New York Dearest
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The Best of New York · Eat · Desserts

The best chocolate cake in New York.

Every one from my own visits, updated September 2026. 10 places.

I have an embarrassing confession. I’ve eaten chocolate cake at every single bakery on this list more than once, sometimes twice in the same week. When I started tracking down the best chocolate cakes in New York City, I told myself it was research, but honestly it turned into a full-blown obsession. These are the slices that made the cut after years of very dedicated, very delicious fieldwork.

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. ; 

Antonina PattizI went to every one · how I decide

Best chocolate cake in New York, 2026

  1. Magnolia BakeryBakery · West VillageThe chocolate buttercream they use at Magnolia’s is out of this world.
  2. Maison PickleRestaurant · Upper West SideThe cake is exactly what it sounds like, 24 layers of perfectly moist cake that require an entire high school football team to finish.
  3. Veniero’s Pasticceria & CaffeBakery · East VillageUsing fresh ingredients, this East Village bakery is responsible for some of the best chocolate cakes in NYC.
  4. Amy’s BreadBakery · MidtownThe chocolate cake at Amy’s Bread really sets itself apart from the competition.
  5. Ladybird BakeryBakery · Park SlopeOrdering the Brooklyn Blackout (rich chocolate-forward cake) is non-negotiable.
  6. Little Cupcake BakeshopBakery · SoHoIf you’re a lover of all things dark and rich, their take on the Brooklyn blackout is impossible not to love.
  7. Mah-Ze-DahrBakery · West VillageThe chocolate cake, aptly called The Devil in Ganache, is known to induce dreams for months after.
  8. Mia’s Brooklyn BakeryBakery · Midtown & Cobble Hill
  9. OvenlyBakery · Greenpoint & Cobble HillOvenly in Greenpoint and Cobble Hill does this intensely dark, almost bittersweet Brooklyn Blackout Cake that absolutely floored me the first time I tried it.
  10. Épices BakeryBakery · Upper West Side

On the map

Where they are.

8 neighborhoods, West Village and Upper West Side most of all.

Upper West Side

West Village

East Village

Greenpoint & Cobble Hill

Midtown

Midtown & Cobble Hill

Park Slope

SoHo

Best chocolate cake in New York, 2026

The seal

If you're on this list, this is yours.

I went, and I said in my own words that it's worth your time. Nobody paid for that and nobody can. The seal says so, and it links back here, so anyone who sees it reads the whole list and how I decide.

Put it on your site, in the window, on the menu. Keep it linked when it's on the web and keep the words on it. That's the whole ask.

The code. Paste it where the seal should sit.

<a href="https://newyorkdearest.com/rankings/chocolate-cake-in-new-york/">
  <img src="https://newyorkdearest.com/rankings/chocolate-cake-in-new-york/badge.svg"
       alt="Best chocolate cake in New York, New York Dearest, 2026"
       width="240" height="240">
</a>

How it looks

Best chocolate cake in New York, New York Dearest, 2026

On a light site

Best chocolate cake in New York, New York Dearest, 2026

On a dark site

The files

SVG, lightSVG, darkPNG, lightPNG, dark

SVG for the web, the 1200 px PNG for print and social. Both carry the year.

Is one of these yours? and I confirm it's you and send the files.

The full guide, with the ones that didn't make it and why: 12 Top-Tier Chocolate Cakes in New York City (Ranked).