New York City has one of the most amazing culinary scenes in the entire world. So it’s only natural that it also has some of the best chocolate in the world. Read on to discover the best chocolate in New York according to me, Chocolate Noise founder, author, and chocolate expert, Megan Giller.
Bean-to-Bar Chocolate
This hip shop features chocolate made on site, using beans from the Dominican Republic. That focus allows you to dive into terroir in a really cool way, tasting single-origin bars from different regions of the same country, one of which even has a denomination of origin (just like champagne or Parmigiano-Reggiano!). Also check out the wall of bars from other craft chocolate makers, one of the best in town.
97 N 10th St space 1g, Brooklyn, NY 11249; (718) 387-1238
Chocolate tastings in NYC are the name of the game here. Tailored in particular for fun team-building activities, we curate our favorite chocolate from our favorite bean-to-bar makers around the world, and share it with your guests and you. (Or make it really special and add signed copies of my book, Bean-to-Bar Chocolate: America’s Craft Chocolate Revolution, featured above!) Taste single-origin Madagascar bars, brown butter milk chocolate, and more as you learn about where chocolate comes from, how it’s made, and whether white chocolate is really chocolate after all.
This Brooklyn bean-to-bar maker doesn’t roast their beans, instead opting to pair the wild flavors with complementary inclusions like dehydrated strawberries and coconut. Currently they’re only open on the weekends, but stop by for some seriously delicious tastes.
64 Seabring St, Brooklyn, NY 11231; (855) 255-3354
In the heart of Bushwick, find this raw bean-to-bar chocolate maker, whose quirkiness is as delightful as their chocolate. (They’ve been known to dip mini action figures in chocolate, just for fun.) In addition to bars, check out their collections of bonbons as well as “chunky” bars (kind of like Almond Joy, but so, so much better), and keep your eye out for local collaborations.
70 Scott Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11237; 70 Scott Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11237
Head to the Bronx to taste single-origin bars made by three brothers originally from Trinidad and Tobago, where they were surrounded by Theobroma cacao trees and ate chocolate made from pods and beans they had picked themselves. Now they’re creating quintessentially bean-to-bar chocolate, with only two ingredients: cocoa beans and sugar.
780 E 133rd St, Bronx, NY 10454; (929) 294-5111
This delightful shop in the Flatiron District carries some of the best bean-to-bar brands in the world. Think Dandelion, Amedei, Castronovo, and Fruition. They even have Soma, one of my all-time favorites, which is almost impossible to find in the U.S.!
873 Broadway 6th floor, New York, NY 10003; (212) 982-8113
Speaking of great chocolate selections, this specialty food store in Chelsea Market is practically bursting with deliciousness. You’ll see the Great Wall of Chocolate on the left as soon as you walk in, but keep looking. There are delicacies around every corner! Plus, owner David Porat prides himself on importing the latest and greatest finds, so you just might discover something that is only available in the U.S. at this shop.
75 9th Ave, New York, NY 10011; (212) 727-1111
Confections
In typical New York City fashion, Little Italy’s biggest flavors come in the tiniest storefronts. The bonbons from former Per Se chocolatier Susanna Yoon, made with French bean-to-bar brand Valrhona Chocolate, will blow your mind: Everything from traditional salted caramel to Kalamansi meringue pie. I usually think dessert is either pretty or yummy, but here, you get to have your chocolate and eat it too!
202A Mott St, New York, NY 10012; (646) 918-6336
Kreuther Handcrafted Chocolate
Celebrity chef Gabrielle Kreuther also boasts an impeccable chocolate shop with her name. Find traditional truffles as well as fun bonbons (think kiwi-lemongrass and 10-flavor yogurt) that are as elegant as they are delicious. Right now the shop is online only.
Hand-dipped bonbons are the delicacy here, as well as adorable mice and other chocolate creatures. This shop is one of the only ones in the country to still make their confections this way, and the care and quality shows. It also helps that they source impeccable chocolate from the likes of Valrhona and Felchlin to make their treats.
156 Prince St, New York, NY 10012; (212) 796-0143
This French brand has four locations in the Big Apple, all of which feature housemade bonbons and truffles that are classic French, classic deliciousness. If you’re looking for an elegant, modern brand, La Maison is your go-to.
30 W 49th St, New York, NY 10020; (212) 265-9404
1018 Madison Ave, New York, NY 10075; (212) 744-7117
The Shops at Columbus Circle, 10 Columbus Cir, New York, NY 10019; (718) 215-7058
Plaza Food Hall, 1 W 59th St, New York, NY 10019; (212) 355-3436
In the mood for hot chocolate? Hit up this excellent chocolatier in Soho for multiple hot chocolate choices in a cute tearoom-esque atmosphere, as well as bonbons and truffles and confections galore.
484 Broome St, New York, NY 10013; (212) 925-6999
Other Awesome Places
Cacao grows 20 degrees above and below the Equator, which means it’s almost impossible to find the fruit from the cacao pod anywhere else. That’s part of what makes this East Village shop so special: You’ll find cacao fruit juice and cacao fruit bowls (like an acai bowl!), as well as some over-the-top chocolate desserts.
28 E 13th St, New York, NY 10003; (917) 265-8737
This beloved Brooklyn ice cream shop now has almost as many locations as fans. They use chocolate and cocoa powder from French maker Michel Cluizel as well as American company Askinosie Chocolate, and their vegan treats are as good (some might even say better!) than their traditional ice cream.
Multiple Locations
A list of the best chocolate in NYC couldn’t be complete without mentioning Levain’s enormous chocolate chip cookies. Made with Valrhona’s chocolate and cocoa powder, they are truly a gift from the gods.
351 Amsterdam Ave, New York, NY 10024; (917) 464-3782
1484 3rd Ave, New York, NY 10028; (917) 464-5578
164 N 4th St, Brooklyn, NY 11211; (917) 464-3785
Overwhelmed with chocolate?! Make the decision easy and let us curate a private chocolate tasting for you! Fill out this form or email us at events@chocolatenoise.com and let’s get started!