Named after its founder, Jacques Torres, who grew up in a small town in the southern region of Provence, this chocolate shop tops the list. With four locations in the city, Jacques Torres manages to create chocolate that will triumph over your taste buds. For the ultimate experience, visit their Hudson Street location to witness chocolate being made from fresh beans. The entire place is enveloped by glass to allow patrons to watch the factory do its magic.
Jacques Torres, New York City © J Hritz
Martine’s Chocolates creates a variety of fresh cream chocolates and truffles. Their delicacies are handmade right in front of their customers with the finest ingredients including Belgian Callebaut couverture chocolate, French butter, fresh American cream. Martine’s is, perhaps, the best place in the city to watch the chocolate-making process. Be sure to take out an order of your favorites in their signature pink boxes for a friend.
3. MarieBelle
MarieBelle doesn’t manufacture chocolate. They create works of art. The most aesthically pleasing on the list, MarieBelle’s chocolates will satisfy all of your senses. Their traditional blue boxes are the perfect gift for a loved one. Each box is filled with a sampling of their finest work. MarieBelle also has entertainment on Wednesday nights. Visitors will enjoy Jazz In The Chocolate Factory at their Madison Avenue location.
MarieBelle, New York City © Clemson
Founded by Kee Ling Tong, Kee’s Chocolates makes handmade bon-bons and hand-rolled confections. Their flavors have an international taste with imported yuzu from Japan, sea salt from France, and saffron from Spain. This is the ideal stop for individuals who prefer a small SoHo shop over the glitz of La Maison or elegance of MarieBelle. Be sure to try the ultra-creamy truffles.
La Maison du Chocolat built its reputation as one of the preeminent chocolatiers in France. It has extended that legacy to New York City. The most expensive chocolate on the list, La Maison creates mouthwatering ganaches, pralinés, and a variety of fruited chocolates. Do note that it’s closer to an ultra-high end boutique than a quaint shop.
Mondel Homemade Chocolates has been a neighborhood favorite, near Columbia University, for over sixty years. Mondel’s was also the preferred shop of four-time Academy Award winner Katharine Hepburn. It has a wide range of chocolates ranging from truffles and creams to cordials and break-up chocolate. Mondel also has a tasty selection of sugar-free chocolate.
Vosges Chocolates, New York City © The Pink Peppercorn
Vosges turns out the best truffles in New York City. Created by Chicago’s Katrina Markoff, Vosges’ truffles will leave you feeling satiated. Visitors will try a range of exotic flavors including curry, Thai pandan leaves, and wasabi in several of the chocolates. If you’re not living in Chicago or New York City, it’s possible to order these unique sweets over the Internet.
Evelyn’s Chocolates has been satisfying customers for decades in the Financial District. Created by Evelyn Robb, this shop has hand-dipped chocolates and delectable confections. Understated in comparison to its competition for New York’s best, Evelyn’s maintains a homey feel. It will feel just like mom’s kitchen. Try the homemade Chunkys.
In a New York state of mind? Read about the best pizza in NYC or free things to do in NYC.
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Gennaro Salamone is the founder and editor of Enduring Wanderlust. Feel free to contact him with questions, comments, or inquiries with reference to contributing an article or photograph for publication.
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Lisa
I love chocolate. We’re talking l-o-v-e. I would have included Li-La Chocolate, but the rest of my favorites are there. Agree with Jacques Torres at the number 1 spot. Amazing chocolate. The hot chocolate is incredibility rich too. Never had Mondel.
Suzy
Yummy. Love the images. Wish I was in NYC so I could begin trying all these great shops. My favorite here in LA is K Chocolatier, L’Artisan du Chocolat, or Snickers 🙂
Jack
I loved Debauve et Gallais chocolates on Madison Avenue. Yum!
Giovanna Garcia
MarieBelle looks very interesting to me. I have family in Soho, so next time I am out there I will look up MarieBelle.
Thank you,
Giovanna Garcia
Imperfect Action is better than No Action
Jay
I need to get back to NYC- your post are killing me all the way down here in Charlotte, NC. 🙂
Gennaro
@Lisa
Li-Lac Chocolate has some great chocolate. Thanks for the recommendations.
@Suzy
When I’m back in LA, I’m going to try those out. I can have snickers, right here 🙂
@Jack
Looks like a elegant and tasty spot.
Gennaro
@Giovanna Garcia
It’s definitely a great spot. Have them Fed Ex you a box!
@Jay
Ha! I’ll get to work on a NC post.
Sid
Those places look amazing. I tried La Maison du Chocolat in Paris and it was a fanciest place I’ve ever seen for chocolate. It was really great too. Melt in your mouth good.
My favorite place is Granny’s Chocolate Creations here in Arizona.
Tim
That looks like some scrumptious chocolate and I don’t have any at home so my craving will go unmet until tomorrow! I don’t have a favorite chocolate spot, but I like Lindt a lot.
Gennaro
@Sid
La Maison is Paris is equally good. If not better. No better name for a chocolate shop than Granny’s.
