Sip, Sip, Hooray! 9 Hot Chocolate Spots in Asheville, NC 🍫☕

Asheville isn’t known just for its mountain views, eclectic arts scene, and a craft beer and food culture to make your head spin—this town also knows how to do hot chocolate right. 

If you’re looking for a mug of cocoa that’s more than just hot milk and a few sad marshmallows, buckle up. We’re about to take you on a choco-lot of fun through Asheville’s best hot cocoa spots. Bring your sweet tooth and your stretchy pants; it’s about to get delicious.

1. French Broad Chocolate Lounge

If hot chocolate were a sport, French Broad Chocolate Lounge would be the undefeated champion. Their signature Liquid Truffle is no ordinary cup of cocoa—it’s molten magic in a mug. Rich, velvety, and unapologetically indulgent, this drink makes every sip feel like a warm hug from a chocolate-loving deity.

Pro Tip: Pair your cocoa with one of their famous brownies or sea salt caramels. Warning: you may not want to leave.

2. The Rhu

This bakery and café is not just about flaky biscuits and artisanal bread. Oh no, The Rhu also serves up a dreamy hot chocolate that’ll make you rethink every powdered mix you’ve ever settled for. Their hot cocoa is creamy, decadent, and sprinkled with just the right amount of whimsy. Grab a seat by the window and watch the world go by while you sip your way to chocolate nirvana.

Hot Take: It’s basically a warm, liquid version of a bear hug.

3. Old Europe Pastries

Old Europe Pastries knows a thing or two about dessert, and their hot chocolate is no exception. This place serves up a cocoa so good it could turn the most ardent coffee drinker into a cocoa convert. With a sprinkle of cinnamon and a side of European charm, this isn’t just hot chocolate—it’s haute chocolate.

Snack Attack: Pair your cocoa with a slice of their Dobos Torte, because life is short, and chocolate is eternal.

4. Double D’s Coffee & Desserts

What’s better than sipping hot chocolate? Sipping hot chocolate in a bright red double-decker bus parked in downtown Asheville, obviously. Double D’s serves up a delicious hot cocoa topped with whipped cream that tastes like childhood snow days. It’s the perfect spot for anyone who loves a little nostalgia with their chocolate.

Instagram Moment: That double-decker bus is begging for a selfie, cocoa in hand. #CocoAndCozy

5. The Hop Ice Cream Café

Known for their wild ice cream flavors (looking at you, Lavender Honey), The Hop also knows how to whip up a cup of hot chocolate that’s anything but ordinary. Vegan? No problem—they’ve got dairy-free options that are every bit as luscious. Bring the kids, bring the dog (yes, their Merrimon Avenue location is dog-friendly!), and bring your cocoa A-game.

Fun Fact: The Hop sometimes offers hot chocolate flights. Yes, flights. Because why settle for one flavor when you can have three?

6. Bebette's Coffee House

For those craving a truly comforting hot chocolate, Bebette’s Coffee House, located in the beautiful and historic Grove Arcade, is a must-visit. Known for its European-inspired menu, this spot delivers a decadent hot cocoa that’s the perfect blend of creamy and rich. Whether you’re enjoying it inside their welcoming café or on their charming outdoor patio, it’s a surefire way to warm your soul. 

Must-Try: Pair your cocoa with a classic New Orleans-style Beignet, either generously covered in powdered sugar or chocolate sauce or topped with honey, cinnamon and sugar.

7. Well-Bred Bakery & Café

For a hot chocolate experience that feels fancy, head to Well-Bred Bakery in the Grove Arcade or Weaverville. Their cocoa is the perfect blend of smooth and sweet, and it pairs beautifully with one of their massive cream puffs or scones.

Must-Try: Add a shot of espresso for a mocha that’ll make you say, “Carpe cocoa!”

8. Ultra Coffee Bar

Ultra Coffee Bar doesn’t just serve amazing coffee—they’ve got a hot chocolate game that’s off the charts. Whether you go classic or add a splash of caramel or mint syrup, you can’t go wrong. Plus, their artsy location in the Upper River Arts District adds a creative vibe to your cocoa-sipping experience.

Hot Tip: Take your cocoa to-go and stroll through the Upper RAD for some art and inspiration.

9. Mary's Mountain Cookies

If you believe that hot chocolate and cookies are soulmates, then Mary's Mountain Cookies is your happy place. This local bakery specializes in small-batch, made-from-scratch cookies that pair perfectly with their rich and creamy hot cocoa. Whether you go for a classic chocolate chip or a seasonal special, dunking it in their warm, velvety cocoa takes the experience to another level.

Sweet Tip: Try the Charlie Brown cookie—peanut butter dipped in milk chocolate—with your cocoa. Your taste buds will thank you.