The Liverpool Hot Chocolate Tour: The Results

This week we embarked on a Hot Chocolate tour of Liverpool because frankly, it’s baltic out there!

We switched over to Twitter and asked you where we should go to sample the city centres best chocolately creations, and we sent our Kate to check them out.

Here’s how she got on…..

I can think of worse ways to spend a rainy, cold Wednesday afternoon, and as the resident sugar-junkie at The Guide Liverpool, I jumped at the chance to try out your suggested cafes and restaurants to find the cities top hot chocolate!

Dressed like I was going to the Antarctic, I set off in search of the perfect winter warmer! I tried out 10 luxurious, silky smooth hot chocolates in 3 hours, 15 minutes, from Hope Street in the Georgian Quarter to Exchange Flags and the business district, and they were all delicious!

Choosing a winner was actually really difficult as each drink brought a little extra twist to the traditional line-up of marshmallows and cream. Here’s the ten city centre places we visited, scroll down for our overall winner.

WATCH: Click here to watch the videos from each of our 1o stops

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1 – Leaf, Bold Street. Best for atmosphere.

Leaf serves up a big old slice of creativity with its perfectly crafted £2.60 hot chocolate. The warm, lively atmosphere encourages you to really relax and take your time sipping their cocoa laden little treat, and people watching on Bold Street is always fun!

2 – Moose & Moonshine. Hope Street. Best for a modern twist.

You get a huge mug of steaming hot milk topped with cream and mini marshmallows….and a chunky chocolate stirrer to blend your own perfect drink….all that for £3.50!

3 – HOST Liverpool, Hope Street. Best for creativity

HOST presents their hot chocolate so beautifully, I didn’t want to ruin it by drinking it! The glass mug, the banana leaf and the choice of accompanying choccie treats from £3! The chilli chocolate dropper is lush!

4 – The Quarter, Falkner Square. Best for an indulgent treat

The Quarter have more than 10 different freshly baked cakes and sweet treats to accompany their cream topped, tall £3 hot chocolate. The lemon tarts are divine!

5 – 92 Degrees Coffee, Hardman Street. Best for speedy service

Pic Independent Liverpool

The guys and girls at 92 Degrees understand that not everyone can while away an afternoon nursing a rich hot chocolate, watching the world go by in the Georgian Quarter. They’re able to knock up a steamy hot chocolate to go that still looks pretty in a take away cup!

6 – Filter & Fox, Duke Street. Best for a unique pit stop

Situated at the bottom of Duke Street, Filter and Fox is a cosy little venue that offers a unique hot chocolate experience. Having resisted eating all the fresh brownies and cake on the bar, I was served up a delicate china cup, filled to the brim with silky hot chocolate and topped with cinnamon. I loved the little glass of iced water and wafer biscuit too…and all for £3.

7 – The Cow & Co Café, Cleaveland Square. Best for customer service

The layout of Cow & Co Café encourages conversation while the lovely staff beaver away making up fresh food and drink orders and I really like that! A seat in the window looking out across the leafy square is a great partner to their tasty hot chocolate from £2.60 and artisan cakes.

8 – Hotel Chocolat, St Peter’s Arcade, Liverpool One. Best for location and choice

National chain Hotel Chocolat were always going to deliver a fabulous hot chocolate, given its at the very heart of their business. But the St Peter’s Lane location with outside tables and 6 different flavours makes them a strong contender to win. I chose the £4 salted caramel one and LOVED IT!

9 – The Vincent Café & Restaurant, Exchange Flags. Best for the Commercial Quarter

The Vincent Café and Restaurant just oozes style. I took a seat at the bar to indulge in a sumptuous hot chocolate that the waiter created in record time, and it was just as classy as the surroundings. My advice is to order the creamy pot of hot chocolate for £3.25 and pull up a comfy chair on a rainy afternoon.

10 – Prescient, No 1, St Paul’s Square. Best for Families

A bit off the beaten track, Prescient at Number 1, St Paul’s Square is a spacious café that caters largely for the business crowds during lunch times, but mid morning and afternoon there’s plenty of space for buggies and high chairs and their dark, creamy hot chocolate, at £2.80 is worth a five minute walk from the town hall anyday!

AND THE WINNER IS…..

Filter & Fox, Duke Street. Guys, you had me at cinnamon! The presentation, the silky smooth texture of the hot chocolate, the exceptional customer service, atmosphere and tempting cakes made for an amazing all round experience……and the froth pattern lasted all the way down to the last drop. Skills!

WATCH: Click here to watch the videos from each of our 1o stops

If you can add to our list or think we missed a hot chocolate gem, drop us a line on Twitter @TheGuideLpool or email us info@theguideliverpool.com