The best hot chocolate spots in NYC

Cocoa practically overflows in the hot chocolate at Bar Pisellino, a local take on the Italian caffè. Its offering is rich enough to evoke a chocolate fountain—topped with a dollop of slow-melting whipped panna. A lot of hot chocolates split the difference between sweet sippable treat and dedicated dessert, and this one’s firmly situated among the latter. 

Daily Provisions’ hot chocolate marries foamed milk and Guittard Chocolate ganache. It's airy and delicious, becoming especially buoyant when topped with a single large marshmallow.

Pastry chef's Umber Ahmad's take on hot chocolate is straightforward and perfect: Valrhona chocolate, steamed milk and a toasted housemade vanilla bean marshmallows that will haunt your child's dreams. West Village (mahzedahrbakery.com). $5.

There are three categories of “drinking chocolates” at this chocolatier chain: Blended (in dark, milk, or white chocolate varieties), single source (Bolivia, Brazil), or a spicy dark brew punched up with chili powder. Each is a treat. 

The original Levain, whose goods are now sold far and wide, is still a hot spot for all manner of sweets. Its comforting hot cocoa is made with French Valrhona chocolate, and its signature oversized cookies are just a reach away for a super decadent day. 

Pastry maestro Dominique Ansel crowns his hot cocoa with a marshmallow flower wrapped in a band of chocolate to bloom before your eyes. There’s an extra sweet surprise at the bud’s center. 

This old-timey soda fountain celebrates sweater weather with an abundant hot cocoa topped with a small mountain of toasted house-made marshmallow. It invites a spoon more than many others. 

MarieBelle’s SoHo boutique has a whole Cacao Bar replete with four varieties: Aztec, milk hazelnut, spiced chocolate and white chocolate. It also offers each option as a mix, plus tons of other gifts, to take home. 

Breads does well by chocolate across oodles of options, so that it’s also served hot in a cup is pleasant, but no surprise.. The sweet concoction is made with 35-percent Cacao Noel chocolate disks and wears a cap of steamed whole milk. 

Sometimes a chain is a chain for good reason, and this one has several hot chocolate stops around NYC and beyond. It’s also available with a lightly fragrant lavender infusion.