Flying to a different country for hot chocolate? Sign me up!
Our cookbook club member, Catherine Allegretti, took on Vancouver’s Hot Chocolate Festival and we are here for it!
Call me crazy, but when it comes to hot chocolate, I wear my "connoisseur" badge proudly. Sure, I’ve been known to sip on a powdered mix at home (no shame), but when I heard about the Vancouver Hot Chocolate Festival, I knew it was time to level up. So, I packed my bags and hopped on a 7-hour flight for a weekend of chocolatey goodness.
Here’s the deal: Vancouver has been hosting a month-long hot chocolate festival for 15 years. This year, it featured 81 vendors, 124 locations, and 180 flavors. That’s a lot of hot chocolate. Way too much to tackle in one weekend, but did that stop me? Nope. I managed to squeeze in 15 different flavors over a few very sweet days.
My Hot Chocolate MVPs
Not all hot chocolates are created equal, but let’s focus on the ones that stole the show.
Melt Confectionery
Their “Teller of Fortunes” hot chocolate wasn’t just delicious; it was an experience. They keep the flavor profile a mystery, but think warm chocolate with a hint of citrusy magic. Bonus points for presentation because it was stunning and playful.
Boba Run
Okay, hear me out: a jalapeño-spiced hot chocolate served with mini ice cream chicken drumsticks. Yup, you read that right. It’s called the BFC (Boba Fried Chicken), and it’s as wild as it sounds. Hot honey, cornflake crunch and it’s the most unique hot chocolate I’ve ever had.
Beaucoup Bakery
This place served up the ultimate cozy vibes with “Charlie’s Peanut Butter Hug.” It was rich, chocolatey, and perfectly peanut buttery. Hands down, the best-tasting hot chocolate of the trip.
Kafka’s
At Kafka’s, they took inspiration from Wicked with their Glinda and Elphaba hot chocolates. The rose red velvet for Glinda was sweet and creamy, while Elphaba’s matcha and chocolate combo hit all the right notes. If you’re a musical fan, it’s a must.
Tips for Your Own Hot Chocolate Adventure
Thinking about booking your flight? Here’s what you need to know:
Do Your Homework: With so many flavors and vendors, you need a game plan. Some vendors rotate their offerings, so check the schedule and prioritize.
Map It Out: Vancouver’s big, and while public transit is solid, you’ll save time by sticking to one neighborhood per day.
Fuel Up: Too much sweet can backfire. Plan some real meals between cups. Vancouver’s food scene is amazing! Definitely try Lunch Lady, Little Bird Dim Sum, Sashimaya, and Vij’s.
Bring a Buddy: Hot chocolate is better shared. My sister and I split most of ours, which let us sample more without going into a sugar coma. (Pro tip: 3 hot chocolates a day is the sweet spot.)
Ready to sip your way through Vancouver? You can find all the details on vendors, flavors, and dates here.
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