I’ve never been one for coffee, however, a warm cup of melty hot chocolate, now that’s something I’m into. I’ve compiled a list of some of New York City’s best hot chocolate spots for those days when it’s just too cold.
1. City Bakery
This hot chocolate spot is known for their fluffy marshmallows and even sweeter chocolate. Be sure to get a large chocolate chip cookie to dip in your hot chocolate. The sugar-high will be in full affect.
Location: 3 W 18th St, New York, NY 10011
2. Dominique Ansel
If you know anything about NYC desserts, Dominique Ansel is on everyone’s bucket list. They are known for desserts like milk and cookie shots and cronuts, but this new magical hot chocolate is a winter special. Watch a marshmallow transform into a flower right before your eyes, and it tastes good too.
Location: 189 Spring St, New York, NY 10012
3. L.A. Burdick
This chocolate shop has some pretty great sweets. However, when you’re feeling cold this winter their hot chocolate (which tastes like a molten lava cake in my opinion) will definitely warm you up.
Locations: 156 Prince St, New York, NY 10012
5 E 20th St, New York, NY 10003
4. Jacques Torres Chocolate
Jacques Torres is another place that specializes in chocolate. If that’s their speciality, then their hot chocolate must be great.
Locations: Grand Central, Rockefeller Center and other locations
5. Max Brenner
If any place knows chocolate it’s Max Brenner’s. They have everything from chocolate s’mores pizza to chocolate syringes (it’s not as weird as it sounds). If they’re making a hot chocolate I’m sure it’s as good as everything else on the menu.
Location: 841 Broadway, New York, NY 10003
6. Serendipity 3
Okay, okay I know this is frozen hot chocolate and not necessarily hot chocolate, but it has all the desirable qualities of a chocolatey beverage. Serendipity 3 is famous for their large frozen hot chocolate, topped with decadent whipped cream and chocolate shavings. It’s perfect for all those random warm days we’ve had this winter.
Location: 225 E 60th St, New York, NY 10022
7. MarieBelle
This rich hot chocolate will warm you up on any cold day. MarieBelle also makes gourmet chocolates so you’ll be sure to get your chocolate fix.
Location: 484 Broome St, New York, NY 10013
8. Eataly
Eataly, is one of my favorite NYC food destinations. If you’ve never been, here’s the unofficial rankings of all their restaurants. But the real MVP might be their Nutella bar. You can get some great tasting hot chocolate here, and maybe indulge in a crepe on the side.
Locations: 200 5th Ave, New York, NY 10010
Westfield World Trade Center, 101 Liberty St, New York, NY 10006
9. Momofuku Milk Bar
I’m a huge fan of Momofuku’s cereal milk (if you’ve never had it, you can make it yourself). It’s no surprise that their hot chocolate is good too.
Locations: East Village, Midtown, Upper West Side, Williamsburg, Chelsea and other locations
10. Amorino
This gelato spot has some serious hot chocolate with all the fixins. You get your own serving of marshmallows and whipped cream on the side to top your drink however you see fit.
Locations: 60 University Pl, New York, NY 10003
162 8th Ave, New York, NY 10011
414 Amsterdam Ave, New York, NY 10024
11. Sant Ambroeus
Sant Ambroeus is an Italian restaurant known for their delicious food and pastries. It’s no surprise that their hot chocolate is known for its richness. Make sure to treat yourself with a sweet on the side to soak up the chocolate-y goodness.
Locations: SoHo, Midtown, West Village and other locations
12. Dessert Kitchen
I’m not entirely sure how Dessert Kitchen makes this happen but I would gladly take my hot chocolate with a cute little friend.
Location: 192 Bleecker St, New York, NY 10012
13. Cup & Cup
Here’s another warm beverage with an even warmer topping. I was lucky enough to work around the corner from this restaurant and coffee shop and get to enjoy my favorite matcha latte in the city. Here are 5 NYC matcha spots you should probably check out if you can’t make it to Cup & Cup.
Location: 15 E 31st St, New York, NY 10016
14. Martha’s Country Bakery (red velvet!)
So I know this isn’t technically “chocolate” but this place is known for their red velvet hot chocolate. Don’t worry their chocolate hot chocolate will definitely be just as sweet.
Location: 263 Bedford Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11211
There you have it, some of NYC’s best hot chocolate spots. Even though Spring is quickly approaching, you’ll definitely need this warm treat for those cold days that unfortunately keep coming.