Paris is the city that’s supposed to have chocolate flowing from every fountain and truffle on every corner. So I went there a few years ago, I didn’t mind spending half an hour in a queue at a “famous” shop. I mean, anything for a good chocolate.
However, instead of good chocolate, I was handed a rock-hard bonbon that tasted suspiciously like it had been hiding in a sock drawer since the Sarkozy era.
I vowed right then and there: never again would I settle for mediocre chocolate. So, once I landed back home in Vancouver, I set out to find the best chocolate shops this city has to offer.
After sampling my way through the city (and possibly developing a mild cocoa addiction), these are my absolute favourite chocolate shops.
- 1. Drunken Chocolatier
- 2. BETA5 Chocolates
- 3. Lindt Chocolate Shop – Vancouver Exchange Tower
- 4. Rocky Mountain Chocolate
- 5. The GOOD Chocolatier
- 6. Daniel Chocolates
- 7. Gem Chocolates
- 8. Purdys Chocolatier
- 9. Hype Chocolate
- 10. Coconama Chocolate
- 11. Kasama Chocolate
- 12. Chocolate Favoris
- 13. La Fraise Rose
- 14. Mink Chocolates Cafe
- 15. Living Lotus Chocolate
1. Drunken Chocolatier
– Media credit: drunkenchocolatier
Address: 223 W Broadway #108
Hours:
- Wednesday & Friday – 11 AM to 5:30 PM
- Saturday – 12 PM to 6 PM
- Sunday – 12 PM to 5 PM
Price: $
At Drunken Chocolatier, you can build your own nine-piece box of truffles, choosing from a lineup that’s as creative as it is delicious.
I always look forward to their Apple Pie truffle—a layer of jelly made from Golden West apples, miso caramel milk chocolate ganache, and a sprinkle of Biscoff crumble for the perfect crunch. It’s sweet, a little salty, and tastes exactly like a bite of fall.
And if you’re vegan, don’t worry—they’ve got you covered with a dedicated vegan chocolate box. The Bourbon Blood Orange truffle, made with Bridge Brewing’s Bourbon Blood Orange Ale, delivers a grown-up kick in a dark chocolate caramel.
Pro Tip: Drunken Chocolatier hosts fun, hands-on chocolate workshops, where you can learn how chocolate is made and pick up tips on tempering chocolate at home. I always leave with a new appreciation for the craft—and a box of my own creations. |
2. BETA5 Chocolates
– Media credit: beta5chocolates
Address: 409 Industrial Ave
Hours: Tuesday to Saturday – 10 AM to 5 PM
Phone: +1 604-669-3336
Price: $
BETA5 Chocolates’ signature Polygon Bars are unlike any other chocolate bar I’ve seen. Each bar is made up of little polygons that snap apart in the most satisfying way.
My go-to is the Sesame-Peanut Polygon Bar. I love the milk chocolate, roasted peanuts, and that black and white sesame brittle which adds a nutty crunch and a subtle, toasty flavour.
Their Mandarin Oranges truffles caught my eye too. They look just like the real fruit, but inside you’ll find a silky mandarin caramel, and a divine milk chocolate and orange ganache. They’re as tasty as they are cute.
Pro Tip: If you’re feeling under the weather but still want a chocolate fix, try their Fisherman’s Friend truffle. It’s made with Valrhona dark chocolate ganache that’s infused with the unmistakable menthol and eucalyptus kick of Fisherman’s Friend cough drops. |
3. Lindt Chocolate Shop – Vancouver Exchange Tower
– Media credit: lindtcanada
Address: 455 Howe St
Hours:
- Monday to Saturday – 9 AM to 6 PM
- Sunday – 10 AM to 6 PM
Phone: +1 604-602-1415
Price: $$
The Lindt Chocolate Shop is the place to go if you love classics from Lindor, Excellence, Swiss Classic, and even Ghirardelli, all under one roof.
I love their iconic Lindor Neapolitan Truffles. These truffles have a strawberry-flavoured white chocolate shell that gives way to a meltingly smooth milk and white chocolate centre.
