Chocolate Stores at Hudson Yards

La Maison du Chocolat finds itself on Level 1 and it takes chocolate very seriously, according to the French way. Robert Linxe founded this brand in Paris in 1977 and he obsessed about one thing: ganache. Those fillings are smooth, strongly flavorful and without preservatives. At Hudson Yards the signature dark chocolate truffles always appear together with seasonal collections and gift sets. Also the pastries shine… éclairs filled with rich chocolate cream are standouts. Cocoa from carefully chosen plantations becomes flavored bars (orange, vanilla, caramel) and the coffrets with hatboxes are very popular during gift season. Chocolate macarons like dark chocolate and chocolate passion fruit round out the lineup. In the store everything looks intentional and minimal, chocolates arranged more as art than sweets. Because La Maison du Chocolat shares Level 1 with NEUHAUS BELGIAN CHOCOLATE it forms an ideal starting point for those, that want the best.

NEUHAUS BELGIAN CHOCOLATE exists from Brussels since 1857 and one feels the weight of that history. Neuhaus not only made pralines, it invented the Belgian praline in 1912, which shows the brand’s influence. The Hudson Yards store on Level 1 shows rich selection of filled chocolates in flavors like gianduja, fresh cream, coffee, marzipan and caramel. What separates Neuhaus from competitors is the use of pure cocoa butter, without palm oil. The ballotin gift boxes, another invention of Neuhaus, are immediately recognizable and among the most iconic packages. In the store you find curated collections like Collection Découverte and Timeless Masterpieces, plus limited seasonal editions. The Irrésistibles line represents their best, with soft ganache in passion fruit, raspberry and salted caramel. Dark, milk and white chocolate appears almost everywhere. Want to try before purchase? Neuhaus allows to take individual pieces, so full box is not necessary. Beside La Maison du Chocolat on Level 1, it focuses European chocolate knowledge in one place.

LI LAC CHOCOLATES takes over Level 4 with something entirely different (real New York chocolate tradition). It is the oldest chocolate house of the city and operates since 1923, initially in Greenwich Village. The handcrafted style rules; small batches, recipes and molds already for decades. Fudge is genuinely worth it; chocolate walnuts, peanut butter, various dark chocolates. Molded chocolate figures (animals, seasonal pieces) show the production, that the brand always loved. Others offer chocolate covered nuts, bark, truffles and butter crunch. Almond bark and nonpareils sell regularly. Fresh cream and butter in everything; artificial ingredients do not exist at Li-Lac. The gift boxes have there own nostalgic charm, not sleek or fashionable. Because everything becomes made here in the city, it has handmade quality rather than the big European names elsewhere. On Level 4 it easily reaches, if you already are up.

DYLAN’S CANDY BAR dominates a bright corner on Level 4 and although chocolate is major, it is not everything. Dylan Lauren launched the brand in 2001, first opening the biggest candy store of the world on the Upper East Side. Now it attracts fans of all kinds. The Hudson Yards store has enormous range of chocolate items: chocolate covered gummy bears and pretzels, special bars, truffles and more. Big bins full of chocolate malt balls, chocolate covered espresso beans and peanut butter cups line the space. Gift packages play creative, colorful tins, tackle boxes, novelty tins with mixes. They have own label for chocolate bars with interesting flavor combinations. Moreover gummies, lollipops, licorice and retro candy brands take up places, but the chocolate part alone could keep you busy. Level 4 has also LI LACCHOCOLATES nearby, so the two stores give different angles about chocolate shopping in one place.