On a winter day in Michigan, those at-home Swiss Miss packets just won’t do when you’re craving a cup of hot chocolate to awaken your senses.
Whether the warm drink is boozy, simple or over-the-top, we’ve found the best places for hot chocolate that you can only get in metro Detroit.
Macomb County
Check out these unique hot chocolate spots for families in Macomb County.
Related: Best Hot Chocolate Spots Near Sterling Heights to Keep You Warm and Cozy
Caffé Far Bella
Cafe Far Bella offers flavored hot cocoa, which is available hot or frozen. They also have cappuccinos, hot tea, smoothies and lattes to choose from.
Choco Mania Café
- Address: 44621 Mound Road, Sterling Heights
Choco Mania Café is a European café has Turkish-inspired coffees, specialty lattes and hot chocolate to warm you up. They also have French crepes, acai bowls, rolled ice cream, sundae cups, baklava and more. They will be opening a location in downtown Birmingham in April 2024.
Eos Cafe and Coffee House
This local coffee shop and café features many different hot and cold beverages for you to choose from. Pair your beverage with one of their many yummy baked goods or a breakfast burrito or sandwich.
Lula’s Café
- Address: 45271 Market St., Shelby Township
This café features beverages such as espressos, lattes, cold brews, hot cocoa, chai and more. If you’re in the mood for a chocolate smoothie instead, try their Cocoa Express (espresso shot, banana, cocoa, peanut butter, almond milk and honey) or their Chocolava (strawberries, banana, cocoa, almond butter, maple, protein and almond milk).
Oakland County
There are plenty of places to get hot chocolate in Oakland County.
Related: Best Hot Chocolate Spots Near Rochester Hills to Keep You Warm and Cozy
Avalon Cafe and Bakery 👑 (Our Readers’ Favorite!)
- Addresses: 30955 Woodward Ave., #305, Royal Oak
Since 1997, this café and bakery has made it its mission “to create an oasis of healing and compassion in a world that is sorely in need.” They steam local (Calder or Guernsey dairy) chocolate milk and then top it with whipped cream. Customers often add their house peppermint or brown sugar sea salt syrups to their hot cocoas. They also have a vegan hot chocolate with your choice of plant-based milk and Ghirardelli chocolate mix. Also has locations in Ann Arbor and Detroit.
Birmingham Roast
- Address: 525 E. Brown St., Birmingham
This café’s hot chocolate is made with dark chocolate and crème brulee infused milk. If you’re looking to add a little jolt to your hot cocoa, try it with espresso as a Kuppa Joy, Almond Joy, Mexican Mocha or a White Cinnamon (made with white chocolate instead of dark chocolate). You can also have the Kuppa Joy and Almond Joy blended as a frappe if you’re in the mood for something cold to drink.
Drifter Coffee
- Address: 770 Woodward Heights, Ferndale
Their beverage menu features cappuccinos, cortados, espressos, lattes, hot tea and hot cocoa. For the littles, they have Choco Milk, ‘Nilla Steamer, Sweet Cheery Tea and Lil’ Cocoa.
Farmhouse Coffee and Ice Cream
- Address: 29936 12 Mile Road, Farmington Hills
You don’t have to be in love with coffee to love the menu at Farmhouse. When it comes to hot chocolate, the flavorings are the key. With five to choose from — regular, dark chocolate, caramel, hazelnut and s’mores — there’s no wrong choice.
Guernsey Farms Dairy
- Address: 21300 Novi Road, Northville
You’ll know Guernsey’s for its fresh, delicious milk. Now warm that milk for a hot chocolate refreshment and you know why it’s a staple on the menu.
Java Hutt
This coffee shop features mocha, espresso, hot chocolate, matcha latte, hot tea, cold brew, bubble tea, Italian soda, Java Fruit Cooler, Java Coffee Cooler and more. Try their paninis, breakfast sandwiches, wraps, roll ups, salsas or dips, too.
KAHVE HOUSE 👑 (Our Readers’ Favorite!)
- Address: 22 S. Main St., Clawson
The coffee shop features Turkish coffee and hot chocolate and baked goods along with Mexican Style hot chocolate, horchata, frappes and more. The Turkish hot chocolate is made with dark chocolate and zero sugar. The Mexican hot chocolate is a popular option and is made with dark chocolate, sugar and cinnamon. If you’re in the mood for something cold and sweet, try their frozen hot chocolate.
Mia’s Bakery and Coffee Shop
This European-style bakery and coffee shop features freshly brewed coffee, lattes, mochas, hot cocoa, cappuccinos, frappes and more. They also feature seasonal specialty drinks including holiday flights.
Royal Oak Roast
- Address: 25070 Woodward Ave., Royal Oak
This café’s hot chocolate is made with dark chocolate and crème brulee infused milk. If you’re looking to add a little jolt to your hot cocoa, try it with espresso as a Kuppa Joy, Almond Joy, Mexican Mocha or a White Cinnamon (which is made with white chocolate instead of dark chocolate). You can also have the Kuppa Joy and Almond Joy blended as a frappe if you’re in the mood for something cold to drink.
TOAST BIRMINGHAM 👑 (Our Readers’ Favorite!)
