Chocolate Lovers Spots

Chocolate seems to be a Belgian obsession and many areas of the country have their own specialties and unique approaches to this popular sweet. Ghent is no different and I found a wide variety of chocolates from the traditional to the modern. My...

In downtown San Francisco's Yerba Buena Center, there is a Swiss chocolate "shoppe" that does chocolate pairings with luxury tea. It is a must try!

While on a trip to the wonderful Provence region of France, one of the best days was the day we visited Saint-Remy. It is beautiful in itself, but one of the true gems of the area is Joel Durand's chocolate shop. We had the honor of a private...

OK, OK - we all know by now that Brooklyn is ground zero for New York's artisanal food movement. But a chocolate factory in the middle of so-hip-it-hurts Williamsburg is still a pretty cool prospect. Created by real-life brothers Rick and Michael...

When it’s December, cold and raw in Vienna, and you’ve been wandering the streets (perhaps a bit lost in search of say, Hotel Sacher), and you pass by Café Schwarzenberg for the second time—it’s a sign that you should go in and take the chill off....

On one of those (far too many for my taste) freezing days, nothing warms me up more than a cup of hot and spicy Mayan chocolate. Delicious! I also would suggest the Bicerin (pictured above) when they happen to have it on their menu. Heaven!

If you want to indulge on decadent desserts, this is definitely your place. From the cotton candy macarons to my favourite, the salted caramel tart, the desserts here are simply divine. This is also the perfect place to get a gift for the foodie:...

Some locals call cuberdons “priest hats” and others refer to them as “little noses.” Hard on the outside and gooey on the inside, the conical, raspberry-flavored treats slow-cook for five days in a 131°F room. Stock up...

You're sitting at an outdoor cafe with your friends, enjoying the cool highland air. The waiter serves mouth-watering cakes and pastries. Then he places in front of you a little tray with a glass of hot milk and a ceramic tumbler containing two...

When it comes to ice cream, there is still only one place in Rome. It has been the best since 1900. I love Giolitti not only for the great gelato, but also because it hasn’t changed since I was a little girl. 39/06-699-1243. By Pepi Marchetti...

Founded in 1894 and set in the center of Madrid, not far from Puerta del Sol, San Ginés is a local favorite and a don’t-miss stop during any visit to the capital. No excuses; it never closes. Pasadizo de San Ginés 5, Madrid, 34/91-365- 6546 This...

Living in Los Angeles means that when you have to go on the other side of town, it starts to feel like a roadtrip (if you are not pressed for time). So, anytime I have to leave the Santa Monica Beach and head to Silver Lake, I always stop at LA...

For a great shopping experience, provided that you have a wallet full of Euros, is the Sablon area of Brussels. Other than the art galleries and cafes and restaurants, you can catch the brocante, or flea market, in the square. The photo is of a...

Artisan Confections is a chocolate shop in the nearby D.C. suburb of Arlington, Virginia. It sells quality crafted chocolates made on location. I enjoyed one of its delicious monthly classes with lessons on the background of chocolate and hands-on...

Make sure to sample some hot drinking chocolate in Barcelona. I chose a mug from Cacao Sampaka, a gourmet chocolate shop where you'll find all sorts of delightful dessert concoctions. The rich, velvety drink is nothing like American hot chocolate....

Okay, I haven't had chocolate from all over the world yet, but this is the absolutely best chocolate I've ever tasted. Chuao is owned by two Venezuelan brothers and they only use Venezuelan cacao beans. Anyone who loves chocolate knows that the...

From creme brulee to fig and dark chocolate bon bons, The Chocolate Box purveys it all. While not a manufacturer of chocolate, this spacious Lambertville-based chocolate store is basically a chocolate museum, with fresh mint truffles, key lime pie...

On the corner of Broadway and Salmon streets, downtown Portland, mid-afternoon, our energy starting to wane. You know the deal. So we pop into this temple dedicated to the Goddess of Cocciolato that is soooo far away from Hershey PA not even on...

The Grand Place in Brussels is the magnificent main square in Brussels. The square is the main tourist attraction in Brussels and is surrounded by numerous cafes and shops. Most of the buildings were constructed in the late 17th century, although...

Before taking the train to Rome, we picked up a spread of antipasti at Peck, a vast and pristine food shop in Milan. In addition to a huge selection of cheeses, fruit, salumi, and bread, Peck sells prepared specialties like meatballs, potato...

Located in Old Quebec City, Érico is part chocolate museum and part retail store. The museum part is small but interesting. Displays educate visitors on how cocoa is harvested, fermented, roasted, ground, and turned into chocolate. There are also...

Far from his native Bologna, gelato master Nazario Melchiondo crafts tastes that have found a ready home in the desert city of Tucson, Arizona. Always fresh, it's made on site, and the flavors change seasonally. One decadent way to enjoy the...

