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Foodie 15: Where to Find Hot Cocoa in Tucson

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Foodie 15: Where to Find Hot Cocoa in Tucson

by Matt SternerDec 18, 2024Updated Feb 5, 20253 min read
When the temperatures dip and the desert nights get chilly, there's something especially neat about a steaming cup of hot cocoa. Tucson may be known for its sunshine, but this time of year, local cafes and shops are serving up cozy, chocolatey beverages that are worth seeking out. Whether you call it hot cocoa, hot chocolate, drinking chocolate, sweet-liquid-that-burns-my-tongue-if-I-drink-it-too-fast, etc., here’s where to find some of the best hot chocolate in Tucson.
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12 of 15 spots

Chez Peachy

501 N 6th Ave suite 101Downtown

It's hot and there's a lot of pink. Does that make it hot pink? Topped with pink whipped cream, marshmallows, and a little Hello Kitty character, Chez Peachy's Hot Chocolate with oat milk is both belly-warming and a sight to be seen.

Coffee Times Drive-Thru

3401 E Speedway BlvdMidtown

Comin' in hot is Coffee Times' hot chocolate, which can be made with soy, almond, coconut, or oat if you're not in the mood for dairy.  Disclaimer: the line is worth the wait so be patient, grab a hot one, and drive away with a big ol' smile.

Crave Coffee Bar

4530 E Broadway BlvdMidtown

The coffee at Crave is awesome but the hot chocolate is just as enjoyable. Pull up to the drive-thru window or pop a squat inside the comfy cafe. Aside from whole milk, they have almond, soy, half-and-half, and oat.

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Decibel Coffee Works

2631 E Broadway BlvdUniversity & 4th Ave

This thing's loaded! Whipped cream and chocolate syrup drizzled this way and that — it's a work of art, much like the MSA Annex. Pull up a chair and enjoy the warmth of the sun during Tucson's winter. Order this with whole milk, oat, almond, soy, or half-and-half.

Del Cielo Tamal Restaurant

3073 N Campbell AveMidtown

This colorful, casual eatery offers a menu with a section of vegan dishes, including tamales, vegan omelets, burritos, cheesecake, and warm cups of Mexican hot chocolate with oat milk. Stop by and say hi to the family this winter season.

Elevated Espresso

12903 North Sabino Canyon ParkMt. Lemmon

When you're at about 8,000 feet, you're going to need something to warm you up! Elevated Espresso comes in clutch with their hot coffee menu but the hot cocoa is just as soothing. Order it with soy or almond milk if you're not in the mood for dairy, and then walk around the pine trees and absorb nature.

EspresSoul Cafe

1525 N Wilmot RdMidtown

Just as decorative as it is tasty! During the holidays, chances are you'll get a gingerbread cookie dabbing (the pose/dance move). It's even fun enough to make someone like me look cool in public — hot cocoa mustache and all.

Ghini's French Caffe

1803 E Prince RdMidtown

Say bonjour to Ghini's Mexican Chocolate Hot Chocolate. This warm vessel is packed with rich chocolate, spices, whipped cream, and a cinnamon stick. Order it with whole milk, soy, or oat, and then grab some pastries from La Baguette Bakery on your way out.

Savaya Coffee Market

2959 N Swan RdMidtown

On Savaya's menu, you'll find their hot cocoa labeled as a Steamer. Plus, if you're feeling saucy, you can turn any of their organic syrups into a hot beverage — caramel, vanilla, and hazelnut to name a few. They have a rotating selection of milk alternatives like oat, soy, and macadamia nut milk.

