This is my family's favorite chocolate shop! While its not really close to chicagoland, I recommend taking a little road trip (they ship too ) or taking a little detour if you'll be going in that direction. This isn't your made in a factory candy. You can see the staff making the candy! Highly recommend. Side note: handmade fresh candy is on the pricier side but I swear it's worth it. Pick out a few pieces if a whole pound is not in your budget. Thats what I prefer to do! So many to choose from but my must haves are the following: Milk chocolate vanilla buttercream Milk chocolate maple cream Chocolate covered cherry Milk chocolate Chocolate cherry creams Toffee Hope you can make it in person... smells so good! read more

Donaldson's Finer Chocolates - Chocolatiers & Shops Near Me - Lebanon, Indiana

I wanted to stop by here since we were driving through and I like a good chocolatier. The power just went out due to some bad weather, but they were still open and had a Mobile payment system. I probably bought way more chocolate than I should've but it's really good!! read more

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This place from the outside doesn't seem like all that but once you go inside.. it's beautiful! The service was amazing, one of the ladies helped us with recommending her favorites and was very patient with my mom and I with our millions of questions. We couldn't even wait till we got home to try, it was super yummy we recommend the filled ones, those were delicious. Definitely coming back! read more

What a cute, awesome smelling store !!! Staff was helpful, attentive and eager to satisfy your chocolate cravings!!! But not on Sunday:( They had huge caramel apples, truffles, and LOTS of sugar free options available. They had lots of premade boxes of assorted chocolate/ truffle, dark and milk options available. Definitely something for everyone!!! Highly recommend if you are in the area it's right off the interstate so u can quickly be in and out!!! read more

Donaldson's Finer Chocolates - Dark Chocolate Truffle - Chocolatiers & Shops Near Me - Lebanon, Indiana

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Best Chocolate Shop Ever. Hands down the best. Nothing will change my mind. They have such a variety of chocolates. And for such a small family owned business, they keep up with the rush and still manage to show the small town friendly smile. read more

This place is the absolute best chocolate shop in Indiana. Maybe even in the United States! They hand dip their chocolates and are made on location. You can watch them through the glass windows, making an dipping the candy. My absolute favorite is their orange pill, dipped in dark chocolate. They make their own orange peel. This is quite a process, and I've found no other candy shop in Indiana that makes their own. I saw a sign outside that said caramel apples today. I had never tried one of their caramel apples. It was huge and only $10 and some change. It was enough for a snack and dessert for my daughter and I that same evening. if you want chocolates for the upcoming Christmas season, you need to go in November. If you wait until December, they start running out of a lot of their chocolates. I will definitely be returning and I recommend you try them out too ! read more

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I'm kind of surprised there aren't more places like this. It's a chocolate shop right near the highway in an open countryside surrounded by farms and wind farms. Chocolate is mostly sold by weight, and gift boxes are offered. I sampled some minty ones as well as chocolate-covered apricots. It's a very buttery, Midwestern style of chocolate, and is certainly likely to satisfy. read more

Donaldson's Finer Chocolates - Chocolatiers & Shops Near Me - Lebanon, Indiana

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Life just can't get better than a box of Donaldson's chocolates. I was thrilled beyond belief when my granddaughter brought me a box for Valentine's Day. Did you know chocolate is a powerful antioxidant and also has the ability to lower blood pressure? Plus it tastes so wonderful. Donaldson's is a iconic family-run local business that has been operating since 1966. Originally founded by George and Peg Donaldson, the business is now owned by son Bob and wife Kathy. The store is located on State Road 39 just off Interstate 65 in Lebanon. They offer a broad range of truffles, barks and assorted chocolates which come in dark and milk chocolate. Packaging is beautiful with seasonal box options. Our box of assorted chocolates were heavenly. I couldn't wait to try one, then another, and another. The chocolate is so fresh, as are the nuts and fillings. Their chocolate is not overly sweet - so you can really taste the chocolate. I love the dark bark candies. The candy is addictive - beware. You can order on-line and ship or pick up at the store. You can also shop at the store. We were happy to use their curbside pickup during the pandemic. A box of Donaldson's makes a wonderful gift for anyone. read more

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Absolutely wonderful chocolate shop & homemade candy store on SW side of Lebanon. Easily accessed from I-65 on way through town from Indy to Purdue or Chicago. The Valentine & Easter displays are spectacular. Both self-shop and guided candy counter assistance is available. Everyone is very friendly and efficient so you can get what you need or explore to your heart's content. An old and refurbished house that appears to have been used for various retail purposes in its more recent history, but it looks like they might be making the delectables in the old kitchen in the back. But the candy is really good and reasonably priced. Worth the drive or the stop the next time you're in Central IN! read more

Don't be modest, Donaldson's Finer Chocolates: You should be calling yourself Donaldson's FINEST Chocolates! Because you're making some superior chocolates over in Lebanon. The nice ladies behind the counter gave me a sample when I walked in, and normally I try to savor chocolate but this one tasted so good that I couldn't help myself and shoved the whole thing in my mouth. I felt like Augustus Gloop, but I couldn't help it: the caramel pecan chocolate they gave me was delightful. They have a big assortment of milk chocolate, dark chocolate and white chocolate confections, including truffles and bonbons, chocolate-covered marshmallow squares, chocolate-covered graham crackers, chocolate-covered pretzels, chocolate-covered nuts ... they cover a lot of things with chocolate here. You can buy by the piece and mix and match, or you can choose from one of the prepackaged chocolates they have displayed. The price is very good considering the quality of chocolate. This chocolate shop has been around for decades and has a loyal following. When I was in line paying for my loot, I talked to the woman behind me and she was bursting with praise for this place and how much she loved the chocolate. I can see why! read more

What an amazing find. Thank you for having signage posted on the interstate that enabled me to find and enjoy wonderful chocolates. If you find yourself driving through Lebanon IN I highly recommend you stop. The moment you open the door and step inside the wonderful fragrance of chocolate greets you. I purchased a pound of assorted chocolates and plain fudge. I have tasted two pieces and the fudge; Buttermint, milk chocolate almond cluster and seperate from the lb I purchased their plain fudge. OMG so amazing. The chocolates are not overly sweet and you can taste the love in each sweet piece of chocolate. The texture of the chocolate is very smooth and the sugar has been appropriately incorporated. The available selection has enough to satisfy any conossiuer of fine chocolate. The price for the quality of chocolate is more than fair at $29.50 a pound. Thank you Donaldson's Chocolate for crafting such and amazing product. read more

This is the best chocolate shop in Lebanon, Indiana. It was pricey but well worth it. You walk in the it of course and the scent of deliciousness. Service is very helpful and friendly. For a small chocolate factory shop it is well worth the stop. read more

I'm not a huge chocolate fan, fortunately a friend from Lebanon introduced me Donaldson's finer chocolates. I make an exception for their chocolates, I love them. I like the dark pecan Carmel delight. I eat a little bit at a time and savor every bite!!! This was my first visit to the store, so even though I arrived on a dark, rainy, windy night, I was excited to go. The chocolates are made right there, it smelled so good. You can buy boxes already packed, or you can create your own mix. I asked about the honeycomb chip, the lady helping me gave me a piece of it; it was soooo good. I still have not acquired a taste for the creams, they have a large selection of them. They had a small selection of sugar free chocolates. The location is just off interstate 65 in Lebanon. I remember going up steps to go in, since it wasn't very nice outside, I was focused just getting in; there may have been a ramp, I just don't recall. If all chocolates were as good as Donaldson's, I'd be eating a lot more of it!!! read more

Donaldson's Finer Chocolates - One of the display cases of yummy chocolates - Chocolatiers & Shops Near Me - Lebanon, Indiana

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They have been excellent in the quality of their chocolate; Service to customers & we love the ambiance of their small shop! Feels like home! We travel and have not found chocolate as creamy & delicious anywhere else! We give it 5 star rating! They ship anywhere! Enjoy! read more

We stopped by this candy store today and it smelled delicious as soon as we walked in. They sell chocolates by the pound as well as premade boxes. Everything looked so good, so I started a box and went from one end to the other picking out a piece (or a couple) of the kinds that caught my eye. The lady(owner) that waited on us was so nice and even gave us some samples to try. The store is super clean and organized. Definitely will be visiting again and recommend stopping by to support this small family owned businesses. read more

A well-placed billboard along the highway made me get off and stop in, and I didn't' regret it. Great family business that makes great candy. The toffee bars are fantastic! They have a wide variety of chocolate candy and some sugar free options as well. Would always recommend them for their outstanding varieties you definitely can't go wrong. Donaldson's chocolate is one of the best around!!! read more

Donaldson's Finer Chocolates - the front of the building - Chocolatiers & Shops Near Me - Lebanon, Indiana

The last time I was heading home from Lafayette, I noticed a sign in Lebanon for this chocolate shop. So, I bookmarked it as a place to stop when I spent the day exploring the city. The chocolate shop is located in a converted house just off the interstate. Part of the house has been set up as the "factory" side of the business. You can see through windows in the shop side into where the chocolates are made (none were being created during my visit.) The shop has an "L-shaped" counter filled with a variety of chocolate covered goodies as well as some molded chocolates. Most items had both dark/semi-sweet and milk chocolate coverings. Some had white chocolate as well. I was impressed with the number of molded patterns that were used, especially for the holiday season. There were also packaged samplers for gift giving. The line moved quickly and the staff behind the counters seemed personable and efficient. And the chocolates? Really good. I especially liked that the chocolate covered peanuts had a bit of salt in them to add layering of flavor to the candy. Review #3477 read more

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As we pulled into the parking lot, there was plenty of parking with parking for people with disabilities. As we entered Donaldson's, it was clean and neat with the sweet smell of chocolate. There were display cases and shelves with all kinds of chocolate. There were large picture windows. You can see the ladies hand making the candy! They even have a conveyor belt still in use like the one on "I Love Lucy" They even ship chocolate candies! Best of all, This is AMAZING CHOCOLATE!! Thank you Donaldson's Chocolate! We will be back again!! This place is a must try!! read more

Warning- once you've experienced the fresh, delicious and unique creations of Donaldson's you won't eat to eat any other chocolate! The chocolate covered apples are guaranteed to be one of the best things you have ever eaten. I recommend trying them all! And while you're at it - go for a turtle. That chocolate and caramel combination is unbelievable. It's all yummy and well worth a stop. read more

CHOCOLATES, CHOCOLATES, CHOCOLATES! This is a small shop off of I 65/Lebanon exit. They make the chocolates there and if your timing is right you can watch through the big windows. There was all sorts of choices pre boxed or U-pick. These are pretty good chocolates in a store with some charm read more

Donaldson's Finer Chocolates - Chocolatiers & Shops Near Me - Lebanon, Indiana

C'mon Yelp!! Ad on the last page is for Fannie Mae. Fannie Mae this ain't. Found this place during family visit, on strength of Yelp reviews. You won't be disappointed. Enormous selection of dark & milk varieties. Favorites of the variety I got are the peanut butter meltaways (really good bite-size Reese's). And the salt water caramels, as well as the dark chocolate coconut haystack. Sweet grey - haired gal works the counter. They're right beside truck stop; I told her I was there for business; she asked if I was a trucker . Reasonably priced. Ship worldwide, so the brochure says. read more

Donaldson's Finer Chocolates - Told you, couldn't wait to take a bite! - Chocolatiers & Shops Near Me - Lebanon, Indiana

When I talk about Donaldson's, most Hoosiers have no idea what I'm talking about. HELLOOO, have you never driven on I-65 before? The shop is located just off of Exit 139 in a small building. Upon opening the door, you're surrounded by cases and boxes of Butter Creams, Pecan-Carmel Delights, Caramels, Butter Mints, Chews, Barks, Nut Clusters, Truffles, Toffee, Coconut Haystacks, Peanut Butter/Honeycomb Crunches...did I mention they have both dark chocolate and milk chocolate varieties of these delectables? You have all the right problems at Donaldson's. If I were you, I would just do an assortment box so that you get a little bit of everything. I haven't had anything that I didn't like. The ingredients are high quality, the chocolates are made the old-fashioned way, and the taste is superb. You MUST stop in/order online soon. read more

