I've had Belgian, French, Swiss and proud American chocolates but you don't need to be a connoisseur and trust me a real chocolate connoisseur won't bat an eyelash on this one. It's maybe the word "Artisan" on the title that throws them off? And justify the owners by charging an arm and a leg for a chocolate that has only bitter as its dominant taste. It's not complex, it's pretty harsh and straightforward on the palate. I have had dark chocolate before but their selection didn't cut it in my list. Further, since they grind their own beans and make their chocolates in the facility I was expecting a pleasant rich chocolate trail when we came in but that too is harsh on the nose as well. That should have been a warning. Note: Their Valentine's Day box was a joke as well as their Freshly Made ones. Sad. Their regular hot chocolate is plain tasting, Swiss Miss would have tasted richer and better. Their Chocolate Chai is decent, still lacking the chocolate and chai tea taste. Don't even dare to try their France historic Hot Chocolate, it seems like there's a dirty sock being steep in the water that they're using, no hint of chocolate taste at all..DISGUSTING! My husband couldn't take another sip and had to throw it out. That sums it all up! The 3 stars is solely for the fact that it's a small business. They need to work on their customer service, the lady taking the order was snotty making the process the further more annoying. the place is too tight and ordering is very confusing esp. If you're ordering both their chocolates and/or coffee or hot chocolate. read more

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I ventured over to Escazu after dining at Market Restaurant. What great neighbors these 2 places are! Dine at Market and head to Escazu for dessert. I have had the fortunate experience of enjoying Escazu chocolate from a wine shop in Beaufort. Beaufort has the "Beaufort bar" which is dark chocolate and sea salt and is made for them by Escazu so I knew it was in Raleigh, but had never been to it. This little location makes all of its chocolate in house. You can watch it being done. The little boutique shop sells chocolate pieces in the case as well as its famous chocolate bars which are HUGE for $5.00. Their chocolate is so exquisitely made that you can taste it's sophistication in every bite. Not too rich, just right! They also sell local good such as Holly Aiken items, locally made tees, lip balm made in Asheville, and more! It is a great place to stop in and grab a locally made gift and what gift is wrong with chocolate? In my world, you would really have a difficult time going wrong with chocolate but it must be said that this place is a gem! read more

Escazú Chocolates - Chocolatiers & Shops Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina

One of the best hot chocolates of my life--thick & lusciously decadent, the perfect pick-me-up for a cold, dreary day. There were lots of giftable truffles, chocolate dipped homemade marshmallows or nuts, chocolate sculptures, pottery, tea items. Parking was easy on a weekday. read more

I've been coming to Escazu for almost the whole 10 years they've been opened (since my high school used to be within walking distance of them... dangerous, I know) and I can honestly say to this day I have not found somewhere that makes better chocolate. Every chance I have to come visit home in Raleigh, Escazu is one of my first stops. I stock up on their bars to bring back to Wisconsin with me (even though I found somewhere not so far away that sells them!) and I always get a few of the ever-changing selection of truffles to enjoy while I'm in town. The Spicy Hot Chocolate is also a must. And any of the ice cream pushups... I think I have a problem, but I wouldn't want it any other way! As much as I want Escazú all for myself, you'd be sorely mistaken to go anywhere else in the Triangle to get your chocolate fix! read more

We order for my 89 year old Swiss mother who--trust me--knows her chocolate. This year I bought and planned to bring in person but bad weather cancelled my trip. Went back to store and they happily shipped it for me. As always, she raved, says she has one for breakfast every day! read more

A really awesome hidden gem of a place...it's located in a random spot sandwiched between some neighborhoods and inside I could scarcely believe that I had found chocolate heaven in this unassuming building. The place is pretty small and minimalist, but what they have here are some of the best chocolates I have ever tasted. I have visited NYC and other gourmet chocolate shops across the country, and by far this is one of the top. The flavors are clever and creative, each piece is a work of art, and on top of that displayed in a really aesthetically pleasing way behind the counter. I purchased two pieces: a basil truffle and a lavender one. Each was a perfect balance of fresh-tasting chocolate shell, velvety soft and cocoa buttery truffle goodness, and just the right note of basil and lavender. The prices for each piece were very reasonable too. This place is a must-visit for every chocolate lover. I've been to so many gourmet chocolate places that have simply been overpriced disappointments, but this is not one of them. When I'm in the area again, I will definitely return! read more

