Even after coming here for well over 10 years, it truly makes me feel like a kid in a candy store when I enter. Not only are you greeted by some of the friendliest employees, you're hit with a sensory overload (in all the best ways possible). The decadent smell of chocolate fills your nose & your eyes are drawn to the display cases with literal pieces of edible art. You're going to need a minute- or five- when deciding what you want. Your eyes will tell you to get the best looking while the flavor descriptions will speak for themselves. First & foremost, these artisan chocolates are not only delicious, they're true pieces of art. The owner uses an airbrushing paint style to decorate the shells of the many amazing options. They're made by hand in-house & you can literally see how much effort is put into the product they serve. I love how many different options there are to choose from. Not only is there a great variety, they're always stocked up. Even after coming here for as long as I have, it always seems like there's something new to try. They have some standard flavors like dark chocolate raspberry, strawberry caramel, hazelnut, cappuccino & salted caramel but the true fun lies within looking at the unique flavors. PB & J, bananas foster, key lime pie, passion fruit & Mexican mango are just some to be named. They offer macrons & some of their signature flavors in bar form, as well. There's also a great selection of delicious, freshly-made gelato. Fan of afternoon tea? They host it every Saturday & Sunday with some delicious bites at a reasonable cost. Everything from the amazing customer service to the phenomenal tasting/looking chocolates makes this place a must hit. Any & every time I'm in Clearwater I make sure to get my fix. You shouldn't miss their chocolates if you care about yourself. read more

William Dean Chocolates - Portion Of Chocolate Display Case (2/2) - Chocolatiers & Shops Near Me - Belleair Bluffs, Florida

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Stopped in William Dean Chocolates for the first time last night for gelato and was very impressed!! Staff working was welcoming and very polite. The gelato was excellent and full of flavor!! They had a good amount of Easter chocolate and more available for purchase for the upcoming Easter holiday. All the cases of chocolate were impressive with the selection and designs shown!! The store had a nice appearance inside and nice decor to look at during our visit. Definitely looking forward to trying more on our next visit!! read more

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Received a box of William Dean Chocolates as a hostess gift. What a fabulous gift! The chocolates are beautiful designed and delicious. I have never been to the shop, but I am now definitely intrigued. Such a thoughtful and tasty gift! read more

William Dean Chocolates - Chocolatiers & Shops Near Me - Belleair Bluffs, Florida

I LOVE William Dean Chocolates! The best and most beautiful chocolate. Service is amazing and the owner, Bill pours so much passion into what he does. We often buy boxes for gifts to share these amazing chocolates! The salted caramel and espresso-YUM!!! read more

After a great first visit, I returned! William Dean, once again, did not disappoint. While it was a quick stop, I picked up a box of chocolates to gift a family member. One thing I love is that they included a cheat sheet of sorts in the gift boxes so you know what's what after the fact. This was key when my family member was trying to figure out what flavor each chocolate was. During this visit, I also picked up a bar of the crazed Dubai Chocolate. Holy. Smokes. It's thick, it's rich, it's decadent, and the pistachio filling was to die for. The bar is about $20 but, trust me, you won't regret it. I say this as someone who wouldn't go out of their way to buy a candy bar. This, however, is (Dubai) chocolate on another level. I would've included a photo of it, but it was eaten way too quickly over the span of a couple days. If not for anything else, grab yourself a Dubai Chocolate bar from William Dean. Your life will be changed. read more

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5 star all the way! From the delicious homemade Gelato to the fine Chocolates, you simply cannot go wrong!Aist visit when on the area for picking up special treats for yourself and others? Adorable place with plenty of chairs and tables to sit at and very welcoming. Staff as well! read more

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The customer service and ambience was nice and classy. The homemade chocolates were absolutely delicious, you could tell by the taste that they were homemade with care decent pricing for how fancy and beautiful they were, highly recommend a visit! read more

William Dean Chocolates - Homemade fancy chocolates and truffles! - Chocolatiers & Shops Near Me - Belleair Bluffs, Florida

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What a great place for Afternoon Tea!! Every morsel was tastefully curated and the teas were lovely. You can get your teas hot or iced, I had the Blackberry Royale hot and absolutely enjoyed it. Everything from the scones, quiches, sandwiches to the Petit Fours, Raspberry Almond Tarts and their carefully crafted chocolates were exquisite. Go for the chocolates, stay for the Afternoon Tea!! read more

