Picture this: it’s a crisp, freezing winter’s afternoon. You might be doing some Christmas shopping, or just strolling through a market, but either way you’re in need of something to keep you warm. Clearly, a hot chocolate is in order.
If you’re a real fan, you’ll know that not all hot chocolates are made the same. Some are watery, some are rich, some are creamy; but according to a new study, one European city gets it right more than any other.
As Christmas gets nearer, ferry company DFDS has done some digging on behalf of cocoa fans everywhere. Using data from Google and its own survey, it has analysed customer reviews and ratings to calculate an overall ‘sentiment’ score for major European cities in order to figure out where to get the very best hot choc on the continent.
Budapest came out on top, with an ‘average hot chocolate sentiment’ of 95.7 out of 100. That means that most reviews of most of the drinks in the city were positive.
The Hungarian capital is well known for its signature hot chocolate concoction, which is slightly thicker and much richer than your typical cup. This stuff is properly sweet and usually served with a hefty dollop of thick cream, but when you’re craving it, nothing else will do. If you want to sample the very best of the drink, check out ’s local guide to Budapest’s best hot chocolate cafés.
In second place was Rome, which scored 95.3. Yep, it’s not just about classic Italian espresso here – Italy has its own version of cioccolata calda. Not dissimilar to the drink found in Budapest, DFDS describe it as ‘decadent’, and note that Rome’s historic streets make the perfect backdrop ‘for a more luxurious hot chocolate experience’.
With 94.1 out of a possible 100 points, Bucharest came third. According to DFDS, its ‘café culture’ has grown in recent years, with new spots popping up all the time.
The best cities in Europe for hot chocolate
Here are the best cities in Europe for hot chocolate, according to research from DFDS.
- Budapest, Hungary
- Rome, Italy
- Bucharest, Romania
- Nice, France
- Lisbon, Portugal
- Strasbourg, France
- Athens, Greece
- Stockholm, Sweden
- Manchester, United Kingdom
- Brussels, Belgium
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