Fleurir chocolates are as delicious as they are Instagram-worthy. Photo courtesy of Fleurir.
Updated February 2022
Whether you’re buying Valentine’s Day chocolate for friends, loved ones, or yourself, there’s no reason to skimp on the good stuff. For some of the best confectionery, head to these independent shops and chocolatiers across Washington. Note: Due to pandemic delays, online order deadlines this year are earlier than most.
Arcay chocolates
1280 4th St., NE
Arcay’s fine chocolates go beyond taste. Venezuelan chocolatier Anabella Arcay takes artistic liberty with her colorful collection, available online or at the booth in La Cosecha Marketplace. Sample different truffle flavors, including blackberry cardamom, praline d’orange, and caramel salé. If you can’t decide on one thing, get a box full of tRuffles, chocolate covered orange peels, candy bars and more.
Artisanal confectionery
1025 N. Fillmore St., Arlington
Professional pastry chef Jason Andelman uses locally sourced, organic ingredients to create candies and chocolates. Maryland-grown mint and Virginia-made spirits and liquors often make their way into confectionery, and candies burst with flavors of pomegranate-ginger, coconut rum, and the shop’s signature salted butter-caramel heart-shaped caramel.
chocolate chocolate
1130 Connecticut Avenue, NW
Chocolate Chocolate has been around for more than 30 years and is one of DC’s first independent chocolate shops. There are all kinds of delicacies and offers from different chocolatiers. Treat your DC-loving Valentine to a solid chocolate replica of the Capitol, White House, or other landmark. The store also sells a variety of packaged goodies.
Chocotenango
2619 Evarts St., NE
This means “The Place of Chocolate” in Mayan. award-winning chocolatier is located in the Langdon neighborhood of the district. Visit their online store (or browse a list local retailer) to sample the rich bars and candies made with cocoa beans Belize, Guatemala and beyond – all presented in flavors like coffee caramel, tropical passion fruit and mango.
Chocolate Moose
1743 Lstr., NW
Looking for a one stop shop? A savior for many office workers/vacation postponers, this downtown DC gift and chocolate boutique is a treasure trove of cards, occasional gifts and, of course, chocolate. You can pick up a handy box or create your own selection of Belgian chocolates (don’t miss the turtles!).
craving for chocolate
2108-A Galgenstrasse, Vienna
Owned by a wife of Suzanne Nader and Dalia Hidayat, this chocolate boutique makes more than 40 different flavors of chocolate. The original options range from cotton candy to hazelnut. Chocolate collections in pretty boxes are perfect for the holidays.
Fleury chocolates
110 South Payne St, Alexandria
Alexandria’s picture-perfect Alexandria chocolate boutique offers a limited-edition “Be Mine” box filled with truffle flavors you’ll fall in love with (think wildflower honey caramel and pistachio rose water). If you’re looking for something simpler, try the different truffle boxes with flavors like salted caramel, crème brûlée and carrot cake.
June B Sweet
3807 McKinley St., NW
Looking for something different? Try Brazilian chocolatier June Drummond’s Brigaderios – rich, truffle-like balls made with condensed milk, cocoa and butter. They’re dressed up with fun flavors and decorative toppings. Also delicious: pão de mels (mini chocolate and honey tartlets). Both come by the box and can be ordered online or picked up at the Chevy Chase DC store.
Petit Sour
1332 Wisconsin Avenue, NW
Pastry chef Ashleigh Pearson, a graduate of fine dining restaurants like Marcel’s and Per Se, recently opened her own candy boutique in Georgetown. Beautiful hand-painted candy boxes come in all sizes – even a single treat for your candy – with flavors like s’mores combining a homemade one Vanilla marshmallow, graham cracker sablé and salted chocolate ganache under a dark chocolate cover.
The capital’s candy jar
201 15th St., NE
Champagne-flavored milk chocolate truffles and buttery sea salt chocolate caramels are just as delicious at this DC shop as nostalgic treats like Belgian chocolate fudge and chocolate-covered Oreos. If your Valentine isn’t a fan of chocolate, there are many other types of candy to choose from.
The Chocolate House
1904 18th St., NW
This Dupont/Adams Morgan store, formerly Cocova, selects chocolates from around the world. The Dupont Circle Shop takes an international approach to sweets, stocking candy bars, confections, truffles and caramels made in Switzerland, Boston, Iceland, Vietnam and beyond.
Velatis
8408 Georgia Avenue, Silver Spring
While this Silver Spring spot is known for its homemade caramels, its chocolate offering is impressive. The Belgian Ruby chocolate recipe combines a berry fruitiness with the smoothness of traditional milk chocolate. Other offerings include chocolate truffle hearts.
Zoe’s Chocolate Co.
121 N. Market St., Frederick, Maryland
Visit the shop in downtown Frederick to pick up a box of these exceptional chocolates – but you can also shop online or visit one of the many trading partner around DC. While the liquid caramels come in flavors like pinot noir and sea salt are always popular, Zoe’s has peanut butter love bugs for Valentine’s Day. Coated in dark chocolate and decorated with polka dots, these nutty critters are adored by chocolate lovers of all ages.
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