The best thing about Cornish winters is snuggling up with a delicious hot chocolate in a cute cafe or on the coast.
After visiting Poldhu Beach Cafe for the first time the other week, I was inspired to share a list of my favourite spots in Cornwall to grab a decadent hot chocolate when out for a walk on a wintery day. There are of course SO many to choose from, and many that I haven’t personally tried, but these are a mixture of my current favourites and strong recommendations from others too!
What actually makes a great hot chocolate?
Of course it’s very subjective – everyone’s tastes are different and some may favour dark over milky chocolate, or rich vs sweet. My personal preference is something that’s a bit quirky, and heavy on the whipped cream and marshmallows! Unlike actual bars of chocolate (where I always think darker is better), I definitely have a sweet tooth when it comes to molten version.\
1. Godrevy Cafe
I love Godrevy Cafe for all their delicious food (plenty of veggie, vegan and gluten free options too), but their hot chocolates are seriously delicious too. As with most places now, you can choose oat milk if you’d like a dairy free alternative, and it’s the perfect place to refuel after a surf! We go there with the dogs a lot, and I can’t wait to get back in the water once the weather warms up a little. Over Winter they have been serving this amazing ‘Chocolate Orange’ hot chocolate which was to die for (pictured above)!
2. Poldhu Beach Cafe
I’ve been hearing rave reviews about Poldhu Beach Cafe’s amazing hot chocolates for years, but never made it down there to try them until a couple of weekends ago. It’s the perfect place to park up, go for a coast walk (or walk from Mullion) and then enjoy one of their quirky treat-based hot chocolates with ALL the toppings. We got a ‘Nestle Munchies’ one when we went, but there were others like Lotus biscuit or Mini Eggs too.
3. Blue Bar Porthtowan
Blue Bar in Porthtowan is the perfect place to sit and watch the waves go by from one of their window booths. As well as serving tasty food from mid-February all throughout the season, they’re famous for their delicious White Hot Chocolates. I know white chocolate isn’t everyone’s fave, but this is a super creamy hot chocolate that you just have to try!
4. Pandora Inn
Tucked away in Restronguet Creek, if you didn’t fancy driving down, you can always walk around the coast path from Mylor creek, or even pull up in a boat at Pandora Inn’s private pontoon! It’s a beautiful, tranquil spot, and all the better to be enjoyed with a creamy hot chocolate to warm you up by the water’s edge.
5. Beach Hut Newquay
The Beach Hut is an awesome, chilled out restaurant nestled into the cliffs at Watergate Bay, looking out over the beach. At sunset, the views are truly epic too, and as well as delicious sea food and a tasty menu, they also serve some incredible fancy hot chocolates with all the trimmings too! Sadly I don’t have a photo – but what better excuse to go back soon?
6. Swanpool Beach Cafe
I love walking over to Swanpool from Gylly beach along the coast path with the dogs in Winter (although you can easily park in Swanpool’s car park too if you didn’t want to walk it!), and grabbing a hot chocolate here at the cafe before walking back. They have a seriously unique, luxury hot chocolate menu, with options including ‘Sticky Toffee’, ‘Malt Teaser’, and ‘Shy Coconut’. I think these could be up there as my favourites!
7. The Hidden Hut at Portscatho
Famed for its super popular feast nights in Summer, the Hidden Hut at Porthcurnick beach opens in Spring and serves tasty cakes, soup and hot chocolates throughout the daytime too. It’s a quirky little hut to chill out by, and of course has some amazing views of the south coast to enjoy.
8. The Sorting Office in St. Agnes
I’ve been here for a hot chocolate before, but didn’t end up taking a photo sadly! With added chocolates and sprinkles, The Sorting Office like to go all out and really spoil you with their hot choc – they also have an amazing range of vegan, gluten free and normal cakes too. Try it out while wandering through the quaint little town of St. Agnes, or grab a takeaway and walk down to the beach.
9. Slice of Cornwall at Wendron
This isn’t one I’ve been to yet but it’s high on my list to try out in the next couple of months of so! Serving delicious healthy lunches, and luxurious hot chocolates, Slice of Cornwall keeps coming up in conversation from people telling me to go try it out. Apparently if you’re lucky you’ll get yours served in a cute and quirky mug too!
Where are your favourite hot chocolates in Cornwall? What should I be adding to the list? Leave me a comment below!
Rosie’s by Crooklets beach in Bude!
Widemouth Bay cafe
I love the Luxury Hot Chocolate served at Constantine Beach Café near St Merryn. Cream, choc chips, toasted marshmallows and gingerbread men topped with a flake and wooden spoon….amazing!!
You appear to have missed the top half of Cornwall, that’s worth a whole other blog.
Kernow Confectionery cafe, St Eval