La Maison du Chocolat

La Maison du Chocolat isn’t cheap, but if you’re up for a slight splurge this French chocolatier is one of the best. The hot chocolate is everything you hope a cup would be: silky, rich and perfectly sweet. The luxurious taste may not be one to get every day, but for a special occasion with your little ones this is sure to satisfy your wildest hot chocolate dreams. The Madison Avenue location is our favorite as it’s typically the least crowded, but you will also find them in Rockefeller Center and the Shops at Columbus Circle. 

La Maison du Chocolat
1018 Madison Ave.
Upper East Side
212-744-7117
Online: lamaisonduchocolat.us

30 Rockefeller Plaza
Midtown West
212-265-9404

10 Columbus Circle
Midtown
212-265-9404

L.A. Burdick Handmade Chocolates

Stellar hot chocolate is just one of the reasons to visit this Soho chocolate shop. It's also famous for its handmade chocolate mice and penguins; see how they make them here. Come back in the summer for a rich and refreshing chocolate frappé.

156 Prince St. 
Soho
212-796-0143
Online: burdickchocolate.com

Max Brenner

One of our picks for the best theme restaurants in NYC, Max Brenner is dedicated to all things chocolate, including hot chocolate. (They have a full food menu as well.) Pick from dark, milk, or white hot chocolate, or one of the many flavored options, such as Mexican spicy hot chocolate, Oreo, peanut butter, or the "Italian Thick", melted blocks of chocolate with fresh vanilla cream. You can get all of these to go, but sipping there means you get to experience the signature Max Brenner "hug mug", shown here. To dine in, make a reservation here. 

841 Broadway
Union Square
646-467-8803
Online: maxbrenner.us

Brooklyn Farmacy & Soda Fountain

A longtime favorite spot for locals, tourists and film scouts (this place looks like an old school soda fountain and ic cream parlor) Brooklyn Farmacy serves a classic cup of cocoa several ways. Options include oat milk hot chocolate, hot chocolate topped with whipped cream or house-made toasted marshmallow fluff, or the delectable salty caramel hot chocolate. Love it? You can buy a tin of it to bring home and make it yourself. Brooklyn Farmacy is closed Tuesdays. 

513 Henry St. 
Carroll Gardens 
718-522-6260
Online: brooklynfarmacyandsodafountain.com

MarieBelle

It's not cheap and it’s not basic, but for a fancy outing with a child with discriminating tastes, SoHo shop MarieBelle is worth a trip. Antique furnishings and sparkling chandeliers complement fine chocolates of all kinds and a hot chocolate the store describes as "thick and decadent." Choose from a menu with variations such as Aztec, spicy, Tahitian Vanilla, white chocolate and even hot chocolate with natural banana pulp. A refined menu of cafe bites such as quiche, soup and crepes offers light eating options.

MarieBelle
484 Broome St.
SoHo
212-925-6999
Online: mariebelle.com

Squish

As the name perhaps implies, this place is very much about its marshmallows, which come in a wide array of flavors, from birthday party to rocky road to banana pudding and beyond. But the hot chocolate is a worthy companion. "Splurge" and get a fun drink topper that looks like a snowman, unicorn or smiling emoji for $1.75. 

Squish 
120 St. Mark's Place
East Village 
646-896-1667
Online: squishmarshmallows.com

Maman

Looking for a new twist on the traditional cup of cocoa? The lavender hot chocolate at Maman is the way to go. The milk is infused with dried lavender, steamed and combined with melted dark chocolate, creating a delicate and delicious drink.

It's a great time to visit Maman's 237 Centre Street location. Now through December 31, the storefront will be transformed into a winter wonderland, complete with a gourmet Hot Chocolate Bar and a brand new cookie menu exclusive to the pop-up. "Miracle on Centre Street" will offer a Daily Cookie Menu, as well as a surprise exclusive cookie as part of a Maman Cookie Advent Calendar.  The cookie will be announced on maman’s Instagram the night before it goes on sale. 

Maman
211 West Broadway
Tribeca
646-882-8682
Online: mamannyc.com

239 Centre St.
SoHo
212-226-0700

837 Washington St.
Meatpacking District
844-577-6969

22 W. 25th St. 
Nomad
646-476-7660

50 Broad St.
FiDi (inside Paper Source)

205 Hudson St. 
Hudson
929-243-4362

80 Kent St.
Greenpoint
Brooklyn
347-689-9195

Jacques Torres

Before he became a television star alongside Nicole Byer on Nailed It! Jacques Torres was (and still is) “Mr. Chocolate." Unhappy with the quality of chocolate that was available to him while working as a pastry chef, Jacques Torres constructed his own factory so he could make chocolate exactly the way he wanted from scratch. Try a cup of Classic, made from real chocolate, not powder. Or if you're more daring, go for the Wicked, with its extra kick of allspice, cinnamon and ground chili peppers. Both varieties are so thick they might be mistaken for milkshakes. Tip: They’ll let you try a little sample before you choose your cup. And FYI, JT also sells a Hot Chocolate Gift Set.

Jacques Torres Chocolate
66 Water St.
DUMBO
718-875-1269
Online: mrchocolate.com

285 Amsterdam
Upper West Side 
212-787-3256

110 E. 57th St. 
Upper East Side 
646-852-6624

Bibble & Sip

Midtown rejoice! The house made hot chocolate at Bibble & Sip tastes like something just lifted from your grandmother’s stove. Even the marshmallow floating on top is homemade. This family-run business specializes in gourmet coffee, espresso and pastries, made in the French Confectionery tradition and inspired by Asian flavors. Good to know: the word “bibble” means “to eat indulgently”—so order up some sweet treats with your cocoa and coffee.  

Bibble & Sip
253 West 51st St.
Midtown West
646-649-5116
Online: bibbleandsip.com

174 Hester St. (Thurs. - Sun.)
Chinatown

The Chocolate Room

The Chocolate Room is known for all of its outstanding chocolate products, but the Dark Hot Cocoa is our favorite. Made with 61% Belgian chocolate, it is one of the cafe's most popular drinks. Currently, the Park Slope location is open Friday and Saturdays from 2-9 p.m., and Sunday 2-8 p.m. for pick-up. The Cobble Hill location is open five days a week for takeout and special order pickup. 

The Chocolate Room
269 Court St.
Cobble Hill
718-246-2600
Online: thechocolateroombrooklyn.com

51 Fifth Ave.
Park Slope
Brooklyn
718-783-2900