Eat your heart out, Willy Wonka. Seattle has long been a chocolate town, with a wide array of local purveyors that deliver bars, truffles, and other treats regularly landing on national critics’ lists of the best in America. 🍫

There are plenty of reasons for such a delectable abundance, including a tight-knit group of artisanal creators, and the popularity of the Northwest Chocolate Festival, which will be virtual this year starting Nov. 6.

Indi Chocolate is an indie Pike Place favorite. | Photo via Indi Chocolate.

In honor of National Chocolate Day — and with Halloween candy season already upon us — here are a few local shops to check out that will really up your trick-or-treating game. 🍬

Fran’s Chocolates: This longtime favorite with four locations in the area may be most known for its salted caramel confections, which once got a presidential seal of approval.
Hedonisme: Pastry chef Jessica Wang — who has worked at some of the world’s top fine-dining restaurants — makes bon bons so beautiful it’s almost a shame to eat them. We said almost.
Indi Chocolate: Tucked away in Pike Place Market, this independent spot sells incredibly rich truffles, single-origin bars, and even chocolate body lotion (not for consumption).
Intrigue Chocolate Co.: Unique flavor combinations are the name of the game at this Pioneer Square shop, with bar offerings such as juniper berry with black lime and guajillo chili mixed with hibiscus and cassia cinnamon.
Seattle Chocolate Company: The decades-old operation — which runs the successful Jcoco brand — emphasizes sustainability, and owner Jean Thompson even did a TEDtalk about valuing chocolate worldwide. 🍪
Theo Chocolates: Perhaps one of the most recognizable names in the Seattle dessert biz, Theo’s coveted creations can be found at many retail locations, but its factory recently got some attention for its robust virtual tasting.