Six next-level hot chocolates to try on the Gold Coast this winter
There are hot chocolates, and then there are the kind made with actual melted chocolate instead of powder. The kind that are topped with torched marshmallows, cookie crumb and toasted hazelnuts. The kind that arrive looking suspiciously like dessert and make ordering a coffee feel a bit basic. As the Gold Coast finally settles into winter, we’ve rounded up a handful of spots serving next-level hot chocolates that are worth seeking out – whether you’re after rich Belgian couverture, indulgent seasonal specials or a cup of liquid chocolate capable of warming even the coldest morning.
Tarte Beach House, Currumbin
If you’re the type who believes hot chocolate should contain actual chocolate, Tarte Beach House deserves a spot at the very top of your winter hit list. Inside the main restaurant, you’ll find the venue’s signature Parisian-style hot chocolate – a rich blend of Lindt, Veliche and other European chocolates, melted to order and finished with a torched house-made marshmallow that slowly melts into the velvety chocolate below. Meanwhile, next door in the Tea Garden, things get even more decadent. The traditional French hot chocolate is served in a teapot alongside a crystal glass of freshly whipped cream, inviting guests to pour, sip and linger a little longer. Whether you opt for the restaurant classic or the Tea Garden’s extra-indulgent version, one thing’s certain – this is hot chocolate for people who take hot chocolate very seriously.
Gelato Gemelli, Broadbeach
A gelato shop might not be the first place you’d think to order a hot chocolate, but trust us on this one. Gelato Gemelli’s Italian-style hot chocolate is thick, silky and gloriously rich, delivering the kind of velvety texture that’s closer to melted chocolate than a standard cafe version. The showstopper comes on top – a giant rectangle of marshmallow, torched until golden and crisp on the outside while remaining soft and pillowy within. It’s indulgent, a little theatrical and exactly the kind of winter treat worth making a special trip for. Check it out here.
Paddock Bakery, Miami
If there was ever a hot chocolate designed for social media, this would be it. Paddock Bakery’s winter favourite starts with melted Lindt milk and dark chocolate before being crowned with an enormous cloud of house-made meringue, torched until golden and caramelised on the outside. It’s unapologetically over-the-top, wonderfully nostalgic and every bit as impressive in person as it is on Instagram. Grab a seat in Paddock’s leafy courtyard and prepare to get a little messy. Take a peek here.
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Elk Espresso, Broadbeach
Winter drinks are serious business at Elk, with the cafe rolling out a trio of limited-edition hot chocolates designed to tempt even the most committed coffee drinkers. The standout is undoubtedly the Hot Biscoff – a rich hot chocolate swirled with house-made Biscoff syrup and finished with a generous sprinkle of cookie crumb. There’s also a white hot chocolate topped with delicate white chocolate flakes for those who prefer something a little sweeter. If your idea of winter comfort comes in a mug, Elk has you covered.
Sunnyboy Espresso, Mermaid Beach
Sunnyboy Espresso is fully embracing hot-chocolate season with a line-up that feels more dessert menu than drinks list. The Bueno Hot Chocolate is tipped to be an early crowd favourite, combining rich chocolate with two-tone chocolate flakes and toasted hazelnuts. There’s also a Winter Spiced Hot Chocolate featuring house-made spiced syrup and Kali chocolate, alongside a Hot Apple Crumble version topped with cookie crumble that tastes remarkably like the real thing. If choosing just one sounds impossible, we completely understand. The hot chocolate menu at Sunnyboy launches this Thursday June 11.
Leaf Cafe & Co, Broadbeach
Hidden in plain sight along the Gold Coast Highway in Broadbeach, Leaf Cafe & Co is quietly serving one of the most impressive hot chocolates on the Gold Coast. Rather than relying on powdered mixes, the cafe melts premium Belgian couverture chocolate directly into the drink, resulting in a richer, silkier cup with genuine depth of flavour. Better yet, you can choose between white, milk or dark chocolate depending on your mood. It’s the kind of hot chocolate that reminds you why winter drinks deserve their own category entirely.
Did we miss any? Be sure to let us know! Email us at [email protected]
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