HOT COCOA
Warm up with decadent hot chocolate at cute spots all over town. We grouped them by neighborhood, but some have multiple locations (lucky us).
More spectacular sweets available in our over-the-top dessert destinations guide and complete kid-friendly food guide.
DOWNTOWN
MarieBelle
Sip on thick, delicious signature hot chocolate made from pure cacao shavings instead of chocolate powder to go or in an elegant, antique filled Cocoa Bar. Choose from four different flavors; Aztec, Milk Hazelnut, Spiced Chocolate and White Chocolate.
Bite size bonbons decorated with unique, colorful cocoa-based design and tins of hot chocolate shavings make excellent (though pricey) gifts. House made pastries, from lemon tarts, to chocolate mousse cake, are also delicious.
Take afternoon tea with assorted gourmet finger sandwiches, madeleines, scones, jam and butter, and signature petite chocolate fondue served with pastries, macarons, and fruit.
Daily 12–7 pm
Max Brenner
Select from nine hot chocolates – Italian Thick, Oreo, Peanut Butter and more – at this huge cafe and store that feels like Willy Wonka’s chocolate factory, with tubes of liquid chocolate criss crossing the space. Choose from a variety of creative, high-quality chocolate concoctions to fo, gift or to eat on site.
Salads, paninis, pizza, cocoa spiced waffle fries etc. available on the extensive menu, but the real draw is the over-the-top desserts from marshmallow chocolate pizza to three types of chocolate fondue to a melting s’mores sundae to a syringe full of chocolate goodness. Lots of cocktails, including a chocolate peppermint martini, available for grown-ups.
Advance reservations recommended.
Mon-Fri 12 pm-11 pm
Thu-Sat 11 am – midnight
Sun 10 am–11 pm
Pick up chocolates & hot cocoa to go at the Times Square outpost (720 7th Ave at West 48th St).
MIDTOWN
Angelina Paris NYC
Travel to Belle Epoque France at an outpost of an iconic Parisian tea room and dessert café founded in 1903.
Get pastries, macarons, the iconic Angelina hot chocolate and the signature Mont-Blanc (meringue, light whipped cream, chestnut cream vermicelli) to go, or sit in the gorgeous dining room for brunch (served all day), afternoon tea, sweet treats and savory brasserie classics: Niçoise salad, Croque-Monsieur, onion soup, or the Angelina Croissant filled with scrambled eggs and cheese, ham, or smoked salmon. Light and modern seasonal dishes, from seasonal vegetable soup to a vegan quinoa salad, include gluten-free and vegetarian options, but the hot chocolate, served in a dramatic presentation, is worth the indulgence.
Keep the Parisian vibes going at Bryant Park across the street.
Monday-Friday 8 am – 8 pm
Saturday-Sunday 9 am – 7 pm
Kitchen closes thirty minutes before close
La Maison du Chocolat
Choose from two types of hot chocolate at the US outposts of this Parisian legend – kid-friendly milk chocolate and the super rich Caracas. Shop gorgeous bon-bons and bars, all made by hand in an Atelier in Nanterre, on the outskirts of Paris with the finest raw ingredients. Pastries, macarons and ice cream also available.
Also on the UES (1018 Madison at 79th St).
Daily 11 am–6 pm
Venchi Chocogelateria
Sip decadent Italian hot chocolate by a giant chocolate waterfall at the US outpost of a 140-year-old Italian chocolatier.
Shop a vast selection of flavored bon bons and bars plus try gelato in a variety of chocolate and other delicious flavors. Make it even yummier with creamy base of Suprema chocolate spread or a cone dipped in seasonal sprinkles like granules of Piedmont Hazelnuts, Nougatine, Chocaviar or Raspberry.
Some seating in the back by the waterfall wall or enjoy your treats in nearby Union Square.
Also at Columbus Circle (1796 Broadway), Columbus & W 69th St and 233 Bleecker St.
UPTOWN
Serendipity 3
Get the famous Frrrozen Hot Chocolate, a creamy secret blend of 14 exotic cocoas, and other decadent, over-sized desserts at this legendary restaurant and store with whimsical antique-store-meets-ice-cream-parlor decor. Heraty burgers, foot long hot dogs, mac ‘n’ cheese variations, salads and sandwiches are also available. A favorite of actors, artists and tourists for the last 67-years.
Minimum food or drink purchase of $16.95 per person so bring an appetite – portions are huge.
Daily 11 am – 11 pm
Bel Ami
This small, authentic French café and patisserie tucked away off Madison Avenue serves delicious, not-too-bitter hot chocolate, plus delicious pastries, sandwiches, macarons, hot chocolate and more. Limited seating among cute decor in a pretty historic district
Eat Pretty
This adorable coffee shop/restaurant has pretty pink, chic details indoors and out. The croissants, eggs, paninis, tacos coffee and more are good, but the main draw is the on over-the-top Pretty Hot Cocoas, currently with gingerbread men or 2022 stars on top.
Only two tables indoors with a few more on the sidewalk.
Mon-Sat 7:30 am – 7 pm
Sunday 8:00 am – 5 pm
BROOKLYN
Jacques Torres Chocolate
Rich hot cocoas come in classic or spicy ‘Wicked’ and pair well with the large buttery chocolate chip cookies at the original Dumbo location of Jacques Torres (aka Mr. Chocolate), French chef turned celebrity New Yorker and Reality TV star (‘Nailed It’).
Try truffles, adorable bonbons, chocolate bark, giftable chocolate-covered cheerios and pomegranate seeds, ice cream sandwiches and more. The 60% baking discs are perfect for at home baking (or snacking).
Not far from happening Brooklyn Bridge Park.
Also in Grand Central Terminal.
Mon-Fri 12 pm–6:30 pm
Sat-Sun 10 am–7 pm
Brooklyn Farmacy
Get excellent hot cocoa, ice cream, egg cream sodas, floats, wine, espresso and more at a charming old-fashioned soda fountain in a historic apothecary.
Elaborate ice cream sundaes with unique flavors are made on the spot by friendly soda jerks. Hot cocoa flavors include s’mores (with notes of Nutella), mint, salted caramel and a Fluffernutter frozen option.
Daily 2-10 pm