I went out of my way go here after reading the rave reviews. I can't resist chocolate, and gourmet chocolates are even better! It was a bit difficult to find. My GPS did not accurately give us the correct location. So if you're using one, it gets you to the general location, but once you get close, you may need to go by the house numbers. It is a small, unassuming little place amongst a neighborhood and between houses. I got assorted individual chocolates (priced from $1.25-2.75) and two chocolate bars (chipotle chile and vanilla, and pumpkin seeds and guajillo chile)(priced between $5.50-6). Everything was extremely delicious. My favorite was the chocolate bar with pumpkin seeds. I never had a chocolate bar with pumpkin seeds before. Probably the best chocolate bar I ever had. I will definitely make an effort to go here next time I am in Raleigh. read more

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Hi, I'm Rachel, and I'm a chocoholic. Escazu makes, bar none, THE best chocolate I've ever had. It's a great place to visit with out-of-town guests and smells amazing 100% of the time. They're a great local business with a courteous staff and I always feel like spending all my money on every amazing chocolate they have. As a vegan, I'm especially grateful for their very clear marking of their dairy-free offerings, and that they responsibly source their cacao. I literally can not recommend this place enough, best chocolate in NC! read more

This is a cute & fancy chocolate shop - perfect for a date or for someone wanting to explore more of Raleigh! However, it won't be somewhere I go often as it is quite pricey. The craft chocolate was certainly delicious and beautiful, but I don't think I have a refined enough palate to justify paying $1.85 for a small piece of chocolate. The hot chocolate chai latte was very rich and flavorful. They have a few different twists on the "classic" hot chocolate so it would be fun to try them all. I do want to try the ice cream next time when it's a bit warmer outside! read more

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Thought I had placed my order and paid so I could pickup upon arrival. Unfortunately, user error. Even thou I made the mistake, I received my order plus (2) confections for FREE! If you're visiting from out of town, make sure you checkout Escazú. You won't be disappointed! read more

Escazu makes excellent chocolates. I don't think anyone with taste buds would doubt that. The only reason I didn't give this place 5 stars is because I find the selection a bit difficult to navigate -- and this isn't the sort of food that you can order "one of each" from (especially given the prices -- which are commensurate with hand-crafted food, but not conducive to being brave). If there was some way to do tiny samplers at a reasonable price, I'd be on board 100%. But despite that, this could be the best chocolate in the triangle. read more

An impressive showing from one of Raleigh's two great artisanal chocolate makers. Thoughtfully sourced single origin cacao beans are roasted and conched on premises; the stone conching wheel is visible behind a glass window when candymaking is in progress. Their truffles are amazing, with fresh local ingredients seasonally on tap to create some delicious and creative flavor combinations. I particularly love the olive oil and cracked black pepper truffle, a fall and winter seasonal due to its delicacy at higher temperatures, but featured flavors have included things like curry spice, lime leaf, elderberry, star anise, passionfruit and goat milk caramel. The coffee and hot chocolate sipping bar is also worth a mention, featuring freshly roasted CounterCulture coffee and delicious house made historical sipping chocolate mixes. Definitely recommend as a tasty stop when you're in the neighborhood! Pro tip: the lines are literally out the door on major holidays; order in advance or online on their site unless you want to wait. read more

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Fantastic service with yummy hot chocolate drinks. Due to covid, we didn't get the whole experience of walking in and picking up different But just about all the drinks we had were delicious! read more

This place is probably my favorite coffee place in Raleigh!!! They do artisan chocolates, coffees, and ice cream! It has such a cool vibe and the owners are true artists! read more

