Everyone has their own favourite type of hot chocolate. There are those who like the hot cacao of their childhood, there are those who only want the slightest difference between their hot chocolate and a chocolate mousse. While hot chocolates were born in Mexico some 2000 years ago, in Budapest we can now find world-class hot chocolates of all varieties. We can enjoy them in tiny little chocolate shops or even the city's coolest bistros. Wherever they are we've tracked down Budapest's best hot chocolates that will warm up the coldest day.
During the colder months Ahoy! is literally all about hot chocolates. Even their tagline reflects this being: “chocolate and lemonade bar.” We expected a huge selection here and Ahoy! doesn’t disappoint. There’s milk, dark and white chocolate varieties and all of these also come in a “light” version too. The chocolate is melted in hot milk and a generous dollop of cream added on top. Then there can also be marshmallows, candy-cane and other sweets added. If you’d like a more refreshing drink then just ask for an ice-chocolate instead. Ahoy’s hot chocolates are a real experience and a real splurge – you won’t leave hungry.
Price: 2dl 850 HUF, 3dl 990 HUF
Added extras: Flavoured hot chocolates 2dl 850 HUF, 3dl 1090 HUF. Add rum, whiskey or Baileys for an extra 350 HUF. Add cream for free.
Alternative milks: Lactose-free milk
We recommend: Salty-caramel, mint and chili-cinnamon are a must.
2/10
2 Kockacukor
This sweet and friendly little place is a bit further out but the trip is well worth it because the drinks and food you get here are of real quality. The hot chocolate was made by shaking hot Cserpes milk together with about half a block of high-quality Belgian chocolate in a jar. The result is a smooth, not too sweet, hot drink, and the best thing is it tastes like real chocolate. The emphasis at 2 Kockacukor is on quality and on real food that doesn’t have too many additives or sugar. But sweet tooths can ask for honey to be added. There’s also a light chocolate version too made with fruit sugar.
Price: 390 HUF
Added extras: Real chili flakes can be added for free.
Alternative milks: Soy milk, coconut milk and lactose-free milk available. It’s 600 HUF for a drink made of these alternative milks.
We recommend: Make the trek out to this gorgeous café and try the chili hot chocolate
Details: Open 7am – 7pm, Monday – Friday, at 40 Kárpát Street
There have been some conception changes at Chocoroom on Szerb Street - but these changes have definitely been for the better. The goal of these changes has been a greater focus on gourmet chocolate and there's no doubt this aim has been met. While there might be fewer chocolate varieties now, the ones that remain are much more imaginative, and much more beautiful. We'd gladly try all of these new chocolates, so it's worth visiting more than once.
Price: 950 HUF
Added extras: Violet milk chocolate, tonka bean white chocolate
Alternative milks: Lactose-free is 150 HUF extra
We recommend: Mango white chocolate, strawberries covered in white chocolate and crackling sugar.
Chocoroom (closed)
Address: 1054 Budapest, 17 Szerb Street
4/10
Centrál Café
The hot chocolate at this legendary café is nothing short of amazing. The perfect consistency and taste – although those who like their chocolate super sweet will want to add sugar. The dark chocolate used in these delightful beverages is made in-house, as is the little macaron that comes on the side. At Central Café you can also add flavours or ask for cream. Of course being the grand venue that it is, it’s the perfect place to add some alcohol to your hot chocolate to add a bit of a pep in your step.
Price: 850 HUF
Added extras: Coconut, hazelnut, almond, gingerbread syrups can be added for free, cream is 150 HUF more, alcohol is priced on request.
Alternative milks: Lactose-free milk available for free
We recommend: Without a doubt hot chocolate lovers must come here! Add cream for an extra treat.
5/10
Vintage Garden
Vintage Garden’s hot chocolates are the sweetest of them all. You can get milk, white, dark and diabetic chocolate versions, but there's also a special tasting tray (pictured) where the flavours are: dark chocolate-chili, milk chocolate-cinnamon, and white chocolate-apple pie. The presentation of these tasting trays is really something else! Vintage Garden provides a beautiful setting and is a great place to enjoy a steamy cup of hot chocolate over a catch up with friends.
Price: 750 HUF for a cup or 790 HUF for the tasting tray
Added extras: 13 different flavours such as caramel, cinnamon, apple pie, strawberry and lavender
Alternative milk: Lactose-free and soy milk are free options
We recommend: The tasting tray!
6/10
Madal Café
Lovers of new-wave and unique coffees will love Madal because these two concepts meet here and here - naturally even the hot chocolates are not what you'd usually expect. We can thank Szántó Tibor for putting these delicious mixtures together - the result is a clean, natural taste that's hard to even describe. The taste is so natural that these hot drinks are probably even healthy. And the presentation is, as you'd expect, beautiful.
Price: 690 HUF
Added extras: Fair trade chocolate
Alternative milks: Lactose-free, soy milk, rice milk is an extra 100 HUF
We recommend: Caribean chocolate
7/10
Goamama
This popular café on Király Street attracts many tourists because of its prime location and tasty cakes and croissants. But it’s the kind of spot that’s perfect for a catch up with a friend over a toasty hot chocolate too. Goamama uses cocoa powder and the result is a smooth, filling beverage. Enjoy a cake on the side or add a shot of coffee to your hot chocolate for a sublime mocha.
Price: 690 HUF
Added extras: Vanilla syrup
Alternative milk: Soy milk or lactose-free milk are an extra 100 HUF.
We recommend: Add a shot of coffee for the perfect mocha (890 HUF).
Details: Open 9am – 7pm weekdays, 9am – 2pm Saturdays at 21 Király Street
8/10
La Mimosa
La Mimosa is a cake shop too and so it's no surprise that the hot chocolates here are as thick as a pudding. This is a chocolate creamy delight and it's so thick and creamy that even your spoon will stay upright in this concoction. It's exactly as sweet as it's meant to be and because of it's consistency a skin will form on the top but this isn't a mistake. This is at once a drink and a dessert! La Mimosa is a dog-friendly place and they offer take-away too.
Price: 200 forints / dl
Added extras: Pudding consistency
Alternative milks: This drink is pre-prepared in a special dish so changes can't be made.
We recommend: While enjoying your hot chocolate treat your pet with a special doggy treat too.
9/10
Rengeteg RomKafé
Oh my goodness there are 22 types of hot chocolates here!! And this is in addition to a selection of teddybears, buttons and other bits and pieces you'd find hidden in your grandma's house. You can even choose flavours like smoked onion chips - which is a good choice for those who are adventurous. The base is a Belgian chocolate without added sugar. The hot chocolates at Rengeteg RomKafé is of a thick consistency - and this place is a great venue for a date because of the dimly lit rooms just as much as the heavenly hot drinks.
Price: Basic hot chocolate 600 HUF, flavoured hot chocolates 700 HUF, with alcohol added 800 HUF
Added extras: 22 types of flavours, plus seasonal fruits can be added
Alternative milks: Lactose-free, soy milk, coconut milk
We recommend: Chestnut-rum flavoured hot chocolate
