The Best Cities in Europe for a Hot Chocolate

There’s perhaps nothing more satisfying than wrapping your hands around a warm cup of cocoa on a cold winter day. Except, of course, if you’re drinking that cocoa in a historic European destination known for its chocolatey excellence. 

Each December, cities around Europe transform into twinkling holiday spectaculars, hosting Christmas markets and general cheer, where the hot cocoa flows like a river. And, as a recent survey by European ferry operator DFDS found, hot chocolate is the winter drink 64 percent of British people look forward to most when traveling, ahead of mulled wine at No. 2 by a mile at 31 percent. In fact, nearly nine in 10 Brits (87 percent) said they make a point of trying the local hot chocolate when visiting a new city. 

To help all of us, not just the British, taste the best hot chocolates around the continent, DFDS dug into the numbers on thousands of Google reviews from major European cities, analyzing sentiment around hot chocolate across more than 2,000 cafés, bakeries, chocolateries, and other venues just to find us the best spot to sip. After that big data dive, Budapest, Hungary, was named the top spot. 

“Budapest is officially Europe’s best city for hot chocolate, earning an impressive sentiment score of 95.7,” the findings stated. “The city is renowned for its rich European-style drinking chocolate and atmospheric winter settings, making it a standout destination for chocolate lovers.” 

As for specifics, We Love Budapest named Nøthing Café the top spot for a cup. “The best time to visit Nøthing Café, a revered hot chocolate bar in the Röser Courtyard, is during the evening, when its particularly cozy atmosphere comes into its own,” the tourism site explained. “You can find more than 50 variations on the favored winter drink, here made from cocoa and melted chocolate, and topped with a dollop of whipped cream on request. Salted caramel has never tasted quite this good before.” 

Other spots it recommends include Damniczki Budapest, Rengeteg RomKafé, Gresham Palace, and Madal Café. 

Coming in a close second in the DFDS list with a score of 95.3 is Rome, which it says draws in visitors to its “decadent Italian cioccolata calda—famously thick, smooth and often served alongside fresh pastries. Its historic setting, paired with indulgent cafés, has made it a beloved spot for those wanting a more luxurious hot chocolate experience.”

And rounding out the top three is Bucharest, Romania, which also nabbed a solid score at 94.1. “The city’s café culture has surged in recent years, with artisan chocolate shops and specialty drinks taking centre stage,” it explained. “Many venues reinvent classic hot chocolate with unique flavours, specialty toppings, and modern twists on traditional recipes.” So, the next time you have a hankering for a decadent cup, you know exactly where to go.