The Chocolate Soldier

I loooove Cocoa Parlor. The chocolates are INCREDIBLE - rich, creamy, and somehow completely…read moreplant-based. I came in for Valentine's Day to pick up chocolate, and it had become my go-to gift destination since. The packaging is super cute and the chocolate tastes way more expensive than it actually is! The folks working there are super friendly and always help you pick the perfect assortment. Whether it's for birthdays, holidays, or just because, Cocoa Parlor has become my go-to spot for presents that impress everyone.

This amazing local chocolate shop, has everything you could want, and Cocoa…read moreI brought my friend to the shop because number one she loves chocolate and she loves international flavors , they have everything from Chile to pear to fig Peanut butter if that's your thing . I wanted to pick up a fun jar of 70% dark chocolate, hot chocolate for my daughter for the holidays . They have the best. They have milk chocolate, but they're dark chocolate is outstanding . Everything is organic gluten-free made in the house and absolutely delicious.. I love to come in here and buy some of their chocolate bars and give them out as gifts . Stop by, you will not be disappointed if you're a chocolate fan.

Lots!

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HiveXO

4.8(105 reviews)

1.7 mi

dear OC beach bums and popsicle lovers, This business has…read moreAmazing organic popsicles and ice cream sandwiches and clothing and birdbath products and jewerly and much more. I tried these popsicles a while ago, the Thai tea is one of the best as goes the Caramel!

How have I not tried this place (or even knew it was here!???) I live just down the street and came…read moretoday to try the Gluten Free Coconut Ice Cream Sandwhich. Perfect amount of sweet. Lots of dairy free ice cream inside, and just delicious. Super friendly owner. Will absolutely be back!

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The storefront !

Giana Bakery and Provisions

4.6(577 reviews)

0.5 mi

Wonderful service. They are really attentive and super quick to get you everything you need. I was…read morevery impressed the whole time during service. My sever recommended the Cavatelli with sausage. The sausage is crumbled in the sauce, which I love. The simmered cherry tomato's add sweetness. I love the pasta to sauce portion. 10/10 all the way! My friend had the avocado toast and enjoyed it. I've come back for since then for pastries and coffee. The latte is a really good cafe style latte, very simple but well done on the steaming and espresso pull. I love the kouign amann. Super flaky. The cookies and really firm but taste wonderful. Kind of like a thick chocolate chip Cookie Crisp. My only recommendation is that they could offer to heat up the pastry. If they don't offer then it becomes too much to ask. I don't want to make the effort and feel like I'm inconveniencing them.

Fantastic Josh our Server was Outstanding with good service and recommendations…read more Can't be beat Try the Salmon Go today!!!!

Inside

Delicious pastries to choose from

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Feta Scramble

See's Candies

5.0(6 reviews)

2.0 mi

I was there on 6/25, just after they opened, to buy a box of chocolates for a client. Chloe was…read moreamazing. I told her what I was looking for, and after giving me the tasty free sample of the day, she guided me to the boxes that were suited for me. She pointed out the summer seasonals, and I thought that was a great choice-stop non-traditional white chocolate. I also needed a thank-you card with a note. Chloe was so sweet when I asked her to write the note in her better handwriting for me. Now, in the age of auto-suggested tipping, I was surprised that I could not leave a tip. There was no tip box and no tip option on the card reader. I was embarrassed I didn't have any cash-but who does these days? So, I promised to write a glowing review of how special her customer service was with me. Exceptional is a modest description at best. I used to own a cafe and would recruit people like Chloe to work for me when I came across them. It felt like her own shop, which showed a sense of ownership in her interactions with customers. Finally, it started to get busy, but she never rushed me out the door. She asked if I wanted the box wrapped and what paper to use. Chloe is a superstar here, and I hope she continues to shine for all the lucky people in that shopping center who stop for a sweet treat. Viva la Chloe!

This place is tucked away next to a cvs. Parking is horrible in this shopping center. But, if you…read moreare already here it is definitely worth to stop by. Smaller than most Sees stores i have been to but they are friendly and have everything I need. Not crowded, handed out the free sample. I went to the one in Tustin marketplace later and it was a zoo and no sample.

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Shaped pumpkin box

Le Saint Honore

4.7(251 reviews)

0.4 mi

Cute little French bakery with good coffee and good food. The staff is super friendly as well which…read moremade the experience all the more pleasant!

This man drove all the way to Duarte to the City of Hope campus for the weekly farmers market. My…read moremom and I tried five delightful pieces, every one was excellent. The man helping had his hands full with customers but was so helpful and a joy to talk to. This bakery does not miss, highly recommend.

Pistachio croissant

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The Mushroom Quiche Set with greens, French bread, and olive oil. Perfect for sharing!

