My first visit to Angelina’s (226 Rue du Rivoli, Paris) was with my two, then young, sons on their inaugural European trip in 1992. I’ve been back to the original cafe (opened in 1903) — and so have my sons — many times for their hot chocolate. It’s like drinking a melted chocolate bar.  One cup of this can satisfy more than one; it’s almost too rich for one person. This hot chocolate — a blend of three kinds of African cocoa from Niger, Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire — is not to be missed.

I’d been wanting to go to the New York Angelina Paris located adjacent to Bryant Park since I learned they had opened. That was during the pandemic, last November. I had read that this version had three sections: a tearoom with an Americanized cafe with a bistro menu for dining, a bakery serving their signature sweet treats and viennoiseries, and their retail shop selling their goodies including both a bottled and powdered form of their famous chocolate beverage.

Having heard they Americanized their offerings, we opted to sample some of those goodies in addition, of course, to Angelina’s iconic ($21) old-fashioned hot chocolate and their signature pastry the “Mont-Blanc,” meringue topped with lightly whipped cream then chestnut cream vermicelli. We ended our tasting with that. Service throughout was outstanding, better than in the eponymous Paris one.

As their guests, we sampled their Maine lobster, served warm with French fries ($25); a puff pastry tart ($18) showcasing burrata and tomatoes, sprinkled with Kalamata olives and fresh basil; Angelina’s salmon salad with lots of smoked salmon hiding mixed lettuces, garnished with grapefruit supreme, avocado slices and crème fraîche all topped with salmon roe ($20); and their green risotto topped with fresh asparagus ($21) and green tomatoes.

The following photos of Angelina’s were taken at the NY location this year, at the Paris location in 2021 and at the Paris location in 1992, all illustrating that quaint French tea house feeling.

I do recommend a visit, being sure you try their ethereal hot chocolate.

Angelina Paris
Bryant Park
1050 Sixth Ave
New York, NY 10018
585-438-5347
angelinaparisusa.com/