Valentine’s Day is almost here, which means time is of the essence when it comes to planning a celebration with your significant other. Whenever you come up short on romantic ideas, chocolate is there to pick up the pieces. Thankfully, Coastal Virginia is rich in talented candy makers who are ready to turn all of your chocolate dreams into a reality.
The Royal Chocolate
Virginia Beach
The Royal Chocolate rang in its 16th anniversary last month, but this time, with a new owner at its helm. Rialand James assumed ownership of the Virginia Beach chocolate shop in late 2022 and is excited to carry on the store’s commitment to crafting gourmet treats. Perhaps the most popular confection at The Royal Chocolate is its Gourmet Apples. The Town Center chocolatiers elevate the nostalgic, carnival-esque treat by sprinkling the juicy, caramel- and chocolate-coated apples with a host of decadent toppings like nuts, popcorn, cookie crumbles, peanut butter and toffee. These apples look as good as they taste too, making them an ideal Valentine’s Day surprise. TheRoyalChocolate.com
The Bonbonnier
Norfolk
The Bonbonnier confectionery is Ghent’s sweetest hidden gem. The veteran-owned cake and candy shop specializes in handmade treats crafted from the highest-quality ingredients. While their selection of scratch-made cakes are as stunning as they are delicious, The Bonbonnier’s most sought after confections are deliciously bite-sized. The Bonbonnier sources many of its gourmet truffles from the Virginia-based Nancy Candy Co. Brimming from the glass display cases of the Norfolk shop are a number of decadent combinations like Coffee Toffee, Dark Chocolate to Die For and Strawberry Sublime. Complement your box of truffles with The Bonbonnier’s very own Spitfires-a sweet and crunchy concoction of pecans, caramel, chocolate and sea salt. TheBonbonnier.com
Wythe Candy & Gourmet Shop
Williamsburg
Wythe Candy & Gourmet Shop boasts more than 50 years of experience in the Williamsburg confectionery scene. Everything in the Merchants Square shop—packaged, wrapped or fresh from the case—is saccharine perfection. Unrivaled, however, is Wythe’s melt-in-your-mouth selection of housemade fudge. Surprise your loved one with a box of bite-sized fudge pieces, freshly sliced and gift-wrapped in the Williamsburg confectionery. You can even mix and match your flavors so you can sample everything Wythe’s fudge makers have to offer. Choose from traditional Chocolate, peanut-laced Peanut Butter, Chocolate Mint or a seasonal favorite, Red Velvet Fudge. On Facebook, Wythe Candy and Gourmet Shop
Virginia’s Finest Chocolates
Williamsburg
Mary Griffith has proudly satisfied the sweet tooths of Williamsburg patrons since 1994. Griffith and her team fine-tune their recipes and offerings year over year, thus making Virginia’s Finest Chocolate a pioneer in gourmet and romantic chocolate boxes. Griffith’s Valentine’s Day collection is particularly noteworthy. Not only are the treats in this holiday collection smooth and indulgent, but ornate in their design as well. Shop white chocolate lips, heart and rose lollipops, hot chocolate bombs and a chocolate Cupid box filled with truffles and chocolate X’s and O’s. Looking for more? Design your own gift basket or choose from Griffith’s curated selection. ChocolateGifts.com
Cape Charles Candy Company
Cape Charles
This Eastern Shore crafter may have started as a candy store in 2018, but at its core, the Mason Avenue shop is Coastal Virginia’s leading fudgery. Chocolate lovers on both sides of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel flock to the downtown store to snag a box of the chewy squares. Cape Charles’ fudge is made fresh daily and is handcrafted almost entirely with locally-sourced ingredients. The Candy Company boasts 10 flagship flavors and several seasonal additions like Fig and Chocolate, Caramel Popcorn, Tiramisu and of course, pink Valentine’s Day fudge. Browse the fudge offerings at the shop or order your special someone’s favorite flavors online and ship them directly to their door. CapeCharlesCandy.com
Photos above Courtesy of the Royal Chocolate Facebook and Cape Charles Candy Company
