OK, so Dubai isn’t exactly freezing – like, ever – but that doesn’t mean a hot chocolate once in a while would go amiss. Even if just for a cheeky substitute for your usual tea or coffee.

Now, hot chocolate is one of those things that can be really bad – think watery, boiling hot and grey – or beyond amazing and overflowing with cream. Here are the best places to get the latter.

Angelina…

Strong, old fashioned (and insanely thick) hot chocolate is Angelina’s signature drink, and there’s a reason for that: it’s absolutely divine. At AED 39 it’s more than you’d pay at somewhere like Starbucks – but the taste and quality are incomparable. Firstly, it comes served in actual silverware – yep, fancy – and secondly, Angelina is where Coco Chanel used to and sit every single day in Paris. You don’t really get much chicer than that. With shops in Mall of the Emirates and The Dubai Mall, your next shopping trip demands a visit.

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Laduree…

Yes, this place does some killer macarons, but you know what washes them down beautifully? A couple of cups of almost solid, glossy and rich hot chocolate. The ‘chocolat chaud Laduree’ is AED 35, or AED 38 with the addition of Chantilly cream (come on, let’s do it properly shall we). With branches in The Dubai Mall and JBR The Beach you can indulge no matter which side of town you find yourself on. Although, if you’re at the beach branch, be prepared to bump into Sheikh Mo, as apparently he’s a bit of a regular…

Caffe Nero…

If you want to get involved with some gourmet sippage on a budget, look no further than Caffe Nero. Their incredibly thick hot chocolate ‘Milano’ starts at AED 18 for a small cup, and is made with cream like the fancier places. Super chocolatey, the right side of dense and devilishly moreish, one of the best things about getting your fix from here is the paper take-out cup…you can totally pretend it’s a coffee. Every. Single. Day. (Finish it off right with this totally delicious White Chocolate Caramel Shortbread recipe!)

Pantry Cafe…

If you don’t want your hot beverage to possibly give you a heart attack, then Pantry Cafe’s offering might be more your style. They offer cups that fall in the middle of all the good extremes: sweet but not too sweet, creamy but not overwhelmingly so. The price isn’t bad either, at AED 22 – and you can add whipped cream and marshmallows for a little extra. The best bit though, apart from the arty presentation, is the inclusion of Valrhona dark chocolate chips. So, so good. Try it for yourself in either Business Bay or Al Wasl square.

Godiva…

It’s not surprise that Godiva is on this list, is it? As one of the most renowned chocolatiers, these guys know what to do with those cocoa beans. And their hot choc is no exception. Served with a generous dollop of whipped cream as a centre piece, this version if silky smooth and beautifully sweet – like a hug in a mug. At AED 40 their ‘Hot Chocolixir’ is almost twice the price of some others listed here, but it’s still more than worth the splurge. Check it out for yourself at one of their branches in The Dubai Mall or JBR The Beach.

Debauve and Gallais…

If you want to make an afternoon of it, you can’t go wrong with Debauve and Gallais, which is hidden away down in DIFC. The ‘chocolate chaud de Marie Antoinette’ is for serious connoisseurs and will set you back a decadent AED 49, but the lavish surroundings (think the aforementioned Marie Antoinette and add a bit more pomp and swagger) are worth the price tag. Don your best twinset and pearls and stick your little finger out to indulge in this creamy, chocolatey cup of deliciousness. (Why stop there? Check out The 6 Most Instagrammable Desserts in Dubai Right Now)

Now read: The six best places to get brownies in Dubai