We've highlighted some of the coziest cafes in New York City where families can grab a steaming mug of cold-weather beverages like hot cocoa or tea. Our guide includes sweet stops in Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Queens.
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Hot Chocolate and Tea in Manhattan
Alice’s Tea Cup
102 W. 73rd St., Upper West Side
212-799-3006
Daily, 8am-8pm
156 E. 64th St., Midtown East
212-486-9200
Daily, 8am-8pm
220 E. 81st St., Upper East Side
212-734-4832
Monday-Friday, 11am-5pm, Saturday-Sunday, 9am-5pm
Whimsical Alice in Wonderland themed teahouse carries more than 130 varieties of tea. Perfect stop for afternoon tea. Options for Afternoon Tea include the Wee Tea for children (choice of tea, scone, sandwich from the “menu for the small,” and cookies for $15); Nibble (choice of tea, scone, sandwich, and cookies for $23); Mad Hatter (choice of tea, scones, two sandwiches, and a dessert for $30; $37 for two); and, for those throwing caution to the wind, the Jabberwocky (choice of tea, scones, unlimited sandwiches, and two desserts for $38; additional $20 to share). In addition, Alice's serves a traditional hot chocolate, and a Loco Cocoa, with cayenne, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
City Bakery
3 West 18th St., Flatiron
212-366-1414
Monday-Friday, 7:30am-6pm; Saturday, 8am-6pm; Sunday, 9am-5pm
The bakery’s classic artisanal hot chocolate is notoriously rich, and is topped with a giant homemade marshmallow. Each February, the bakery hosts its Annual Hot Chocolate Festival with a unique flavor for each day of the month; past flavors have included chili pepper hot chocolate, bourbon hot chocolate, and lemon hot chocolate.
Cocoa Bar
21 Clinton St., Lower East Side
212-677-7417
Sunday, 10am-11pm; Monday-Thursday, 4-11pm; Friday, 4pm-12:30am; Saturday, 10am-12:30am
Café by day, wine bar by night, this home of the Chocolatté—espresso mixed with mocha, steamed milk, and melted chocolate—offers hot chocolate in white and dark chocolate, mint, cinnamon, spicy, or funky monkey flavors. Also offers espresso drinks, chocolate, chai and herbal teas.
Jacques Torres
107 E. 42nd St., Grand Central Station
212-922-3620
350 Hudson St., Soho
212-414-2462
327 Lafayette St., Noho
646-370-4719
1186 Third Ave., Upper East Side
212-204-7040
110 E. 57th St., Midtown East
646-852-6624
285 Amsterdam Ave., Upper West Side
212-787-3256
30 Rockefeller Plaza, Rockefeller Center
212-664-1804
Call for location hours
Makes its own hot chocolate powder from real chocolate. The Classic Hot Chocolate comes with a variety of add-ins, including handmade, all-natural ingredients (no syrups!) such as peanut butter, caramel, orange, and mocha. All of these flavors can be mixed with ground ancho and chipotle peppers, which transforms the hot chocolate into Wicked Hot Chocolate.
L.A. Burdick
5 E. 20th St., Flatiron
212-796-0143
Sunday, 10am-8pm; Monday-Saturday, 8am-9pm
This tea and chocolate shop also sells Burdick's famous chocolates and European-inspired pastries. Hot dark, milk, and white drinking chocolates served along with specialty coffee drinks.
MarieBelle
484 Broome St. Soho
212-925-6999
Monday-Thursday, 11am-7pm; Friday-Sunday, 11am-8pm
Relax in the warm atmosphere of a Parisian café, with the aroma of fresh-baked pastries, and a European coffee. Also serves Aztec hot and iced chocolate, fine teas, and exotic fruit smoothies.
Max Brenner
841 Broadway, Union Square
646-467-8803
Monday-Thursday, 9am-1am; Friday, 9am-2am; Sunday, 9am-12am
The hot chocolate, which is made with 100-percent chocolate, is a light and frothy beverage that comes in dark, milk, white, or Swiss whipped cream varieties and is served in a Hug Mug. Classic chocolate beverages such as Italian Thick Hot Chocolate with vanilla cream and Mexican Spicy Hot Chocolate with red chili, nutmeg, cinnamon, and pepper are also on the menu.
Serendipity3
225 E. 60th St., Midtown East
212-838-3531
Sunday-Thursday, 11:30am-12am; Friday-Saturday, 11:30am-1am
The Serendipitous Hot Chocolate is topped with whipped cream, grated orange, cinnamon, and shaved French chocolate. Other options include the Frrrozen Hot Chocolate, Peanut Butter Frrrozen Hot Chocolate, and Frrrozen Mint Hot Chocolate. Tea-lovers can indulge in one of seven varieties. Serendipity also serves a full lunch and dinner menu.
