Best Chocolate Shops in New England

Choosing the best chocolate shops in New England was a tough job – but someone had to do it.

We know it’s more than a bit hackneyed to say, but choosing the best chocolate shops in New England was a tough job and someone did have to do it: An embarrassment of riches indeed. From the coast and interior of Maine to the western corner where Connecticut, Massachusetts, and New York meet, to the cities of Boston and Providence and Hartford, to the back roads of New Hampshire, we tried to leave no chocolate mold unturned. We enjoyed every cocoa-rich bite and are grateful. Here are Yankee‘s top picks for best chocolate shops in New England, followed by 15 more outstanding choices, followed by lots of readers’ suggestions. Daily Chocolate Located in Vergennes, Vermont — a town that could be a Hollywood set for a small Vermont village — the name comes from the daily ritual of chocolate-making that takes place. The cream, butter, and maple syrup in their products come from local sources, but the cherries marinated in port wine and the macadamia nut clusters are unearthly. 7 Green St. Vergennes, VT 802-877-0087 dailychocolate.netChocolee Lee Napoli is a talented, if not peripatetic, pastry chef who kicked around a number of Boston kitchens until last winter when she opened a wee place of her own. Her handmade truffles are filled with the current darlings of the chocolate world, chiles and espresso, as well as tried and true — hazelnuts and Grand Marnier. Truffles are just the tip of the cocoa iceberg; on weekends, she makes chocolate-dipped beignets. 83 Pembroke St. Boston, MA 617-236-0606 Unbridled Chocolate A friend offered these one night as an after-dinner treat and we were hooked, making a pilgrimage two days later. Many of Alan Crofut’s creations have an equestrian theme as a nod to his love for horses, but his big-bellied little Buddhas, chocolate stars, and frogs are all about quality, true flavors, and whimsy. 135 Main St. Marlborough, NH 603 876-4700 unbridledchocolates.comCocoapelli Former carpenter (roofs, not Karen) Jonathan Spillane put down his saw to make chocolate — we are ever-so-glad he did. Each of his handmade wonders are made by Spillane himself. His flavored ganaches are heady little wonders. 9 Willow St. Natick, MA 508-655-1195 cocoapellichocolates.com ________________________ One can never have too much chocolate. Here are 15 more outstanding choices for Best Chocolate Shops in New England. Lake Champlain 750 Pine Street Burlington, VT 800-465-5909 lakechamplainchocolates.comHarbor Sweets Palmer Cove 85 Leavitt St. Salem, MA 800-243-2115 harborsweets.comL.A. Burdicks 47 Main Street Walpole, NH 800-229-2419 burdickchocolate.comKnipschildt Chocopologie Cafe 12 South Main St. Norwalk, CT 203-854-4754 knipschildt.comCandy Manor 484 Main St. Chatham, MA 800-221-6497 candymanor.comTaza Chocolate 561 Windsor Street B-206 Somerville, MA 617-623-0804 tazachocolate.comBridgewater Chocolates 559 Federal Rd. Brookfield, CT 800-888-8742 bridgewaterchocolate.comBelgique Patisserie & Chocolatier 1 Bridge St. Kent, CT 860-927-3681 H. Mangels 107 River St. Milford, CT 203-783-9770 hmangels.comLaughing Moon 76 South Main St. Stowe Village, VT 802-253-9591 laughingmoonchocolates.comMunson locations throughout Connecticut Main Store & Factory 174 Hop River Rd. Bolton, CT 888-686-7667 munsonschocolates.comBerkshire Bark Sheffield, MA 413-229-8120 berkshirebark.comHauser Chocolate 59 Tom Harvey Rd. Westerly, RI 888-599-8231 hauserchocolates.comAva Marie 43 Grove St. Peterborough, NH 603-924-5993 avamariechocolates.comWilbur’s of Maine 174 Lower Maine St. Freeport, ME 207-865-4071 wilburs.com   Did we miss any? Let us know about your picks for the best chocolate shops in New England!