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Best Hot Chocolate In Detroit

(Photo credit: Thinkstock) (Photo credit: Thinkstock)

It's starting to get cold in the D, and that requires a good cup of hot cocoa. Check this list for the best Metro Detroit places that serve hot chocolate.

Espresso Royale
324 S. State St.
Ann Arbor, MI 48104
(734) 662-2770
www.espressoroyale.com

Espresso Royale is the place to go when you're sick of trying out Starbucks at every corner. It has three locations in the Ann Arbor university/downtown area, as well as one close by, and its mint hot chocolate is delicious in the winter time (or any day, if you're a hot chocolate fan). You can choose what variety of milk you would like in the hot chocolate as well, and the cafe offers soy milk as an option. Espresso Royale also has tea, coffee, light snacks, sandwiches and free WiFi.

Plymouth Coffee Bean
884 Penniman Ave.
Plymouth, MI 48170
(734) 454-0178
www.plymouthcoffeebean.com

Plymouth Coffee Bean is a unique cafe in that it's known for its crepes as well as its drinks. It offers your standard hot chocolate, as well as a large selection of specialty drinks, such as the "Black Eye" (macchiato with chocolate and Irish cream) and the "Goji Glory" (raspberry soy tea latte with extra raspberry flavor). The cafe is open until midnight on Friday and Saturday nights, which is great for when you're craving a hot chocolate later in the day. There's also an open night mic every Monday at 7:30 p.m., where song writers and poets can show off their stuff, although the cafe does ask for original music only (no covers).

Birmingham Chocolate
1728 W. Maple Road
Birmingham, MI 48009
(248) 723-8008
www.birminghamchocolate.com

Formerly Schakolad and residing in downtown Birmingham, Birmingham Chocolate now is on Maple Road near the downtown area. Its hot chocolate can be considered "sipping chocolate," in that it's made with real chocolate and is a very thick concoction. You can choose from dark, milk or white chocolate, and watch as the chocolate is stirred right in front of you. This is a hot chocolate for the real "hot chocolate lover" out there, although you might not want to go here if you are on a diet; the chocolate is extremely rich.

Related:  Best Hot Drinks in the Detroit Area

Gayle's Chocolates
417 S. Washington Ave.
Royal Oak, MI 48067
(248) 398-0001
www.facebook.com/gaylestreats

Gayle's Chocolates is known for its large selection of premium chocolates, and it also has a coffee and cocoa bar inside its Royal Oak store. All of the coffee offered is organic and fair trade. Gayle's has frozen hot chocolate as well as shots of flavoring syrup to "spice up" your hot chocolate. Its Royal Oak location is downtown on Washington Avenue, and both metered street parking and garage parking is available nearby.

Cafe Con Leche
4200 W Vernor Highway
Detroit, MI 48209
(313) 554-1744
www.facebook.com/Cafe-Con-Leche

Cafe Con Leche is located in Southwest Detroit and has a large hot chocolate menu. Its Mexican hot chocolate contains cinnamon, cloves and other spices, and its "Chocolate a la Taza," its specialty, is Spanish-style hot chocolate that is thicker than the average beverage. It has been described as being between "a milkshake and chocolate pudding." The store has free WiFi - just ask for the WiFi password - as well as artwork to peruse, and street parking is available within walking distance.

Related: Most Creative Cocktails in Detroit


Head to CBS Detroit's Best Of page for more local tips on family fun, shopping, nightlife, food, culture and more!

Liz Parker is a freelance writer and a University of Michigan graduate with a degree in Creative Writing and Literature. Her work can be found at Examiner.com and yesnofilms.com.

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