A small-town gem I stumbled upon while in Maplewood! They have a great variety of chocolates for every taste, creamy milk chocolates, rich dark chocolates, and fruity flavors as well. The store is packed with goodies, making it impossible to leave empty-handed. You truly can't pass this place without finding the perfect gift for someone in your life. The staff was very friendly and took the time to explain everything they offer, which made the experience even better. Parking is not available directly at the store, but there's a large strip mall across the street with plenty of parking spaces, so it's still very convenient to visit. read more

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Kakao is a great local chocolate shop! They have many award-winning offerings. They also have lots of specific STL decorated items and Missouri ingredients. I've done a tasting class here before which was super fun. Great place to grab tasty chocolate for yourself or for a gift. read more

Kakao Chocolate - Chocolatiers & Shops Near Me - Maplewood, Missouri

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Best chocolate I have ever had! Worth the price tag. I got chocolates for bday gifts for my mom, sister & friends last week & they are STILL talking about how delicious & fresh the chocolate is. Of course I had to get a few treats for myself! No additives or crazy ingredients. Nothing like it & they have some of the best candy combos like chocolate bark featuring Missouri pecans. I didn't know there were pecans in Missouri. It was phenomenal read more

Very cute local chocolate shop with a great selection of chocolates and hot chocolate mixes that make for a perfect holiday gift! They have quite a few options to mix and match, and even the boxes come in fun shapes! My husband really liked the white chocolate truffles I got him for Christmas. read more

This is the best local chocolate chain! The storefront is small but well stocked, offering everything from chocolate bars to tea and hot chocolate. It's mainly a to-go spot with limited seating. The staff are always warm and often offer samples to try. I never leave without some of their caramels, and their large vanilla marshmallows are perfect for hot chocolate. read more

Beware they are hiding the true cost of what you buy by adding a "Shifting Economy Service Charge" of 11%. When I called after looking at my receipt at home they explained it and said there were signs but I didn't see them. Not sure why they just don't raise their prices. I understand tariffs are affecting business but this seems a bit sneaky. read more

Our recommendations: Chai, Lavender, and Bourbon chocolate squares. This place is such a gem! My fiancé brought me here on a little date day to explore the shop and grab some chocolate. The shop itself is cute and well laid out so you can see all of the chocolate and read their labels well. I did not get a photo of it, but they do a great job of posting what allergies are found in certain types of chocolate and then you can ask them more specific questions about certain items. As soon as we entered we were offered a full size sampling of their Sea Salt Caramel chocolate square. When my fiancé declined his because he dislikes caramel they immediately offered him a different chocolate instead. Both of these samples were delicious and certainly influenced us to buy some of their chocolate squares. My fiancé ordered two, the chai and bourbon flavors, and I ordered two, the lavender and blackberry flavors. All four of these cost us $8.75. We loved the first three mentioned and the last would have been tasty if the chocolate had been a bit thicker. The blackberry was the only chocolate square to feature jelly inside and it just overpowered the chocolate around it. They also advertise cooking classes at some of the most affordable prices I've seen in the city. We're thinking of returning for one! read more

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I love visiting Kakao but especially during the holidays. Their staff is very kind & engaging--offering you sweet treats to try as soon as you enter! And try them you MUST. They have such smooth, delicious flavors and a variety of products. I love the cozy entrance and way they have their store organized. You just feel welcome but not crowded. Their store has very competitive prices--I got an entire bag filled to the brim with chocolate (chocolate sticks, bars & bark) for under $80. Great deal for the holidays! When you visit, be sure to grab a piece of caramel from the checkout desk; they have the best flavors! read more

Kakao Chocolate - Bag of goodies filled to the brim! - Chocolatiers & Shops Near Me - Maplewood, Missouri

This fun shop is one of my favorite places for seasonal chocolates. You won't find better locally made Easter bunnies in the StL region. Always helpful staff and beautiful displays of all the delicious treats. The space is cute. Parking is mainly street and can be a bit tricky in this area so give yourself a little extra time to walk around this fun shopping area. read more