Tea & Sympathy
108 Greenwich Ave., West Village
212-989-9735
Monday-Friday, 11am-10:30pm; Saturday, 9:30am-10:30pm; Sunday, 9:30am-10pm
Afternoon Tea service includes your choice of tea, six finger sandwiches, two scones with clotted cream and jam, and a piece of cake ($35; $60 for two). In addition, Tea & Sympathy stresses a no-frills environment, with a very kid-friendly menu and atmosphere. Tea is also sold by the pot, and comes in nearly 30 varieties.
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Hot Chocolate and Tea in Brooklyn
Cacao Market
67 Guernsey St., Greenpoint
Weekdays, 11am- 7pm; weekends 11am-8pm
718-388-5388
From the MarieBelle chocolate family, this ultimate chocolate lover’s destination in Greenpoint is a one-stop-shop to satisfy your sweet tooth. Tour the ganache factory and relax with one of the 15 hot cocoas served in the café.
The Chocolate Room
51 5th Ave., Park Slope
718-783-2900
269 Court St., Cobble Hill
718-246-2600
Sunday-Thursday, 12-11pm; Friday-Saturday, 12pm-12am
Hot cocoa three ways: classic milk chocolate, a 61-percent dark bittersweet chocolate, or a spiced dark chocolate made with ancho chiles, cloves, cinnamon, and chipotle. Add homemade marshmallow or fresh whipped cream for an extra $0.75 each. Also serves a full chocolate-themed dessert menu, and chocolate teas.
Chocolateria
228 7th Ave., Park Slope
718-499-4080
609 Vanderbilt Ave.; Prospect Heights
917-250-6950 chocolateria.us
Park Slope hours: Monday-Thursday, 7am-10:30pm; Friday-Saturday, 7am-12am; Sunday, 7:30am-10:30pm
Prospect Heights hours: Monday-Thursday, 7am-7pm; Friday, 7am-9pm; Saturday, 8am-9pm; Sunday, 8am-8pm
Some of the best hot chocolate in New York can be found at Chocolateria, the Brooklyn chocolate boutique and wine bar where you can stop in for cold weather specialities like the peppermint hot chocolate or the toasted marshmallow latte. If peppermint isn’t your thing, try the hot chocolate in dark, cinnamon, almond, or even white chocolate.
Jacques Torres
66 Water St., Dumbo
718-875-1269
Monday-Saturday, 9am-8pm; Sunday, 10am-6pm
Makes its own hot chocolate powder from real chocolate. The Classic Hot Chocolate comes with a variety of add-ins, including handmade, all-natural ingredients (no syrups!) such as peanut butter, caramel, orange, and mocha. All of these flavors can be mixed with ground ancho and chipotle peppers, which transforms the hot chocolate into Wicked Hot Chocolate.
Martha’s Country Bakery
263 Bedford Ave., Williamsburg
718-599-0900
175 Bedford Ave.. Williamsburg
718-486-0500
Sunday-Thursday, 6am-12am; Friday-Saturday, 6am-1am
Carries a variety of eight herbal teas, a chai tea, and chai latte. It also serves a homemade hot chocolate, blended from melted Hershey's chocolate and steamed milk. Seasonal flavor varieties include peanut butter and pumpkin hot chocolates. In addition to beverages, Martha's offers desserts and pastries.
Nunu Chocolates
529 Atlantic Ave., Boerum Hill
718-834-1818
179 5th Ave., Park Slope
718-622-3212
Boerum Hill hours: Monday-Friday, 8am-9pm; Saturday-Sunday, 9am-9pm
Park Slope hours: Daily, 9am-9pm
Grab a box of chocolates made on-site, or sit and enjoy a latte, hot chocolate, craft beer or glass of wine paired with homemade truffles and dipping caramels.
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Hot Chocolate and Tea in Queens
Canelle Patisserie
75-59 31st Ave., Jackson Heights
718-565-6200
Monday-Friday, 6:30am-8pm; Saturday, 7am-8pm; Sunday, 7am-4pm
Original hot chocolate is a homemade blend of milk and dark chocolate, milk, vanilla, and secret ingredients. The French patisserie also serves more than 10 varieties of Harney and Sons full-leaf teas, as well as classic Lipton. Additionally, Canelle serves a wide array of quiches, sandwiches, cakes, and tarts.
Martha’s Country Bakery
70-28 Austin St., Forest Hills
718-544-0088
36-21 Ditmars Blvd., Astoria
718-545-9737
41-06 Bell Blvd., Bayside
718-225-5200
Sunday-Thursday, 6am-12am; Friday-Saturday, 6am-1am
Carries a variety of eight herbal teas, a chai tea, and chai latte. It also serves a homemade hot chocolate, blended from melted Hershey's chocolate and steamed milk. Seasonal flavor varieties include peanut butter and pumpkin hot chocolates. In addition to beverages, Martha's offers desserts and pastries.
Pink Canary Desserts
13-11 Jackson Ave., Long Island City
718-729-1819
Tuesday-Friday, 10am-6pm; Saturday, 10am-4pm
Though this shop specializes in custom cakes, cupcakes, and other desserts, it’s coffee shop offers classic hot chocolate, coffee and espresso beverages, tea, and a variety of baked goods, including gluten-free and vegan options.
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