I am a big fan of dark chocolate, and this store is all dark chocolate, so it was perfect for me! It's a small shop but they have a good variety of options including prepackaged items and fresh truffles, some of which are seasonal and some are year round. They also have a window where you can see the chocolate factory! They offered free samples of a jelly filled chocolate, which was tasty! The quality of the chocolate is very high and worth the price, in my opinion. I asked the employee for her recommendations and she was very helpful with that, as well as with explaining what some of the flavors were. There is also a list on the wall that explains their flavors in detail, and that list comes with each box as well. I opted for the machu picchu which is a year round flavor and the blood orange caramel, which is seasonal. These chocolates are just so tasty and I really recommend this place for a quick chocolate fix, and they'd also make great gifts! read more

See all

Great staff who helped make a perfect box of chocolate for my wife!! Loved tasting the samples as well. read more

This is a smaller chocolate shop than I thought it will be. I stopped by mainly to get hot chocolate drink. Seems they no longer sell it. They only have chocolate drink powder. I ordered 6 chocolate box. Chocolate prices were approx $2/piece. This price is reasonable when comparing to similar boutique chocolate shops in Madison. All chocolates were really smooth. I didn't like cinnamon/cayenne much, but rest of the chocolate were all really good. I also went for a small packet of dark chocolate with pecans. It was excellent as well. read more

Gail Ambrosius Chocolatier - Display - Chocolatiers & Shops Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

See all

A sweet friend gifted me an assortment of dark chocolates from a local chocolatier in Madison, WI -- and wow, what a fantastic treat! I was SO excited to dive into the 6-pack of chocolate that I forgot to snap a photo until I was already chewing it... oops! YEP, That's how you know it's good. Each piece had its own unique character, and while I definitely had a favorite (and one I didn't love quite as much), the overall variety made the experience so fun and satisfying. The dark chocolate quality was top-notch: smooth, rich, and just the right amount of bittersweet. You can tell care went into the making of each piece. When I'm in Madison sometime, I'll absolutely stop by to pick up a box (or a few ) myself. Highly recommend for any chocolate lover, especially if you enjoy the deeper, more complex notes of dark chocolate. The little details on the chocolate collection were such a nice touch. read more

Gail Ambrosius Chocolatier - Chocolatiers & Shops Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

See all

Super good. I like the flavor description included in every box. It really helps me to think about what I should be tasting. Some delicious and interesting flavors. Sometimes I buy a big box for myself and this is how I eat them: cut each truffle in half and savor so the box lasts me a good 12 days or so and I end up eating 1-2 chocolate truffles a day. A fantastic little daily indulgence. Chocolate this good, you only need a tiny bit. I love the fruit ones, I love the interesting unique flavor ones, like shiitake mushrooms etc. When I messed up on an address once for a gift they were so understanding and accommodating. read more

Such innovative flavors, beautifully presented! By far, the very best chocolate experience I've ever had!

Definitely worth the visit, especially for dark chocolate lovers. Only two milk chocolate selections. I selected 8 different truffles - they were tasty. Will visit again when in Madison. Prices very reasonable. Off street parking available by store. read more

Another stop on my Madison food day was to Gail Ambrosius Chocolatier, right after my visit to CocoVaa, a few blocks away. More delicious chocolates to choose from. I bought a 6 piece box, and a couple of favorites included the Masala Chai and Pina Colada. It's definitely worth a stop, when in Madison! read more

See all

Always a wonderful birthday gift!!! The chocolate is delicious and the recipients rave! read more

She better KNOW how to make dark chocolate taste good! We got our choosings BEFORE a kind lady offered us a sample of the salted caramels ( their top sellers) I quickly added on like 5 of those! They were heavenly. The store is about 90 percent dark chocolate and normally I would cringe at the thought but her chocolates were truly divine. Don't be silly, don't leave this store without at least 5 salted caramels! Your welcome. read more

See all

Love the new location for them! I was tempted to get a bigger box of truffles, but decided to go for the most exciting flavors. I've recently become addicted to their chocolate pretzels too. Easy in and out, great display! read more

