Whether for a celebration or simply a craving, here are the places that serve Miami's best chocolate cakes.
Atelier Monnier
Various locationsateliermonnier.com
For a refined, balanced blend, Patrick Feyten's three-chocolate carre cake at Atelier Monnier is a must. The confection combines gluten-free almond sponge cake and three layers of chocolate mousse — alternating dark, milk, and white Belgian chocolate. Dark chocolate ganache covering the cake lends an extra-sweet touch. Each slice ($5.95) comes with a gluten-free vanilla macaron on top ($5.95). A whole cake is decorated with macarons along the sides ($29.95 to $288).
Bachour
2020 Salzedo St., Coral Gables305-203-0552
antoniobachour.com
At his Coral Gables shop, pastry master Antonio Bachor's dazzling interpretation of one of the world's most beloved cakes is nearly irresistible. His elegant dark chocolate mousse, combining dark chocolate and vanilla bean cremeux, offers a perfect balance in flavor and texture through a scrumptious, creamy interior encased in a thin yet rich chocolate shell. Priced at $55, it serves 12 people.
Big Pink
157 Collins Ave., Miami Beach305-531-0888
mylesrestaurantgroup.com
A classic chocolate cake never fails at any party, and Big Pink has been helping make celebrations more festive with its Chocolate Skyscraper for the past 23 years. At the South Beach diner, the tried-and-true creation is often ordered for the table and can serve two to four people per slice ($12.75). Forks will plunge deep into this four-layer feast, held together by a rich pudding. A whole cake feeds 20 to 40 people and costs $120.
Dbakers
3501 NE Second Ave., Miami786-310-8763
dbakers.us
DBakers' chocolate lovers' cake combines dark chocolate crème anglaise and Swiss meringue dark chocolate buttercream in every rich slice. A shiny chocolate glaze finishes off the flamboyant confection. A crown of chocolate macarons and 24-karat gold splatters add an indulgent finishing touch. A $45.50 cake serves nine people, and a $75.50 version feeds up to 20.
Fireman Derek's Bake Shop
2818 N. Miami Ave., Miami786-703-3623
3435 Main Hwy., Coconut Grove
786-502-2396
firemandereks.com
Former Miami firefighter Derek Kaplan's chocolate cake is practically synonymous with over-the-top chocolate merriment. This decadent double-layer creation is not only blanketed in a chocolate drip shell but also topped with chocolate buttercream frosting and mini chocolate chips. A slice costs $8.50, and a whole cake, for $68, weighs more than eight pounds and serves up to 20 people.
Kyu
251 NW 25th St., Miami786-577-0150
kyurestaurants.com
If your sweet tooth knows no bounds, head to Kyu in Wynwood. The Asian restaurant offers a one-of-a-kind dark chocolate s’mores cake with a unique flavor profile. Slice through the flaky exterior to find a delightful burst of banana-bourbon ice cream and toasted marshmallow ($8).
Mirabelle
114 SE First St., Miami786-440-6561
mirabellemiami.com
Fans of French pastries will relish the round chocolate lovers' cake by Mirabelle's chef/owner George Berger. Aa light brownie base is topped with two kinds of chocolate mousse: The first is a dense 70 percent dark chocolate creation, and the second provides a lighter texture. A shiny chocolate glaze envelops the cake, topped with a ribbon of milk chocolate. It costs $32 and serves eight people.
Novikov Miami
300 S. Biscayne Blvd., Miami305-489-1000
novikovmiami.com
Novikov's pastry chef, Karina Rivera, expects her molten chocolate lava cake to begin oozing just as the tines of your fork pierce it. The Valrhona chocolate cake is given an Asian touch with a wafer-thin sesame tuile and is topped with vanilla lemongrass ice cream. Rivera says the combination of ice cream and warm cake is the key to this dessert's appeal. "In each bite, you get a combination of the crunchiness from the sesame tuile and then a smoothness and freshness from the lemongrass ice cream, which balances the richness from the lava center." The cake is available during lunch, dinner, and Sunday brunch for $14 a slice.
Sagrado Cafe
900 Biscayne Blvd., Miami786-671-7434
sagrado.cafe
The chocolate brigadeiro cake at Sagrado Cafe is an indulgent combination of moist layers of chocolate cake and brigadeiros, Brazil's signature truffle. Thanks to sweetened condensed milk in the truffle mixture, the cake remains moist despite the absence of frosting. To add to the richness, mini brigadeiros top the whole thing ($8 to $69 depending upon the size).
Sugar Factory
1144 Ocean Dr., Miami Beach305-531-0888
sugarfactory.com
On Ocean Drive, the sweets-centric spot Sugar Factory serves a signature devil's food cake that's sinfully delicious. The cake is fluffy, flavorful, and layered with a sweet and bitter blend of dark and milk chocolate mousse, dressed in bittersweet chocolate fudge sauce, and adorned with delicate chocolate pearls. Devour a large slice for $16, or snag a whole cake for $40.
Zuma Miami
270 Biscayne Blvd. Way, Miami305-577-0277
zumarestaurant.com
Zuma's flourless chocolate cake walks the line between mousse and chocolate cake. The chocolate sponge is embellished with a chocolate seal and served with sobacha ice cream. The dessert is available during brunch and dinner ($14).
