15+ Best Hot Chocolate in NYC (‘Gram-Worthy & Thick)

Look, when it gets brick outside, you need to warm up. But let’s be real, most “famous” hot chocolate in this city is just sugary milk for tourists. If you want the real deal—from pudding-thick Italian stuff to the one that’s actually worth the Instagram shot—this is the only list you need. Trust me.

The Only ‘Gram-Worthy Hot Chocolate Guide to NYC You Need (A Local’s List)

Bar Pisellino

This isn’t that watery Swiss Miss crap. Bar Pisellino serves proper cioccolata calda so thick you can almost stand a spoon in it. It’s basically hot pudding. It comes with a massive dollop of panna (whipped cream) that doesn’t melt right away. It’s a tiny, classy West Village spot, so expect to squeeze in.

• Price: $
• Location: 52 Grove Street, New York City 
• Contact: http://barpisellino.com 
• Pro-tip: It’s tiny and gets packed. Go mid-morning on a weekday if you actually want a seat. The outdoor tables are heaters-on, people-watching gold.

L.A. Burdick

Burdick doesn’t mess around. This is “drinking chocolate,” not “hot cocoa.” They just melt down their high-end dark, milk, or white chocolate. It’s intense, rich, and not for kids looking for a sugar bomb. This is for adults.

• Price: Around $8–$10
• Location: 156 Prince St, New York 
• Contact: https://www.burdickchocolate.com | (212) 796-0143  
• Pro-tip: The dark chocolate is the way to go. It’s a small shop in SoHo, so grab your cup and walk around. Don’t try to camp out with your laptop.

Dominique Ansel Bakery

Yes, it’s the Cronut place. And yeah, the “blooming marshmallow” is a total gimmick for Instagram. The secret? The hot chocolate under the flower is actually fantastic. Rich and smooth. So you get the photo and a good drink.

• Price: Around $7
• Location: 189 Spring St, New York 
• Contact: http://dominiqueansel.com | (212) 219-2773 | info@dominiqueansel.com 
• Pro-tip: Go early to avoid lines and catch the marshmallow bloom on camera before it melts..

Jacques Torres Chocolate

This is a New York classic for a reason. Jacques Torres is “Mr. Chocolate,” and his hot chocolate is the standard. It’s rich, dark, and not too sweet. It’s just a perfectly-made, no-nonsense cup.

• Price: Around $6.50
• Location: 66 Water St, Brooklyn
• Contact: http://mrchocolate.com | (718) 875-1269 | 
• Pro-tip: Ask for extra whipped cream and enjoy your cup while strolling along the Brooklyn waterfront.

Serendipity 3

Okay, let’s be clear: This is a tourist trap. You’re going for the “Frrrozen Hot Chocolate,” which is basically a giant chocolate milkshake. It’s an institution, but it’s not where you go for a serious, hot cup. You go to take a picture and get a brain freeze.

• Price: Around $14
• Location: 225 E 60th St, New York
• Contact:  https://serendipity3.com | 646-212-1442 
• Pro-tip: Go off-peak (around 3 PM) to avoid long waits — and share one drink, they’re huge!

Angelina Paris

They imported the other famous, super-thick Parisian hot chocolate. It’s intense, heavy, and very decadent. You go here when you want to feel fancy and pretend you’re in Paris. The room is half the experience.

• Price: Around $10–$12
• Location: 1050 6th Ave, New York
• Contact: https://angelinaparisusa.com | +1 585-438-5347 | info@angelinaparisusa.com 
• Pro-tip: Enjoy it with their Mont-Blanc pastry for a full Paris-in-NYC moment.

Maman

Maman is that “rustic French” spot everyone loves. The hot chocolate is solid—creamy, not too heavy—but let’s be honest, you’re here for the vibe and the signature blue cup. It’s a reliable, pretty choice.

• Price: Around $6–$7
• Location: 211 W Broadway, New York
• Contact: https://mamannyc.com | (646) 998-6215
• Pro-tip: Order it to stay and photograph it near their floral tile counters.

Bibble & Sip

The alpaca theme is a little much, but their pastries are legit. The hot chocolate is good, but the real draw is the lavender-infused version. It sounds weird, but it works. A good stop if you’re stuck in Midtown West.

• Price: Around $6–$8
• Location: 253 W 51st St, New York
• Contact: http://bibbleandsip.com | (646) 649-5116 
• Pro-tip: Order the lavender hot chocolate for something unique and surprisingly comforting

Daily Provisions

Danny Meyer’s spot. They use good Valrhona chocolate, so it’s a quality cup. But the only reason you should be here is to get a cruller. The hot chocolate is just the delivery vessel for the cruller.