Gail Ambrosius Chocolatier - a box of chocolates - Chocolatiers & Shops Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

My husband and I got a suprise box of Gail Ambrosius chocolate for Easter and what a delight! The items were shipped to us via UPS. They included a handwritten card from my MIL. The chocolates were hand wrapped and treated with care. Our assortment is all dark chocolate, which I'm not usually a fan of, but her combination of ingredients changes something and I love it. My favorite is the raspberry truffle. A chocolate raspberry filling covered in dark chocolate. The sweetness and bitterness compliments perfectly. One piece and I'm satisfied. You can't go wrong with the vanilla truffles either! I'm usually a caramel lover, but that is one that I like, but don't love. Caramel square covered in dark chocolate and sprinkled with sea salt. I've never been to the actual shop, but plan on checking it out next time I'm in town. read more

Gail Ambrosius Chocolatier - Assortment - Chocolatiers & Shops Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

I've had Gail Ambrosius chocolates for years (my favorite gift to receive!) and never knew they had a store front. I was so excited to stumble upon their shop. It was fun getting to pick out chocolate truffles! I normally get their pre packaged assortment boxes, which appear to be carefully curated, but it's fun to mix things up. The shop was clean and the employees were helpful and welcoming! They even had a free sample that day! Their chocolates are unique, flavorful, and simply the best I've had in Madison. Love these chocolates and very excited to return to the storefront! read more

See all

We were walking around State Street enjoying the warm weather. There was a native Madisonian who was giving us some suggestions for coffee. She said Michelangelo's. My daughter and I were looking to "chill" for a few minutes. We ordered a latte and a macchiato. The latte had about 3 inches of foam. The taste of the decaf espresso was very pleasant and not bitter. My daughter's macchiato was very delicious too. We sat at a table for about an hour. It was the best coffee we have had in a long time read more

Gail Ambrosius Chocolatier - Front: latte and background: macchiato - Chocolatiers & Shops Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

During the recent Atwood winterfest we popped in for some free samples of their wonderful hot chocolate with marshmallows and truffles. Both were delicious. So we also picked up a small sampler pack of their salted caramel chocolates which we have had before - they are very tasty. It is nice having a high end chocolate shop in the neighborhood. read more

The dark chocolate sea salt caramel was gorgeous. They also offer a variety of fruit and spice combination truffles. The lemongrass was delicious too. - the perfect birthday treat! read more

We really enjoy this chocolatier and think they are the best in town. I've been to almost all of the other competitors and they far exceed most. I wish more chocolatiers had the caring staff like the ones who work here. Have a question? They are here to help. Can't wait to stop on back! Exponentially better than CocoVaa. read more

Delicious eclectic chocolate! My favorites were the Chocolate Expresso and Blueberry! read more

Gail Ambrosius Chocolatier - a box of chocolates - Chocolatiers & Shops Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

We stop to buy these chocolates every time we visit Madison. They are all so yummy. Try one today! You won't regret it!

My friend Corey has been known to gift Gail Ambrosius chocolates, and thanks to him I just enjoyed a delectable vanilla and dark chocolate truffle. Chocolates need to be really incredible for me to want to bust out the Yelp app to rave about them. These most certainly hit the mark. I love that even the two packs come with a legend so you know what to expect. I'm not here for surprise chocolate fillings. In case the above hasn't convinced you, take a look at the shop's website and read Gail's story. That should do the trick! read more

Gail's chocolate is not only delicious, but obviously made with great love and attention. Her new space adds 1550 square feet onto the old store across the street and opens up possibilities for customers and staff alike. Check out the new bar seating where you can enjoy a trifle and cup of Joe (keep an eye out for upcoming Just Coffee release made specially for Gail's shop with notes of chocolate of course), Rishi tea, or her spectacular hot chocolate. Gail's shop isn't just about chocolate, though. It's a active member of the community supporting nonprofits. Check it out! read more

