The first sip on cold winter’s day is something of magic. Some like it old fashioned, topped off with whipped cream, marshmallows, or a little extra chocolate. However you play it, your tastebuds and inner childhood cravings will be satisfied. From chocolate shops to cafes, and soda fountains, keep scrolling for some of the best hot cocoa NYC has to offer. Including other items you should add to your list.
Maman
Neighborhood: Tribeca, Nomad, Greenpoint, Hudson, Soho, Fidi
Price $4.50
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Hot cocoa made purely from melted chocolate, and finished off with soothing dried lavender can be found on the menu at Maman. They also have an extensive list of baked favorites like their Nutella Beignet and Pistachio Cream Chocolate Croissant.
Daily Provisions
Neighborhood: Union Square, Upper West Side
Price $6.50
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The hot chocolate at Daily Provisions is made in-house with dark and milk chocolate ganache and foamed milk. Garnished with a vanilla marshmallow and a sprinkle of cocoa powder. Their savory items are also the talk of the town…or city, including their rotisserie chicken which is marinated for 24 hours in garlic and herbs.
Brooklyn Farmacy & Soda Fountain
Neighborhood: Carroll Gardens
Price $3, $3.50 with whipped cream
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Brooklyn Farmacy‘s hot chocolate is made with their own blend of hot cocoa with an option to finish it off with freshly whipped cream and dusted chocolate shavings tops. There is even an oat milk option! While you’re downing their hot chocolate, save room for one of their specialty ice cream sundaes, milkshakes, or egg creams.
Dominique Ansel Bakery
Neighborhood: Soho
Price $7.50
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From the chef that brought us the ever-popular cronut (a mashup of a croissant and donut), Dominique Ansel has given us a show with the ‘Blossoming Hot Chocolate.’ First introduced in their Tokyo location, it immediately became a viral sensation. Featuring a marshmallow flower that “blossoms” when placed into a cup of their house-made hot chocolate, you can find a chocolate bonbon surprise inside. Now that’s a reveal I can get down with.
L.A. Burdick
Neighborhood: SoHo
Price $6
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Whether you are a fan of white, milk, or dark chocolate, L.A. Burdick will take of you, as their hot chocolate comes in all three varieties. Their refreshing chocolate frappés and iced drinking chocolate (didn’t even know that was a thing) are also popular treats in the summertime.
La Newyorkina
Neighborhood: Red Hook (pick up only)
Price $7, $8 with whipped cream
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La Newyorkina specializes in Mexican hot chocolate, topped with the optional vanilla whipped cream. It would be a smart move to pair this with their ready-to-dip churros if you’re feeling a little hungry. They currently offer an 8 pack of churros covered in sweet Mexican cinnamon sugar and served with your choice of delicious cajeta (goat’s milk caramel), Mexican chocolate sauce, or strawberry jelly sauce. Their West Village shop, unfortunately, closed in December of 2020, but their Red Hook location is still open for pickup and delivery!
Squish Marshmallows
Neighborhood: East Village
Price $4.50, $6 with a marshmallow
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Some might argue, is it even a hot chocolate without a marshmallow? If the name doesn’t give it away, Squish Marshmallows makes small-batch handcrafted marshmallows right here in NYC. If you’re gonna do it right be sure to also grab one of their marshmallow donuts, marshmallow ice cream cones, or a good old marshmallow which can be toasted to ooey-gooey perfection.
MarieBelle
Neighborhood: SoHo
Price $5
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If you are seeking out a little more variety in your hot chocolate, then you should definitely check out Marie Belle. They carry flavors like Aztec dark hot chocolate to Hindu cardamom hot chocolate or white hot chocolate infused with Tahitian vanilla (if you want to get fancy with it). Your gaze might also catch their decorated chocolate ganaches, they are a true work of art.
The Chocolate Room
Neighborhood: Cobble Hill, Park Slope
Price $5.50
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The Chocolate Room‘s hot chocolate is a blend of 38% milk chocolate infused with Madagascar Vanilla. Other options include dark chocolate, spiced dark chocolate, and cafe Torino, dark hot chocolate, mixed with a shot of espresso. Don’t miss out on their plethora of house-made chocolate-covered confections from chocolate covered pretzels and cherries, to almond clusters.
Atla
Neighborhood: NoHo
Price $9
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Alta is another pick if you are in search of a damn good Mexican hot chocolate. Dubbed as Cosme’s, ‘little sister’ which focuses on contemporary Mexican cuisine, Alta’s menu features Mexican favorites like their striped bass ceviche, horchata, and sweet potato tamale, just to name a few. The perfect pregame to their hot chocolate, which is made with jet black cocoa, agave, milk, and cream.
Mah-Ze-Dahr
Neighborhood: West Village
Price $4
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Mazedar is Urdu for “the taste essence of food”, in other words, the team behind Mah-ze-dahr Bakery knows what’s up when it comes to good food and drink. Their hot chocolate is made with dark Valrhona chocolate and steamed milk, topped with a toasted housemade vanilla bean marshmallow. To satisfy your sweet tooth in the warmer months, they also offer these fun and fruity freeze pops in flavors like raspberry yuzu or kulfi (a frozen dairy dessert) in flavors like mango and chocolate semifreddo. Yum!
Aigner Chocolates
Neighborhood: Forest Hills
Price $3.75 for small, $4.75 for large
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Aigner Chocolates has been in the chocolate game for more than 90 years. Their very own line of house-made chocolate is melted down to create a chocolate sauce for their hot chocolate. You can pair it with their cat tongues or a chocolate-covered marshmallow. If that isn’t enough, they also offer dark to white hot chocolate bombs, and they’ve got you covered (in chocolate) for every celebration from Mother’s Day to Easter and Hanukkah.
Venchi
Neighborhood: Union Square, Columbus Circle
Price $6, $6.50 with whipped cream
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Venchi is the true OG with over 140 years of chocolate artistry with their chocolate bars, cigars, spreads, and 3-layered chocolate bites. Their hot chocolate is created with hazelnut milk spread, whipped cream, and topped with a sprinkle of raw cocoa powder. If you go to their Union Square location, don’t miss a photo opp with the chocolate waterfall in the back.
As you can see, there isn’t a hot chocolate shortage in New York City. If you get a chance to sip any of these chocolate laden beverages, be sure you tag us on Instagram. Did we miss any of your favorites? Comment below!
