Now that it’s November, we can move on from Pumpkin Spice Lattes and look at what’s really important—hot chocolate. It’s a bold move on our part, but we think we’ve tracked down the absolute best hot chocolate in New York. Just to be safe, why not try them all?
Serendipity 3
Serendipity is about as New York an institution as it’s possible to be. They’re famed, of course, for their frozen hot chocolate—and justifiably so. We’d be remiss if we didn’t include it here; the chocolatey crystals, served in a tall icy mound, are a joy to behold on a summer’s day. (Although truthfully, we wouldn’t say no at any time of the year.) But they also have an extremely delish hot version, crowned with whipped cream, cinnamon, grated orange and shaved chocolate (because, why not.) This is the place to take out-of-town guests, your mother in law, your college BFF, or even yourself, to enjoy one of the best drinkable chocolates (ok, two of them) in New York. [caption id="attachment_3032" align="alignnone" width="3022"]
Drink up! At Serendipity, you can get your liquid chocolate hot or frozen (Image courtesy of Serendipity)[/caption]
Jacques Torres
A cup of hot chocolate at Jacques Torres is something to be savored—it’s so thick and rich, it’s like having dessert for the next few months in one sitting (we mean that in the best possible way.) This hot chocolate--definitely among the best in New York--will satisfy the sophisticate as well as the kid in you—as well as that actual kid sitting next to you; it’s that good. And if you can’t bear to say good-bye to it when you leave the shop—hurrah! You can get your own tin to make some at home. (Better hide that though...) [caption id="attachment_3028" align="alignnone" width="4776"]
Indulge at Jacque Torres! (Image courtesy of Jacques Torres Chocolate)[/caption]
MarieBelle
Want one of the best hot chocolates in New York? The hot chocolate at MarieBelle is so important that it has its own category. There it is, with pretty much a page all to itself. Wow. This is good, because you might temporarily be distracted by the other offerings. Do not be led astray. Stand (sit) firm. You are here for the hot chocolate. You can have dark hot chocolate (yes, please)—perhaps Aztec? Spicy? Hindu Cardamom? Tropical orange? Just...yes. You can also sample milk hot chocolate and white hot chocolate (maybe with Japanese matcha?) Make sure to get some containers to give as gifts (and for yourself, of course), and plan to linger in a space that feels like you’ve wafted into mid-century Vienna. [caption id="attachment_3030" align="alignnone" width="2048"]
Where to enjoy New York's best hot chocolate? For starters, head to MarieBelle. (Image copyright MarieBelle New York)[/caption]
Maman
The lovely maman is probably best known for having a chocolate chip cookie that Oprah declared one of her “favorite things” a few years ago. They’re also known for their lavender hot chocolate—you could do worse than decide to have a chocolate overload and order them both together. (They also have a kids’ hot chocolate, just FYI.) Maman, you will not be surprised to hear, has a French vibe and a French influence, as well as several locations. Go see what the fuss is all about; you’ll thank us for pointing you towards one of the best hot chocolates in New York. [caption id="attachment_3056" align="alignnone" width="3575"]
Try the lovely lavender hot chocolate at Maman (Photo copyright Victoria Morris)[/caption]
L.A. Burdick
A place that bills itself as a chocolate shop is a good bet for hot chocolate. Their “gourmet drinking chocolates” include milk, dark, and white; they’re so rich that it’s suggested you can add milk and use it as a dessert sauce. (You can get it to go, so you can make your own at home. Why would you not?) This is a rich, smooth hot chocolate that says, “Stay here for a few more hours! Your boss won’t care!” [caption id="attachment_3099" align="alignnone" width="800"]
Hot chocolate makes everything better[/caption]
The Chocolate Room
Not surprisingly, the Chocolate Room serves very good hot chocolate, or ”drinking chocolate,” as it’s classily known here. For a kick, try the spiced, with Ancho and Chipotle chilies, plus cinnamon and cloves; or the Café Torino—dark hot chocolate with espresso and dollop of foam. Pretty much everything here is made with chocolate—you will probably feel it seeping out of your pores when you leave (not the worst sensation, honestly.) [caption id="attachment_3097" align="alignnone" width="2837"]
It’s a chocolate world, and we’re just living in it (Photo courtesy of The Chocolate Room)[/caption] Honorable Mention: Starbucks Don’t judge us—for an on-the-go hot-chocolate fix, this one is a solid option—not meltingly sweet and unctuous, but a surprisingly satisfying choice.
The smooth chocolate taste makes Starbucks’ hot chocolate a satisfying choice New Yorkers can not, sadly, live by hot chocolate alone. If coffee is calling to you, let us lead you to some new sources.
