Best hot chocolate in the Inner West
Where to find the best hot chocolate drinks in the Inner West
After coffee, nothing quite warms up a chilly day like a mug of rich, hot chocolate (and a roaring fine, warm doona and perhaps a good book of course). And when it comes to finding the best hot chocolate drinks, we’re blessed with an abundance of cafes and choc stores in the Inner West that do a cracking cocoa. So read on – we’ve done the legwork to unearth the best hot choc destinations where you and the kids can get your choc fix liquid style this Winter.
Cremeria Giuseppina, Five Dock
Come for the hot chocolate stay for the gelato. At Cremeria Guiseppina you’ll find thick Italian style hot chocolate – so dense and moreish you’ll need to eat it with a spoon – but linger a bit longer and you may be tempted to try more than this delectable drink. In fact most Inner Westies know this cosy cafe in Five Dock for its range of gelatos with flavours so Italian you’ll feel you’re on the Italian riviera. Pick from old-school cassata, hazelnut or Stracciatella (an Italian style vanilla choc-chip) to name a few. Or in the Summer, the blood orange granita is a must-have. Can’t decide between a hot choc and an ice cream? Why not have both – grab an Italian sweet bun and they’ll happily fill it with a scoop or two of your fave gelato, wash the lot down with your Italian hot choc of course. This is definitely living la dolce vita!
Cremeria Giuseppina
84 Ramsay Road, Five Dock 2046
www.cremeriagiuseppina.com.au
Black Star Pastry, Newtown
If creating one of the internet’s most ‘grammed cakes wasn’t enough, Black Star Pastry decided to add a range of bevvies inspired by their iconic confections. You’ll find a Strawberry Watermelon Latte on the menu thanks to the eponymous cake that broke the internet, along with the lesser known but equally indulgent Hot Choc Mirage – a riff on their salted caramel and choc Mirage cake. Made with Rooibos tea, caramel, Madagascan Manjari Chocolate, there’s a hint of divine butterscotch in every sip. Best of all, there’s an iced version so you can indulge in this drink all year round. Feel like something different? Try their Ginger Ninja Latte – fresh espresso blended with house-made spiced gingerbread syrup for a festive drink that’s perfect for the cooler months.
Black Star Pastry, Newtown and other locations
1/325 King St, Newtown 2042
www.blackstarpastry.com
San Churro Chocolateria, Glebe
Did you know this now national churros chain was the brain child of an Aussie entrepreneur? Whilst travelling through Spain, Giro Maurici discovered that the Spanish chocolateria (chocolate café) was to Spaniards what the kebab shop was to Aussies – not in the post-boozy night sense, but as an informal venue where people of all ages could gather for a quick bite. He promptly brought the concept back to his home town in Melbourne – and thank goodness he did. San Churro Chocolateria boasts one of the largest hot chocolate drink offerings in Sydney, so there’s something for everyone. Pick from drinks made from couverture (that’s real chocolate made with 100% cocoa butter for those not in the know), as well as a line of Spanish Hot Chocolate beverages – thick, bittersweet, almost pudding like in consistency (thanks to the added cornstarch), and perfect with a crunchy churro or two on the side. We love the Aztec Hot Choc – a Spanish hot chocolate spiced with cinnamon and chilli – whilst caramel lovers will adore the Bruleed Spanish, a hot choc topped with creamy vanilla custard and finished with caramelised sugar. Tip: skip counting calories on the day you visit!
San Churro Chocolateria, Glebe and other Sydney locations
47 Glebe Point Rd, Glebe 2037
www.sanchurro.com
Adora Handmade Chocolates, Earlwood
A chocolatier doing hot choc drinks? Stop it. Really? Yes. Whilst Inner West choc-shop Adora, which turns 30 this year, is best known for their sweet treats made from fine Belgian chocolate, their cute white and blue store on leafy Wardell Road in Earlwood is also the perfect location to savour a cup of hot chocolate made from pure Belgian couverture. They’ll pop a bon-bon on the side, but don’t be afraid to pair this divine drink with one of their house-made Greek savouries like the spanakopita pastry. Tip: Book ahead for the Adora High Tea if you want to sample a range of their cakes and savoury pastries, along with delectable house-made chocs. And if you’re tempted to pick up a Chocolate Box or hamper on your way out, we certainly won’t blame you!
Adora Handmade Chocolates, Earlwood and other Sydney locations
118 Wardell Rd, Earlwood 2207 (Corner of Bass St and Wardell Rd)
www.adora.com.au
Eightastic, Canterbury
If you’re heading down south, don’t go past Eightastic on bustling Canterbury Road. This cafe specialises in hybrid Korean-style desserts – think croffles (a cross between a croissant and a waffle), waffnuts (a cross between a waffle and a donut), loaded French toast, Korean bing-su (shaved-ice dessert) and savoury bites. Their hot chocolate drinks are equally epic with flavours like Matcha, Red Velvet (a hot choc topped with cream cheese), and S’Mores – a milk and dark choc drink with crunchy wafers and marshmallows. Hot choc purists don’t miss out either – there’s a Belgian Hot Chocolate for traditional hot choc lovers, as well as Salted Caramel and White Hot Chocolate flavours. Can’t be bothered to leave the house? Eightastic delivers so hit them up on UberEats!
Eightastic, Canterbury
4/316 Canterbury Road, Canterbury 2193
www.eightastic.com.au
Koko Black, Sydney
This Aussie chocolate chain serves up one decadent hot choc – perhaps almost too moreish for the little ones. Their Signature Hot Chocolate is made from just three ingredients: Koko Black chocolate (pick from milk or dark choc made from 100% cocoa butter), thickened cream and milk to create a rich, smooth drink best sipped and savoured – perhaps with a pastry in hand if you want to indulge even further. So popular was the original hot choc that Koko Black have launched spin-off flavours like Mocha, Salted Caramel and Chilli to tempt the taste buds.
Don’t fancy trekking all the way into the city? Good news – you can buy a box of Koko Black Chocolate Shavings to recreate their Signature Hot Choc at home, or for a quick fix, their Dark Hot Cocoa instant hot chocolate will also hit the spot.
Koko Black, The Strand Arcade and other Sydney locations
412-414 George St, Sydney 2000
www.kokoblack.com
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Looking for more local cafes? Check out our list of kid-friendly cafes in the Inner West here.
Have you tried a hot chocolate that blew your mind? Leave a comment below or email us at info@theinnerwestmums.com.au – we’re always on the lookout for food and venue recommendations in the Inner West and beyond.
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