The cacao tree is native to either Central or South America. The people who probably first roasted and ground its beans into a powder, to make beverages and gruel, were the Olmecs in southern Mexico, as early as 1500 B.C. When the Spanish conquistador Hernán Cortés arrived at Tenochtitlán (modern-day Mexico City) in 1519, he discovered the Aztecs sipping a drink based on bitter ground cacao beans sweetened with honey and flavored with vanilla and chiles. They called it “chocolatl,” meaning warm liquid.
The Spanish brought chocolate back to Europe, and it became popular there — still as a beverage — minus the chile but with other flavorings, including cinnamon and nutmeg, and the honey replaced with sugar. The first shop in North America selling (liquid) chocolate was opened by Dorothy Jones and Jane Barnard in Boston in 1670.
It isn’t known who first made chocolate in solid form, but it was popularized in 1847 by Joseph Fry, who created a kind of chocolate paste at his factory in Bristol, England. John Cadbury, Henri Nestle, and Rodolphe Lindt — all names associated with leading chocolate brands today — made further refinements to the product.
Milton S. Hershey made the first milk chocolate candy in America in 1900 at his factory in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Candy bars became a fad in the early 20th century, and in the first half of the 1900s, an astonishing 40,000 different candy bars were introduced to consumers. Individual chocolates, as opposed to bars, also became popular; the Philadelphia chocolate manufacturer and retailer Whitman’s first sold its now-iconic chocolate sampler box in 1912.
Exactly when and where the first shop specializing in chocolate candies (as opposed to hot chocolate) appeared in America is uncertain, but early examples include Pulakos Chocolates in Erie, Pennsylvania, dating from 1903; Fowler’s Chocolates, which opened in Buffalo, New York, in 1910; Keystone Candies, a chocolate shop and soda fountain launched by Greek immigrants in Pittsburgh in 1914; and a Dutch-themed chocolate shop opened the same year in downtown Los Angeles.
Click here for the best chocolate shop in every state.
Nobody knows for sure how many chocolate shops there are in the U.S. today, at least in part because many of them do double duty as patisseries, ice cream parlors, or gift shops. Suffice to say there is probably not a city or a town of any size in the country that doesn’t boast at least one purveyor of chocolates. There are at least 25 in New York City, for instance, and more than 30 in Los Angeles.
Sometimes, the best chocolate shops are generations old, descended from old-style candy-making facilities. Sometimes they’re products of the last decade, started by artisanal chocolatiers. Sometimes they’re even local branches of large chains. All, however, have the goods to satisfy chocolate lovers.
To identify the best chocolate shop in each state, 24/7 Wall St. indexed ratings weighted by number of reviews for thousands of chocolate shops nationwide on Yelp and Google. To be considered, a chocolate shop must be in or near a city with a population of at least 100,000 people. In states with few or no cities of this size, chocolate shops in smaller cities were also considered. Ratings are the number of points given by Yelp and Google users out of a possible 5.
