Top 5 Hot Chocolates in Vancity

By VITA Daily

It’s the most wonderful time of the year! The seventh annual Hot Chocolate Festival, January 19th to February 14th, boasts 61 flavours of hot chocolate-y goodness from purveyors across the city—making our job particularly difficult. Regardless, we’ve pinpointed the five places we most definitely plan to hit up for a cuppa during this 27-day event. —Siobhan Lidder    

• Chez Christophe

  By VITA Daily

  Visit Chez Christophe from January 19 to 23 for a “Breakfast in Burnaby” French-toast inspired hot chocolate with maple drizzle and hints of pecan served alongside a mini brioche bun. Or, try a “Tropical Storm” dark hot chocolate with pineapple gel served with a marshmallow meringue. 4717 Hastings St., Burnaby, 604-428-4200, http://www.christophe-chocolat.com    

• Thierry

  By VITA Daily

  From January 19 to 29, try a “Taste of Vietnam” hot chocolate made with Li Chu chocolate from that country and served with a chocolate-dipped bay leaf-infused ganache and a coffee madeleine. From January 30 to February 12, enjoy a “Taste of Peru” hot chocolate made with 68 per cent Peruvian dark, served with a beignet and a Marañón Chocolate Fortunato No. 4 chocolate tablette. 1059 Alberni St., 604-608-6870, http://www.thierrychocolates.com

• 49th Parallel Coffee Roasters

  By VITA Daily

  Drop by either the Main Street or West Fourth locations between January 19 and Valentine’s Day for a “Hot Chocolate + Doughnut” (Lucky’s natch), a “2001: A Spice Odyssey” Aztec spiced hot chocolate served with a churro and dipping sauce and/or a “One Flew Over the Coconuts” a coconut white hocho served with a milk-chocolate coconut rough. 2902 Main St., 604-872-4901 or 2198 West 4th Ave., 604-420-4901, http://49thcoffee.com

• Bella Gelateria

  By VITA Daily

  Between January 19 and 31 enjoy a classic “Hot Chocolato” served with a scoop of yummy gelato or, an “Erin Goes Vegan” hot chocolate served with a piece of Erin Ireland’s “To Die For” vegan pumpkin bread or, for an award-worthy treat, a “9” dark hocho with hints of fruit and flowers, which snagged the 2016 London Academy of Chocolate gold medal. Another winner, the “Blanco de Criollo” dark hot chocolate with hints of Peruvian chocolate and raisins, is available February 1 to 14. 1001 West Cordova St., 604-569-1010 or 1089 Marinaside Crescent, 778-737-7890, http://bellagelateria.com

• Earnest Ice Cream

  By VITA Daily

  From January 19 to February 4, head over to either the Fraser or Quebec Street shop for a vegan “Spiced Hot Chocolate” with chai spices and a coconut base, served with a vegan chocolate cake and vegan chai ice cream, or a classic milk “Spiked Hot Chocolate” served with Sons of Vancouver amaretto whipped cream and almond brittle. 3992 Fraser St., 604-428-0697 or 1829 Quebec St., 778-379-0697, http://earnesticecream.com