1/11
Azték Choxolat!
The best time to visit Azték Choxolat! a revered hot chocolate bar in the Röser Courtyard, is during the evening, when its particularly cozy atmosphere comes into its own. You can find more than 50 variations on the favored winter drink, here made from cocoa and melted chocolate, and topped with a dollop of whipped cream on request. Salted caramel has never tasted quite this good before.
2/11
Damniczki Budapest
Some of the finest hot chocolates in Budapest are being served up this winter at the Damniczki Confectionery. The secret of the stupendously divine drinks here is threefold: the expertise of the baristas, Callebaut Belgian chocolate pastilles, and fat-rich milk from Pusztaszabolcs. No matter which variety you order, a creamy experience is guaranteed.
3/11
Rengeteg RomKafé
Rengeteg is rightly referred to as one of the coziest rendezvous venues in the city, filled to the brim with teddy bears and offering an amazingly wide variety of hot chocolate – your wish is their command. The 250 varieties also include alcoholic and alternative drinks, all served with care and a dessert-like consistency that will keep you stirring and chatting for ages. Rum and chestnut is the perfect choice for a romantic afternoon à deux.
4/11
Gresham Palace
Look no further than the Gresham Palace for the fanciest hot chocolate in the city. This luxurious drink would be wasted on an average Tuesday night, but is just right for that special occasion. Served in a Herendi porcelain cup, your drink here is made from French chocolate, topped with chocolate shavings and served with tea biscuits. As they serve it, a chocolate lattice is placed on top of the cup and melted with the hot drink.
5/11
Madal Café
Madal is better known for its excellent coffee, but you can swing by for its hot chocolate, too, made from artisanal, 70% Peruvian cocoa. You can order the drink with regular or alternative milk, or further sweeten with coconut sugar for an exotic experience. These natural flavors are further elevated by the art of the well versed baristas.
6/11
Ahoy!
At Ahoy!, lemonade dominates the summer and hot chocolate takes over as soon as the weather turns chilly. Instead of pre-made variations, you can choose your own cocoa content, flavor and toppings – at a guess, approximately 1000 combinations are possible with the current ingredients found among the selections. You can always ask the staff for their recommendations for the most popular blends – white chocolate with raspberry is probably a good call.
7/11
The Donut Library - Újlipótváros (Closed)
The Donut Library is the perfect destination for those who want to unwind after the frantic holiday season. Here delicious donuts can come with thick, pudding-like hot chocolate. Topped with whipped cream and marshmallows, the drink makes a standalone dessert – but those after a serious sugar rush can try pairing it with a donut, say, the vanilla variety.
8/11
KisBécs (Closed)
In the winter season, although it’s usually known for its fine Austrian wines, KisBécs (‘Little Vienna’) offers delicious hot chocolate. With the whipped cream served on the side and a couple of little biscuits, the sweet drinks here guarantee a warming experience, the almond chocolate especially. After dark, you might linger over a glass of mulled wine.
9/11
Café Zsivágó
The nostalgic atmosphere at Zsivágó is perfect for meeting friends or going on first dates, helped along by friendly service and simply delicious hot chocolate. Fitting for the 19th-century ambience and floral wallpaper, drinks here are presented in elegant cups, the thickly consistent chocolate allowing for a slow, satisfying visit. For a little variation, too, try the almond and cinnamon, ideal for a winter’s afternoon.
10/11
Noir Chocobar (Closed)
Noir Chocobar is a great place for the first or the umpteenth date, its huge selection of hot chocolates meaning that each visit is a different experience, with 40 flavors to choose from. Alongside are a further 14 alcohol-fuelled varieties, underscored with the likes of Portorico rum, almond liqueur, and vodka and mango, with the iced chocolates and frappés best left for the spring.
11/11
4 Street Coffee
4Street offers a simple but reliable selection of drinks and dishes, hot chocolate included, to those who happen to be passing by the Buda transport hub of Móricz Zsigmond Square. Here, the hot chocolate is thicker than usual. Though it doesn’t quite have the consistency of pudding, marshmallows melt into it satisfyingly quickly. It can also be paired with a layered dessert cup or a slice of cake.