Moulin

4.2(191 reviews)

1.7 mi

Overpriced mid food to be frank. They have a lovely location and inside they have a cute display of…read moreFrench goodies and pastries, but not worth trying unless you are a sucker for bland French food. I ordered a strawberry jam crepe for $10 and it was alright. The texture of the crepe was there, but hardly any flavor. Service is quick and friendly, but I feel the dishes could be better for what you're paying.

Not impressed. Expensive- two breakfast croissants, and two…read moredeserts for almost $50. The croissants were okay but honestly could've made something like that or better at my house. The deserts were also okay. Nothing was memorable. The staff was okay. Not super friendly or inviting. Overall, the experience was just a little underwhelming.

Front ordering area

La Rose cake for Mother's Day weekend - the peach compote & peach mousse were an absolute delight and tasted like understated perfection !!

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Financier - one of my favorite French pastries with a really fun texture & awesome almond experience !!

Orange County Creamery

4.5(72 reviews)

0.4 mi

Cute ice cream shop in Dana Point!…read more They had 4 vegan/dairy-free options available, 1 coconut milk based, and 3 sorbets. The staff was very friendly and let me take my time deciding what flavor to get. I ended up ordering 1 scoop of the watermelon sorbet, and it was sweet and fresh! Perfect for the end of a beach day. They had both indoor and outdoor dining tables available for customers. Limited parking, but you can walk to it from the beach!

Such a cute shop right on Coast Highway with ample parking in the back…read more All the flavors we tried were delicious! Lavender, cherry chocolate, lemon and watermelon & the 3 scoop cream espresso shake was divine! Would definitely come back here and try the other flavors too!

Cherry swirl and kids chocolate

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Seating area

Rita's Italian Ice & Frozen Custard

Very yummy! Gelati is the perfect way to get the best of both worlds--Italian ice and custard…read more Definitely a great dessert option if you're near one! I was a big fan of the mango Italian ice flavor. It was sweet, refreshing, and had a great mango flavor. Love that there's custard at the bottom too!

I know Rita's is a chain and this was my first time trying this after dinner nearby - it was so…read moregood! It's so hard to find a place that can make Italian ice creamy yet smooth. I tried watermelon and the Mermaid flavor (tastes like cotton candy and something that tastes like the color pink). My husband got the recommended 5 layer with cotton candy and cherry. It was all so good especially with the custard. The custard itself is like a soft serve on steroids. I don't like things that are too sweet but this was all just right. You can get the ice by itself or together with the custard. I would recommend trying the ice flavors you would want then getting it with custard, it really elevates the ice. The person helping us was so friendly! Not a lot of shade or tables to enjoy this but luckily this was during the evening on a cool night. I imagine it wouldn't be easy to enjoy this on a hot day. Otherwise, would come back to this location!

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FKN Bread

4.4(309 reviews)

3.4 mi

•$$$

I'll be honest, I was waiting in line for BBQ across the street and my wife got some Baklava…read moreCroissant with Pistachio from this spot for us. Maybe it was the heat or just wanting to eat something but it was amazing! The texture of the pastry was really unique and the pistachio inside was delicious. I really enjoyed eating it and was impressed by the quality and flavor.

I came here mainly because of the name. It sure sounds like they meant to say something else…read more Specialty here is sourdough bread. Actually, at least 90 of its items are sourdough based, even sweet pastries and cookies. Grabbed a regular sourdough, jalapeno cheddar sourdough, and a sourdough peanut butter dark chocolate cookie with sea salt. Sourdough breads were substantial and solid. The cookie was excellent. I really didn't get any sourdough taste in the cookie. Service was friendly and helpful. It's a tiny spot, mainly meant for just grab & go items. It's located across the street from The Mission.

Baklava Croissant with Pistachio Paste

Jalapeño Cheddar Sourdough Loaf. Spicy and fresh with globs of cheese found throughout the bread.

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Jalapeño & cheddar bread

See's Candies

4.7(18 reviews)

2.2 mi

I love coming here very much because the chocolates are super fresh, sweet, flavorful, and…read moredelicious, the people are super nice, and good atmosphere, too.

I came into the store, kind of in a rush, trying to get a friend birthday gift and Elizabeth was so…read morehelpful! She really went above and beyond. She offered me some ribbon and tape so I could put something thoughtful together for my friend. I really appreciated that and just wanted to give her a nice review.

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Shaped pumpkin box

The Chocolate Soldier - candy - Updated September 2026

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The Chocolate Soldier

4.0

(65 reviews)

We stopped in on a whim and were pleasantly surprised. The chocolates were delicious. They were…read morerich and flavorful without being overly sweet or leaving that sugary feeling that makes your teeth hurt. At around $4 per piece, they're definitely more of a treat than an everyday snack, but the quality matched the price. The woman behind the counter was also very friendly and welcoming, which made the experience even better. I'd definitely come back when I'm in the area and craving really good chocolate.