• Price: Around $6
• Location: 103 E 19th St, New York
• Contact: https://www.instagram.com/dailyprov | (212) 488-1505 
• Pro-tip: Visit during weekday mornings for fresh pastries straight out of the oven — and the creamiest cocoa pour.

Devoción 

This is a coffee shop first. A really, really good coffee shop. But their hot chocolate, made with Colombian chocolate, is fantastic. The Williamsburg location with the skylight and giant plant wall is the one you’ve seen everywhere.

• Price: Around $6.50
• Location: 69 Grand St, Brooklyn
• Contact: https://www.devocion.com |+1 929-262-1241| contact@devocion.com 
• Pro-tip: Sit by the skylight for natural light that makes your hot chocolate shot glow beautifully.

Blue Bottle Coffee

Blue Bottle is for minimalists. They use Dandelion chocolate, which is top-tier. It’s not a sweet, creamy mess. It’s a clean, balanced cup that’s all about the chocolate flavor. Very grown-up.

• Price: Around $6
• Location: Various branches across NYC
• Contact: https://bluebottlecoffee.com 
• Pro-tip: Pair it with one of their pastries and snap a flat lay against their clean, modern café interiors.

Ladurée

Look, you’re here for macarons and the fancy, pastel green interior. Their hot chocolate is, predictably, very rich and very French. It’s an expensive, sit-down experience.

• Price: Around $9–$11
• Location: 398 W Broadway, New York
• Contact: https://www.laduree.us | (646) 392-7868 | contact@laduree.com 
• Pro-tip: Go in the morning when it’s quiet — you’ll get better lighting and a calm, Paris-like atmosphere.

Butler

A solid, reliable, all-around good hot chocolate. It’s not a gimmick, it’s not a tourist trap. It’s just a great local coffee shop that makes a velvety, classic cup. We need more of this.

• Price: Around $6
• Location: 40 Water St, Brooklyn NY 
• Contact: https://www.butler-nyc.com | (347) 689-3663
• Pro-tip: Bring your drink outside and enjoy the DUMBO skyline view just a few steps away.

Venchi

Another Italian spot that knows what it’s doing. This is thick drinking chocolate. The pro move here is the “Affogato” equivalent: get a scoop of their hazelnut gelato and pour the hot chocolate over it.

• Price: Around $8
• Location: 861 Broadway, New York
• Contact: https://us.venchi.com | (929) 209-9610 
• Pro-tip: Ask for a mix of milk and dark chocolate for a perfectly balanced sip.

Cocoa Store

This isn’t a “café,” it’s a chocolate library. It’s a shop up on the 6th floor where you can pick your chocolate origin (like, “single-origin Peruvian”) and they’ll make you a cup. This is for chocolate nerds, in the best way.

• Price: Around $7–$8
• Location: 873 Broadway 6th floor, New York
• Contact: https://www.instagram.com/cocoastorenyc | (212) 343-7011
• Pro-tip: Try their sampler flight to compare chocolate notes from around the world — a must for cocoa enthusiasts.

Eat Pretty

This is 100% for the ‘Gram. The entire place is pink. The hot chocolate is pink. It’s an Upper East Side spot made for photos. It’s… fine and it’s sweet. You’re not going for the chocolate, you’re going for the shot.

• Price: Around $6–$8
• Location: 501 1/2 E. 83rd St, New York 
• Contact: https://www.instagram.com/eatprettyues | (917) 261-4680  
• Pro-tip: Visit on a weekday morning for soft natural light and fewer crowds for that perfect shot.

Feeling warmed up? 

Alright, that’s the list. Stop freezing, pick one, and go get a real cup of hot chocolate. You’ve earned it.

Dive deeper into NYC’s winter café scene, discover even more snug spots, and keep your coffee-game strong. Browse our full guide to 15+ Coziest Cafes in NYC for a Wintry Afternoon now and start planning your next café escape. From quiet corners with a book to stylish interiors perfect for that cozy Instagram shot — your next favorite spot is just a click away.

More…

• https://www.timeout.com/newyork/restaurants/best-hot-chocolate-in-nyc 
• https://www.the-carboholic.com/nyc-guides/hotchocolate-fcly3-alywa
• https://blog.giftya.com/article/best-hot-chocolate-in-nyc  
• https://www.overherenewyork.com/best-resorts-in-new-york-for-winter-fun 
• https://www.overheretoronto.com/best-hot-chocolate-toronto