Cool days and even cooler nights call for a piping-hot beverage that’s as sweet as it is delicious: hot chocolate! A drink everyone of any age can enjoy, sometimes a cup of hot cocoa is the only thing that can satisfy your sweet tooth when there’s a chill in the air. While the island is known for having beautiful weather year-round, it’s also not immune to colder days here and there. On these occasions, hot chocolate just hits the spot.
Here are our recommendations for the best hot chocolate on Hilton Head Island:
Paris Baguette
Grab & Go | Dine-In
95 Mathews Dr, Hilton Head Island, SC 29926 | Website
12oz: $5.49, 16oz: $5.99, 20oz: $6.49
Indulge in the ultimate treat at this cozy neighborhood café located on the north end of the island, where you’ll find an impressive menu filled with additional handcrafted hot and iced beverages. But of course, you’ll want to grab a cup of their creamy hot chocolate, featuring the rich and velvety flavor of San Francisco’s iconic Ghirardelli Dark Hot Cocoa. Topped with sweet cream, this drink will warm you right up and satisfy the tastebuds of any sweet tooth! Pair your cocoa with a savory or sweet pastry to enjoy inside the café, or take it to go.
Carolina Coffee & Crumbs
Grab & Go | Dine-In
101 Pope Ave, Hilton Head Island, SC 29928 | Website
12oz: $2.50, 16oz: $3
Headed to the beach for a morning stroll? Make a pit stop at Carolina Coffee and Crumbs to pick up a hot cup of cocoa (or cup of joe), before walking across the street to award-winning Coligny Beach. Just make sure you’ve parked in beach parking first!
The most convenient place to pick up a quick breakfast and a delicious hot or iced handcrafted beverage, this coffee shop is located within Coligny Beach Plaza and is open seven days a week from 7am to 3pm. Hot chocolate is a fan favorite on a drink menu that offers regular coffee and espresso drinks, lattes, and even coffee cocktails!
Palmetto Bay Sunrise Café
Dine-In
86 Helmsman Way, Hilton Head Island, SC 29928 | Website
One Size: $3.25
Tucked inside Palmetto Bay Marina, Palmetto Bay Sunrise Café is one of the best spots to grab breakfast, brunch, or even lunch on Hilton Head Island. The marina is a quiet and peaceful retreat for travelers hoping to enjoy a delicious meal with friends, family, and the family’s pet dog! Not only does this café have a menu packed with favorite breakfast dishes like Biscuits and Gravy, Eggs Benedict, and more, but their hot chocolate is one of our favorites and makes a classic compliment to any brunch.
Corner Perk
Grab & Go | Dine-In
45 Pembroke Dr, #120 Hilton Head Island, SC 29926 | Website
12 oz: $3.50
While this location is a relatively new addition to the island, the Corner Perk has been a staple in the Lowcountry for years. The Hilton Head Island location has become a fast favorite and makes it easier to grab your favorite drink or try something new. Just like any of the warm or iced beverages whipped up at Corner Perk, the hot chocolate is simply delicious and made with their house mocha sauce. Check to see if there are any seasonal flavors available when you stop in!
Pro Tip: If you’re headed out to Old Town Bluffton to do a bit of exploring, make a pit stop at the Bluffton Corner Perk and pick up a hot cocoa there, too!
Watusi Café
Dine-In
71 Pope Ave, Hilton Head Island, SC 29928 | Website
One Size: $4.25
Located just off Pope Avenue on the south end of the island, Watusi Café is also a great pick for breakfast or brunch. While you won’t find any “hot cocoa” on the drink menu, you will find their “Steamer,” a flavored steamed milk that’s topped with whipped cream. For our purposes, we recommend the chocolate toasted marshmallow, but other flavors include cinnamon and vanilla, as well as raspberry white mocha. This family-owned café is very popular, so join their waitlist as the restaurant does not offer reservations.