See all

Love the chocolate but had a fraudulent charge to my card after using it at your store. Please secure your system. The chocolate is always fabulous! Love the new location! That's all yelp read more

Chocolate. The mere word evokes lustful sentiments and feelings of intense desire. Chocolate is more than just a form of sugary sustenance; it is an encapsulation of all that is good in the world. Chocolate can no longer be classified as a type of food, but rather a delicious manifestation of human emotion, a symbol of contentment. Lucky for us, a select number of individuals were placed on this earth to spread this embodiment of delectation. One such contributor performs her mouthwatering magic right here in Madison, concocting gourmet chocolates at one of the tastiest shops in town: Gail Ambrosius Chocolatier. Gail Ambrosius, founder of the shop, has been sharing her passion for chocolate with the Madison community since 2004, when she opened Gail Ambrosius Chocolatier. Since then, chocolate has become a way of life for Ambrosius. She learned much about the chocolate craft when she went to France to learn from the esteemed Valhrona and Cluizel chocolatiers. As a result, her chocolates have received wide acclaim. In fact, her shop earned the title of America's "Best Little Box of Chocolates" on the Food Network, wherein Alton Brown's film crew came to the shop for a whole day of filming. Over the years, her shop has become a beloved installment in Madison's Atwood neighborhood, earning praise for its innovative flavor combinations and its commitment to artfully crafted chocolates. Ambrosius has melded outlandish ingredients with fresh chocolate in her acclaimed truffle collection, some of which include: Sweet Curry with Saffron Lemongrass with Ginger Shiitake Mushroom Rose Earl Grey A few of her most popular flavors--Lucille's Vanilla and Caramel Sprinkled with Grey Salt--are similarly transporting, albeit a bit more traditional. Whether it's exotic or conventional chocolates you seek, know that Gail Ambrosius is here to satisfy. read more

See all

So I liked these truffles although there's less variety in general. If you love passion fruit- their chocolate is a must. Also the cayenne truffle is my favorite. read more

Gail Ambrosius Chocolatier - Chocolatiers & Shops Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

When I moved up to the dairyland I was woo'd w/ the cheese (hook's) and the ice cream (chocolate shoppe), but I couldn't find a decent chocolate. The holy dairy trinity was incomplete! Then I found gail's truffles. Gail's last name, by birth, is Ambrosius. Do you believe in fate? I do now. She was made for this job. Running around $2 a pop, I only buy these as gifts. The only chance I get to indulge is when I stop into Gail's shop and am graced with a free "defective" one (or two!) truffles. It's a good thing they aren't more affordable, because I can't afford the inches on my hips. read more

Gail Ambrosius Chocolatier - Chocolatiers & Shops Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

See all

So I've been here numerous times and to think I haven't reviewed before now is crazy. It must be that I start eating these delicious chocolates and forget everything else in the world. These chocolates use goods that are ethically sourced. The flavors are thoughtful and complex. Can I say...Glorious. My last visit was with the Caffeine Crawl. I picked that crawl especially because it took me to this shop. After our tasting, I happily bought a pack to take to my friend's party. I was the hero of the night. Note to friends and family reading this: the Espresso is my favorite. read more

hmmm. Hot chocolate is good. Their regular chocolates(like vanilla) is ok. I wanted to try their unique chocolates like ginger but I really don't like it, even their pistachio flavor was unpleasant. The employees are nice though... I will say go try it yourself if you live close by But don't bother if you are in town for a day. read more

Gail Ambrosius Chocolatier - Chocolatiers & Shops Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

See all

Incredibly delicious truffles. My favorite are anything with pralines and nuts. Salted caramel with Fleur de Sel are insanely good too.

