New York winter staples: hefty coats, polar vortexes, intense desires to move to the West Coast, and… hot chocolate. In a city filled with peculiar culinary creations (think: cronut) and endless variations on old classics, sometimes it’s nice to, well, stick to those classics. While seeking repair from the unending snow, we try out some of the best cups of hot chocolate that New York offers:
The City Bakery
3 West 18th Street, 212-366-1414
www.thecitybakery.com
Undoubtedly the most dedicated to the art of hot chocolate, the City Bakery is known for its annual Hot Chocolate Festival (going on right now). Every day in February, enjoy a creative take on the delicacy (Thursday, February13th’s Chili Pepper Hot Chocolate already has us hooked).
Popbar
5 Carmine Street, 212-255-4874
www.pop-bar.com
Hot chocolate… on a stick. Dip your chocolate into the foamy milk and see your hatred for winter melt away alongside of it. We suggest you pair the concoction with popBites, bite sized confections filled with gelato and covered in more chocolate.
Oro Bakery and Bar
375 Broome Street, 212-941-6368
www.orobakerybar.com
After a long day at work, all you want is some comfort… and alcohol. Find both at Oro Bakery and Bar, a neighborhood café during the day, and a nice little wine bar at night, offering a spiked hot chocolate that you’ll be dreaming of the next morning.
Lavazza @ Eataly
200 Fifth Avenue 212-229-2560
www.eataly.com/caffe-lavazza
Italians simply do it better. Although we do recommend the coffee here, the hot chocolate is a must-have as well.
Jacques Torres
Multiple Locations, 718-875-1269
www.mrchocolate.com
Head to Jacques Torres and order the spicy hot chocolate, ground with allspice, cinnamon, ancho, and chipotle chili peppers. Basically, New York in a cup.
Le Churro
1236 Lexington Avenue, 646-649-5253
www.lechurro.com
Le Churro’s specialty? Spanish-style churros with chocolate (available in 8 different varieties, think Nutella and sea salt). And, yes, these taste as good as they sound.
Van Leeuwen Artisan Ice Cream
632 Manhattan Avenue, Greenpoint, Brooklyn, 718-701-1630
81 Bergen Street, Boerum Hill, Brooklyn, 347-763-2979
48 1/2 East 7th Street, Manhattan, 718-715-0758
www.vanleeuwenicecream.com
Renowned for its use of organic ingredients when making ice cream, the premise’s fame continues with the use of Michel Cluizel chocolate in their 99%-cocoa-made hot chocolate.
Roasting Plant Coffee Company
81 Orchard Street, 212-775-7755 ext. 2
75 Greenwich Avenue, 212-7755 ext. 3
www.roastingplant.com
Not a fan of extremely chocolate-y hot chocolates? Roasting Plant Coffee Company’s product is for you. Thinner than most, the drink is made with neighboring Il Laboratorio del Gelato’s dark chocolate gelato for cocoa.
Il Bambino Panini Restaurant
34-08 31st Ave., Astoria, 718-626-0087
www.ilbambinonyc.com
Peanut butter hot chocolate. What else can a sweets lover ask for?
La Maison du Chocolat
Multiple location
www.lamaisonduchocolat.com/en/boutiques.php#5/5
The cup is pricey, but certainly worth it. Served in fine china and topped with whipped cream, the hot chocolate is a natural extension of the spot’s other offerings. Bonus points: the close vicinity to Rockefeller’s ice skating rink.
The Chocolate Room
269 Court St., Brooklyn, 718-246-2600
www.thechocolateroombrooklyn.com
A charming place in ever-evolving Brooklyn, The Chocolate Room offers different varieties of the drink and is the go-to spot when in the neighborhood.
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