This Valentine’s Day, skip the generic drugstore chocolates or candy and treat your sweetheart (or yourself!) to something truly special from Pittsburgh’s artisan chocolate scene. The sweet makers of the city extend beyond just the pastry chefs you see in restaurants. In fact, many talented chocolatiers are crafting exquisite confections that are as beautiful as they are delicious and ready for you to take home. From decadent truffles and bonbons to interactive BashCakes and personalized boxes, there’s a creation to express your love and affection no matter your partner’s taste. We’ve curated a list of the most delectable Valentine’s Day chocolates, all handmade, to shop in Pittsburgh, guaranteed to satisfy every sweet tooth and make this year extra special by showing your thoughtfulness.
5 Pittsburgh Chocolate Shops for Valentine’s Day Candy
Tabbara
Melt his/her heart with oh-so-delicious, elegant, handcrafted chocolates from Tabbara. Nancy Tabbara, third generation chocolatier, blends high quality ingredients in ways pleasing to the contemporary palate. This year she is offering a Valentine Bar featuring bright red hearts plus made with 64% dark chocolate and caramelized nuts. She also showcases a boxed assortment of 9 chocolate bonbons that features flavors like ancho chili and almond praline, strawberry, raspberry caramel, and hazelnut praline, and a box of 8 assorted chocolate bonbons with 2 chocolate bars. Indulge in the luxurious Hazelnut Dragee, a roasted hazelnut center enrobed with layers of crispy praline, milk, and dark chocolate. Or, keep things simple and classic with a chocolate Heart Lollipop that never disappoints.
Lux Artisan Chocolates
The eye-catching hand painted bonbons created by Shelby Gibson, founder of Lux Artisan Chocolates and a pastry chef by trade, deliver unique and special Valentine’s Day flavor combinations such as Meyer Lemon-Guava, Pomegranate-Hibiscus Tart, Sea Buckthorn Berry Caramel, and Raspberry Marshmallow. Made by hand in small batches, her chocolates incorporate only top quality ingredients. You will taste the time and passion Shelby puts into each piece. Other than various boxes of her bonbons, Shelby is also baking up Heart-Shaped Chocolate Bark and Peanut Butter Sea Salt Hearts.
Mon Aimee Chocolat
Owned and operated by Amy Rosenfield, Mon Aimee Chocolat is home to one of the largest collections of premium fine chocolate in the United States. The shop, located in the heart of Pittsburgh’s historic Strip district, showcases some of the best local handcrafted chocolatiers, as well as chocolates from over 60 countries around the globe. Travel a world of flavors with your partner and embark upon a journey of chocolate indulgence with the vast selection of decadence. Plus, if you’re looking for Valentine’s Day specific chocolates, they carry an assortment of milk and dark chocolate foil hearts.
Sarris Candies
Even if your loved one lives all the way across the country, you can ship them a sampling of Sarris Candies fine selection. Customize your valentine a heart-shaped box of chocolates with all their favorite flavors to show you care. If your partner is a fan of fruity chocolates you can purchase Cordial Strawberries featuring a gooey center. The Valentine’s Day BashCake is a great option for kids too. It’s a large hollow chocolate cupcake with chocolate covered pretzels inside that your little one can bash open with a small wooden hammer. If any of these options don’t line up with your tastes, there’s plenty more to explore in store from chocolate covered oreos to shaped chocolates too.
Pollak’s Candies
Gourmet is the mission of Pollak’s Candies near Etna. The shop is run by Dick Pollak, a third generation chocolatier, following after his grandfather and dad. With a strong background in tradition and family recipes, each piece is carefully handmade. Each item in Pollak’s Valentine’s Day selection features precise decorations and comes in a beautiful box. You can pick up one of their boxes of chocolates in either a heart shape or a rectangular box. They also have a Galentine’s Truffle Assortment for those celebrating with friends. The choices continue with Cordial Strawberries, Cordial Cherries, Salted Caramels, Peanut Butter Meltaways, and Coconut Clusters.
Story by Kylie Thomas and Star Laliberte
Photography by Dave Bryce
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