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Easy on-line ordering and quick service. Add to that amazing chocolates and hot chocolates that I didn't even try, and it's a winner all the way around! read more

Amazing spicy hot cocoa. Wish it wasn't COVID right now would love to sit in their cafe

My favorite chocolate in Raleigh. Love the flavors here. I just wish the shop was closer to downtown and could pick up more foot traffic. It's a nice place to sit and have a cup of espresso while sampling the various delectable artisan chocolates. I always take a couple bars home too, because nothing is better then a freshly wrapped hand made dark chocolate bar sprinkled with sea salt or spicy chipotle. I especially like the cascara- the fruit of the coffee plant, that they infused into a ganache. You can also buy the dried fruit and steep it for a tasty unique tea. They have bags of counter culture coffee as well. I can't say I make it out here too often, but I love buying the chocolate fresh from the shop (I think a few stores distribute it too, like whole foods). It's worth it to stop in a chat with the workers too, who have always been friendly and approachable. Thanks to the two Raleigh Time workers who suggested Issac Hunter's whiskey for our next stop! read more

Chocolate Purists, your search ends at Escazú. This place is off the beaten path hidden away on a residential area of N Blount st. Serving the best hot cocoa using only the finest milk from Homestead Creamery (slow pasteurized milk) which is another gem. We purchased a couple of bars of dark chocolate with nibs and one with cherries - I'm going to end my review here because and to avoid spoiling your personal experience at Escazú. Enjoy! Spoiler Alert: Their imported cocoa beans are process and fermented in house read more

It is such a cute, and quiet place to go to. I throughly enjoy their hot chocolates and chai tea. The people there are very nice and the place is decorated amazingly that it is always fun to just take a second and look around the place. read more

GO THERE NOW!!! I met with the folks at Crumb Bakery yesterday who made a point of telling me about Escazu and that I absolutely HAD to go try some of their chocolate. I did, and I was not disappointed. On recommendation I tried the Venezuelan Chili chocolate which had a mild chili flavor to start but hit you a few minutes later. I got a warm sensation in my belly and my cheeks grew hot and pink.....great way to warm up on a cool day. I also picked up a jalapeno grapefruit and a rosemary bacon chocolate, they sounded so out of this world how could I not try them. Prices per piece run $1.50 - $2.50 and are well worth it considering they are all made in-house. I few pieces of these exotic chocolates would make a great gift for any sweet toothed friend. I will be back to explore more flavors, until then my mouth will be watering with the thought. read more

In my opinion, this is the ideal chocolate shop. Not at all pretentious or splashy, it has a very homegrown down-to-earth feel that makes you feel completely comfortable sitting at their scattered tables and chairs to share a truffle or two. This artisanal chocolatier is truly a special thing to have here in the Triangle. The process from start to finish is handled in the (deceptively deep!) back room that's filled with Willy Wonka-esque machinery shipped straight here for Escazu. The chocolates are molded --and some of them painted-- exquisitely. Like little works of art, almost too pretty to eat. ALMOST. I mean, it's chocolate after all =) On my visit with the good folks at Taste Carolina, I selected a jalapeno chocolate that was the perfect degree of spicy and sweet. I also got to try some of their white hot chocolate -- so creamy and decadent. These would make amazing gifts for anyone who could use a little taste of Raleigh -- or the perfect treat for yourself after a dinner at Market! read more

I first stopped in Escazu for my roommate's birthday present. I picked out a couple of chocolate truffles for her and she absolutely love it. Not only because the chocolate here are delicious, but because every piece also double as an art. They are not overly sweet and they are so delicate. It's such a indulgent experience. This made the truffles a great gift or treats for yourself! They change their menus depending on the ingredients. It's a good idea to take a picture of the display because I often forget which ones I got. Though it's also fun to let every truffle be a little surprise! They also sell bars of chocolate which are very good as well. I haven't try all of them yet, but the ones I've had are all very good. I recently tried their hot chocolate and they are such a treat! My roommate got the hot chocolate with chipotle chili added and I got the peanut butter one.The peanut butter one was very peanuty with bits of peanut pieces in it. The hot chipotle chili one had a nice kick to it. I would ask for a stirring stick to go with it because it could get a bit spicy at the end as the spices sink to the bottom. We definitely want to come back and try their other hot chocolate options! They also have some local products such as nut butter and jewelry in their store for sell. I have not tried any of them, but it's great to see local business helping each other! Great local gem. Treat yourself out to Escazu already! read more

