Best Hot Chocolates in Shanghai

There’s nothing more comforting than a cup of hot cocoa in the winter to warm up. Here are some places where you can the best cup of hot chocolate in Shanghai.

My Favorite

Hot Chocolates in Shanghai

hoF

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hoF is one of the most underrated venues in Shanghai. It’s been around for some time (reportedly the first chocolatier in Shanghai), and while it may have lost that new cafe smell, it still has the best quality and selection of hot chocolates (and desserts).

All of hoF’s hot chocolates look the same.
And all taste amazing.

Of the five hot chocolates on offer, their Italian Thick Hot Chocolate (¥40) and the Caraibes Single Origin (¥35) are standouts. The Italian is not too sweet, not too bitter, with just the right amount of acidity, while the Caraibes has an underlying bitterness to it. Pro tip: Order it “extra thick.” You can thank me later.

hoF

Address: 30 Sinan Lu, near Huaihai Zhong Lu 思南路30号, 近淮海中路
Tel: [phone]

Awfully Chocolate

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If there is a mall near you, chances are there will be an Awfully Chocolate located somewhere in there. Their hot chocolate (¥36) comes with a dollop of cold, fresh cream that melts with each sip, and a cube of rich, bittersweet dark chocolate for dipping. The drink base is sweeter than others, and milkier without being overly creamy. Great for something on-the-go.

Awfully Chocolate

Multiple locations: iapm, Taikoo Hui, Grand Gateway, Raffles, IFC, Cloud Nine, Reel Mall, others.

Hunter Gatherer

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Healthy restaurant/grocer Hunter Gatherer has a rather unusual (but very lovely) hot chocolate made with beetroot. The Red Velvet Hot Chocolate (¥35) is made with creamy Oatly, a dairy-free drink, and is naturally colored pink from beets. I’m a fan of bitter and earthy flavors, so this is definitely up my alley. Plus side, my calorie intake includes an extra dose of antioxidants.

Hunter Gatherer

Address: 135 Yanping Lu, near Wuding Lu 延平路135号, 近武定路
Tel: [phone]

Ocean Grounds

Ocean Grounds is the hippest café in Shanghai. They do fourth wave coffee, combining coffee with mixology techniques. At night, the café turns into a bar. (Pet-friendly terrace!)

OG New Orleans Style Iced Coffee

My favorite coffee drink to get is the OG New Orleans Style Iced Coffee (¥58). It’s an ice ball that takes 36 hours to make with cold drip chicory root spice mix, served with vanilla spiced milk. It’s equivalent to four espressos or something.

Mexican Mocha

They also do a lovely spiced hot chocolate, the Mexican Mocha (¥39/43), combining dark and white chocolate with frothed milk, spiced with ancho chili, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Oh, and a shot of espresso. Be sure to swirl the drink or ask for the spoon, as the spices end up at the bottom after a while.

Ocean Grounds

Address: Rm.1-09A, 1/F, North Tower, Hong Kong Plaza, 282 Huaihai Zhong Lu, near Songshan Lu 淮海中路 282号香港广场北座 1 楼 NL1-09A, 近嵩山路
Tel: [phone]

Maya

Maya is great for brunch. Cozy atmosphere, great for large groups, and they have a great free-flow deal (¥125 for sangria, ¥165 for margaritas).

They serve a Mexican spiced hot chocolate (¥45) that’s only available during brunch. It’s spiced with chili, ginger powder and cinnamon, condensed milk and fresh milk, and 75% cocoa powder. It’s milky, smooth and mild spiced. Pro tip: you can spike the hot chocolate with tequila. Just ask.

Maya

Address: 2/F, Club House, Shanghai Grand Plaza, 568 Julu Lu, near Shanxi Nan Lu 巨鹿路568号四方新城俱乐部2楼, 近陕西南路
Tel: [phone]

Bread ETC

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Bread ETC’s hot chocolate (¥30) is decent. It’s creamy, smooth and thick. Despite it’s dark, rich color, it’s not extremely sweet. Good spot as an alternative work space. Plus, pet-friendly terraces.

Bread ETC

Address: 500 Xiangyang Nan Lu, near Jianguo Lu 襄阳南路500号, 近建国路

Address: 1486 Nanjing Xi Lu, near Tongren Lu南京西路1486号, 近铜仁路

Kommune

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This friendly wine bar is the reason anyone would think to go into Tianzifang for boozing. The owner and staff are thoughtful and accommodating, and will offer hot bottles and blankets to patrons sitting outside in the winter and will turn up their outdoor burners to make you feel welcome.

Kommune’s hot chocolate (¥48) is served in a huge enamel cup, a chocolate covered marshmallow dangling on the end of twine steeped in mix of milk and cocoa powder. Dunking the chocolate ball is half the fun, but a little messy.

Kommune

Address: No. 7, Tianzifang, 210 Taikang Lu, near Sinan Lu 泰康路210弄7号, 近思南路
Tel: [phone]

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