Updated February 2023
Whether you’re buying Valentine’s chocolate for friends, loved ones, or yourself, there’s no reason to skimp on the good stuff. Some of the best confections can be found at these independent shops and chocolatiers around Washington.
Arcay Chocolates
1280 4th St., NE
Arcay’s fine chocolates go beyond taste. Venezuelan chocolatier Anabella Arcay takes artistic license with her colorful collection, available online or at the stall in La Cosecha marketplace. Try a variety of truffle flavors including blackberry cardamom, praline d’orange, and caramel salé. If you can’t decide on just one thing, get a box full of truffles, chocolate covered orange peels, chocolate bars, and more.
Artisan Confections
1025 N. Fillmore St., Arlington
These hand-crafted chocolates are filled with regional ingredients: Think locally-grown mint and Virginia-made spirits. Their bonbons come in flavors like honey ginger and spiced apple cider caramel, but don’t forget to check out the shop’s signature salted butter-caramel in the shape of a heart.
Chocolate Chocolate
1130 Connecticut Ave., NW
Chocolate Chocolate has been around for more than 30 years and is one of the first independent chocolate shops in DC. There are all sorts of treats and offerings from a variety of chocolatiers. Gift your DC-loving valentine a solid chocolate recreation of the Capitol, White House, or other landmark. The shop also sells a variety of packaged treats.
Chocotenango
2619 Evarts St., NE
Meaning “The Place of Chocolate” in Mayan, this award winning chocolatier is located in the District’s Langdon neighborhood. Visit their online store (or browse a list of local retailers) to try the rich bars and bonbons using cocoa beans from Belize, Guatemala, and beyond—all showcased in flavors like coffee caramel, tropical passion fruit, and mango.
Craving for Chocolate
2108-A Gallows Rd., Vienna
This woman-owned chocolate boutique from Suzanne Nader and Dalia Hidayat crafts more than 40 different flavors of chocolate. Original options range from cotton candy to hazelnut. Chocolate collections in pretty boxes are perfect for the holiday.
Harper Macaw
Products are made in DC, but only available online.
This is for the people who like their chocolate bars to come with a purpose. Harper Macaw ethically sources its cacao beans directly from Brazil and works with groups to protect the country’s rainforest. Choose between classic chocolate bar flavors like sea salt and toffee and seasonal selections such as lemon basil soda.
June B Sweet
3807 McKinley St., NW
Looking for something a little 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 tasty: pão de mels (mini chocolate-honey cakes). Both come by the box and can be ordered online or picked up at the Chevy Chase DC shop.
Lily’s Chocolate & Coffee
175 Maple Ave. E, Vienna
Head to Lily’s for lokma, a dessert with roots in Turkey and Iraq made of fried dough and doused in chocolate or syrup. You can opt for ones filled with vanilla or chocolate, as well as topped with garnishes like almonds or M&Ms. If pastries are more your style, you can order a croissant with gooey chocolate ladled on top right in front of you.
The Capital Candy Jar
201 15th St., NE
Champagne-flavored milk chocolate truffles and chocolate caramel clouds are delicious from this DC shop, as are decadent treats like giant peanut butter cups and chocolate-covered Oreos. If your Valentine isn’t a chocolate fiend, there are plenty of other kinds of candy to pick from.
The Chocolate House
1904 18th St., NW
Formerly Cocova, this Dupont Circle shop carries chocolates from around the world. Try truffles, rich bars, and chocolates from spots like Switzerland, Iceland, Vietnam, and beyond.
Velatis
8408 Georgia Ave., Silver Spring
While this Silver Spring shop is known for its homemade caramels, its chocolate offerings are impressive. Case in point: You can buy a heart-shaped puzzle made out of both dark and milk chocolate. Other offerings include chocolate truffle hearts.
Zoe’s Chocolate Co.
121 N. Market St., Frederick
Visit the shop in downtown Frederick to procure a box of these exceptional chocolates—though you can also shop online, or visit one of their many retail partners around DC. While the liquid caramels in flavors like pinot noir and sea salt are always popular, Zoe’s have peanut butter love bugs for Valentine’s Day. Coated in dark chocolate and decorated with polka dots, these nutty critters will be adored by chocolate lovers of all ages.