Donaldson's is the best chocolate place around periodt. We stop by every time we can- usually on the way to Lebanon but also when we visit friends further north- we bring it as a gift when traveling- always well received. I love their sugar free dark chocolate almonds (it's hard to make it home without eating them all) but the real champion is their caramel apples. Only available in October, the caramel apple supreme (with chocolate and homemade caramel and nuts) is worth the wait. I've honestly joked that they need to hire more people for Fall only... but I will be patient. Also- nicest people in the world. I loved seeing old Mr. Donaldson in the shop and I'm glad the next generation is carrying on the tradition. Definitely support local- they're as local as you can get. I promise it is well worth the stop! Also a fun window lets you look in on the work. Covid friendly as well- everyone wearing masks and you can see from the outside if it is crowded/how many patrons are inside. read more

Donaldson's Finer Chocolates - Supreme apple - Chocolatiers & Shops Near Me - Lebanon, Indiana

If you are near: get there get some. We got some a few years ago after seeing a billboard. Now we make an effort to stop any time going past Indy read more

Absolutely the best chocolate I have ever eaten! When I go back to Indy I MAKE SURE I can take a trip to Lebanon JUST for this chocolate! It is THAT good! read more

Just a tiny spot but the chocolate was so good. I should have bought way more. I really liked their crispy dark chocolate

Donaldsons Finer Chocolates is such a treat , located in a quant small home...I just love their excellent selections... I especially love their Dark Chocolate Creams , My Faves... read more

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Donaldson's Finer Chocolates is North of Indy just off I-65 at the State Road 39 exit in Lebanon, Indiana. They've been making homemade chocolates since 1966 and is a staple for many. You can also purchase these heavenly chocolates at J.P. Parker Flowers in downtown Indy and Blooms by Dragonfly in Zionsville, IN. The staff could not be any nicer. They are polite, patient, glad to answer questions and just pleasant people. They are such a part of the special experience. The chocolate selection is impressive. Nut clusters, truffles, caramels, butter mints, butter cream flavors, pecan carmel delights and fruit pieces all covered in dark chocolate, milk chocolate or white chocolate. I love the regular caramels, the sea salt caramels, haystacks, buttermints, nutty peanut butter caramel square, the dark chocolate dipped fruit (maraschino cherries and raisins), the dark chocolate truffles, raspberry and mocha truffles. Love dark chocolate! Donaldson's also offers a few recipes in Sugar Free milk or dark chocolates. The caramels, the almond, peanut, pecan or raisin clusters and pecan/caramel cluster delights are sugar free and almost as good as the real chocolate. If you can't get to Lebanon then just order online. They ship a great deal of chocolates and know their business. Great for any special occasion or just because you care. read more

I've stumbled across Donaldson's twice while traveling to somewhere else, and they're well worth a stop. Good selection, and the folks at the counter are quite happy to accommodate you if you want to, say, get a custom truffle box made up. The toffee in dark chocolate is particularly notable; many chocolate stores don't do it in dark, and this is a nice brittle toffee, which means it's fresh. The caramels are the softer kind. I find the creams a bit more subtle than I prefer, but this place is definitely a cut above most chocolatiers. Closed Sundays. Watch for the signs as you're driving along the I-65. read more

Best chocolate I have ever had. Worth the trip and you can watch them make the chocolates. We love dark chocolate especially and theirs is the best. read more

My go to place for chocolate. They have the best dark chocolate covered raisins I have ever tasted. I only want Donaldson's Chocolate for my boxed candy. Every Valentine's Day, every birthday and every Anniversary. read more

Exceptional chocolate and customer service! The "finer" in their name is well deserved as you can tell the chocolates are made with high quality ingredients. They have a great variety of chocolate as well - chocolate turtles, creams, caramels, white, dark and milk chocolates. I make sure to stop by every time I'm in town. read more

