Exploring Edinburgh through Hot Chocolate: A Cosy Guide to the City’s Top Hot Chocolate Spots

In a world full of coffee lovers, it can be hard if, like me, coffee is something you just really don’t enjoy. Yet, there are other options! Since I was young, I have always loved hot chocolate, and, in a big city like Edinburgh, I have found it a lot of fun to explore all the hot chocolate that the city has to offer. So, I have collated a list of top hot chocolate spots in Edinburgh, and I have included places in the city to explore whilst you drink it!

Uplands Roast

Since I moved to Edinburgh in 2023, the hot chocolate from Uplands Roast has always been my favourite. Not only is the hot chocolate itself really nice, but it also has the best toppings – mini marshmallows, little chocolate curls, a sprinkle of cinnamon, a giant marshmallow (that they toast right in front of you), and topped with a chocolate twirl – and all for £4.50.

Uplands Roast is located on The Meadows, a beautiful, spacious green park that is the perfect place to take a stroll while drinking your hot chocolate. I might be a little biased when I say that Uplands Roast is my favourite hot chocolate place in Edinburgh because it holds so many good memories for me. One of my closest uni friends and I bonded over Uplands Roast hot chocolate in the early weeks of our friendship and we still go back whenever we have the chance. But I promise, it’s not just my fond memories of this place that make me love it so much – it genuinely does have amazing hot chocolate and The Meadows really is a lovely place to visit, especially on a sunny day.

Fortitude Coffee

Across Edinburgh, there are three Fortitude Coffee locations. I have only had the chance to visit one, on Abbey Mount, but I can say that it definitely does not disappoint, and it makes me want to visit the other two locations. For £4, the hot chocolate is luxurious, smooth, and delicious and, the giant marshmallow really is giant, but it also compliments the hot chocolate very well. Also, the presentation, as seen pictured above, makes this hot chocolate stand out against the others on the list, and certainly adds to the whole experience. I would also note that the staff at the location on Abbey Mount are really friendly and accommodating, and they even brought over water for Mac. The sweet treats on offer – including a range of pastries and cookies – are also truly delightful.

The location on Abbey Mount is my favourite place to go to with Mac, a dog who I walk twice every week. Before or after every walk, Mac and I stop off at Fortitude Coffee for some breakfast and a drink, which we often take-away. We then go on a long walk, sometimes up Calton Hill or, because Mac loves to spend his time playing fetch, we often go to Holyrood Park. Both locations are beautiful, but the views from the top of Calton Hill are some of the best in Edinburgh. Additionally, there is also the option to go up Arthur’s Seat, which is both very close to Fortitude Coffee, and another place where you can get some gorgeous views of the whole of Edinburgh and beyond. This little routine of has quickly become one of my favourite parts of the week – with great hot chocolate, stunning scenery, and a happy dog by my side, it’s hard to think of a better way to spend a morning in Edinburgh!

Knoops

Although Knoops first opened in the UK in 2013, it only arrived in Edinburgh last year. With two locations, one of the corner of Castle Street and George Street (pictured above) and one on Victoria Street, you can get your hot chocolate fix in both Old Town and New Town. The hot chocolate may look simple, but what is special about Knoops is that you get to pick your chocolate, with a range from 28% white chocolate to 100% dark chocolate. You can add spices, herbs, and fruits (such as sea salt, nutmeg, orange and matcha, to name a few), and of course you can add marshmallows and cream. I opted for a 34% hot chocolate with marshmallow, and the chocolate taste was truly delicious. It cost £6.25 so, depending on what you get, this is probably the most expensive option on our list, but it is also one of the best.

If you choose to go the location on Castle Street/George Street, this will give you the perfect opportunity to explore the shops on George Street. Whilst Princes Street is nearby, and is the known street for shopping in Edinburgh, George Street also offers the opportunity to shop at some of the biggest high street names, such as Abercrombie & Fitch, AllSaints, lululemon, FatFace and Anthropologie.

On the other hand, if you choose to visit Knoops on Victoria Street, there is lots to see and do there too! Victoria Street itself is definitely worth exploring – it is one of Edinburgh’s most beautiful streets, with cobbled stone and cute independent shops. If you walk down the hill and round the grounds of the castle, you end up at Saint Cuthbert’s churchyard. Here, you can find a less-known tourist attraction – the statue of Bum the dog. In 1977, Edinburgh and San Diego became twin cities, based on their shared love of dogs. So, statues of dogs were exchanged between the two cites; a statue Greyfriars Bobby can be found in San Diego and the statue of Bum is in Saint Cuthbert’s churchyard in Edinburgh – and it is absolutely worth a visit. After visiting Bum, I would recommend a walk through Princes Street Gardens, from which you can get especially beautiful views of Edinburgh.

So, whether you choose to visit Knoops on George Street or on Victoria Street, both offer the chance to explore the beauty of Edinburgh.

Spider Monkey, Farmers Market (Sat 9am-2pm)

Until recently, I had no idea that there was a farmers market in Edinburgh. However, located on Castle Terrace, the farmers market opens every Saturday from 9am-2pm, offering a variety of fresh bread, vegetables, fish, sweet treats and, most importantly, hot chocolate. At the beginning of February, my friends and I visited the farmers market and came across Spider Monkey. The hot chocolate is the cheapest of all these, coming in at £3.10, though it is also the simplest.  But don’t let that put you off as it is genuinely really tasty, and the location is undoubtedly a real advantage point for Spider Monkey.

As you have probably worked out, my recommendation for somewhere to visit when at Spider Monkey is the farmers market that it is part of. Over the course of the morning, we tasted some delicious macarons, and one of my friends even tried an oyster, which, although it wouldn’t be for me, is definitely something you cannot really do anywhere else in Edinburgh on a Saturday morning. As well as this, the farmers market has stunning views of the castle, which is especially pretty on a sunny morning. There is also another small market about five minutes from Spider Monkey in Grassmarket Square. This market is open from 10am-5pm every Saturday, offering food, hand-made crafts, jewellery, and so much more. Both markets are absolutely worth an explore on a Saturday morning – and why not visit Spider Monkey for an affordable, but delightful hot chocolate to warm you up on those cold Edinburgh mornings.

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Top Hot Chocolate Spots

So, whether you’re after a rich and creamy classic or something a little more unique, Edinburgh has plenty of spots to satisfy your hot chocolate cravings – and trying hot chocolate around Edinburgh can simultaneously be a great way to explore this beautiful city. I’m always on the lookout for more amazing hot chocolates, and more amazing places to explore in Edinburgh, so keep a lookout for the next instalment of this series. And, if you have a favourite spot in Edinburgh for hot chocolate, please leave a comment below and I will certainly keep it in mind for my next piece!