It’s chilly outside, which means you’re probably craving comfort food. Don’t let the cold temperatures keep you locked inside when there’s so much good food to be had out there. These six NYC comfort foods will keep you warm and toasty in this winter.

Hot Chocolate at City Bakery

This Flatiron-area bakery and restaurant (whose brownie was once prominently featured on Sex and the City) is so serious about its hot chocolate that they host an annual hot chocolate festival in February, with flavors like caramel and bourbon hot chocolate. But every day of the winter, their signature thick and creamy hot chocolate topped with a homemade marshmallow is available for slurping.

New England Clam Chowder at Ed’s Chowder House

This Upper West Side spot — located directly across from Lincoln Center — offers several different types of chowder, and a sampler option (which includes three different varieties) if you simply can’t make up your mind. There’s also a “chowder bar” serving lobster rolls, steamers, and more from 11:30 a.m. till midnight. It’ll bring back memories of warm, sunny Montauk, no matter how cold it is outside.

Matzoh Ball Soup at Second Avenue Deli

Fluffy matzoh balls, noodles and carrots dress up this iconic deli’s simple soup, one of those perfect comfort foods that’s sure to warm you up. To us this is just about the best “Jewish penicillin” you can find. Dunk in the deli’s famous challah bread and you’ve got yourself a meal. (Note: There are two locations of the deli — one on the Upper East Side and one in Murray Hill. Neither is on Second Avenue.)

Ramen at Ippudo

Ramen is practically a religion in NYC, and the warm bowls at the East Village’s Ippudo NY won’t disappoint. This one’s an American version of a Japanese chain, and you can actually watch the housemade noodles being made downstairs. If meat, veggies, and noodles are your thing, look no further.

Hot Apple Cider at Union Square or Tompkins Square markets

GrowNYC’s outdoor markets — which include Union Square Greenmarket, Tompkins Square Greenmarket, and more across the boroughs — offer hot cider from ruit and farm vendors that can help keep you warm during the fall and winter seasons. Grab a steaming hot cup of cider while running errands or enjoying the colder weather.

Grilled Cheese and Tomato Soup at Bouchon Bakery

This sandwich and soup combination is the stuff (foodie) dreams are made of. Located at this Thomas Keller-owned bakery in and cafe in the Time Warner Center, the sandwich — made with gooey fontina and Gruyère cheeses on crusty bread — finds the perfect complement in the optional bowl of tomato soup. Go ahead and dunk.

Image Source: Flickr

[cf]skyword_tracking_tag[/cf]