Amaya Henry & Kayla Hutt Amaya Henry & Kayla Hutt | July 23, 2024 | Food & Drink, Feature, Guides,
The chocolate chip cookie. The triple C. The classic of all classics. The OG of all OGs.
Even though NYC is home to some of the most distinctive and original delicacies, there are times when you just want a traditional chocolate chip cookie and these 16 places will give you just that.
See Also: The 8 Best Breakfast Burritos In NYC
Multiple locations / Website
If you’re a cookie fan, then we know you’ve heard of Levain Bakery. While preparing for a triathlon, founders Pam Weekes and Connie McDonald developed their own perfect cookie. Their cookies were quickly a hit, and thus the legend that is the Levain chocolate chip walnut cookie was born. Levain became a local favorite and a hot spot for foodies from all over the world, and the brand has now expanded to locations all over the country.
Multiple locations / Website
If Oprah approved of this cookie, then you know it’s real! What began as a small local bakery and café in Soho has grown into a well-known lifestyle brand with locations throughout the country. Their famous nutty chocolate chip cookies are filled with various types of nuts, including macadamia nuts, almonds, walnuts and dark chocolate wafers. On the rare occasion that you have cookies left over, Maman has come up with recipes for you to repurpose your cookies, like their Maman cookie tiramisu, nutty chocolate chip hit chocolate and an ice cream sandwich.
Multiple locations / Website
Crunchy on the outside and melt-in-your-mouth on the inside cookies stuffed with premium dark chocolate chips can be found at Seven Grams, where they only use the finest ingredients. These luscious, gigantic cookies are cooked fresh to order in line with their tempting original recipe. In addition to the classic cookie, they also offer variations of it, like the matcha white chocolate cookie and the peanut butter chocolate chip cookie. The vegan tahini and olive oil dark chocolate chip cookie and the gluten-free and vegan dark chocolate chip cookie are available for our dietarily restricted friends.
53 Howard St. / 212.852.9097 / Website
With nothing but five-star reviews, this viral chocolate chip cookie is definitely one you need to try! Lucky for us here in NYC, lead chef Marie-Aude Rose is eager to share her skills and her unique take on French food with La Mercerie. This cookie has an extra thickness that melts on your tongue as you bite into it. The added sprinkle of sea salt further enhances the flavor. The open kitchen, sage green tiles and greenery throughout the shop will make you want to stay for lunch, so we recommend making a reservation!
Multiple locations / Website
While Tyga rapped about Rack City, we’re rapping about Chip City. Fans love these cookies because they are as thick as they come. At Chip City, they use a brown sugar cookie mixed with dark chocolate chips to create their cookie. Paired with a glass of milk (yes, they sell glasses of milk at Chip City), this cookie will transport you right back to your childhood. Although their menu changes weekly, this traditional cookie will continue to provide you with constant pleasure.
163 Chrystie St. / 646.972.0409 / Website
This cookie is just as the name suggests: gooey on the inside. What started in a small Chelsea apartment as a quest to create a cookie that’s both soft and crispy has blossomed into Gooey On The Inside. This golden brown melt-in-your-mouth cookie has rich dark and milk chocolate chips combined with dark chocolate chunks. Stop by Tuesday through Friday anytime from 4:00–6:00 p.m. to enjoy their cookie happy hour, where cookies are $4 instead of their usual $7!
189 Spring St. / 212.219.2773 / Website
It goes without saying that a chocolate chip cookie made by one of the world's top pastry chefs will rank among the best in the city. Dominique Ansel, a prestigious award-winning chef best known for his creation of the “Cronut,” opened his first shop with a team of just four employees back in 2011. While continuing to perfect his craft, he’s opened restaurants throughout the country. While they have the traditional chocolate chunk cookie, they also have the chocolate chip cookie shot. The chocolate chip cookie acts as a shot glass that you fill with milk and drink like a shot. The milk leaves the cookie nice and soft with additional chocolate at the bottom of the “glass.”
Multiple locations / Website
Cookies made of pie crust? Trust us, they’re delicious! Janie created a cookie whose every bite promises the ideal balance after becoming inspired by her desire to find the pie with the correct proportions. Each bite offers a buttery caramelized streusel, a delectable layer of filling, and a flaky crust. Caramelized on the outside and chewy on the inside, Janie’s has a perfect chocolate chip cookie. If you can resist eating them all in one sitting, you can preserve them by putting them in the freezer and popping them in a 350ºF oven for three to five minutes, and they’ll taste just as good as the day you got them!
415 Lafayette St. / Website
There's a reason the chocolate chip cookie at Jean's has gone viral on TikTok. The plate-sized gooey cookie is the perfect dessert at this hotspot, and it comes with a small glass of milk to pour over. Each bite reveals a harmonious balance of sweet and savory, with a touch of sea salt elevating the flavor. Who would've thought you'd have a delicious chocolate chip cookie bedtime snack at one of NYC's hottest nightclubs?
743 Driggs Ave., Brooklyn / 347.384.2212 / Website
Ceremonia Bakeshop takes the classic chocolate chip cookie to new heights with its emphasis on high-quality ingredients and artisanal baking techniques. Their cookies are a delightful combination of rich chocolate and buttery dough, making each one a ceremony of taste.
42 E 20th St. / 212.477.0777 / Website
At Gramercy Tavern, the chocolate chip cookies are just as notable as their gourmet meals. These cookies are a perfect end to a meal, with their decadent chocolate chunks and a texture that's both chewy and slightly crisp.
53 Rockaway Ave., Brooklyn / 347.543.2981 / Website
Bread & Butter Bedstuy offers a chocolate chip cookie that feels like a warm hug. Baked to perfection, these cookies boast a golden-brown exterior and a soft, chewy interior that's generously dotted with melty chocolate chips.
135 India St., Brooklyn / Website
Radio Bakery has quickly gained a reputation for its outstanding chocolate chip cookies. Their version is a textural masterpiece featuring a crisp exterior and a tender, melt-in-your-mouth center packed with semi-sweet chocolate chips.
263 E 10th St. / 917.409.0771 / Website
From Lucie brings a chocolate chip cookie with a recipe that enhances the chocolate flavors, making each bite an indulgent experience that's hard to forget. It's made with 3 different dark chocolates, a 35% milk chocolate and topped with Maldon salt. Soft on the inside and crunchy on the outside. What more could you ask for in a cookie?
Multiple locations / Website
Culture Espresso is a favorite among locals for its exceptional chocolate chip cookies. These cookies are baked fresh daily, with a generous amount of chocolate chunks and a perfectly chewy texture that keeps customers coming back for more.
319 Lafayette St. / 917.965.2004 / Website
Funny Face Bakery is not just about the whimsical decorations; their chocolate chip cookies are seriously good—so good that they're not even funny. Each cookie is a delightful blend of rich, buttery dough and high-quality chocolate, ensuring a perfect balance of flavors in every bite.
Our recommendation? Take a weekend and try all of these incredible NYC cookies. Trust us, you won't be disappointed, and you can always freeze your leftovers! Happy indulging!
Photography by: Karl Tapales / Getty Images