Best Hot Chocolate in NYC

THE CHOCOLATE ROOM Sustainably sourced chocolate is the base for the delectable desserts and drinks at this Brooklyn cafe with two beautiful, cozy locations. The Chocolate Room works directly with a fair trade cocoa cooperative in Madagascar for some of their offerings, although they also sell locally made Mast Brothers chocolate, and use Belgian chocolate and Valhrona cocoa in their creamy and rich hot drinks ($5.25, or $7 if you add an espresso shot), which come topped with a large housemade marshmallow. There are a few spiked hot chocolate options, too.

The Chocolate Room has two locations: 269 Court Street in Cobble Hill, (718) 246-2600, and 51 5th Avenue in Park Slope, (718) 783-2900; thechocolateroombrooklyn.com

VOILA CHOCOLAT Grab your kids, or opt for a wholesome booze-free date, and head to this make-your-own chocolate shop for a fun afternoon activity. While you’re there, sip on a rich and creamy gourmet hot chocolate, made with all natural ingredients. Flavors include pumpkin spice, spicy “Daredevil,” Matcha, banana, peppermint, and more ($4.55 and up).

Voila Chocolat is located at 221 West 79th Street on the Upper West Side, (212) 920-8799; voila-chocolat.com

HECHO EN DUMBO There’s nothing like the warming effects of spicy Mexican hot chocolate; it’s practically a liquid blanket. Try it at Hecho en Dumbo, a contemporary Mexico City-inspired restaurant on the Bowery. They offer a delicious Mexican hot chocolate called Champurrado, which is thickened with fresh masa (tortilla dough), and spiced up with cinnamon and Mexican vanilla. Try it as a dessert option, with sweet empanadas ($9); or have it on its own for $4 ($12 if you spike it with rum)

Hecho en Dumbo is located at 354 Bowery in NoHo, (212) 937-4245; hechoendumbo.com

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MARIEBELLE With its old-fashioned decor and housemade chocolate confections, MarieBelle is a gem. Try a few samples before choosing from one of the innovative and delicious options. There are about twenty different flavors ($5.44 for small, $7.62 for large): milk chocolate with freshly ground hazelnuts, white chocolate with banana (from actual, natural banana), or white chocolate with Tahitian vanilla. These are rich and decadent, but not overly sweet.

MarieBelle is located at 484 Broome Street in SoHo, (212) 925-6999; mariebelle.com

MAX BRENNER And there’s always this classic chocolate-focused restaurant, serving various hot chocolate drinks in Union Square. There are 8 options, at $5.95 each, and they arrive in a white ceramic “hug mug” designed to be held neatly in both hands.

Max Brenner is located at 841 Broadway in Greenwich Village, (646) 467-8803; maxbrenner.com