The Vancouver Hot Chocolate Festival is one of the many food festivals that I look forward to annually. Although the format is a little different this year, many cafes are still participating. This year there are 39 vendors offering 87 different hot chocolate offerings! This year the majority of the hot chocolates are available for take out only. However, a select number of vendors will have café service. Check out the full list of participants here. This week, I went to Bel Cafe to check out their two offerings for the Hot Chocolate Festival.
This was my first time at the Bel Cafe Kitsilano location and it was absolutely stunning. The café has floor to ceiling windows, so there is a lot of natural light. The café has a very small amount of seating due to COVID guidelines, so plan accordingly. There are several tables outside as well to enjoy your lunch and beverages.
Bel Cafe Hot Chocolate Fest #8 – Made and Minted
Bel Cafe’s first offering for the Hot Chocolate Festival is Made and Minted ($8.00). This drink is a Peppermint vanilla hot chocolate served with a dark chocolate financier. It will be available from January 16 until January 30.
The chocolate had a rich and full body flavour which went well with the refreshing peppermint. It reminds of Christmas, and it was a very comforting drink. The dark chocolate financier was moist and chocolate-y. It was so delicious that I wish I could buy more!
Hot Chocolate Fest #9 – Blushing Berries
If you’re a fan of white chocolate, Bel Cafe’s second entry to the festival is perfect for you. Blushing Berries ($8.00) is a white chocolate hot chocolate with raspberry with a raspberry marshmallow. It is a very pretty drink, however if I had to pick I would go for Made and Minted. I find white chocolate too sweet for my palate. This drink was quite sweet, but if you’re a fan of sweeter drinks this would be perfect!
Overall both drinks are solid choices to pick for the Vancouver Hot Chocolate Festival. Although I won’t be able to go to as many vendors this year, I’m glad I went to Bel Café. Both drinks were stunning to look at with great flavours.
