Our Favorite Chocolates

From classic heart boxes to decadent truffles and artisan-crafted bars, we’ve rounded up the best chocolates on the Shoreline.
Village Chocolatier, Guilford
An old favorite and full of Valentine’s cheer, if you’re on the hunt for a classic beribboned heart box, you’ll find it here. Fill it with your choice of turtles, creams, clusters and caramels, and enjoy the seasonal displays of all manner of heart-shaped sweets. thevillagechocolatierguilford.com
79 Whitfield Street


Pursuit of Pastry, Old Saybrook
The housemade truffles here are mammoth (big enough for two!), colorful and lovely to look at, but of course the point is how scrumptious the flavors are! Choose from an assortment including Mexican Chocolate, Dark or Milk Ganache, Merlot, Amaretto, Dark Orange and more. While you’re there, you’ll be hard-pressed to pass up the cupcakes, hand pies, and loaves of fresh-baked breads. Also, our go-to for birthday cakes. pursuitofpastry.com
719 Boston Post Road, Elm Street Shopping Center, Old Saybrook

ATY Confections, Niantic and Mystic
Award winning baker, Adam Young, produces his own line of fine chocolates available at Sift locations in Niantic and Mystic. These glossy and gorgeous bon bons come in flavors like cranberry pistachio, toasted orange hazelnut, caramel apple cider and so many more intriguing combos. Also, it’s a perfect time of year to check out Bar & Bon Bons, Adam Youngs playful spot for enjoying a cocktail (Chocolate Old Fashioned, Not Your Average Chocolate Martini) with your sweets. atyconfections.com/menu


Joy Chocolates, Essex
“Indulge your happy” at Joy Chocolates in Essex, the brainchild of husband and wife team Clair and Steve Ariyan. Claire blends the Belgian chocolate into a variety of candies in the onsite kitchen and you can choose your box from an ever changing assortment of caramels, turtles, chocolate dipped fruit, barks and, of course, a variety of hearts. Don’t miss the single origin “drinking chocolate” and the hilarious shapes (a chocolate groundhog, anyone?) joychocolateco.com/
5 N. Main Street, Essex


Chocolate Geeks, Essex
This spot in Essex has the largest selection of gourmet chocolate bars in the area, plus their very own dessert invention: Truffle Shots. These deep, dark and delicious shots of flavored ganache make a festive dessert (and enough to share). My favorite flavors are Raspberry Kiss and Whiskey Caramel but you cannot go wrong here. Made in small batches with the best ingredients, think romantic dinner for two but also an unusual treat for parties of all sizes.
Also in stock at Chocolate Geeks are Knipschildt Chocolatier’s over-the-top Valentine’s boxes. Connecticut-based Fritz Knipschildt has won virtually every chocolate award and is famous for his avant-garde flavor combinations, natural and local ingredients and hand-painted truffles. Limited supply, so head over soon!
P.S. You will be unable to resist (and please don’t) the warm chocolate chip cookies that waft from the back of the house. truffleshots.com
49 Main Street, Essex




Cooked, Centerbrook
Amusement isn’t necessarily what one thinks of when considering chocolate, but the new bars by Beato Chocolates with provocative names like Menage a Trois and Sometimes You Fancy a Nut, with illustrations by Beatrice Wood, a renowned artist and ceramicist who lived to 105, might be just the ticket for your Valentine. Beat is woman-owned, artist-focused and fair trade certified. You’ll find lots more sweet options here including these single-serve fondue! Check out their Valentine’s takeout menu for a cozy and romantic dinner at home! cookedmarketplace.com
5 Main Street, Centerbrook


The Chocolate Shell, Old Lyme
No chocolate list would be complete without including The Chocolate Shell in Old Lyme. Unfortunately this sweet shop was closed the day I stopped by, but the tantalizing assortment of artisanal treats, chocolate covered strawberries, and nostalgic candies will surely tempt any Valentine. Find them on Facebook. And here’s an article from our archives: https://the-e-list.com/valentines-at-the-chocolate-shell/
16B Lyme Street, Old Lyme