It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas! And if we don't want to fly away because of the wind nor melt down, we should have a warm cup of hot chocolate! ("Chocolat Chaud" pronounced "Shocola Sho")
And what's better than a Parisian hot chocolate ? When there is no strike in Paris (or if you can forget it!), the Christmas mood is all around, but while there are, enjoy having a nice walk in the city, your (reusable) cup in one hand, the other full of shopping bags or choose to sit in a fancy hotel for an afternoon tea or in a cosy coffee shop! Paris can be so flexible to any of your snack wishes!
Let me explain what I call "Chocolat Chaud", so we agree on the terms: it is a hot drink made with real chocolate, cream and milk (either cow or non dairy), it is rich and thick. They are also called "Chocolat Chaud à l'Ancienne" (old fashioned hot cocoa). Chantilly cream is accessory!
The Best Hot Chocolate For Jungle:
Edwart Chocolatier - 244 rue de Rivoli, 75001 Paris (Open 7/7) [to go only]
Not yet too famous, I really recommend it because it's perfectly thick and rich!
It's less expensive than its neighbor, located on the same street! They are sold for more euros at Hotel Renaissance, a few blocks away from the Concorde shop.
The Best Hot Chocolate Chains For Jungle:
Angelina - Different cafés are in town, the one on Rivoli being the busiest! [to go option is available]
Angelina is THE place you will heard of when talking about Chocolat Chaud. Even though French people may say it's touristy, they all have that place in their heart! It was my first real chocolat chaud in Paris so, I like this place. But if you want to try it, I would recommend enjoying it at the café as it is expensive. They have 2 types of hot chocolates: the white one, which isn't my favorite because it tastes like milk, I always go for the classic one, made with African chocolate!
Avoid having a pastry beside it for yourself because it's very sweet, or at least share your treats with your food companion of the day!
Carette - Different cafés are in town [to go option is available]
The second place you may have heard of is Carette, and I think this is the place I prefer between the two! Carette has a less sweet hot chocolate than Angelina. It is very good!
The Fanciest Hot Chocolates:
The Ritz - 15 place Vendôme, 75001 Paris
The RW Crillon - 10, Place de la Concorde, 75008 Paris
The Peninsula - 19 Avenue Kléber, 75116 Paris
The Four Seasons George V - 31 avenue George-V, 75008 Paris
I have a very hard time choosing one among these, my favorite is probably the Ritz's, the Crillon's or wait … The Peninsula's ?... The Four Seasons' ?! Order these with a pastry or a full afternoon tea but be careful: it makes you stuffed quickly if you're not trained enough! Do not hesitate to ask the waitress/waiter to warm it up!
The Spiciest Hot Chocolate:
Kanna Tanna - 40 rue Jean-Baptiste Pigalle, 75009 Paris
To go with your brunch, Kanna Tanna has a selection of 2 hot chocolates, but the Sri Lankan way! My friend had the white chocolate one with cinnamon and other spicies : it was sweet and not too spicy! Very original!
The Strongest Hot Chocolate:
Chocolatitudes - 57, Rue Daguerre, 75014 Paris
You will find the article about them righ here! If you're a fan of dark chocolate, this is the place to go to! It's a small but very cute café! Most of the products, if not all of them, are organic! You can even add a slice of Baulois for more chocolate! (besides the chocolate truffle you will already be given with your hot cocoa!).
Other spots to check out:
Burgundy - 6-8 Rue Duphot, 75001 Paris
You will like it if you're not into thick hot chocolates!
Meurice - 228 rue de Rivoli, 75001 Paris
Alain Ducasse's hot chocolate will fit your taste if you don't like hot cocoa that are too sweet!
Prince de Galles - 33 avenue Georges V, 75008 Paris
I remember it was very good but I had to make a choice to select a few above!
Shangrila - 10 avenue d'Iéna, 75116 Paris
It is a vegan hot chocolate (they also do classic ones), so it is worth the try if you don't like cow milk or can't have it! The afternoon tea is also vegan!
Ara Chocolat - 54 rue Dunkerque, 75009 Paris
My friend and I found it very expensive for not much of a serving... We were quite disappointed!
Jadis et Gourmande - Several are shops in town
Very nice one!
Voilà ! Do not hesitate to share this article to your friends & family traveling to Paris, France! And let met know what you think of this article in the comments below!