Our favorite wintertime sips will always be best hot chocolate in NYC (with a dollop of whipped cream…and maybe even a drizzle of hot fudge if we’re feeling adventurous).
Once the weather plummets, we can’t help but crave a sweet, warm treat. Fortunately, there are plenty of eateries around the city that take cocoa to unthinkable levels. (Need we say more about the out-of-this-world Glace S’mores Hot Chocolate?) Some spots even add a frozen effect to the drink. (Lookin’ at you, Serendipity3.)
No matter how you take your cocoa, these top spots have you covered.
1. The Sugar Factory, Times Square
Extravagance is the name of the game at The Sugar Factory, and while you can opt for a classic hot chocolate, you can also spice things up — and get some foodie content for the ‘Gram — thanks to the eatery’s new seasonal flavors: Cookies & Cream Hot Chocolate, S’mores Hot Chocolate, and Nutella Brownie Hot Chocolate. These fun desserts will be available beginning December 4th.
📍 694 8th Ave
2. Dominique Ansel Bakery, Soho
Viral due to its taste and presentation, Dominique Ansel Bakery’s hot chocolate takes home the gold thanks to its blooming floral marshmallow. Perhaps you’ve seen it once or twice — or even a thousand times — on your social feeds. Though we don’t want you to get a sugar high, you’d be remiss to leave this spot without another viral treat: the cronut.
📍 189 Spring Street
3. Martha’s Country Bakery, Multiple Locations
Martha’s Country Bakery has a reputation for its delectable cakes and pastries, but we’re kind of partial to the spot’s hot cocoa. For one, it comes in several unique flavors: peanut butter hot chocolate, Nutella hot chocolate, Mexican hot chocolate, dark hot chocolate (our favorite), and perhaps the most notable selection of them all: red velvet hot chocolate. Again, not to go overboard, but you really wouldn’t want to leave here without a slice of black and white cake to accompany your drink.
📍 263 Bedford Ave and 175 Bedford Ave, Brooklyn
📍 70-28 Austin St, Forest Hills
📍 36-21 Ditmars Blvd, Astoria
📍 46-01 Bell Blvd, Bayside
4. Max Brenner, Multiple Locations
Served in its iconic “hug mug”, hot cocoa from the expert chocolatier is the perfect way to spoil yourself when the cold weather strikes. There are plenty of different takes on the staple: marshmallow hot chocolate, salted caramel hot chocolate, and more. If you find that it’s 5pm (at least somewhere), the menu offers boozy chocolate cocktails like a chocolate peppermint martini and a chocolate espresso old fashioned, to name a few. (Be sure to also stop by our favorite winter rooftops if you’re up for a boozy, chocolatey somethin’ somethin’)
📍 841 Broadway
📍 720 7th Avenue
5. L.A. Burdick, SoHo
Rich and satisfying, L.A. Burdick offers unique artisan chocolate and sells bags of its cocoa so you can bring the deliciousness back to your abode. No need to tell us twice!
📍 156 Prince Street
6. The Chocolate Room, Cobble Hill
The name says it all, and you won’t be disappointed when choosing a dessert from this Court Street mainstay. We think you should change things up and treat yourself to a white hot chocolate: Belgian white chocolate blended with milk and complete with whipped cream and sprinkles of cinnamon.
📍 269 Court Street, Brooklyn
7. MarieBelle, Soho
If you’re looking for a rich taste of pure chocolate, MarieBelle in Soho delivers. The quaint cacao bar allows you to pick and choose your cup, but we suggest sticking with the Aztec hot chocolate.
📍 484 Broome Street
8. Bibble and Sip, Midtown
We can’t resist hot chocolate and a marshmallow, and Bibble and Sip nails the treat down perfectly. You can’t go wrong with a pitstop here.
📍 253 W 51st Street
9. Maman, Multiple Locations
Most know for its iconic lavender hot chocolate, Maman takes the sweet treat to an entirely new level, and for that we’re grateful.
10. Brooklyn Farmacy & Soda Fountain, Carroll Gardens
The old-timey soda fountain is a go-to for the classic egg cream and a root beer float, but when the colder months swoop in, a rich, creamy hot chocolate with a marshmallow is in order. And yes, despite indulging in something warm, you’re likely not going to want to pass up a sundae from this beloved spot, either. (Our personal favorite is the Cookie Monster, a mint chip delight with whipped cream, hot fudge, cookie crumbles, and blue sprinkles in honor of the Cookie Monster himself.
📍 513 Henry St, Brooklyn
11. Daily Provisions, Multiple Locations
Sip on this silky hot chocolate made with a delicious milk and dark chocolate ganache from Vesta Chocolate and top with a fluffy Squish Marshmallow for the perfect cup.
📍 Union Square – 103 E 19th Street
📍 West Village – 29 Bedford Street
📍 Upper West Side – 375 Amsterdam Avenue
📍 Manhattan West – 440 W 33rd Street, Suite 90
📍 Cobble Hill – 151 Court Street
12. Thierry Atlan, Soho
You’ve got to check out the tried and true hot chocolate recipe from the only Meilleur Ouvrier de France (MOF) Chocolatier in NYC, Thierry Atlan. It’s made with about 75% dark chocolate (with a blend of Valrhona chocolate varieties for a truly rich experience. Don’t walk out without a macaroon!
📍 436 W Broadway
13. Jacques Torres, Multiple Locations
Fitting for the world’s favorite movie right now, Wicked Hot Chocolate is a perfect selection thanks to its premium Belgian dark bittersweet chocolate and spices. (No it has nothing to do with Glinda or Elphaba, but it’s equally as delightful as our two favorite witches.)
📍 66 Water St, Brooklyn
📍 Grand Central – 17 Grand Central Terminal
14. Serendipity3, Multiple locations
While not technically hot chocolate, Serendipity3’s chilled version of the wintertime staple, Frrrozen Hot Chocolate, is served with whipped cream and chocolate shavings — a meal in itself. It’s an icon for a reason, folks.
📍 225 E. 60th Street
📍 157 W. 47th Street
15. Glace by Noglu, Upper East Side
Glace’s viral hot chocolate is making noise on the internet right now, and rightfully so! This dreamy treat is topped with house-made marshmallow fluff with a blow torched finish (yes, please!), and whipped cream. We’re going to take two.
📍 1266 Madison Ave