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Foodie 15: Where to Find Hot Cocoa in Tucson

Guide

Foodie 15: Where to Find Hot Cocoa in Tucson

by Matt SternerDec 18, 2024Updated Aug 4, 20263 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 spots

Black Crown Coffee Company

4024 East Speedway BoulevardMidtown

Perhaps one of the coolest spots to sip on a warm cup of hot cocoa is on the second floor of Black Crown Coffee. Cradle that hot drink and people-watch as folks walk up and down Speedway Boulevard. Or, invite some friends and get cozy around a board game! Milk alternatives are soy, oat, and almond.

Coffee Times Drive-Thru

3401 East Speedway BoulevardMidtown

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.

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Decibel Coffee Works

2631 East Broadway BoulevardUniversity & 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.

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.

Savaya Coffee Market

2959 North Swan RoadMidtown

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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Located at 5526 E. Grant Rd., @Casapitatucson serves Mediterranean and Middle Eastern favorites alongside American breakfast and burritos.

Owner Amna Al-Qaisi, known as Mama Amna, has spent more than two decades feeding Tucson. Originally from Iraq, she lived across eight countries throughout the Middle East, bringing those culinary traditions with her to Tucson.

Her family has operated several beloved Tucson restaurants over the years, including Sinbad’s, Geronimo’s, Gyro King, Arabic Express, and Golden Falafel.

In this video: Hummus, bulgur dip, fattoush salad, vegan falafel samoon, chicken shawarma, mixed grill + Dubai drink.❤️

Read @jackie_tran_’s article on Tucsonfoodie.comLocated at 5526 E. Grant Rd., @Casapitatucson serves Mediterranean and Middle Eastern favorites alongside American breakfast and burritos. Owner Amna Al-Qaisi, known as Mama Amna, has spent more than two decades feeding Tucson. Originally from Iraq, she lived across eight countries throughout the Middle East, bringing those culinary traditions with her to Tucson. Her family has operated several beloved Tucson restaurants over the years, including Sinbad’s, Geronimo’s, Gyro King, Arabic Express, and Golden Falafel. In this video: Hummus, bulgur dip, fattoush salad, vegan falafel samoon, chicken shawarma, mixed grill + Dubai drink.❤️ Read @jackie_tran_’s article on Tucsonfoodie.com
Join the Tucson Foodie team for a very special dinner at @sawmillrun. A culinary journey from the Sonoran Desert to the summit of Mount Lemmon. TOMORROW! Aug 15, 6-8pm.❤️ 

Tickets in bio.
MENU👇🌲

AMUSE:
Forest Floor
Hazelnut Soil • Whipped Goat Cheese • Black Garlic • Pickled Mushroom • Crispy Mushroom • Mountain Herbs

FIRST COURSE: 
Desert Oasis
Compressed Melon • Whipped Feta • Chiltepin Vinaigrette • Pickled Cucumber • Toasted Pepitas • Mint

SECOND COURSE: 
Campfire Embers
Roasted Bone Marrow • House Chorizo • Pickled Shallot • Cilantro • House-Made Blue Corn Tortilla

THIRD COURSE: 
Juniper Ridge
Juniper-Smoked Pork Belly • Charred Corn Succotash • Prickly Pear Gastrique • Dehydrated Jalapeños

PALATE CLEANSER:
Aspen Breeze
House-Made Lemon Sorbet • Candied Lemon • Fresh Mint

FOURTH COURSE: 
Granite Peak
Mesquite-Grilled Vera Earl Beef • Smoked Tomato Chimichurri • Charred Heirloom Tomato • Crispy Shallot

DESSERT: 
Summer on Mount Lemmon
Arizona Honeycomb Ice Cream • Roasted Willcox Peaches • Huckleberry Compote • Almond Streusel • Honey Tuile

