Post Overview: Best chocolate cake in NYC

Does a post about the best chocolate cake in New York City really need an introduction? I mean, we’re talking chocolate cake people, I don’t need to sell you on this!

Even the worst chocolate cake you’ve ever had is still pretty dang good. But in a city as advanced and vast as New York it can be difficult knowing where to go to feel a little less bad about paying the steep prices.

This is where I hope to be helpful. In this guide we’ll cover the top spots to get a slice of decadent chocolate cake in NYC. Whether you have a party to host or it’s just been one of those weeks, you’re guaranteed to fall into a chocolate coma with these intense cakes!

But enough out of me, I know why you’re here. Let’s dive right into the good stuff and let the people eat cake. 😉

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Best Chocolate Cake New York City

Let’s face it, a nice creamy chocolate cake does a lot for a lot of people; it does for me.
Audrey Hepburn

#10. Magnolia Bakery

Magnolia Bakery is a New York City staple made popular by Sex and the City. They’re best known for their delicious cupcakes and banana pudding. So it probably comes as no surprise that a bakery specializing in cupcakes would churn out some of the best chocolate cake NYC has to offer.

The chocolate buttercream they use at Magnolia’s is out of this world. The smooth, silky texture paired with the richness of the cake is a match made in heaven. The cake is perfectly moist and not too sweet making every bite enjoyable (and easy to go for seconds).

Luckily with so many locations sprinkled around the city you won’t struggle getting your hands on one of the best slices of chocolate cake in NYC. I’m also probably not the first person to tell you this, but refrigerating your slice of cake and eating it first thing in the morning, it doesn’t get better than that!

Address: Multiple Locations in New York City

Chocolate Cake Magnolia Bakery NYC best chocolate cake NYC

#9. Maison Pickle

Maison Pickle is a beloved restaurant on the Upper West Side where you can expect enormous servings, beautiful presentation and an energetic vibe. Their 24 layer cake is no exception and just so happens to be one of the best chocolate cakes in New York City.

The cake is exactly what it sounds like. 24 layers of perfectly moist cake that requires an entire high school football team to finish. There are two ways to enjoy your mountain of sugar, either chocolate or vanilla confetti cake, but let’s be honest…chocolate is the only way.

The large portion ensures leftovers for the next day (and day after, for that matter). So not only is this one of the best slices of chocolate cake in NYC, a single serving will do you good for multiple days — who doesn’t love that!

Locals tip: If fear of judgment is going to stop you from ordering one of the best chocolate cake slices in New York City, opt to take your order to-go. Some days you just need all 24 layers to get your through it!

Address: 2315 Broadway, New York, NY 10024

Best desserts New York City, best chocolate cakes — Just imagine this, but in chocolate!

#8. Veniero’s Pasticceria & Caffe

Veniero’s Pasticceria has been around since 1894, (yes you read that correctly) they truly don’t make bakeries like they used to! This old-school Italian bakery is family-owned and operated, over 120 years later.

What originally started as a pool hall serving espresso and candy, eventually shifted from billiards to baked good (lucky us!).

Using fresh ingredients, this East Village bakery is responsible for some of the best chocolate cake in NYC. Offering a variety of options, you’ll be hard pressed finding a bakery with more flavors of chocolate cake than Veniero’s.

My personal favorite is the dark chocolate layer cake while my husband refuses to leave without getting his hands on the chocolate banana strawberry shortcake. Another crowd favorite we order from time to time is the chocolate fudge mousse cake when we want something rich.

Regardless of what beautiful creation you choose to order one thing is for certain, you’ll be leaving the shop holding one of the best slices of chocolate cake in New York City.

Address: 342 E 11th St, New York, NY 10003

#7. Ladybird Bakery

The cakes from Ladybird Bakery check all the boxes. They’re moist, flavorful, airy and memorable. Plus, there’s a great selection of classic flavors to choose from.

Unlike a lot of bakeries in NYC, Ladybird Bakery is more interested in baking fresh and flavorful baked goods than becoming an instagram sensation.

You won’t find over-the-top flavors, colors or decorations, but you will find one of the best chocolate cakes in New York City. The kind of cake that you crave often and you won’t be able to forget about until you have another slice.

Ordering the Brooklyn Blackout (rich chocolate-forward cake) is non-negotiable. It’s a great cake to order for parties and celebrations that will have your guests blowing up your phone asking where the heck you got a cake so good from!

Address: 1112 8th Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11215

#6. Mia’s Brooklyn Bakery

Mia’s Brooklyn Bakery is the kind of spot that will stop you dead in your tracks. The whiffs of baked goods and window display full of colorful treats is too tempting to pass up on.

The only bad thing I have to say about this bakery is that it is impossible to only order one thing! Especially if you’re looking for the best chocolate cake in New York City, Mia’s has options.

Chocolate fudge? Blackout? Tiramisu? Mia’s has you covered! I’m a sucker for the classic chocolate fudge cake slice but you really can’t go wrong ordering anything behind the case.