We visited Laguna Beach today (from Bakersfield) to kick off summer break...my brother is local &…read morehe was adamant that we stop here before heading back home. I'm so glad that we made it!! We had the pleasure of meeting & being helped by the owner, Ms. Dee. The location itself is very cute & clean. The chocolates EVEN BETTER! Thank you so much for your kindness this evening Ms. Dee, we will definitely be back next time we're there!

Luisa Chocolatiere

4.9

(80 reviews)

Review/Complaint - Luisa Chocolatiere, Laguna Hills…read more I had a very disappointing and frustrating experience with Luisa Chocolatiere in Laguna Hills. I placed an order for 30 white chocolate swans--a key part of the wedding favors--eight days prior to a wedding, with a confirmed pickup time of Thursday at 11:30 AM, the day before the event. When I arrived at the shop, the posted hours indicated it should have been open since 11 AM, but the store was closed and no one was there. I called multiple times and was given a series of excuses, including that her assistant had been hospitalized the week before. Eventually, Luisa arrived and continued to change her story, offering apology after apology and excuse after excuse. Only after I showed up in person did she actually begin to check whether the order could be completed. Several hours later, she claimed she could still fulfill the order and said the swans would be ready by 7 PM. Since we couldn't return that evening, we arranged to pick them up the next morning at 11:30 AM. Luisa said that would be no problem. However, the next morning, I began receiving texts saying the molds were damaged and she would not be able to complete the order. She offered only two swans--one for the bride and one for the groom. We ordered thirty. That was the entire point. This was a major letdown just before the wedding, and we were left scrambling. The owner demonstrated extremely poor communication, a complete lack of professionalism, and very questionable business practices. Once she accepted the order, she should have immediately confirmed that she had the capability and materials to fulfill it--not wait until the last minute. At no point was I told there might be a problem. This experience was an enormous disappointment during an important life event. I would never recommend Luisa Chocolatier to anyone. The owner is unreliable, disorganized, and lacks the accountability that any successful small business owner should have. I don't know how this shop is still in business.

Extraordinary Chocolatier in south OC! Luisa and her husband are the owners of this amazing…read morechocolate store, they are very accommodating and kind. Luisa designs & creates custom work with chocolate! She has a wide variety of chocolate gifts available at her store. The chocolate is delicious! Mouth watering! See my photo of her custom work!

Candy Factory

3.5

(6 reviews)

The rudest and most aggressive person I met during my visit to the shops at mission viejo. Very…read morerude lady at the counter when another customer even apologized for opening the lid for samples( which I guess it's ok to touch the outer part of the samples? to taste ?) Which the customer even apologized to her ! she started tapping her hands to the table , then snatched the cash out of the customers hands and she looks too irritated for a shop that kids are around all the time , she got irritated and angry so fast . I would never take a child to this candy place I don't think a kid is safe there .

This is my favorite candy store! Here I am at Mission Viejo mall/shops. This sweet place has so…read moremany items from beverages to the old-fashioned candies that you don't find on the market anymore! Additionally, they have the Labubu dolls. Yep, those monster faced vinyl dolls. Funko pop, they have a great chocolate area as well! This family owned candies store, they are very nice as well, I highly suggest you come over and indulging some sweets!

La Rue du Chocolat

4.2

(148 reviews)

For some, a brief detour or pit stop on the pilgrimage to gelato. For us, it was a spot to get some…read morevery tasty English toffee for a treat that required no standing in line. They have all sorts of chocolate-dipped goodies, chocolate pieces and non-chocolate items in addition to cards and other gifts. In March, the little shop was dressed for Easter with rabbits all over. We received fast, friendly service and fresh, quality candy from the case. While the smell of waffle cones permeates the alley, stay on target for some great candies here!

Bad service, we felt unwelcome the moment we walked in. The woman working on a Tuesday afternoon…read morewas passive aggressive, and didn't want to answer questions or help us. Such bummer we were having such a great day and it totally ruined our day. "People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but they will never forget the way you made them feel." Maya Angelou

Schmid's of San Clemente

4.7

(102 reviews)

Schmid's makes the BEST chocolate! They have a wide variety and unique selection of chocolates. I…read morepersonally love the ones with edible luster dust. I also love the turtles and haystacks too! Everyone who works there is so upbeat and friendly. You know the staff are treated well when they treat YOU well. It makes all the difference. Great product and great people. Highly recommend Schmid's!!