Wait Kai R left a 3 star review and didn't even buy or try their items??? Yelp is getting ridiculous. Another person says it's ok for a treat after montys!! Really?? That place is a greasy spoon at best. That's like saying I'm going to have hotdogs and champagne and my favorite, the chocolates were filled with soft chocolate and not nuts or fruit cream! Umm hello they are truffles. If you want more nut and fruit flavors I believe Russell Stovers at Walgreens has you covered. Also chocolate is not a necessity so if you don't like the price don't buy it. I'm tired of reviews that say "it's overpriced" maybe it is for you, but what you can afford and what others can afford are 2 different things. Also fine chocolate is not supposed to knock you over the head with the flavors. It's like good wine. There are subtle notes and complexity. Try the earl grey truffle it's spot on! My guess is the people complaining would gladly take a Hershey bar over one of these truffles. Like I say you can buy fine things, it doesn't mean you have fine taste." The employees were more than helpful and friendly, I bough six, 6 packs as gifts and everyone raved. This place would make a killing in Scottsdale, AZ or Alamo Heights, TX read more

My dad has bought my mom Gail's chocolates for every birthday, anniversary, Valentine's Day, Mother's Day, etc., for as long as I can remember. Over the years, my mom has graciously allowed me to sample a few here and there (she is an incredibly generous person because I don't think I would be able to share). Clearly my dad has the whole gift-giving thing down because these are the most amazing chocolates I have ever had and if anyone ever buys me a box, they will probably win my heart immediately. This past weekend I visited Gail's new location for the grand opening celebration. (Twice! because I ate the first box I bought within 24 hours...) The new space is beautiful and more spacious than the previous location across the street. What hasn't changed is that the chocolate is still the same utter perfection. This weekend I had Lucille's Vanilla, Raspberry, Blueberry, Rose, and several Salted Caramels. All were simply to die for. read more

I am so glad that Gail soldiers on thru the crisis. My wife's Easter would not be complete without her GA Box of truffles. We live out of state, so thank goodness for Gail by Mail. As always, flavors and quality are sublime. read more

We attended a chocolate tasting last night. It was a lot of fun. Gail walked us through her career and journey. Provided a very educational tour about the chocolate making process and completed the slide show with samples. If you are interested in chocolate this was time well spent! read more

I have the opportunity to travel all over the world for work, and if I have time and opportunity I usually seek out a selection of "the best" local chocolates. Unfortunately, nothing ever compares to Gail Ambrosius, making this a somewhat fruitless pastime. I'll keep trying, but I have not found better chocolates anywhere. read more

Dear Lord, can I get an amen?! If you are looking for a chocolate experience, you have come to the right place. Ambrosia means food of the gods, theobroma (the genus which the cocoa tree belongs) means food of the gods. there's a ton of goodies here fit for the Almighty. First of all, Gail Ambrosius (the human) is a lovely lady. She is very kind and extremely knowledgeable about her craft and product. Secondly, each chocolate has been perfected, and highlights the chocolate's character and/or origin and other ingredients wonderfully. The chocolates are grouped into categories or collections based on the experience you are looking for. This makes picking out chocolates a tiny bit easier. Example: adventurous, classic, tea inspired, etc The chocolates are a little spendy (about $2 per chocolate), but it's about quality not quantity. My favorites: Lemon grass with ginger Machu Picchu Sweet curry with saffron read more

Alton Brown-approved. I could probably just leave the review at that, but I had such a wonderful time at the chocolate tasting I attended I should probably share a little bit more. First off, Gail is a delightful and sweet human. Her passion runs through everything she does, and she's warm, funny, and generally a great hostess. For the tasting, she walks you through a primer on cacao and chocolate production, and then leads you from country to country with samples of several different single-origin chocolates. She teaches you how to best sample, and how to identify different qualities. The chocolate she sources is divine. My favorites were the samples from Colombia and El Salvador. Gail encourages you to take home what you can't eat (and to grab a few more pieces on the way out if you'd like), and I can't lie - I mowed down my leftover tasters today like there was no tomorrow. In addition to the pure samples, Gail offers you two truffles to test yourself at IDing what source was used - the coating is always the Colombian (yesssss), but it was crazy how you could still taste the identifying characteristics even with other flavors. At this particular tasting, we were given a ginger and cognac truffle and the Machu Picchu truffle. Both were delicious. Afterwards, you can purchase more truffles and I couldn't resist. I chose the vanilla and rose varieties to try. I can't wait. read more

