Best Places for Hot Chocolate in New York

Serendipity 3's famous Frozen Hot Chocolate by Wil

A good friend recently asked me for my list of top addresses for hot chocolate in New York City (where I lived for 5 years prior to coming to Europe, and where I continue to visit from time to time).  He travelled there over the weekend from Washington DC, and I was delighted to hear that he found my list helpful!  It dawned on me today that perhaps I should share this list with other chocolat chaud enthusiasts out there.  So if you live in New York, or are simply visiting, here are my recommendations for where to settle in with a nice cup of hot chocolate.  It's one of the best ways to be warm & cosy in the Big Apple.  Enjoy!

1 :: Serendipity 3 (225 East 60th St, Midtown East).  This was my favourite hot chocolate place in the early 2000s and I think it will always have a soft spot in my heart!  Serendipity 3 is cosy and the hot chocolate is delicious.  They also have this amazing concept called Frozen Hot Chocolate that you must definitely try!  Warning: avoid the place during peak hours as the queue can be up to 2 hours long.  (Yes, it's that good.)

2 :: Jacques Torres (350 Hudson St, Soho).  At Jacques Torres, you can treat yourself to the Wicked Hot Chocolate (which, in fact, is pretty wicked).  Despite the name, it's on the sweeter side so if you're looking for a more bitter concoction, I'd opt for the other recommendations on this list.  Still quite yummy nonetheless!

3 :: La Maison du Chocolat (30 Rockefeller Plaza, Midtown).  Definitely more luxe with plush seating, quite like the one in Paris.  La Maison du Chocolat New York offer 2 types here but make sure you get the Caracas - it's their dark chocolate version.  (The other one is milk chocolate with some vanilla - I say not for real chocolate lovers!)

4 :: Otto (1 5th Ave, Greenwich Village).  The enoteca-slash-pizzeria Otto offers a hot chocolate called Gianduja Calda that is a blend of 2 types of dark chocolate with a bit of hazelnut milk.  Ask them to put only a little bit of milk if you prefer it rich rather than creamy.  I love the Italian mugs that they serve it in.

5 :: City Bakery (3 West 18th Ave, Flat Iron).  City Bakery is a great hot chocolate place that won't put a hole in your wallet.  It's more balanced than the real thick dark chocolate that you get at La Maison or Otto, so it appeals to more of my friends who don't like anything too rich, too bitter, or too dark.  Don't miss out on the Hot Chocolate Festival that they participate in every February!

6 :: Max Brenner, Chocolate by the Bald Man (841 Broadway, Union Square).  Max Brenner is the first restaurant devoted entirely to chocolate so if you are a true chocoholic, it should be near the top of your list of places to visit.  It's serious thick dark chocolate for serious hot chocolate drinkers.  I'd recommend making reservations though, especially during this time of the year.

7 :: Vosges Haut-Chocolat (132 Spring St at Greene, Soho).  Aside from yummy truffles, Vosges Haut-Chocolat also have a variety of hot chocolates, including the Parisien which is true dark chocolate with some vanilla bean.  If you like your hot chocolate with a kick, I'd recommend trying the Aztec Elixir which is made up of dark chocolate and chillies.

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Do you have any other recommendations for best places to get hot chocolate in New York City?  If so, share it with us in the comments below!