7 Best Places for Hot Chocolate in Paris (2026 Guide)

Last Updated on September 25, 2026 by April Nicole

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Looking for the best hot chocolate in Paris? One of my favorite things to do in Paris, especially on a cold or rainy day, is step inside a beautiful café and warm up with a rich cup of chocolat chaud. From elegant tea rooms to historic cafés in Saint-Germain-des-Prés, every spot offers a slightly different experience. Some serve hot chocolate that is intensely thick, while others make it smooth and easy to drink.

In this updated guide, I’m sharing seven of the best places for hot chocolate in Paris, including famous favorites such as Angelina and Carette. I’ve also included current addresses, approximate prices, and practical tips to help you choose the perfect café for your Paris itinerary.

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If you are in a hurry, here’s a summary of the best hot chocolate in Paris:

What Makes Parisian Hot Chocolate Special?

Hot chocolate in Paris is often richer and more chocolate-forward than the instant hot cocoa many travelers are used to drinking. Some cafés melt real chocolate into warm milk, while others use their own blend of chocolate, cocoa, milk, or cream to create a signature recipe.

The consistency can also vary from one café to another. Angelina is known for an intensely rich and thick hot chocolate, while other Paris cafés serve lighter, smoother versions that are easier to drink. Chantilly cream may be served on the side, included with the drink, or offered for an additional charge.

Part of the experience is also the setting. You might enjoy chocolat chaud inside an elegant Parisian tea room, at a historic literary café in Saint-Germain-des-Prés, or while sitting on a terrace with views of everyday life in Paris. Pair it with a croissant, madeleines, macarons, or a French pastry for an especially indulgent break.

Best Hot Chocolate in Paris at a Glance

  • Angelina: Best for an iconic Paris hot chocolate experience. Check the current menu for pricing.
  • Café de Flore: Best for people-watching in Saint-Germain-des-Prés. Expect to pay approximately €10 to €12.50.
  • Les Deux Magots: Best for literary history and old-fashioned hot chocolate. Prices range from €10 for a cup to €15 for a pot with Chantilly.
  • Carette: Best for an elegant setting and generous Chantilly cream. Expect to pay approximately €12 to €13.50.
  • Ladurée Royale: Best for a traditional Paris tea salon experience. Check the current menu for pricing.
  • La Jacobine: Best for a cozy hidden-gem atmosphere and thick Aztec-style hot chocolate. Confirm the current price when visiting.
  • Jean-Paul Hévin: Best for gourmet hot chocolate to go near the Louvre. The takeaway hot chocolate costs €6.50.

Want to Taste More Than One Parisian Chocolate?

If you would rather explore with a local expert, a guided chocolate and pastry tour lets you sample treats from several Parisian chocolatiers and pâtisseries while learning about the city’s dessert traditions.

Best Places for Hot Chocolate in Paris

1. Angelina: Best for an Iconic Paris Hot Chocolate

A table at Angelina in Paris, known for the best hot chocolate in Paris, featuring two cups of the signature drink, a pitcher, and a chocolate dessert on elegant white china.

Angelina is usually the first place people think of when searching for the best hot chocolate in Paris. Its famous L’Africain hot chocolate is intensely rich, thick, and velvety.

The first time I tried it, I had just come inside from the rain, and my hands were freezing. That first warm sip tasted like melted chocolate and instantly made me understand why it is one of the most famous drinks in Paris. It is served with Chantilly cream on the side, so you can add as much or as little as you like.

I paired mine with Angelina’s signature Mont-Blanc, a pastry made with meringue, whipped cream, and chestnut cream. Both are very rich, so you may want to share if you prefer lighter desserts.

Location: 226 Rue de Rivoli, 75001 Paris
Price: Check the current menu before visiting
My tip: Visit close to opening time to avoid the longest lines.

2. Café de Flore: Best for a Classic Paris Café Experience

Cozy outdoor café table in Paris with a cup of the best hot chocolate in Paris at Café de Flore, accompanied by a slice of apple tart, whipped cream in a glass, and a small pitcher, set against a classic Parisian street scene.

Café de Flore is one of the most famous cafés in Saint-Germain-des-Prés. Over the years, it has welcomed celebrated writers, artists, and philosophers, including Jean-Paul Sartre, Simone de Beauvoir, Ernest Hemingway, and Pablo Picasso.

