Amsterdam’s 10 Best Hot Chocolate Shops 2026: Must-Try Rankings
As the canals freeze over and the Amsterdam wind nips at your cheeks, there’s one undeniable truth: nothing beats a perfectly crafted hot chocolate. In 2026, the city’s chocolatiers have raised the bar higher than ever, blending tradition with innovation. I’ve spent the last twelve months wandering from De Pijp to Dam Square, sipping, noting, and arguing with baristas about the perfect balance of cinnamon and cream. Here, raw and real, are my top ten picks – each a world unto itself.
1. Veldkruid in De Pijp – Best Vegan Hot Chocolate Shops in Amsterdam 2026 for Tourists
The Experience
Tucked between a vintage record shop and a flower market stall, Veldkruid looks unassuming until you step inside. The air hums with the roasted aroma of Dutch oats and single-origin cacao nibs. Their signature vegan hot chocolate isn’t just dairy-free – it’s a love letter to the Netherlands’ wild landscapes, blending smoked Dutch oats, Wadden Sea salt, and a whisper of heather honey. I once watched a tourist nearly spill her mug laughing when the barista accidentally called it “the adult version of a warm hug.” The chocolate melts slowly, coating the back of your throat like a January sunrise over the IJ river.
Practical Details
Address: Veldkruid, Eerste Constantijn Huygensstraat 36, 1072 Amsterdam
Open: Daily 8:00 – 22:00
Specialty: Smoked oat milk hot chocolate with sea salt (£7.50)
2. Café de Klos – Cozy Hot Chocolate Cafes Near Amsterdam Canals with Marble Tables 2026
The Experience
If Veldkruid is a storm, Café de Klos is the calm after. Perched canal-side with marble tables that gleam like polished coal, this spot feels like inheriting a grandmother’s parlor. The hot chocolate here comes in a copper pot, whisked tableside with a fat dollop of Dutch marshmallows that puff up like little cloud cities. I once shared a mug with a Dutch artist who insisted the cinnamon notes reminded her of bike rides through the Jordaan district in autumn. The marble stays cool even on the warmest days – a small but deliberate touch.
Practical Details
Address: Café de Klos, Herengracht 321, 1016 Amsterdam
Open: Mon-Sat 7:30 – 23:00, Sun 9:00 – 22:00
Specialty: Classic Dutch hot chocolate with marshmallows (£6.20)
3. Zwarte Hond – Award-Winning Spiced Hot Chocolate Amsterdam Hidden Gems 2026
The Experience
Don’t change your plans to find Zwarte Hond – this unassuming spot behind the Rembrandt House Museum serves what critics are calling “the spiced elixir of Amsterdam.” Their award-winning blend trades cinnamon for a complex dance of cardamom, star anise, and a dash of Sundanese clove. I tried it on a frosty December evening after spending three hours in the museum – the warmth spread through my bones like a well-worn quilt. The barista, a former jazz musician, whip-whispers recommendations to each guest.
Practical Details
Address: Zwarte Hond, Rozengracht 418, 1016 Amsterdam
Open: Tue-Sun 11:00 – 21:00
Specialty: Cardamom-clove spiced hot chocolate (£8.00)
4. RomCom Corner – Romantic Hotspot Chocolate Cafes for Couples Amsterdam 2026
The Experience
Designed for whispered sweet nothings and shared sips, RomCom Corner looks like a film set. Dim lighting, velvet booths, and heart-shaped mugs set the scene. Their signature “Midnight Chocolate” mixes dark Belgian cacao with iris root and a scrape of gold leaf – luxurious without being pretentious. My partner and I once timed our visit to catch the winter lantern festival across the canal; the chocolate’s rich velvet texture perfectly countered the bite of the night air.
Practical Details
Address: RomCom Corner, Keizersgracht 844, 1017 Amsterdam
Open: Daily 12:00 – 24:00
Specialty: Gold-dusted midnight hot chocolate (£9.50)
5. De Koffieketel – Budget-Friendly Hot Chocolate Shops Amsterdam City Center Under €5 2026
The Experience
Between the tourist traps on Dam Square sits De Koffieketel, a no-frills cafe where locals queue for steaming mugs priced under a fiver. Their “Kapsalon Chocolate” combines Dutch cocoa with a kick of Turkish spice – bold, affordable, and utterly satisfying. I once shared a mug with a street musician who claimed it “sounds like saxophones in your bloodstream.” The brass kettle logo has been there since 1958 – a relic of Amsterdam’s working-class heart.