@Tim
Are you sure you don’t want to step out and get some 🙂
Tabitha (From Single to Married)
Wow – these pictures are amazing, they’re making my mouth water! Now I have to go see if they have online stores…
Gennaro
@Tabitha
Quite a few have online shops. I believe Kee’s and Evelyn’s may be the only ones without.
Alik Levin | PracticeThis.com
Ouch! looking at the pics and reading all this make me feel like having piece of chocolate 😉
Very tasty post, Gennaro!
Do i really need to go to NYC to have it? 😉
Gennaro
@Alik
Nope. There are plenty of great places around the world and most of these can be ordered online for a small fee.
J.D. Meier
I have to say, the pics look yummy — and great write up.
Carla
I soooo cannot wait to go back to NYC. My partner is from there and he is always homesick. I will definitely hit up at least one of the chocolate shops on our next visit!
Gennaro
@J.D. Meier
Thanks for the kind words.
@Carla
I can see why your partner feels that way, New York has a special vibe to it.
jen laceda
Quite the list here, Gennaro! I am definitely trying Vosges. Chocolate with curry, pandan, wasabi…so 90’s fusion, but I like-y !
Gennaro
@jen laceda
Vosges definitely adds a few random flavors in there, but that works for me too.
Terry Kearns
Now I won’t be able to sleep tonight. I can’t stop the drooling.
Things That Inspire
My husband received a box of chocolates from his publisher – from your #1 choice, Jacques Torres! The box was quite small, but they were amazing.
Gennaro
@Terry Kearns
Ha! Go out tomorrow and get some chocolate.
@Things That Inspire
Thanks for the confirmation. Love Jacques Torres.
Angela
Wish I lived in or was visiting NYC soon!! Nothing beats a great piece of high quality chocolate!! Thanks for sharing!
~angela @ peonypatch
Gennaro
@Angela
I’m with you about the chocolate 🙂
Laura
A new (Oct. 2008) chocolate shop opened in NYC’s West Village called Pure Dark.It’s like no other chocolate store I’ve ever seen. First thing to strike me as different is the huge interior space which is sparsely filled with consumables. It has a very rustic feel, almost jungle-like, in an intentional manner — it’s meant to simulate the natural environment from which the mighty cocoa bean hails.
The chocolate offered is as the name implies — pure (or natural) and dark. This isn’t your Madison Ave. Godiva store! Slabs of chocolate bark are sold by the ounce — delicious concoctions of dark chocolate infused with various nuts and fruits. Tasting samples are freely offered. Also available is a chocolate bar of sorts where you can purchase their mix of the day consisting of cacao nibs, nuts, fruits and spices – OR you can create your own variety from the dozen or so options. Chocolate discs with sprinkled spice like chipotle powder are also for sale and sample. Purchases are weighed and packaged in wrapped brown paper. Other pre-assembled arrangements of chocolate delicacies can be purchased too — if you can’t decide what to put together yourself! Hot chocolate drinks are available at times as well.
In the back of the amazingly spacious shop is a sort of mini cocoa history tour. Bowls of cocoa beans in their varying stages of the chocolate making process are there to view and touch along with pictures and explanations of how chocolate is made.
The whole shop and experience and taste of the concoctions can be summed up in one word: earthy. You really feel like you’ve stepped away from the bustling city and into nature — smack dab in the middle of one of NYC’s greatest neighborhoods. It’s a really wonderful departure from more traditional chocolate shops.
Gennaro
@Laura
Thanks so much for sharing that. It sounds like an amazing place for chocolate. I love the idea of having a “mini cocoa history tour” along with being able to touch the beans.
Here’s a link to the chocolate shop Laura is describing: Pure Dark.
Debbykay
Love, love, love chocolate!! The darker the better!! Wish I was in NYC!!
Debbykay
Rose Cottage Gardens and Farm
joy
Oh my gosh!!! I love them all. If I tell you it’s my birthday this Sunday, would you send me a box my way? 😀
joy
Norwich Daily Photo
Gennaro
@Debbykay
You can always order online. Many of these companies deliver 🙂
@joy
Some great choices there. I’ll be sending out a lot of boxes of chocolate if I agree to that!
The Summer Kitchen Girls
Oh Yum! Great post….we will have to try one of those chocolate places out on our annual trip to NY!
Julia @ Hooked on Houses
You are speaking my language here. The language of chocolate. Great post! Makes me want to fly to NYC this weekend and try out all 8 of these shops. 🙂
Gennaro
@Summer Kitchen Girls
Great to see that you make it to NYC regularly. Enjoy!
@Julia
Thanks. They’re worth the flight 🙂
Lance
Hi Gennaro,
By the picture, I’m drawn to La Maison du Chocolat – it looks so rich, and so dark (my favorite!). Maybe it’s time to plan a trip to NYC!!
Gennaro
@Lance
I love dark chocolate too. Apparently it’s the healthiest type.
Gayle
Oh, this post is wonderful! There is nothing like high quality chocolate. I bit into a mini Hershey dark chocolate bar recently and had to throw it away. It was horrible. I need truffles!
