Where to get the best hot chocolate on Madison Avenue

When you’ve had your fill of great art, sumptuous fashion, and the cultural highlights of New York, you’ll need somewhere for a rejuvenating break. Fortunately, the hot chocolate magicians of Madison Avenue are here to help you unwind.

Madison Avenue hosts some superb chocolatiers, creating new spins on familiar hot chocolate drinks and providing cozy atmospheres to escape the chill and spend quality time with your travel companions.

From cafes at the area’s great fashion labels to trendsetting boutique cafes, here are some Madison Avenue chocolate spots that always satisfy a craving for sweetness.

1. Ralph's Coffee

Starting out at 888 Madison Avenue, we strongly recommend a visit to Ralph's at least once during your visit. Don't be fooled by the folksy name. This elegant cafe is part of the Upper East Side Ralph Lauren boutique, making it the ideal companion to a fashion-buying spree.

Ralph's Coffee originally opened as a short-term pop-up to coincide with the brand's 50th birthday. The concept of pairing high fashion with hot chocolate and carrot cake hit the sweet spot with diners, and the cafe is now a popular part of the store's retail experience.

It's also one of the best places for non-dairy hot chocolate aficionados. Ralph's relies on high-quality dark chocolate to bring out a rich, authentic taste, and it's just as good with oat milk as dairy. Settle down as you scroll through the label's digital store, or take some moments to recharge.

2. Maison Ladurée  

Offering a slice of Parisian sophistication on Madison Avenue, Maison Ladurée is the place to pair delightful confectionary with decadent hot chocolate.

Decadent is definitely the right word. Maison Ladurée's chocolate is often compared with a drinkable sauce due to its thick, satisfying texture. The slightly bittersweet taste also brings a frisson of the unexpected.

That's not all. The chocolate is not intended to be drunk alone, and sampling the boutique's legendary macarons is de rigueur. These lightweight treats are a visual delight, and their fruity or sweet nutty flavors match perfectly with the notes of Maison Ladurée chocolate.

3. La Maison du Chocolat Madison

Continuing the French theme, La Maison du Chocolat Madison is an essential stop for chocolate obsessives. Another Parisian gem, this artisan chocolatier has been serving New York's uptown crowd since 1990. And the founder's magical hot chocolate recipe has been the secret of its success.

This is no ordinary hot chocolate. Chocolatiers at La Maison du Chocolat Madison blend three different chocolate varieties in meticulous portions. They carefully balance milk and water during preparation to intensify the taste and smoothness, before a dash of vanilla rounds off the recipe.

The result is hot chocolate that's rich and light at the same time. As your taste buds will confirm, calling La Maison du Chocolat Madison magical is not an understatement. Like the Upper East Side's artists and fashion mavens, La Maison's chocolatiers are masters of their craft.

Don't rush away with a takeout beverage, though. One of the best things about visiting La Maison du Chocolat Madison is the chance to walk away with boutique gift boxes. Try out pastries and chocolates in the patisserie. Then add selections to a Parisian hatbox to enjoy back the Surrey or - if you can resist - when you get home.

4. Glace NY

Finally, the iconic Madison Avenue ice cream bar Glace NY has become a go-to destination for chocolate lovers seeking something different. And we agree. This is a must-visit between galleries, museums, cultural events and boutiques.

Glace NY's marquee creation is its peppermint hot chocolate. A beautifully balanced cup of rich minty chocolate is the base of a sumptuous construction. A halo of candy cane-dipped marshmallows caps the smooth chocolate drink. Swirles of whipped cream rest on top, before a dusting of peppermint chocolate flakes adds the perfect finishing touch.

Glace NY's toasted fluff haloes come in other variations, too. Each one seems more decadent than the last. Hot chocolate topped with Tiramisu S'Mores or white chocolate brûlée screams excess, but the results are irresistible. You won't look at hot chocolate in the same way again.