Top Spots for a Cosy Hot Chocolate in Brighton
Here in bonny Brighton, we are spoilt for choice when it comes to award-winning and effortlessly cool independent cafes. Amongst the hustle and bustle of the historic Lanes, there's an array of coffee shops and tea rooms to hunker down in and watch the world go by.
Since so many of you ask for our favourite hot chocolate haunts, we thought it’s only right that we give the people what they want and round up the best cocoa concoctions this vibrant city has to offer.
We drank our way through Brighton’s boujiest cafes
We drank our way through Brighton’s boujiest cafes from the Instagram hyped favourites to the hidden and unexpected gems to bring you our top 6 spots. It’s a tough job but someone’s got to do it!
The Flour Pot Bakery
Find it: 40 Sydney Street (but there’s seven in total so take your pick)
The Instagram hype is real, people. The Flour Pot is a true Brighton treasure
and with good reason – the Friday sell-out doughnuts, the marble and copper interiors, their own artisan bread, we could go on and on. Most loved for its caffeine and cake selection but its hot chocolate game is just as worthy.
Fancy a milky hot chocolate dusted in rich cocoa powder? Your wish is The Flour Pot Bakery’s command.
Trading Post
Find it: 40 Kensington Garden
Like a meal in a cup! If a creamy textbook hot choc is what you’re after – no gimmicks, no frills, just a trusty nostalgic cup of the hot stuff – then Trading Post is the one for you.
Expect a generous mug full to the brim of sweet ‘n’ frothy nectar.
Bread & Milk
Find it: 82 Trafalgar Street
And the award for the dark horse goes to… Bread & Milk. Our favourite hot chocolate of the bunch is humble in appearance but extraordinary in taste and texture – this guy is not to be underestimated.
Expect to be pleasantly surprised. It may not be the most aesthetically pleasing hot chocolate the world of hot beverages has to offer but it’ll get your taste buds buzzing fo’ sure.
Pelicano
Find it: 28 Sydney Street & 28 Queens Road
For the sweet toothed fans, this one will tickle your fancy. Topped with a flake and served in a rustic glass milk bottle, it’s as classic as they come.
A note for the non-dairy drinkers: we tried it with oat milk and whilst we’ve sampled better dairy alternative hot chocs, this one’s great for anyone who likes their hot bev a little less on the creamy side.
Expect a simple hot choc recipe in a comfy café!
Bond Street Coffee
Find it: 15 Bond Street
It’s built up a great rep for its kickass coffee but let it be said that these guys take their hot chocolate just as seriously. For those that are into the proper stuff over the creamier, paler variety, this is the good place.
Expect a real earthy chocolate taste in a Goldilocks cup that’s “just right”.
Black Mocha
Find it on 103 Gloucester Road
So good we tried two.
Go for their signature 40% milk chocolate blended with organic milk and piled high with a choice of toppings. Naturally, we opted for honeycomb, marshmallow and cream – the barista was both startled and impressed but we were there to do a job and we were emotionally invested in sampling a trio of beverage toppers and nothing less. Who needs to be able to do their jeans up anyway?
This place has built up quite the accolade for Best Hot Choc in Brighton and we can vouch for that. You won’t be disappointed!
If you’re vegan, they also do a lovely albeit small cup of decadent 70% dark chocolate alternative which gained a solid rating from us.
Expect a hot chocolate good enough to rival Willy Wonka’s marvellous creations.
