Thierry chocolates from Vancouver's Thierry Patisserie.
I have no doubt that, as Valentine’s Day (February 14) approaches, mainstream blogs and magazines will publish the now de rigueur assortment of “How to Survive Valentine’s Day” screeds lambasting the holiday’s commercialization/heternormativity/ability to make non-partnered adults feel crappy. It’s not that I don’t agree with those critiques—I usually do—but…Chocolate! Chocolate in heart-shaped boxes! Chocolate for breakfast! Chocolate all day long! How bad a holiday can it be when the traditional meal is chocolate?!
If you, like me, could care less about the rest of Valentine’s Day as long as you get your chocolate, then check out these top Vancouver Chocolate Shops & Chocolatiers for truly exceptional Valentine’s Day chocolates. Use them as gift or just indulge yourself. (I plan to.)
Top Vancouver Chocolate Shops & Chocolatiers
Thomas Haas Fine Chocolates
One of Vancouver’s hottest boutique chocolate shops, Thomas Haas has been wowing—and wooing—chocoholics for over fifteen years. One of the Top 10 Chocolatiers in North America (according to Dessert Professional Magazine), these handmade chocolates are worth a trip out W Broadway/Kitsilano. Or, check out their new Patisserie on Harbourside Drive in North Van.
Thierry
Maître Chocolatier Thierry Busset uses his French artistry, highest-quality ingredients, and a special climate-controlled ‘chocolaterie’ kitchen to create amazing, mouth-watering chocolates. Drop in to the downtown Vancouver location and sample the cakes, tarts and macarons, too.
Chocolate Arts
A neighbourhood favourite, Kitslano’s Chocolate Arts uses as much local produce—like raspberries, cranberries, hazelnuts, and wild blackberries—as possible to give its house-made confections a singularly Vancouver flavour.
Charlie’s Chocolate Factory
Family-owned since 1970, Burnaby’s Charlie’s Chocolate Factory is the dream of a kid’s candy store come to life. Not only does the shop have a chocolate river, it has an incredible variety of chocolates, including novelty chocolates in every shape, sugar-free chocolates, and personalized chocolates for every quirky taste.
XOXOLAT
Another Kits chocolate boutique, XOXOLAT carries Vancouver’s largest selections of single-origin chocolate bars from around the world, as well as extensive lines of organic, Fair Trade chocolate and Equitable Trade chocolates, and house-made delicacies.
ChocolaTas
Granville Island is actually home to several chocolate shops—including Rogers’ Chocolates (see below)—but ChocolaTas earns special accolades for its gourmet Belgian chocolates from owner/Maître Chocolatier Wim Tas.
Rogers’ Chocolates
One of the most famous chocolate companies in Canada, Rogers Chocolates got their start in Victoria, B.C., in 1885. Their store on Granville Island—one of their many locations—has a huge range of Valentine’s Day chocolates, from artisan chocolates to their famous Victoria creams.
Have your own recommendations for divine Vancouver chocolates? Please leave a comment!
4:11 am
excellent! what an writing! i apreciate you ! fab! wonderull !
10:31 am
Great write up! I do think you’ve missed one international gem that’s recently opened up in Vancouver – Leonidas, down by the waterfront. I lived in Belgium/traveled around Europe for a few years of my life, and anyone can tell you those are the best chocolates in Belgium, and around Europe – they are definitely my favourite! Of course I had my doubts when the store opened – where do they come from, are they the same, but let me assure you, these chocolates get flown in from Belgium every week ( i saw the British Airways box myself on one of the days i was in) and they taste just as they did 12 years ago! Something that can’t be said about most chocolates these days.
I’ll stop my rant at this point, but I do hope you get a chance to get down there, as I’m sure you’ll soon realize that this is the best chocolate in Vancouver! – it doesn’t get better than Belgium chocolate, made in Belgium, and made from 100% cocoa butter – something most(if not all) chocolatiers in Vancouver can’t claim :)
12:28 pm
Great tip Nehme! I’ll totally check it out when I get the chance. Thanks!
11:45 am
My favourite chocolate shop is a delightful little shop called CocoaNymph on West 10th & Alma Vancouver. They have a wonderful selection of beautiful and unique handmade chocolate creations.
If you’re looking for something special and unique for that loved one (or for yourself!) then I suggest checking out this great little place.
12:29 pm
Thanks for this tip, too! Yay, more great chocolate to try!
2:05 pm
Another omission from this list is award-winning Beta 5 Chocolates (beta5chocolates.com) – they are not to be missed! They have some really unique flavours and the most amazing caramels. And an added bonus (especially for Valentine’s Day) is that their packaging is industrial-inspired and edgy which makes for a really great gift!
6:16 am
All the above are definitely worthy of mention. But there are, and have been some other amazing chocolatiers, like Bad Girl and Dutch Girl (not related!) And Over the Moon – their chocolate-dipped cherries were amazing. And Cinnamon’s in North Van! In fact, what I love about all the different producers around town is how each one would have a couple of ‘specialties’ that no one else copied..and the diversity is wonderful!
However, Chocolate Arts has been my go-to chocolatier since Greg and his wife Patricia first pioneered introducing amazing chocoate to Vancouverites. For me, they deserve top-spot. Not only do I feel welcome when I shop there, even if only a few times a year, but if they’re in, they seem to remember me! And I cannot leave a visit there without a lemon & basil truffle…who knew how addictive that flavour-pairing would be?! (cannot describe it, really is chocolate-umami).