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Where To Buy Chocolate: The Best Chocolate Shops Across Canada

The Best Chocolate Shops Across Canada
Rebecca Zamon
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Soma/Facebook

There's a reason why chocolate is at the top of many people's lists as their favourite foodie luxury — and while we could get into all the chemical reasons or even the health benefits, we're just going to point to the simplest answer: it's just fricking delicious.

February may be a tough month to get through weather-wise in Canada, but the approach of Valentine's Day mid-month means that at least we'll be awash in chocolate everywhere we look, whether it's prettily decorated store windows or co-workers who want to keep the temptation out of their homes.

Of course, there are plenty of different kinds of chocolates to be had, and it goes much further than just including flavours like mushroom and lavender in the craft. As with all delicacies, the connoisseurs want to know whether their chocolate is made from organic ingredients, has vegan-friendly attributes, and yes, is created using fair trade policies. One website and app, Choco-locate, has actually taken note of which spots in many major cities are doing this, so if raw chocolate is important to you, that's where you need to check.

So in honour of Valentine's Day (and for that matter, any other day you feel like indulging in something wonderful), we've rounded up the best chocolate shops across Canada. We confined the list to places that focus almost exclusively on chocolate (and it doesn't hurt that most of their creations are pretty gorgeous as well), so we know your favourite might not be on there ... but that doesn't meant we don't want to know about it anyway! Leave us a comment about your sweet spot below.

SEE: The yummiest chocolate shops in Canada:

Best Chocolate Shops In Canada
Anne Chocolates(01 of38)
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Store: Anne ChocolatesLocation: Charlottetown, Cavendish and Borden-Carleton, PEISpeciality: Island recipes that drawn from L.M. Montgomery's famed characterShown here: Anne's Chocolate Caramels ("I had one chocolate caramel once, and it was simply delicious. I’ve often dreamed that I had a lot of chocolate caramels, but I always woke up just when I’m going to eat them." – Anne of Green Gables (credit:Anne Chocolates)
Bernard Callebut(02 of38)
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Store: Bernard CallebutLocation: British Columbia, Alberta, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Ontario — check here for specific cities, but headquartered in CalgarySpeciality: Natural, preservative-free chocolates that, despite become from a massive company, are beloved by foodiesShown here: Chocolate Heart (credit:Bernard Callebut)
Beta 5 Chocolates(03 of38)
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Store: Beta 5 ChocolatesLocation: VancouverSpeciality: Ganache-filled chocolates finished with hand paintingShown here: Signature Ganache-Filled Chocolates (credit:Beta 5)
Casteleyn(04 of38)
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Store: CasteleynLocation: Burlington, OntarioSpeciality: Belgian chocolates incorporating everything from rose to candied lemonShown here: Chocolate heart-shaped box filled with a dozen chocolates (credit:Casteleyn)
ChocolaTas(05 of38)
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Store: ChocolaTasLocation: VancouverSpeciality: Belgium chocolate in a wide variety, from truffles to caramels to barks to shooter cupsShown here: Dark Chocolate Lace Heart (credit:ChocolaTas)
Chocolate Arts(06 of38)
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Store: Chocolate ArtsLocation: VancouverSpeciality: Chocolates that "capture the spirit and flavor of British Columbia & the Pacific West Coast," with no artificial flavouringsShown here: Sweetie Pop (with fizzing candy!) (credit:Chocolate Arts/Facebook)
Chocolat, Chocolatiere de Victoria(07 of38)
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Store: Chocolat, Chocolatiere de VictoriaLocation: VictoriaSpeciality: French and Belgian small batch chocolates made with unexpected ingredients like wasabi and saffron flowerShown here: White chocolate with saffron flower and a hint of cardamom (credit:Chocolat)
Chocolate Barr's Candies(08 of38)
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Store: Chocolate Barr's CandiesLocation: Stratford, OntarioSpeciality: Artisan truffles (and chocolate-covered strawberries for Valentine's Day)Shown here: Chocolate heart box (credit:Chocolate Barr's Candies)
The Chocolate Claim(09 of38)
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Store: The Chocolate ClaimLocation: WhitehorseSpeciality: TrufflesShown here: Truffle variety, including a Baileys truffle, brandy truffle, amaretto truffle and many more (credit:The Chocolate Claim)
Les Chocolats Geneviève Grandbois(10 of38)
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Store: Chocolats Geneviève GrandboisLocation: MontrealSpeciality: Creative twists on classic chocolates, like a ganache spiced with Espelette, cayenne and serrano peppersShown here: Box of chocolates including gianduja shortbread, black pepper, matcha tea, caramel with vanilla and salt and grapefruit (credit:Chocolats Geneviève Grandbois/Facebook)
Chocolats Privilège(11 of38)
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Store: Chocolats PrivilègeLocation: Various locations in and around MontrealSpeciality: Truffles, ganaches, pralinesShown here: Variety of Valentine's Day offerings (credit:Chocolats Privilège)
Chocolatier Constance Popp(12 of38)
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Store: Chocolatier Constance PoppLocation: WinnipegSpeciality: Single-origin chocolates with Manitoba ingredientsShown here: Caramel cream heart chocolates (credit:Chocolatier Constance Popp)
Copponeur Chocolate(13 of38)
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Store: Copponeur ChocolateLocation: CalgarySpeciality: Single origin chocolate barsShown here: Chocolate "en bloc" bars (credit:Copponeur Chocolate)
Cotard Chocolatier(14 of38)
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Store: Cotard ChocolatierLocation: Various town across Quebec — see here for specific locationsSpeciality: Chocolates that look like gemsShown here: Valentine's day flavours (praline, tea and raspberry, and strawberry, wine and cayenne pepper) (credit:Cotard Chocolatier)
Decadence Chocolates(15 of38)
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Store: Decadence ChocolatesLocation: WinnipegSpeciality: Locally handmade artisan chocolates (like the Banoffee: dolce de leche, candied banana & white chocolate ganache molded in 70% dark chocolate)Shown here: Mix of macadmia nut, raspberry truffle & cinnamon & chili hearts (credit:Decadence Chocolates)
Delight(16 of38)
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Store: DelightLocation: TorontoSpeciality: Fair trade organic chocolateShown here: Box of 12 truffles (credit:Delight)
Epiphanie Chocolate(17 of38)
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Store: Epiphanie ChocolateLocation: CalgarySpeciality: Fresh, high-quality chocolate that also looks goregeousShown here: Passionfruit hearts (credit:Epiphanie Chocolate/Facebook)
Forrat's Chocolates(18 of38)
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Store: Forrat's ChocolatesLocation: London, Hamilton and Windsor, OntarioSpeciality: Truffles and fine chocolates made without preservatives, with original flavours like tequila roseShown here: The truffle lineup — check out the various flavours here (credit:Forrat's Chocolates)
Harden & Huyse(19 of38)
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Store: Harden & HuyseLocation: Cobourg, Ontario and SaskatoonSpeciality: Old-world Belgian chocolates, including many delicious filled optionsShown here: Box of 32 chocolates (credit:Harden & Huyse)
