Winners For

Best Chocolate

Complementary to the White Horse Trading Company snuggled next door in Post Alley, The Chocolate Market seems charmingly in the throes of incurable Anglophilia; you wouldn't be surprised to see, among the small square windows, weathered beams, and vase-topped wrought-iron tables outside, a sign reading "Purveyors of Confections to Her Majesty Qu...

The almond-pecan florentines are deceptively innocent-looking at Expressions Fine Chocolate. They are, in fact, decadent, as are most of the concoctions owner Valerie Gamble creates. Gamble, a former stockbroker, started her shop in 2004. She makes everything by hand and uses only the finest ingredients with no preservatives, which means her cho...

This was a very hard decision to make. We love everything that comes out of Brian Pelletier's two chocolate shops, from the basics, like the dark chocolate almond bark, to the more daring creations, like the balsamic vinegar truffle. We went back and forth. The dragées (almonds rolled in chocolate and cocoa)? The sea salt and white pepper bark? ...

If you love chocolate, you will love this menu. Chocolate is in practically everything. Even if you are not a chocophile (in which case, what’s wrong with you?), their chocolate cocktails, dessert flights, and hot cocoa will seduce your taste buds. Co Co. Sala is beautifully appointed with a luxe quasi-Moroccan lounge-y feel, to add to the decad...

If that special girl asked you to buy her shoes for her birthday, look no farther than this creator of chocolate high heels. Molded novelties are a specialty. You can get yummy sharks, penguins, bowling balls, sheep, pizza slices, even a triceratops. But lest you think this is all fun and games, quality handmade truffles are available as well as...

Ginger Elizabeth is a formally trained American chocolatier. She offers an array of chocolate confections and chocolate pastries at her Sacramento chocolaterie where everything is made from scratch including hazelnut praline paste, peanut butter, and marshmallows.

Located inside of Infusion Tea, Chocolate Provocateur doesn’t leave you feeling guilty after sucking down a handful of truffles and some vegan cupcakes—it’s owned by a certified health professional. Now, we’re not saying sweets are necessarily good for you; they’re just not necessarily bad either.

The world’s largest chocolate fountain at the entrance says it all: This is the best place for chocolate, gooey hands down. Executive pastry chef Jean Philippe Maury creates exceptional chocolate desserts like no other. The number of choices can overwhelm, but don’t let that stop you from trying bonbons, truffles, cocoa squares, chocolate cheese...

Getting a chocolate fix can be an almost spiritual experience, which is exactly why a waxy Hershey bar may work in a pinch but falls ever so short when real, rich sweetness is required. Enter Edis’ Chocolates, a small shop that offers up the finest in chocolate confections, cakes, and candies. They offer organic, gluten-free varieties as well, b...

Part of the perfect chocolate experience is the heightened anticipation. Staring at that thin, dome-shaped shell, elegantly painted with shimmering color, you'll find it an exercise in self-control not to just hork it down. Stunning chocolates like the ones made by St. Croix Chocolate deserve savoring. The flavors are subtle and imaginative comb...