Sexual chocolate!!!!! Oooooooooohhhhhhhhh that's it right there! This is fantastic stuff. I just polished off two dark chocolate raspberry pyramids, a pomegranate truffle and a milk chocolate honey and chamomile truffle. They were absolutely amazing. I'm drooling all over myself just thinking about it. Most of their selections are dark chocolate which is my favorite (and not my wife's...so more for me!) My favorite were the pyramids. The raspberry pyramids burst with intense tart raspberries and sinfully deep rich dark chocolate. I think my tastebuds had multiple orgasms from the combination. If I just had a nice big cabernet to go with this I think I'd be writhing on the floor, eyes rolling back in my head, moaning in ecstasy. Whew...I need to towel off. read more

Imagine a world where every store smells like hot chocolate. Wouldn't you be happy? While such a world does not exist, a little piece of it remains in the form of Escazu Artisan Chocolates. Once I stepped through the doors, the thick, chocolate-y air hit me like a (welcomed) ton of cement. Even the air tasted delicious and this was before I had any bite of a truffle. I stopped by because I am a fan of Escazu's sea salt and dark chocolate bar. It is yummy and I wanted to check out their other offerings. I purchased two truffles - a cranberry and dark chocolate one and a dark chocolate and ganache one. For $2-$2.50 a pop, I expected more from the truffles' taste. It was good but I've had better truffles at Peche (which, sadly, no longer exists), Christopher Elbow in San Francisco (could walk there from my apt!), and yes even Godiva as another Yelper mentioned. Escazu's truffles taste a teeny bit like paper and lack the rich, full-bodied flavor which usually comes with artisan chocolate. I was also surprised to see that the chocolate bars did not come in smaller sizes. If Scharffen Berger and most other artisan chocolate operations can do this, so can Escazu. Verdict: It is A-OK and deserves 3 stars from the heavenly smell alone, but I wish there was another artisan chocolate shop to choose from. read more

Good grief. I just wanted to stay in there all day and smell the chocolate. They have a bunch of different ice cream push-ups right now for about $3. The coconut chocolate push-up is dairy-free. Go get one! It's dreamy. Pick up a spicy chocolate bar to take home. My favorite thing about dark chocolate? The kids are still stuck on milk chocolate and don't ask me for any. Mwahaha! read more

This place is simply amazing! Sometimes when I step in here, I don't even think for a second that I am visiting an artisan chocolate shop. I mean, just take a look at the display case and all the truffle & chocolate arrangement; it is almost like walking into the Natural Science Museum and looking at the display of different kinds of minerals and stones and crystal, or walking into a jewelry shop with your lady friend and pick out a rock that will go onto the golden band. Sometimes, you can have good looking truffles that do not deliver on taste or quality consistency; I have been to one or two of these kind of sub-par shoppes. Here at Escazu, they are so proud of their processes and quality, you can see it happens in front of you. If your delicate palate is not used to downing these back to back, they offer liquid refreshment as well on the menu, which can reset your tongue for that next piece of chocolatey masterpiece. Every single bar of chocolate (well, truth be told, just one bar now at the moment because i ate them all) has the name Escazu on the paper wrapper. Guarantee. read more

