Sweet Spots for Hot Chocolate in Downtown Raleigh

You don’t have to wait until the snow falls in downtown Raleigh to cozy up to a mug of hot chocolate. Here are five of our favorite places to get a delicious cup in downtown Raleigh:

• Videri: As you might imagine, this Warehouse District chocolate factory doesn’t disappoint when it comes to hot chocolate, with its house-made Videri chocolate sauce mixed with steamed milk. It’s a simple treat to warm up a cold afternoon. (On hot days, don’t miss Videri’s frozen hot chocolate!) 327 W. Davie St.

• Amorino Gelato: When you don’t want a big dessert but want a smidge more than hot chocolate, enter the thick and rich Icona Italian Hot Chocolate, Made with your choice of flavors (from hazelnut to orange) and your choice of ice cream macaron to dunk. It’s a hot twist on Amorino’s usual gelato fare. 137 E. Davie St.

• The Morning Times: This downtown coffee shop staple has been serving up hot chocolate on cold days for years, with a classic blend of house-made dark chocolate syrup and steamed milk with a dash of vanilla. Pro tip: Pick up a 16-ounce bottle of Morning Times’ hot chocolate mix on your way out. It makes for a perfect gift or simply save it for the next snow day. 10 E. Hargett St.

• Lucettegrace. As with all things at Lucettegrace, no detail is forgotten when it comes to hot chocolate, especially the toppings. Say “yes” when they ask if you want the house-made marshmallows and whipped cream, and don’t pass up the sprinkle of cinnamon on top. 235 S. Salisbury St.

• Raleigh Raw: Can hot chocolate be healthy? This one from Raleigh Raw gets really close. Made with cacao powder, cacao butter, maple syrup and your choice of steamed house-made mylk. It’s almost as good as going to the gym! 7 W. Hargett St.