For years, I would walk by this store and I always wanted to go inside, but it always happened to be after they were closed for the night. Fast forward to the Best of MO Market at the MO Botanical Gardens this year and I saw their chocolate booth and thought "now is finally the time to try it!" Wow! Am I glad I did. The sea salt milk chocolate caramels simply melt in your mouth. I could eat them everyday and I think about them frequently. After this delightfully tasty experience, I had to make a visit to the brick and mortar. Let me tell you, this place is awesome! They have so many creative items and almost anything you can think of! Additionally, the employees were super helpful and nice! They seemed genuinely happy to be at work and were very knowledgeable. If you are looking to treat yourself or buy a friend a nice treat, definitely head over here ASAP! You will be dreaming about their chocolate, just like I do! read more

Kakao Chocolate - a chocolate christmas tree - Chocolatiers & Shops Near Me - Maplewood, Missouri

I love Kakao chocolate. Honestly, no visit to Mplewood is complete without visiting this shop and filling up a basket! I recently went for a visit to pick up some of the lemon poppyseed white chocolate that I had seen on their social media and ended up buying a few of those pieces and so much more! I love their marshmallow pies and I can't ever say no to their lavender truffles. Honestly, they just have so many tasty treats! It's easy to come here to pick up some gifts for friends which I do often. They offer really cool small chocolates that have the STL arch on them which is a cool way to show off the city. No that it is Halloween time, they have so many fun shapes and items to purchase to make your Halloween even more spooky! I recommend visiting this month to get some fun treats! read more

The only chocolate my wife wants from me anymore. It spoils you. It's just so much better than the corporate product. Plenty of parking and the customer service is great. We are often given a sample and the aroma in the store is captivating. Enjoy read more

Amazing chocolate shop! A must stop if you're in the Saint Louis area. We love artisanal chocolate and we were greeted by friendly staff the moment we entered. They were actually making some chocolates which is always exciting to see. Right away we sampled the dark chocolate salted and boy the combo just made sparks in my mouth. My kids even liked it and of course, we immediately headed to the table where all the dark chocolate treats were being displayed. There is just so many chocolates to choose from. We were there an hour just deciding. There is even a tall shelf of foreign chocolates. Oddly enough we settled on several bark pieces to bring home from our journey and bunny ears! Yes ears that were broken off easter bunnies that didn't make it!!! It's nice to know there is a special chocolatier to visit when we're passing through town. read more

Kakao Chocolate - Love this!!! - Chocolatiers & Shops Near Me - Maplewood, Missouri

I love living so close to a good chocolate shop. They have so many options, everyone will find something they like. I have a weakness for dark chocolate, but don't have a big sweet tooth in general. Yet somehow, two of my Kakao favorites are their Marshmallow pie and the Pate de Fruits, some of the sweetest things they sell. I'm sure its because they use top quality ingredients. They also do tasting events were you learn about the chocolate making process and the stories behind some of their staple treats (while getting to tastes those treats of course). It's always a good time. read more

I'm one of those people who don't like chocolate, but this place might have just converted me into a lover! Took a chocolate making class not too long ago and had so much fun meeting the business owner, learning how chocolate is made, and getting our hands dirty by making some incredible chocolate ourselves! If you've never taken a chocolate making class before, I highly recommend that you try one out at Kakao! If you're looking for some gift ideas, they have a huge assortment of unique gifts for your loved ones. Doesn't hurt the bank as everything is pretty reasonably priced. Go check them out! :] read more

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Ah Kakao, your name is difficult to pronounce, but your tasty treats are so easy to eat. While Kakao doesn't make any chocolate, they use chocolate to make a plethora of delicious truffles and assorted chocolate goods. My favorite are the classic sea salt and caramel truffles. I also have a weakness for their pate de fruit which are squares of fruit and sugar mixtures. They are delicious. The prices are high, by the quality of the items makes up for it. I also need to mention the chocolate tasting events that are held in the Maplewood location. I have been to three, and I would go again. They lead you through a history of chocolate making and you get to sample ten or so treats. It is always fun and something that is a good surprise for events such as a birthday or bridal shower. read more

