Cold Days Call for Hot Chocolate — Where to Sip in Northeastern PA
Winter in NEPA calls for warm gloves, cozy scarves, and—most importantly—a rich cup of hot chocolate. As temperatures drop and snow continues to pile up, local coffee shops and cafés are welcome places to slow down and warm up. Whether you’re thawing out after a morning on NEPA’s ski slopes or taking a break from a winter walk on the trails, there’s something comforting about wrapping your hands around a steamy mug of hot chocolate.
From downtown cafés to intimate bistros, Northeastern PA is full of spots serving this classic winter drink. Some keep it simple with a smooth, creamy base, while others add whipped cream, chocolate shavings, flavored syrups, or even a scoop of ice cream. However you like your hot chocolate, these local spots offer a cozy excuse to pause, warm up, and enjoy the season—one sip at a time.
Wilkes-Barre, PA
Abide Coffeehouse in downtown Wilkes-Barre serves comforting hot chocolate in a bright and welcoming space. This community-focused coffee shop also offers espresso drinks, breakfast items, waffles, sandwiches and smoothies.
Must Try: Apple Pie Hot Chocolate featuring rich cocoa with apple-pie syrup sweetness
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West Pittston, PA
Ballyhoo Ice Cream and Candy in West Pittston serves classic hot chocolate in a nostalgic soda fountain setting. This old-fashioned shop is also known for hand-dipped ice cream, milkshakes, floats, sundaes, and a wide selection of vintage-style candies.
Must Try: Homemade Bourbon Caramel Hot Chocolate with house-made whipped cream
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Pittston, PA
Coffee Inclusive in Pittston serves hot chocolate topped with fresh whipped cream and available in a variety of flavors. This nonprofit coffee shop and bakery also offers espresso drinks, teas, and scratch-made pastries in a welcoming downtown setting overlooking the Susquehanna River.
Must Try: Hot Chocolate topped with fresh whipped cream, with flavor options like caramel, and rotating seasonal varieties.
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Hawley, PA
Cocoon Coffee House in Hawley offers hot chocolate that feels right at home inside the historic Hawley Silk Mill. This café also serves coffee, espresso drinks, pastries, and seasonal breakfast and lunch favorites.
Must Try: Classic Hot Chocolate made with Moka Origins chocolate
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Pittston & Shavertown, PA
Drip Coffee Co. serves hot chocolate at its Pittston and Shavertown locations. This modern coffee shop also offers espresso drinks, flavored coffees, teas, and quick grab-and-go pastries and treats. And be sure to check out their seasonal menus!
Must Try: Classic Hot Chocolate with toasted marshmallow flavoring
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Tamaqua, PA
Hope & Coffee in Tamaqua serves hot chocolate in a cozy downtown coffeehouse. In addition to coffee and tea drinks, the menu features breakfast sandwiches, paninis, soups, salads, and pastries.
Must Try: Classic Hot Chocolate topped with whip cream and chocolate drizzle
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Jenkins Twp., PA
J&L Coffeehouse in Pittston offers hot chocolate as part of its rotating lineup of café drinks. This neighborhood coffee shop also serves espresso drinks, bagels, breakfast sandwiches, wraps, and paninis.
Must Try: Hot Chocolate Latte with peppermint and Espresso
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Shavertown, PA
KB’s Coffee House in Shavertown serves classic hot chocolate alongside hearty breakfast and lunch plates. This family-owned café is known for all-day breakfast, rotating coffee flavors, and comfort-focused meals.
Must Try: Classic Hot chocolate with whipped cream and chocolate drizzle
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Honesdale, PA
Moka Origins in Honesdale serves thick, chocolate-forward hot cocoa made from its own bean-to-bar chocolate. This café and chocolate factory also offers espresso drinks, brewed coffee, and pastries crafted with ethically sourced ingredients.
Must Try: “Drinking chocolate“ made with shaved, bean-to-bar Moka Origins chocolate
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Scranton, PA
Northern Light Espresso Bar & Café in Scranton serves rich and creamy hot cocoa. The café also offers espresso drinks, teas, soups, sandwiches, quiche, and baked goods in a relaxed downtown space.
Must Try: S’Mores Hot Chocolate with gingerbread and toasted marshmallow syrup
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Jim Thorpe, PA
Perch at Jim Thorpe serves hot cocoa at its popular downtown breakfast café. The menu also features house-made bagels, breakfast sandwiches, smoothies, and casual lunch options.
Must Try: Hot cocoa bomb made by Lola’s Confessions
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Wilkes-Barre, PA
Pour Coffee House in downtown Wilkes-Barre makes hot chocolate that’s rich and creamy, ideal for a cold-weather café stop. The shop also serves espresso drinks, teas, bagels, muffins, and other baked goods.
Must Try: Peppermint Hot Chocolate with whipped cream, peppermint pieces and chocolate drizzle
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Pottsville, PA
Pressed Coffee & Books in Pottsville offers hot chocolate that pairs naturally with browsing shelves and settling in with a book. This coffee shop and bookstore also serves espresso drinks, teas, and sweet or savory crepes.
Must Try: Classic Hot Chocolate with salted caramel flavor and cold foam
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Freeland, PA
Slims Cafe in Freeland serves hot chocolate alongside its creative lineup of coffee and specialty drinks. The cafe also offers breakfast sandwiches, waffles, lunch favorites, and house-baked desserts.
Must Try: Classic Hot Chocolate finished with a torched marshmallow
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Stroudsburg, PA
Sweet Creams Café in Stroudsburg serves hot chocolate made with steamed chocolate milk and vanilla ice cream for a richer sip. This café and ice cream shop also offers espresso drinks, comfort food, and house-made ice cream.
Must Try: Mint Chip Hot Chocolate
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Plains, PA
The Blend in Plains serves hot chocolate alongside its lineup of handcrafted café drinks. This community coffee shop also offers espresso beverages, bagels, breakfast sandwiches and more, with cozy seating and a convenient drive-thru for quick stops.
Must Try: Hot Chocolate made fresh with steamed milk, customizable with flavor add-ins.
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Wilkes-Barre, PA
The Burnt Norton in Wilkes-Barre serves hot chocolate alongside its brunch and daytime offerings. Known primarily as a brick-oven restaurant, the menu also includes coffee drinks, brunch dishes, and baked items.
Must Try: Belgian Chocolate Hot Chocolate served with a house-made marshmallow
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Wilkes-Barre, PA
The Crafty Stir in Wilkes-Barre serves hot chocolate inside Mohegan Pennsylvania, making it an easy stop between shows or casino visits. This coffee shop also offers espresso drinks, brewed coffee, pastries, and grab-and-go breakfast items.
Must Try: Classic Hot Chocolate with a shot of Kahlua
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Tunkhannock, PA
Tioga Bistro in Tunkhannock serves both classic and espresso-style hot chocolate in a café setting just steps from the Dietrich Theater. The bistro also offers espresso drinks along with breakfast, lunch, and baked treats.
Must Try: White Hot Chocolate
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Scranton, PA
Zummo’s Café in Scranton serves hot chocolate as part of its everyday café drink menu. This neighborhood café also offers coffee and tea drinks, baked goods, and rotating lunch items like soups, sandwiches, and quiche.
Must Try: Classic Hot Chocolate steamed with Blue Ribbon Farm Dairy chocolate milk
Learn MoreArticle Updated from its Original Version Published on 12/11/2019.
5 Hot Chocolate Spots in NEPA