Source: chocolatachocolate.com
Alabama: Chocolata
> Location: Birmingham
> Avg. Yelp review: 5.0
> Avg. Google review: 4.9
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Source: sweetchaletalaska.com
Alaska: Sweet Chalet
> Location: Anchorage
> Avg. Yelp review: 5.0
> Avg. Google review: 4.4
Source: Tony the Marine / Wikimedia Commons
Arizona: Cerreta Fine Chocolates
> Location: Glendale
> Avg. Yelp review: 4.0
> Avg. Google review: 4.6
Source: Photo by R.B. via Yelp
Arkansas: Kyya Chocolate
> Location: Springdale
> Avg. Yelp review: 5.0
> Avg. Google review: 4.8
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Source: Photo by John Kelly Chocolates via Yelp
California: John Kelly Chocolates
> Location: Los Angeles
> Avg. Yelp review: 5.0
> Avg. Google review: 4.7
Source: Photo by Regina N. via Yelp
Colorado: Sweet Cooie’s
> Location: Denver
> Avg. Yelp review: 4.5
> Avg. Google review: 4.7
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Source: Photo by Darrell N. via Yelp
Connecticut: Chip In a Bottle
> Location: New Haven
> Avg. Yelp review: 5.0
> Avg. Google review: 4.8
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Source: govatoschocolates.com
Delaware: Govatos Chocolates
> Location: Wilmington
> Avg. Yelp review: 5
> Avg. Google review: 4.8
Source: Photo by Domonique J. via Yelp
Florida: Peterbrooke Chocolatier Avondale
> Location: Jacksonville
> Avg. Yelp review: 4.5
> Avg. Google review: 4.3
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Source: Photo by Agatha H. via Yelp
Georgia: Kilwin’s
> Location: Atlanta
> Avg. Yelp review: 4.5
> Avg. Google review: 4.5
Source: Photo by Leland S. via Yelp
Hawaii: Manoa Chocolate Hawaii
> Location: Kailua
> Avg. Yelp review: 5.0
> Avg. Google review: 4.7
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Source: The Chocolat Bar / Facebook
Idaho: The Chocolat Bar
> Location: Boise
> Avg. Yelp review: 4.5
> Avg. Google review: 4.7
Source: Katherine Anne Confections / Facebook
Illinois: Katherine Anne Confections
> Location: Chicago
> Avg. Yelp review: 4.5
> Avg. Google review: 4.8
Source: Photo by Brittany S. via Yelp
Indiana: The Best Chocolate In Town
> Location: Indianapolis
> Avg. Yelp review: 4.5
> Avg. Google review: 4.6
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Source: Photo by Maria D. via Yelp
Iowa: Chocolate Manor
> Location: Davenport
> Avg. Yelp review: 4.5
> Avg. Google review: 4.8
Source: Cocoa Dolce / Facebook
Kansas: Cocoa Dolce Artisan Chocolates
> Location: Wichita
> Avg. Yelp review: 4.5
> Avg. Google review: 4.7
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Source: Art Eatables / Facebook
Kentucky: Art Eatables
> Location: Louisville
> Avg. Yelp review: 5.0
> Avg. Google review: 4.7
Source: torybrown / Flickr
Louisiana: Sucré
> Location: New Orleans
> Avg. Yelp review: 4.5
> Avg. Google review: 4.5
Source: Toots Ice Cream / Facebook
Maine: Toots Ice Cream
> Location: North Yarmouth
> Avg. Yelp review: 4.5
> Avg. Google review: 4.7
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Source: Photo by Tom T. via Yelp
Maryland: The Original Velatis
> Location: Silver Spring
> Avg. Yelp review: 4.0
> Avg. Google review: 4.7
Source: Photo by Cristin S. via Yelp
Massachusetts: Taza Chocolate
> Location: Somerville
> Avg. Yelp review: 4.5
> Avg. Google review: 4.4
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Source: Bon Bon Bon / Facebook
Michigan: Bon Bon Bon
> Location: Detroit
> Avg. Yelp review: 4.5
> Avg. Google review: 0.0
Source: Photo by Monique C. via Yelp
Minnesota: Lindt Chocolate Shop
> Location: Bloomington
> Avg. Yelp review: 4.5
> Avg. Google review: 4.7
Source: Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory / Facebook
Mississippi: Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory
> Location: Ridgeland
> Avg. Yelp review: 4.5
> Avg. Google review: 4.1
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Source: Photo by Maricel S. via Yelp
Missouri: Christopher Elbow Artisanal Chocolates
> Location: Kansas City
> Avg. Yelp review: 4.5
> Avg. Google review: 4.9
Source: La ChaLa Châtelaine Chocolat Co. / Facebook
Montana: La Châtelaine Chocolat Co.
