able to learn more about the city’s history and unique cafe culture of Paris.
Happy sipping!
👉 Related Reading:
Paris Hot Chocolate From Angelina
Booking a Chocolate Tour in Paris
21 Hidden Gem Restaurants In Paris: Authentic and Off-The-Beaten-Path