As reviewed by my 9 year old daughter: The first thing I saw was a table filled with special halloween chocolates and I immediately grabbed one. In the back there were truffles on display and I chose the raspberry goat cheese one. it didn't taste good or really have a taste considering the high price. I got a plain dark chocolate square also and it was more creamy than dark chocolate usually is and I loved it. It didn't take that long to find everything I wanted since it wasn't crowded at all. I would love to go again very soon! read more

Kakao Chocolate - a hand holding two chocolates - Chocolatiers & Shops Near Me - Maplewood, Missouri

A St. Louis staple. I finally made my way back to the shop, and it is so cute! You can see the whole chocolate creation process from the counter, which I love. We were greeted warmly and given a full sample of milk chocolate salted caramels. They were so amazingly delectable that I had to buy a half dozen! There is something for every chocolate taste (white, milk, dark, etc.) and there are tons of different products, as well as teas from traveling tea and ice cream from ices plain and fancy. This place is divine and a definite gem in Maplewood. Officially my new favorite place for caramels. read more

Kakao Chocolate - Chocolatiers & Shops Near Me - Maplewood, Missouri

Beautifully hand crafted, delectable treats! I follow Kakao on Instagram and their mouth watering pics make me crave chocolate - and I'm not even a huge chocolate person. Upon arrival, I was immediately offered a taste of Cowboy Candy; aka Chipotle Pecan Brittle. Sold! I enjoyed the slight, slow hitting heat that didn't linger. It was the perfect amount for this gal. I don't generally do spicy sauces or foods too well; mild salsa is perfect for me. I went in intent on splurging and I succeeded. :) I got the aforementioned Cowboy Candy, a white chocolate square, a Lavender Truffle (delish), a few Sea Salt Caramels (white and dark), Vanilla Bean Caramels, Vanilla Bean Marshmallows, Peanut Butter Bark (with milk chocolate), a Dark Chocolate Spoon, and some Dark Chocolate with Toasted Missouri Pecans. If you're looking for an indulgent treat or a lovely chocolate gift, along with superior customer service, this is the place to go. read more

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Small local business that offers a variety of chocolate delicacies. Milk, Dark and White chocolate are just a few of the offerings. Needed the chocolate for a gift. The young lady was extremely helpful in making selections. She placed the choices in a decorative box which she arranged, and sealed in plasyic and placed a bow. For under $25 I got a special gift for my chocaholic friend. read more

I wish I had done this review before the pandemic instead of during it. I was cleaning out my pantry and noticed I had not used my Clean Plate Pantry (division of Kakao Chocolate) Thai Red Curry Sauce. I purchased it right before quarantine at the mini farmers market at BJC (along with my daughters favorite Hot Chocolate). I really cannot get enough of this sauce, a little bit goes a long way and I have added it to my dinner dish 3 nights in a row. I also appreciate that I can read the list of ingredients! I plan to order or do curbside pick up for more! Try them if you have not already. #stlmetrofoodie read more

The Short Version: "Yum, Yum, Super Yum!" The More Detailed Version: My wife travels to St. Louis a few times a year. When she does, she brings us back Kakao Chocolate. I already knew it was 'super yum.' But, during her last trip, I tagged along. We headed over to Maplewood for a Saturday stroll and happened into Kakao. The smell... I can still smell the wonderful smells! I was able to try a few things - like the raspberry filled chocolate and the goat cheese infused chocolate truffle. Wow! It is a quaint shop with so many chocolate things to choose from. I came home with the espresso covered dark chocolate. It was good when I bought it. Wait a minute ... yes, trying a piece now and ... hmmm ... it is still good! read more

