The festive season is upon us, which means it’s time to ditch your morning Starbies’ White Mocha for something a little more celebratory. Naughty or nice, everyone deserves to enjoy the holiday spirit in a mug, perhaps with a little marshmallow on top, to side hoodie-clad breakup rants, never-ending assignment cramming days-turned-weeks and trauma-bonding winter walking dates alike. Whatever your reason may be for seeking this well-deserved nostalgic treat, here are 14 spots around Cairo you can get the spice from.
Ovio
Branches all over Cairo
A classic hangout spot for as long as we can remember, Ovio channels the Christmas spirit in a cup with their marshmallow-topped hot chocolate, possibly sided with a delicious selection of adorable Christmas cookies. Also, the little red & green coasters turn the experience right into a scene from a Hallmark movie.
House of Cocoa
Branches all over Cairo
Serving us chocolate goodness whenever we need it (AKA always, but especially around a particularly oestrogen-deficient time of the month), our home away from home is serving an extra-festive variation of their melt-in-your-mouth, melt-your-heart chocolate spoons for a truly jolly experience.
30 North
Branches all over Cairo
Artisan brewery and roastery 30 North is as crafty with its hot cocoa as it is with its caffeinated counterparts, giving us the classic good kush plus its peanut-butter-infused cuter twin. Besides, if you decide to get your hot choco with a little energetic twist, you can always opt for their brownie northino, snickers or lotus latte.
Flori
Sheikh Zayed
Giving you springtime in Decemeber, Flori is the pink heaven you can head to to fully envelop yourself in more than your new pink petticoat (those are in this year, no?) - bonus points if you top it all off with an all-pink cheesecake shake, or just pink marshmallows in your hot cocoa.
Bittersweet
Sheikh Zayed
As if their adorable autumnal Nightmare Before Christmas vibe wasn’t enough to draw us as soon as the halls were decked, Bittersweet’s hot cocoa brings a new definition to artisanal hot chocolate, with real melted milk chocolate & briskly roasted marshmallows. If you’re a feeling a bit spicier, though, the cafe gives you a chilli twist on the liquid dessert.
Brown Nose Coffee
Branches all over Cairo
Every girl boss’s favourite low-exposure Instagram story star is jingling our bells with their absolutely delicious hot cocoa - straight off Santa’s mantel, potentially featuring a mint twist. Besides, they’re caffeine-addict-friendly, having concocted an eggnog-reminiscent holiday espresso blend that is nearly as wholesome as our favourite sweet drink.
TBS
Branches all over Cairo
Nothing beats the classics; what could possibly top the overwhelming familiarity of running into your neighbourhood from the rain and getting a hot cup of hot cocoa? For extra quirk points, make it strawberry or hazelnut - the spirit is still there.
Simonds
Branches all over Cairo
Of course, pastry and coffee centurion Simonds did not sit back and miss out on the chocolate goodness in a cup of hot cocoa. Quite the contrary, the national icon has gone full Christmas lane, with the festive layout your Instagram craves. Swipe left for the sweetest possible cup of hot cocoa.
Holm
Zamalek
When people say you should liquify your assets, they probably mean melt your chocolate into a cup of hot cocoa - which is exactly what every Zamalek hot girl’s favourite cafe, Holm, is doing. And we’re absolutely there for it - us and our holiday assignments.
Beano’s
Branches all over Cairo
Designated study/work spot Beano’s has always been our go-to for quirky coffee concepts - but they just extended their field to non-caffeinated hugs-in-a-cup, giving us perfectly put-together dark hot chocos and a date molasses twist on the traditional hot cocoa. There’s also the sugar-rush-inducing caramel or vanilla swirls for the group's sweet tooths.
Cilantro
Branches all over Cairo
This year, our gift under the tree is Cilantro’s new cinnamon cookies: the perfect pairing for their perfectly weighted, perfectly blended hot chocolate. For good measure, ask for an addition of their homemade marshmallow fluff, a delicious innovation ensuring you get your marshmallow in every sip.
Paul
Branches all over Cairo
Being an eternal pan-Cairo brunch hotspot, it’s no secret Paul has its hot chocolate down to an art. The restaurant’s cocoa dream is an elegant melt of milk chocolate and creamer that takes you on a journey of flavour in a few sips.
Cake Cafe
Branches all over Cairo
To channel Little Women Christmas energy and reminisce over the power of sisterhood with your besties this Christmas season, head to your nearest Cake cafe for a soul-fortifying sweet treat with an even sweeter treat in a cute little vintage cup for your IG sweetheart dreams.
Sip
Branches all over Cairo
Instead of the usual intensely caffeinated Sip & cry over assignments study dates, a more chocolate-oriented less-caffeinated venture can be made in honour of the merry season, with Sip’s very own expertly balanced hot chocolate adventures.