> Location: Bozeman
> Avg. Yelp review: 4.0
> Avg. Google review: 4.5
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Source: Photo by Chocolaterie Stam - Omaha via Yelp
Nebraska: Chocolaterie Stam – Omaha
> Location: Papillion
> Avg. Yelp review: 4.5
> Avg. Google review: 4.8
Source: Photo by Julie S. via Yelp
Nevada: Solo Qui
> Location: Las Vegas
> Avg. Yelp review: 5.0
> Avg. Google review: 4.9
Source: Photo by Gabriel C. via Yelp
New Hampshire: Dancing Lion Chocolate
> Location: Manchester
> Avg. Yelp review: 5.0
> Avg. Google review: 4.8
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Source: Photo by Al Richards Chocolates via Yelp
New Jersey: Al Richards Chocolates
> Location: Bayonne
> Avg. Yelp review: 5.0
> Avg. Google review: 4.6
Source: Photo by Karla M. via Yelp
New Mexico: ChocolateDude
> Location: Albuquerque
> Avg. Yelp review: 4.5
> Avg. Google review: 4.6
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Source: Photo by ROYCE' Bleecker via Yelp
New York: ROYCE’ Bleecker
> Location: New York
> Avg. Yelp review: 4.5
> Avg. Google review: 4.6
Source: Photo by Nikki W. via Yelp
North Carolina: The Secret Chocolatier
> Location: Charlotte
> Avg. Yelp review: 4.5
> Avg. Google review: 4.8
Source: Widman's Candy Shop / Facebook
North Dakota: Carol Widman’s Candy Co.
> Location: Fargo
> Avg. Yelp review: 3.5
> Avg. Google review: 4.9
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Source: Photo by Mary S. via Yelp
Ohio: Maverick Chocolate Co.
> Location: Cincinnati
> Avg. Yelp review: 4.5
> Avg. Google review: 4.8
Source: Photo by Kernels & Kandies via Yelp
Oklahoma: Kernels & Kandies
> Location: Oklahoma City
> Avg. Yelp review: 5.0
> Avg. Google review: 4.3
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Source: Photo by Kelly D. via Yelp
Oregon: Creo Chocolate
> Location: Portland
> Avg. Yelp review: 5.0
> Avg. Google review: 4.9
Source: Photo by Michelle P. via Yelp
Pennsylvania: Edwards-Freeman Nut
> Location: Conshohocken
> Avg. Yelp review: 5.0
> Avg. Google review: 4.7
Source: Photo by Angelica K. via Yelp
Rhode Island: Trinity Confections
> Location: Warwick
> Avg. Yelp review: 5.0
> Avg. Google review: 4.9
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Source: Photo by Pea P. via Yelp
South Carolina: ChocolatBoutique
> Location: Fort Mill
> Avg. Yelp review: 4.5
> Avg. Google review: 4.7
Source: Photo by Perry B. via Yelp
South Dakota: Palm Garden Cafe & Chocolate Shoppe
> Location: Aberdeen
> Avg. Yelp review: 4.0
> Avg. Google review: 4.5
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Source: Photo by Jessica C. via Yelp
Tennessee: Sweet Noshings
> Location: Memphis
> Avg. Yelp review: 4.0
> Avg. Google review: 4.5
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Source: Photo by P.J. via Yelp
Texas: Tejas Chocolate Craftory
> Location: Tomball
> Avg. Yelp review: 4.5
> Avg. Google review: 4.7
Source: Photo by Zuhadi Z. via Yelp
Utah: Hatch Family Chocolates
> Location: Salt Lake City
> Avg. Yelp review: 4.0
> Avg. Google review: 4.7
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Source: emilywaltonjones / Flickr
Vermont: Lake Champlain Chocolates
> Location: Burlington
> Avg. Yelp review: 4.0
> Avg. Google review: 0.0
Source: Photo by Alice W. via Yelp
Virginia: Blüprint Chocolatiers
> Location: Alexandria
> Avg. Yelp review: 5.0
> Avg. Google review: 4.7
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Source: Photo by Aubry J. via Yelp
Washington: Fleur Chocolatte
> Location: Vancouver
> Avg. Yelp review: 5.0
> Avg. Google review: 4.9
Source: Slight Indulgence / Facebook
West Virginia: Slight Indulgence
> Location: Morgantown
> Avg. Yelp review: 4.5
> Avg. Google review: 4.7
Source: Photo by Beth W. via Yelp
Wisconsin: Indulgence Chocolatiers
> Location: Milwaukee
> Avg. Yelp review: 4.5
> Avg. Google review: 4.8
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Source: Meeteetse Chocolatier / Facebook
Wyoming: Meeteetse Chocolatier
> Location: Meeteetse
> Avg. Yelp review: 3.5
> Avg. Google review: 4.9
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