There are few things in life as important as drinking hot chocolate. Let's face it - paying the bills, attending urgent medical appointments, and picking up the kids from soccer/dancing classes can wait. While Hobart doesn't have the franchise hot chocolate joints found on the mainland - like Max Brenner and San Churro - don't be fooled into thinking this little city doesn't pack a punch in the cocoa stakes.
The only question remains - which cafe should one visit for the ultimate hot chocolate experience?
Raincheck Lounge
The Innovator
This would have to win the award for Hobart's best looking hot chocolate. It comes out in a tall glass with choc chips splattered around the side, a nice foamy head, and two tasty looking marshmallows waiting seductively on the spoon. There's about half an inch of choc chips sitting down the bottom...stir them in to make your milk chocolatey rather than be tempted to just lick them straight off your spoon. It's a hot chocolate that gets better as you go and the milk gets progressively more infused by chocolate chip goodness. An innovative, original hot chocolate. $5
4 stars
Raincheck Lounge knows how to break boundaries.
The retro is a bit of an institution in Salamanca near Hobart's waterfront, and it certainly oozes alternative cool. The hot chocolate comes out looking super slick, dark and chocolatey in glass. It's hearty and substantial, but it's not breaking any hot chocolate boundaries here. $4.50
3 stars
The Retro Cafe serves up a cool customer.
When this hot chocolate arrives, there's a temptation to write it off. I mean, it looks pretty boring and stock standard in its homely white mug. But when you actually taste this hot chocolate, it is so unbelievably creamy, smooth and sweet. It is a perfect antidote for a cold day, and these beauties really should be shared with more than just the student community. $4.20
3.5 stars
The Renown
The Teddy BearThe Renown has been around in north honey since kingdom come, its decor hasn't changed a smidgen, and thank goodness for that. Visiting the Renown is like visiting your grandma's house - it's always warm, welcoming and unchanging. Their hot chocolates follow in that tradition - they're creamy, tasty and comforting without trying to make any big leaps into the unknown. $4
3 stars
Sweet Envy
The Pretty LadyIt's sweet isn't it? It's such a pretty looking hot chocolate, and fits the décor of this uber vintage and lacy and ladylike sweet store. But not only is it sweet this hot chocolate has a lovely flavour, really resembling chocolate mousse. With a nice foamy top, the hot chocolate is perfect for a winters day. Sweet Envy is such a nice shop to sit in same gaze at the lovely macaroons and girly decorations, that the entire hot chocolate experience is a pretty good one. $4
3 stars
All you need is a ribbon with this Sweet Envy hot chocolate.
With an entire jar of white and pink marshmallows on the counter for – wait for it – customers to SERVE THEMSELVES, this otherwise standard hot chocolate gets a little extra oomph. I mean, it does take a little discipline not to add 10 marshmallows to your hot chocolate lest the next person in line thinks you're a total pig. But really, theoretically, you could add as many marshmallows as you like. $4.20
3 stars
The sky is the limit with the marshmallows at Banjo's.