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It's a local favorite, and the gelato is pretty solid. But I'm not sold on the dated strip mall vibe inside, and for me the multi-colored, candy-bright mini-chocolates don't look inviting to eat. You get two gelato flavors no matter the cup size: small, medium, or large. That's a bit unnecessary. My friends took s'mores flavor ("marshmallowy"), and chocolate and coconut ("the best coconut I've ever had and I don't like coconut"). I tried the key lime and cheesecake. The menu didn't disclose that the cheesecake has cherries, and the cherries added a syrupy contrast that I wasn't really going for. That was disappointing. It did have bits of yummy buttery crust though, and very tart lime flavor. The gelato cooler out front was broken that day, so the server went into the back room and brought out our gelato cups one at a time. It would've been faster to bring them all out at once since our party wasn't going to start until all of us had gelato. read more

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Almost everyone knows that William Dean has amazing chocolates, but did you know that they also offer desserts, gelato, afternoon tea, AND cooking classes?!? We went for a macaron making class. There were 5 of us in the 3 hour class. We learned so much and got to chat with the chef and the owner after class. Really amazing experience and I definitely can't wait to visit for afternoon tea! read more

William Dean Chocolates - Just beautiful desserts - Chocolatiers & Shops Near Me - Belleair Bluffs, Florida

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A perfect afternoon tea experience This was such a lovely afternoon tea experience--elegant without feeling stuffy, and clearly done with care. From the moment we arrived, the service was warm and attentive, making us feel welcome and unhurried. The tea selection was excellent, with a great variety of classic and more unique blends. Everything was brewed perfectly, and the staff was happy to make recommendations. The food was the real highlight: delicate finger sandwiches that were fresh and flavorful, scones that were warm and perfectly crumbly, and an assortment of pastries that were as beautiful as they were delicious. The ambiance tied everything together--calm, charming, and ideal for catching up with friends or celebrating a special occasion. Portions were generous for afternoon tea, and the pacing was just right so nothing felt rushed. If you're looking for a refined yet cozy spot for afternoon tea, this place absolutely delivers. I'll definitely be back. read more

Their own description says it all: "William Dean Chocolates makes hand-made artisan chocolates & other confections. We make everything by hand, in small batches and with no preservatives." When we want to treat ourselves to an exquisite luxury, we stop in and choose 10 pieces (several sizes to choose) of lovely decadence. Each chocolate is uniquely shaped and decorated beautifully. My guy and I share a piece daily, it's that good, until it's gone. Creme Brrule, Dolce de Leche, Caribbean Caramel, Pistachio, Port with Fig are a few of our favorites The Macarons and Sorbet Gelatos are a must try. The different size chocolate boxes to choose make the perfect gift for friends, co-workers, customers, family, etc. There is popcorn and confectioners to buy . One day, I would like to have an afternoon tea party with friends-it looks like fun. They are located at the end of a small strip mall which has easy access. The store is clean, open and inviting. The large display cases make it easy to see what is available to buy. Be sure to try William Dean, you will be delighted. read more

The experience of walking into a William Dean Chocolates and choosing a variety of chocolates (and macarons) to share with your family is so exhilarating. It never gets old. Those little bite size morsels are so beautiful and so full of flavor. They make a great gift, too. read more

Love the food for high tea and the chocolates were exquisite and delicious. Moved away or I would still be there often.

The products: fabulous! The staff: equally fabulous!! Today was my first experience and I will be back!!! Thank you!

Nice afternoon treat with family/friends. Our afternoon tea time started with a pot of hot tea. They had a choice of white, black, green and herbal teas. Great selection and can be made hot or cold. I opted for the Jasmine tea and it was floral and strong, just the way I like it. The peach and mango teas were refreshing as well. Following our teas, we got a 3 tiered tray of deliciousness! Assorted Mini sandwiches, Bon bons, scones etc. all were delicious and surprisingly filling! The staff was very welcoming and attentive. Cute little place for teas and treats! Will definitely be back not only for teas but for some sorbets too!! read more

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We've gone here several times now and it's simply a home run each time. Their chocolates are absolutely divine. They're almost too pretty to eat. Almost! They have some amazing flavors but some of our favorites are the yuzu, coconut caramel, and pb&j. The gelato is also great, very smooth and not overly sweet. They also have an afternoon tea which we absolutely adored! The tea sandwiches and scones were so delicious! We will definitely go back for that! read more

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Friendly staff. Fun chocolates for gifts. Nicely packaged. The shop is clean and lively.

