21 Places in Missouri That Every Chocolate Lover Should Visit

Sweet Things Sweet Shop
242 Market St.
Ste. Genevieve, MO 63670
(573) 883 - 7990
Directions here.

Start with a trip to this adorable shop in Ste. Genevieve. Small but cheery, Sweet Things Sweet Shop is located in a historical building in Ste. Genevieve and is currently owned by the mother-daughter duo of Joy and Nicole French. The dipped Oreo cookies, pretzel rods and smaller orders of chocolate-covered strawberries are made on-site. Because of the small size of the shop, the rest of the candy comes from wholesale candy makers around the country. Loyal customers return again and again -- and you'll see why after indulging in the nostalgic treats. Photo of Nichole French courtesy of Deborah Reinhardt.

Candy House Gourmet
3857 S. Campbell
Springfield, MO 65807
(417) 883 - 3900
Directions here.
There are locations in Joplin, Missouri, as well.

Proceed to Springfield and visit Candy House Gourmet. Reinhardt says that if you don't leave this shop with a grin on your face, it's time to seek therapy. You'll always find a tray of free chocolate samples when you walk in. The Candy House Gourmet factory in Joplin makes the chocolate, and the company offers more than 75 varieties of truffles, barks and other candies. The shop is also lined with lollipops, beautiful box sets of chocolate, bags of the popular English toffee, jars of chocolate almonds and malt balls, truffles....seriously, what's not to love? Photo courtesy of Deborah Reinhardt.

Elle's Patisserie
1454 E. Cherry St.
Springfield, MO 65802
(417) 832 - 2171
Directions here.

This purple shop is just too adorable to pass up during your time in Springfield. Owner Elle Feldman creates treats inspired by her travels, and you'll definitely notice the European influence. Handmade truffles, Rocky Road Bars and macarons are a few of the indulgences you can enjoy while pretending you're in Paris. Photo of Elle Feldman courtesy of Elle's Patisserie.

Askinosie Chocolate
514 E. Commercial
Springfield, MO 65803
(417) 862 - 9900
Directions here.

Askinosie Chocolate is said to be the only chocolatier to practice direct trade on four continents. The company has funded a deep-water well and begun a sustainable lunch program at a secondary school in Tanzania. The company and its owner, Shawn Askinosie, have received recognition in The New York Times and O, The Oprah Magazine. Needless to say, the company is a big deal. As Askinosie explains, "We're dedicated not just to making the best quality chocolate you can buy, but to making it in such a way that the more you learn about it, the better you feel about it." Sounds good to us. Photo courtesy of Askinosie Chocolate.

Grandma's Candy Kitchen
1470 Bagnell Dam Blvd.
Lake Ozark, MO 65049
(573) 365 - 2624
Directions here.

If you're looking for some grandmotherly TLC when you reach Lake Ozark, Grandma's Candy Kitchen can at least take care of spoiling you with treats like grandma would. The store, which has been a part of the Bagnell Dam Strip at the lake since the 1960s, sells treats such as saltwater taffy, fresh fudge, peanut clusters, turtles and sea salt caramels. Summer is busy season, and at that time the crew can make up to almost 200 pounds of fudge per day. Photo courtesy of Deborah Reinhardt.

The Candy Factory
701 Cherry St.
Columbia, MO 65201
(573) 443 - 8222
Directions here.

Move on to Columbia, Missouri, where you'll find The Candy Factory. This factory has been producing fantastic candy since its start in 1974 -- and the chocolate confections have been named among the best in the region. Chocolate-covered strawberries and sea salt caramels are in high demand. And don't forget to try the chocolate pizza, which is made of milk chocolate, marshmallow, cherries and nuts. Try a confection at the Candy Factory, and you'll see that the quality and seasonal ingredients make a difference. Photo courtesy of The Candy Factory.

Patric Chocolate
6601 Stephens Station Road
Columbia, MO 65202
(573) 814 - 7520 (voicemail only)
Directions here.

One of only three "bean-to-bar" chocolate makers in Missouri, Patric Chocolate was founded by Alan "Patric" McClure, who sees chocolate as a "healthy food." Using "single-estate" cacao and pure cane sugar, McClure releases a bar each month -- and when it's gone, it's gone. While he doesn't have retail space, you can find his chocolate online and at stores such as HyVee, Hoss's Market and World Harvest Foods in Columbia, as well as Les Bourgeois Winery in Rocheport, Missouri. If you dare, try the Holy Mole!, a permanent fixture in the chocolate bar line. It includes cinnamon, chiles, smoked Spanish paprika and vanilla sea salt. Photo courtesy of Roger Meissen/MU Cooperative Media Group.

Andre's Confiserie Suisse
5018 Main St.
Kansas City, MO 64112
(816) 561 - 3440
Directions here.
There are locations in Overland Park, Kansas, and Denver as well.

Why make the drive all the way to Kansas City? We'll tell you: Champagne bottles made of chocolate. These babies are filled with addictive chocolate-covered almonds dusted in confectioner's sugar or cocoa powder -- they're the shop's best-selling chocolates. If you'd rather skip the bottle and go straight for the almonds, you can buy them in bags and boxes as well. Also try Andre's beautiful (and delicious) truffles, made with locally sourced ingredients and various fillings. Andre's sometimes partners with other companies to make the fillings as well (A whisky-filled cordial? What?!). Photo courtesy of Andre's.

Christopher Elbow Artisanal Chocolates
1819 McGee St.
Kansas City, MO 64108
(816) 842 - 1300
Directions here.

