For the best chocolate (hot or otherwise) in Harvard Square, look no further than the deliciously chic café L.A. Burdick. Cambridge’s Brattle Street is home to their steamy, creamy hot chocolate, as thick as it is rich. The luxurious drink comes in standard milk chocolate as well as dark and white chocolate, and it is a far cry from instant cocoa mix.

The café boasts a wide variety of unique, hand-made truffles and chocolate delicacies, including molds of chocolate animals, and chocolate dipped fruit and cake. The café also produces seasonal chocolate items, such as chocolate bunnies, ghosts and turkeys.

The socially conscious can rejoice: all of the truffles are made with cocoa beans from countries not known to employ child or slave labor. L.A. Burdick provides a relaxed and cozy setting, perfect for dates and studying alike, but does not have an abundance of seating.

A table is worth the wait — you’ll want to savor your purchases — but every item can be packaged to go. The café offers pastries and cakes in all shapes and sizes. The Luxembourgers, unique to the store and a must-try, are delicious butter-cream filled macaroons that come in a variety of flavors.

The beverage menu is sparse. Beyond the amazing hot chocolate, they serve a standard list of coffee and tea beverages. Explorenewengland.com placed L.A. Burdick in the number three spot on their list of 25 things to do in Boston for under $25. Its hot chocolate is very reasonably priced at $2-4 a cup, depending on size.

The chocolates are a little pricy at an average of $3 apiece, but are definitely worth the occasional indulgence. You also won’t be able to resist at least one cute chocolate mouse. L.A. Burdick offers a little of everything for the chocolate lover. However, be prepared to wait for your decadent drinks or desserts, especially on colder days, as Burdick’s is a very popular place to

stay warm.