Videri hot cocoa

Best Raleigh Hot Chocolate Spots to Check Out in Winter 2021

In Eat, February 2021 by Raleigh MagazineLeave a Comment

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These are the best hot chocolate spots in Raleigh—hands down.

Rachel Simon

There’s no better way to spend winter than curled up on the couch with a cozy blanket, a movie and a steaming cup of hot chocolate in hand (especially this year, right?). Luckily, Raleigh is home to plenty of great ops for the toasty beverage—whether you prefer yours in its classic original form, topped with whipped cream or mixed with a flavor (think chai or peppermint). So next time you’re in the mood for a sweet treat that’ll also warm you up, head to one of these seven excellent hot chocolate spots around the city and grab a cup to go.

Tupelo Honey

Benelux Coffee
402 Oberlin Road
Operating since 2010, Benelux is known for its roasted coffee and Belgian-inspired “wafels”—but don’t miss out on the eatery’s hot chocolate. It’s creamy and flavorful, and regulars can attest that it goes great with one of the cafe’s signature crispy wafels. $3.50 for 12-oz. cup

Escazu Chocolates
936 N. Blount St.
Long considered one of the Triangle’s premier shops for all things chocolate, Escazu boasts the best cup of cocoa in Raleigh, bar none. The store, which gets its name from the district of Escazu, Costa Rica, prides itself on bean-to-bar chocolate and offers a range of confections, ice creams and, of course, hot chocolates. On average, there’s about 10 varieties from which to choose, including mocha, white chocolate, peanut butter and a few “historic” flavors inspired by recipes from the 1500s. Still, you also can’t go wrong with the original—it’s delicious and creamy, the perfect balance between standard cocoa and a thicker dessert-like treat. $4.75 for 10-oz. cup

Global Village Organic Coffee
2428 Hillsborough St.
When you stop at Global Village for a breakfast sandwich or cup of coffee, don’t forget to grab a hot chocolate. Steamy and flavorful, the beverage can also be made spicy if that’s your thing—why not give it a go and see if you can handle the heat. $2.35 for small cup

Hereghty Heavenly Delicious
2603 Glenwood Ave.
Nestled in the Glenwood Village Shopping Center, Hereghty’s hot chocolate is just one option among its many sweet offerings, which include scones, tiramisu, creme brulee and more. Enjoy a tasty regular cup or add in peppermint to spice it up—really, you can’t go wrong with either. $3.25 for 8-oz. cup

The Morning Times
10 E. Hargett St.
Open since 2016, The Morning Times has been a staple in DTR. The fare is impressive, but so, too, is its selection of drinks—including hot cocoa. The cafe’s version comes with whipped cream. And if you’re craving something a little extra, try enhancing it with a flavor shot. $3.50 for 12-oz.

Tupelo Honey
425 Oberlin Road
Tupelo Honey is a go-to spot for Southern food fans, known for its savory dishes like fried chicken, and shrimp and grits. With such a hearty menu, it’s easy to overlook the spot’s hot chocolate, but that’d be a mistake. Served as a regular cup or fancified with whipped cream and a chocolate drizzle, it’s a sweet, rich drink that’s great on a cold winter day. $3 for standard cup

Videri Chocolate Factory
327 W. Davie St.
Another Raleigh staple for chocolate lovers, Videri offers allergy-friendly bean-to-bar products ranging from salted caramel bonbons to soft-serve ice cream, in addition to its beloved selection of hot chocolates. Cups come with a choice of local dairy or vegan oat milk, and while the regular hot chocolate is perfectly fine, it’s the company’s sipping chocolate that’s the real crowd-pleaser—tasting just like the warm, decadent melted chocolate bar it is, this sipper is a heavy but can’t-miss treat for dessert fans. $3 for 2-oz. sipping chocolate; $3.50 for 8-oz. hot chocolate; $.50 each for whipped cream or peppermint syrup add-ons

Videri Chocolate Factory

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