Sip some deliciously rich hot cocoa in the Lake George Area. This classic winter beverage warms up frostbitten hands and satisfies a sweet tooth after a day spent playing in the snow. While strolling the streets of our small towns, ditch the chill by stepping into one of many cozy cafés or inviting local spots to order a hot chocolate – complete with frothy whipped cream and fluffy marshmallows of course!
Featured Image: Kru Coffee; Photo by Jaynie Ellis
Lake George
Bank Cafe
Nestled into the snowbanks of the Lake George Village sits Bank Cafe, a turn-of-the-century bank rebuilt into a whimsical cafe featuring the original, working vault as a focal point in the dining area and interesting memorabilia of all sorts along the walls and windowsills. Doing some holiday shopping in the Lake George Village? Add a stop at Bank Cafe for a cup of their velvety hot cocoa that you can grab to-go. Or, sit-down and enjoy a meal off their all-day breakfast and lunch menu accompanied by a piping hot mug of the wintertime favorite.
Caffé Vero
Stepping into Caffé Vero you are instantly welcomed by the warm, rich aroma of coffee beans. Although that should come as no surprise because Caffé Vero is a “roasteria”, meaning their coffee roaster is on full display so customers can watch the roasting process. Not only do they specialize in delicious breakfasts, premium coffee drinks made with the finest Arabica coffee beans, and talented latte art, but also a decadent (and addictive) hot chocolate. Best enjoyed while strolling around the winter light displays throughout the Village.
Biscotti Brothers
The gateway into the Lake George Village, Warrensburg, and ski mecca Gore Mountain in North Creek via State Route 9 and Route 28, Biscotti Brothers should be your pit-stop before tackling a long day of winter recreation. Eat a hearty breakfast and fuel up on specialty coffee drinks, but nothing pairs better with their namesake homemade biscotti than a hot cocoa. For triple chocolaty flavor and melt-in-your-mouth goodness pair with a chocolate chocolate chip biscotti.
Lake George Coffee Co.
Blizzard in the forecast? You’ll need to grab some essentials while preparing to be snowed in, and that includes a cup of velvety hot chocolate from Lake George Coffee Co. served at Charlie’s Bar & Kitchen inside the Courtyard by Marriott Lake George. They also brew up some delicious coffee drinks and tea, and have alternate milk options for those who are dairy-free. So, order a hot cocoa for yourself and don’t forget drinks for the companions you chose to weather the storm with – they’ll appreciate the added warmth coming from a steaming beverage!
Lindt Chocolate Shop (located in The Factory Outlets of Lake George)
Skip out on all the the shivering and head straight to The Factory Outlets, making your first stop at the Lindt Chocolate Shop. We hope you have a sweet tooth - their coffee/hot chocolate bar lets you customize your hot cocoa with any flavor of Lindor truffle to be melted under steamed milk and topped with fresh whipped cream. This indulgent hot chocolate is guaranteed to keep you warm while shopping ’til you drop on a wintry day.
Event: Lake George Winter Carnival
Family fun every weekend in February! Join us locals in celebrating the season at the Lake George Winter Carnival by participating in activities like the cook-offs, outhouse races, and hot chocolate bar. The hot chocolate bar is a must-do, and is set up every Saturday in Shepard Park. Starting at 5:30 p.m. and served until gone, fill up a commemorative cup with steaming hot cocoa and all the toppings (click here to purchase tickets and reserve your souvenir mug). Festivities continue over the frozen lake with a 7 p.m. fireworks show – you’ll want to stay in the locale of Shepard Park for the best view.
Chestertown
Main Street Ice Cream Parlor
Main Street Ice Cream Parlor is an authentic 1950s diner serving up specialty burgers, fountain sodas, and signature sundaes. Well-known for their classic American fare and ice cream, any establishment that scoops cones is bound to also have a smooth and creamy hot chocolate. Just imagine sitting at the counter inside the retro-inspired diner sipping hot cocoa while watching snowflakes dust Main Street outside the window. You can almost hear a jukebox playing in the corner as you are transported back to the “Nifty Fifties”.
North Creek
Café Sarah
It may be cold outside, but Café Sarah is open for business! If you’ve been hitting the slopes in North Creek, the cozy atmosphere of Café Sarah is a great reprieve from the frigid temperatures. A hot chocolate and fresh-baked pastry are sure to hit the spot. The milky hot chocolate and cinnamon rolls dripping with regular sugar or maple glaze is a heavenly flavor combo. And, if the snow isn’t piled too high, pull up a seat by the window to admire the colorful North Creek Mosaic Project that flows down Main Street.
Barkeater Chocolates
Surrounded by snowcapped mountains, Barkeater Chocolates is a gourmet chocolate factory store that has made its home in North Creek – a winter recreation mecca. Their FlavorWow™ all-natural, non-GMO confections have become so popular they are sold at local retailers throughout the Lake George Area, meaning you are never far from a good chocolate bar. Pick up a tin of their decadent simplicity hot chocolate mix, or cinnamon and heat mixes for some added spice. The best way to enjoy Barkeater hot chocolate is in a newly purchased Barkeater novelty mug. On select Saturday afternoons stop-in for a Fleet of Sweets and sample a flight of hot beverages, including hot chocolates, paired with other treats to try before you buy.
Glens Falls
Kru Coffee
Unthaw inside of Kru Coffee with a cup of joe or hot cocoa. Kru is just one of the pivotal locally owned and operated businesses in flourishing downtown Glens Falls. The strong aroma of freshly ground java beans, contemporary atmosphere, and friendly baristas will invite you in to take a seat at their coffee counter. Heading out for some Adirondack Thunder Hockey? Stop at Kru Coffee beforehand and gear up for the chilly ice rink with a carefully crafted hot chocolate while you go over your game plan.
SPoT Coffee
The One Where You Order Hot Chocolate. If you’re a fan of Friends and always dreamed of enjoying a drink at Central Perk, SPoT Coffee is the next best thing. Central to downtown Glens Falls, this café is set up with comfortable couches and chairs for casual cups of coffee and memorable moments with your friends. Not just for adults to get their caffeine fix, SPoT Coffee has a kid’s menu and a delicious hot chocolate that everyone can appreciate.
[farmacy] restobar
Snow or shine, [farmacy] restobar serves up an exquisite dinner menu and an equally refined Sunday brunch spread. It’s time to get in the winter spirit! Order a seasonal “adult” hot chocolate a.k.a “drunken swiss miss”. This steaming mug of hot cocoa pairs nicely with their pancakes or loaded “breakfast!!!” plate. Don’t let the weather affect your appetite, [farmacy] is always concocting well-crafted drinks and dishes!
Queensbury
Cool Beans
Cool Beans, with two different locations in Queensbury (South Western Ave & Quaker Road), is convenient for breakfast and lunch with fast, friendly service. Our locals frequent these java shops for their signature roasts and seemingly endless syrup flavors. But, the next time you’re in town during the winter season we highly recommend ordering their hot chocolate – it’s just as good as their drip coffee, we promise!
Kelly’s Roots Café & Marketplace
Bringing West Coast-inspired food to Upstate New York, Kelly’s Roots Café & Marketplace is dedicated to clean eating and using the freshest ingredients in all of their menu items from pastries to parfaits. Kelly’s Roots also whips up fruity smoothies, lattes with a kick, and a classic hot cocoa from fond childhood memories of snow days past. Sip and snack in their chic dining room, or bring your furry friend and find a seat on the enclosed, heated deck. Don’t leave without getting a famous Baked by Jordan cupcake – forewarning, they sell out as fast as she can bake them!