Not a coffee drinker? Sip your way to happiness with these hot cups of chocolatey, corny goodness 

On a snowy day in Denver, nothing hits the spot quite like a warm cup of cocoa – that is, if you’re not in the mood for a cup of ‘Joe.’ With Denver’s deep cultural ties with the Latin community interwoven into the city’s history, traditional hot chocolate isn’t the only way to warm up on a chilly day.  

We’ve compiled a list of the best spots to find cocoa, champurrado and atole to heat you up from the inside out.  

Cocoa spots 

1. Santos Cafe & Grill – The perfect stop on a chilly morning in Denver, Santos Cafe & Grill has large portions, hefty for keeping you warm in the Colorado Snow. For hot chocolates they have a giant hot chocolate, most often served as a combo with a giant pink ‘concha,’ an excellent choice to share. Address: 1141 Syracuse St., Denver, CO 
    

2. Cultura – This cafe is known for its reputation of good chocolate. The Mexican American owned bean-to-bar chocolate makers have crafted their own niche in the local hot cocoa scene. This local chocolate maker does more than cocoas but a variety of drinking chocolates from Mexican and Haitian drinking cocoa, to champurrados and even a variety of atoles from a blue corn atole to an amaranth atole. Address: 3742 Morrison Road, Denver, CO 
    

3. Tí Cafe – If you are looking for the perfectly Instagramable cocoa, look no further than this Vietnamese-style cafe. This cafe is leaning into the holiday spirit with a Frostí hot chocolate which is a toffee hot chocolate with the cafe’s signature blue ‘kem’ (Vietnamese word for “cream”) and a Frostí Meringue. They also offer a Meltí s’mores classic hot chocolate with a giant, toasted marshmallow. Other seasonal offerings include iced latte drinks inspired by the beloved holiday character. Address: 30 North Broadway, Denver, CO 
    

4. Piece. Love. Chocolate. – If you’re looking for a thick European-style drinking chocolate, and were disappointed about last year’s closure of Churreria de Madrid, there are still some spots to find a warm cup of chocolate. If you are willing to make the drive to Boulder or even take the Flatiron Flyer, Piece. Love. Chocolate. has exactly the girth you might be looking for in a cocoa, and worth the trek to Boulder. They even serve an array of Cold frozen chocolate drinks as well as hot, including an entire shop full of hand-crafted truffles, macarons and cakes. Address: 805 Pearl St, Boulder, CO 

5. Stargazer – This small chocolate shop has a mighty reputation for quality-made chocolate in Denver. Hand crafter by their Master Chocolatier, Karen Ziegler, these European-style chocolates, truffles, and artisan bars have been crafted with a perfect balance of sweetness. With an assortment of chocolates and cafe dirnks, hot cocoa isn’t the only beverage on the menu. Address: 700 Colorado Blvd., Denver, CO 

Champurrado & Atole spots 

1. Tacotentos & Mas – This small, family-owned business is known for its quesabirria and tacos, combining the flavors of Mexican and Guatemalan cuisine, and Cuban-style sandwiches, it also a great place to stop for a warm cup of champurrado, a warm chocolate drink made from a corn “masa” base, made with Mexican chocolate and spiced with cinnamon and sometimes aniseed. If you are there on a cold day, it is also worth checking out their Birria Ramen. Address: 3054 W Mississippi Ave., Denver, CO 
    

2. Tonantzin Casa de Café – This cafe leans into southwestern culture with its Indigenous and Latin American style cuisine and coffee. This cafe is known for its Latin takes on coffee and atole drinks, a creamy, slightly sweet, beverage made from masa (cornstarch) and flavored with vanilla or cinnamon. They also serve Latin-inspired soups on colder days, breakfast empanadas and burritos. Address: 910 Santa Fe Drive Unit 6, Denver, CO 
    

3. Tortilleria Las 3 Americas – This tortillaria makes more than just hand-crafted, fresh, flour tortillas from scratch but also serves up a mean and delicious cup of creamy champurrado. Enjoy your delicious breakfast burrito with champurrado or simply grab a bag of fresh tortillas to snack on by themselves. 
    

4. Que Rico Mexican Restaurant – A perfect stop for a sweet or savory treat on a cold day in Denver, Que Rico offers everything from paletas to tacos and mini pancakes and even offers a champurrado seasonally. Address: 500 16th St. #184c, Denver, CO 
    

5. El Chalate – This restaurant focuses on Mexican and Salvadorian food where you can pair your warm atole with a delicious and cheesy pupusa, handheld tamale or a warm bowl of soup. Address: 8119 E Colfax Ave. Denver, CO