Island Chocolate Company(20 of38)
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Store: Island Chocolate CompanyLocation: Victoria, PEISpeciality: Chocolates made from single sources, and flavoured using fruit grown by the chocolatemakersShown here: Maple walnut chocolates (credit:Island Chocolate Company)
Jacek Chocolate Couture(21 of38)
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Store: Jacek Chocolate CoutureLocation: Sherwood Park, Alberta, and various locations around EdmontonSpeciality: Truffles that are truly stunningShown here: Nostalgia Collection 2013 (credit:Jacek Chocolate Couture)
Koko Chocolates(22 of38)
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Store: Koko ChocolatesLocation: Ottawa, though the store itself is only online — their chocolates can be found at these retailersSpeciality: Chocolate truffles made with Belgian chocolate and natural ingredientsShown here: Special Valentine's Day treat (credit:Koko Chocolates/Facebook)
Mink Chocolates(23 of38)
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Store: Mink ChocolatesLocation: VancouverSpeciality: Handfilled ganache chocolate barsShown here: Valentine Series Bonbons (credit:Mink Chocolates)
Miss Chocolat(24 of38)
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Store: Miss ChocolatLocation: GatineauSpeciality: Everything chocolate, from truffles to caramelized nuts to chocolate organic fruit slicesShown here: Valentine's Day boxes (credit:Miss Chocolat)
Newfoundland Chocolate Company(25 of38)
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Store: Newfoundland Chocolate CompanyLocation: St. John's, and various other locations across CanadaSpeciality: Pure chocolate made by hand without any centresShown here: Heart-shaped box with 23 pieces of gourmet chocolates (credit:Newfoundland Chocolate Company/Facebook)
Odile Chocolat(26 of38)
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Store: Odile ChocolatLocation: Toronto — a main store, along with these locationsSpeciality: Truffles that look like artwork, with unusual flavour combinations like wild Canadian black trumpet, sake and Japanese green tea and champagne, black pepper and rose petalsShown here: Box of 20 truffles in a variety of flavours (credit:Odile Chocolat)
Papa Chocolat(27 of38)
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Store: Papa ChocolatLocation: CalgarySpeciality: Ganache chocolates created by the founder of Bernard CallebautShown here: Solid milk chocolate with heart design (credit:Papa Chocolat/Facebook)
Purdy's(28 of38)
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Store: Purdy's — which is more like a giant companyLocation: Locations across British Columbia, Alberta and OntarioSpeciality: A massive range which is nonetheless beloved by chocoholics across the board, favourites include "Sweet Georgia Browns" and "Melties"Shown here: Tiramisu truffles (credit:Purdy's)
Rheo Thompson(29 of38)
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Store: Rheo ThompsonLocation: Stratford, and across Ontario at these shopsSpeciality: Cream centre chocolatesShown here: Valentine's Day offerings (credit:Rheo Thompson/Facebook)
Rogers' Chocolates(30 of38)
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Store: Rogers' ChocolatesLocation: Various locations in British ColumbiaSpeciality: Truffles, in classic formationsShown here: Red velvet heart box (credit:Rogers' Chocolates)
Soma Chocolatemaker(31 of38)
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Store: Soma ChocolatemakerLocation: TorontoSpeciality: Small batch chocolate in the form of truffles, bars and nutsShown here: Cosmic Heart (a chocolate heart filled with a raspberry praline crunch) (credit:Soma Chocolatemaker/Facebook)
Stickler Chocolates(32 of38)
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Store: Stickler ChocolatesLocation: HalifaxSpeciality: Artisanal ganaches and caramelsShown here: 8-piece box, including Fresh Ginger, Extra Dark, Espresso Blend, Earl Grey, Sea Salt Caramel, and the Nightcap, along with other new flavours depending on the week (credit:Stickler Chocolates)
Stubbe(33 of38)
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Store: StubbeLocations: Toronto and OttawaSpeciality: Handmade truffles, with options like balsamic vinegar, gingerbread and 'fleur de biere'Shown here: Heart full of chocolate delights, including orange peel, ginger, apricots, berry clusters, almond clusters, hazelnuts, nonpareils and florentines (credit:Stubbe)
Sugah!(34 of38)
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Store: Sugah!Location: HalifaxSpeciality: Belgian chocolate that tests out modern flavour combinations alongside a classic styleShown here: 100 Series Tablets, including flavours like Nova Scotian sea salt and house-made Fog Burner coffee (credit:Sugah!)
Sweet Spot Chocolate Shop(35 of38)
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Store: Sweet Spot Chocolate ShopLocation: HalifaxSpeciality: Premium chocolates and fudge, as well delicious chocolate-covered marshmallowsShown here: Hollow Valentine's Day turtle (credit:Sweet Spot Chocolate Shop/Facebook)
Terrible Truffles(36 of38)
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Store: Terrible TrufflesLocation: VictoriaSpeciality: Truffles, of course, using everything from hazelnuts to peppercornsShown here: Cassis truffles (credit:Terrible Truffles)
Thomas Haas(37 of38)
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Store: Thomas HaasLocation: VancouverSpeciality: Handcrafted chocolates made with unique ingredients, like BC wine, Quebec maple syrup and Okanagan fruitsShown here: Handpainted Chocolate Heart filled with handmade chocolates/truffles (credit:Thomas Haas)
Xococava(38 of38)
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Store: Xococava (website for sister restaurant Cava here)Location: TorontoSpeciality: Handmade chocolates with seriously surprising ingredients, like sausage and fennel pollen.Shown here: Valentine's Day XO chocolates (credit:Xococava)

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