8 of the best hot chocolates in East Yorkshire

Gemini is an award-winning artisan chocolatier specialising in organic vegan chocolate. Step through the doors of their inviting shop on Beverley’s historic North Bar Within and you’re immediately met with delicious smells drifting through from their production space at the back of the shop. They craft all their products here and they’re a bean to bar producer, meaning they oversee the entire production process, from stone grinding their cacao beans to making the chocolate bars and truffles which line their displays. They also use an ingredient called Palmyra tree blossom to sweeten their chocolate, meaning a healthier, more nutritious product.

And it’s this chocolate which is used in their gourmet hot chocolates. Probably one of the most decadent hot chocolates you’ll find in East Yorkshire, you can even choose from three different cocoa percentages and add in specials such as chilli and cardamom to give your drink an extra kick.

If you fancy trying one of Gemini’s organic vegan hot chocolates for yourself, you’ll find them at 33 North Bar Within in Beverley. They’re dog friendly too so feel free to bring along your pups.

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There’s nothing quite like a walk along the East Yorkshire coast to blow away the cobwebs, and if you need somewhere to warm up afterwards, we know the perfect place!

Ruby Soho Coffee is a lovely little brunch spot not far from Bridlington's north bay promenade. It’s well known for its impressively fluffy pancakes which come in huge stacks and numerous flavours. They even do a pancake challenge where intrepid diners with big appetites can work their way through copious amounts of pancakes, meringues, milkshake, fruit and marshmallows to earn their place in Ruby Soho history.

Their hot chocolates are every bit as indulgent and come autumn time, the team dream up their latest hot chocolate creations. We’ve just spied sweet toffee, burnt honeycomb and pumpkin spice options on their social media, each one piled high with toppings and making our mouths water. We’ll probably spend the next few months stalking their page to see what they come up with next, tagging in friends and comparing which ones should be next on our list to try. Brunch date, anyone?

Fellow hot chocolate lovers can find Ruby Soho Coffee are at 95 Promenade in Bridlington. This is another dog friendly spot so you might have to share a lick of your cream with your pooch!

Venturing over to the south bay of Bridlington, the Spa is one of East Yorkshire’s premier entertainment venues, attracting huge names from the world of music, comedy and theatre. Many of the greats have played here including David Bowie, Oasis and Paolo Nutini. But even when the magnificent art deco ballroom and Edwardian two-tier theatre stands empty, there’s still an excellent reason to visit.

Bridlington Spa Café is the perfect spot for a pit stop. Take a seat beside the huge windows and enjoy dramatic views over Bridlington’s award-winning south beach. The café serves a really good choice of food including sandwiches, soups and humongous scones, and of course our drink of choice is a hot chocolate. We like ours with cream and chocolate chips on top, but you can of course go for the more traditional topping of marshmallows. They also do flavoured hot chocolates, such mint, again with the option of mountains of cream.

Drop into the Bridlington Spa Café, which is on South Marine Drive. Dog friendly seating is available in Sessions, which is a live performance space and is separate from the main café.

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Visitors to Burton Constable Hall, or those just passing by, can enjoy a lovely warming mug of hot chocolate at the Stables Kitchen. The café is located close to the car park, and you don’t need to pay an admission charge to access this area, so everyone is welcome. If you’d like to venture further into the grand estate of the magnificent Elizabethan country house, you’ll need to buy a ticket, which is always well worth doing as there’s so much to explore.

But if it’s just some delicious food and drink you’re after, you can head straight to the café which sits in the restored stable block, hence the name. With its high vaulted ceilings, wooden beams, and farmhouse tables, the space feels cosy and welcoming, despite its pretty large size. On the menu you’ll find sandwiches, toasties, jacket potatoes, seasonal specials, and a rather impressive range of cakes. We were thrilled to discover huge slices of homemade Battenberg on our last visit and we can confirm that it was a strong 10/10.