The best part? There are two locations in the city. One in Brooklyn and one in Manhattan, near Rockefeller Center. You won’t have to make the trek out to Brooklyn every time to get your hands on some of the best chocolate cake in NYC.

Address: 139 Smith St, Brooklyn, NY 11201

#5. Épices Bakery

Tiny but mighty is the name of the game for this delicious bakery in the Upper West Side. Epices opened in 2021, during the pandemic, but I believe their baked goods will make them a mainstay in the neighborhood.

It’s clear that the pastry chef has mastered French baking techniques because the treats they churn out here leave a lasting impression.

Whenever I’m craving something sweet and chocolatey I make way to Épices Bakery and order myself the chocolate dome. The pocket sized chocolate cake hits every nail on the head and is some of the best in NYC.

The spongey cake is layered with a hazelnut mousse covered in a ganache, offering the perfect serving size for a party of one!

The airiness of the mousse helps break up the intense chocolate flavor. The flavors work together in unison creating one of the best chocolate cakes in New York City.

Address: 104 W 70th St, New York, NY 10023

#4. Little Cupcake Bakeshop

Little Cupcake Bakeshop (LCB) has had rapid growth since it first opened its doors back in 2005.

Their claim to fame was the creation of the best cupcakes in America, which is why they’ve made our list of the best chocolate cake in NYC. With sweet-treats this addicting it’s no wonder celebrities will brave the public-eye for a bite.

If you’re a lover of all things dark and rich their take on the Brooklyn black out is impossible to not love. But if you like your chocolate cake a bit lighter and airy I recommend ordering the golden chocolate flavor.

Another reason it’s easy to love Little Cupcake Bakeshop is that the innovation never ends here. Constantly churning out seasonal flavors and new concoctions you’ll never get bored swinging by for a treat.

Locals tip: Little Cupcake Bakeshop is located across the street from Prince Street Pizza, a famous pizzeria in the city. Make sure to grab a slice before finishing off with one of the best slices of chocolate cake in NYC from LCB!

Address: 30 Prince St, New York, NY 10012

#3. Amy’s Bread

Walk into Amy’s Bread on any weekend morning and you’ll find yourself lost in a sea of locals eager to get their hands on a baked good from this beloved neighborhood bakery.

You’re also bound to find a few cheery folks walking out with boxes of some of the best chocolate cake in New York City.

The chocolate cake at Amy’s Bread really sets itself apart form the competition. It’s rich, moist and perfectly airy, topped with a “chocolate silk”.

My go-to location is in Chelsea Market. I grab a slice to go and set my sights on the neighboring park, Little Island and enjoy one of the top slices of chocolate cake in NYC with epic views.

Address: 672 9th Ave, New York, NY 10036

#2. Ovenly

Ask any New Yorker their favorite place for chocolate cake in New York City and the honest ones will mention Ovenly without hesitation.

Ovenly’s version of the iconic Brooklyn Blackout has been attracting folks from all corners of New York state for years now.

Defined by an impossibly deep black color, this cake is no joke. In fact, if you have a friend that constantly complains about the lack of chocolate flavor in a chocolate cake, while simultaneously taking shots of chocolate syrup from the fridge, this cake will stop them in their tracks.

Address: 31 Greenpoint Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11222 & 276 Court St, Brooklyn, NY 11231

#1. Mah-Ze-Dahr

Since opening in 2014, Mah-Ze-Dahr has risen to the top of most “best bakeries in NYC lists” within a few years. You’ll also have a hard time finding a list of best chocolate cake in NYC without mentioning Mah-Ze-Dahr. No easy feat in a city chock-full of bakeries and steep competition.

The owner, Umber Ahmad is a James Beard Award semi-finalist (a huge deal in the culinary world) who left the lofty confines of the financial world to purse her dream of baking.

She’s lovingly called a banker-turned-baker, and let me tell you — we are all better for it, she’s incredibly talented.

The bakery lives up to the name by offering years of world-travel experience that shines through in the various assortments of baked foods, and nowhere is this more evident than in the delectable assortment of cakes.

The chocolate cake, aptly called The Devil in Ganache, is known to induce dreams for months after. It’s rich, dense and oh, so satisfying!

There’s no denying that Mah-Ze-Dahr is one of the best bakeries for chocolate cake in New York City, but don’t just take my word for it, order a slice next time you’re in the West Village!

Address: 28 Greenwich Ave, New York, NY 10011

Best Desserts New York City
best chocolate cake nyc

Best Chocolate Cake NYC (Post Summary)

In sum, here are the top spots to get chocolate cake in New York City:

Mah-Ze-Dahr
Ovenly
Amy’s Bread
Little Cupcake Bakeshop
Épices Bakery
Mia’s Brooklyn Bakery
Ladybird Bakery
Veniero’s Pasticceria & Caffe
Maison Pickle
Magnolia Bakery

Map of the Best Chocolate Cake in New York City

Can’t get enough sweets? Us too! Here are more guides on where to get sweet treats in the city.

And there you have it friends, the best chocolate cake in NYC according to yours truly. If you think we missed a spot let us know — we love to hear from you!

Cheers!