Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
Food
Italy's Venerable Venchi Installs America's Largest Chocolate Waterfall In Union Square
By
Scott Lynch
Published Nov 19, 2018
Modified Nov 19, 2018
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
Scott Lynch / Gothamist
View all 16
By
Scott Lynch
Published Nov 19, 2018
Modified Nov 19, 2018
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Italy's gourmet chocolatier Venchi opened its flagship NYC location last week—a narrow, festive storefront near Union Square that features a full gelato counter, towering walls of treats, extravagant coffee drinks, made-to-order crepes, and, in the back cascading behind the entire seating area, what is purportedly North America's largest chocolate waterfall. These seem like the kind of thing you'd want to be more compact, but sure, it certainly is an impressively expansive display at 10 feet high and 45 feet wide.
Venchi has been in the chocolate-making business since 1878, and already has more than 100 stores in over 70 countries around the world, but this is the company's first standalone shop in the city (both NYC Eataly locations host a Venchi counter) and only the second anywhere in America (Chicago beat us to it). The bulk of the inventory on display here is take-away chocolate in a wide variety of formats. There are about a dozen different kinds of bars for $8.80 each, an array of bins with "pick-n-mix" bite-sized treats ($19.99 a half pound), boxes adorned with Venchi's signature vintage illustrations, and novelties like chocolate cigars.
But it's the cafe/parlor part of Venchi that's perhaps most appealing, especially once the holidays are over and occasions for handing out $40 boxes of chocolate are at a minimum. The Venchi gelato and sorbet comes in 20 mostly classic flavors—Stracciatella, Tiramisu, Pistachio, Raspberry, Dark Chocolate—and, based on the triple scoop I devoured last week, is well worth repeat visits. Definitely splurge on the XV Suprema Chocolate Spread to coat your cone as well.
For all of you weirdos who don't eat ice cream in the winter, there are plenty of chocolatey coffee drinks and just straight-up hot chocolate to keep you cozy and happy. And the Gianduja Crepe I had was spectacular, the shell griddled to a chewy crisp and filled with syrup and crushed, caramelized hazelnuts, or nougatine. A fluffy mound of freshly-made whipped cream on the side will cost you extra, but life is short and you should enjoy as many small pleasures as come your way.
Venchi is located at 861 Broadway between 17th and 18th Streets (646-448-8663; venchi.com)
Tagged
chocolate waterfall
union square
venchi
Scott Lynch
Photojournalist, food writer, preschool receptionist. Love NYC.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE food
North African restaurants are rare in NYC. These 10 are the best.
Egyptian, Moroccan, Algerian and Tunisian food is delicious but underrepresented in the city.
By
Robert Sietsema
Published Oct 10, 2026
10 dishes that demonstrate the delicious diversity of curry in New York City
The global dish is shapeshifting and ubiquitous.
By
Robert Sietsema
Food
10 dishes that demonstrate the delicious diversity of curry in New York City
The global dish is shapeshifting and ubiquitous.
By
Robert Sietsema
Frozen yogurt is back in New York City. So are the super long lines.
By
Sonia Rao
5 NYC banana puddings as good as Magnolia's
By
Hannah Frishberg
Where to eat in Greenpoint, Brooklyn right now, from Polish to Sichuan to Iberian
By
Robert Sietsema
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .