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Mapped: Hot Chocolate Festival's Most Unusual Flavours

by Nikki Bayley
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by Nikki Bayley

As the punishing winter grey skies continue to give Vancouverites the blues be reassured: there is a light on the horizon in the shape of the fourth annual Hot Chocolate festival which launches on January 18 and runs until February 14. With almost two dozen participants and more than 60 varieties on offer there are plenty of varieties to try over the month, plus profits from all festival sales will be donated to The PHS Community Services program for Downtown Eastside women's employment and job skills training programs (as run by East Van Roasters.) So, the more hot chocolate you drink, the more good you can do for the DTES: it's essentially your moral duty to try as many as possible.
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Curried hot chocolate, smoky flavours and boozy hot chocolate-inspired cocktail, here is Eater's pick of the most unusual flavours of the festival.
Let us know if you've tried any of them and what you thought. What's your favourite flavour? Drop us a line or leave a comment.

· Hot Chocolate Festival [Official Site]


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Note: Restaurants on this map are listed geographically.

1. Thomas Haas Patisserie

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128-998 Harbourside Dr, North Vancouver
BC V7P 3T2, Canada
Grown-up smoky-salty flavours caught our eye at Thomas Haas who has two different varieties on offer throughout the festival. We like the sound of the CAMPFIRE, a classic hot chocolate with smoky caramel and smoked Hawaiian sea salt served with vanilla marshmallows.

2. Schokolade Café

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2263 E Hastings St, Vancouver
Canada, Canada
(604) 253-9411
(604) 253-9411
Visit Website
Five different flavours are on offer here and we like the sound of the DARK AND SPICY best. Made from 70% dark chocolate, cayenne, a shot of espresso and steamed milk. 
Served with four pieces of handcrafted chocolate pralines of your choice.
 Available: every day of the Festival.

3. East Van Roasters

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319 Carrall St, Vancouver
BC, Canada
(604) 629-7562
(604) 629-7562
Visit Website
Tea at a coffee and chocolate roasters? Why not. The HIGH SOCIETY 
Earl Grey drinking chocolate sounds divine. 
Served with East Van Roasters' signature gluten-free brownie and candied orange. 
Available: February 1 - 14.

4. Mink Chocolate and Coffee

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863 W. Hastings St., Vancouver
BC V6C 3N9, Canada
(604) 633-2451
(604) 633-2451
Visit Website
Oh, Mink, how you are spoiling us with the best-named hot choc of the festival: the PAULA DEAN WHITE TRASH TRAINWRECK, a heavenly hot mess of a 70% dark chocolate ganache with condensed milk, salted kettle chips,
and vanilla whipped cream, served with a 72% dark chocolate wafer.
 Available: January 18 - January 31.

5. Bella Gelateria

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1001 W Cordova St, Vancouver
BC V6C 0B7, Canada
(604) 569-1010
(604) 569-1010
Visit Website
Knocking it out of the park, Bella Gelateria are offering five different blends of hot chocolate and gelato with drinks flavoured by gBARs - frozen gelato on sticks which melt into the drink. Look out for off-menu 99% chocolate drinks plus bonus daily choices. Our pick is the BLACK MAGIC gBAR flavoured with black sesame and matcha tea. Served with Erin Ireland's delicious"To Die For" Banana Bread.

6. Leonidas Waterfront

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29 - 1055 Canada Place, Vancouver
BC V6C 0C3, Canada
(604) 947-7559
(604) 947-7559
Visit Website
Four different flavours down at the Belgian chocolatiers on the waterfront, our pick is the TIGER MILK, a 
white Belgian chocolate with cardamom, nutmeg and saffron, served with your choice of liege waffle, cheesecake, chocolate, or a scoop of Italian ice cream.


