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Chocolate, Hot Chocolate & Cosy Cafés in York
AEASE Favourites · York

Chocolate, Hot Chocolate & Cosy Cafés in York

4 places we'd happily recommend to friends and family.

Back to York

York has a long history with chocolate, and it’s still a city for a proper hot chocolate. These are the places we go when it’s cold outside — most are a short walk from our apartment on Coppergate.

Quick picks

Chocolate lovers

  • Knoops
  • York Cocoa Works

A slow breakfast

  • Days Café

Something different

  • Red Goat & the Guzzling Goat

Chocolate & hot chocolate

Knoops

AEASE personal favouriteShort walk from Coppergate

Knoops

22–23 Parliament Street, YO1 8RS

If you love chocolate, this is the one. You choose your cocoa — anything from a 28% white to a 100% dark — then add extras such as sea salt, orange zest or chilli.

Why we recommend it: It’s a proper hot chocolate rather than a sweet afterthought, and it’s the first place we suggest on a cold York afternoon. Coffee and pastries too, and dogs are welcome.

Good for: Chocolate lovers · Couples · Cold afternoons

Opened in York in December 2024. Easy to combine with Parliament Street, the Shambles and the market.

Website Walking directions from Coppergate
The shopfront of York Cocoa Works on CastlegatePhoto: Malcolmxl5, CC0
Moments from CoppergateFamily friendly

York Cocoa Works

10 Castlegate, YO1 9RN

York grew up on chocolate — Rowntree’s and Terry’s were both made here — and this working chocolate maker keeps that story going. There’s a shop, a café counter and hands-on workshops where you make your own bar or lollipops.

Why we recommend it: It’s the easiest way to understand York’s chocolate history, and it’s around the corner from our apartment. The workshops work well for families and for couples alike.

Indoors or out:
Indoors
Booking:
Book workshops ahead; the shop is walk-in

Good for: Chocolate lovers · Young children · History lovers · Rainy days

Workshops and tastings are booked in advance — check the website for what’s on during your stay.

Website Walking directions from Coppergate

Cosy cafés

Days Café

AEASE personal favouriteShort walk from CoppergateFamily friendly

Days Café

38 Parliament Street, YO1 8RU (also 77 Low Petergate)

Our go-to for an easy breakfast, a coffee and cake, or somewhere to sit when it’s cold. The Parliament Street café is our favourite: a lively ground floor, a terrace outside and a calmer room upstairs.

Why we recommend it: It’s relaxed, friendly and never feels rushed — the sort of place we end up in most visits. There’s a second Days on Low Petergate, near the Minster, if you’re that side of town.

Good for: Breakfast · Coffee & cake · Dog owners

Dogs welcome and high chairs available. If downstairs is busy, try upstairs.

Walking directions from Coppergate

Red Goat Climbing & The Guzzling Goat

Further afieldFamily friendly

Red Goat Climbing & The Guzzling Goat

6 Redeness Street, off Layerthorpe, YO31 7UU

An indoor bouldering centre with a relaxed café-bar, the Guzzling Goat, which is open to everyone — climbers or not. Local coffee, Belgian hot chocolate, homemade cakes, pizzas and beer.

Why we recommend it: Something a little different: a good rainy-day plan for older children and teenagers, or just a warm, unfussy café away from the busiest streets.

Indoors or out:
Indoors

Good for: Teenagers · Rainy days · Something different

Outside the city walls, so a longer walk or a short taxi from Coppergate. Check climbing sessions and age rules on the website.

Website Walking directions from Coppergate

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Where we go for coffee in York, and the seat by the window we'd suggest to a friend.

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Favourite Breakfast in York — AEASE recommendationBreakfast

Favourite Breakfast in York

Where we go in York when breakfast needs to be more than a coffee and a croissant.

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Favourite Sunday Roast in York — AEASE recommendationSunday Roast

Favourite Sunday Roast in York

The Sunday roast we'd book for our own families in York.

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