Exploring YYC Hot Chocolate Fest 2026

It’s that time of the year again when the YYC Hot Chocolate Festival takes over Calgary. Since its start in 2011, the festival has grown into a city-wide chocolate quest, with over 170 cafés, restaurants and chocolatiers competing each February for titles like: Best Hot Chocolate, Most Creative, Worth the Drive, and the iconic Cup That Runneth Over. 

This year, the @myucalgary team took it upon ourselves to tackle as many hot chocolates as possible, for science—and for a good cause! Most drinks cost between $6 and $10, which isn’t too bad for a student budget. $1 to $3 from every cup sold donated to Calgary Meals on Wheels, a local organization that delivers nutritious meals to those in need.

Here’s what we had to say about our favourites:

1. Good Trade Coffee Company – Tres Leches Hot Chocolate

Good Trade calls this a “dessert experience you can sip”, which is a very smart way of saying milk and cookies. Good Trade really captures the spirit of Hot Chocolate Fest by giving you a little treat as a drink topper. The sponge cake is good, but dunk it in your hot chocolate and it goes another level. Surprisingly not too sweet but so creamy and the combo of cake and cocoa is amazing. It’s a unique coffee shop in a unique building, definitely worth checking out. 

2. Hexagon Boardgame Cafe – Rightside Up

Hexagon takes a bold swing by naming a hot chocolate after the… let's say, “polarizing” reaction to the final season of Stranger Things. Don’t let the drama keep you from trying this drink out. The caramel, maple syrup and graham cracker dust on top of whipped cream is pure deliciousness. The hot chocolate itself is like the milk after a perfect bowl of sweet cereal. And the Eggo garnish really completes the Saturday morning cartoon vibes. The blueberry compote was perfect; the strawberry compote wasn’t my favorite, and the Eggo could have used another minute in the toaster, but all together this was a perfect package. 

3. Tsujiri Tea House – Chocolate Houjicha Latte

The combo of chocolate and houjicha is insanely good. The roasted tea flavor and aroma come through so clearly, warm and nutty with that gentle smoky note that instantly brought me to Japan. It tastes like dessert, but not in a too sweet way. Everything is balanced. The chocolate hugs the tea instead of drowning it. The vibe is cozy, indulgent, and special. 100% would go back.

4. Snowy Village Dessert Cafe – Blackout Mocha Crumble

The Blackout Mocha Crumble is a classic take on an old favorite. It’s all the best things about hot chocolate put together, reminding you why this drink is a staple during cold weather. The delicious dollops of fluffy whipped cream topped with Oreo crumbs were perfectly balanced with the rich chocolate and cocoa blend. The hints of coffee and Oreo are definitely the strongest part of the drink. Adding more there would have enhanced what is already a delectable drink. 

5. Oolong Tea House – Matcha White Chocolate Cheesecake

The drink isn’t overly sweet, which I loved. You can actually taste all three flavors of the drink, which are the creamy cheesecake flavor, the mellow sweetness of white chocolate, and the green tea matcha. The texture is thick and creamy, with airy cheesecake whip on top and crunchy graham crumble with berry drizzle for contrast. 

6. Terre Cafe – Terre’s Chocolate Orange

Orange and chocolate were a nice cross between sweet and tart and drink was smooth. The presentation was plain but would try again.

7.  Native Tongues – Chucho Y Chata

3/10, bland bordering on bitter with a very boring flavour. The drink is very creamy with great presentation but not worth the price and would not recommend.

8. Euphoria Café – Second Breakfast Hot Chocolate

Not only did it tickle the Lord of the Rings fan in me, but this hot chocolate was also delicious — a hearty balance of spiced chocolate and malt that made this feel like a meal. The crumbled shortbread (which acted as lembas bread) on top of cinnamon spiced whipped cream was the perfect addition to a very cozy, faithful homage to Hobbits. This drink was so good, it had me asking, “well, we’ve had one, yes, but what about second hot chocolate?” I give it 1 out of 1 ring to rule them all.

Now that the YYC Hot Chocolate Fest is over, what lingers is not only the sugar rush but also the experience. In the middle of a busy semester, going out for hot chocolate with friends and having a long talk felt like a small reset. It was fun trying new flavors, rating them together, and discovering cafes we’d never gone to before. 

We are already excited to see what crazy hot chocolate ideas show up in 2027!