- Address: 203 Pierce St., Birmingham
This retro-chic restaurant is a well-known breakfast and brunch spot. Try their Campfire Hot Chocolate, which is made with fire-kissed marshmallows, chocolate chips and grahams. You can also add a shot of espresso for $2 more.
Washtenaw County
Washtenaw County has some really cool spots that families can check out for some hot chocolate.
Related: Best Hot Chocolate Spots Near Ann Arbor to Keep You Warm and Cozy
Avalon Cafe and Bakery 👑 (Our Readers’ Favorite!)
- Addresses: 102 E. Liberty, Ann Arbor
Since 1997, this café and bakery has made it its mission “to create an oasis of healing and compassion in a world that is sorely in need.” They steam local (Calder or Guernsey dairy) chocolate milk and then top it with whipped cream. Customers often add their house peppermint or brown sugar sea salt syrups to their hot cocoas. They also have a vegan hot chocolate with your choice of plant-based milk and Ghirardelli chocolate mix. Also has locations in Detroit and Royal Oak.
Le Bon Macaron 👑 (Our Readers’ Favorite!)
- Address: 209 S. 4th Ave., Ann Arbor
Although this bakery is known for the macarons, it also has an amazing Chocolat Chaud. You can have it as a sipping chocolate or with steamed milk to cut the richness. Pair your hot chocolate with a scone or macaron. Kids can enjoy a hot chocolate or a kiddie cappuccino – made with steamed milk and whipped cream.
RoosRoast
The hot chocolate comes in two great sizes — perfect for littles — or can be ordered cold brewed. Most cold brew options can also be taken to-go in a half gallon to enjoy all weekend.
The Songbird Cafe
- Address: 2707 Plymouth Road, Ann Arbor
Best known for serving seasonal delights, the Songbird Cafe offers hot chocolate among other specialty drinks such as lavender lattes, rosemary sea salt lattes and turmeric ginger honey lattes.
Zou Zou’s Cafe and Coffee Bar
- Address: 101 Main St., Chelsea
The hot chocolate here is made with steamed chocolate milk, chocolate sauce and house made whipped cream. If you want something similar to this, but with espresso, try their mocha or white mocha options. This spot is also well known for their crepes with options such as Nutella with banana, strawberries and whipped cream, ham and Swiss and more.
Wayne County
If you’re looking for some hot chocolate spots in Wayne County, we’ve got you covered.
Related: Best Hot Chocolate Spots Near Dearborn to Keep You Warm and Cozy
Avalon Cafe and Bakery 👑 (Our Readers’ Favorite!)
Since 1997, this café and bakery has made it its mission “to create an oasis of healing and compassion in a world that is sorely in need.” They steam local (Calder or Guernsey dairy) chocolate milk and then top it with whipped cream. Customers often add their house peppermint or brown sugar sea salt syrups to their hot cocoas. They also have a vegan hot chocolate with your choice of plant-based milk and Ghirardelli chocolate mix. Also has locations in Ann Arbor and Royal Oak.
Café Alto
- Address: 3100 Woodward Ave., Detroit
This coffee shop is open daily from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. It features brewed coffee, lattes, cold brew, cappuccinos, hot chocolate and more.
Chocolate Bar Café
- Address: 20737 Mack Ave., Grosse Pointe Woods
This old-fashioned soda fountain shop may be known for its ice cream, but it doesn’t back down in the winter. Their coffee bar menu features daily brews, specialty lattes and hot chocolate. For hot chocolate options, they have classic, hazelnut, peppermint and white chocolate caramel.
Dooped Donuts
- Address: 1555 Broadway St., Detroit
This doughnut shop makes 100% vegan doughnuts. Pair it with a hot or iced coffee, cappuccino, macchiato, hot chocolate, latte or tea.
Dose of Sugar
- Address: 3630 Caniff St., Hamtramck
This café and bake shop features many different beverages such as smoothies, shakes, cold brew coffee, hot chocolate, lattes and more.
For the Love of Sugar
- Address: 100 Erskine St., Detroit
This bakery may be known for its custom cakes and freshly baked macrons, but its coffee and hot chocolate are great, too. They offer a regular hot chocolate and a hot white chocolate.
Fourteen East
- Address: 2771 Woodward Ave., Detroit
Located in the WSU Ilitch School of Business building. This Midtown spot features gourmet hot chocolate or pre-mix hot chocolate along with cortado, macchiato, mocha, chai and more. Pair it with a scone, muffin, croissant or Danish. The gourmet hot chocolate is made with real cocoa and either creamy milk or a milk alternative.
JoJo’s Shake Bar
- Address: 88 W. Columbia St., Detroit
Although JoJo’s Shake Bar is known for their over-the-top Biggie Shakes, they have some great hot chocolate options to try. The Classic is a classic hot chocolate topped with toasted marshmallow fluff. The Salted Caramel is a salted caramel-flavored hot chocolate topped with toasted marshmallow fluff, toffee pretzel, toffee donut hole and a gold star marshmallow. The Double Chocolate is a double chocolate hot chocolate topped with toasted marshmallow fluff, chocolate-covered s’more and chocolate-covered marshmallow. The Baked Hot Chocolate is a baked fudge brownie served a la mode. They also have coffee, hot tea, lattes, shaken espressos, cappuccinos and more.
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