Local Cafes For National Hot Chocolate Day

Coffee is a classic pick-me-up, but when our real estate agents want some comfort, they turn to a warm and creamy mug of hot chocolate. Join us in celebrating National Hot Chocolate Day on Sunday, January 31, with a visit to one of these great cafés around Chattanooga.

1. The Hot Chocolatier - 1437 Market St., Chattanooga, TN 37402

A name like The Hot Chocolatier leaves no doubt as to what this delightful shop is all about. Owners Wendy and Brandon Buckner had a goal to bring a European-style artisan chocolate boutique to the community around Chattanooga homes for sale. Turn your own home into a gourmet chocolate café with a tin of their original dark sipping chocolate. Can't make it in? The Hot Chocolatier offers local shipping, or you can order ahead for quick pickup. Hours are noon - 6 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, noon - 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and noon - 6 p.m. Sunday.

2. Mean Mug Coffeehouse - 114 W. Main St., Chattanooga, TN 37408

Quality, made-in-house products, and local spirit made Mean Mug Coffeehouse one of the driving forces behind the renaissance of Chattanooga's Southside. Enjoy steamed hot chocolate with their house cocoa mix, or add a shot of vanilla for some extra smoothness. Pair your drink with one of their tasty baked goods, such as the signature apple butter cinnamon roll, good enough to be featured on Food Network. Do you say it's your birthday? Get one on the house! Mean Mug is open 7 a.m. - 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. Sunday.

3. Syrup and Eggs - 107 Custom St., Chattanooga, TN 37402

With a name that sounds like the title of a Dr. Seuss book, Syrup, and Eggs does indeed feature a whimsical attitude. Breakfast biscuit sandwiches are affectionately referred to as B.S., while another popular dish is called Orange You Glad We Have Poppyseed Pancakes. Their sourdough, pancake grilled cheese sandwich might be the ultimate brunch dish. Located in a quaint brick-and-limestone building downtown, Syrup and Eggs also offers curbside pickup. Hours are 8 a.m. - 2 p.m. Thursday and Friday and 8 a.m. - 3 p.m. weekends.

4. Frothy Monkey - 1400 Market St., Chattanooga, TN 37402

Frothy Monkey has been a favorite stop in Chattanooga since 2005. All food and drinks are scratch-made using locally-sourced ingredients whenever possible. Their hot chocolate is made with milk from Hatcher Family Dairy, a farm in College Grove that's been operating since 1831. Visit the website for information about other locations or to place an order for curbside pickup.

5. Sunnyside Cup - 3008 Broad St., Chattanooga, TN 37408

Thanks to Sunnyside Cup and their convenient drive-thru hut, you're never more than a few minutes away from freshly-brewed coffee or toasty hot chocolate. Sisters Charity Martin and Melody Kobernik were inspired by the coffee huts they frequented while growing up in the Pacific Northwest. If you need some solid sustenance, choose from a mouthwatering selection of scones, muffins, cookies, and other delights from Niedlov's Breadworks. Hours are 6 a.m. - 3 p.m. weekdays and 7:30 a.m. - 2 p.m. Saturday.