Perched on the banks of the Salzach River, Salzburg’s grande dame drips with old-world charm and Austrian tradition. The interiors brim with antiques, crystal chandeliers, fine art, and a traditional style that feels transportive,...

Modern Dwellers Chocolate Lounge is a hip hang-out with a creative vibe for chocolate and espresso lovers. Their drinking chocolate is delicious and addictive – their espresso compliments it perfectly. The owner, Zoe Oakley, is an incredibly...

Fleurir prides itself on creating local chocolate completely from scratch. They use locally-sourced ingredients and feature artists on their uniquely designed wrappers. The flavors of the chocolate are anything but conventional. You may find...

Rumour has it that there are over 10,000 chocolate shops in Belgium, and that it would take a full 6 months to tour all of them. To this I say: challenge accepted. (Remind me to pack my stretchy pants) Eating chocolate is undoubtedly one of the...

A travel for me is not completed unless I find the best place to get chocolate, dark chocolate. I have this habit of looking for a good cup of coffee and the best chocolate in town. I found Xocoa while strolling one of the main streets in Baixa (I...

As someone who is always looking for a chocolate stores while traveling to different places, I was thrilled to find Gay Odin. I’ve been eating good chocolates in different places in the world but Gay Odin is by far, the BEST chocolate I’ve ever...

When I say "chocolate tourism", a large number of destinations come to mind. France, Belgium, Switzerland. Britain. South America. Chocolatiers from numerous places around the globe often lay claim to producing the best, the richest, the most...

Scape the city center and venture into the elegant neighborhoods of the Zona Alta of Barcelona to indulge in the finest chocolates you can find in town.

So many varieties of chocolate gelato that it's hard to choose, but I'd say my favorite is the chocolate-orange one. Or maybe the hot spicy chocolate?

This place looks more like a jewelry place than a cake shop. When I finish my tours in the Born district, I can't hardly stop myself from heading there to reward me for a good job done (and when I'm with clients and we pass by, they NEED to see...

Kusiruna (Chocolate & Cupcake Factory) is a special place in Trujillo (Av. Larco 1023) where people can enjoy the pleasure of eat, smell, see, touch and love chocolates. Truffles, chocolates filled with cheesecake, Cupcakes, Palettes chocolate...

If you request a mocha at L.A. Burdick Chocolate, be prepared to eat it with a spoon. When I ordered my hot chocolate, I was expecting a thick consistency but wasn't prepared for the partially edible gooey beverage --basically melted chocolate in...

Look for the Orange “E” between 18th and 19th on McGee Street for a divine chocolate experience. Christopher Elbow’s bold flavors don’t overpower the chocolate, but each different piece is a new experience. Linger on the painted artistry before...

Since 1993, Chocolada Bakery & Cafe has produced quality cakes and desserts for local residents of South Florida. The candy store, bakery, and coffeehouse serves top quality deserts, pastries, and coffee drinks. For lunch or dinner, try some of...

I've tried many chocolates and candies in Paris—some stellar and unforgettable—but the only confiseur and chocolatier that makes me smile when I think about it is Fouquet. Aside from the impressive selection of candied fruits, dragées, and...

The chocolate at Araya is fair-trade Venezuelan El Rey couverture chocolate. This outstanding chocolate is crafted with pink salt, Maker's Mark, Colombian coffee, and homemade chai, just to name a few. Also, don’t forget the 10 flavors of macarons...

You want some fabulous chocolate on the central coast of California- then head to Mama Ganache in San Louis Obispo for some of the most amazing chocolate you will ever taste. Actually, order the Aztec chocolate shake and just try to keep from...

It was Easter, so naturally the window was full of fish. The chocolate "Poisson d'Avril" is a special delicacy for April Fools' Day in France, but to be honest these creations were so beautiful I couldn't have borne to eat one. We saw a few...

Located in the heart of Harvard Square, {additional location in Boston proper} this inviting cafe is guaranteed to take the chill off winter. The mulled cider is wonderful, but drinking chocolate, especially the dark variety, is a rich, decadent...

I hear about Ginger Elizabeth all the time—a friend's favorite new flavor of macaron or the chocolate gift box received as a birthday gift. When I finally made it here, I was impressed by the beautiful interior, friendly staff, large selection of...

Chocolate lovers, rejoice! Every year, a chocolate festival is held in Stockholm. Lovers of chocolate come out in droves (I dare say, thousands) to sample handmade truffles, pralines, all sorts of chocolate-y goodness, as well as to dip treats...

According to legend, Bayonne was the launchpad for chocolate consumption in France. It arrived in Europe by way of Spain in the 16th century thanks to Hernán Cortés, a Spanish Explorer who brought cocoa beans from Mexico. Jewish artisans, who were...