My favorite place for chocolates of all time! And the owners are originally from Nebraska, and if anyone knows me they know I'm a true Midwest at heart! This location in Berkeley is the original one but they have a location in San Francisco as well 🙂 Ok so back to chocolates! First of all these are a work of art! You do not even want to eat them they are that pretty to look at! My picture will be the proof to my awe and wonder 🙂 This is my go to place for birthday treat for friends and family. And Valentines Day is around the corner so do go here for your loved one! Also they allow you to sample some of their chocolates! I honestly can say with confidence every chocolate is delicious and unique in flavor.

A chocolate from Blue is the perfect complement to a fabulous lunch at next-door Slow. The other way around works as well but is considerably less satisfying. [Update 12/14: sadly Slow has closed so the combination is no longer possible. Blue is still good enough that it is worth the occasional dedicated trip.]

Was looking for a local shop to buy artisanal chocolate for Valentine's day and Chocolaterie fit the bill. It's located in downtown Berkeley so parking can be a little difficult. The chocolates here are so colorful and beautiful. I also really enjoyed the unique artisanal chocolate flavors. My favorite was the lychee lavender. The subtle fruity and floral flavor worked well with the chocolate. The chocolates here make a wonderful gift and I'll definitely be back!

the best in the US. He uses Italian Amadei chocolate. The best ingredients for the price - Sicilian pistachios, special five-star butter, Monterey Market fruit,... Ingredients are more expensive than competitors and his prices are significantly lower. So affordable and high quality - taste and appearance.

Next stop on our Berkeley tour, Chocolatier Blue! I had tried some of their chocolates before, so I actually came here not expecting too much, but going to their store totally changed my mind. When my friend brought me some chocolates to try last year, I only had tried 1 or 2 flavors and although the chocolate itself was good, I felt like they were generic flavors. It's a very simple storefront and set up. The decor reminds me a little of a baby's room. Thick baby blue stripes painted all around. The guy working that day was super helpful, friendly, totally accommodating and took the time to explain everything to us. How they made the chocolate, what ingredients he was adding when he was making my friends' hot cocoas. We came in a group of 14, so it took a while to get all our orders in, but we had time to kill anyway. I took a look at all the flavors and I really liked what they had on display. Lots of interesting flavors: ants on a log, caramel popcorn were the ones that stood out. I tried their chili chocolate, and it left a nice kick at the end. I ended up buyinging an orange chocolate bar ($6), and a cherry and pistachio bark ($5). Both delicious. I liked the mixture of salty and sweet in the bark, and there were chunks of orange peel in the chocolate bar. YUM!

For some reason I always get drawn in when I'm on University Ave. Even if I don't like the flavor, I totally love nibbling on their très petite chocolates. It's crazy. If you, too, get lured in, try the Cookies & Cream. Je t'aime beaucoup!

We have eaten great chocoates before. Like, in Paris. But now we've discovered truly stratospheric quality chocolates within a mile of home. (I'm a little worried.) We had lunch next door and headed for the car and noticed the unassuming storefront. Walked in and there was a lovely line of chocolates. The charming young women behind the counter offered us each a honey sage chocolate, which would not have been my first choice. It was intense and delicious. We bought a box of 6 to take home: Marzipan, Old-fashioned, Chili, Espresso (x2) and Currant. Unbelievably good. $1.50 each. Totally worth it. We will be going back for two-chocolate boxes for adult stocking-stuffers!

I was a little skeptical when they called one of their chocolates 'ants on a log' but that's exactly what it tasted like-celery, peanut butter and raisins-not what you're really expecting when you put a such a pretty little morsel in your mouth. The first thing they did when we walked in was to hand us a free chocolate, not just a sample, but their recommendation right from the counter. And it was delicious. All of their pieces are beautiful, and their flavors are creative. With high quality ingredients and creative combinations, there's something for everyone. I also appreciate that by charging a little more to those who buy a custom box (in essence charging for the box itself) they keep the prices down on buying an individual piece. Perfect for a gift, or a treat after a great meal (try out Slow next door). This is a fabulous place in Berkeley!

I had the most delicate gourmet chocolates there. I tried some familiar flavors like espresso, and some new experiences like apricot and I loved every bit of 'em. The end came with the most delicious Cinnamon and Chili, Hot Chocolate. I would definitely recommend them if you are a chocolate-lover.