A haven for chocolate lovers is opening inside the Empire State Building

Life in Midtown Manhattan will get a little sweeter as of August 6 when the first-ever Ghirardelli Chocolate & Ice Cream Shop in New York makes its decadent debut at the Empire State Building. This beloved brand currently operates 16 sweets shops across the nation, mostly in California, and this store will be its northeast debut.

Expect the Empire State Building shop to become a go-to spot for milkshakes, brownies, chocolate-covered strawberries, hot fudge sundaes, and, of course, those classic foil-wrapped chocolate squares. Before it opens in a few weeks (at 10am on Tuesday, August 6 with 102 free sundaes, by the way), here’s a sneak peek at the stunningly beautiful shop. 

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Decadent treats

It’s all about the chocolate here—dark chocolate, mint chocolate, milk chocolate caramel, white chocolate, dark chocolate raspberry, the list goes on. Brightly colored chocolate squares in clear bins serve as eye candy upon entering the store. You can grab a bag to fill up with your own pick-and-mix assortment of candies (for $12.95/half-pound) or buy a pre-packed mix to take home.

In addition to chocolates, Ghirardelli is known for its hot fudge sundaes, and you’ll get to pick from a variety of sundae options here. There’s the classic World Famous Hot Fudge Sundae, the Chocolate Lover’s Hot Fudge Sundae, the Gold Rush Caramel Almond Sundae, and the Mint Bliss Hot Fudge Sundae, just to name a few. 

Other options include milkshakes and frozen hot cocoa. There’s even a bakery with treats like brownies and cookies. 

A beautiful design

The interior design spotlights chocolate in creative ways. For example, chocolate caramels in gold wrappers fill a replica of the Empire State Building, making the Art Deco design really shine. Decorative wooden panels shaped like square chocolates look practically bite-able. Classic blue-and-gold tiles wrap around the bar, evoking the brand’s colors.

A neon sign reads “Ghirardelli Makes Life a Bite Better in New York,” which feels pretty apt once you’ve bitten into a piece of this chocolate. Another sign explains how to pronounce the brand’s name: “Say Gear-Ar-Delly!” 

With tables and barstools, there’s plenty of room to sit down and enjoy a sweet treat while you’re there. 

An homage to Ghirardelli’s California roots

The company dates back to 1852 when it was founded in San Francisco by Domingo Ghirardelli. A replica of the historic Ghirardelli marquee sign evokes its California heritage. Ghirardelli, an Italian immigrant, decided to bring his love of chocolate to California amid the Gold Rush era, Steve Genzoli, the company’s vice president of quality assurance explained at a preview event. 

The company says it is dedicated to using high-quality and sustainably sourced cocoa beans to ensure a rich and velvety chocolate flavor.

How to find it

Find NYC’s Ghirardelli Chocolate & Ice Cream Shop on the ground floor of the Empire State Building (20 West 34th Street). The store will be open from 9am-11pm Sunday-Thursday and 9am-midnight on Friday and Saturday.