Chocolates and flowers might feel like the Valentine’s Day tropes pedaled by marketing folks, but when it comes to the cocoa bean these local establishments have really pushed the mark. Whether it’s award-winning truffles or irresistible handcrafted cubes that could double up as art, here are the three best Los Angeles chocolate shops worth knowing about.
1. ChocoVivo
This incredible chocolate shop serves as more of a communal gathering space centered around bean-to-bar craft dark chocolate creations that will delight your senses. What really sets them apart is the 2000-year-old bean grinding technique used by the Mayans and Aztecs with a mano and metate (similar to a mortar and pestle). There is as little intervention as possible, which means the chocolate is kept as natural as possible with no milk or thickeners added. This little spot is also a cafe, lined with chocolate-filled apothecary jars with famous molten hot chocolate that should not be missed during the winter month. For the ultimate sweet treat, you can do one of ChocoVivo’s daily tours which include a tasting of six different chocolates and a full-size chocolate drink for $45.
Location: 12469 Washington Blvd, Los Angeles
2. Edelweiss
With 80 years in the business, this institution knows how to craft chocolate to perfection. They’ve been gifting the city with glamorously packaged truffles, marshmallows, caramels, nuts, toffees and chocolates since 1942, boasting celebrity patrons like Frank Sinatra and Katherine Hepburn. It would be a crime not to stop by the most iconic chocolate shop in L.A. and discover what traditional, artisanal candy is all about.
Locations: Various
3. Compartes
Compartes’s chocolates are the embodiment of decadence. Each box is like a portable and edible art gallery with every piece of chocolate delicately painted in bright designs. These sweet creations are handmade every single day (and have been for the last 75 years) by a small and passionate team of chocolatiers and the end product—including the packaging—is simply jaw-dropping. They’re almost too pretty to eat, but that’s part of the thrill.
Insider tip: If you leave their West Adams Blvd. shop wanting more, then the 6,000-square-foot factory on La Brea Ave hosts tours where you discover how each bite-size masterpiece is made.
Location: 5735 West Adams Blvd, Los Angeles CA 90016