Please note: this review is of the William Dean Chocolates location in Midtown, Tampa, FL. I walked in here just to glance around (I am not a chocolate person). I ended up purchasing items because of how great the customer service was. The clerk was extremely kind, personable, and knowledgeable. She gave honest feedback on the products that helped me decide which were within my palette. For example, she told me one chocolate I was looking at had a strong alcohol flavor, which is not what I was looking for. I ended up purchasing the earl grey chocolate, the amaretto chocolate, and the cappuccino. All the were delectable. The clerk was kind enough to provide me with a raspberry macaron that was lightly cracked, so it could not be sold due to aesthetic defects. That was also amazing and was not overly sweet. She also told me these chocolates were featured in the Hunger Games, how cool!! I will definitely be back to purchase chocolates for loved ones, and a few for myself. read more

William Dean Chocolates - (from L to R): Earl grey chocolate, cherry amaretto chocolate, cappuccino chocolate - Chocolatiers & Shops Near Me - Belleair Bluffs, Florida

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I am so excited for this second location of William Dean Chocolates located here in Midtown, Tampa! I frequent REI so I will be able to take a short walk, around the corner, to William Dean to get my chocolate fix and for a cup of affogato. (Espresso and a scoop of gelato) If you haven't tried an affogato before and love coffee...it's a must-try! My family and I have been purchasing chocolates from William Dean for many years at their Bellair location. Prior to COVID they had amazing cooking classes during the summer. It was so much fun to learn how to make many of their amazing desserts, but still easier and better to buy it from them :) Midtown is lucky to have William Dean. I visited before they were completely set up so I look forward to coming back and trying some of their sandwiches and charcuterie boards that will be on their menu in additon to their beautiful and amazing chocolates! This is where I come for unique presents for teachers, friends, stocking stuffers, spectaluar easter eggs, and house guests. Their chocolates are artwork and they always bring a smile to the faces of those who recieve them. I brought a guest from Belgium to try them out and she said they were amazing and that I had made her day! This coming from a woman who is pick about her chocolate Wishing Bill and his team much success at this new location!!! read more

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The best afternoon tea I've been able to find in the area! As a chocolate shop, there were definitely more sweet options than savory, but everything was clearly made to order in-house and fresh and didn't taste like something I could get just anywhere. Best of all, they actually accomodated our dietary restrictions (vegetarian) and made us a custom tray accordingly The service was also really welcoming and comfortable, and I can't wait until I can go back again! read more

William Dean Chocolates - three tiered trays of pastries - Chocolatiers & Shops Near Me - Belleair Bluffs, Florida

So happy this place is finally open. The address need to be updated as this is the 2nd location located in midtown Tampa. Beautiful store, nice, clean, and spacious. Sarah (I believe was her name) was soooo nice the moment we walked in. She explained allllll of the items they had and walked us through the chocolate making process as well as every single flavor. Amazing service, ended up buying 6 chocolates and 5 macarons. Will definitely be back to try the gelato and to grab more espresso/earl grey chocolates! *not really sure why they merged my review with the old location... and no longer have this review under the new location* read more

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Amazing artisian chocolates! WD also makes macaroons popcorn, gelato, and other confections. A lovely gift or treat yourself. read more

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I took my 91 year old father and 94 hear old Aunt here for afternoon tea. We were greeted by Marsha who explained everything to us. She made some tea recommendations (very helpful) and we placed our tea orders. Our tea came in their own pots and the modern double insulated glasses proved to keep our tea hot. Unfortunately on this occasion they had no ice so iced tea was not an option. The 3 tiered plate was delivered to our table with savory treats, scones and desserts. Marsha returned to describe everything to us in detail. We took our time (it was great to have started at 1;30 as it was less busy) enjoying the savory items and trying each other's teas. We tried one of the desserts and were wowed not only by the artwork of each of them but the exquisite flavors. We took home a huge amount of leftovers; almost all of the desserts. They provided small boxes which were very helpful. We loved the small tea sandwiches and the savory treats (some we enjoyed at home the next day). I love scones. I thought they were a tad too dry (hard to cut in half) but tasted delicious. The cream and jam were very good. There was not a single dessert (eaten days after the tea) i did not love. The flavor combos were amazing. The pink petite four was my favorite. I have been to afternoon teas previously in another state. The only suggestion I would make for this establishment is make the largest tier the savory items that include sandwiches, quiche and tart. It would be great to see a couple more added. I think the sweets should be on the middle tier. For us, there was just too many sweets. We had no desire to shop for treats after the tea because we had such a sugar high. Ha ha. I recommend this afternoon tea and love that they change up the contents offered. Hopefully they will consider cutting down on the sweets and increasing the savory items. With that change, I will definitely come back. read more

