One of Montreal’s newest bean-to-bar chocolatiers, Avanaa is crafting bars from various origins, including a few flavoured bars that are worth trying, like coconut and coffee flavours.

A little off the beaten path and definitely a “hidden gem” of sorts, those in-the-know can vouch for Maison Cakao’s chocolate treats. With brownies, cookies, truffles, molded chocolates, and more on the menu, the hardest part is deciding where to begin.

Despite the name, Rhubarbe offers much more than just fruity desserts. Chocolate favourites from Stephanie Labelle’s much-loved Plateau patisserie include macarons and a pot de crème with cacao crumble, as well as a chocolate-caramel fleur de sel cake that’s perfect for a celebration.

Montreal’s bean-to-bar chocolate scene (chocolate make from scratch from raw cacao beans themselves) has exploded within recent years. État de Choc is a fine reflection of this and serves as a one-stop-shop for local bars from producers like Avanaa and Monarque. It also offers its own line of products, including a selection of dainty bonbons.

With three locations on the island, Geneviève Grandbois offers a wide array of unique flavour pairings, but its chocolate and maple stands the test of time. Try it in bar form, sprinkled with crunchy maple flakes, or as a truffle, with a creamy maple filling.

Go for the bread (it’s first and foremost a bakery), and stay for the chocolate confections. Chocolatines, chocolate batards, and brownies are all hits. Guillaume’s chocolate chunk cookies are probably one of the best kept secrets in the city, chewy with just a touch of crunch around the exterior, they definitely don’t skimp on the chocolate.

Duluth is a somewhat of a restaurant street, but its chocolate contributions shouldn’t be neglected either. Les Chocolats de Chloé does everything from homemade chocolate bars, to ice cream, or truffles with unique flavours like tonka bean and peppercorn.

This modern Jewish bakery on St. Laurent may be known for bread, but its sweet treats are also delightful. Chocolate lovers will swoon over decadent chocolate babka, with swirled dough that combines the best in bread and brownies into one decadent sugar rush.

One for old school chocolate lovers. Divine has all the truffles, crèmes, and caramels a sweet tooth could ever desire. It’s also a great spot to find edible gifts for a special occasion.

With locations across Montreal, including stores at both Jean Talon and Atwater markets, Chocolats Privilège make handcrafted truffles, pralines, and caramels, but they also do a line of single origin bars for those who prefer to enjoy their chocolate as-is.

An offshoot of the popular dessert chain — or perhaps its headquarters — the Cacao 70 factory is making a wide assortment of bean-to-bar chocolate, plus an array of goodies that feature said chocolate. Try the award-winning bars and don’t neglect to grab a cookie for the road.

With its fairly non-descript storefront, it’s easy to miss Lecavalier Petrone when walking down Centre Street in Point-Saint-Charles. However, it’s worth taking a peek inside to peruse the assortment of colourful bonbons. Flavours are intriguing and on point, with combinations like sea buckthorn and caramelized white chocolate, or blackberry with Tasmanian pepper.

Westmount’s popular café from pastry pro Bertrand Bazin, together with chef Antonio Park doesn’t just do croissants and chocolatines. They also supply a myriad of composed cakes and tarts to eat in or take home. Chocolate sandwich cookies and refined chocolate cakes are just the beginning.