According to science, drinking hot chocolate can temporarily make you smarter. We’re not sure about that, but if can definitely boost our mood. Whether drinking a sophisticated mug of rich, chocolatey heaven, or a goblet of milky goodness with gooey marshmallows and cream, nothing can beat a hot chocolate in these wet and dreary months. We’ve found the best places to grab a hug in a mug – yes, it can only be hot chocolate – that can fight of the winter blues and make us almost glad it’s wintertime. Here’s your guide to the dreamiest hot chocolates in Bristol.
1. Mrs Potts Chocolate House
No list of Bristol’s hot choc spots could be complete without Mrs Potts. You’ll find the most delicious diversity of chocolate percentages and flavours at Mrs Potts Chocolate House. Try a roasted white hot chocolate with 28% cocoa, to create a deep, complex flavour with toasted nutty and caramel notes. There is also the Deluxe Hot Chocolate Float, where you pick your favourite hot chocolate to pour over their house made dark chocolate disc and scoop of Marshfields vanilla ice cream, served with a dark chocolate button. Watch the heat melt the disc and let the magic happen. Mrs Potts also has some vegan options too alongside an array of other chocolatey drinks and desserts.
Mrs Potts Chocolate House, 20 Park Street, BS1 5JA
2. Bar Chocolat
The hot chocolate at Bar Chocolat is divine. Made by melting milk and dark chocolate buttons into hot milk, you can’t possibly go wrong having one of these. Some of their autumn specials at this chocolatier have included include chilli, maple or orange flavours, but keep your eyes peeled for their monthly special. They also have a deluxe version with marshmallows, whipped cream and milk and white chocolate shavings. Go on… you deserve it.
Bar Chocolat, 19 The Mall, Clifton Village, BS8 4JG
3. The Beehive
Despite describing themselves as “the home of the freak shake”, The Beehive, based in Downend, sure know how to make a hot chocolate too. If you have seen their freak shakes, you’ll know that The Beehive doesn’t do drinks in half measures. We are talking tantalising toppings, from Maltesers and marshmallows to doughnuts and dunkable chocolate bars. If you’re up for a decadent and divine drink to warm you up this season, try the Beehive Choc Attack. A huge hot chocolate with melting Nutella around the glass and topped with a doughnut, whipped cream, lots of chocolate goodies, marshmallows and a generous dosage of chocolate sauce. The have also recently opened a kiosk at Cabot Circus for all your city centre hot chocolate needs.
The Beehive, 14 Badminton Road, BS16 6BQ
4. Ahh Toots
If it wasn’t festive enough on Christmas Steps then enjoying a gorgeously indulgent hot chocolate at Ahh Toots will really put you in the mood. Ahh Toots not only has an array of baked goods on offer but also some cosy autumn drinks to enjoy. The café has an autumn menu featuring salted caramel and cardamom hot chocolate with spiced pumpkin marshmallow as well as a praline flavour. Better get up those steps two at a time before they run out!
Ahh Toots, 17 Christmas Steps, BS1 5BT
5. Cuppa Coffee Shop
Who thought shopping for plants could be so rewarding? At Middlecombe Nursery you can walk away with plenty of plants plus a dreamy cup of chocolatey goodness from Cuppa Coffee Shop. Sip on an intense hot chocolate with charred gooey marshmallow fluff with Biscoff chunks stuffed inside for extra indulgence. The cinnamon flavour makes for a proper warming hot chocolate as you wander around the outdoor plant nursery, especially on those chillier days.
6. At The Well
7. Ruby Jeans
You’d think a place offering up coffees, chocolates and luxury food products would know a thing or two about a good hot chocolate, right? Well, you’d be right. This drink by Ruby Jeans comes to you thick and rich – and it’s even available to take away so you can make it for yourself at home. Choose from dark chocolate made with 71% cocoa from Ecuador, white chocolate made with 31% cocoa from the Dominican Republic and milk chocolate made with 43% cocoa from Venezuela.
Ruby Jeans, Pembroke Road, Shirehampton, BS11 9SA
8. The Cloakroom Cafe
Located near the University of Bristol campus, The Cloakroom Cafe, in fact, used to be a public restroom and was built in 1904. Apart from maintaining some elements from the building’s former glory such as the bathroom tiles, the cafe has given it a new lease of life and appears very welcoming. As is their hot chocolate. The drink at The Cloakroom Cafe is a welcoming warm hug and for an added twist their hot chocolate is infused with beetroot.
The Cloakroom Cafe, Woodland Road, BS8 1US
9. Mokoko
Wander down to Wapping Wharf and slide into Mokoko for a deliciously rich hot chocolate. Treat yourself to some of their stunning handmade fresh pastries to go with your beverage, and inhale both your luxurious hot chocolate and the baked goods coming out of the oven! A sophisticated, sipping experience that won’t leave you disappointed.
Mokoko, 2 Gaol Ferry Steps, Wapping Wharf, BS1 6WE
10. East Village
If you’re after the crème de la crème of hot chocolates (minus the crème), East Village has got just the one for you. This independent vegan café in the heart of Clifton Village serves up a dreamy, dairy-free hot chocolate so good that you might reconsider ordering a dairy version in future. East Village use real chocolate curls which are swirled in your choice of plant milk (oat, coconut, soy or almond) to create a velvety smooth hot chocolate. Plus, you can take it up a notch by adding either toasted marshmallow, hazelnut or Biscoff syrup, then have it topped with a huge homemade marshmallow and chocolate curls. Throw in a vegan bake such as cinnamon bun, cookie sandwich or slice of cake and you’ve got yourself a sweet and heavenly combination.
East Village Café, Arch House, Boyces Avenue, Clifton Village, BS8 4AA
11. Clifton Observatory
Another Clifton cafe serving a good ole hot chocolate is the 360 Café at Clifton Observatory. The café has got a bit of reputation for its indulgent hot chocolates with gorgeous toppings like whipped cream, caramel and chocolate sauce, sprinkles, chocolate flakes, s’mores, and cookies. Enjoy views of Clifton Suspension Bridge whilst sipping on a warming cup of chocolatey goodness in an array of flavours including Biscoff, Black Forest, cookies and cream, chocolate orange or s’mores. Plus, for some extra warmth, make it a bit boozy by adding a cheeky shot of either Baileys, Cointreau, Kahlua, spiced rum, whiskey, Tia Maria or vodka.
Clifton Observatory, Litfield Place, BS8 3LT