Great place with GREAT treats! I've recently discovered Gail Ambrosius, and I'm glad I did. Every piece of chocolate I've tried has been heavenly. Unfortunately, I haven't tried them all yet. The staff people at Gail's shop are friendly and helpful. I haven't met Gail, but I understand that she's a sweet lady. I have relatives who live in Germany, and one got married recently. I was unable to attend their wedding in Germany, so my gift to them was a wedding card with Euros, along with a 24 box of chocolates from Gail Ambrosius. I think Gail's chocolates are gourmet and unique enough to give as a wedding gift to someone who has never visited the United States. Yes, Gail's chocolates are that good! read more

Love local chocolates!!! Gourmet truffles! Get them online, at the co-op/fromagination/grocery stores. One of my favorite gifts made locally in Madison. And they've always been a hit with the recipients! I like the variety of flavors available. Special flavors rotate often, and you can get an idea when you stop by the store! One of my favorite things is their summer ice cream/sorbet, which will be back in a few weeks. Grab a tub of ice cream, and head to olbrich garden for great views to accompany the delicious treats. The ladies at the store are so friendly and welcoming. I really enjoyed interacting with them! Also, they were responsive and alert, and were kind enough to make more of the "everything nut" flavor that sold out just before my turn to pick truffles. They then gave me a call when they had the truffles ready! hurray. how nice of them! I enjoy that the chocolate is not too sweet, but sometimes I wish there was more punch to certain flavors. Some popular flavors are the salted caramel (all time favorite), jasmine, blueberry, cinammon/cayenne (has a spicy kick), hazelnut praline. I also love the chocolate brittles. they go amazingly well with cheese (ask for specific pairings at fromagination! I'm also very happy that Gail Ambrosius and her team are really creative and socially active. The easter hunt egg organized with B-cycle was really fun and customers who found the egg could exchange for a peanut butter egg in store! So delicious!! Finally, look out for the special design packages - mother's day, valentine's day etc. The boxes are made of nice thick cardboard and are great to keep after you finish the delicious chocolates!! read more

Gail Ambrosius' chocolates are fantastic. She has created a wide range of truffle flavors, all of which are blow-your-mind decadent. Less-adventurous (or I suppose, more kindly, 'classic') eaters will love the caramels and the vanilla (More adventurous will as well, but they'll be willing to try more exotic flavors without trepidation...). I think my current favorites are sweet curry with saffron & shiitake, but each truffle is distinct and delicious in its own right. I recently placed a large order of truffles (including custom favor boxes) for my wedding. The staff I worked with the whole time was fantastic, and the end result was transcendent. Transporting 600 truffles across the state in two coolers terrified me, but the truffles made it and were a big hit. A big thanks to Gail, Katharine, & everyone who had to tie those little bows for making our big day that much sweeter. read more

I walk pass Gail Ambrosius everyday going to work, and could always smell the sweet chocolate seeping outside as I walk pass. But never bothered to check it out.. until yesterday. I wanted to get my family a few things from a chocolatier here in Madison, so I asked a coworker where I would find some great Salted Caramels. She said I had to buy them here. In her own words "They are so good, I almost had tears of joy run down my face." So I figured I should really check them out. On my way home, I walked in the busy little store, saw that they had hot chocolate out with their homemade marshmallows, so fantastic. I ended up walking out with a box of Salted Caramels, dark and white chocolate peppermint bark, and a bag of the homemade marshmallows. I'm sure when I go home for the holidays baring these gifts, my family will gladly appreciate them. read more

The service is significantly better than the chocolate shop down the street (I'm not naming names). I had called in a rather large order called in for a Christmas party I was catering and from the phone call to the pick up, everything was easy. I'm sure a large pick up order isn't going to make or break their business, but the nevertheless, they at least acted like they were grateful for the money (unlike their competition - who was snobby and rude). I will be utilizing their services again. read more