Whether for a snack or at the end of a meal, there’s often nothing better than a slice of cake, especially chocolate cake.
It’s the ultimate form of indulgence where chocolate’s rich flavors and textures can be savored in everything from creamy frosting to moist, fluffy cake. And when it comes to options in New York City, plenty of places more than deliver.
There’s the simple yet thoroughly decadent chocolate cake at Claud, and a mishmash of a classic New York black and white cookie and German seven layer chocolate cake over at Gertrude’s. Maison Pickle has its own extravagantly layered version uptown, too, while Vinegar Hill House adds Guinness (yes, the beer) to theirs.
The variations are endless, but the results are equally delicious. Here’s a comprehensive guide to help satisfy your next cake craving.
More From Resy
Claud East Village
Devil’s Food Cake
This intimate French-inspired East Village bistro takes the cake, or should we say, makes the cake. While the restaurant is renowned for many of their signature dishes like their chicken liver agnolotti, seasonal mille-feuille, and razor clams, the one that’s arguably most impressive is their devil’s food cake for two (or arguably, four or five). Nestled between six layers of rich, moist devil’s food cake, you’ll find thin layers of perfectly chocolatey frosting which are wrapped in a thin layer of creamy ganache. To seal the deal, it’s served with a light sprinkling of sea salt to balance out the sweetness.
Yellow Rose New York
Texas Sheet Cake
At this East Village spot, owners Dave and Krystiana Rizo bring a taste of San Antonio to New York City with a Tex-Mex menu inspired by their roots. There’s something for everyone including housemade tortillas, skirt steak, and pepper quesadilla, alongside handcrafted cocktails — but no meal here is complete without dessert. While they have a rotating cake of the day, you’ll especially want to visit when they’re serving up their top-notch chocolate Texas sheet cake. It’s lathered with a cream cheese frosting and topped with candied pecans.
gertrude's Prospect Heights
Black & White Seven Layer Cake
A loving tribute to Jewish cuisine and New York bistros, Gertrude’s in Prospect Heights has fun twists on classics like stuffed cabbage, latkes, and a Bloody Mary, made with borscht. But whatever you do, finish your meal with a slab of their black and white seven layer cake for two. It’s a mashup of the classic New York black and white cookie and a German seven layer cake, with the seventh layer being an espresso chocolate ganache icing. It’s topped with a perfect dollop of whipped cream.
Café Sabarsky Upper East Side
Sachertorte
With executive chef Christopher Engel at the helm, Café Sabarsky draws its inspiration from Viennese coffee shops. Thanks to its beautiful decor and ambiance, that influence is immediately felt the moment diners step inside as they’re transported to one of Vienna’s famous cafes. While many regulars come for the palatschinken, spätzle, or wiener schnitzel, no meal is complete without a slice of their brilliant sachertorte. It’s a classic Viennese dark chocolate cake layered with a thin spread of apricot confiture to balance out the bitterness from the dark chocolate and coated with a glossy chocolate icing. Pairing a glass of Wiener eiskaffee with it is a must.
Balthazar SoHo
Warm Chocolate Cake
Located in the heart of SoHo, this New York institution serves traditional French fare all day. Whether you’re there for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, however, don’t leave without their warm chocolate cake served with white chocolate ice cream. The rich cake has a molten center and is one of the best of its kind in all of the city.
Maison Pickle Upper West Side
24 Layer Chocolate Cake
If you fancy extravagant portion sizes, martinis, and a well-done brunch, this Upper West Side locale is for you. But, arguably, the best part about Maison Pickle is their signature 24 layer chocolate cake. In between 12 thin layers of rich chocolate cake are 12 thin layers of chocolate buttercream which are both encased in a coating of silky ganache. Whether you’re celebrating a birthday or simply looking to end your meal on a sweet note, their chocolate cake is a must-try.
Vinegar Hill House Vinegar Hill
Guinness Chocolate Cake
Located in the quaint Vinegar Hill neighborhood of Brooklyn, near DUMBO, this charming restaurant has been serving up a seasonal menu of New American cuisine since 2008. One thing on Vinegar Hill House’s menu that has not changed — and we hope never does — is their Guinness chocolate cake. Inspired by chef Nigella Lawson, it’s one of the many reasons why people have been making return visits to this lovely spot close to two decades. Served by the slice, it’s both decadent and delicious and topped with a cream cheese frosting.
Nar Restaurant Flatiron, Gramercy
Istanbul Dreams
Serving reimagined Turkish cuisine with both traditional and modern dishes on the menu, Nar blends unique flavors and fresh ingredients to create a wonderful dining experience for all. And one of their most interesting renditions is their version of a chocolate cake, called Istanbul Dreams, which consists of a honey kataifi crust layered with mascarpone cheese, chocolate and pistachio cream, topped with ganache and dukkah.
Frena Hell’s Kitchen
Nemesis
This Middle Eastern restaurant in the heart of Hell’s Kitchen is inspired by the Israeli Moroccan heritage of its chef, Efi Naon. If you’ve heard of Frena, you have most definitely heard about their namesake dish: Frena, a fluffy Moroccan bread with hummus that’s served as soon as guests are seated. But this and all of the hearty cuisine are not the only reason you’ll be back. Named Nemesis, their chocolate cake will also draw you back in. It’s flourless, moist, made with Valrhona chocolate, and topped with a hazelnut sauce as well as a cacao nib tuile.
Lysée Gramercy Park
V.I.C. (Very Important Chocolate Cake)
This unique pastry boutique from chef-owner Eunji Lee is known for its beautifully decorated cakes, viennoiserie and patisserie. The signature corn mousse cake has drawn a lot of attention but their best-seller V.I.C (Very Important Chocolate Cake) deserves the same amount of recognition. Like many of us, chef Lee loves to finish any steakhouse meal with a chocolate cake and created this layered cake as a homage to the classic experience. The V.I.C features chocolate mousse, crémeux, and moist chocolate cake that’s crunchy at the bottom with a black pepper caramel in the center to cut the richness of the chocolate. The best part is, it’s available in individual portions or as a whole cake in medium or large sizes.
Mah Ze Dahr Bakery
Devil in Ganache
Named after the Urdu word, mahzedahr, its closest English translation means an essence that makes something special, and that’s an apt description for the array of baked goods that you’ll find here. Come for the crackly brownies and brioche doughnuts, but do stay for the devil in ganache cake. An intensely fudgy and decadent chocolate cake that’s draped in chocolate ganache, it can be purchased whole or by slice.
Walk-ins only.