I visited on a chilly December morning and chose a table on the heated terrace. The hot chocolate was rich and smooth, but what I enjoyed most was watching people pass along Boulevard Saint-Germain while surrounded by the café’s history.

Location: 172 Boulevard Saint-Germain, 75006 Paris
Price: Approximately €10 to €10.50, or €12 to €12.50 with Chantilly
My tip: Pair your hot chocolate with a croissant and arrive early if you want a good terrace table. Café de Flore does not accept reservations.

3. Les Deux Magots: Best for Literary History

Located across from the Church of Saint-Germain-des-Prés, Les Deux Magots is another legendary Paris café with strong connections to the city’s literary and artistic history.

When I visited, I sat near the window and watched people pass through the square while enjoying a pot of the café’s old-fashioned hot chocolate. Made with Valrhona Equatoriale 55% chocolate and milk, it was smooth, rich, and easy to drink without being overwhelmingly thick.

Location: 6 Place Saint-Germain-des-Prés, 75006 Paris
Price: €10 for a cup or €12 for a pot; Chantilly costs an additional €3
My tip: Order the pot if you want more than one cup or plan to linger. Pair it with one of the pastries available that day.

4. Carette: Best for an Elegant Paris Café Setting

A sunlit table at Carette in Paris, featuring two cups of the best hot chocolate in Paris, served with buttery pastries and crisp tableware.

Carette is known for its creamy hot chocolate, generous Chantilly cream, beautiful pastries, and elegant Parisian atmosphere. It has three locations in Paris, but I visited the café beneath the historic arcades of Place des Vosges.

The hot chocolate was smooth, rich, and indulgent without feeling quite as heavy as Angelina’s. I paired it with mini madeleines, which were perfect for dipping into the warm chocolate.

Location: 25 Place des Vosges, 75003 Paris
Price: Approximately €12 to €13.50
My tip: Lines can be long during busy afternoons and weekends, so visit earlier in the day. Add Chantilly cream if it is not already included in your order.

5. Ladurée Royale: Best for a Historic Paris Tea Salon

A luxurious cup of hot drink in Paris, served with whipped cream and an elegant setting at Ladurée.

Ladurée is famous around the world for its macarons, but its hot chocolate is also worth trying. For the full experience, visit the historic Rue Royale location, which first opened in 1862 and includes two elegant upstairs tea rooms.

I found Ladurée’s hot chocolate rich and velvety but slightly easier to drink than the extra-thick version at Angelina. The colorful interiors and beautifully displayed pastries make this a lovely stop for a relaxed afternoon treat.

Location: 16 Rue Royale, 75008 Paris
Price: Check the current Ladurée Royale menu before visiting
My tip: Pair your hot chocolate with a few macarons or one of the seasonal pastries. Reservations are available for the Rue Royale restaurant and tea salon.

6. La Jacobine: Best for a Cozy Hidden Gem

Tucked inside the Cour du Commerce Saint-André near Odéon, La Jacobine offers a more intimate setting than the grand tea rooms on this list. The restaurant and salon de thé is known for its thick Aztec-style hot chocolate, which makes it a tempting stop on a cold or rainy day in Paris.

La Jacobine is also a good choice if you want to enjoy traditional French food before ordering hot chocolate for dessert. Its cozy dining room and tucked-away location give it a different atmosphere from Paris’s larger and more famous cafés.

Location: 59–61 Rue Saint-André des Arts, 75006 Paris
Price: Confirm the current price when visiting
My tip: Reservations are recommended because the small dining room can fill quickly. La Jacobine is closed on Mondays.

7. Jean-Paul Hévin: Best for Gourmet Hot Chocolate to Go

The storefront of Jean-Paul Hévin on Rue de Bretagne in Paris, a renowned chocolatier celebrated for offering some of the best winter drinks.

Jean-Paul Hévin is a celebrated French chocolatier known for treating chocolate with the same attention often given to fine wine. His hot chocolate is a good choice if you want an intense chocolate flavor without sitting down for a full tea-room experience.

