January is over and Valentine’s Day fever is in full swing. Abandon the diet and make your way over to one of these best Vancouver chocolate shops… even if it’s just for you. We don’t judge.
Nothing’s more synonymous with Valentine’s Day than gifting your significant other a sweet treat of velvety chocolate confections. Lucky for us in YVR, there is no shortage of just that. Check out these best Vancouver chocolate shops below and start forgetting the diet…
Xoxolat
Xoxolat (pronounced sho-sho-la) is a must on our round-up of best Vancouver chocolate shops for Valentine’s Day. This Yaletown-based store is chockfull of a variety of velvety chocolate creations perfect for picking up for date night. With 30+ different flavours of caramels, pralines, and truffles, we’re betting there’s something to suit any taste.
Valentine’s Day Pick: You’re guaranteed instant approval with Xoxolat’s famously buzzed-about edible chocolate shoes. Made from dark or deep milk chocolate, they’re almost too cute to eat. Almost.
Beta5
Beta5 is the perfect example of a local artisanal chocolate maker we’re dying to visit this Valentine’s Day. Not only did they recently win a noteworthy spot as one of North America’s top 10 chocolatiers, but they also support local farms, sustainable produce, and only use ethically-sourced estate chocolates. Now that’s sweet news we can savour.
Valentine’s Day Pick: The white chocolate with raspberry and Tahitian vanilla “Cupid’s Arrow Polygon Bar.”
Temper Pastry
Located in West Vancouver, Temper Pastry has been the talk of the town lately, having scored big at the 2014 International Chocolate Awards. Chef Steven Hodge and his team have created a selection of Valentine’s Day treats guaranteed to melt hearts everywhere. Opt for either a large or small chocolate heart filled with dark chocolates, or fill your own customized box with specialty truffles in unique flavours like raspberry lemon, vodka mango, dark chocolate, or strawberry caramel.
Valentine’s Day Pick: Get the conversation going on date night by gifting your date with one of Temper’s signature dark chocolate Valentine’s Day Bears.
Chez Christophe
This is where you’ll want to pick up your Valentine’s Day treats if you’re in the Burnaby area. Handcrafted by the Swiss-trained pastry/chocolate chef and owner himself, Christophe takes great care in translating his passion for chocolate into an art form. Trust us, you’ll be inspired by his sweet looking designs.
Valentine’s Day Pick: Especially day-of, nab a Valentine’s Day-inspired dessert made from milk and raspberry chocolate mousse and finished with raspberry confit alongside gluten-free chocolate brownie.
Thomas Haas
Thomas Haas has long been established as one of Vancouver’s go-to chocolatiers… and for good reason! This Valentine’s Day, indulge in one (or six) of his sweet signature creations such as the Valentine Jewelry Box (filled with truffles), Love Birds (a whimsical handcrafted pair of decorated Love Birds accompanied by chocolate truffles), or score a smile with a simple truffle heart box.
Valentine’s Day Pick: The Valentine Flowerpot is a sweet signature treat and allows you to skip on the flowers. Bonus: it’s all edible and comes loaded with truffles.
Chocolate Arts
Chocolate Arts is simply sublime when it comes to all things chocolate with a creative (and delicious) twist. They first made waves in the chocolate world with their unique nod to BC’s Aboriginal culture. This included the “Eagle Medallion” design by Robert Davidson, along with the medallion box and a West Coast box filled with truffles.
Valentine’s Day Pick: Score their 24-piece signature box loaded with an assortment of favourites.
Which of these best Vancouver chocolate shops will you be visiting for Valentine’s Day? Let us know in the comments section below or tweet us at @ViewTheVibe.
