Best Spots to Enjoy a Hot Chocolate on the UWS

What’s better on a cold winter day than sitting down and enjoying a delicious hot chocolate. The Upper West Side is fortunate to be full of spots for excellent hot chocolate. Each of these neighborhood favorites brings something different to your winter ritual. Here’s an look at at some of our favorites: Picky Barista, Levain Bakery, Mille-Feuille Bakery Café, and Hungarian Pastry Shop, and what sets each cup apart.

Picky Barista

Picky Barista is a family-owned café with a European vibe, and its hot chocolate leans rich and dessert-like rather than basic and powdery. While you warm up with your mug, this is a great place to order one of their homemade pastries or Balkan-influenced treats—think apple cake, cinnamon rolls, or even a slice of baklava, all baked in-house and inspired by “Mama Bulic’s” recipes. If you want something more substantial, pair your hot chocolate with an egg-and-cheese croissant or avocado toast for a full-on winter brunch moment. Three UWS locations – 667 Columbus Ave. (between W. 92nd/93rd Streets), 2680 Broadway (between W. 102nd /103rd Streets) and 245 W. 72nd Street (between Broadway & West End Ave.).

Levain Bakery

Known citywide for its massive, gooey cookies, Levain treats hot chocolate with the same level of indulgence. Their drink typically uses premium dark chocolate that’s melted rather than just mixed from powder, giving it a deep, rounded flavor and a velvety texture that pairs perfectly with a just-baked cookie. What makes Levain different is the overall experience: it’s less about lingering in a café and more about grabbing an ultra-rich hot chocolate-and-cookie combo that feels like the ultimate winter treat. This is my definitely my go to hot chocolate along with a chocolate cookie. Heaven! Two locations – 167 W. 74th Street (between Amsterdam & Columbus Avenues) and 351 Amsterdam Ave. (between W. 74th/75th Streets).

Mille-Feuille Bakery Café

Mille-Feuille offers a distinctly French interpretation of hot chocolate, along the lines of a classic Parisian patisseries. The drink is usually made from high‑cacao chocolate (rather than very sweet blends), resulting in a rich cup that is creamy without being overly heavy. Enjoying it alongside croissants, macarons, or a slice of mille‑feuille in this patisserie-style space gives the whole experience a European feel, ideal for anyone who prefers a slightly more refined, less sugary chocolate profile. Located in the Hotel Belleclaire at 2175 Broadway (between W. 76th/77th Streets).

Hungarian Pastry Shop

Just north of the traditional UWS core, this iconic, old‑school café near Columbia has a very different personality from the others on the list. The hot chocolate here tends to be more traditional and less sugary, often closer to the classic European café style that can be sweetened to taste, and it’s best enjoyed with one of their many pastries while you linger over a book or conversation. What makes the Hungarian Pastry Shop stand out is the atmosphere: worn wooden tables, a constant hum of students and locals, and a timeless feel that turns a simple cup of hot chocolate into part of a long, cozy afternoon. Located at 1030 Amsterdam Ave. (between W. 110th/111th Streets – across the street from the Cathedral of St. John the Devine).

Together, these four spots covers a spectrum of hot chocolate on the UWS—from ultra-decadent and cookie-forward, to French patisserie, to old-world European café—so you can pick the vibe and style that fits your perfect winter day.