I was told about this place by the gentlemen who will be working next door (it'll be a health-nut-friendly restaurant, from what I'm told). I imagined for myself a tiny chocolate store reminiscent of the one in "Chocolat" (the book/movie). I was quite happy to discover Escazu does have that welcoming hand-made feel (and smell!!) It is such a darling place! I walked into an air of chocolate & spices with an organized chocolate counter to my right and high wooden tables & benches to my left. One of the co-founders, Hallot, helped me to understand the flavors of a few off-the-wall looking chocolates. I finally made my choices in the honey & flower styles. They had some tempting spicey & herby flavors, as well!! I will be treating myself often to new flavors they have currently & will come up with in the future! Also, I must get some ice cream and one of the many drinks they create, have a seat at a high wooden table and enjoy the chocolate encompassing my senses - view, smell, taste, touch (well, the cup or spoon will be in my hands...). It seems a most pleasant atmosphere to stay and read for a bit, too! I am SO excited! :D ....and intoxicated thinking about it.... ~dreamy eyes~ read more

So, so, sooooo so good. Everything they put out is high quality stuff. The coffee is counter culture, the hot chocolate drinks are unique, and the ice cream push up pops are perfect for kids that you don't want to waste $2 per truffle on. The truffles are amazing... You could literally blind pick 5 truffles and every one would be delicious. I had a nearly impossible time choosing 3. I've had theirs before, so I'm saving these for a rainy day, but I'm so excited especially to try my sweet tea and ginger truffle. Their liquor truffles are perfection. Just the right amount of alcohol to taste it but you'd have to eat a bunch to get buzzy. The spicy hot chocolate is a must for first timers! The mocha was good, too. Value wise, it's pricy but worth the splurge on occasion. Our order of 6 truffles, two chocolate drinks, and 2 push up bars came to just under $30. Not bad for our fancy after-symphony treat. read more

Wow! What a hidden gem! If you like chocolate or home made ice cream this is your spot! Be sure to get the vanilla chic chip push up. Was fantastic, get a tour too of how they make everything. read more

Escazú Chocolates - Get the vanilla choc chip push up - Chocolatiers & Shops Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina

Simply amazing. I had the Spanish traditional hot cocoa. It was sweet elixer worthy of the Mayan gods. Eacazu is a must for any foodie living in or visiting Raleigh. The chocolates are as delicious, each one unique in visual appearance and flavor. There are also jams, soaps and other crafted goodies for sale that support other regional artisans. read more

Escazú Chocolates - Chocolatiers & Shops Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina

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I am impressed with this chocolate store. Not because they make their wares from bean to product, but because the owner spends an extreme amount of time making sure the product is PERFECT. I have never had chocolate this good in my life. While on a Taste Carolina Food Tour, we stopped by this little shop. We got to see how the chocolate is made, and the process they follow, and also learned a little bit of history on the bean itself. It was very interesting and now I see why each piece is priced as it is. The owner spends an incredible amount of time to make each piece. Each and every piece of chocolate is a piece of art. I tried so many I can't even remember what I had now, but I do know that I am going back next time I have a chocolate craving. I kind of stocked up though so I'm good for about a month. :-) They have a beehive on the roof that they make their caramel with--as it tastes like honey. I've never had such a thing. It was amazing! OH--and they have cute little gift boxes with windows to display the chocolate pieces placed in the box. How cute is that? It would make the perfect gift for someone hard to buy for. read more

Escazú Chocolates - Explaining the process - Chocolatiers & Shops Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina

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We first sampled these at a wine bar in Asheville a few years ago, and I have been ordering Escazu chocolates online ever since. The quality of the chocolate is unmatched, and the combinations are incredible. The Beaufort Bar with sea salt was my longtime favorite, although I'm starting to become addicted to the bar with roasted pumpkin seeds and guajillo chili. I'm a purist when it comes to dark chocolate, and nothing compares. The fact that I order this stuff from across the country and go through withdrawals when I run out speaks for itself. Someday maybe I'll be able to visit the store. read more

