It’s hard to beat a hot chocolate on a chilly winter’s day - and whatever flavour you're after, there's guaranteed to be a beverage to suit you on Tyneside.
Several venues in and around Newcastle have earned rave reviews for their hot chocolates, with many bringing out mouth-watering signature flavours for the occasion as the warming drink becomes ever more popular heading into the festive season. From the classic topped with whipped cream and marshmallows to more adventurous options such as chilli, mint chocolate chip, Lotus Biscoff or white chocolate and raspberry, you'll be spoiled for choice when it comes to flavours.
From city centre cafés to charming venues along the coast, there are plenty of places for hot chocolate drinkers to tick off their lists in the region. Here are just ten places across Tyneside that have been singled out by visitors for their delicious hot chocolates.
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The Dispensary
For hot chocolate as you’ve never had it before, The Dispensary in Newcastle city centre is the place to go. Their speciality Cloud 9 Hot Chocolate comes nestled on a cloud of candy floss, topped with whipped cream, pink glitter and sprinkles - they promise it’s “the most magical hot chocolate you’ll ever experience”.
Another candy floss special from The Dispensary is a hot chocolate that comes with a huge mound of the fluffy sweet treat in a cup and hot chocolate in a glass flask, which you have to pour over the candy floss to melt it and create a unique and show-stopping drink. While you’re there, it’s worth checking out their food menu - the pancakes are one of the most popular choices, with toppings including Lotus Biscoff, Nutella, and jam and custard.
Proven Goods Co
Proven Goods in Hoults Yard in Byker are famous for their stunning fresh doughnuts, with the menu changing each month to showcase dozens of mouth-watering creations. Among November’s creations are sticky toffee pudding, caramel and Biscoff, and honeycomb and custard doughnuts.
But of course, they wouldn’t be on this list if they didn’t offer delicious hot chocolates too - and Proven Goods have become as much renowned for their beverages as they are for their doughnuts. Several customers have praised the shop’s hot chocolate with toasted marshmallow fluff on Tripadvisor in recent weeks, which has been hailed as “delicious”.
Flore Café
Located in Newcastle’s Central Arcade, Flore’s menu boasts hot chocolate in a variety of unusual flavours. The cafe’s mouth-watering selection includes fruity hot chocolate twists including strawberry or mandarin, as well as chocolatey heaven with the likes of mint choc chip and Kinder Bueno.
The Parisian-style patisserie also has a tempting food menu to try if you’re grabbing a hot beverage, with mains including breakfast tacos, steak and eggs on sourdough, and a full English with a vegan version available. They also offer French toast and Dutch baby pancakes as indulgent desserts.
Cake Stories
Incredible cakes are the name of the game at Cake Stories, which have two venues in Jesmond and Hoults Yard, but their hot chocolates are also highly sought after. Previous creations so far this year have included Mini Egg, Crème Egg, and matcha and raspberry hot chocolates as Easter specials, as well as Baileys and red velvet, cherry, and raspberry and white chocolate editions for Valentine’s Day.
Their winter line-up promises to be a similarly show-stopping affair, with last year’s seasonal creations including honeycomb, orange, and mint. While you’re there, you might just find it impossible to resist sampling some of Cake Stories’ sweet treats too - including their signature “out of this world” Brownios, which contain surprise fillings sandwiched between chocolate fudge brownie shells.
The Boatyard
Head out to the coast to Cullercoats to sample this cafe’s delectable collection of hot chocolates, with the latest festive addition to their menu being the Gingerbread Hot Chocolate. You can grab yourself a classic topped with cream and marshmallows, or a vegan version made with oat milk.
Or if you’re feeling a little adventurous, other flavours on The Boatyard’s menu include honeycomb crunch, white chocolate and raspberry, or chilli hot chocolate. You can even grab yourself a hot drink inspired by your favourite chocolate bars, with Terry’s Chocolate Orange and Mint Aero also available alongside plenty of tea and coffee options and brunch dishes.
Eden’s Café
Another coastal gem, this Whitley Bay café specialises in hot chocolate - in fact, it has more than twenty different types on its menu. All created by owner and chocolatier Rob Eden-Bagley, the impressive collection all made from Belgian chocolate ranges from the simple classics to the more unusual options like nougat, chilli, peppermint and peanut butter.
You can also try out a boozy beverage at Eden’s for a double-whammy treat, with Baileys, Tia Maria and Disaronno hot chocolates all on the menu. While you’re there, be sure to check out the cafe’s gorgeous collection of cakes all made by Rob.
Surf Café
This Tynemouth café is worth taking a trip out to the coast for if you want an Instagrammable - and delicious - hot chocolate. Among their dribble-inducing flavours are Crunchie, Rolo, Biscoff, Kinder Bueno and Mint Aero - alongside a food menu from North East favourites Brack Burger for double the deliciousness.
The Surf Café has recently introduced a range of special hot chocolates to their autumn menu full of favourite seasonal flavours, including Gingerbread, Toffee Nut, Pumpkin Spice, and Toasted Marshmallow. The inventive café is always thinking up new hot chocolates to add to the menu, so you might have to make multiple visits to enjoy them all.
Flat Caps Coffee
Another city centre favourite, Flat Caps claims itself as Newcastle’s ‘first speciality coffee shop’ - but it’s not just a great cuppa that you can grab at the café. The venue’s hot chocolate has been praised as a highlight by many visitors, earning multiple five-star reviews on Tripadvisor.
Flat Caps also offers a range of coffees, teas and iced brews along with a tasty cakes menu including Nutella brownies and lemon blondies. The food menu includes a range of breakfast and brunch dishes, from homemade crumpets to smoked sausage and streaky bacon sandwiches.
Monsieur Crepe Café
One of Heaton ’s finest hidden gems, Monsieur Crepe specialises in French-inspired crepe dishes both savoury and sweet - but their hot chocolates have also earned stellar reviews. Whether you opt for milk or white chocolate for your hot beverage of choice from this cosy café, it’s sure to be a five-star “delicious” experience according to several reviews on Tripadvisor.
Monsieur Crepe also recently welcomed the Pumpkin Spiced Hot Chocolate to its menu specially for the season. If you’re stopping by, you may want to give their ‘Franken Freakshakes’ a go too - milkshakes as indulgent as you can get them, with flavours including chocolate brownie, Oreo, Maltesers and Jaffa Cake.
Pink Lane Coffee
Found in Newcastle’s city centre, these speciality roasters are renowned for their coffee, but their hot chocolate has also been singled out by visitors on Tripadvisor as particularly impressive. You can opt for classic milk chocolate in your hot drink, or go for something different with white chocolate or dark chocolate made with 80% cocoa.
You may be drawn to a sweet treat or two when you visit the café, with their irresistible cake selection ranging from a Biscoff brownie to a passionfruit loaf. Bigger savoury options are on the menu too, including pastries, sandwiches, and various toppings on toast.
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