City Views combed the Central City’s streets in search of the best hot chocolate.
When the weather’s not playing nice, there can be nothing more comforting than a warm cuppa – especially when it’s made right.
Borage Bistro
A young chef who trained under Luke Dale-Roberts (The Test Kitchen and The Pot Luck Club) and celeb chef Heston Blumenthal is the proprietor of this hip French-style brasserie.
The cuppa: rich Belgian hot chocolate, available as a takeaway.
Portside, Hans Strijdom Ave | www.borage.co.za, 021 418 0992
Cocoa Expresso
The first of the family-owned Cocoa restaurants opened on the Foreshore a decade ago, and has been serving CBD office workers faithfully ever since.
The cuppa: hot chocolate drizzled with chocolate sauce and topped with a marshmallow; the health conscious can opt for a hot cocoa with steamed milk and xylitol.
Jetty Square | www.cocoa.co.za, 021 421 7000
Haas
As all graphic designers know, coffee and creativity go together like mac and cheese. Hence, the Haas Coffee Collective was born from the Haas Design Collective.
The cuppa: thick, dark and served with foam.
19 Buitenkant St | http://haascollective.com, 021 461 1812
Hard Pressed Café
Hard Pressed Café sells vinyl records and coffee-based drinks named after rock stars at its Bree Street branch. A kiosk offering coffees and sandwiches on the go recently opened in the lobby of 1 Thibault Square.
The cuppa: hot chocolate or chocolate chai – with soy milk if desired.
Portside, Bree St and 1 Thibault Square, Long St | www.hardpressed.co.za, 079 066 8888
Hemelhuijs
One of the most fashionable venues in town, the food and decor at Hemelhuijs change with the seasons. But it’s always warm and inviting.
The cuppa: tonka-bean-flavoured white chocolate with steamed milk, served with a shot of whisky for extra heat.
71 Waterkant St | www.hemelhuijs.co.za, 021 418 2042
Honest Chocolate
This shop is quite literally heaven for chocolate worshippers (and a haven for hipsters). And if you go beyond the front room, you’ll find a Victorian-style gin bar in the back.
The cuppa: organic, dairy-free hot chocolate.
64A Wale St | www.honestchocolate.co.za, 076 765 8306
This article first appeared in the June/July 2015 issue of City Views. Read it online.