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I first experienced Kakao Chocolates while in Clayton at a business conference. I like visiting and buying chocolates from a chocolatier who takes pride in their product. I was hooked! I've continued to order these delicious chocolates online. My personal favorites are the dark chocolate Mexican Bark, the dark chocolate bark with sea salt, and the dark chocolate bark with mixed nuts. My husband prefers milk chocolate and is glad to get any Kakao milk chocolate barks that I add to my order. Items always arrive fresh. Customer service is top notch. Highly recommend Kakao chocolates whether you're ordering online or buying in person. read more

Chocolate. They know how to focus. Chocolate, dark or milk. Add some sea salt or marshmallow, maybe some nuts. That's pretty much it. But made fresh, and high quality. Come get it here. 'Nuff said. read more

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This is a nice store in Maplewood with gourmet chocolate and delicious hot chocolate! (Try the Mexican hot chocolate if you like a little kick.) Prices are comparable to other gourmet chocolate prices, and the products are excellent. I enjoy all of the barks that I have tried, picked up some hot chocolate mix for a Christmas present, and love the variety of this little shop. Give them a try. read more

If you have never been to a place dedicated to chocolate, you're in for a treat! (Pun intended). Kakao is a store right at the end of the strip on Manchester in Maplewood. I great, touristy place with a bunch of local shops and boutiques with historic charm. If you're tired of the same old way of consuming cocoa bean derivatives, this is the place for you. They've got chocolate bars, toffee, bark, chocolate covered...lots of things, chocolate powder, and their main event: The DELICIOUS truffles on display at the counter. There's a wide variety of flavors and despite all having a similar base ingredient, the flavors are loud, proud, and distinct. We also used Kakao to host an event at my workplace earlier this year and those involved CONTINUE to rave about how much it was enjoyed. On a separate occasion, my wife stated, "I now get why getting chocolates for Valentines Day is so special." The only major downside for me is the price. You can get out of there cheaply, but it will be a one bite and done experience for you unless your ready to see the bill rise fairly quickly. The question is: Is it worth it? I say yes. read more

My Christmas goodies bag are once again going to have treats from Kakao. This year each bag is going to have a box of 5 Sea Salt Caramels, containing 3 milk and 2 dark chocolates. These caramels are truly orgasmic. Some of the bags will also have chocolate scented pencils, Kakao Chap stick, Cocoa Grilling Rub and a chocolate Santa. They have "Happy Holidays" box available but I choose the traditional brown box. The friendly staff also offered me holiday ribbon, but again I choose the traditional Kakao orange ribbon. One of the ladies asked me if I was sure, I guess she thought being a guy a needed help with my wrapping. I quickly explained to her that orange is my signature color and everyone would know it was from me having an orange ribbon. Her coworker giggled and said, you must be comfortable here with all our orange. If you need stocking stuffers you should be shopping here. They've got it all in a chocolate theme. Just to give you some ideas of other items I bought; body scrub, hot coco mix, truffles and that previously mentioned chap stick that rivals our Yelp Stick. read more

I've been to Kakao about five times in the past month for various reasons and every time I am blown away by their amazing customer service. The employees are so friendly, and genuinely excited about their products... just walk in and start looking around, and before you know it, someone will be there explaining everything in sight. So many things here make great gifts, but above all I have to recommend the sea salt caramels -- try to eat just one, I dare you... Other standouts are the Mexican hot chocolate (comes with a mug that has a built in spoon!) and they also have a cocoa grill rub I have in the pantry waiting to try. All of the varieties of chocolate bark are so good (and really affordable if you need a small gift.) They make one with cracked white pepper that's hard to put down... I also got the last of the autumn bark that has different types of Missouri-grown nuts on it. I swear I'm really ten years old, I can't type the word nuts without laughing. But yes, this bark is especially good. Grab some hot chocolate when you're checking out at the register... I'm starting to think Maplewood just stole all the best places! read more

