A “hip, upscale Japanese dessert bar” in Hell’s Kitchen. With reported menu items like Kuromame black bean coffee cake, white chocolate tofu brownies and saffron-sake-pear tartlets, there is certainly nothing else like it in the city. It also promises to use ingredients like Kabocha Squash, lychee, green tea, soy beans and many more traditional Japanese flavors. The shop is “sleek and bright”, with white upholstered seating and tables for two. Designed by Hiro Tsuruta, the same architect who deigned Jewel Bako and Momofuku.

Take the C or E subway to 50th Street.

This old-fashioned bakery specializes in freshly made, brightly colored cupcakes that are as beautiful as they are delicious. Also try the banana pudding.

Locals and tourists come from all parts of town, at all times of day, to score these little treats and there is always a line around the block. The small bakery can barely accomodate 10 people, so a doorman usually holds the line outside and lets a few customers in at a time. Be prepared once you enter, since the cupcakes go fast and there will be several people alongside you trying to get in. Some simple rules that will make your visit to Magnolia a little easier:
1) Cupcakes are self-serve.
2) 12 cupcakes maximum per person.
3) You touch it, you buy it.
Once you enter the bakery, the self serve cupcake area will be immediately to your left. You can fit 4 cupcakes in each preassembled box, and even if you set out to only buy one, most people can’t help but fill all four slots (it’s a definite problem for me). Don’t worry if the selection of cupcakes is small when you start to fill your box. The staff continuously brings out new cupcakes and within a few minutes chances are good you’ll have more colors and flavors to choose from. Before you reach your maximum of 12 in the self serve area, keep in mind that special cupcakes, such as the coconut meringue and red velvet, are only available at the front counter. Magnolia also makes great cakes, brownies, cookies and other old-fashioned desserts which are usually hidden from view by the enormous line, so save room for non-cupcake choices that you’ll discover as you wait to pay.

Serendipity 3 has been serving up their famous Frrrozen Hot Chocolate for over 50 years, and the public still can’t get enough. The Frrrozen Hot Chocolate comes in Regular, Peanut Butter, Mochaccino and Pineapple Lime flavor and is served in a royal sized goblet with two straws for sharing. Serendipity 3 also offers a huge menu (it’s literally 1.5′ x 2′ in size) of lunch and dinner items, including their famous foot long hot dogs that little “John-John” Kennedy reportedly ate as a kid. The front of the restaurant is a general store that sells miscellaneous toys, mugs, artwork and, of course, a copy of the movie Serendipity. You can also buy a packet of Frrrozen Hot Chocolate to give as a gift or take home as a souvenir. The most charming part of the restaurant, the downstairs dining area, is divided into little nooks and has low ceilings with at least half a dozen Tiffany-style lamps hanging over the tables. The space upstairs is less intimate, but still uniquely decorated, and seats twice as many people as the main level.

Serendipity 3 is in Manhattan’s Upper East Side, just across the way from Bloomingdale’s and easily accessible by the 4, 5, 6, N, R, B and Q subway lines.

While Serendipity 3’s signature dessert is worth it’s weight in chocolate, the rest of the experience has fallen victim to over exposure. The crowds detract from the intimate environment, and it’s no longer possible to easily drop in after a day of shopping at Bloomingdale’s. If you want to sit and enjoy Serendipity’s environment, make reservations for lunch or dinner and stay for dessert. If you don’t want to wait in line just for dessert, grab a packet of Frrozen Hot Chocolate to go, and make it at home.

Chocolates from master chocolatier, Jacques Torres. This is his second New York store (the first is in Brooklyn).

Two blocks from the Houston stop on the 1/9 subway line.

Go hear for your New York chocolate souvenirs. Good quality, for much less money than you would spend at other boutique shops like Marie Belle.

Immediately upon entering Payard, visitors find themselves in the famous patisserie and are surrounded by colorful pastries, rich chocolates and signature yellow Payard gifts stacked high along the dark wood walls. Cafe tables are available in the patisserie where you can sit and admire the beautiful pastries and stylish customers passing through, or you can take your selection to go.

Located in the Upper East Side of Manhattan, off of the 77th street #6 subway stop.

Pastries for the patisserie are made each morning and the selection becomes more limited as customers take home their favorites throughout the day. We recommend visitors come during the day to see the full breadth of Payard offerings.

Established in 1894, Veniero’s is a family owned bakery that doesn’t bow to trends, knows its customers and sticks to traditional desserts. You won’t find any fancy chocolates with abstract designs here, but you will find an enormous selection of Italian pastries and over 40 different kinds of coffee.

Exit on the 1st Avenue L subway stop and walk 3 blocks south along 1st avenue to 11th street. Turn right and Veniero’s will be just around the corner.

Try the cannoli. Just remember, you cannot eat purchases from the bakery counter in the cafe.

Half chocolate shop, half cacao bar, this SoHo establishment offers everything from truffles to hot chocolate, all in beautiful packaging.

Open Daily from 11:00 am to 7:00 pm

Get a small hot chocolate. It’s as thick as pudding and you don’t need much more to satisify your chocolate craving.

Located in swank SOHO, Manhattan, Balthazar is a great place for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. They also have a bar where you can hobnob with the trendy. The restaurant is akin to a Paris brasserie and the food equally delectable. The desserts are fantastic.

Between Crosby St. and Broadway. 6 train at Spring St. ; J, M, Z at Bowery ; N, R, W at Prince St.

If you are simply in the mood for quick Parisian pastry and a cafe au lait, the Balthazar Boulangerie (Bakery) is just next to the restaurant. It’s not uncommon to see New Yorker’s sitting on the benches in front, sipping their coffee.

Walking into Kee’s Chocolates is like walking into a friend’s kitchen. There are no signs or fancy packages, just an open kitchen and a modest case filled with chocolates.

Each truffle is $1.75, or you can buy six for $10, 12 for $19, or 18 for $29. No prepackaged boxes available; you must personally choose from the amazing selection yourself in order to fill the box.