Sweet Tooth Alert!
A Chocoholic’s Guide to SF’s Best Bites
Valentine’s Day may have passed, but you can start sampling chocolate across the city before it’s time for your next annual Valentine’s Day chocolate purchase! My go-to is Christopher Elbow (mostly because it's on my way home from the office), but as I was planning my next visit, it got me thinking… San Francisco is truly a chocolate lover’s paradise. From Ghirardelli at Fisherman’s Wharf to Dandelion in the Mission - plus a bunch of hidden gems in between - this city has a well-earned reputation as a “chocolate town.” That legacy dates back to the Gold Rush era, when entrepreneurs saw the perfect opportunity to satisfy settlers’ sweet cravings.
So, in honor of the month that gives me the best excuse to indulge in my favorite sweet treat, chocolate, I’ve put together a list of my favorite chocolatiers in the city (not including Christopher Elbow, since they’re based out of Kansas City 
). In no particular order, here are my go-to spots for something sweet:
Ghirardelli Chocolates: The original San Francisco chocolate institution. Those squares? Absolutely addictive.
XOX Truffles: A tiny North Beach gem. Matt brought me chocolates from here when we first started dating, so it holds a special place in my heart.
Dandelion Chocolates: The other San Francisco chocolate institution. A perfect spot to cap off a date night on Valencia Street.
Recchiuti: My go-to for holiday gifts. Rich, delicious, and beautifully packaged with San Francisco-themed art.
Kaklok: A fun new find for me in the Castro with unique flavors and gorgeous designs. Highly recommend checking it out!
Chocolate Covered: A chocolate boutique in Noe Valley with chocolates from all over the world. Bonus: You can even get a tin featuring your own San Francisco street name!
I’m sure I missed a few, so tell me—what are your favorite SF chocolatiers? I’d love to add more to my must-try list!