It all started with the Facebook post "Come in for a refreshing Coconut Limeade!!" Nothing calls to my heart like a piece of dark chocolate. Stricken with lactose-intolerance, I've turned to this rich delicacy as my after-dinner standby. A dark chocolate connoisseur, I have left milk chocolates for the weak and pursued the dark jungles of the 70% plus crowd. Escazu Artisan Chocolates in Raleigh, NC offer handmade, single source chocolate bars and truffles. These chocolates are serious, so the faint of heart need not try them. These food crafters roast their own cocoa beans, grind them, temper and mold the chocolate into eatable jewels. I've included a few beautiful photos in this post from Escazu's Facebook album. Each photo is truly a feast for the eyes. So, back to that Facebook post. Lounging on the couch, fighting off some damn head cold that kept me from attending SparkCon 2010 (BOO!) I see a glimmer of hope pop-up in my Facebook feed. "Come in for a refreshing Coconut Limeade!!" Escazu beckoned. The allure of a vitamin C packed punch of sugar, lime and coconut sounded like perfect fuel for my gritty throat and bored body. A little outing would help me get over my sickness...right? It's hard to keep a wandered down on a beautiful fall weekend. And to top it all off, Brian had already wandered to Escazu's store without me, damn him. After a quick drive, we arrived at their cheery store front. Once the door opened I was engulfed in the smell of deep chocolate. Dark, complex and spicy, the room smelled like tradition. The jewels were laid out inside a simple case, waiting for the hmmm and ummms of indecisive moments giving way to greedy conclusions. I was very pleased to see that Escazu has added "Dairy Free" markers to many of their chocolates. A verifiable kid in a candy store, I limited myself to a homemade chocolate-covered marshmallow, plus a chili and a mango truffle to go with my Coconut Limeade. I was a recovering sick-y after all. All were delicious. The chili truffle packed a surprising spice on the very end, leaving you with a lingering heat on your lips. The mango was sweet and light. The homemade marshmallow was fluffy and divine. The Coconut Limeade is my new favorite drink - such a great combination and an excellent recovery beverage. More than great product, Escazu is a great local business. They are responsive and gracious on their Facebook and Twitter accounts. I've traded tweets and wall posts with them for a long time, praising their use of social media and asking questions about their product. It feels good to support people who are pursuing their passion. That is another reason why I love the South, it's studded with people who are making life work for them. They are working hard to make their passions their livelihoods. read more

Yet another place I really want to love but just can't! I love that they do everything in house, short of growing the beans. I love the potential for the flavor profiles they use in their truffles. I love that it's local, and love the friendly, helpful staff. You can clearly see thier passion for chocolate here .... but .... I felt the actual chocolates just lack a bit of ..... finesse?? The flavors of of the truffles were just a bit too harsh. I know sometimes I've gotten a mixed box of truffles and at the end could not tell the pieces apart from each other, but not from here. On the contrary, these were just overly intense. It was hard to enjoy the chocolate .... and the chocolate. I'm not a connoisseur and maybe it's just my ignorance, but the chocolate just felt a bit raw(?) to me. Maybe I was just hoping that I could find that mind-altering stuff that I found at the random shop in the bus/train station in Switzerland or that gift I got from my German colleague that one year for X-mas when she got back from home. Probably unfair of me... read more

I've been holding back on doing this Review for months. I love chocolate, and this place is a Chocolate Enthusiasts dream. Why only 4 stars? The hot chocolate. It was SO bitter and hard to drink. I even got it all the way home (about 20 miles) and offered it to my family members, it was one of those "here, try this" tricks. And then I, and anyone else already duped, would step back to watch the expression on their face when they remove the cup to see their dark brown upper lip, and a cringe on their face. Maybe it was just the cup that they made for me that was off, because none of us are chocolate wimps! We bought about 8 truffles while there too which were very unique and tasty, but much to my dismay, there were NONE with Sea Salt that day. :-( Anyway, if you love Chocolate, you really should try this place. Maybe you'll have better luck with the Hot Choc than I did. If not, you can get a kick out of sharing it with your friends and family! :-) read more

