5 Sweet Chocolate Shops On The Peninsula
Teuscher Chocolates of Switzerland
151 Stanford Shopping Center
Palo Alto, CA 94304
(650) 384-0916
www.confiserieteuscher.com
Teuscher Chocolates has been in business for over 75 years, starting from its humble beginnings as a small confiserie in Zurich, Switzerland. Dolf Teischer Sr. opened his shop and worked hard to set himself on the road to success when he introduced his glorious champagne truffles in 1947. His son, Dolf Jr. works to continue in the tradition his father began, and is known as one of the world's greatest confectioners. The Palo Alto store opened in 2006 and stands behind its high reputation for outstanding chocolates. Assorted truffles, pralines, solid chocolates and other confections, including fruit jellies, liqueur-filled chocolates, marzipan logs and more, are available on their own or in decorative boxes. How about warming up a hot chocolate made from Teuscher cracked chocolate? Seasonal chocolates and gift boxes for several key holidays round out the extensive selection here.
Sharona's Chocolate Shop
128 E. 3rd Ave.
San Mateo, CA 94401
(650) 348-3128
www.sharonaschocolateshop.com
Founded by Sharona Sasounian in 2008, Sharona's Chocolate Shop is known for its high-end flavorful chocolates, all of which is hand-made. With a love of the unusual, Sharona is known to offer unique and unexpected chocolates. Examples include chocolate-covered bacon, sea salt caramels, and chocolate-covered potato chips. The shop website even boasts, "You need a chocolate size 6 shoe made? No problem, we can do anything." In addition to her own chocolate line, Sharona also imports fine chocolates from around the world. The friendly staff is well educated in their sweet offerings, as customer satisfaction is their goal. See the Sharona's Chocolate Shop website for the long list of chocolate offerings, including custom and chocolates for your own special occasion.
Brehmer's Handmade Candies
P.O. Box 627
Brisbane, CA 94005
(415) 468-2754
www.brehmerscandies.com
Chocolate lovers will treat their senses with beautifully handcrafted chocolates from Brehmer's Candies, which are sold primarily through online orders and by contacting Brehmer's for special requests. Brehmer's is known for its outstanding dark chocolate truffles, although several white ones are offered too. Other candy choices include chocolate barks, award-winning nuts, chews, and seasonal candies, cookies and chocolates. Special event chocolate creations featuring chocolate flowers, cruise ships, chocolate cabins, cowboy hats and heart and rose boxes can all be ordered for special occasions. Locals can pick up their orders at 216 California Drive, Burlingame, CA; otherwise all orders are shipped.
Go To Chocolate
765 Old County Road
San Carlos, CA 94070
(650) 339-1900
www.gotochocolate.com
What makes Go To Chocolate special? Chocolatier and owner Michael Hohenthal says his artisan, handcrafted products contain nothing artificial, and are gluten-free. Go To Chocolate never uses GMO products, and uses organic ingredients as much as possible, buying mainly from local growers. The shop has been making world-class chocolates since 2005 and provides classic confections and chocolates that are on the cutting edge of technology and taste. Michael says, "We sell exclusively at farmers' markets and directly from our website. We ship from the website and we do take credit cards at the farmers' markets." Try the signature Go To Chocolate Bar featuring layers of toffee and caramel, coated in dark chocolate. There is always a seasonal offering of truffle types, with flavors changing every few months. Go To Chocolate has a complete line of vegan chocolates that are equally popular with non-vegan customers. They're just that good.
The Chocolate Garage
654 Gilman St.
Palo Alto, CA 94301
(650) 796-5287
www.thechocolategarage.com
As the Chocolate Garage website says, "The Chocolate Garage is both a place and an idea." Its location is a former garage that has been converted into an "intimate tasting room bursting with the best 'bean-to-bar' creations" chocolate curator and Chocolate Garage founder Sunita de Tourreil can find. The Chocolate Garage mission is to help you discover exceptional chocolates while having a positive impact on communities, and ultimately the planet. The Chocolate Garage offers a unique experience each week when you are invited to visit the garage in downtown Palo Alto from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. to explore the full chocolate collection that Sunita, a passionate chocolate aficionado, has to offer.
Related: Best Candy Shops On The Peninsula
Melanie Graysmith is a writer, artist and educator based in San Francisco. She writes on adult education, art and lifestyle topics, and enjoys writing short stories and poetry. She is also a member of an independent filmmaking group. Her work can be found at Examiner.com.