CITTA
Popular Italian café and bistro comes up trumps with a super-thick, tasty hot chocolate for ¥30. Best drunk on an empty stomach. Prepare for a sugar rush.
835 Huaihai Lu, near Maoming Lu, 5466 1765
淮海路835号, 近茂名路
Kakaw’s gorgeous offering is a mix of three Belgian chocolates. At ¥21, it’s one of the city’s best deals. Closed on Sundays.
1/F, Ciro’s Plaza, 388 Nanjing Xi Lu, near Huangpi Lu, 2635 1681
南京西路388号，近黄陂路
Cantina isn’t all about tacos and tequila. Give your tastebuds a surprise with their signature chilli hot chocolate (¥25).
A Mansion, 291 Fumin Lu, near Changle Lu, 6170 1310
富民路291号, 近长乐路
Charmant’s ¥35 hot chocolate is not the kind you drink – it’s the kind you eat. With the consistency of cake batter, it’s a meal in itself. Homemade marshmallows add to the sugar-fest.
1414 Huaihai Lu, near Fuxing Lu, 6431 8107
淮海路1414号，近复兴路
KOMMUNE
The ho-cho at this popular Taikang Lu café comes in a giant bowl. It’s pricier than most at ¥40, but it’s also one of the biggest.
Tianzifang, Lane 210 Taikang Lu, near Sinan Lu, 6466 2416
田子坊泰康路210弄, 近思南路
The egg-shaped mugs in which Whisk serve their ¥30 hot chocolate don’t have handles, meaning that you have to wrap your hands around them. For ¥5, they add a skewer of marshmallows. Closed on Mondays.
1250 Huaihai Zhong Lu, near Huating Lu, 5404 7770
淮海中路1250号，近华亭路
With this one, you’re paying for the view more than the hot chocolate. ¥60 gets you a tasty dose of cocoa and a city panorama from 36 floors up.
36/F, Pudong Shangri-La, 33 Fucheng Lu, near Lujiazui Xi Lu, 6882 3636 富城路33号浦东香格里拉大酒店2座36楼, 近陆家嘴西路
There’s only one Boonna left, and their ¥30 hot chocolate is still a winner. Served in a sturdy glass cup with a squirt of whipped cream, it’s deliciously thick and grainy.
1690 Huaihai Zhong Lu, near Hunan Lu, 6433 0835
淮海中路1690号, 近湖南路