There are a lot of chocolate options today but Donaldson's stands out in it's true homemade, rich taste. I made a first time stop for a gift on my drive to Atlanta. It was so good that I made a stop on the way back for holiday hostess gifts. Huge variety of creams, toffee and mints. read more

We flew in from Miami FL to then drive to Cincinnati. We stopped her to stretch out legs and noticed the place and ran inside. The lady inside was so very nice. She let us sample a salted dark chocolate. Yum! I chose a milk chocolate strawberry and a couple salted caramels. I preferred the delicious juicy strawberry. Watching the ladies in the back making the candies was a treat read more

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I'd make the 3 hour drive just to get the toffee again. Quaint little place with some great chocolates - very nice selection of the classics. Can't go wrong with the orange peel or the cherries, but that toffee ranks among the best I've had. read more

I firmly believe that some of the places advertised while driving on the interstates have the best quality! I have seen the signs for Donaldson's many times on my drives to and from Indianapolis, and finally decided to stop there. I LOVE chocolate, and it was a hot Saturday mid-morning full of cars (due to construction). I decided I could use a little break. I stepped inside and it smelled like chocolate heaven. The lady behind the counter was insanely nice, and she told me about the different kinds of chocolate, how they are made, and even let me have a sample piece. Let me just say that all chocolate is not the same folks: the quality here is immensely good! The white chocolate turtles I got for a friend were awesome (his words), and the dark chocolate graham crackers I got were very good. I-65 is a construction-filled obstacle right now. Treat yourself to some chocolate (Exit 139) for braving this drive, and support a very deserving family run business!!! read more

Besdies DeBrand's Chocolates (which is probably the best in the country) Donaldson's Finer Chocolates are the best in Indiana. You would never picture the little house/shack off of I-65 and Indiana State Road 39 as the place where some of the finest confections in the state are made, but the handmade treats, made the old-fashioned way, are some of the best I've ever eaten - and I consider myself to be a distinguished connesseur of chocolates and truffles. Their website is cheesy and quite 1996-ish, their store decor is old-school and so is their display case, but so what! It's the product that counts and it never fails to dissappoint. Every time I make a trip to Northwest Indiana or Chicago I make a stop here for this best kept Indiana secret. However, if you see their shipping map in their store, you will see that they ship there chocolates all over the world on a very regular basis. Not much of secret to those that have tried it and spread the news. I hope everyone that makes the journey to Indy stops at Exit 139 off of Interstate 65. Right next to the Flying J it will be worth your while. And all of you Indianapolis people, it's less than twenty minutes away from the northside. Valentine's Day is just around the corner! (Hint, hint) Enjoy! read more

So delicious!!! I was driving an 8 hour day with my mom and convinced her, after coming thru a storm in Indy, that this should be my 'reward' :) We stopped and I ran in to survey the place. I bought some chocolates as a gift, admired their maps and enjoyed chatting with the sweet lady behind the counter. I ran back out to the car and ate our picnic lunch in the parking lot with mom, only to find that in my excitement to go in, I left out car lights on! :( We would still be there if it weren't for the helpful staff and the younger Mr. Donaldson! They were lifesavers... But Dad thought his chocolate gift was worth it :) We'll be back I'm sure!! (No pictures because we ate it all before that came to mind!) read more

I got really excited when I saw this place next to a truck stop. I love chocolate and I love supporting local businesses. It's a tiny, but cute store, but the best ones are always modest looking. You can definitely tell they're popular because there was a crowd there a half hour before they closed. They did hand dipped chocolate strawberries for Mother's Day, which was really cool. The prices are a little up there, but it's so worth it if you can afford to splurge. The dark chocolate mocha truffles are to die for! And the best part is that they ship all over the world. Definitely not disappointed. read more

Donaldson's Finer Chocolates - Chocolate covered Oreo and chocolate covered Rice Krispie, yum! - Chocolatiers & Shops Near Me - Lebanon, Indiana

Yummy chocolates made in shop! If you are traversing I65, it's worth the stop! Definitely a nice pick me up and their toffee is to die for. Prices are fair and you can walk away with a heaping handful for about $10. Definitely plan on making more stops. read more