Photo by @hotchocolatefest

The 13th season of the Hot Chocolate Fest in Vancouver will take place Jan 14 – Feb 14, 2023 and Gastown is a part of it!

The Festival is a city-wide initiative to support the small businesses in Vancouver. In the Gastown neighborhood, there are multiple locations that participate. They offer a variety of flavors that you definitely shouldn’t miss!

East Van Roasters


24 carrot gold

The coffee shop East Van Roasters presents you those two flavours for the Festival:

24 CARROT GOLD – Carrot cake spiced, stone ground, 70% dark chocolate topped with coconut whip. Paired with an EVR housemade chocolate carrot pop.”

“THE ROSE, THE PISTACHIO AND THE MARSHMALLOW – A wickedly tempting pistachio and cardamom white chocolate brew. Paired with a giant, EVR made rose marshmallow topping.”

They also have a gluten-free, dairy-free and vegan option.

Location: 319 Carrall St.

Opening Hours: Tuesday to Saturday, 10am to 5pm

Nelson the Seagull Cafe


Mooi Melktart

Nelson the Seagull Cafe is again a part of the Hot Chocolate Fest and here are the two flavours they’ll offer for you:

“MOOI MELKTART – White hot chocolate infused with cinnamon. Served with a South African melktart treat on the side.”

“PAISLEY’S SPICE HOT CHOCOLATE – A collaboration with Edible Adventure Spices by The Paisley Notebook! An authentic chai spiced hot chocolate served with Paisley Notebook’s Delicious Banana Bread.”

Location: 315 Carrall St.

Opening Hours: Monday to Friday, 8am to 3pm; Saturday, Sunday and Holidays, 9am to 4pm

WATCH ON CBC HERE.

Cadeaux Bakery


OH HOOOOONEY!

The artisian french Cardeaux Bakery features three different Hot Chocolates for this season:

“OH HOOOOONEY! – A mix of bitter dark chocolate, sweet honey and a touch of salt. All topped with fresh whipped vanilla chantilly, caramelized honey, chocolate and fleur de sel. Served with a sticky honey-glazed chouquette pastry.”

COSMO CANYON – Golden caramelized white chocolate infused with strawberries, oranges and a hint of cardamom, then finished with orange. Served with a Strawberry Anise Snickerdoodle.”

HOIST THE COLOURS! – A dairy-free dark chocolate, steamed with coconut milk, blended with dates and infused with notes of lime and rum. Served with a fool’s gold truffle filled with lime caramel.”

Location: 172 Powell St.

Opening Hours: Tuesday to Saturday, 9am to 5pm

Kafka’s Coffee


Photo by @kafkascoffeetea

The Gastown neighbour Kafka’s Coffee has also two Hot Chocolates for you to try:

BOBA BOOM CHOCO-LATTA – 40% milk chocolate with hojicha milk tea and tapioca pearls. Served with a black sesame chocolate truffle.”

THE ULTIMATE ‘KIDS’ HOT CHOCOLATE – Creamy milk chocolate topped with all the fixings: whipped cream, sprinkles, and mini marshmallows. Served with a “pizza” slice topped with candy classics.”

Location: 151 W Hastings St

Opening Hours: Monday to Friday, 8am to 4pm

Boba Run


Photo by @bobarunvancouver

Another Gatsown neighbour that is part of the Hot Chocolate Fest is Boba Run and here are there two delicious flavours:

DUNKAZOO! – A classic vanilla bean hot chocolate made with 54.5% couverture dark hot chocolate. This popular ’90s lunch box snack-inspired hot chocolate will hit you with some serious nostalgia. It is served with an assortment of house made zoo-animal shaped cookies.”

MY MANDARIN SQUEEEZE – A Korean Jeju mandarin-infused hot chocolate made with 70.5% dark chocolate and topped with a bright citrus whip with fresh mandarin zest. Served with a slice of dehydrated Jeju mandarin, dipped in white couverture chocolate.”

Location: 102 W Hastings St

Opening Hours: Monday and Wednesday to Friday, 10am to 6pm; Saturday, 10am to 7pm; Sunday, 11am to 5pm