Best Of Singapore Hawkers & Casual Dining: Hot Chocolate

Best Of Singapore Hawkers & Casual Dining: Hot Chocolate

Hot Chocolate

Nothing was sponsored, we visited as regular paying customers. Photos in this post were taken between 2000 and 2023 (across 23 years!), as such, the quality of photos varies drastically due to advances in camera technology. Mobile smartphones were in their infancy and had yet to become widespread.

Also Known As:
Hot Chocolate, Drinking Chocolate, Hot Cocoa

Average Price Per Serving:
SGD $5 - $22

List in alphabetical order - click the links to jump to entry

1. Angelina Tea Room And Patisserie
2. Artisan Boulangerie Co (ABC)
3. Awfully Chocolate
4. Cedele Bakery Kitchen
5. Dutch Colony Coffee Co
6. Godiva Chocolatier
7. Laurent Bernard Chocolatier / Laurent's Café & Chocolate Bar
8. NUDE Seafood
9. Paul Boulangerie Et Patisserie
10. SPRMRKT
11. Swensen's
12. The Book Cafe
13. The Dark Gallery
14. Tiong Bahru Bakery
~~Badoque Cafe~~
~~Cafe Cartel~~
~~Max Brenner's Chocolate Bar~~
~~Sarnies~~
~~Wheeler's Yard~~

.....

Description:
The Hot Chocolate is a Singaporean European beverage which originated from the ancient Mayans, mainly comprising melted milk chocolate blended with cow's milk and white sugar. Also known as Drinking Chocolate, or Hot Cocoa, the Hot Chocolate is usually priced around SGD $5 to $22 per serving. It can be drunk as a dessert beverage, paired with breakfast or high tea, or as an energy-boosting tipple.

A typical Hot Chocolate is usually made with shaved milk chocolate, melted milk chocolate, or cocoa powder blended with water. Some variations will use dark chocolate or white chocolate instead. To this, milk and white sugar are usually added, and served either warm or iced (where it's known as Iced Chocolate or Cold Chocolate). The Hot Chocolate will be smooth and velvety, with deep chocolatey bitter sweet milky flavour. The most common European varieties of Hot Chocolate include the British English version, the French version, the Australian version, the American version, and the Spanish version.

Each of the 5 versions of Hot Chocolate from their respective countries tend to differ in terms of texture and toppings. The British English version is the most common, having a medium-thick texture with an optional topping of whipped cream. In contrast, the French version has a thick texture that coats the palate like a blanket, uses less milk, and may have an optional topping of whipped cream. The Australian version has a medium-thin texture, uses more milk, and may have an optional topping of cocoa powder. The American version has a thin texture with a lot of milk, with an optional topping of gooey soft marshmallows. The Spanish version has a very thick texture with added cornstarch, resembling a gravy, and usually has spices like cinnamon or chili.

It's also common for Hot Chocolate to feature flavour enhancers, particularly around festive occasions. The most common flavour enhancers for Hot Chocolate include vanilla, peppermint or mint, orange, lemon, cinnamon, chili, caramel, salted caramel, ginger, or rum. In Singapore, the version of Hot Chocolate sold in coffee shops or hawker stalls is usually a malted drinking chocolate (like Milo), while traditional or modern versions of Hot Chocolate is typically sold in cafés, restaurants, or chocolatier boutiques.

.....

1. Angelina Tea Room And Patisserie
@ Marina Bay Sands, 2 Bayfront Avenue #B2-89
Opening Hours: Daily 11am – 10pm

Taken in 2015

Taken in 2015

Taken in 2015

Taken in 2023

Taken in 2023

Taken in 2023

Hot Chocolate (SGD $18) @ Angelina Tea Room And Patisserie.

Founded in 1903 by Antoine Rumpelmayer and named after his daughter Angelina, this French Parisian café epitomises gourmet charm and elegance.

Their signature drinking chocolate, named "L'Africain", is thick, creamy smooth, and rich velvety. Has robust bitter sweet chocolatey flavour.

Served in a mini pitcher, good for 2 cups. Best savoured slowly.

.....

2. Artisan Boulangerie Co (ABC)
@ 118 Killiney Road #01-01
Opening Hours: Daily 8am – 9pm

Taken in 2023

Taken in 2023

Hot Chocolate (SGD $7) @ Artisan Boulangerie Co (ABC).

While they've transitioned to a pure delivery model since June 2023, they remain committed in serving freshly-made artisanal goods.