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Welcome to Tampa & MidTown! Gourmet, artisanal, hand-made and hand painted chocolates. You can buy one piece, or fill a box with your hand picked favorites - based not only on your tastes but also on the work of art that each piece is. Take your time to pick out your favorites. Newly opened so selling only chocolates at this time. Will soon add coffee, quiches and other breakfast and lunch options. Also, will be adding high tea in the afternoons. read more

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The most beautiful chocolates in the area. This is a big space for these tiny little gorgeous chocolates. We actually stopped in Sunday morning for their Gelato. They used to be known to have the best but the nice lady at counter laughed & said they have not had it in 3 yrs. Since 10am was too early for us to eat candy and we were on our bikes, we left. I sure hope they will consider making the gelato again. If anyone needs gorgeous looking chocolates this is the place to go! These chocolates would make wonderful unique gifts. read more

William Dean Chocolates - Beautiful looking chocolates - Chocolatiers & Shops Near Me - Belleair Bluffs, Florida

I had afternoon tea a few years ago with some friends. We had a thoroughly delightful experience The food was scrumptious and the chocolates to die for as they say. Anne D read more

I'm from Florida originally and lived in pinellas off and on for over 20 years and never stopped in. I thought it was going to be a snooty place and that I didn't like fancy chocolate...well I guess other than Godiva. Well I was wrong in both trains of thought . It was fancy and nice but , the employees were so welcoming and personable . I wasn't planning on stopping I was in leggings and a Metallica T-shirt and it made no difference. They offered me a sample of a strawberry heart , didn't think I'd like it , I did. I was putting together some gifts and one of the employees suggested a salt caramel one. I didn't think I'd like that one either but , I did . I'll definitely return, I wish more people would stop in read more

Can I just say: WOW!!! We passed this place on our way to get some groceries and it caught my attention. We decided to stop on the way back and I can confidently say it was worth it. The chocolate here is imported from Europe and then made by hand in-store into their variety of chocolate combinations. The staff is very friendly and will walk you through the different options and varieties, as well as help you choose chocolates that will suit your palate. This is a gourmet chocolate experience I'd recommend to anyone who has a sweet tooth (especially towards chocolate). Be forewarned, you may never be able to find chocolate that matches this one. Even those in our party who don't have a sweet tooth ended up buying a few. I loved the variety of flavor combinations. I decided to try a little bit of everything (a costly endeavor: each chocolate is going to run you about two dollars). But I was left deeply impressed by the flavors. I loved the Port with Fig and Plum, as well as the Yuzu chocolate and the Pear and Ginger Caramel, right off the top of my head. Most of the flavors had layers of goodness and words cannot properly express just how unique the chocolate tasting experience was. If you don't like chocolate, however, then please try their gelato. Their key lime pie was amazing. The people in my group were still raving about it days later. Really great gelato and worth a try. If you're in the area, please check this place out. It's a little more expensive, but if you're a sweets aficionado, you'll love this spot. read more

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Everything here is delicious and special! We got gelato (2 flavors: cookie and mint). The small cup is more than enough for 2 people to share. We got some macaroons and chocolates to take with us. I got a cappuccino as well. Service was excellent! read more

There are so many chocolate shops in Tampa Bay. However, only one has provided their chocolates to the Hunger Games movie. Yep...William Dean! Countless times we have bought their assortment of on-site handmade chocolates, tried their gelatos, and bought their chocolate bars. Everything that we have ever tried here has been a pleasant memorable experience. We have gifted the chocolates to many of our friends and they have loved it so much that they now pick something up from here each time they visit us from out of state! The quality, the taste, the design, and the gift box....you just can't get it any better than William Dean. If ever in the mood for some quality chocolate, gelato, or even an authentic cappuccino, make sure you stop on by at William Dean. read more

