09 Nov Sweet Stops in Western PEI & Summerside: A Hot Chocolate Trail Road Trip!

Looking for an excuse to explore Western PEI this holiday season? We’ve got a sweet one! From Tignish to Summerside, this year’s Hot Chocolate Trail is packed with creative concoctions, cozy cafés, and delicious reasons to hit the road.

Grab your friends, bring the family, or make it a festive date! With so many flavours to try, we recommend sharing a few drinks along the way so you can sample more of what the Trail has to offer.

Here’s some inspiration for a delicious day of sipping, shopping, and exploring Western PEI!

Morning: Start Your Adventure in Tignish

Start your day in Tignish, where Broderick’s Flowers & Coffee is serving up two delicious creations! Their Dunkaroo White Hot Chocolate brings back childhood memories with cake batter whipped cream, colourful sprinkles, and Teddy Grahams for dipping. Or, for something a little richer, try the Brown Butter Brûlée, featuring house made brown butter and brown sugar sauce, topped with a torched crème brûlée marshmallow.

While you’re there, browse their selection of flowers, plants, and locally made gifts. It’s a great place to start checking off your holiday shopping list!

Just down the road, Eugene’s General Store is another stop to add to your Trail adventure. Grab a hot chocolate and take a little time to explore Tignish before heading south.

If you’re up for a scenic detour, make your way to North Cape to take in the dramatic red cliffs and coastal views. Just bundle up — the winter winds can be chilly!

Midday: Something Sweet in O’Leary

Next stop, O’Leary! If you haven’t worked up an appetite yet, you certainly will after seeing what’s on the menu.

At Revilo Cakes & Coffee Shop, you’ll have a tough time choosing between two truffle-inspired creations. The Strawberry White Truffle combines creamy white hot chocolate with real strawberries, homemade marshmallows, and strawberry drizzle. For dark chocolate fans, the Caramel Praline Dark Chocolate Truffle features pecan syrup, homemade caramel praline marshmallows, and salted caramel.

Just around the corner, Maple House Bakery & Cafe is bringing the campfire indoors with their Gimme S’more Hot Chocolate. Loaded with marshmallows, graham cracker crumbs, chocolate and caramel drizzle, and a piece of homemade fudge, it’s a sweet treat worth making room for!

Both cafés are great options for a cozy lunch before continuing your journey.

And for hockey families, don’t forget that the O’Leary Community Sports Centre is also part of the Trail! Their Triple Axel CinnaSwirl from Backwoods Breakaway combines cinnamon cream hot chocolate, vanilla whipped cream, and a Bavarian-filled churro. The perfect rink-side treat!

Afternoon: A Sweet Detour Through Tyne Valley

Continue your adventure to Tyne Valley, where Backwoods Burger is celebrating the season with a little birthday magic!

Their Birthday Cake Hot Chocolate is made with a chocolate cake batter cocoa base, vanilla frosting whipped cream, colourful sprinkles, and a birthday cake Oreo. Who says you need a birthday to enjoy birthday cake?

Take some time to explore the surrounding communities, stop at a local holiday market, or browse for handmade gifts along the way. After all, the best part of a road trip is discovering something unexpected!

If your travels take you through Wellington, the Evangeline Recreation Centre is another participating rink serving the Triple Axel CinnaSwirl.

Late Afternoon: Sip & Shop in Summerside

With several participating locations, Summerside is the perfect place to spend the afternoon exploring!

Start with Fiveelevenwest Restaurant & Café, a new addition to the Trail this year. Their Campfire S’mores is bringing all the cozy campfire flavours together with roasted marshmallow, whipped cream, chocolate swirl, and a celebration cookie. No campfire required!

For something a little different, head to The Summerside Shipyard for The Kindred Spirit. This creamy vanilla white hot chocolate features a chocolate sphere filled with raspberry, marshmallow, and edible glitter that melts right into your cup. It’s part hot chocolate, part holiday magic!

At Holman’s Ice Cream Parlour, the Raspberry Hot Chocolate Truffle combines homemade hot chocolate with white chocolate ganache whipped cream, raspberry sauce, and a chocolate truffle. You can even add a scoop of their famous homemade ice cream! Set inside a beautiful heritage home, Holman’s is a lovely place to sit and enjoy a sweet treat.

Before leaving Summerside, make a stop at Kool Breeze Farms & Garden Centre for their Salted Caramel Cookie Crunch. Made with salted caramel chocolate, whipped cream, Skor pieces, and Biscoff crumble, it’s the perfect combination of sweet, salty, and crunchy. While you’re there, browse the garden centre for holiday décor and seasonal finds!

Between hot chocolates, explore downtown Summerside, pop into a few local shops, or enjoy the festive atmosphere around the city.

Keep the Sweet Adventures Going!

With so many delicious creations to discover, one day might not be enough! Make a weekend of it, explore a new community, and find a few new favourites along the way. Whether you’re catching up with friends, browsing local shops, or simply enjoying a scenic drive, there’s no shortage of sweet reasons to explore Western PEI this holiday season.

The 2026 Hot Chocolate Trail runs weekends from November 14 to December 20, so there’s plenty of time to plan your next outing!