If you’re more of a chocolate bar fan, the Excellence line is where Lindt really shines. You can find everything from intense dark chocolate to creamy milk chocolate.
My personal favourite is the Lindt Excellence Pistachio Dark Chocolate Bar. The rich dark chocolate is perfectly balanced by the crunch and subtle nuttiness of roasted pistachios, making it a bar I keep coming back to.
Pro Tip: If you need a gift for a chocolate lover, pick up one of their chocolate bundles. These curated collections let you sample the best of Lindt, from Excellence Dark Chocolate bars and smooth Lindor Truffles to indulgent Swiss Luxury Pralines. |
4. Rocky Mountain Chocolate
– Media credit: rockychoccanada
Address: 1017 Robson St
Hours:
- Monday, Sunday – 10 AM to 9 PM
- Tuesday to Thursday, Saturday – 9:30 AM to 9 PM
- Friday – 9 AM to PM
Phone: +1 604-688-4100
Price: $$
Rocky Mountain Chocolate is my go-to spot when I’m craving chocolate-covered apples. The Famous Apple Pie Apple is hands-down my favourite.
It’s a crisp Granny Smith apple, dipped in freshly made, from-scratch caramel. It’s then coated in white chocolate and rolled in a cinnamon sugar mix. It’s tart, sweet, and like biting into an apple pie on a stick.
Beyond apples, Rocky Mountain’s fudge selection is worth a try. I’m a big fan of their PB&J Fudge. It’s smooth, creamy, and topped with dried strawberries—comfort food in fudge form.
Pro Tip: Try their ice cream bars. I like their Dipped Salted Caramel Himalayan Sea Salt Ice Cream Bar. The salted caramel meshes well with the classic vanilla ice cream underneath the dark chocolate shell. |
5. The GOOD Chocolatier
– Media credit: thegoodchocolatier
Address: 1978 W Broadway
Hours:
- Wednesday to Friday – 1 PM to 7 PM
- Saturday to Sunday – 10 AM to 4 PM
Phone: +1 604-256-5560
Price: $
At The GOOD Chocolatier, everything is made with 100% organic ingredients. You won’t find any cane sugar, GMOs, soy, or gluten in their bars—just pure goodness.
Their Divine Thyme, Basil, and Lime 80% Dark Cacao Bar is like a refreshing cocktail in chocolate form. The rich dark Criollo cacao is the star. It’s accompanied by aromatic thyme, fresh basil, and zesty lime that really complements the cacao.
Another favourite of mine is the Honey Raspberry Dark Chocolate Bar. I like how it’s sweetened with local organic honey, giving the dried raspberries a subtle sweetness.
Pro Tip: Shopping for a vegan chocolate lover? Check out their Vegan Bundle. It includes three delicious vegan chocolate bars in different flavours and four vegan bonbons. |
6. Daniel Chocolates
– Media credit: danielchocolates
Address: 88 E 7th Ave
Hours:
- Monday to Friday – 10 AM to 5 PM
- Saturday – 11 AM to 5 PM
Phone: +1 604-879-7782
Price: $
Daniel Chocolates uses more cocoa, less sugar, and only 100% natural ingredients—so every bite is pure, high-quality indulgence.
I’m especially obsessed with their truffles. The Canadian Whisky Truffle’s dark chocolate ganache infused with award-winning whisky has just the right amount of booze.
Their Irish Cream Ganache is creamy, bold, and has that classic Irish cream warmth that’s perfect for an after-dinner bite.
Or if you’re into molded chocolates, try the Champagne Mimosa; its Cointreau and orange flavors capture the essence of brunch in a single bite.
Pro Tip: Daniel Chocolates is a fantastic spot for corporate gifts. You can customize boxes with any of their chocolates, making it easy to impress clients or your colleagues. |
7. Gem Chocolates
– Media credit: gemchocolates
Address: 2029 W 41st Ave
Hours: Monday to Saturday – 11:30 AM to 6 PM
Phone: +1 604-263-9878
Price: $
Gem Chocolates Star Wars-themed chocolates are out of this galaxy.