I had a rush gift to get for someone who grew up in SC. I called and stated my needs. By the time I…read moregot there, the owner had already started putting the gift together. We quickly hand picked from these beautiful pieces and I was off in no time! Great personal service and beautiful pictures of San Clemente. Extremely happy with this place!

Candy Baron

3.2

(164 reviews)

We popped into Candy Baron while waiting for our table at the restaurant across the street, and it…read moreended up being a lot of fun. The second you walk in, it feels like candy heaven. They have such a huge selection of sweets, including plenty of nostalgic favorites. My friends and I had a great time looking around and laughing at all the different candy we hadn't seen in years. Even if you don't buy much, it's a fun place to browse. If you have kids, they'll absolutely love it. It's definitely worth stopping in if you're walking around downtown Laguna Beach.

Came into Candy Baron this week to get some taffy hubby has been craving. We were kids at a candy…read morestore! Grabbed a basket and started picking out taffy flavors that sounded appealing. Paid at the register and then through the taffy sections again to make sure we had gotten everything we wanted to try and paid for additional taffies we had missed the first time. I don't know if the cashier is the same one others have mentioned but I can see what is meant and agree she could be friendlier. Taffy candy is quite yummy.

Golden Spoon

3.9

(100 reviews)

Giving them three stars simply because nobody picks up the phone when I try to call ahead to be…read moresure they had Orange 50/50 available. Could've saved me a trip. Found it at the RSM store instead.

Likes: + Decent variety of fruity flavors…read more + Yummy ice cream. + Fast service. + Ample parking. + They offer a big lid to prevent spillage. Other places don't even have lids. . Friendliness of service was ok. . Not much indoor seating. . No unique flavors to stand out from other ice cream shops. Non-likes: - Even with the lid, a little still spilled through. I guess that's the price you pay for getting a cup overfilled with ice cream. - They should label all the toppings. I don't know the name of the one I chose, but I liked it. I had: $4.95 mini (4oz) cup + $1 mini topping = $5.95

Crumbl - Aliso Viejo

3.5

(115 reviews)

Once in a blue moon, when I get a sweet tooth (for a sugar cookie especially), I like to stop by…read moreCrumbl Cookie and treat myself. My consistent fav is definitely their classic pink sugar cookie (btw..a single cookie goes for $4.49 ~ which is average now-a-days, at least their cookie is a huge size). I just love the almond sugar cookie topped with that silky pink almond frosting. It's heavenly. Heads up, their cookies are quite sweet sometimes, hence why I always cut up my cookie into fourths and eat only a quarter at a time & over a day or two. I've also tried their cookie thins ~ in pink sugar & chocolate chip. It comes with 2 for the price of 1 regular-sized cookie, so not bad/fair. It's thin, crispy and chewy all rolled up in one..PERFECT for those who wanna feel less guilty. Lol Because their desserts are made fresh daily, their cookies are always fresh and soft. While I do like their concept of a weekly rotation menu (so there's always something new to try), sometimes the flavors are just too out there for my taste. I will try anything lemon-flavored, though. Yums! Their Aliso Viejo location happens to be near my mom's work ~ located in the Aliso Village shopping mall, b/w Aliso Creek Rd & La Paz Rd. Thus, I like to swing by, if I happen to be in the area, visiting her & needing to satisfy my cravings. The staff at this location is always friendly, and the store is super clean and welcoming. As you walk in, you place your order via an ipad/kiosk, so it's quick & efficient and your order is ready in no-time. I sometimes just order via the Crumbl app as well, for a fast, drive-by pick-up. FYI..all their stores close every Sunday, in case you get a case of the sweet munchies on the weekend. All in all, if you're looking for a delicious dessert, Crumbl is worth checking out!

So many kinds of delicious-looking cookies. Just the place…read morefor people with a craving for sweets. My Cornbread cookie was tasty

Yogurtland

4.2

(169 reviews)

UNDERRATED. We need more yogurtlands around town. It's such a treat to come here because you not…read moreonly get samples but you also get such a variety of toppings to choose from. It has definitely gone up in price over the years but I think it's still worth it since you can't really make this type of frozen yogurt at home. I love the original tart, mango, and the orange sorbet flavor. I would definitely get those flavors 1 million times again. All time favorite is hands down original tart though. ALL the toppings taste so good with the original tart. 10/10 would come back again.

This Yogurtland pops off. I usually go late night and it's always a fun vibe! This location is…read moreclean, has helpful staff, easy parking, and there's usually new flavors when I stop in. Like everything, it is more expensive than you'd expect but that's why it's a treat ;) Usually around $9 when the smaller cup is full. Love froyo!

Maw 'N Paw Kettlekorn

4.7

(175 reviews)