Best Surrey cafes to visit if you want to celebrate National Hot Chocolate Day

Hot chocolate
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The end of January is something many of us have been waiting for what feels like an eternity. Celebrating the end of January and all good things that come with it, like pay day and the start of a new (hopefully slightly warmer month) seem like a good idea.

While the winter weather is unremarkably gloomy and grey, national Hot Chocolate day makes for the perfect excuse to warm up. There's no better way to celebrate than grabbing a velvety, sweet beverage and getting cosy.

Here in Surrey we're not short of excellent venues for a variety of delicious drinks to brighten up your day. SurreyLive has compiled some of our top recommendations for the best hot chocolates.

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Guildford

Totally dedicated to hot chocolates, this gorgeous little café offers customisable hot chocolates, customers can choose their favoured percentage. The choice starts at a milky 28 per cent white, and goes right up to a 100 per cent extra dark.

Knoops origin story is fairly local to Surrey. You may not know that the founder and chocolate sommelier, Jens Knoop, opened the first Knoops in Rye, East Sussex. The café also sells hot chocolate flakes to take away, coffees, teas and hot chocolate makers.

We visited Knoops in Guildford, and it certainly has the SurreyLive stamp of approval. Click here to read Laura's review written just after the café first opened not long ago.

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Address: Knoops, 4, Market Street, Guildford, GU1 4LB

Walton-on-Thames

Serving delicious hot chocolates and coffees, Cacao Route in Walton-on-Thames creates hot chocs made with pure chocolate. The menu boasts incredible flavours, like the Aztec hot chocolate, made with winter warmer spices and the cacao orange hot chocolate is with a blend of homemade orange puree, creating a perfect harmony of rich and citrusy flavours.

One customer wrote via Google: "I had the best coffee ever (flat white) which was served in lovely cups. It's a shame I live a bit far otherwise I would have my coffee here everyday. They have good selection of cakes (portions are good size) and sandwiches. The cake was delicious too."

Address: Cacao Route, 30, High Street, Walton-on-Thames, KT12 1BZ

Staines

Hotel Chocolat opened in Staines on December 12 last year, with a large café space serving luxury hot chocolates. There's a large variety, with a choice of strength and flavours.

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Creative options include black forest gateau, dark chocolate mint, salted caramel and clementine and hazelnut. You can find of course, hot chocolates, teas, coffees, and choc shakes.

Address: Hotel Chocolat, Unit T5, Two Rivers Retail Park, Mustard Hill Road, Staines-upon-Thames, Hounslow TW18 4BL

Camberley

Fiona's Tearoom is a unique café to visit on Frimley High Street, found in a Tudor building. The former coach house is a site of paranormal happenings, three spirits are thought to haunt the halls.

It's a family friendly, dog friendly venue, and also hosts activities children would love like stone painting and meeting real rabbits. Fiona's serves hot chocolates, coffees, teas, breakfasts, lunches and afternoon teas.

There are also great reviews for Fiona's on Google. One customer wrote: "I visited the tea room this afternoon with my 2 children and we had a wonderful experience. Both children had the luxury hot chocolate, filled to the brim with cream and marshmallows! We also thoroughly enjoyed the coffee & walnut cake!

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"The guy that served us was very helpful, friendly, and great with the kids. If you are lucky enough, you'll get to have a cuddle with their beautiful bunnies. I can highly recommend this place, and we will definitely be back"

Address: Fiona's Tearoom, 74, Frimley High Street, Frimley, Camberley, GU16 7JE

Farnham

The Citrus Coffee Shop in Rowledge near Farnham is a popular eatery with a stunning five star rating on Google. From pizza nights to sumptuous hot chocolates, The Citrus Coffee Shop is the place to go.

Customers handed the café five star ratings, one wrote: "Very friendly welcoming café. Had a lovely cup of hot chocolate." Cakes and tarts are made by the owner, which visitors say are delicious.

Address: The Citrus Café, 3, The Long Road, Rowledge, Farnham, GU10

Hindhead

Scoop on Beacon Hill also has an impressive five star rating on Google, praised for it's fantastic ice cream. During winter, Scoop offers hot chocolates and other sweet treats you'll love.

One customer wrote via Google: "I absolutely love this place! The ice-cream is amazing, the sweet selection is fantastic, all the toys etc are so lovely looking. I haven't had coffee and that side of what's on offer but heard great things.

"The shop is accessible to my wheelchair, has indoor and outdoor seating (depending on mobility the inside is less accessible but great for most). They also often have gluten free cones (stock issues come up but that's very common with GF food) and dairy free ice-cream as well as sorbet. The staff are always so lovely and accommodating. This had been such a brilliant addition to Beacon Hill!"

Address: Scoop, The Shop, Southdown House, Beacon Hill Rd, Hindhead GU26 6NR

Cranleigh

Staff at Altitude in Cranleigh have a passion for making unique beverages, from your morning coffee to your evening cocktail. Cute hot chocolates with fluffy whipped cream and little ginger bread men peaking out over the top.

This venue is also dog friendly, so the whole family is welcome to visit. One customer wrote via Google: Every time we’ve visited Altitude it has been brilliant. The staff are lovely (a team to be proud of) and the drinks are fabulous. I mean the place does coffee, croissants and cocktails...do you need more!? 10/10 every time"

Address: 50 High St, Cranleigh GU6 8AG

Reigate

Reigate are spoilt for choice for lovely cafes to find a delicious hot chocolate. Blooms and Bakes is loved by customers and has fab reviews with a 4.8 star Google rating.

Extravagant hot chocolates can be found on the menu, and the shop also sells flowers which customers love. One customer wrote: "Beautiful new cozy, tea room, stunning decor I almost forgot I was on my lunch break in Reigate! Great Vegan options the chocolate and coconut cake was out of this world. Service was so warm and friendly. I would highly recommend a visit. I will definitely be going back this is my new favourite place."

You can come away with a lovely sweet treat and a bouquet of flowers to take home. The café is beautifully decorated with wooden beams and fairy lights.

Address: Blooms and Bakes, Unit 5, Cage Yard, 31 High Street, Reigate, RH2 9AE

Epsom

Some readers may be familiar with The Little Dessert Shop, which specialises in glorious chocolate dishes, waffles and pancakes. This luxurious hot chocolate and chai lattes, as well as mocktails, coffees and teas.

One customer wrote via Google: "I couldn't recommend a better place for a dessert. Staff are always so welcoming and friendly, they really go the extra mile with service. They wrapped the top of mine and my partners hot chocolate so it wouldn't spill walking back to the car. I know it's only a small thing, but it was just a nice touch.

"The decor is also fantastic inside and a lot more appealing and friendly than sitting in a creams nightclub. The sharing selection boxes are so tasty!"

Address: Little Dessert Shop, 4-6 High Street, Epsom, KT19 8AD

Dorking

This coffee shop could be the best hot chocolate, not just in Surrey, but the world according to customers. This cosy spot delivers lovely cakes like millionaires shortbread and pastries.

One customer wrote via Google: "Good coffee, good service, and possibly the best hot chocolate in the world," another said: "Heavenly pastries and decent hot drinks. Made our weekend something to remember."

Cosy Moose is dog friendly, and serves jaw dropping pastries and cakes. Treats include cherry pistachio frangipane tarts, and unique macaroons.

Address: Cosy Moose, 1 High Street, Dorking, RH4 1AR