The hot chocolate is currently available to take away from the Louvre boutique at 108 Rue Saint-Honoré. Its location makes it a convenient stop before or after visiting the Louvre, the Samaritaine, or the surrounding area.

Location: 108 Rue Saint-Honoré, 75001 Paris
Price: €6.50
My tip: This hot chocolate is takeaway only. The boutique is closed on Sundays, Mondays, and public holidays.

How to Make French Hot Chocolate at Home

When I am craving Parisian-style hot chocolate at home, I make this simple version with chopped dark chocolate, whole milk, and a small amount of cream. It is rich, smooth, and easy to adjust depending on how thick or sweet you prefer it.

Servings: 2 medium cups or 4 small cups

Ingredients

  • 100 grams high-quality dark chocolate, preferably 60% to 70% cacao
  • 1½ cups whole milk
  • ½ cup heavy cream
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 to 2 teaspoons powdered sugar, optional
  • Chantilly cream, optional
  • Pinch of cinnamon, nutmeg, or sea salt, optional

Instructions

  1. Finely chop the dark chocolate so it melts evenly.
  2. Add the milk and heavy cream to a small saucepan. Warm over medium-low heat until steaming, but do not let the mixture boil.
  3. Add the chopped chocolate and whisk until completely melted and smooth.
  4. Taste the hot chocolate before adding sugar. If needed, whisk in 1 to 2 teaspoons of powdered sugar.
  5. Remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in the vanilla extract.
  6. Pour into cups and serve immediately with Chantilly cream or your favorite topping.

Tips for the Best Hot Chocolate

  • Use good-quality chocolate because it provides most of the flavor.
  • Add a little more milk if the hot chocolate is too thick.
  • For a richer consistency, use slightly more chocolate instead of reducing the milk too much.
  • Add cinnamon, nutmeg, sea salt, orange zest, or a small amount of espresso for a different flavor.

Which Paris Hot Chocolate Should You Choose?

For the classic Paris hot chocolate experience, start with Angelina. Choose Carette for an elegant café setting, Café de Flore for people-watching, or Les Deux Magots for literary history. Ladurée Royale is ideal for a traditional tea-room experience, La Jacobine offers a cozier atmosphere, and Jean-Paul Hévin is the best option for gourmet hot chocolate to go.

Prices, hours, and menu offerings can change, so check each café’s official website before visiting.

Best Hot Chocolate in Paris Map

To add this map to your Google Maps account, click the ‘Star’ icon next to the map name. You can then view it on your cell phone or computer by heading to your Google Maps account, click the menu and add it to ‘Your Places’.

Final Thoughts on the Best Hot Chocolate in Paris

Trying hot chocolate is one of my favorite ways to slow down and enjoy Paris. Whether you choose the famous L’Africain at Angelina, a pot of old-fashioned hot chocolate at Les Deux Magots, or a cozy hidden gem like La Jacobine, each café offers a different taste of the city.

Which Paris café would you visit first? Let me know in the comments!

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8 Comments

  1. Great article on Paris’ hot chocolate spots! Your vivid writing and unique insights into each cafe’s ambiance really bring the experience to life. I love the added touch of a home recipe – it’s perfect for bringing a bit of Parisian flavor into our homes.

  2. Wow, you must have had so much fun doing research for your blog post. All of the hot chocolate pictured above looks amazing. On this cold rainy day, I wish I had some hot chocolate. But since you gave us a recipe, I know what I am buying next time I go to the store.

  3. I love hot chocolate and all these look amazing. The varieties available sound so good, I’d be interested to see the difference between Italian and European styles. If I ever make it to Paris, I will be sure to stop by as many of these spots as possible.

  4. Loved your article on Paris’ top hot chocolate spots! Your insights really highlight the unique atmosphere of each cafe.

  5. I love this article – because not only do I love Paris, but I looove chocolate. Of this list, I’ve only been to Angelina many years ago and Laudrée. I got to frequent Laudrée when they brought one to Beverly Hills many years ago. Thanks for all the other recommendations. I’ll have to try them next time I’m in Paris. Saving this!

    1. Hi Trisha, Parisians typically enjoy their hot chocolate with a side of fresh whipped cream, served either on top or on the side. Some common pairings include croissants, pain au chocolat, and chouquettes, are also a popular choice.

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