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Scratch-made Japanese ramen goes far beyond instant noodles, with rich broths like tonkotsu, miso, and shoyu. Tucson has more specialty ramen shops than you might expect. Here’s where to find them around town.🍜

@ikkyu.tucson 
@jaramencurry 
@kiwamiramenbar 
@kukai___ 
@marujapanesenoodle 
@maruplusaz 
@obonsushi 
@raijinramen 
@theramenbartucson 
@tossfriedchickennramen 

More guides on Tucsonfoodie.comScratch-made Japanese ramen goes far beyond instant noodles, with rich broths like tonkotsu, miso, and shoyu. Tucson has more specialty ramen shops than you might expect. Here’s where to find them around town.🍜 @ikkyu.tucson @jaramencurry @kiwamiramenbar @kukai___ @marujapanesenoodle @maruplusaz @obonsushi @raijinramen @theramenbartucson @tossfriedchickennramen More guides on Tucsonfoodie.com
@Scentedleaf is opening a new location in the former Starbucks at Speedway and Country Club!!🥰

The locally owned tea shop celebrates its grand opening tomorrow, October 10, from 11 am to 9 pm, with 50% off all tea drinks and 25% off loose-leaf tea and merchandise.

📍3025 E. Speedway Blvd.@Scentedleaf is opening a new location in the former Starbucks at Speedway and Country Club!!🥰 The locally owned tea shop celebrates its grand opening tomorrow, October 10, from 11 am to 9 pm, with 50% off all tea drinks and 25% off loose-leaf tea and merchandise. 📍3025 E. Speedway Blvd.
The grand opening is TODAY, Oct. 8! 🎉

@istanbultucson is expanding with a second location, @istanbulmediterraneanexpress, at 5660 W. Cortaro Farms Rd. 

The fast-casual spot will feature about 75% of the original location’s menu, plus two exclusive dishes: build-your-own Turkish stuffed baked potatoes, known as Kumpir, and fresh-ground doner made in-house. The falafel plate and stuffed potatoes can also be made vegan. 

“The first restaurant taught us what our customers love most, so at Cortaro we’re focusing the menu around our most popular dishes while making the experience a little more casual and convenient. Most importantly, we’ve learned that no matter how much we grow, the quality of our food has to stay high every single day.” — Kamran Esar

Daily hours: 11am - 9pm

Read the article on Tucsonfoodie.comThe grand opening is TODAY, Oct. 8! 🎉 @istanbultucson is expanding with a second location, @istanbulmediterraneanexpress, at 5660 W. Cortaro Farms Rd. The fast-casual spot will feature about 75% of the original location’s menu, plus two exclusive dishes: build-your-own Turkish stuffed baked potatoes, known as Kumpir, and fresh-ground doner made in-house. The falafel plate and stuffed potatoes can also be made vegan. “The first restaurant taught us what our customers love most, so at Cortaro we’re focusing the menu around our most popular dishes while making the experience a little more casual and convenient. Most importantly, we’ve learned that no matter how much we grow, the quality of our food has to stay high every single day.” — Kamran Esar Daily hours: 11am - 9pm Read the article on Tucsonfoodie.com
Phoenix bakery @Proofbread is popping up in Tucson! 

Starting Friday, Oct. 9, the Phoenix-based sourdough bakery and stone flour mill will take over the two former @Cafefrancaisaz locations for a Tucson pop-up.

Expect naturally leavened country loaves, chocolate croissants with 81 layers of laminated dough, morning buns, ciabatta and more. 🥐🍞

📍 7831 E. Wrightstown Rd. 
📍 3855 E. Broadway Blvd. 

Both locations will be open 7 am-2 pm throughout October. If the pop-up is a success, Proof Bread says it could become a permanent Tucson operation. 

Read the article on Tucsonfoodie.comPhoenix bakery @Proofbread is popping up in Tucson! Starting Friday, Oct. 9, the Phoenix-based sourdough bakery and stone flour mill will take over the two former @Cafefrancaisaz locations for a Tucson pop-up. Expect naturally leavened country loaves, chocolate croissants with 81 layers of laminated dough, morning buns, ciabatta and more. 🥐🍞 📍 7831 E. Wrightstown Rd. 📍 3855 E. Broadway Blvd. Both locations will be open 7 am-2 pm throughout October. If the pop-up is a success, Proof Bread says it could become a permanent Tucson operation. Read the article on Tucsonfoodie.com