Connecticut's Sweet Spots: CT Chocolate Trail

BE Chocolat, Initiator of Tastes. BEnoit is BElgian Master Chocolatier graduated from Ceria Culinary Institute in Brussels Belgium, and was Chocolate Chef at the Belgian Pavilion in Shanghai World Expo. They also make thier own ice cream, serves Belgian Coffee and on weekends serves Belgian waffels!

BE Chocolat
Greenfield Hill Commons
75 Hilside Rd.
Fairfield, CT 06824
(203) 292-5981

With store locations in Brookfield and West Hartford, Bridgewater offers an enormous catalog of options for the sweet tooth in your family.  First established by owner and founder, Erik Landergren in 1995, Bridgewater Chocolates specializes in American-style premium hand-made chocolates such as turtles, toffees, caramels, and peanut butter patties. Winner of many awards and featured and reviewed in the country's top magazines and newspapers, Bridgewater Chocolates are top-notch.  The warm and inviting atmosphere, coupled with the enticing scents of gourmet chocolates make this one sweet spot to visit!

Bridgewater Chocolate Factory and Factory Store
559 Federal Road
Brookfield, CT  06804
(203) 775-2286
Factory Store Extension
227 Federal Road
Brookfield, CT 06804
(203) 648-9782
and
12 LaSalle Road
West Hartford, CT 06107
(860) 570-0707

This "Sweetest Place in Town" sells nostalgic candies and gorgeous, steaming hot chocolate on cold winter days. Offering hand-dipped sea-salt chocolate-covered pretzels, handmade truffles, and other fabulous fresh chocolate "creations.” Their 100% Organic Belgian Chocolates come in Vegan, Dairy Free, Gluten Free Selections or Sugar-Free Collections and, whatever you do, make sure you try the unbelievably good Caramel & Bacon Gourmet Bars.

Chocolate Shell, Old Lyme
16B Lyme Street
Old Lyme, CT 06371
(860) 434-9727

What happens when you get two Yale Law School graduates together in a room?  Chocolate, of course!  Tired of the corporate legal world in New York City, this sweet couple now serves a variety of homemade chocolates, ice cream, and an array of candies to guests.  From humble beginnings of just a few types of chocolates, they now produce 70 varieties, including chocolate-covered pretzels, granola, and marshmallow caramel.  The rear of the store, which was originally part of a bank, has 1,300 square feet of open kitchen, so customers can observe truffles being hand-rolled.

Deborah Ann’s Sweet Shop
409 Main Street
Ridgefield, CT  06877
(203) 438-0065

For the health-conscious and eco-friendly chocoholic, Divine Treasures offers a wide variety of delectable treats using organic Belgian chocolate and the finest vegan, gluten-free ingredients. Owner Diane Blanchette-Wagemann uses recipes and traditions learned from her grandmother to create handcrafted candies with a healthful spin. Divine Treasures was the recipient of the 2011 Customer Satisfaction Award for Excellence in Customer Care, presented by Talk of the Town News, Customer Care News and Celebration Media.  Try the 10 Million Smooches (crunchy all-natural peanut butter base, caramel topping surrounded by dark chocolate), Cranberry Raindrops, Ginger Explosion, Toffee Bites, Peppermint Patsy, and more, or pick up a beautifully wrapped assorted gift box.

Divine Treasures
Parkade Plaza
404 Middle Turnpike West
Manchester, CT 06040
(860) 643-2552

In 1964 John & Helen Fascia began making candy in their Waterbury, Connecticut home to supplement John’s work in a local factory. With three young daughters helping out, Fascia’s Chocolates became the family’s full-time passion and eventually moved the business out of their home. A half a century later, the entire Fascia family still makes all products in-house and in small batches to ensure the highest quality and freshness possible. Connecticut Magazine's "Best Chocolates" of 2012, Fascia's produces over 100 varieties of chocolates, fudge, peanut brittle, molded novelties, and much more, and chocolate lovers will be sure to find something that they will call their favorite. They also produce authentic Italian Gelato on site and house Lynne's Chocolate Cakery.   In September 2013, Fascia's opened in their current facility to offer a unique Chocolate Experience and Tour where participants learn about chocolate in a fun and informative way.  Bean to Bar, Bar to Box, Tasting, Sampling, and a look behind the scenes at how it all gets done.  You can even make your very own chocolate bar.  Tours are offered on weekends throughout the year with an expanded schedule during the summer. Reservations are recommended, see the website for more information.  Fascia's also offers children's birthday parties, group tours, workshops, and special events.

Fascia's Chocolates
44 Chase River Rd.
Waterbury, CT 06704
(203) 753-0515

This Old-world-style French bakery specializes in the very best chocolates and traditional pastries, cakes, seasonal specialties, and homemade ice cream, made using fresh, all-natural ingredients and the finest grade chocolate from Valrhona.

Isabelle et Vincent, Fairfield
1903 Post Rd.
Fairfield, CT 06824
(203) 292-8022

Small batch caramel, chocolates and fudge made on site. We’re located in the historic village section of the magical town of Essex, Connecticut.  Our shop is located in a converted home dating back to the 1800’s, a historical landmark known as the “Farnham Parmelee Homestead.”

