The 13 Best Chocolates in 2023, Tested and Reviewed by a Professional Chocolatier

May 2024 · 3 minute read

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There's no doubt that the best chocolate brings joy, conveys love, heals heartache, and forges connections. And when it comes time to find the perfect gift, chocolate is the answer then, too. The best chocolate is rich in flavor and almost too beautiful to eat.

To find the best chocolates, I researched countless high-quality brands with stellar reputations in the chocolate industry. I sampled more than 75 chocolate products from the 36 top contenders, testing for appearance, flavor, and texture of the chocolate. Our favorite brand for gifting is Vosges Haut-Chocolat thanks to the artful packaging and unique flavor combinations. And if you want to stock up on quality candy bars, we recommend Chocolove for classics and subtle innovations.

I'm lucky enough to say that my career revolves around chocolate. I trained at the Culinary Institute of America, pursued further training at the Chocolate Academy, Chicago, and worked for years at EHChocolatier, a small-batch artisanal chocolate producer in Cambridge, Massachusetts. These are the best chocolates money can buy, delivered right to your door (or the lucky recipient's). It doesn't get better than these. Trust me, I'm a chocolatier.

Learn more about how Insider Reviews tests and researches products.

Top picks for chocolates

Best for gifting: Vosges Haut-Chocolat
From the stunning packaging to glamorous garnishes to the lingering flavor of luscious chocolate, Vosges Haut-Chocolat makes the perfect gift for anyone and any occasion.

Best hot chocolate: Christopher Elbow Chocolates
Christopher Elbow's Drinking Chocolate is grown-up, yet still approachable; the cool older sister to your childhood hot cocoa.

Best truffles and ganaches: Bon Bon Bon
Bon Bon Bon's truffles are a treasure trove of fun, inventive flavors; each two-bite bonbon is meticulously and playfully decorated, and wrapped in its own individual box.

Best candy bars: Compartés
Compartés seamlessly draws upon familiar flavors and tailors them to contemporary, stylish candy bars.

Best budget: Chocolove
Chocolove has it all: decadent, rich chocolate, high quality ingredients, ethically sourced cacao, and fair prices.

Best bean-to-bar: Dandelion Chocolate Factory
Dandelion Chocolate Factory is the premium vintner of the chocolate world, offering the dynamic chocolate bars with helpful notes to guide you through your tasting experience.

Best for kids: Ghirardelli
Ghirardelli's individually wrapped chocolate squares are great for kids, and help introduce your young ones to more sophisticated flavors and textures in an approachable way.

Best for caramel lovers: Fran's Chocolates
The caramels from Fran's Chocolates possess everything a caramel lover seeks in the perfect bite: pull, chew, and just a touch of salt.

Best for nut lovers: See's Candies
From classics to creative morsels, See's Candies knows how to honor the perfect pairing of nuts and chocolate.

Best vegan: Seattle Chocolate
Seattle Chocolate has an entire line of Vegan Truffle Bars that are divinely rich despite their lack of dairy.

Most beautiful: Petrova Chocolates
Each brilliant chocolate from Petrova is meticulously painted with vivid colored cocoa butter to represent the filling within.

Best for adventurous flavors: Cacao & Cardamom
Cacao & Cardamom's chocolates are filled with intriguing flavors from unusual ingredients like chile peppers, spices, leaves, flowers, and berries.

Best subscription: Chocolate of the Month Club
The Gourmet Chocolate of the Month Club from monthlyclubs.com offers delicious, diverse chocolates with a conscience.

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