Destinations / New York City / Top Things to Do in New York City for Chocolate Lovers in SoHo
Top Things to Do in New York City for Chocolate Lovers in SoHo
1. MarieBelle New York
A jewel-box chocolate boutique with a hidden Cacao Bar & Tea Salon where hand-painted ganaches and velvety Aztec hot chocolate meet Old World elegance.
✓ Why Go:
It’s SoHo’s signature chocolate temple—perfect for sipping rich drinking chocolate and picking up artful bonbons that double as edible souvenirs.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Weekday late morning (11am–1pm) for relaxed salon seating; December–February for peak hot-chocolate coziness.
✓ Insider Tip:
Ask for the Aztec hot chocolate iced in warm weather and pair it with a small box of signature ganaches to taste contrasting origins.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Guests rave about the romantic setting and exceptionally thick, aromatic hot chocolate; many call it a must-return SoHo indulgence.
2. Ladurée Soho
Parisian pastry house with a lush garden and gilded salons known for chocolate macarons, silky chocolat chaud, and refined desserts.
✓ Why Go:
For chocolate lovers who want French-style decadence—think dark hot chocolate and cocoa-forward pastries in an elegant, unrushed setting.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Mid-afternoon on weekdays for easier garden seating; winter for warming hot chocolate and weekends for celebratory brunch treats.
✓ Insider Tip:
Order a pot of hot chocolate and build a macaron flight heavy on chocolate varieties; request garden seating on pleasant days.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Visitors adore the ambience and call the hot chocolate and macarons “transporting,” noting the garden feels like a Paris escape in SoHo.
3. Dominique Ansel Bakery
Home of viral creations and a destination for chocolate thrills like Blossoming Hot Chocolate, Frozen S’mores, and warm cookie shots.
✓ Why Go:
Creative, photogenic chocolate desserts that taste as good as they look—this is where SoHo’s dessert trends begin.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Arrive early for pastries and return in the afternoon for cookie shots; shoulder seasons (spring/fall) mean shorter lines.
✓ Insider Tip:
If you see Blossoming Hot Chocolate on the menu, enjoy it in-house so the marshmallow flower opens at its best for that perfect video.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Fans praise the balance of flavor and fun; even skeptics leave calling it “worth the hype” for chocolate-centric treats.
4. La Maison du Chocolat SoHo
The Paris icon’s SoHo boutique showcasing elegant ganaches, pralines, and a sublime cup of French hot chocolate.
✓ Why Go:
For impeccably crafted, cocoa-focused confections and a textbook example of French chocolatier finesse right in SoHo.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Late afternoon (3–5pm) for a calm chocolate-and-coffee pause; ideal on cool days when you crave a luxurious chocolat chaud.
✓ Insider Tip:
Build a custom box anchored in dark-chocolate signatures, then linger with a hot chocolate to compare origins and textures.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Guests laud the silky textures and nuanced flavors, calling it a refined, “treat-yourself” stop.
5. Morgenstern’s Finest Ice Cream
A modern ice cream parlor that treats chocolate like a spectrum—multiple cocoa styles, from classic to deeply dark and spiced.
✓ Why Go:
Create your own chocolate flight—sampling different percentages and styles—to appreciate how varied great chocolate can be.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Evenings after dinner; summer nights buzz, while cooler months are quieter and great for lingering.
✓ Insider Tip:
Ask which chocolate flavors share a base or origin, then order contrasting scoops to taste how cacao percentage changes body and finish.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Patrons love the creamy texture and bold chocolate profiles; many call it their go-to SoHo dessert stop.
6. Balthazar Bakery
The beloved bakery next to the iconic brasserie—famed for French-style breads and pastries, including cocoa-rich specialties.
✓ Why Go:
Pick up decadent chocolate tarts or their famed Valrhona chocolate breads to enjoy while strolling SoHo’s cast-iron blocks.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Morning (8–10am) for the best selection; holidays bring limited-edition chocolate desserts that sell out early.
✓ Insider Tip:
If you spot the chocolate tart or Valrhona chocolate bread, don’t wait—buy first, coffee second.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Travelers praise the consistent quality and call it an essential pastry stop with standout chocolate bakes.
7. Black Tap Craft Burgers & Beer (SoHo)
Home of the over-the-top CrazyShake—especially the chocolate-forward Brooklyn Blackout—with brownie chunks and chocolate drizzle.
✓ Why Go:
For an unapologetically fun, Insta-ready chocolate milkshake experience that’s as SoHo as street art and sneakers.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Late lunch or early evening on weekdays to avoid peak waits; winter is perfect for sharing a rich shake indoors.
✓ Insider Tip:
Split a Brooklyn Blackout and ask for extra napkins; pair with fries to balance the sweetness.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Guests call the shakes “epic,” noting generous portions and a playful vibe that delights chocolate lovers.
8. Maman SoHo
Charming French café with a garden and a cult-favorite nutty chocolate chip cookie, plus mochas and cocoa-leaning bakes.
✓ Why Go:
For an afternoon chocolate-cookie fix in a cozy setting—perfect between SoHo shopping stops.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Mid-morning or mid-afternoon on weekdays; cookies often sell fast on weekends.
✓ Insider Tip:
Warm the nutty chocolate chip cookie and sip a mocha; if the garden’s open, snag a seat for a serene break.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Fans swoon over the cookie’s salt-sweet crunch and the café’s photogenic interiors.
9. Pi Bakerie
A Greek bakery-café where chocolate meets Mediterranean sweets—think chocolate-dipped biscotti, cakes, and occasional chocolate baklava.
✓ Why Go:
A quieter SoHo nook for a coffee-and-chocolate slice, with savory options if you want a light lunch first.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Late breakfast or mid-afternoon for elbow room and pastry selection.
✓ Insider Tip:
Ask about chocolate specials; pair with a Greek coffee for a robust, not-too-sweet combo.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Visitors appreciate the friendly service and relaxed vibe—ideal for a low-key chocolate stop.
10. Sweet Rehab
A late-night dessert and champagne bar crafting glossy, chefy sweets—dark chocolate mille-feuille, rich eclairs, and silky mousse.
✓ Why Go:
When only a refined, chocolate-forward plated dessert will do—this is your SoHo nightcap.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Evenings (after 8pm) for date-night energy; open late so you can linger post-dinner.
✓ Insider Tip:
The Super Dark Chocolate Mousse or dark chocolate mille-feuille are standouts—pair with tea if you’re skipping bubbles.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Guests love the pastry-case theatrics and polished flavors, calling it a chic, chocolate-lover’s finale to a SoHo night.
