Find the best chocolate shops in Halifax

How much do Haligonians love chocolate? Consider the nearby body of water called Chocolate Lake – an unintended reflection of how seriously locals take their sweets. There's no shortage of craft chocolatiers in the city, bringing a delicious combination of European flair and rustic Nova Scotian charm to their businesses.

Find the best chocolate shops in Halifax
Michael Fraiman By

Rousseau Chocolatier

1
5151 South Street, Halifax, NS B3J 1A2

If you know the difference between a macaroon and a macaron, Rousseau is for you. Their artisanal chocolate confections – with toasted almonds, hazelnuts or ginger slices – have consistently ranked them among the city's top chocolate purveyors. But it's their French-style macarons, baked daily with fresh passion fruit, papaya and blackberries, that have skyrocketed them to popularity. They're not cheap, but they're undeniably delicious.

Choco Cafe

2
1360 Lower Water St, Halifax, NS B3J 3X2

Downtown outlet Choco Cafe has been booming since its inception in 2011 – a testament to the popularity of the Bedford-based Chocolates by Design company. While it began by importing rare Belgian chocolate unavailable anywhere else in Halifax, the cafe now wins over new customers with a huge array of hot chocolates and brownies. For something special, try the Chocolamoo, an insane $8 glass filled with chocolate ice cream, chocolate sauce and chocolate flakes and topped with melted Belgian chocolate.

This business is featured in the following Smart Lists:

Sugah Confectionery & Ice Cream Emporium

3
1479 Lower Water St, Halifax, NS B3J 3Z3

Sugah is a little more mainstream than the other shops on this list – its waterfront location is popular among tourists and cruise-ship attendees – but its goods are no less delicious. The 100 Series Tablet, made from 100 grams of pure Belgian chocolate, has long been Sugah's signature offering, but the nutty infusions are a true delight. They offer boxes of "clusters" packed with eyebrow-raising flavour combinations: chipotle and pistachio, peanut butter and rice, anise and almond. A perfect complement to a boardwalk experience.

This business is featured in the following Smart Lists:

Jill's Chocolate

4115 Highway 223, Iona, NS B2C 1A3

Despite a fresh retail location opening in Halifax's Stanfield International Airport in early 2015, Jill Franklin's Cape Breton success story has been more than a decade in the making. She's actually one of Nova Scotia's most veteran chocolatiers, having honed her craft since 2004. Her price-conscious chocolates are aimed at bringing a rare delicacy to all Nova Scotians, which is why she offers so many sampler boxes for under $10, offering exquisite tastes with mint medallions, toasted coconut cups and maple truffles.

Gourmandises Avenue Patisserie Fine

4
1209 Marginal Rd, Halifax, NS B3H 4P8

Offering the largest menu of any chocolatier in Halifax, the veteran French couple behind Gourmandises has been preparing authentic chocolates for more than six decades, with experience in five-star restaurants in France, Canada, Switzerland and elsewhere. The venue's truffles are packed with unique flavours such as blueberry tea, coconut mango and Malibu, and lemon and thyme, while the decadent French macarons deliver that perfect light crunch and simply melt in your mouth. Whether you need decorative chocolates, powder, bars or party favours, Gourmandises has got it.

More from Michael Fraiman Michael Fraiman
Michael Fraiman is a Canadian freelance journalist and travel writer. He's worked for the Globe and Mail, the National Post, Maclean's, The Walrus and the CBC, and pens a monthly column on Jewish comedy for the Canadian Jewish News. He calls Toronto home, but has often resided in other cities around the world for short stints as well.
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