A group of us ladies went to Kakao Chocolate for an evening of chocolate tasting and oh what a treat it was (literally!) We were able to taste a variety of delicious chocolates while the owner, Bryan, gave us a very interesting and educational history on chocolate. My favorite chocolates were the salted chocolate caramels, they are amazing. They hand dip everything in store and have lots of different options to choose from...dark chocolate, milk chocolate, white chocolate, truffles, bark, marshmallow, fruit, caramel, peanut butter, the list goes on. It's high quality chocolate so it doesn't come cheap but you get what you pay for! read more

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I've found my mothership. Chocolate! This is one of my favorite stops in Maplewood. I love that there is always a sample to taste and that they have treats for the various holidays. Need an Easter bunny for that Easter basket? Got it. Want a chocolate Santa? Yep, got it. Need some gourmet tea for Mothers Day? Yeah, they've got that too. The chocolate is delicious, and you can see them making it behind the counter...so cool! The staff are helpful and very friendly. They certainly are part of the 5 Star experience. So stop in and get that gift for your friend or loved one. They've got something for that too. I'm sure. Buy anything with sea salt...or carmel...my birthday is in August. read more

Forever. Ruined. I will forever be ruined for any other chocolate. This little bite of sin is their second shop and now located in Maplewood. I was lucky enough to attend a fancy private chocolate tasting event presented by the owner himself. Here's the real kicker - it's really not that bad for you AND it makes your brain feel like it's in love. Nothing on the planet has more antioxidants. What's better than that?! Rules for tasting chocolate (from the owner): These little nuggets should be taken in two bites. Take one bite, then put it down. Then, finish it and savor it. So, as a now chocolate professional armed with the rules, I got to work. They don't use any artificial flavors or sweeteners and try to source most of their add-ins locally. For example, the Chai Tea Truffle uses chai tea from a coffee/tea shop right around the corner, as is the balsamic vinegar whipped in to the Raspberry Balsamic Truffle - you heard me, there's vinegar in it - and oh did they hit the nail on the head with it. You find a lot of unique chocolates here because they really support their employees to think outside the box and be creative. That being said, hurry and buy the lot of what you like, you may not find it again. My favorites: The Dark Chocolate Truffle (Uses two ingredients - Just butter and chocolate). Then there was the Bacon Brittle. I knew this one would be dangerous as I watched it come to be from across the room. It tastes like Sunday morning. It's not too sweet, very bacon-y, and very second-helping worthy (and maybe there was a third in there). My final fav was a mix between the Peanut Butter Truffle (locally sourced Missouri nut-butter), and the Sea Salt Caramel. Oma goodness, I may have shed a tear for these... Very awesome family-owned shop that provides life-changing/saving creations. Can't wait to go back! read more

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I think I just found heaven :) This chocolate shop is just so great! I stopped by on a busy day after working to grab a couple of pieces. The interior is so quaint and the staff is extremely sweet! One of the ladies was super helpful is suggesting different types of chocolate I would like and even offered me a sample of a couple. They do have some interesting combinations so if you're looking for something unusual for the chocolate lover in your life... *HINT HINT**** I tries a dark chocolate with ginger bark and another one with lavender/citrus in milk chocolate. While I loved both, the lavender one is my new favorite. It was so well balanced and something extremely unique! Just a little sweet, a little tart, and a little fragrant. I cannot wait to come back to sample some new chocolate! read more

The dark chocolate is very sweet. The first thing you taste is sugar, this misses the point of what makes a good dark chocolate: complexity and balance between the bitter taste of the bean and a modest amount of sugar, just enough to balance the bitter. If you like 3 or 4 sugars in black coffee, you'll probably like Kakao's dark chocolate. For the price, Askinosie is way better and so is Lindt 85% dark and Alter Eco's dark. For about 1/3 the price. read more