There’s a white chocolate R2-D2 (adorably detailed and creamy), and a milk chocolate Millennium Falcon (perfect for any rebel with a sweet tooth). My favorite is the chocolate Han Solo frozen in carbonite (a true collector’s treat, if you can resist eating it!).
But there’s more to Gem Chocolates than just their Star Wars eats. I’m also a big fan of their DXB-YVR Dubai Pistachio Kataifi Bar. The pistachios add a buttery crunch, while the kataifi brings a delicate, almost baklava-like crispiness.
Pro Tip: Try their delicious chocolate-covered fruits! They do everything from apricots and oranges to dried mangos and figs. |
8. Purdys Chocolatier
– Media credit: purdyschocolatier
Address: 2189 W 41st Ave
Hours:
- Monday to Saturday – 10 AM to 5:30 PM
- Sunday – 12 Noon to 5 PM
Phone: +1 604-266-9311
Price: $$
Purdys Chocolatier’s iconic treats–adorable chocolate Hedgehogs are my go-to here.
Each one is filled with a creamy, extra-nutty hazelnut gianduja (that’s “jan-doo-yah” for the chocolate connoisseurs). Think of it as a super-smooth, rich hazelnut chocolate spread, all wrapped up in a silky milk chocolate shell.
Their Maple Sweet Georgia Browns are also pretty good. The crunchy pecans, gooey caramel, and creamy chocolate make these totally irresistible.
Pro Tip: If you’re planning a wedding or special event, Purdys offers custom chocolate favors. You can choose from a variety of gift boxes, chocolates, and ribbon colours to match your theme, taste, and budget. |
9. Hype Chocolate
– Media credit: hypechocolate.co
Address: 855 E Hastings St
Hours: Wednesday to Sunday – 1 PM to 7 PM
Phone: +1 778-846-1263
Price: $$
Hype Chocolate is where chocolate meets pop culture. Their Chocolate Classic silhouette of Jordan 1 sneakers is awesome.
The attention to detail is amazing, making them a perfect gift for sneakerheads or anyone who appreciates a little nostalgia with their chocolate fix.
Now if I want something remotely healthy, I go for their Açaí Bar. It’s basically an açaí bowl transformed into a chocolate bar! Every bite is fruity, crunchy, and bursting with superfood goodness.
But I can never resist their Banana Split Bar. Those freeze-dried maraschino cherries, banana marshmallows, and rainbow sprinkles add to the nostalgia.
Pro Tip: Hype Chocolate hosts private parties! Guests get a behind-the-scenes tour of their chocolate factory, and everyone gets to design and create their own chocolate bar to take home. |
10. Coconama Chocolate
– Media credit: coconama_choco
Address: 264 1st St
Hours: Monday, Wednesday to Sunday – 10 AM to 6 PM
Phone: +1 604-770-1200
Price: $
Coconama Chocolate is a feast for the eyes as much as the tastebuds. Their chocolates are so colourful and beautifully crafted that they almost look too pretty to eat!
Their wide variety of truffles always gets me stumped every time. But two flavours I’ve gone back for are blueberry and salted caramel. The blueberry truffles are refreshing and indulgent, whereas the salted caramel truffles are sweet and rich with every bite.
They also have a nice selection of chocolate bars. Their Matcha White Chocolate Bar’s slightly bitter matcha blends exceptionally well with the sweet, creamy white chocolate.
Pro Tip: Try their Cocobark! The vegan 70% dark chocolate with dried cherry and oats bark is rich and intense. I think the tart cherries add a pop of flavour and the oats give it a hearty, satisfying crunch. |
11. Kasama Chocolate
– Media credit: kasamachocolate
Address: 1244 Cartwright St #2
Hours:
- Wednesday to Friday – 10 AM to 5 PM
- Saturday & Sunday – 11 AM to 6 PM
Phone: +1 236-455-2490
Price: $$
Kasama Chocolate is all about small-batch, bean-to-bar chocolate, handcrafted right here with ethically sourced cacao.
Every bar tells a story, from the origin of the beans to the unique flavours they infuse.
One of my absolute favourites is their Wallflower Gin bar.
