Chocolate Lovers' Guide to the Bay
Let’s face it - the Bay Area is a chocolate lover’s paradise. Every city and neighborhood has a chocolate scene of its own, and you may be wondering where to start. The fact of the matter is you can’t go wrong! Here’s our guide to the chocolatiest spots the Bay has to offer.
San Francisco
Dandelion Chocolate
(740 Valencia St. // Mission + 1 Ferry Building Shop 14 // Embarcadero)
Did you say brownie bite flight? Single-origin cocoa beans are the foundation of Dandelion’s chocolate bars, truffles, drinks, and decadent desserts. Opt for a House Hot Chocolate with a side of s'mores at the Valencia St. location and thank us later.
A16
(2355 Chestnut St. // Marina + 5356 College Ave. // Oakland)
The chocolate budino tart at A16 is well-known among San Francisco’s dessert aficionados for its use of olive oil and sea salt. Both locations keep the budino on the menu, and you can even pick up the A16 cookbook to learn to make it at home!
Chocolate Covered
(4069 24th St. // Noe Valley)
This Noe Valley staple is a true chocolate lover’s dream with more than 900 varieties of artisan chocolates from around the world. Owner Jack Epstein has tried them all, but any of the staff can help you pick the perfect bar or assemble a custom gift basket. You might keep the gift basket for yourself, but hey, we can’t blame you.
Lush Gelato
(520 Columbus Ave. // North Beach + 1511 Shattuck Ave. // Berkeley)
Hot chocolate probably isn’t the first thing you think of when you go to a gelato shop, but rest assured, hot chocolate made from gelato is a total game-changer. Try one for yourself at the Berkeley shop (may not be available at North Beach shop). But in the middle of the heatwave, a gelato-filled bon-bon will do.
Fog City News
(455 Market St. #125 // Financial District)
Magazines, Clipper cards, and stamps might be standard fare for a newsstand, but the premium imported chocolates at Fog City News really make it worth a stop. Hundreds of chocolate bars are accompanied by descriptions of tasting notes so you can find exactly what you’re craving.
The Original Ghirardelli Ice Cream & Chocolate Shop
(900 North Point St. Ste. 52 // Fishermans Wharf)
If you’re reading this, it’s a safe bet that you routinely make Ghirardelli brownies at home - why not go straight to the source? Choose a sundae named after your favorite SF destination or stick with the standard World Famous Hot Fudge. Extra chocolatey bonus points if you attend the Ghirardelli Chocolate Festival in September!
SF International Chocolate Salon
(1199 9th Ave. // Golden Gate Park)
Perhaps the easiest way to get your chocolate on, chocolatiers, chocolate makers, and drink vendors gather for a day of confectionery sampling, demos, and talks. If that’s not the tastiest thing ever, we don’t know what is!
XOX Truffles
(754 Columbus Ave. // North Beach)
The only thing better than a truffle is a free truffle, which you’ll get with any coffee or hot chocolate at XOX. The French-style truffles come in liqueured and non-liqueured varieties, and a few vegan options are always available.
East Bay
The Xocolate Bar
(1709 Solano Ave. // Berkeley)
All things chocolate can be found at this WOC-owned small business that makes a large variety of confections in-house and carries chocolates from other small batch producers too. Monthly subscription boxes full of organic, fair trade, and ethically sourced goodies are also available.
The Chocolate Dragon Bittersweet Cafe and Bakery
(5427 College Ave. // Oakland) - Temporarily Closed for repairs
Hot and iced chocolate drinks fill the Chocolate Dragon menu, alongside chocolatey baked goods and a hefty array of chocolate bars. Gluten-free and vegan options are always available!
Timeless Coffee
(2965 College Ave. // Berkeley + 4252 Piedmont Ave. // Oakland)
The vegan chocolate-loving fam need not feel left out - Timeless is a coffee roaster, bakery, and chocolatier, and all of their offerings are plant-based. With options like chocolate cake donuts, chocolate croissants, homemade peppermint patties, and salted caramel cups, you may find it hard to choose.
Fenton’s Creamery
(4226 Piedmont Ave. // Oakland + 1669 E. Monte Vista Ave. // Vacaville)
The Saddleback Brownie might be the most epic single item on this page - we’re talking brownie, Dutch chocolate chip ice cream, and hot fudge - but it’s not the only chocolate-packed option at Fenton’s. If they don’t have the sundae of your dreams, you can always create your own.
TCHO Chocolate
(3100 San Pablo Ave. // Berkeley)
If you’ve lived in the Bay Area for more than a minute, you’ve definitely seen TCHO everywhere and probably have a favorite bar (looking at you Toffee + Sea Salt). For the complete experience, check out a factory tour and tasting once they're back in action! (Currently on hold.)
South Bay + Peninsula
Via Guittard
Guittard Chocolate Company
(10 Guittard Rd. // Burlingame)
Though Guittard does not currently offer factory tours, you can find their baking chocolates at grocery stores across the Bay Area (and online) for those days that you just want to get your chocolate on from the comfort of your home. If you need inspiration, their cookbook is less than $5.
Cocola Bakery
(2810 Bay Rd. // Redwood City + 333 Santana Row #1045 // San Jose + 126 Broadway Ln. // Walnut Creek)
You might not be able to pronounce Sacher Framboise, but you’ll have no trouble eating it. If raspberries aren’t your thing, the 100% Chocolate Eclair, Chocolate Chocolate Cookie, or Chocolate Pound Cake (or, dare we say all three) are sure to do the trick.
Plumed Horse Chocolaterie
(14555 Big Basin Way // Saratoga)
If you’re in search of a truffle that’s more like a tiny piece of art and has its own shout-out in the Michelin Guide, you’ve found the place. Score a taste after a meal at the Plumed Horse, or keep an eye on the Plumed Horse Boutique for a chance to buy a whole box.
North Bay
The Chocolate Cow
(452 1st St. E. // Sonoma)
Handmade cow-shaped truffles, jumbo chocolate peanut butter cups, and general merriment are just a few of the things you’ll find at the Chocolate Cow. Their ice cream and gelato is also made in-house - not that you needed any more reason to go.
Vintage Sweet Shoppe
(530 Main St. // Napa)
Is it even Napa if you aren’t drinking wine? Take your experience to the next level by making reservations for a wine and chocolate tasting. If you don’t have time to sip and snack, grab one of the chocolate-dipped wine bottles that the shop is known for.
Annette’s Chocolates
(1321 1st St. // Napa + 610 1st St. // Napa)
You may not have known you were missing out on a whole world of chocolate and fudge sauces, so here’s your PSA. Merlot Fudge and Chocolate Amaretto are just two of the 11 saucy toppings Annette’s has to offer. As for the Gallery of Chocolates, well, you’ll just have to go see that for yourselves.
Wine Country Chocolates
(414 1st St. E. // Sonoma + 14301 Arnold Dr. // Glen Ellen - Temporarily Closed)
Assemble a custom box of truffles infused with your favorite wines, fruits, or other desserty flavors, or go for one of the shop’s signature blends. If that doesn’t hold you over until your next visit, you can always join the Truffle Club as well.
Chocolate by The Bay
Let’s be real, there’s no such thing as too much chocolate. The good news is, Chocolate by the Bay has an ultra comprehensive guide on every chocolatey destination there is, complete with specific ordering recommendations and DIY chocolate tours broken down by neighborhood. Go get lost in the (chocolate) sauce!
Written by Katherine Andrews