Had a decadent chocolate experience here. My best "find" at the beach! Enjoyed both the fine chocolates beautifully made as well as pastries and iced latte. Service was excellent, advice was great-they really know their chocolates and pastries. and prices were very reasonable for the delicacies. I appreciate being an hour away, so they aren't my full-time diet! read more

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A cute little artisan chocolate shop located on the corner of a strip mall in Belleair just off Indian Rocks Rd. A wide array of erotic and inventive flavors to choose from in the case of tiny bite size chocolates. All of which are handcrafted and turned in to a beautiful piece of art that you almost feel bad eating. This isn't Hershey's though so that tiny piece of chocolate is going to set you back some coin, so best to take mouse size nibbles and truly enjoy ha ha If you don't know what to get mom they have cute little gift boxes that you pick the flavors which is sure to impress. My favorites are the coconut lemongrass, Lavender, creme brulee, key lime, and Banana Foster They also have delicious chocolate bars which my daughter loves. Macaroons and Gelato If you've never treated yourself to some fancy choco-latte now is the time I believe they also have a location in the International mall read more

This place has some of the most exquisite and delicious chocolates that I have other had, other than Whetstone in St. Augustine. The store is very easy to find from the road, as it is the corner store in the strip. Upon entering, there are a few tables to sit at if you choose to die high tea or purchase an item to eat or drink there. They have items that they have made, in shelves and behind counters, all refrigerated to keep the chocolates or macarons preserved and tasty! They have many different chocolates, such a mojito, bandanas foster, espresso, so many options! The salted Caramel has the perfect blend of chocolate and salt, and it's not overpowering one bit! The designs of the chocolate, as well as how they are made, are brilliant and aesthetically appealing. Staff is super friendly and willing to take their time to talk about each of the flavors and what they all taste like! read more

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I happened to be in the neighborhood so I had to stop by. I am a sucker for good chocolate and that is definitely what is offered here. I decided to sample a few of their selections so I went with a 10 piece assortment. They offered some really unique flavors and the chocolates looked outstanding. The flavor was out of this world. Rich but not cloying and very well balanced. I was happy with everything we had. Awesome spot that we will definitely return to soon. read more

William Dean Chocolates - Chocolatiers & Shops Near Me - Belleair Bluffs, Florida

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First time at William Dean Chocolates and my experience was awesome! I came here for the tea party. You can have it as long as you RSVP ahead of time for 2 or 4 people. First they give you a fresh brewed tea for yourself and it is one tea per person. There are over 30 different teas to choose from! Wish there was a little sampler of teas but it was still good. For food they bring out a 3 tier tray for the table. The top tier is two different kinds of scones. The jam with the vanilla cake scone was my favorite! The next tier comes with about 1/3 of a sandwich of each kind: egg salad, chicken salad, cucumber, and salmon. The bottom tier has a mini cupcake that is filled with caramel which is amazing!! Chocolate covered orange peel, chocolate covered ginger, a type of cake covered in chocolate (blue pastry in the pic) two macaroons (1 each), two pieces of chocolate, two jelly like candies that were surprisingly good and two brownie bites. It was surprisingly a good amount for the value! Can't wait to come back again soon for another tea party. read more

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I don't understand the hype. Yes, the chocolates are beautiful...but chocolates with flavorings added... no way...and too expensive. Give me a good old fashioned turtle and I'm a happy girl. read more

This past holiday William Dean Chocolates was my go to for holiday gifties for friends and family near and far. Everything was handled by email from ordering to having the gifts sent out in a timely manner. The chocolates were like little jewels in their boxes and our friends and family said they were almost too beautiful to eat -- they were separate chocolate pieces of art. I worked solely with their Founder and Chief Chocolate Officer and had a lot of confidence that everything would go smoothly -- and it did, thankfully! We are seasonal visitors to St. Pete and we will make a point to stop in at their shop when we are in the Bellaire Bluffs area. I recommend William Dean Chocolates with confidence! Enjoy!!! read more

What a fun shop. I can't wait for their high tea to come back.. if it ever does but the chocolate is divine! Worth the price. read more

William Dean Chocolates - Yummy - Chocolatiers & Shops Near Me - Belleair Bluffs, Florida

Not only do they have the finest candies, they also sell gelato. For five dollars you can get a very generous two scoops. The service is excellent and friendly. My goal is to try every flavor gelato they have! They offer espresso drinks. Next time I will have to try a latte. read more