Joy Chocolate Co.
5 North Main St.
Essex, CT 06426
(860) 662-4489

Le Rouge Chocolates & Cakes by Aarti is an artisan chocolatier offering an eclectic collection of handmade and hand-decorated chocolates and cakes for discerning palates. Everything is gluten-free and made fresh in small batches using top-quality ingredients. In its first year in its Westport location, Le Rouge Chocolates & Cakes by Aarti was named Best of Westport 2015 Best Chocolate Shop in Westport, Weston & Wilton Magazine.

Le Rouge Chocolates & Cakes by Aarti
190 Main Street
Westport, CT 06880
(203) 293-6106

Founded in Manchester, Connecticut, in 1946, Munson’s began making handcrafted chocolates, creams, and caramels in a tiny store behind a tailor shop. Now a third-generation family-run business and the largest chocolate manufacturer in the state, little has changed from Munson’s delicious original recipes. Visit the main store and factory in Bolton for a sneak peek at the chocolate-making process, or stop in for a treat at one of the other locations throughout the state, including Avon, Glastonbury, Mystic, Newington, Orange, South Windsor, and West Hartford.

Munson’s Chocolates
Main Store and Factory
174 Hop River Road
Bolton, CT 06043
(860) 649-4332
 

Located near the Mystic Drawbridge, this sweet stop features hand-made artisanal chocolates, the creamiest and freshest made-on-premises ice creams and ices, not to mention a great variety of fresh fudge flavors.

Mystic Sweets, Mystic
7 West Main Street
Mystic, CT 06355
(860) 536-1616

Their world-class chocolate is known for being finely crafted, sustainably sourced, and exceptionally delicious. Each chocolate is custom engraved fresh for you. Gourmet chocolate is made in a peanut, tree nut, egg, wheat, shellfish, and fish-free facility.

Noteworthy Chocolates
213 Greenwood Ave.
Bethel, CT 06801
(203) 456-6894

Products are hand-made starting with the finest milk chocolate and caramel ingredients and adding renowned toppings in the process. Their gourmet chocolate caramel apples and pears are painstakingly coated first in a layer of caramel, followed by dipping in the finest milk chocolate and then one of six varieties of toppings before being dipped once more in a layer of milk chocolate.

Sweet Cioccolata, Wallingford
32 North Colony Rd.
Wallingford, CT 06492
(203) 294-1280

The story of Thompson Chocolate is in many ways the story of the American Dream. Our founder, William H. Thompson, was one of America's first chocolatiers. In 1879, he established our company, determined to produce only quality chocolate items with no artificial ingredients. With hard work and attention to detail, he succeeded. Now, over 130 years later, Thompson Chocolate continues his tradition of making delicious foil-wrapped chocolate specialties in Meriden, Connecticut. Thompson offers a range of delicious fine, foiled chocolate novelties – from the beautiful foil-wrapped chocolate bunnies that are a must-have on Easter morning to the chocolate cigars that announce a baby's joyous arrival, our chocolates have the ability to make any occasion sweeter. All our products are 100 percent natural and contain no artificial ingredients. Come shop our newly renovated store, open Mon.- Fri., 10 am to 4 pm. (Please call for our special summer hours)!

Thompson Chocolate
80 S Vine St.
Meriden, CT 06451
(203) 235-2541

Milk House Chocolates creates artisanal chocolates made in small batches one at a time with the farm’s fresh milk, cream, and butter. The farm harvests its own hay and pastures its cows. This ensures the cows are fed the finest, sweetest hay and natural feeds to produce the farm's signature milk. These chocolates are for those who desire something truly special. They will melt different, taste different, and feel different. Because the finest chocolates are fresh, these chocolates are created on Thorncrest Farm in its creamery and are available to you within hours or minutes from when they are made. Fresh cream, milk, and butter are used, so please store your pralines and truffles in an air-tight container and at a cool temperature. They are best consumed and enjoyed within 10 days.

Thorncrest Farm & Milk House Chocolates
280 Town Hill Road
Goshen, CT 06756
(860) 309-2545

Adventurous chocolate lovers will find plenty to surprise the taste buds at Tschudin Chocolates on Middletown’s vibrant Main Street, where the sweets are handmade using exotic flavors and spices and fresh, local ingredients. Grown-ups will enjoy a cup of fresh-brewed coffee, custom-made hot chocolate, and amoretti truffle, while the young (and young at heart) can take a “Wonka” tour of the candy kitchen and then taste the treats they have seen created.

Tschudin Chocolates & Confections
100 Riverview Center (Corner of Main & Court)
Middletown, CT  06457
(860) 759-2222

Located on the Guilford Green, this shoreline favorite offers specialty old-fashioned chocolates, as well as cream and butter fudge, made on-premises, and Ben & Jerry’s ice cream.

The Village Chocolatier, Guilford
79 Whitfield St.
Guilford, CT 06437
(203) 453-5226