With dropping temperatures and snow this winter season, what better way to cozy up than to treat yo’ self to a delicious cup of hot cocoa? After sampling different cocoas from around Chapel Hill and evaluating our experience based on overall vibe and taste, we’ve provided a list of the best venues to satisfy your chocolate cravings. Enjoy!
Carolina Coffee Shop 138 E Franklin St.
Now here’s a venue you can’t miss. With elegant French windows and a quaint colonial storefront, Carolina Coffee Shop is the oldest continually running restaurant in North Carolina, marking its 100th year anniversary this year.
A widely-acclaimed “Chapel Hill Tradition,” they offer a tried-and-true classic cocoa, with buttery smooth chocolate flavor and cream on top. While their cocoa leans more on the expensive side, one medium size ($4) is totally worth it.
Vibe: ★★★★☆
Taste: ★★★★☆
Coco 101 Glen Lennox Dr.
Owned by an East family, Cocobean offers a delightful array of cocoas, from Mexican hot chocolate to peppermint, along with their hot chocolate special. You can add 12 different types of milk to your drink.
Warm but not too hot, with moderate chocolate flavoring, Coco’s cocoa is sweet and creamy all the way. It has the best aroma and foam art among all the spots on this list.
You can buy a small size for $3.22.
Vibe: ★★★★★
Taste: ★★★★☆
Epilogue Books Chocolate Brews 109 E Franklin St., #100
Take a book on your way in from a diverse selection of bestsellers, cozy up behind the shelves while soaking in the hipster, Mesoamerican infused vibe, and Epilogue will have you hooked on some of the best Mexican hot chocolate in town.
While their Mexican hot chocolate ($4.75) is their trademark cocoa, different from regular cocoa due to the addition of spices such as cinnamon as well as its frothy texture, Epilogue also offers two equally delightful options: sipping chocolate ($3.80) and frozen cocoa ($4.75), with the option of a flight of 4 chocolates ($9.15). For extra flavor or spice, 11 types of house-made syrups can also be added to any drink.
Sweetly mouthwatering, the Mexican hot chocolate is light and airy, but a bit more watery than chocolatey. Definitely ask for whipped cream on the top, because why not?
Vibe: ★★★★★
Taste: ★★★☆☆
Joe Van Gogh 1129 Weaver Dairy Rd.
Craving hot cocoa during lunch? Want to go somewhere close to school? Joe Van Gogh is only a five-minute drive or 19-minute bus ride away from East.
The cocoa here is steamy and foamy, rich but not too sweet, with just the right amount of chocolate. You can get the perfect fill of cocoa before heading back to class for $4.30.
Vibe: ★★★★☆
Taste: ★★★★☆
Saturni 431 W Franklin St., Suite #120
Tucked into a hidden courtyard on Franklin Street, this mysterious cafe wasn’t originally on our list of go-to spots. But as a gem of serenity, away from all the noise and bustle of downtown, we can’t recommend Saturni enough. It’s almost magical in its seclusion: Holiday lights glitter on the trees outside, with colorful LEDs illuminating the bar counter, all complementing the soothing, spiritual presence of Buddha statues.
In comparison to other shops, Saturni’s hot chocolate certainly has the most chocolate flavor. Slightly salty and creamy, their cocoa hits all the right notes with an added surprise of chocolate drizzle around the interior of the cup.
You can buy their classic hot chocolate for $3.00 and a large size for $3.50.
Vibe: ★★★★★
Taste: ★★★★☆