When you come to Christopher Elbow Artisanal Chocolates, you're in for a unique treat. You'll have more than 20 flavors to choose from, such as caramel infused with fresh rosemary enrobed in a dark chocolate shell, or caramel blended with strawberries and aged balsamic vinegar. As owner Christopher Elbow told the author, "Every day, every batch we make, we pay attention to all the detail so they come out perfect." It's no wonder this chocolate has become recognized as some of the best in the United States. Photo courtesy of Deborah Reinhardt.

Boulevard Brewing Company
2501 Southwest Blvd.
Kansas City, MO 64108
(816) 474 - 7095
Directions here.

Take Elbow's genius. Add Boulevard Brewing Company's Brewmaster Steven Pauwels and his expertise. What do you get? Chocolate ale, that's what -- and you have to try it. You should also indulge in Aztec Chocolate Imperial Stout because, why not? Photo of Brewmaster Steven Pauwels courtesy of Boulevard Brewing Company.

Chip's Chocolate Factory
2450 Grand Blvd.
Kansas City, MO 64108
(816) 421 - 0012
Directions here.

If you've ever dreamed of touring Willy Wonka's chocolate factory, Chip's Chocolate Factory is for you. We're talking candy apples that are bigger than your fist, marshmallow and rice-cereal treats dipped in chocolate and sprinkles, fudge-making demonstrations -- it's all here. Photo courtesy of Deborah Reinhardt.

Panache Chocolatier
418 Nichols Road
Kansas City, MO 64112
(816) 931 - 3191
Directions here.

This isn't just any store -- it's a chocolate boutique. After new owners gave the shop a makeover, the author says that the new store looks as though it could be Greta Garbo's boudoir. The chocolates are just as beautiful, and new flavors are available all the time (Reinhardt says lemon poppyseed and mango margarita truffles were available during her visit). It's the perfect spot to enjoy some wine, chocolate and pastries. Photo courtesy of Panache Chocolatier.

Southmoreland on the Plaza
116 E. 46th St.
Kansas City, MO 64112
(816) 531 - 7979
Directions here.

Skip the chain hotels with continental breakfast during your stay in Kansas City. At Southmoreland on the Plaza, you'll get the real deal -- including cookies, chocolate zucchini bread and chocolate Belgian waffles. Between mid-April and mid-October, you can also enjoy "Barbecue for Breakfast" in the courtyard. There are 12 rooms, including the Russell and Clara Stover (yes, that Russell Stover) Room, which is typically set aside for guests looking for a romantic getaway. Photo courtesy of Deborah Reinhardt.

Chase Candy Company
1307 S. 59th St.
St. Joseph, MO 64507
(800) 786 - 1625
Directions here.

Now it's time to make your way to St. Joseph, where you'll find Chase Candy Company. The company makes Cherry Mash, one of the oldest candy bars in the country. Peanut brittle, peanut squares, peanut-coconut Peco Flake, chocolate peanut clusters, coconut bonbons and haystacks are also made at the factory. While there aren't any tours of Chase Candy Company, you can purchase these delectable treats on site during business hours during the week -- and the Chase Candy Company website has a search option so you can find Cherry Mash in a retail location closer to home. In this photo, employees hand-dip the Cherry Mash with an ice cream scoop. It has been made this way since Chase Candy Company CEO Barry Yantis started at the company in 1974. Photo courtesy of the Chase Candy Company.

Chocolaterie Stam
103 N. Main St.
Hannibal, MO 63401
(573) 221 - 0460
Directions here.

Next we have a stop in Hannibal, Missouri, where you'll find Chocolaterie Stam. It is Missouri's only franchise of the Amsterdam chocolate company, which boasts a chocolate-making process that hasn't changed much in 100 years. Try the trademark bonbons (available in 40 flavors), the sea salt caramels, housemade gelato, wine gummies and more. Photo courtesy of Missouri Division of Tourism.

Riverside Sweets
416 S. Main St.
St. Charles, MO 63301
(636) 724 - 4131
Directions here.

Now it's time to head to St. Charles to explore Riverside Sweets. This mom-and-pop candy store is located in a building that dates to the 1860s. It's the home of a dozen flavors of fudge, brittles, dipped chocolates, clusters, salted caramels, molasses puffs, caramel apples and more. There is even an ice cream parlor, complete with vintage metal tables and chairs, that is open seasonally. Riverside Sweets has a lot of regular customers -- and when you visit, you'll see why. Photo courtesy of Deborah Reinhardt. From left: Kelly Stover and Angela Wiechens.

Rick Jordan Chocolatier
14882 Clayton Road
Chesterfield, MO 63017
(636) 230 - 9300
Directions here.

Owner Rick Jordan calls his Chesterfield store a "boutique" and a "lab space," and for good reason. Stop by, and you'll see chocolate collections displayed on what could be a jewelry counter. Peer through the large window into the work space, and you just might see Jordan concocting some new, unusual chocolates. He roasts and grinds cacao beans himself to create the house chocolate blend, and many of the beans come from the cacao plants he grows indoors in St. Louis. Photo courtesy of Deborah Reinhardt.

Chocolate Chocolate Chocolate Company
5025 Pattison Ave.
St. Louis, MO 63110
(314) 338 - 3501
Directions here.
See website for retail store locations.

You can't live in St. Louis and not know about the Chocolate Chocolate Chocolate Company. Made with fresh, top-shelf ingredients, these artisan chocolates are made with a "healthy pinch of tradition" (check out Delectable Destinations for more on the family-owned business's history). The chocolate-covered strawberries are one of the most popular items, as well as the artisan truffles and sea salt caramels. Factory tours are also a huge hit for the Chocolate Chocolate Chocolate Company -- as many as 50,000 people a year have toured the factory since it opened to the public. Photo courtesy of Chocolate Chocolate Chocolate Company. Left to right: Dan Abel Jr., Christina Abel, Rosalie Abel, Dan Abel Sr., Christopher Abel.