This Valentine’s Day, don’t settle for drug-store chocolates in the shape of a heart. Check out some of New York’s best bakeries and restaurants for truly transportive chocolate desserts. From 24-layer chocolate cakes to boxes of shortbread cookies to frozen hot chocolate, we’ll help you find a treat you and your sweetheart can share over candlelight, a movie, or a night in.
Frrrozen Hot Chocolate at Serendipity 3
Brace yourself for a tureen of slushy chocolate wonder at the adorable Serendipity 3. This “hot” chocolate is famous for a reason: it’s perfectly textured and just the right amount of sweet. And you two will look so cute sipping this drink through a couple of straws! 225 E 60th St., 212-838-3531, serendipity3.com
Bolivie at Daniel
We suspect that diners in the know book Valentine’s tables at Daniel years in advance. However, they earned a mention on this list by making some of the most delectable chocolate dishes in the world, which are also feasts for the eyes. The Bolivie is a chocoholic’s fever dream come true. It’s a fantastic mix of textures, with soft chocolate bavaroise surrounded by sheets of dark chocolate and topped with berry ice cream. So… try booking for Feb. 15th instead? 60 E 65th St., 212-288-0033, danielnyc.com
Chocolate Budino at Charlie Bird
Perhaps the best of all worlds on this list, the Chocolate Budino at Charlie Bird brings three perfect desserts onto one plate. The budino itself is like a brownie (think dark-chocolate bread pudding) and comes with a scoop of olive-oil gelato and caramelized Rice Krispies, all sprinkled with sea salt. Start your meal with some pappardelle pasta and farro salad at this trendy SoHo spot, then dig into your budino. 5 King St., 212-235-7133, charliebirdnyc.com
It Came From Gowanus at Ample Hills Creamery
Image by Evan Barbour.
We know it’s cold out, but no list on NYC dessert would be complete without Ample Hills’ outstanding ice cream. And if you eat at Bubby’s, you won’t have to walk outside to get a scoop, since AH shares space with that restaurant in the Meatpacking District. It Came from Gowanus is an eccentric chocolate flavor, made with a dark chocolate ice cream and mixed with brownie, white chocolate, orange, and Grand Marnier. Go one better and get your scoop in the chocolate-chip cone. Bubby’s: 73 Gansevoort St., 212-219-0666. Other locations in Manhattan and Brooklyn, amplehills.com
Cocao Mousse Pie at Peacefood
Got a vegan Valentine? Go to Peacefood for an awesome plant-based meal (order the nachos!). After the main course, go straight for a slice of chocolate pie. It’s gluten- and dairy-free, and made with dark chocolate that’s insanely rich. But we think you’ll make it through your slice just fine, with its smooth, silky texture and a walnut-coconut crust. Locations in Greenwich Village and the Upper West Side, peacefoodcafe.com
24-Layer Cake at Strip House
Go big or go home with all 24 layers of the famous chocolate cake at Strip House. A gigantic dessert, it’s the perfect send-off after your porterhouse and red wine. The layers and filling are made with chocolate that’s been aged like fine wine to bring out the subtle flavors. Savor every bite, and you’ll go home full and happy. 13 E. 12th St., 212-328-0000, striphouse.com
Brooklyn Blackout Cake at Empire Diner
If you like stepping into nostalgic spaces, go to Empire Diner for lots of silver mid-century accents and exteriors straight out of an Edward Hopper painting. An update on classic diner fare, Empire Diner’s menu wows with dishes from patty melts to fennel-dusted salmon. Their Brooklyn blackout cake is also a sensational dessert. With dark-chocolate layers of sponge cake and chocolate pudding in between, it’s a rich, decadent delight and perfectly bittersweet. 210 Tenth Ave., 212-335-2277, empire-diner.com
Mini-Me Cake at Dominique Ansel Bakery
Dominique Ansel made its name on the cronut, the food trend to end all food trends. But if you’re looking for chocolate, you won’t find much better in the city than the Mini-Me cake. There are four layers: sponge cake, ganache, mousse, and meringues—and they’re all chocolate. We’re thinking this popular bakery will be swamped around V-Day, so come as early as you can. 189 Spring St., 212-219-2773, dominiqueansel.com
Dark Chocolate & Fleur de Sel Cookies at Mille-Feuille
Want to tie up some chocolate in a red bow? Grab a ten-pack of these heavenly chocolate shortbread cookies at Mille-Feuille, which has locations in Greenwich Village and on the Upper West Side. Made with fine Valrhona chocolate and sea salt, these soft, crumbly wonders are perfect for sneaking into an after-dinner movie. Multiple locations, millefeuille-nyc.com
Chocolate Chocolate Cookie at Levain Bakery
The cookies at Levain are the stuff of legends and long lines. Go early to one of the bakery’s Upper West Side locations (or the less-crowded Harlem one) and get yourself a gigantic chocolate cookie. Warm and soft in the middle, with chocolate chips that melt onto your fingers, you’ll forget the line once you take your first bite. levainbakery.com