Their rendition carries a full robust body, semi-thick and smooth, with deep chocolatey bitter sweet milky flavour, yum.

.....

3. Awfully Chocolate
@ 131 East Coast Road
Opening Hours: Mon - Thu 11am – 10pm, Fri 11am – 11pm, Sat 8am – 11pm, Sun 8am – 10pm

@ Great World City, 1 Kim Seng Promenade #01-K102
Opening Hours: Sun - Thu 10am – 9pm, Fri - Sat 10am – 10pm

Taken in 2023

Taken in 2023

Taken in 2023

Taken in 2023

Taken in 2023

Taken in 2023

Hot Chocolate (SGD $8.90) @ Awfully Chocolate.

Founded by Lyn Lee and her circle of friends in 1998, this homegrown Singaporean chocolatier has since expanded across Asia.

While best known for their chocolate cakes, they're also among the few chocolatiers in Singapore to offer a range of hot chocolate beverages, spanning white, milk, and dark.

Richly smooth and beautifully velvety thick, each tall glass is a delight. The white carries buttery milky chocolatey sweet flavour, while the dark carries chocolatey bitter sweet earthy flavour.

.....

4. Cedele Bakery Kitchen
@ Parkway Parade, 80 Marine Parade Road #B1-83D
Opening Hours: Mon - Fri 11am – 8pm, Sat - Sun 10am – 8pm

@ Paragon Shopping Centre, 290 Orchard Road #B1-09
Opening Hours: Daily 10am – 9pm

Taken in 2012

Taken in 2012

Taken in 2012

Taken in 2023

Taken in 2023

Hot Chocolate (SGD $5.50) @ Cedele Bakery Kitchen.

Established in July 1997 by Yeap Cheng Guat, this café chain is known for their fresh and healthy artisanal bakes and food.

Their rendition resembles the Australian style, with a medium thin texture that is slightly more milky, with bitter sweet chocolatey milky flavour.

.....

5. Dutch Colony Coffee Co
@ Fusionopolis One, 1 Fusionopolis Way #01-01
Opening Hours: Daily 8am – 6pm

@ New Tech Park (NTP), 151 Lorong Chuan #01-08
Opening Hours: Daily 8am – 9pm

Taken in 2023

Taken in 2023

Hot Chocolate (SGD $5.50) @ Dutch Colony Coffee Co.

Established in March 2013 by co-owners Meidia Tamboto, her husband, and Suhaimie Sukiman, this chain is known for their expertly brewed single-origin coffee.

Their rendition features a good portion of milk, but the thick chocolate taste still carries through, with milky chocolatey bitter sweet flavour. Medium strength of body.

.....

6. Godiva Chocolatier
@ Raffles City, 252 North Bridge Road #B1-K1
Opening Hours: Daily 10:30am – 9:30pm

Taken in 2023

Taken in 2023

Taken in 2023

Taken in 2023

Taken in 2023

Hot Chocolate (SGD $9) @ Godiva Chocolatier.

Inspired by the legendary heroine who exemplified boldness and courage, Pierre Draps founded this brand in 1926.

Their Belgian style drinking chocolate is thick and rich, with intense chocolatey bitter sweet flavour that lingers.

The hot version is comforting and soulful, while the cold version resembles a blended ice beverage.

.....

7. Laurent Bernard Chocolatier / Laurent's Café & Chocolate Bar
@ The Pier At Robertson, 80 Mohamed Sultan Road #01-11
Opening Hours: Sun - Thu 1pm – 10pm, Fri - Sat 1pm – 11pm

Taken in 2023

Taken in 2023

Hot Chocolate (SGD $9.70) @ Laurent Bernard Chocolatier / Laurent's Café & Chocolate Bar.

Named after its founder and renowned chocolate maestro, the Singapore branch of this French chain opened in September 2006.

Their rendition follows a house blend loved by their founder, a mix of dark and milk chocolate. It's medium thick and smooth with a frothy head, carrying medium chocolatey bitter sweet flavour.

Ingredients are sourced through close collaborations with farmers worldwide, resulting in exquisite gourmet quality.

Served in a traditional metal mug as a homage to kopitiam culture.

.....

8. NUDE Seafood
@ Marina One East Tower, 5 Straits View #01-23
Opening Hours: Mon 11:30am – 1:30pm (Lunch Only), Tue - Sun 11:30am – 1:30pm (Lunch), 5:30pm – 7:30pm (Dinner)

Taken in 2023

Taken in 2023

Hot Chocolate (SGD $6) @ NUDE Seafood.

