The cold weather is setting in for those in the northern hemisphere. There’s no better way to keep toasty this season than to cozy up with some dessert fresh from the oven. Check out the best places across the USA to grab a hot chocolate or warm dessert.
Max Brenner
Winter is here, and with the cold and waning daylight hours, sometimes all you need is a warm hug. If you prefer your hug in a mug, Max Brenner’s hot chocolate served in their signature Hug Mug is your ultimate holiday season comfort dessert. The mug is shaped to be hugged in both hands, creating the ultimate drinking experience of coziness, warmth, and fragrance.
Locations: New York, Philadelphia
Hot Cakes
Unwrap your scarf, stomp the snow off your boots, and step into Hot Cakes for molten cakes so warm and soothing they will instantly melt the cold away. The famous Dark Decadence Molten Cake is a fan favorite with enough to share or enjoy all to yourself. Their Instagram will certainly make you drool.
Address: 5427 Ballard Ave NW and 1650 E Olive Way, Seattle Washington
Rise Souffle
Rise is an intimate salon de soufflé and wine bar designed with French influence. Bask in the warm atmosphere and transport yourself to France for a while. Begin your experience with the Marshmallow Soup, a delightful roasted carrot & tomato bisque adorned with miniature goat cheese soufflés (the marshmallows) drizzled with pesto and served with a twisted breadstick. Keep the warmth going by indulging in a Violet Soufflé, a true masterpiece of French cuisine.
Locations: Houston, Fort Worth, Dallas, Texas
House of Pies
If you’re visiting Los Angeles, you might want to save room for some of the best pies in LA. House of Pies is famous for its warm southern pecan and seasonal pumpkin pies, guaranteed to give you all the warm fuzzies. For an extra treat, add a scoop of vanilla ice cream to elevate your experience.
Location: Los Angeles
Sweet Magnolias
Wrap yourself in the aroma of warm gooey rolls baked from scratch by Nebraska natives at Sweet Magnolias Bakeshop. The bakeshop is a family business, brought to life by Katina Talley Foster and her husband Josh. From the soft cinnamon rolls to caramel pecan rolls fresh from the oven, these delicious treats will keep you warm from head to toe.
Address: 813 North 40th Street, Omaha, Nebraska
Serendipity 3
If you’ve seen the movie Serendipity, you’ve certainly heard of this place. The home of decadent desserts in the city that never sleeps, Serendipity 3 serves “Big Apple” Pie slices that are generously sized and will delight your taste buds. Fresh out of the oven, the combination of cinnamon crumble and warm apples is simply irresistible.
Address: 225 E 60th St, NYC
Cafe du Monde
Any trip to New Orleans requires a stop at the French bakery, Cafe du Monde. This iconic restaurant has been serving beignets and coffee since 1862. Wear light colors and prepare to get messy: the cafe is generous with their powdered sugar, making it inevitable to wear bits of it when you are done. The fresh-made sugared doughnuts are a true soul warmer, perfectly paired with their signature chicory coffee.
Address: 800 Decatur St, New Orleans
Tesse
Make spirits bright this winter at Tesse, a restaurant with Modern European flair serving exquisite soufflés and crème brûlées. The decadent Duck Egg Creme Brulee boasts a rich taste with a smooth and creamy texture from the duck egg yolk. It’s a dessert you won’t find just anywhere and is worth the trip alone. Feel free to indulge further; consider trying The Floral Madagascar vanilla bean, bursting with flavor, complemented by the crisp of bruleed muscovado sugar.
Address: 8500 Sunset Blvd Suite B, Los Angeles
Chocolate Lab Denver
Here, your motto for surviving the winter is, “Chocolate, chocolate, chocolate!” and you can savor all three at the Chocolate Lab in Denver. The perfect remedy for the cold is their chocolate turtle chocolate elixir, crafted from scratch hot chocolate available in dark, milk, or white chocolate options, plus vegan choices.
Spice up the formula with your favorite spirit added to any elixir for extra warmth. Even better, Chocolate Lab features entrees and cheese plates, making it a one-stop destination for dinner and dessert. If you’re in the mood for something sweet and savory, try the Impossible Burger—a vegan option is also available, served with a chocolate spice rub and finished with spicy chocolate ketchup, pickles, lettuce, onions, and tomatoes on a chocolate swirl bun.
Address: 2504 E Colfax Ave
Bombo Bar
Have some winter fun while keeping your hands warm with the famous Funfetti Hotter Chocolate and Chocoholic Hotter Chocolate masterpieces created by Top Chef alum, Fabio Viviani. The ever so colorful Funfetti Hotter Chocolate is served with rainbow sprinkles and a bright combination of a white chocolate dipped rice krispy treat, a berry-flavored Pop-Tart, a rainbow sour belt, and blue and pink drizzle.
In contrast, the Chocoholic Hotter Chocolate is sleeker, dressed in chocolate sprinkles and towering with a brownie and chocolate whoopie pie, topped with chocolate and caramel drizzle, salted caramel crispy sprinkles, and a cherry Haribo gummy. Did you say “yum” too?
Address: 832 W Randolph and 1529 N Wells St, Chicago
Chocolate Bar
This trendy Dessert and Martini Bar is known for chocolate desserts, but they don’t stop there. Have their culinary geniuses whip up an incredible bananas foster with caramelized bananas, light hints of rum, and a homemade crepe, served warm alongside a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream and topped off with whipped cream. Forget dessert—enjoy it for breakfast or dinner—we won’t tell.
Locations: Worldwide
This article was originally published in November 2019 and updated in December 2020.