7. Soirette Macarons & Tea

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1433 W Pender St, Vancouver
BC V6G2S3, Canada
(604) 558-3308
(604) 558-3308
Visit Website
Soirette have gone with a local theme this year with four different creations inspired by the city's top attractions. Our pick, the GRANVILLE ISLAND GROCERY LIST, is a beet and saffron hot chocolate served with a Gjetost macaron. 
Available: January 24 - 26, February 5 - 7 (Featured Festival hot chocolate flavours will change every 3 days.)

8. Uva Wine Bar

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900 Seymour St., Vancouver
British Columbia V6B 2L9, Canada
(604) 632-9560
(604) 632-9560
Visit Website
Four intriguing booze-spiked confections on offer from Bittered Sling's Lauren Mote. We want them all. But if we have to pick just one then it's the CHARTREUSE MILKSHAKE a hot choc-inspired cocktail with Citadelle gin, green Chartreuse, cacao beans, lime, orange juice, Bittered Sling Malagasy chocolate bitters and egg white.
 Served with zeppoli (Italian doughnuts) and available every day of the festival, from 11 a.m. to late.

9. Beaucoup Bakery

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2150 Fir St, Vancouver
BC V6J 3B5, Canada
(604) 732-4222
(604) 732-4222
Visit Website
Jackie Kai Ellis's French-style bakery is offering three different hot chocolates with the most unusual being the HUNGERS SATISFIED; 
dark chocolate with black pepper served with a vanilla/maldon salt cookie. 
Available: February 6 - February 14.

10. Koko Monk

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1849 west 1st Avenue, Vancouver
V6J 1G5, Canada
(604) 708-3366
(604) 708-3366
Visit Website
Nothing better than some chocolate while you wait for chocolate and that's what you'll get at Koko Monk who'll be doing complimentary blind tastings while you wait for your drink. Our pick is the BRUNETTE BANGLE; hot Chocolate with a hint of curry. 
Served with your choice of cookie. 
Available: January 18 - February 14.

11. Terra Breads

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1605 Manitoba Street, Vancouver
British Columbia, Canada
(604) 877-1183
(604) 877-1183
Visit Website
Two different flavours at Terra Breads will be on offer at their Kits, Olympic Village and 5th Ave locations. We like the sound of the CALL ME A CAB, a hot choc with Cabernet, cinnamon and pear served with a pear crisp and a cocoa sugar cookie. 
Available: January 18 - February 14

12. Cocoa Nymph

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3739 West 10th Avenue, Vancouver
BC V6R 2G5, Canada
604 222 4477
604 222 4477
Visit Website
Serving up five different varieties, Cocoa Nymph’s PHAUN'S FANCY points for A) not spelling it ‘Phancy’ and B) for its bold flavour profile: a 64% dark chocolate with parmesan and fresh nutmeg, served with a side of Umami No. 5 fudge.

13. French Made Baking

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81 Kingsway, Vancouver
BC V5T3J1, Canada
(604) 558-4880
(604) 558-4880
Visit Website
Go dairy-free with BEYOND THE MILKY WAY, a Valrhona Araguani dark chocolate (72%), pear and almond milk (dairy free) hot chocolate. Served with "Marocaine" (almond flour ball flavoured with orange blossom water (dairy free). Available: January 21, 26, 31 and February 5, 10.

14. Chocolaterie De La Nouvelle France

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198 E 21st Ave., Vancouver
BC V5V 3N7, Canada
(604) 566-1065
(604) 566-1065
Visit Website
A floral flavour gets our pick at this popular east-side French artisan-inspired chocolate shop; the CHOCOLAT GLACE A LA ROSE, a rose-flavoured iced drinking chocolate, served with a Gaufre de Liège waffle, along with a side of fleur de sel caramel or chocolate hazelnut spread.

