Destinations / New York City / Top Things to Do in New York City for Chocolate Lovers in Williamsburg
Top Things to Do in New York City for Chocolate Lovers in Williamsburg
1. Levain Bakery
Levain’s Williamsburg outpost brings the bakery’s cult-status cookies to North 4th Street. Expect gooey-centered, craggy-edged cookies that are practically a meal.
✓ Why Go:
Chocolate lovers make pilgrimages here for the dark chocolate chip and the double chocolate peanut butter cookies—still warm, intensely chocolaty, and unapologetically thick.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Weekdays before 11:00 a.m. or after 7:00 p.m. to avoid peak lines; weekends see the biggest rush midafternoon.
✓ Insider Tip:
Ask for cookies “underbaked” if you prefer extra-gooey centers, and pair one with their hot chocolate in colder months.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Raves focus on the texture contrast and rich chocolate flavor; many say it’s the most decadent cookie in NYC and worth the wait.
2. Martha's Country Bakery
A Williamsburg institution with gleaming cases stacked high with layer cakes, tortes, and tarts. The vibe is cozy, with plenty of seats for lingering.
✓ Why Go:
The blackout cake, chocolate mousse cake, and flourless chocolate torte are standouts—classic, crowd-pleasing slices with generous frosting and balanced sweetness.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Late morning or early afternoon on weekdays for easiest seating; evenings skew lively with dessert-and-coffee crowds.
✓ Insider Tip:
If you can’t decide, order mini-cake slices to share and add a side of warm fudge sauce for dipping.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Guests praise the consistency and variety, noting portions are big enough to split and the cakes taste as good as they look.
3. Little Choc Apothecary
A charming vegan creperie specializing in sweet buckwheat crêpes, cacao-packed fillings, and herbal infusions—proof that plant-based can be seriously indulgent.
✓ Why Go:
Build-your-own chocolate crêpes with house-made chocolate hazelnut spread, cacao nibs, and seasonal fruits. The sipping chocolate is rich and dairy-free.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Brunch hours (10:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.) for the widest pastry selection; evenings are quieter for dessert dates.
✓ Insider Tip:
Add a sprinkle of sea salt and toasted buckwheat to any chocolate crêpe for a roasty crunch that amplifies cacao notes.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Vegan and non-vegan diners alike applaud the crêpes’ depth of chocolate flavor and the café’s cozy, neighborhood feel.
4. Van Leeuwen Ice Cream
Brooklyn-born scoops served from a stylish Wythe Avenue shop. Classics and creative flavors share the case, with plenty for chocolate devotees.
✓ Why Go:
Choose from ultra-dark chocolate, fudge-swirled specials, and excellent vegan chocolate made with oat or cashew bases—silky and deeply cocoa-forward.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Late evening (after 9:00 p.m.) to skip daytime lines, or weekday afternoons for a relaxed tasting flight.
✓ Insider Tip:
Ask for a split scoop to sample two chocolate flavors together and top with a drizzle of warm chocolate sauce.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Fans love the creamy texture and robust chocolate intensity, calling it a must-stop after dinner on Bedford or Wythe.
5. Smorgasburg Williamsburg
New York’s iconic open-air food market pops up by the East River with sweeping skyline views and a rotating cast of dessert vendors.
✓ Why Go:
It’s a treasure hunt for chocolate lovers: think brownie bites, chocolate-dipped churros, mochi donuts, cocoa-dusted truffles, and inventive cacao drinks—often from small makers.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Arrive within the first hour of opening on market days (typically Saturdays, spring–fall) to beat crowds and ensure best selection.
✓ Insider Tip:
Bring cashless payment and a reusable tote; some vendors offer multi-item sampler deals early in the day.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Visitors gush over variety and riverfront vibes, noting it’s easy to build a progressive chocolate tasting from booth to booth.
6. Lilia
Acclaimed Italian cooking in a restored Williamsburg auto body shop, with a dessert menu that treats chocolate with reverence.
✓ Why Go:
Finish your pasta feast with seasonal chocolate gelati or a cocoa-forward dessert; the kitchen balances bitterness, salt, and silkiness beautifully.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Prime-time reservations book fast; try late lunch or early dinner. Walk-ins sometimes available at the bar.
✓ Insider Tip:
Ask about off-menu gelato pairings—dark chocolate sings with a drizzle of good olive oil and a pinch of sea salt.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Diners rave about refined flavors and say the chocolate desserts are a worthy finale to one of Brooklyn’s top meals.
7. Leuca
The William Vale’s wood-fired Italian restaurant turns out polished plates and an excellent pastry program with chocolate highlights.
✓ Why Go:
Don’t miss the dark chocolate budino-style dessert when on the menu—silky, luxurious, and perfect with an amaro or espresso.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Weeknights for a calmer scene; brunch brings chocolate-leaning pastries fresh from the oven.
✓ Insider Tip:
Head up to the hotel’s rooftop after dessert for skyline photos—sweet ending, sweeter view.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Guests call the setting stylish yet relaxed and praise the pastry team’s deft touch with cacao.
8. Domino Park
A waterfront park built on the site of the old Domino Sugar refinery, with riverfront lawns, industrial artifacts, and food kiosks.
✓ Why Go:
It’s a chocolate-lover’s picnic dream: pick up cocoa-packed pastries from nearby bakeries and enjoy them with panoramic Manhattan views.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Golden hour for cooler temps and best light; weekends fill up fast on the esplanade.
✓ Insider Tip:
Bring a blanket and a thermos of hot chocolate in cooler months; benches by the fog bridge are less crowded.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Visitors love the sugar-refinery history and say it’s the perfect spot to savor sweets between neighborhood tastings.
9. Milk Bar
The playful dessert brand’s Williamsburg shop serves inventive slices, truffles, and soft serve with occasional chocolate-driven specials.
✓ Why Go:
Seek out chocolate truffles, fudgey cake slices, or limited-time chocolate soft serve—fun, nostalgic, and big on flavor.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Afternoons are quietest; late nights draw crowds post-dinner and concertgoers from nearby venues.
✓ Insider Tip:
Ask staff about seasonal chocolate items—holiday hot chocolate and limited truffle flavors sell out quickly.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Fans praise the whimsical style and bold flavors, noting it’s a cheerful stop to cap a Williamsburg food crawl.
10. Kahkow Chocolate Factory & Shop
A boutique spot showcasing single-origin Dominican cacao, with shelves of bars, nibs, and cacao products to explore.
✓ Why Go:
Sample terroir-driven chocolates side by side—fruit-forward to nutty—and pick up bars you won’t find in typical grocery aisles.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Weekday afternoons for unhurried browsing and personalized tasting guidance from staff.
✓ Insider Tip:
Ask about limited-edition bars and 100% cacao options; pair with a small cup of sipping chocolate if available.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Shoppers love the knowledgeable staff and discovery vibe, calling it a hidden gem for serious cacao fans.
