Whether it’s Easter, Valentine’s Day, Sweetest Day or just a day that ends in -y, now is the perfect time to take your own Wonka-style tour of Cleveland’s best chocolate shops. From ooey-gooey to crunchy, these spots promise to satisfy even the most discerning chocolate cravings. So, grab your golden ticket and get ready to sample the chocolate goodness Cleveland offers.
Fair warning: Try not to eat the scenery. We get it, but despite our repeated requests, concrete and trees here are not edible, nor is our lake made of chocolate...yet.
Malley’s Chocolates
Step into the delightful realm of Malley's Chocolates, where sweetness has ruled since 1935. Like a chapter straight out of Wonka's book, Albert “Mike” Malley's chocolate dream began in Lakewood during the Great Depression. With 19 stores and a state-of-the-art factory in Cleveland, Malley's continues its legacy, especially with its iconic CLE chocolate bars that capturing the city skyline in delicious detail. It's a dream come true — a city made of chocolate.
Harry London Fanny May Chocolate Factory
At the Harry London Fanny May Chocolate Factory, you can take a Wonka-style tour of the production floor (minus the edible everything), explore the Midwest's largest retail store boasting over 500 varieties of gourmet chocolates, and indulge in delectable samples fit for a chocolate connoisseur. Just remember, no diving into chocolate rivers.
Sweet Bean
Inspired by a Groupon chocolate-making class, Sweet Bean is run by the dynamic duo Bob and Kristin Barnes. Kristin creates mouth-watering, hand-painted chocolates and other small treats, while Bob crafts single-origin bars from scratch. One could say they’re the oompa to each other’s loompa.
The Cleveland Chocolate Co.
Get ready to be wowed by Cleveland Chocolate Company's bean-to-bar magic. Owner Rebecca Hess leads the chocolate charge with unique flavors like Pumpkin Coconut Crunch that could make Willy himself take notes. Her Tremont micro-factory is a chocolate lover's paradise, earning a Silver and Bronze in America's Bean-to-Bar Competition.
Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory
Since 1981, Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory has been providing a chocolate extravaganza. Their remarkably delicious treats have consistently outperformed nationally renowned competitors, offering handcrafted goodies and classic favorites like caramel apples and freshly made fudge. Somewhere, Augustus Gloop’s ears just perked up.
Chocolate Emporium
Have dietary restrictions but still dream of chowing down on a completely edible room? Check out Chocolate Emporium, which has delighted Cleveland since 1993 with artisan-crafted dark chocolates that are dairy-free, gluten-free, vegan and Star-K-certified kosher. There are no “bad eggs” here. (Sorry, Veruca.)
Sweet Designs Chocolatier
Sweet Designs Chocolatier, hailed as Greater Cleveland's best chocolatier by Yelp in 2023, brings European-style chocolates from Croatia to Lakewood. Ines Rehner has delivered handmade delights, including vegan options, since 1995. With over 80 delectable varieties, from chocolate shoes to truffles galore, prepare to indulge like Violet Beauregarde—minus the blueberry transformation.
b.a. Sweetie’s Candy Company
What better embodies the spirit of Wonka's Chocolate Factory than North America's largest candy retailer? At b.a. Sweeties Candy Company, dreams come true with over 500,000 pounds of sweet delights lining the shelves, from gummy pizzas to lollipops the size of your head. Whether you're craving just a handful or a couple dozen (we don’t judge), this place has everything your heart desires. It's the kind of place a kid could get lost in. Hey...wait a minute.
Fantasy Candies Chocolate Factory & Fine Wines
Indulge your inner kid (and adult) at Fantasy Candies Chocolate Factory & Fine Wines. From wine tastings to chocolate-covered cheese doodles, they've got everything in between – which leaves quite a lot. Founded by chocolate expert Joel Fink in 1989, this Cleveland gem offers a delicious array of Swiss chocolate sensations that are crunchy, chewy and downright scrumdiddlyumptious.
