The best places to enjoy hot chocolate and skating in Ontario
Habitual Chocolate | Woodstock
Unwind and connect with family and friends at these cozy cafes and restaurants serving the best hot chocolate, warm beverages and tasty treats near ice skating rinks across Ontario.
Note: Always check the hours of the ice rinks and cafes before you visit.
Toronto and Greater Toronto Area (GTA)
Rooster Coffee House
Skate at Riverdale Park as you take in the city views. Then walk to Rooster Coffee House for hot chocolate with marshmallows. This cozy cafe also serves almond lattes, loose-leaf tea and baked goods.
Rooster Coffee House, 479 Broadview Avenue, Toronto
Riverdale Park East Skating Rink, 610 Broadview Avenue, Toronto
Hello Coffee
After skating laps at the Sid Smith Artificial Ice Rink in Christie Pits Park, take a short walk to Bloor Street West, where you’ll see Hello Coffee’s vibrant blue exterior. The inside of the cafe matches its bright and cheerful external decor. This charming spot features muffins, pastries, coffee, tea and hot chocolate. Milk alternatives include almond, soy, oat and macadamia.
Locations:
Hello Coffee, 800 Bloor Street West, Toronto
Sid Smith Artificial Ice Rink, 777 Crawford Street, Toronto
Demetres Bramalea
A short drive from Chinguacousy Park Winter Skate Trail, Demetres offers a delicious dessert menu. Seasonal selections include waffles, crepes, cakes and ice cream made in-house. Pair with a Belgian chocolate macchiato, or a hot cocoa topped with a torched artisan marshmallow.
Locations:
Demetres, 50 Peel Centre Drive, Brampton
Chinguacousy Park Winter Skate Trail, 9050 Bramalea Road, Brampton
Niagara
Il Gelato di Carlotta
Located on the historic Queen Street in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Il Gelato di Carlotta is known for its delicious gelato treats. You can enjoy lattes, delightful Italian donuts, bombolini and rich hot chocolate. This charming shop is a great place to visit after skating at The Ice Rink in The Gardens at Pillar and Post
Locations:
Il Gelato di Carlotta, 59 Queen Street, Niagara-on-the-Lake
The Gardens at Pillar and Post, 526 Regent Street, Niagara-on-the-Lake
Bruce, Grey and Simcoe
Harrison Park Inn Restaurant
Harrison Park Inn Restaurant is conveniently located within Harrison Park, a gorgeous, 40-hectare urban playground in Owen Sound. This restaurant boasts scenic dining with extensive menu options that covers breakfast, lunch, dinner, desserts and hot drinks (including hot chocolate).
Public skating is available at Good Cheer Rink in Harrison Park on even-numbered days.
Locations:
Harrison Park Inn Restaurant, 137 2nd Avenue East, Owen Sound
Harrison Park Good Cheer Rink, 75 2nd Avenue East, Owen Sound
York, Durham and Headwaters
Cork & Bean
Enjoy quality hot drinks, such as hot chocolate, drip coffee and a matcha latte at the Cork & Bean, a rustic cafe in the heart of Oshawa. There’s no better way to warm up after skating at the Donevan Recreation Complex Arena.
Locations:
Cork & Bean, 8 Simcoe Street North, Oshawa
Donevan Recreation Complex Arena, 171 Harmony Road South, Oshawa
Kawarthas and Northumberland
The Pink Cafe
Celebrating the colour pink in its decor and menu items such as “pink dog” and “pink loaf,” this whimsical cafe in Cobourg offers a wide variety of hot drinks and is just a short walk from the Rotary Harbourfront Outdoor Skating Rink.
Locations:
The Pink Cafe, 205 3rd Street, Unit 6, Cobourg
Rotary Harbourfront Rink, 35 Albert Street, Cobourg
Hamilton, Halton and Brant
SYNONYM Shop
Located on Hamilton’s popular James Street, SYNONYM is a cafe bistro that specializes in hot drinks and treats and celebrates community and culture. It’s a short drive from the public skating at Hamilton Waterfront Outdoor Rink at Pier 8.
Locations:
SYNONYM Shop, 328 James Street North, Hamilton
Hamilton Waterfront Outdoor Rink—Pier 8, 47 Discovery Drive, Hamilton
Lola Choco Bar and Sweet House
This charming cafe in downtown Burlington’s Village Square serves homemade pastries and other delightful treats to enjoy with hot chocolate. Plus, it’s a short drive from Burlington Rotary Centennial Pond in Spencer Smith Park.
Locations:
Lola Choco Bar, 423 Elizabeth Street, Unit 13, Burlington
Burlington Rotary Centennial Pond, 1340 Lakeshore Road, Burlington
Ottawa
Stella Luna Gelato Café
Known for its award-winning gelato and heartwarming love story, Stella Luna Gelato Café is also a great place to visit for gourmet hot chocolate after skating along the Rideau Canal. The world-famous outdoor ice skating rink is close to the cafe. Skate rentals are available under the Mackenzie King Bridge.
Locations:
Stella Luna Gelato Café, 1103 Bank Street, Ottawa
CACAO 70 Eatery
Originally a drinking chocolate bar, CACAO 70 Eatery has expanded to offer a variety of delicious variations of chocolate treats from milkshakes to fondues and even pizza.
This popular spot for sipping hot chocolate is steps away from Marché Way from the Lansdowne Park Skating Court.
Locations:
CACAO 70 Eatery, 225 Marché Way #109, Ottawa
Lansdowne Park Skating Court, 1525 Princess Patricia Way, Ottawa
Huron, Perth, Waterloo and Wellington
Red Brick Café
Housed in a red brick heritage building, the warm, engaging atmosphere at Red Brick Café is fuelled by musical guests, a curated art gallery and delicious food and drinks. Visit for the best hot cocoa and stay longer for the inviting community spirit after ice skating at nearby Market Square Rink.
Locations:
Red Brick Café, 8 Douglas Street, Guelph
Market Square Rink, 62-2 Carden Street, Guelph
Southwestern Ontario
Black Walnut Bakery Cafe
Make your way directly to this award-winning bakery cafe for a fancy hot chocolate and delicious sweet treat, just a few blocks from the outdoor skating rink at Victoria Park.
Locations:
Black Walnut Bakery Café, 724 Richmond Street, London
Victoria Park Ice Rink, 580 Clarence Street, London
Habitual Chocolate
After skating a few laps at the Woodstock Civic Centre Arena, treat yourself to a piping hot chocolate at this hot chocolate shop. Vegan options are available.
Locations:
Habitual Chocolate, 389 Dundas Street, Woodstock
Civic Centre Arena, 895 Nellis Street, Woodstock
Southeastern Ontario
Kingston Coffee House
Conveniently located across the street from Kingston’s Springer Market Square Rink, Kingston Coffee House is an easy trek for a chocolate beverage after ice skating.
Large windows provide excellent views of the market square and create a cozy atmosphere while you sip lattes, mochas, cappuccinos or hot chocolates. Vegan and gluten-free treats, including fresh-baked goods, are available daily.
Locations:
Kingston Coffee House, 322 King Street East, Kingston
Springer Market Square Rink, 216 Ontario Street, Kingston
Muskoka
Cacao Boys
Wrap your hands around a satisfying cup of decadent hot chocolate made with real chocolate from Cacao Boys. Bala’s premiere artisan hot chocolate shop is a five to ten minute drive from the Cranberry Ice Trail at Muskoka Lakes Farm & Winery
Locations:
Cacao Boys, 1004 Elm Street, Bala
Muskoka Lakes Farm & Winery, 1074 Cranberry Road, Bala
Related content
Last updated: May 1, 2025