On an impromptu trip last weekend, I managed to check out all 5 of the chocolate shops in Richmond, VA. I did find evidence of a shop called Chocolate Cravingz, but their website was shut down and their hours on Google Maps said they were open only on weekdays, so visit at your own risk. The rest of the chocolateries below are readily accessible for anyone staying in Richmond, but they're each best for their own particular specialty. Scroll to the bottom for a detailed map!
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For The Love of Chocolate
If you're looking for the widest selection of chocolates in Richmond, this is your spot. For The Love of Chocolate is located right in the middle of the downtown area, just a few doors down from some fantastic restaurants. They sell a selection of fudge, chocolate truffles, and a remarkable variety of bulk candies, the latter of which seems to draw in the biggest crowd.
But beyond that, they also have a decent selection of craft chocolates, various imported candies, and every seasonal chocolate item you could imagine, from marshmallow eggs to caramel pumpkins and cookie Christmas trees. For those looking to build a box of bonbons, they're a verified distributor for Leonidas Belgian chocolates, but their selection of truffles & bonbons in general has never inspired me.
Address: 3136 W Cary St, Richmond, VA 23221
Hours: 10am-7pm, Mon.-Sat. & 12pm-5pm, Sun.
JC Desserts RVA
Preorder required. JC's has become my favorite spot for bonbons in Richmond. Although only open three days a week for pickup, their small selection of chocolates and cakes is worth planning around. You have to call or email in advance to place an order, though we called upon arrival during their pickup hours and were lucky enough to be able to build a box over the phone. When we visited there were 7 flavors available, and I am so glad that we made the drive, because their bonbons are fabulous.
The Hazelnut Cappuccino and the Caramel Cream were our favorites, but each of the ones we tried was filled with a delicious silky ganache, none too sweet nor flat in flavor. In addition to bonbons, right now their selection also includes filled chocolate bars in 3 flavors and custom-made cakes. I'd love to see the pastry chef try making some layered bonbons, but I think that's just my way of saying that I need a bigger excuse to return to Richmond and try more of their creations!
Address: 2601 Maury St Unit 2, Richmond, VA 23224 (Hatch Kitchen RVA)
Hours: 1pm-6pm, Thu.-Sat. {preorders required}
Miss Maude's Bar of Chocolate
This is quite a unique concept for a chocolate shop, in Richmond or elsewhere. Every $15 "bar" of chocolate consists of 8 separate squares, pre-selected so that each one fits in with the theme for that collection— Secret Single Behavior and Theater Bar are just two examples. The employee who helped us said that they use both milk & dark chocolate from Italy to craft their bonbon sets, each of which is available in either milk or a blend of both types of chocolate.
Some of the flavors in the various collections include Butter Popcorn, Red Wine, and Chewy Caramel, as well as several variations using peanuts. We purchased two different sets, and were very impressed by how well the flavors are kept separate, as well as how delicious each square actually tastes (the "Saltine" flavor was the group standout). While I generally prefer to choose my own flavors, in this case I'd happily leave the decision to such a discerning chocolatier.
Address: 8801 Three Chopt Rd Suite I, Richmond, VA 23229
Hours: 9am-5pm, Mon.-Fri. & 10am-2pm, Sat.
Gearhart's Fine Chocolates
Gearhart's is a Charlottesville-based confectionery specializing in flavored chocolate bars in a variety of flavors both dark and milk. They also make pistachio and pecan toffees, and offer a small selection of unique caramels & confections that change somewhat by season. This outlet of the main location carries around 16 flavors of bonbons and truffles in addition to the longer-lasting products on display around the shop (note that there are no tables inside).
After selecting 10 bonbons for ourselves, I found that the ganaches and buttercreams were all very well-made, but several of the flavors we tried were either much too strong or much too light. The chocolates were otherwise good, and the standouts were the Tequila Lime and the Maya.
Address: 306 Libbie Ave B, Richmond, VA 23226
Hours: 11am-6pm, Fri. & 10am-6pm, Sat.
Kilwins Chocolate
There is indeed one of the popular Kilwins in Richmond, offering their famous fudge, truffles & other small chocolates, now also including a line of single origin chocolate bars (albeit not made on-site). Visitors generally don't come in for the chocolates, however, as their caramel apples— and in the summer, their ice cream— and fudge tend to pull in the repeat customers.
Address: 3115 W Cary St, Richmond, VA 23221
Hours: 12pm-9pm, Mon.-Thu. & 12pm-10pm, Fri.-Sat. & 12pm-8:30pm, Sun.
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