Gennaro
@Gayle
Thanks. That made me laugh! It’s nice to mix in a little of the “special” chocolate.
Travel Muse
Vosges is always on my list of things to do in Manhattan. When are you going to post chocolate haunts on the Left Coast? San Francisco has a wealth of great chocolatiers. We even have a firm that gives Chocolate Tours.
Gennaro
@Travel Muse
Just had Vosges the other night. Black Pearl is a favorite of their selection. We will definitely do a broader post on chocolate in the future.
darklove
I totally agree with Laura. Here’s another vote for ‘Pure Dark’ in West Village. I had been to their store a week back – the store had a great ambience!!! I had a ‘hot chocolate with nibs(?)’ (basically small pieces of cocoa beans for texture) – and it was the richest hot chocolate I’ve had.
I brought back the semi-sweet bar and WOW-W-W-W! Dark choc lovers – this must be on your ‘go to’ list for sure!
Gennaro
@darklove
Thanks for the tip. Sounds like a great place. I’m going to try it in the coming weeks.
Jannie Funster
OMG – THIS is one tasty post to be aware of!
Thank you!
Gennaro
@Jannie Funster
No problem. Love chocolate too.
Kate
I haven’t been to the city in ages, but now with this post, I am going to have to schedule a trip! Mmmmm, chocolate is definitely the way to my heart!
Kate
Gennaro
@Kate
Lots of great chocolate in the city. Love it too.
Salwa
I love chocolates. Reading this now with all the images you just made me want one and it’s 00:30 a.m here with none in the house..ooouuuf!
mark meath
This is a great site Gennaro! So informative.
I’ve been to Kee’s a few moons ago and the raspberry discs were to die for. (not to mention the intoxicating smell of the finest cracklemeal)
I’m going to have to try the other shops you mentioned. In fact i just may begin my quest tommorow! 🙂
Gennaro
@mark meath
Kee’s offers wonderful chocolate. Good luck on your quest. Well worth the effort.
mark meath
So i completed my quest for fine chocolate in NYC. After visiting Lilac’s in Greenwich Village for a box of incredible dark raspberry discs, i ventured down to Mondell’s on my way to visit my nephew who curently attends Colombia University.
Initially i was impressed with the sights and smells and overall ambience of Mondell’s. However i was dissapointed with the overall quality and pricing of their chocolates. After spending almost forty three dollars on various type of chocolate, i found the peanut butter cups to have a harsh metallic aftertaste, the dark chocolate was too sweet and the truffles were dry and almost tasteless.
An hour later we tried to return the unused portion of chocolates to find the cleaning crew using harsh chemicals to mop the store DURING business hours.
Im done with Mondell’s. I think Jacques Torres will be the next place i check out.
TrendyBrandyKids
wow! Thank you for this chocolate tour!!!! My favorite place is Vosges Chocolat
John H
These are not only tasty choices, but pieces of art. Beautiful photos. I’ve only been to Vosges and really loved the chocolate. New York has some of the best chocolate in the world.
Anthony
They are all great, but I’d reserve a special for Kee’s; they are markedly more elegant, precise, imaginative and satisfying than Jacques Torres.
Gennaro
@mark meath – Sorry to hear about your negative experience. Jacques Torres is great. Enjoy!
@TrendyBrandyKids – Thanks
@John H – NYC is a great place for chocolate, for sure.
@Anthony – Love Kee’s too.
Lisa R
Best chocolate in NYC? That’s my kind of article. I love all chocolate, but Vosges is my favorite. Living in Chicago I have it quite often. I have to get to New York City soon to try the best chocolate in that city.
Gennaro
@Lisa R – Definitely make the trip to the Big Apple. It really does have some of the best chocolate in the world.
crazy sexy fun traveler
mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm love it! Cannot live without chocolate! So when i go to NYC, ill defo visit all those places 😀
Danee Gilmartin
I’m surprised you didn’t mention Teuscher in NYC. I personally think the Swiss are responsible for the best chocolate and I think this import is the best ever. The champagne truffles are to die for!
Stan
I agree with Danee Gilmartin Teuscher should be in the list. Moreover, it should be in the number one spot. I have had Jacques Torres chocolate, which is great, but in my opinion in the truffle category it doesn’t even come close to smoothness and richness of Teuscher truffles especially there signature champagne truffles.
Silvia
I love Mondel’s for being a more oldfashioned chocolate store with very satisfying chocolate (caramel bunnies always hit the spot), but it cannot (and should not) be compared with the other places on this list, which are much more “haute” than Mondel’s! There are worlds between e.g. Kee’s and Mondel’s, but both are great for the very different things they offer.
Jessica Leale
NY is a great place for some amazing chocolate for sure! We would love to invite you up to our factory for a tasting some time! Chocolat Moderne was just named sofi silver finalists for our Lime Moderne Bar AND our Dark Drinking Chocolate!! It’s been a great year! Look forward to hearing from you!
Kurt Jennerson
I have been to Kee’s Chocolates before but I have never heard of any of these other chocolate shops! Can’t wait to try them out! As an employee of one of the romantic hotels in NYC, I will be sure to pass this info along!