#tucsonevents #tucsonfoodie #mtlemmonJoin the Tucson Foodie team for a very special dinner at @sawmillrun. A culinary journey from the Sonoran Desert to the summit of Mount Lemmon. TOMORROW! Aug 15, 6-8pm.❤️ Tickets in bio. MENU👇🌲 AMUSE: Forest Floor Hazelnut Soil • Whipped Goat Cheese • Black Garlic • Pickled Mushroom • Crispy Mushroom • Mountain Herbs FIRST COURSE: Desert Oasis Compressed Melon • Whipped Feta • Chiltepin Vinaigrette • Pickled Cucumber • Toasted Pepitas • Mint SECOND COURSE: Campfire Embers Roasted Bone Marrow • House Chorizo • Pickled Shallot • Cilantro • House-Made Blue Corn Tortilla THIRD COURSE: Juniper Ridge Juniper-Smoked Pork Belly • Charred Corn Succotash • Prickly Pear Gastrique • Dehydrated Jalapeños PALATE CLEANSER: Aspen Breeze House-Made Lemon Sorbet • Candied Lemon • Fresh Mint FOURTH COURSE: Granite Peak Mesquite-Grilled Vera Earl Beef • Smoked Tomato Chimichurri • Charred Heirloom Tomato • Crispy Shallot DESSERT: Summer on Mount Lemmon Arizona Honeycomb Ice Cream • Roasted Willcox Peaches • Huckleberry Compote • Almond Streusel • Honey Tuile #tucsonevents #tucsonfoodie #mtlemmon
LE BUZZ IS CELEBRATING 30 YEARS!🎉☕️

Tucson staple @lebuzzcaffeplaza celebrates 30 years of business on August 22, and we stopped by their Plaza Palomino location to try some of the August specials created just for this location.

🍒Tiki Cold Brew
Cherry-infused cold brew topped with cream of coconut cold foam

🥣Oatmeal Creme Pie Latte
Espresso, milk of choice, house-made oatmeal syrup and oatmeal creme pie cold foam

🎂Birthday Cake Latte
Espresso, milk of choice, house-made birthday cake syrup and birthday cake cold foam

And the food specials are just as tempting:

• Flan French Toast with flan caramel, house-made flan cream, whipped cream and fresh berries

• Croissant Croque Madame with Black Forest ham, Gruyère, mornay, chives and a sunny-side-up egg

Plus, we got to try some favorites from the main menu, including the quiche and soup, Summer Cobb Salad, LeVeggie Burger and Blueberry Brisket Burger.

2930 N. Swan Rd., Suite 130

Don’t wait too long to try the August specials!❤️

Read @jackie_tran_’s article on Tucsonfoodie.com 
#tucsonfoodie #tucsonfoodLE BUZZ IS CELEBRATING 30 YEARS!🎉☕️ Tucson staple @lebuzzcaffeplaza celebrates 30 years of business on August 22, and we stopped by their Plaza Palomino location to try some of the August specials created just for this location. 🍒Tiki Cold Brew Cherry-infused cold brew topped with cream of coconut cold foam 🥣Oatmeal Creme Pie Latte Espresso, milk of choice, house-made oatmeal syrup and oatmeal creme pie cold foam 🎂Birthday Cake Latte Espresso, milk of choice, house-made birthday cake syrup and birthday cake cold foam And the food specials are just as tempting: • Flan French Toast with flan caramel, house-made flan cream, whipped cream and fresh berries • Croissant Croque Madame with Black Forest ham, Gruyère, mornay, chives and a sunny-side-up egg Plus, we got to try some favorites from the main menu, including the quiche and soup, Summer Cobb Salad, LeVeggie Burger and Blueberry Brisket Burger. 2930 N. Swan Rd., Suite 130 Don’t wait too long to try the August specials!❤️ Read @jackie_tran_’s article on Tucsonfoodie.com #tucsonfoodie #tucsonfood
Sonoran Restaurant Week is back for its 8th year!🎉

❤️Restaurant owners: Applications close August 14. There is no cost to participate, and you’ll be included in Tucson Foodie’s biggest marketing campaign of the year, featuring print, online, social, radio, TV, menu previews, chef interviews, and more.

From September 4 to 13, local restaurants across Southern Arizona will come together for 10 days of incredible fixed-price menus, giving diners the perfect excuse to explore Tucson’s amazing food scene. 

#sonoranrestaurantweek #srw2026 
#tucsonfoodie #tucsonarizonaSonoran Restaurant Week is back for its 8th year!🎉 ❤️Restaurant owners: Applications close August 14. There is no cost to participate, and you’ll be included in Tucson Foodie’s biggest marketing campaign of the year, featuring print, online, social, radio, TV, menu previews, chef interviews, and more. From September 4 to 13, local restaurants across Southern Arizona will come together for 10 days of incredible fixed-price menus, giving diners the perfect excuse to explore Tucson’s amazing food scene. #sonoranrestaurantweek #srw2026 #tucsonfoodie #tucsonarizona