Dreaming of Parisian Chocolate on Such a Winter's Day

Maybe it’s the planning for my upcoming March trip to Paris. Maybe it’s Valentine’s Day thoughts from this past weekend. Or perhaps it’s the snow still blanketing the ground. Whatever the reason, my heart—and my stomach—have been focused on one thing: velvety chocolate.

I’ve long wanted to write an entire article dedicated to hot chocolate, and I can’t think of a better season than this one—the season of love—to celebrate such an indulgent pleasure.

About fifteen years ago, I found myself in Paris on a frigid weekend in January when someone recommended I visit Angelina for their legendary chocolat chaud à l’Africain. This unforgettable drink—crafted from a blend of African cocoa beans, melted into warm milk, and crowned with homemade whipped cream—was the most decadent thing I had ever tasted. It was less a beverage and more a molten chocolate bar in a cup!

The original Angelina is located on Rue de Rivoli, across from the Louvre, and it remains a beautiful place to pause for a pastry and hot chocolate in any season.

For a pastry and hot chocolate, expect to spend around $20. Yes, it’s indulgent—but aren’t you worth it? I was delighted to discover that Angelina has since expanded to locations at Versailles, inside the Louvre, and even near Bryant Park in Manhattan. Each visit has been a highlight, with consistently exceptional quality and stunning surroundings.

After hearing me rave about Angelina, my dear French friend Emi suggested I try the hot chocolate at Les Deux Magots. This historic café was once the gathering place of artists and writers such as Pablo Picasso, Ernest Hemingway, and Jacques Prévert, and for more than 140 years it has remained a beloved spot to linger with favorite people.

Though not quite as rich as Angelina’s version, the hot chocolate at Les Deux Magots was perfect on a cold January afternoon. French waiters have a way of turning a simple drink into an experience. A gleaming pitcher of creamy chocolate, accompanied by whipped cream, delicate cookies, and water, was presented to me as though I were royalty. Is there anything better than a waiter taking the time to pour you a cup of pure heaven?

My final recommendation is Carette, a café made famous by countless Instagram posts—

and yes, it lives up to the hype. Once again, the hot chocolate was served with care and precision, topped with a cloudlike mound of whipped cream that felt like bliss in a cup.

On my last visit to Carette, my friends and I shared a small pitcher of molten heaven alongside a plate of delicate macarons for about $15. Perhaps it was the laughter of friends or the beauty of a spring afternoon, but Carette has secured its own place in my heart. Like friendships, we are allowed more than one favorite—each dear to our hearts and our stomachs.

Dear reader and fellow lover of Paris, wherever you choose to enjoy your hot chocolate in this world, I hope you take the time to sit, to savor every sip, and to truly notice where you are and whom you are with. Life doesn’t get much sweeter than that. Wishing you many moments of contentment, cherished friends, and a beautiful cup of hot chocolate crowned with homemade whipped cream to warm your soul.

With much love,

Beth