Established in December 2014, this restaurant is named for their philosophy - to source fresh gourmet ingredients, then cook them simply, letting the natural flavours shine on the plate.

Love the octopus art, the medium thin texture, and the chocolatey milky bitter sweet flavour.

Great with the delicious fish and seafood dishes here.

.....

9. Paul Boulangerie Et Patisserie
@ Ngee Ann City, 391B Orchard Road #03-16
Opening Hours: Daily 9:30am – 10pm

Taken in 2014

Taken in 2023

Taken in 2023

Hot Chocolate (SGD $8.70) @ Paul Boulangerie Et Patisserie.

Founded by Charlemagne Mayot in 1889, this French bakery and patisserie has grown internationally into 47 countries.

Topped with airy whipped cream, their tall drinking chocolate has robust chocolatey milky bitter sweet earthy flavour, with smooth thick velvety rich texture.

Great to slowly enjoy alongside high tea.

.....

10. SPRMRKT
@ 8 Dempsey Road #01-15A
Opening Hours: Mon - Tue 9am – 6pm, Wed - Sun 9am – 10:30pm

Taken in 2023

Taken in 2023

Hot Chocolate (SGD $7) @ SPRMRKT.

The brainchild of Sue-Shan Quek and Joseph Yeo, with Furrene Hoh, SPRMRKT (pronounced 'Supermarket') was founded in April 2012 with the idea that food, retail, and art could be melded into a single, enjoyable experience.

Garnished with gooey marshmallows but thick and rich in texture, this combines the American and British English styles, carrying chocolatey milky bitter sweet candied flavour.

Lovely and warm for cool days.

.....

11. Swensen's
@ Thomson Plaza, 301 Upper Thomson Road #03-23
Opening Hours: Daily 11am – 10:30pm

@ SingPost Centre, 10 Eunos Road 8 #02-136
Opening Hours: Daily 11am – 10:30pm

Taken in 2023

Taken in 2023

Hot Chocolate (SGD $4.80) @ Swensen's.

Since Earle Swensen opened his first outlet in 1948, this famed ice cream and casual dining restaurant chain has expanded worldwide.

Their rendition has the American style medium thin texture with a gentle lightness, and chocolatey milky sweet flavour.

Optional topping of fluffy whipped cream will appeal to the young at heart.

.....

12. The Book Cafe
@ 20 Martin Road #01-02
Opening Hours: Mon - Fri 8:30am – 5:30pm, Sat - Sun 8:30am – 8:30pm

Taken in 2023

Taken in 2023

Hot Chocolate (SGD $8.50) @ The Book Cafe.

Opened in June 2000 by Thomas Wong and Shirley Soh, this chill cafe is a great space to read and reflect.

Their rendition is topped with fluffy soft marshmallows, while the drinking chocolate has a milky thin texture rather like the Australian style, and chocolatey milky sweet flavour.

The frothy foam head is the largest yet.

.....

13. The Dark Gallery
@ Millenia Walk, 9 Raffles Boulevard #01-K5
Opening Hours: Daily 11am – 10pm

Taken in 2023

Taken in 2023

Hot Chocolate (SGD $10) @ The Dark Gallery.

This single origin dark chocolate specialist was established in July 2017 by Singaporean chocolatier and entrepreneur Li Lihui.

The Single Origin Dark Hot Chocolate - Tanzania is made with 75% dark chocolate from Tanzania, and has a medium thick, velvety texture. It's known for its rich, chocolatey bitter sweet flavours, that carry sharp earthy spice citrus notes.

.....

14. Tiong Bahru Bakery
@ 56 Eng Hoon Street #01-70
Opening Hours: Daily 7:30am – 8pm

@ 43 Jalan Merah Saga #01-74
Opening Hours: Daily 7:30am – 7pm

Taken in 2014

Taken in 2014

Taken in 2015

Taken in 2023

Taken in 2023

Hot Chocolate (SGD $6.80) @ Tiong Bahru Bakery.

This French style artisan bakery, founded by master baker Gontran Cherrier and operated by the Spa Esprit Group, has been established since May 2012.

Their rendition is rich, thick, and indulgent, carrying deep chocolatey milky bitter sweet flavour.

Strong and warming, great with breads and pastries.