Who doesn’t love chocolate?! From bonbons to truffles to drinking chocolates — and those signature chocolate mice — Boston has some of the best sweets you’ll ever taste! Here are 15 of our favorite chocolate shops in Boston and beyond!
Taza Chocolate :: Somerville
Taza is one of the most well-known chocolate makers in Massachusetts. Their bars, discs, and snacks are available at local grocery stores and coffee shops — and even on Amazon! Taza also offers a factory tour and special events throughout the year. Try the cacao scouts scavenger hunts on Saturdays and Sundays with your little ones!
Spindler Confections :: North Cambridge
In addition to chocolates, Spindler’s makes caramels, brittles, and pate de fruits that are available online or in their brick-and-mortar store on Mass Ave. It’s worth an in-person visit to check out the small “candy museum,” which showcases more than 300 items that celebrate the history of candy making in the Boston area!
L.A. Burdick :: Harvard Square and Back Bay
Burdicks is regarded as one of the finest chocolatiers in the world, and its founder is known as a pioneer of fine chocolates in America! At Burdicks, the chocolates are cooked, piped, cut, dipped, garnished, and packed individually and by hand — no molds in sight, even for those signature chocolate mice! Their drinking chocolate is out of this world and a wintertime must (and try the iced drinks during the summer!). Burdicks also carries unique and special items for every holiday — from Halloween to Father’s Day to World Elephant Day (who knew?!).
Chocolate Therapy :: Wayland
The standout items at Chocolate Therapy are definitely the truffles, which come in a number of flavors, intricate shapes, and gorgeous and colorful designs. My toddler adores the shiny purple one — who cares what’s inside! Chocolate Therapy offers a very unique virtual chocolate tasting journey complete with tasting kits and personal guides to accompany your group on an exciting and educational adventure!
Watson’s Candies :: Walpole
In business for 90 years, Watson’s is well known to local residents for their chocolates and holiday specials. Stop by their shop on Main St. and try out their chocolate cashew turtles or their solid chocolate hearts — or, my personal favorite, their chocolate dipped Oreos!
Serenade Chocolatier :: Brookline
With chocolates made in a Viennese tradition passed down through generations, this small chocolatier in Brookline Village is big on flavor and variety. From individual pieces of chocolate to their large piñata chocolate cakes, this chocolate shop has it all! From chocolates for every holiday to chocolates shaped like tools, they even have vegan treats! This place is a must see!
Beacon Hill Chocolates :: Boston
Right in the heart of Boston on historic Charles Street, Beacon Hill Chocolates offers the finest and rarest confections and ingredients from all over the world! In addition to the artisan chocolates, this shop features locally made Italian gelato, private tasting parties, and specialty gifts.
McCrea’s Candies :: Hyde Park
For those who just don’t love chocolate (surely there are a few of you), we know the perfect candy for you to indulge in — caramels. Made locally in Hyde Park, McCrea’s caramels have been featured on The Today Show, and in VOGUE, People, and The Oprah Magazine, to name a few. You can join a monthly caramel club or place a one-time order on their website.
Harbor Sweets :: Beverly and Salem
Check out Harbor Sweets for New England-themed chocolates — lighthouses, shells, and their signature “Sweet Sloops” sailboats, which are a mixture of toffee, chocolate, and pecans. This woman-led business now employs more than 100 people — and it all started in a home kitchen in Marblehead in 1973!
Phillips Candy House :: Dorchester
Phillips was established in 1925 — nearly a century ago! Their chocolate turtles are one of their signature items — each is handmade right in Dorchester with smooth and creamy caramel, roasted nuts, and a dollop of rich, scrumptious chocolate. They were even chosen as one of Oprah’s favorite things!
Gâté Comme des Filles :: Cambridge and Somerville
Take one look at this swoon-worthy photo gallery of local chocolatier Alexandra’s creations, and you won’t be able to resist a visit to her shop. Alexandra has trained in and practiced the arts of French pastries, chocolates, and wine in Paris and California at some of the world’s top culinary schools and restaurants. Now, you can find her sweets at Zuzu’s Petals in Cambridge (her wine and dessert bar) and at Bow Market in Somerville.
Hilliards :: Easton, Norwell, and Mansfield
Hilliard’s is a family-run business now in its fourth generation after launching in south suburban Boston 100 years ago. The amazing confections offered at Hilliard’s are too numerous to mention, but check out their caramel apples, fudges, and seasonal ice creams!
Trappistine Candy :: Wrentham
Two nuns learned the art of caramel making in their monastery’s basement in 1955, and today, Trappistine’s delicious toffees, fudges, and chocolates allow the sisters to be self-supporting! They now produce their candies and chocolates from their Candy House, and they ship all over!
Hebert Candies :: Shrewsbury
Hebert Candies offers specialty chocolates handcrafted in small batches at the same Candy Mansion bought by Frederick Hebert in 1946. Mr. Hebert is credited for introducing white chocolate to the U.S. in 1956! Visit the mansion for fun ice cream sundaes, classic Genevas, and their créme collection!
Winfrey’s :: Middleton, Rowley, Stoneham, Wenham
Winfrey’s began in 1979 when two parents decided to quit their jobs to care for their newborn twin sons, and they began to sell fudge as a way to earn the income to care for their family. Since then, they’ve grown the business and passed it on to their three children, who continue to build the company! Winfrey’s now has four storefronts in addition to their Beverly warehouse, and they offer 23 varieties of their cream and butter fudge and more than 100 different fine chocolates.
This post was written by Rachel Wilson in 2017 and updated in 2024 by Krystal Avila and Ashley Dickson.
Handmade chocolates are one of the pleasures in life. There are plenty of great chocolate shops all over the state, and many of them are located right in Boston. They also make great gifts!