For being such a small state, Connecticut has an astonishing number of culinary landmarks. Among these are several renowned chocolatiers that call the Nutmeg State home.
From small family farms that excel at creating small-batch specialty chocolates to nationally recognized brands, Connecticut is the place to go when only the best chocolate will do.
Here are our top four favorite chocolate shops across Connecticut.
Bridgewater Chocolates
Bridgewater Chocolates blends the best traditions of American-style and European-style chocolates. This company started making chocolates in the late 1990s out of a small kitchen located in the back of the Bridgewater Village Store. Word quickly spread to the surrounding towns and the demand far outweighed supply.
Today, Bridgewater Chocolates features a much larger kitchen and distributes across Connecticut with three locations.
The Bridgewater Chocolate Factory and Factory Store in Brookfield allows guests a behind-the-scenes look at how the chocolate is produced. The Bridgewater Chocolate Factory Extension Retail Store is also located in Brookfield and a third retail location can be found in West Hartford.
In addition to the chocolate shops, many local stores and restaurants across CT carry Bridgewater Chocolates. You can find their products at Bantam Bread (Bantam, CT), Bridgewater Village Store (Bridgewater, CT), Sweet Pierre’s (Wilton, CT), Good News Cafe (Woodbury, CT), Villarina’s Pasta & More (Southbury, New Milford, and Newtown, CT), and The Pantry (Washington, CT).
Fascia’s
Fascia’s is one of the oldest family-operated small-batch CT chocolatiers, having been built in 1964. For decades Fascia’s has been a go-to for gifts of fine chocolate.
Fascia’s is available at too many locations to name, but shoppers can call their location listing helpline to find the nearest retail outlet.
Fascia’s also hosts events such as birthday parties, chocolate and spirits pairings, make-your-own chocolate classes, and many more.
Check out their events page to see upcoming special events.
Munson’s Chocolates
For three generations, Munson’s Chocolates has been making high-quality chocolate confections. Today, it is Connecticut’s largest chocolate retailer and can be found in stores throughout the state.
The company, now creating sweet treats for over 70 years, prides itself on using only the finest of ingredients. Munson’s sources all its dairy products from a small family-owned farm just around the corner from its Bolton, CT headquarters.
Their chocolate is sourced sustainably, following strict Fair-Trade guidelines, from Indonesia and West Africa.
At Munson’s 8 retail locations, there is everything from elegant truffle boxes to seasonal and holiday specials. If you cannot make the trip to a Munson’s location, you can browse and order from their online store.
Thorncrest Farm & Milk House Chocolates
Thorncrest Farm & Milk House Chocolates in Goshen, Connecticut is one of few farm-to-table chocolatiers in the United States, and the only one in Connecticut.
In an artful blend of ancient wisdom and modern science, Thorncrest Farm & Milk House Chocolates focuses on the comfort of their cows and the quality of their milk to create a consistently outstanding product.
The barn is built to optimize natural positive energy and thus aligned with the earth’s magnetic fields. A high-tech gravity system transports the milk from pails to the milk house where each supply of cow’s milk is kept separate and tested for quality. This enables the team to craft one-of-a-kind chocolates that bring out the best features of each cow’s milk.
There are over 120 rotating chocolates on the Thorncrest Farm menu that vary by season and availability.
Visit the chocolate shop in person Monday through Saturday from 10am-5pm and Sundays from 10am-4pm or order your confections online.