If you're anything like me, when the temperature gauge starts to drop, the cravings for smooth, warming hot chocolates in Sydney start to rise. It certainly puts a zing back into my step to grab a cuppa' hot chocolate, that's for sure!

So, whether you like your hot chocolates plain, white or garnished with weird and wonderful toppings, Sydney is a yummy go-to for mouthwatering hot chocolates to sweeten up any day. Take the kiddies along for a warming treat of milky goodness or wrap your hands around a cup of smooth, hot choccie and savour some ‘me-time.

Sydney Cafes Serving the Best Hot Chocolates

1. The Grounds of the City

The Grounds of the City turns drinking hot chocolate into a mini event, which is always a win with kids.

Their generous, build-your-own-style hot chocolate moment with chocolate syrup, sprinkles, extra-strength chocolate and hot chocolate milk, all wrapped up in that classic Grounds atmosphere, is a must-order any day of the week.

Location: The Galeries, Shop RG 12/500 George Street

RELATED:
Delicious Chocolate Cafes in Sydney

2. Koko Black 

One of Australia's most-loved chocolate purveyors, Koko Black, uses an authentic Belgian recipe to double-brew its signature hot chocolate for 2 hours. It's no wonder they're considered some of the best in town!

Stick to the classic or add a chilli, cinnamon, mocha, orange or hazelnut twist to warm up your winter.

Location: You'll find Koko Black on the ground floor of the stunning Strand Arcade on the corner of Pitt Street, making it the perfect pitstop on a busy shopping trip.

3. Adora Handmade Chocolates, Wynyard, Quay Quarter, and Wentworth Connection

Adora Handmade Chocolate's smooth, creamy hot chocolates are fast becoming as legendary as their handmade chocolates.

Choose from milk, dark or white hot chocolate, and all their drinks come with complimentary melt-in-the-mouth chocolate made from pure Callebaut, a fine Belgian couverture chocolate — so yum!

Locations:
Quay Quarter Lanes, 22 Loftus Street
Shop 8, Wynyard Station
Shop P9, Wentworth Connection, 2 Bligh Street

There are more Adora venues in Croydon, Earlwood, Newtown, and Parramatta. Visit the website to find Adora Handmade Chocolates near you.

4. The Copper Mill, Alexandria

The Copper Mill has been serving up its signature Coconut Hot Chocolate for years, and each winter it seems to taste even better than the one before!

They combine the finest chocolate powder, a generous dash of creamy coconut milk and extra-frothy steamed milk to create a rich, smooth cup of some of the best hot choccies time and time again.

Location: 338-356 Mitchell Rd, Alexandria 

5. San Churro, Glebe

San Churro serve up thick, rich Spanish hot chocolates in Sydney and guards its original recipe carefully.

Stick to the Classic Spanish or add all kinds of delicious toppings, from giant, handmade, toasted marshmallows to popping candy. They also serve up traditional milk, dark or white hot chocolates, plus mocha and a mini-kids version. 

Location: 47 Glebe Point Rd, Glebe

There are plenty more San Churr's dotted throughout Sydney. Visit the San Churro website to find a location near you.

6. Perfection Chocolates, Rose Bay 

With a family of fine chocolatiers at the helm, this local favourite in Sydney's east has been handcrafting its own chocolate for decades, and its decadent hot chocolate is one of the best ever, especially with a chocolate-covered jelly snake!

There's no powdered chocolate here, folks. Their signature milk chocolate is dripping from a fountain, ready for your steaming cup of decadence, with an extra drizzle on top!

Perfection Chocolates also has a massive range of the finest-quality hand-made chocolates and sweets, plus coffee, gelato, and their best-selling mocha.

Location: 700 New South Head Rd, Rose Bay

7. Rivareno Gelato, Bondi Beach 

Italians know how to make two things really well – gelato and hot chocolate (and, OK, pizza too).

