The best places to go for a hot chocolate in Bethnal Green

Where to find vegan dark hot chocolates, overflowing flake toppings and the best steamy windows to sip at.

As the winter months refuse to let up, electric blankets and hot water bottles are still in the picture this February. 

It’s this time of year when we need something to tempt us out of our homes, offices and blanket forts and onto the frost-bitten streets.

A steaming cup of cocoa will romanticise a wintery London morning or provide an opportunity to enjoy some early evening light from the comfort of a cafe window.

Whilst Bethnal Green is known for its chai lattes and ubiquitous flat whites, we have searched for places where the humble hot chocolate shines bright.

Tita’s Coffee on Weavers Fields

BEST FOR: ON THE GO  

For a pick-me-up on your way to work or a stroll on Colombia Road, Tita’s Coffee is an adorable blue and cream coffee van in Weavers Fields.  

This new one-man-van is dedicated to the owner’s late Aunt and now serves independent coffee, teas, and fresh bakes.

Their popular dark hot chocolate is vegan-friendly with a 33% West African Cocao mix achieving a perfect balance of sweet, rich, and bitter notes with no artificial flavours or ingredients. 

Look out for freebies in the field for their 1 March official opening!

Dark Sugars, Brick Lane

BEST FOR: COCOA LOVERS

Dark Sugars is a chocolate lover’s heaven. More than just a celebration of sweetness, it’s a celebration of cocoa itself, set against a rustic wooden decor inspired by the owner’s African heritage and the origins of the cocoa.

Nibble on a free sample as you enjoy the aroma of roasting cocoa beans filling the air. Huge slabs of white, milk, and dark chocolate are chopped into delicate flakey shards in front of your eyes before being generously piled onto your drink. You’ll be the envy of Brick Lane as your overflowing cup slowly melts into indulgent perfection.

For something new, try the salted caramel or cinnamon hot chocolate and if you can’t decide, take home a hot chocolate kit with flavours from wild strawberry to ‘pitch black’ dark chocolate, crafted for true connoisseurs.

Astro Cafe

BEST FOR: A SIDE OF DOUGHNUTS 

This Persian-run brunch spot is best for energising yourself amid winter blues, with its packed-out floor of weekend brunchers, and rightly so for its bargain Full English at such a central spot. 

However, it also offers an array of creatively flavoured doughnuts, such as Oreo and pistachio that you could pair with a hot chocolate to take away on a cold afternoon, on your way up to Columbia Road flower market. 

Despite the cue that congregates, their classic hot chocolate comes in at the cheaper end of Bethnal Green’s offering at £2.20 with regular milk, or oat, almond, soy and coconut for an extra 40p. 

Mandala Cafe 

BEST FOR: FRIENDLY VIBES

Based next to the London Buddhist Centre, this space is laptop-free in the mornings, meaning you have no choice but to hunker down with your hot chocolate and savour the taste.

The bright yellow walls are well-matched by the atmosphere inside, which is an endlessly friendly breath of fresh air for anyone seeking warmth and a cup of something hot. 

Sazzy & Fran

BEST FOR: VEGANS

Located just a couple of minutes from Bethnal Green Underground this vegan cafe offers a great hot chocolate with an array of syrups to add to your drink. 

As a bonus, the owner’s dog can often be caught, head between paws watching punters come in and out. 

A perfect, ‘grab and go’ as you head to the underground, this hot chocolate is on the pricier end at £3.90.

There is also a downstairs area where the digital nomads can camp out with their laptops to their heart’s content.

Quarantacinque

BEST FOR: ITALIAN BAKES

A taste of Italy in Bethnal Green, these hot chocolates will be delicious, but you are more likely to be swept away by the warming accents of Italians seeking their lunchtime fix of winter hot drinks inside. 

Alongside focaccia, cannoli, and Francesco’s take-home meal service which often features lasagna and a tiramisu you can enjoy the full Italian treatment here. Cakes will be thrust upon you that you didn’t know you wanted as you take a moment to slow down and await your beverage.

These hot chocolates come in a full range of sizes, and you can choose from almond, soy, oat or regular milk, and you also have the option of splashing in syrup.

E&R Natural Food Shop

BEST FOR: UNEXPECTED FIND

Walking past this grocery store on the corner of Globe Road you may not realise it offers hot drinks.  If you venture past the isles of vegan specialities and the seasonal veg shelves, you’ll discover a barista counter that serves up generously sized hot chocolate.

As well as offering a mean chai latte, this hot chocolate is made with care, so don’t be put off by the wait, as a simple yet sumptuous hot chocolate awaits you.   

Gallery Cafe 

BEST FOR: STAYING A WHILE 

You can enjoy a hot chocolate alongside their choice of vegan cakes and bakes.

As well as some premium matcha latte artwork St Margarets offers a range of pastries and has a sturdy vegan and plant-based selection of food and drinks across the board. 

On a weekday you might find the windows steaming up with cafe-hoppers powering through work on their laptops, but at the weekends the space is computer-free and is buzzing with families on a day out.

The Beehive

BEST FOR: A CUP WHILST YOU WORK 

Located on your left as you walk towards Hackney on Cambridge Heath Road, this spot is also a friendly co-working space. 

You can also grab a light lunch and sip your hot chocolate on a chair in the green space outside the cafe. 

This is a social enterprise founded to offer Bethnal Green’s community a social hub to gather and find some sense of belonging.

If you liked this read The best vegan cafes near Roman Road.