15. gem chocolates

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2029 W 41st Ave, Vancouver, BC V6M 1Y7, Vancouver
British Columbia V6M 1Y7, Canada
Visit Website
Three different flavours to tempt you at Gem; our pick is the TWISTED ROMANCE, 
a hot chocolate made with Aussie natural black licorice. 
Served with chocolate-dipped natural black licorice. 
Available: January 25 - February 2

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1. Thomas Haas Patisserie

128-998 Harbourside Dr, North Vancouver, BC V7P 3T2, Canada
Grown-up smoky-salty flavours caught our eye at Thomas Haas who has two different varieties on offer throughout the festival. We like the sound of the CAMPFIRE, a classic hot chocolate with smoky caramel and smoked Hawaiian sea salt served with vanilla marshmallows.
128-998 Harbourside Dr, North Vancouver
BC V7P 3T2, Canada

2. Schokolade Café

2263 E Hastings St, Vancouver, Canada, Canada
Five different flavours are on offer here and we like the sound of the DARK AND SPICY best. Made from 70% dark chocolate, cayenne, a shot of espresso and steamed milk. 
Served with four pieces of handcrafted chocolate pralines of your choice.
 Available: every day of the Festival.
2263 E Hastings St, Vancouver
Canada, Canada
(604) 253-9411
Visit Website

3. East Van Roasters

319 Carrall St, Vancouver, BC, Canada
Tea at a coffee and chocolate roasters? Why not. The HIGH SOCIETY 
Earl Grey drinking chocolate sounds divine. 
Served with East Van Roasters' signature gluten-free brownie and candied orange. 
Available: February 1 - 14.
319 Carrall St, Vancouver
BC, Canada
(604) 629-7562
Visit Website

4. Mink Chocolate and Coffee

863 W. Hastings St., Vancouver, BC V6C 3N9, Canada
Oh, Mink, how you are spoiling us with the best-named hot choc of the festival: the PAULA DEAN WHITE TRASH TRAINWRECK, a heavenly hot mess of a 70% dark chocolate ganache with condensed milk, salted kettle chips,
and vanilla whipped cream, served with a 72% dark chocolate wafer.
 Available: January 18 - January 31.
863 W. Hastings St., Vancouver
BC V6C 3N9, Canada
(604) 633-2451
Visit Website

5. Bella Gelateria

1001 W Cordova St, Vancouver, BC V6C 0B7, Canada
Knocking it out of the park, Bella Gelateria are offering five different blends of hot chocolate and gelato with drinks flavoured by gBARs - frozen gelato on sticks which melt into the drink. Look out for off-menu 99% chocolate drinks plus bonus daily choices. Our pick is the BLACK MAGIC gBAR flavoured with black sesame and matcha tea. Served with Erin Ireland's delicious"To Die For" Banana Bread.
1001 W Cordova St, Vancouver
BC V6C 0B7, Canada
(604) 569-1010
Visit Website

6. Leonidas Waterfront

29 - 1055 Canada Place, Vancouver, BC V6C 0C3, Canada
Four different flavours down at the Belgian chocolatiers on the waterfront, our pick is the TIGER MILK, a 
white Belgian chocolate with cardamom, nutmeg and saffron, served with your choice of liege waffle, cheesecake, chocolate, or a scoop of Italian ice cream.

29 - 1055 Canada Place, Vancouver
BC V6C 0C3, Canada
(604) 947-7559
Visit Website

7. Soirette Macarons & Tea

1433 W Pender St, Vancouver, BC V6G2S3, Canada
Soirette have gone with a local theme this year with four different creations inspired by the city's top attractions. Our pick, the GRANVILLE ISLAND GROCERY LIST, is a beet and saffron hot chocolate served with a Gjetost macaron. 
Available: January 24 - 26, February 5 - 7 (Featured Festival hot chocolate flavours will change every 3 days.)
1433 W Pender St, Vancouver
BC V6G2S3, Canada
(604) 558-3308
Visit Website