Rivareno uses one of the best chocolates in the world: Valrhona Grand Cru 'Manjari', made with single-origin 64 per cent cocoa from Madagascar, and it is a serious contender for the best hot chocolate in Sydney. It's thick, rich chocolate with beautifully balanced acidity and red fruit flavours. You can also choose a gelato flavour to create a thick, rich Rivareno hot chocolate affogato.

Location: 2/124 Campbell Parade, Bondi Beach

There are more Rivareno Gelato venues in Barangaroo, Darlinghurst, Potts Point, and Parramatta. Visit the website to find a Rivareno near you.

8. Kakawa Chocolates, Darlinghurst

If your idea of good hot chocolate is pretty much just chocolate melted and served, then you've come to the right place!

Kakawa Chocolate is a master chocolatier and serves incredible hot chocolates full of that deep chocolatey flavour you're craving right now. Their chocolate creations come in an assortment of yummy flavours, including dark traditional, chilli, hazelnut, brandy, and can also be served ice cold. 

Location: 147 William St, Darlinghurst

 9. Coco Chocolate, Kirribilli

Coco Chocolate in Kirribilli is perfect for families after a harbour-side sweet stop with a boutique feel.

Their hot chocolates are made with hand-flaked chocolate and come in flavours including lavender, cinnamon, rose, and black pepper, making them perfect for adventurous little taste-testers and chocolate-loving parents.

Location: Shop 12, 3a-9b Broughton St, Kirribilli

10. Bourke Street Bakery, Neutral Bay

Bourke Street Bakery is already a Sydney icon for flaky sausage rolls, buttery pastries and those impossible-to-walk-past tart displays, but its hot chocolate deserves a little winter spotlight of its own.

Bourke Street Bakery’s hot chocolate is made with Callebaut chocolate melted into milk, finished with milk foam and a dusting of chocolate powder, giving it a richer, more chocolate-forward flavour than a standard cafe hot choccie.

What makes it one of the best hot chocolates in Sydney is that it strikes a very family-friendly balance. It's not as thick and intense as some of the ultra-rich Italian-style hot chocolates around town, so kids can actually enjoy it without needing a spoon and a lie-down afterwards. But it still has enough real chocolate flavour to keep grown-up chocoholics very happy. Pair it with one of Bourke Street Bakery's famous pastries, cakes or sausage rolls, and you've got yourself a cosy little North Shore pit stop that works for breakfast, afternoon tea or a chilly-day treat with the kids.

Location: 7/19-25 Grosvenor Street, Neutral Bay

11. Oliver Brown, Multiple Locations

Oliver Brown is a crowd-pleaser for Western Sydney families who want a full Belgian chocolate cafe experience.

Their signature hot chocolate is made by steaming imported Belgian chocolate callets with milk, then finishing it with melted chocolate and a marshmallow. Incredible!

Locations: There are multiple Oliver Brown venues in Western Sydney, including Parramatta, Merrylands, Chullora and Rouse Hill. Visit the website to find your nearest cafe.

12. Max Brenner, Blacktown, Parramatta, Narellan and Ed Square

Max Brenner's Hot Chocolate Surprises are taking their 'hug in a mug' to the next level!

The fun, Insta-worthy creation includes a milk chocolate, white chocolate or dark chocolate ball that melts away when you pour in hot milk, revealing extra treats inside, including mini marshmallows and waffle balls! You can also customise your experience with more melted chocolate for an extra-sweet delight.

Location: Multiple across Sydney — visit the website for a Max Brenner near you.

Is your favourite hot chocolate in Sydney not on the list? Let us know in the comments!

Hero image via Anna Kucera.

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About ellaslist

ellaslist is a trusted local guide for families across Sydney and NSW, written by parents and family lifestyle editors who understand what makes an outing with kids genuinely work. Our team researches and curates the best family-friendly events, attractions, playgrounds, restaurants and school holiday activities, with practical details on age suitability, accessibility, parking, public transport, facilities and family-friendly tips.

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