This place is bomb.com. I mean, come on! It's delicious chocolate, free samples, and the smell that hits you when you open those doors... forget fabreeze. There are so many different ways that you can choose to consume the amazing chocolate (or not consume it- they have cocoa body products too)! They have barks, truffles, toffee, marshmallows, caramels and more. And you can watch them make the goodies in the store, which is super interesting and fun. The only con is that it is a little expensive for it to be a regular treat for my family. However, its not unreasonable for the quality and deliciousness so it will definitely have to be a special treat place for us. read more

Everything that is sold here is delicious! Absolutely delicious! The problem is that the hours on their web site and the hours on Yelp and the hours on their door are all different! I've gone here twice and they've been closed. I went today and they were out of EVERYTHING! Almost every single basket was empty-no cowboy candy, no dark chocolate caramels, no milk chocolate caramels. The product is great but don't count on them. read more

This is what you get when you honor a woman as a Mrs. or feel special... (which should be everyday not just one day)...... Kakao is that great!! You can tell the owner, Brian, loves and knows his business. The passion transcends to the candy and in dialogue. Chai truffle 4/5 Milk chocolate: Sea Salt Caramels 4.5/5 Dark chocolate Sea Salt Caramels 5/5 which is surprising because I love milk and usually hate dark chocolate lol If you're in Maplewood.... make your way to Kakao!! read more

I had gotten to try Kakao Chocolate when I photographed some of it for a contract job, but I had never been to the actual store to try anything other than their chocolate bark. I'm so glad I finally found time to stop in! The staff at Kakao are all so friendly, and offered up a nice sized sample of their Samoa Marshmallow. It was so soft, smooth, flavorful and delicious that I ended up buying one to take along with me for a work trip. They also create some pretty fantastic truffles. My favorite one I tried was their lavender truffle. It's a bite-sized truffle with a dried lavender leaf garnish on top and a velvety Chocolate and lavender filling. SO. GOOD. If you need a small gift or pick-me-up for a friend or family Kakao has plenty of options (plus packaging and cards available for purchase). Thanks so much, Kakao! I'll be back again soon! read more

I used to live about 10 minutes from Kakao so I've been many times but haven't made it there very much in the last year since I've moved West. Who wouldn't love it? I got three small bags of the chocolate barks to put in some gift baskets I'm working on. Since I was there it would have been absolutely crazy to not get a little treat for myself. I got a mint hot chocolate with a big square handmade marshmallow in it. It was so yum. I asked the girl making my hot chocolate how long it takes after walking into the store for her to not notice the amazing chocolate smell anymore. She said she doesn't even notice it when she walks in anymore. Isn't that unfortunate? Kakao could make a lot of money if they bottled the amazing smell! My favorite thing though is the dark chocolate sea salt caramels. This place is too good! read more

Kakao Chocolate - Chocolate Bark - Chocolatiers & Shops Near Me - Maplewood, Missouri

Only got one lavender truffle here, I think $1.35. It was wonderfully rich, smooth, creamy chocolate with the perfect hint of lavender, I just wish they were bigger or cost a tad less. But I guess it's the price for quality chocolate! It was definitely worth. For anyone interested they were also selling their used chocolate molds for only 50 cents! read more

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I was a happy fat kid in a chocolate shop. No metaphor there. Chocolate: -Kakao's chocolate wasn't the best I've had. But still, it's hard to fuck up chocolate and I'm easily pleased as long as it doesn't blatantly taste like a mixture of chemical waste like a McDonald's chocolate milkshake I had. I'd say that their chocolate is decent, but the nougat was pretty amazing. -Kind of pricey but again it's all local/handcrafted in the shop and not made by starving kids in a Cha-Lee's Chocolate Factory in China. Setting: -Clean, quiet, felt like a smaller Bed Bath & Beyond. -Chocolate manufacturing happens right behind the counter in a large open space, pretty cool to see. Service: -The lady there was nice and helpful. -Some free samples on the counter. I was a happy fat kid in a chocolate shop binging on free samples. read more