Of course, it was washed down with a mug of hot chocolate which was every bit as good as the cake. We opted for the chocolate orange flavour, which came with a segment of Terry’s Chocolate Orange, sitting atop of lashings of cream. Other options included Crunchie honeycomb, After Eight and Malteser, and as we’re sure you can imagine, it was difficult to choose between them. Oh well, it just gives us an excuse to head back there soon!

Try the Stables Kitchen for yourself next time you’re in the Skirlaugh area. And if you want to take your four-legged companions, there’s a separate doggy dining room. Pawsome!

Vegans and carnivores alike flock to The Nut and Nettle for their innovative 100% plant-based menu. Based in The Queens Hotel in Bridlington’s quaint old town, this family run eatery serves up warming soups, focaccia sandwiches, a huge choice of cakes and pastries and they also run regular supper clubs. Everything is made from scratch in their kitchen and the ever changing menu keeps people coming back time after time.

Handmade, wholesome, sustainable food is what they’re about and they even forage locally for some of their ingredients.

Their hot drinks are a work of art and there’s nothing cosier than settling down by their log burner to enjoy them. Last year’s festive favourites included Black Forest hot chocolate with brownie chunks and rose petals, a white hot chocolate with lion’s mane mushroom power and cardamom, and a candied chestnut and maple latte. We can’t wait to see what they come up with this year.

You can visit The Nut and Nettle at 75 High Street, Bridlington. Dogs are welcome too.

Learn more about The Nut and Nettle

Every year, usually around the middle of November, a huge Nordic style tipi appears near the Flemingate Shopping Centre in Beverley. With twinkly fairy lights, cosy furs and a warming fire, you couldn’t ask for a more inviting setting.

It’s the perfect place to head after some Christmas shopping or as an alternative to your usual choice of café or bar. The tipi boasts a proper bar, so you have a huge choice of drinks from wines and real ales to spirits and cocktails. And for the hot chocolate lovers amongst us, you can choose their standard version or boozy option which comes with a dash of Baileys.

The pop up bar is open all the way through to the end of December, with entertainment adding to the festive cheer on certain days of the week. Follow their Facebook page find out what’s happening and when.

Enjoy a tipi tipple at Flemingate Shopping Centre this winter. Dogs are welcome and there’s free dog treats and water bowls.

Occupying an usual location on the platform 2 of Cottingham Train Station, The Old Lamp Room, is a hidden gem. Once an old station storeroom, and now a quirky eatery offering breakfast, brunch and lunch, the team here have rightfully earned a loyal following. The intimate interior includes cosy nooks to settle in, fireplaces filled with fairy lights and walls adorned with unusual décor (we especially like the huge zebra which hangs over the fireplace).

Their loaded hot chocolates are huge and come with cream and marshmallows plus a giant blowtorched marshmallow for extra gooiness. If you have a really sweet tooth, you might want to pair your hot chocolate with a slice of one of their legendary whole cakes which fill their counter and are far too tempting to resist.

Drop into The Old Lamp Room at Cottingham Train Station and feel free to bring your furry companions because they’re dog friendly too.

Learn more about The Old Lamp Room

Next time you’re exploring the stunning medieval town of Howden, be sure to pay Badger and Bean a visit. This super friendly coffee shop is found right next to the historic Howden Minster, with plenty of other independent shops close by, so it’s the perfect place to put your feet up after shopping and sightseeing.

They serve a mouthwatering choice of breakfasts, salads, sandwiches, soups, and cakes as well as a superb hot chocolate. They feature regular autumn specials and their s’mores hot chocolate really caught our eye! It comes with a giant blowtorched marshmallow, delivering cosy season vibes by the bucket load, especially when enjoyed whilst taking part in one of their craft workshops. From crocheting to wreath making, this isn’t just a place to enjoy great food and drink, it’s a place to get creative!

You can find Badger and Bean at 20 Market Place, Howden and this place isn’t just dog friendly, dogs are welcome with open arms! If you take a look at their social media, you’ll see regular updates about their furry visitors. Water and homemade dog biscuits are free and generous humans can treat their pals to doggy sausages and pupaccinos too.

Learn more about Badger and Bean