For this special batch, Kasama ages Ugandan cacao beans in an oak cask with Odd Society Distillery’s Wallflower Gin for four weeks. They then stone-grind them with juniper berries. It’s aromatic, slightly botanical, and rich.
Pro Tip: Keep an eye out for their limited-release chocolate bars—they drop throughout the month and are only available until they sell out! |
12. Chocolate Favoris
– Media credit: chocolatsfavoris_bc
Address: 14 Water St, Vancouver
Hours: Monday to Sunday – 11 AM to 11 PM
Phone: +1 604-336-6955
Price: $$
Chocolate Favoris customisable chocolate fondue is such a sweet way to show someone you care. I love that you can add your own photo and a little note to the label.
All you have to do is pick a label, upload a picture, write your message, and then choose your favourite chocolate.
When it comes to flavours, I’m obsessed with their dulce de leche and hazelnut praline. The dulce de leche is creamy and caramel-like, with that classic milky sweetness, while the hazelnut praline is nutty and smooth.
Pro Tip: Their chocolate bars are delicious. My favourite has to be the S’mores bar. It captures everything I love about classic campfire s’mores: gooey marshmallows, crunchy graham cracker bits, and smooth milk chocolate all in one bite. |
13. La Fraise Rose
– Media credit: lafraise.rose
Address: 481 W 6th Ave
Hours:
- Monday to Wednesday – 11 AM to 4 PM
- Thursday to Saturday – 11 AM to 6 PM
Phone: +1 604-229-0088
Price: $$$
La Fraise Rose is where you go if you’re looking to impress with chocolate-covered strawberries and stunning edible fruit arrangements. Each one I’ve seen is as beautiful as they are delicious.
One of my absolute favourites is their chocolate-covered dates. You can get a box of 10 or 20, and each date is stuffed with creamy cookie butter or assorted nuts, then dipped in your choice of milk or white chocolate.
The toppings are super creative too—think raspberry, peanuts, honeydew, and more.
Pro Tip: La Fraise Rose offers gorgeous flowers! You’ll find everything from exquisite bouquets to Parisian hat-style arrangements and charming flower buckets–perfect for last-minute flower deliveries. |
14. Mink Chocolates Cafe
– Media credit: minkchocolates
Address: 863 W Hastings St
Hours:
- Monday to Friday – 7:30 AM to 7 PM
- Saturday & Sunday – 9 AM to 7 PM
Phone: +1 604-633-2451
Price: $
Mink Chocolates Café is for anyone who loves luxurious, inventive chocolate. Their chocolate bars are filled with decadent ganache and unique flavour combinations that you won’t find anywhere else.
One of my absolute favourites is the GREETINGS FROM CANADA 2.0 bar. It’s a delicious tribute to classic Canadian flavours, with caramelized pecans and a maple syrup ganache filling.
Their Love Potion bar is another must-try. It’s filled with a 70% cacao ganache that’s infused with roasted banana, dark rum, and fresh lime.
The roasted banana brings a natural sweetness and a hint of caramel. The dark rum adds warmth and complexity, and the lime gives it a bright, zesty finish.
Pro Tip: Don’t leave without picking up some of their drinking chocolate powders! These are perfect for making your own rich, velvety hot chocolate at home. |
15. Living Lotus Chocolate
– Media credit: livinglotuschocolate
Address: 780 E Cordova St, Vancouver, BC V6A 1M3, Canada
Phone: +1 604-250-0993
Price: $
Living Lotus Chocolate is committed to sourcing clean, ethical ingredients, so you can indulge knowing you’re supporting something good.
I love the little birds and tree designs imprinted on their Ecuadorian Arriba Nacional Dark Chocolate. The chocolate itself has tasting notes of banana, floral, and herbs. It’s also completely vegan, gluten-free, and refined sugar-free—so everyone can enjoy it!
Pro Tip: Don’t miss their cacao tea! It’s a healthy, comforting alternative to coffee, made from the shells of the cacao bean (no black tea leaves here). The tea is naturally creamy and has a gentle, chocolatey flavour that’s both soothing and satisfying. |