A little hot chocolate never hurt anyone. In fact, a lot of hot chocolate probably hasn't either. Some cocoa on a cold day can put a sweet smile on your frost-kissed face. As winter finally descends upon New York City, head directly to one of these 8 Manhattan hot spots for absolutely delicious hot chocolate.
The City Bakery
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/1.hot-chocolate-city-bakery2-568586bb3df78ccc15e540f2.jpg)
Any list outlining the best hot chocolate in Manhattan simply has to include the delectable chocolate elixir that's served up at The City Bakery. Bonus: The rich, creamy hot chocolate here comes complete with a massive homemade marshmallow. In addition to hot chocolate, The City Bakery offers excellent pastries, sandwiches, and salads, courtesy of their expert bakery staff, which claims more than 140 years of combined experience. thecitybakery.com
MarieBelle
A gourmet chocolatier, MarieBelle in SoHo takes its chocolate very seriously. This chocolate boutique offers wonderfully flavorful milk chocolate, dark chocolate, and white chocolate beverages in their elegant cacao bar and tearoom, with abundant flavors ranging from rich to smoky to fiery. MarieBelle also offers iced chocolate for the warmer months. mariebelle.com
Lavazza Café in Eataly
There's so much to taste and enjoy at Eataly, and that includes a great cup of hot chocolate. Stop by the food emporium's Lavazza Café for a serving of their wonderfully made hot chocolate, and feel free to get it topped by a generous dollop of fresh whipped cream. eataly.com
Roni-Sue Chocolates
Opened in 2007, Roni-Sue Chocolates is the perfect spot to give your sweet tooth what it craves. The hot chocolate here is rich and flavorful, with the cocoa melted right into the steamed milk. Their Lower East Side locale offers a whole range of unique confections and treats, as well. roni-sue.com
Max Brenner
You've no doubt seen Max Brenner if you've been around Union Square, and the man behind the brand certainly knows his way around chocolate. There are several different kinds of hot chocolates to sample, including hazelnut, peanut butter, and spicy varieties. maxbrenner.com
GROM
GROM serves some excellent gelato, but they've also got a way with hot chocolate. You can find rich hot chocolate imported from Italy at two GROM locations: one in the West Village and the other near Columbus Circle.
Jacques Torres Chocolate
Offering handcrafted artisinal chocolates at multiple locations throughout Manhattan, you can't go wrong with an indulgence at Jacques Torres. Their hot chocolate goes well with the variety of baked goods and confections that are also available. Multiple locations throughout Manhattan, including the Upper West Side, the Upper East Side, Midtown, Rockefeller Center, Grand Central Station, NoHo, and SoHo; mrchocolate.com
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Frozen_Hot_Chocolate_Hi-res--2-56a5ee353df78cf7728aa060.jpg)
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/1.-Candle-Cafe-583c621b3df78c6f6a33c81b.jpg)
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/dumplings-vanessas-2-56b838475f9b5829f83db354.jpg)
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/manhattan-585245881-59864e706f53ba0011d47eea.jpg)
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/food-truck-in-the-meatpacking-district--manhattan--new-york-city--usa--north-america-1059655016-5c923d1946e0fb0001f8d142.jpg)
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/GettyImages-492647567-5c0515b2c9e77c0001f5849a.jpg)
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/42nd-street-at-night--manhattan--new-york-952716070-5c93ad6c46e0fb000165dfad.jpg)
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/10366056_906096536071249_1707895675070684864_n-5880f92c5f9b58bdb38298e1.jpg)
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/young-brunette-taking-a-photo-with-a-smartphone-504576676-5b19da023128340036f78fdc.jpg)
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/GettyImages-494607942-nyc-58f120903df78cd3fc2759ad.jpg)
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/-c-Perry-St-57c464ca5f9b5855e5ba38c1.jpg)
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/2.-Rainbow-Room_Photo-Cred-Bart-Barlow--2-56a5ee293df78cf7728aa038.jpg)
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Brunch-5bcd5757c9e77c0051fa844d.jpg)
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/GettyImages-688479102-595922063df78c4eb6e3c980.jpg)
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/GettyImages-93225477-594d1aef3df78cae81908107.jpg)
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/-c-Boulud-South-56a5eda05f9b58b7d0df319d.jpg)