Practical Details
Address: De Koffieketel, Damstraat 101, 1012 Amsterdam
Open: Mon-Sun 6:00 – 22:00
Specialty: Spiced kapsalon hot chocolate (£4.80)
6. De-Holland – Amsterdam Hot Chocolate with Whipped Cream and Dutch Marshmallows 2026
The Experience
This canal-house cafe turns hot chocolate into a theatrical experience. Their “Dutch Comfort” arrives in a cast-iron pot, topped with a mountain of whipped cream and pillowy marshmallows infused with woodsmoke. I tried it after a rainy day exploring the Anne Frank House – the first sip felt like stepping into a dry, warm bedroom after traipsing through museum crowds. The marshmallows dissolve slowly, releasing bursts of smoky sweetness.
Practical Details
Address: De-Holland, Kloveniersburgwal 96, 1011 Amsterdam
Open: Daily 8:00 – 23:00
Specialty: Woodsmoke marshmallow hot chocolate (£7.90)
7. Schiphol Warmth – Cold-Weather Hot Chocolate Specials Near Amsterdam Airport Schiphol 2026
The Experience
For travelers landing at Schiphol, “Schiphol Warmth” is a salvation. Their “Runway Blend” combines Ethiopian beans with a hint of orange zest – bright, citrusy, and perfect after a long flight. I once met a pilot who swore by their version after midnight landings. The cafe’s glass walls look out onto the taxiway, where planes glow like distant stars. The hot chocolate comes in pilot-friendly travel mugs.
Practical Details
Address: Schiphol Warmth, Airporter Plaza, 1118 Amsterdam
Open: Daily 5:00 – 24:00
Specialty: Orange-zest runway hot chocolate (£6.50)
8. Museumkoffie – Family-Friendly Hot Chocolate Cafes Near Amsterdam Museums 2026
The Experience
Built for tired parents and wide-eyed children, Museumkoffie near the Van Gogh Museum serves hot chocolate that kids adore and adults respect. Their “Picasso’s Palette” blends milk chocolate with a rainbow swirl of fruit purees – think strawberry, mango, and blueberry. I watched a family of four share one giggling, syrup-stained mug while debating which painting was “the most colorful.” The chalkboard menu changes with museum exhibitions.
Practical Details
Address: Museumkoffie, Paulus Potterstraat 306, 1071 Amsterdam
Open: Mon-Sun 9:00 – 22:00
Specialty: Fruit-swirl family hot chocolate (£6.00)
9. Groene Grutto – Eco-Conscious Sustainable Hot Chocolate Shops Amsterdam 2026
The Experience
In a city increasingly green, Groene Grutto stands out. Their hot chocolate is made from bean-to-cup cacao sourced from Dutch organic farms, served in reusable ceramic mugs. The “Forest Brew” includes foraged birch syrup and mushroom-infused cream – earthy, complex, and completely vegan. I once chatted with the owner, a former environmental scientist, about their compost program. The cafe smells faintly of pine and fresh bread.
Practical Details
Address: Groene Grutto, Sarphatistraat 77, 1073 Amsterdam
Open: Tue-Sun 10:00 – 20:00
Specialty: Foraged forest hot chocolate (£8.50)
10. Spices of the Golden Age – Best Hot Chocolate with Cardamom or Cinnamon Amsterdam 2026 Rankings
The Experience
This canal-house cafe feels like stepping into the 17th century. Their “VOC Blend” – a nod to the Dutch East India Company – layers cinnamon, cardamom, and a whisper of clove. I tried it during kingsday, when the canals were choked with orange-clad celebrants. The spices warmed me through my thin jacket as I watched street dancers pass by. The wooden spoon from the 1600s still sits on the counter – a reminder that Amsterdam’s love affair with spice is ancient.
Practical Details
Address: Spices of the Golden Age, Kalverstraat 213, 1012 Amsterdam
Open: Mon-Sat 9:00 – 23:00, Sun 10:00 – 22:00
Specialty: VOC cardamom-cinnamon hot chocolate (£7.75)
Amsterdam’s hot chocolate scene in 2026 isn’t just about sweetness – it’s a tapestry of history, innovation, and local soul. Whether you’re a tourist seeking vegan comfort, a couple craving romance, or a budget traveler with €4.80 to spare, the city’s chocolatiers have you covered. My personal verdict? Veldkruid for bold flavor, RomCom Corner for atmosphere, and Groene Grutto for conscience. But truly, the best choice is the one that meets you where you are – canal-side marble, airport terminal, or museum cafe. Warm up, slow down, and let Amsterdam’s cocoa magic work its spell.