8. Uva Wine Bar

900 Seymour St., Vancouver, British Columbia V6B 2L9, Canada
Four intriguing booze-spiked confections on offer from Bittered Sling's Lauren Mote. We want them all. But if we have to pick just one then it's the CHARTREUSE MILKSHAKE a hot choc-inspired cocktail with Citadelle gin, green Chartreuse, cacao beans, lime, orange juice, Bittered Sling Malagasy chocolate bitters and egg white.
 Served with zeppoli (Italian doughnuts) and available every day of the festival, from 11 a.m. to late.
900 Seymour St., Vancouver
British Columbia V6B 2L9, Canada
(604) 632-9560
Visit Website

9. Beaucoup Bakery

2150 Fir St, Vancouver, BC V6J 3B5, Canada
Jackie Kai Ellis's French-style bakery is offering three different hot chocolates with the most unusual being the HUNGERS SATISFIED; 
dark chocolate with black pepper served with a vanilla/maldon salt cookie. 
Available: February 6 - February 14.
2150 Fir St, Vancouver
BC V6J 3B5, Canada
(604) 732-4222
Visit Website

10. Koko Monk

1849 west 1st Avenue, Vancouver, V6J 1G5, Canada
Nothing better than some chocolate while you wait for chocolate and that's what you'll get at Koko Monk who'll be doing complimentary blind tastings while you wait for your drink. Our pick is the BRUNETTE BANGLE; hot Chocolate with a hint of curry. 
Served with your choice of cookie. 
Available: January 18 - February 14.
1849 west 1st Avenue, Vancouver
V6J 1G5, Canada
(604) 708-3366
Visit Website

11. Terra Breads

1605 Manitoba Street, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Two different flavours at Terra Breads will be on offer at their Kits, Olympic Village and 5th Ave locations. We like the sound of the CALL ME A CAB, a hot choc with Cabernet, cinnamon and pear served with a pear crisp and a cocoa sugar cookie. 
Available: January 18 - February 14
1605 Manitoba Street, Vancouver
British Columbia, Canada
(604) 877-1183
Visit Website

12. Cocoa Nymph

3739 West 10th Avenue, Vancouver, BC V6R 2G5, Canada
Serving up five different varieties, Cocoa Nymph’s PHAUN'S FANCY points for A) not spelling it ‘Phancy’ and B) for its bold flavour profile: a 64% dark chocolate with parmesan and fresh nutmeg, served with a side of Umami No. 5 fudge.
3739 West 10th Avenue, Vancouver
BC V6R 2G5, Canada
604 222 4477
Visit Website

13. French Made Baking

81 Kingsway, Vancouver, BC V5T3J1, Canada
Go dairy-free with BEYOND THE MILKY WAY, a Valrhona Araguani dark chocolate (72%), pear and almond milk (dairy free) hot chocolate. Served with "Marocaine" (almond flour ball flavoured with orange blossom water (dairy free). Available: January 21, 26, 31 and February 5, 10.
81 Kingsway, Vancouver
BC V5T3J1, Canada
(604) 558-4880
Visit Website

14. Chocolaterie De La Nouvelle France

198 E 21st Ave., Vancouver, BC V5V 3N7, Canada
A floral flavour gets our pick at this popular east-side French artisan-inspired chocolate shop; the CHOCOLAT GLACE A LA ROSE, a rose-flavoured iced drinking chocolate, served with a Gaufre de Liège waffle, along with a side of fleur de sel caramel or chocolate hazelnut spread.
198 E 21st Ave., Vancouver
BC V5V 3N7, Canada
(604) 566-1065
Visit Website

15. gem chocolates

2029 W 41st Ave, Vancouver, BC V6M 1Y7, Vancouver, British Columbia V6M 1Y7, Canada
Three different flavours to tempt you at Gem; our pick is the TWISTED ROMANCE, 
a hot chocolate made with Aussie natural black licorice. 
Served with chocolate-dipped natural black licorice. 
Available: January 25 - February 2

2029 W 41st Ave, Vancouver, BC V6M 1Y7, Vancouver
British Columbia V6M 1Y7, Canada
Visit Website