I stopped in after work today to subdue a serious chocolate craving and see what Escazu had to offer. North Blount Street is a very quiet spot around 5pm. There were no other cars driving on the street and no other cars parked in the lot in front of the chocolate shop. Not that this makes a big difference, I'm just reporting on my experience. Anyway, when I walked into the shop I was immediately greeted by an amazingly warm aroma of chocolate and a very charming fellow who told me about the history of the shop, all of the box selections and a little bit about each chocolate in the case. He even mentioned that they grow fresh basil in a garden out front of the shop and use that to make the basil truffle. I don't think flavor comes any fresher! All of the chocolates that I bought were beautiful and had very interesting flavors. They were all four tucked into a little box with red raffia tied in a bow. I am so glad that I went! I had a very good visit to the shop and a nice treat after dinner! I will be sure to go back to pick up chocolates to give to friends and family as gifts that can only be found in Raleigh. read more

So you might know or have heard about this place for their chocolate, or even their hot chocolate, but I know this place as my absolute favorite place to grab a mocha in the Triangle. You can order several styles of delicious hot chocolate here, or you can opt to caffeinate your hot chocolate by ordering a mocha. Escazu mixes their smooth espresso with their silky hot chocolate, and these two amazing ingredients come together to craft a mocha that is *perfect.* I've also sampled several of their chocolates -- a great gift for a special someone or a great treat for yourself alongside a cup of delicious hot chocolate (or, as I would recommend, a mocha -- if you're up for the caffeinated side of life.) This is also a great place to find a random gift for a fellow sweet-toothed or caffeine-crazed foodie -- like a nice bag of coffee, a decadent chocolate with cherries bar, or a jar of gourmet all natural peanut butter. Yum! read more

WOW! If you like dark chocolates, you have to try Escazu! The chocolate is wonderful and beautifully presented. They are almost too pretty to eat. However, after the first bite, I got past that! They have an amazing array of flavors. Who would have thought that chocolate, chili and lime would be such a great combination? I'm actually anxious for colder weather to try out their hot chocolate mix. As Christina G. said, they are not pretentious at all. All of their focus goes towards turning out an excellent product. They succeed amazingly! They share a building with Market restaurant which is also worth a try. A nice lunch or dinner followed by chocolate....what could be better? read more

What a local gem! This shop is really cute and produces very high quality chocolates! The shop itself also sells some other local products (just a handfull, like Big Spoon peanut butter) and has seating for maybe 10-12 to enjoy their chocolate on the premises. I'm still not sure exactly how it's taken me ten months to make it to the Escazu shop in Raleigh. So, I decided to make up for lost time and in a bit of gluttonous rapture, I ordered a spicy chocolate push-up pop (yes--ice cream!), two truffles (strawberry balsamic and single-malt scotch), and one of their standard bars. The proprietor was pleasant--different regulars from the neighborhood kept stopping in to chat--which is awesome. The push-up pop was really cute--I could definitely taste the chipotle or chiles in it. Perfect for a hot day. I loved the strawberry balsamic candy, and was less of a fan of the single malt one (personal preference, even though I do drink scotch). Their batch of artisan chocolates changes daily, so I'll definitely be back to try something new. What stood out the most though was their standard bar--I got one with pumpkin seeds and chiles (luckily, I still have almost all of it left). The chocolate itself is the softest I've ever had, but the pumpkin seeds add crunch (there are whole seeds in there!!). There was a bit of spice. Overall, one of the most unique bars and well-made bars I've ever tasted. read more

A hidden gem right outside of downtown Raleigh. Didn't know what to expect but saw they served espresso and had a few good reviews so I took a chance. I was glad I did because it was a very unique place. I would say chocolate is their specialty but I went their for a lattè and was amazed. This place has a list of different espresso based drinks (mostly mochas or chocolate) but I love the fact that they put suck thought into it. They also had a list of extraordinary hot chocolate flavors that I can't wait to try when I go back. Do your self a favor and stop in if you're feeling a chocolate anything or everything. Definitely worth it and I will return! read more

Escazú Chocolates - What a great little find... drove past it so many times but quality is astounding! - Chocolatiers & Shops Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina