Food & Drink

Some of the best places to grab a hot chocolate in Greater Manchester

Our picks for the places to hit up to cure your chocolate cravings.

Emily Sergeant - 18th March 2021

We all crave that chocolate taste every now and then.

Those with a sweet tooth will probably know that feeling all too well, but even for those who favour savoury or keep chocolate as a treat for special occasions, it’s hard to ignore cravings when they come.

For many, a hot chocolate is the perfect antidote to those cravings, especially when it’s a little on the chilly side out.

And right here in Greater Manchester, there’s plenty of independents whipping up some of the best hot chocolates you’ve ever seen, so if you find yourself in the city centre or a little further out this weekend and you’re looking to treat yourself, we’ve rounded up some of the best places that are #StillServingMCR and open for walk-ins to head on down to and grab yourself a takeaway hot chocolate.

There’s never been a more important time to support local.

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Pot Kettle Black

Barton Arcade

While PKB may be known for it’s “Antipodean coffee culture with a Northern accent”, don’t count out the luxurious hot chocolates served from the Barton Arcade takeout hatch in the heart of the city centre – it couldn’t be easier to grab as you go.

Barton Arcade, Deansgate, Manchester, M3 2BW

• Thursday – Sunday: 10am – 3pm

You can find more information via the PKB website here.

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Grindsmith

Bridge Street & Media City

Another beloved Manchester independent that’s famed nationwide for its freshly-roasted coffee offering, but when it comes to hot chocolates, Grindsmith certainly know what they’re doing here too.

Both the Bridge Street and Media City sites are currently open for takeout.

62 Bridge Street, Manchester, M3 3BW | Unit 5&6, The Garage, Media City UK, Salford, M50 2EQ

• Monday – Friday: 8am (Media City only) / 9am – 4pm
• Saturday & Sunday: 9am – 4pm

You can find more information via the Grindsmith website here.

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Michael’s Coffee House

Royal Exchange Arcade

Tucked away in the Royal Exchange Arcade, just off Cross Street in the heart of the city centre, Michael’s Coffee House may have coffee in its name, but there’s a selection of luxury, seasonal and customisable hot chocolates to choose from too.

Open daily for takeout, it couldn’t be easier to grab and go.

Unit 20, Royal Exchange Arcade, Manchester, M2 7EA

• Monday – Saturday: 9am – 8pm
• Sunday: 10am – 6pm

You can find more information via the Michael’s Coffee House website here.

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Alex’s Bakery

Great Northern

One of Great Northern’s many hidden gems, Alex’s Bakery knows a thing or two about sweet treats and when it comes to hot chocolates, you can’t go wrong with a takeout cup topped full of whipped cream, marshmallows and more.

There’s also plenty of cupcakes, brownies and cookies too, if you really fancy treating yourself.

Great Northern, 225 Deansgate, Manchester, M3 4EN

• Monday – Saturday: 10am – 5pm
• Sunday: 11am – 5pm

You can find more information via the Alex’s Bakery website here.

Cocoa Cabana

Ancoats & Didsbury

A popular stop-off for Ancoats and Didsbury locals, artisan chocolatiers Cocoa Cabana is currently open for all your takeaway hot chocolate needs, and with over 12 varieties on the menu – everything from classic cocoa, to Kinder Bueno, Biscoff, peanut butter and more – you’ll be spoilt for choice.

7 Murray Street, Ancoats, Manchester, M4 6HS | 168 Burton Road, West Didsbury, Manchester M20 1LH

• Wednesday – Sunday: 10am – 6pm

You can find more information via the Cocoa Cabana website here.

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Slattery

Whitefield

You only have to say the name Slattery to a Mancunian and you’ll hear rave reviews, because if anyone knows a thing or two about chocolate round these parts, it’s this Whitefield favourite, and now, Slattery’s famous Swiss-style hot chocolate – available in either milk or white chocolate, and with a range of chocolate toppings – is ready to takeaway.

197 Bury New Road, Whitefield, Bury, M45 6GE

• Tuesday – Saturday: 9am – 5pm

You can find more information via the Slattery website here.

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The Chocolate Cafe

Ramsbottom

If you’re looking for the best of the best, then you really can’t go wrong with a place that has chocolate in the name, as the award-winning The Chocolate Cafe chocolate café in Ramsbottom has a range of luxury hot chocolates to take away, topped with whipped cream, chocolate curls, marshmallows and chocolate sauce, or customisable with syrups and boozy shots.

2 Bolton Street, Ramsbottom, Bury, BL0 9HX

• Thursday – Saturday: 10:30am – 4:30pm

You can find more information via The Chocolate Cafe website here.

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GK Tea Room

Salford

The extensive menu at this unique Salford tea room joined to an art gallery means you’ll never have to have the same drink twice, and when it comes to the takeaway hot chocolate offering, there’s the option to keep it simple, or go for the full works loaded with whipped cream and marshmallows.

There’s even a vegan hot chocolate option available too.

GK Gallery & Tea Room, 272 Chapel Street, Salford, M3 5JZ

• Tuesday & Friday: 11am – 2pm
• Saturday & Sunday: 10am – 4pm

You can find more information via the GK Tea Room website here.

Cocoa Tree

Chorlton

They take the art of hot chocolate so seriously at this ever-popular independent Chorlton chocolatier, that you’re given the option to build your own perfect cup from scratch, by first choosing type of chocolate, all the way through to the speciality syrup shots and luxury toppings.

A number of vegan options are also available too.

492 Wilbraham Road, Chorlton-cum-Hardy, Manchester, M21 9AS

• Monday – Sunday: 9:30am – 5:30pm

You can find more information via the Cocoa Tree website here.

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Grandpa Greene’s

Diggle

How can a canal-side ice cream parlour in a little Oldham village serve up some of the best hot chocolates in the region?

Ice cream may be the speciality, but with a takeaway cups coming topped with whipped cream, marshmallows, chocolate extras and even some jaw-dropping limited edition seasonal specialities, don’t knock the hot chocolates at Grandpa Greene’s until you’ve tried them.

Ward Lane, Diggle, Saddleworth, Oldham, OL3 5JT

• Monday – Sunday: 9am – 5pm

You can find more information via the Grandpa Greene’s website here.

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Pure Cocoa Fine Chocolates

Hazel Grove

Before the world as we once knew it was flipped on its head, visitors to this popular Hazel Grove independent could watch the chocolatiers making a range of luxury chocolates on site while relaxing with a hot chocolate in the cafe.

While that may be on hold for now, Pure Cocoa is luckily still whipping up some of the finest hot chocolates to take away.

2A Commercial Road, Hazel Grove, Stockport, SK7 4AA

• Tuesday – Saturday: 9am – 4pm

You can find more information via the Pure Cocoa Fine Chocolates website here.

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Frederick’s

Wigan

Another ice cream parlour with a North West cult following, the Wigan branch of Frederick’s – tucked away in the Mesnes Park pavilion in the heart of the town centre – is also known as a pretty big deal when it comes to whipping up deluxe hot chocolates to takeaway too.

It really is the place to properly treat yourself.

The Pavilion on Mesnes Park, Mesnes Park, Wigan, WN1 1TU

• Monday – Friday: 8:30am – 5:30pm
• Saturday – Sunday: 9:30am – 5:30pm

You can find more information via the Frederick’s website here.

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