The 5 Best Places in Chicago to Get Your Chocolate Fix

Chocolate is a (naturally bitter) food made from roasted ground cacao beans. Adding sugar to the mix produces the sweet and creamy flavor we all have grown to love. Chocolate comes in many different varieties and styles, most commonly milk, dark and white.

But it is really hard to find a good chocolate place these days, even in a big city like Chicago. Let's face it, delicious gourmet chocolate isn't your average Hershey variety.

My favorite place to go for chocolate in Chicago has to be the Moonstruck Chocolate Cafe. The name just sounds yummy, doesn't it? Nestled on N. Michigan Ave., right off of Wacker Dr., this cafe is an awesome place to hangout in for an hour or so while you have a Chocolate Chai Latte and some Chocolate Truffle.

Also, Moonstruck's Mexican Mocha is absolutely amazing. The windows are lined with soft, plush chairs, a great place to sit and enjoy some chocolate while gazing out upon The Magnificent Mile.

Number 2 on my list has to be the Blommer Chocolate Company. And surprisingly, it is just down the street from Moonstruck Chocolate Cafe! If you are in a 3 block radius of Blommer, you can smell the delicious aroma of chocolate, as this store is attached directly to their factory. You can also buy baker's chocolate to take home and make delicious chocolate desserts yourself!

My 3rd favorite place to go for some good chocolate in Chicago is Canady Le Chocolatier Ltd! One bite of their exquisite cherry gelato, and you will be begging for more. Students especially love this cafe, with it's quaint little outdoor seating, and glass cases that eloquently display the scrumptious chocolates, chocolate covered strawberries, chocolate mousse and gelato that has been made right then and there.

The owner of Canady Le Chocolatier Ltd. even bought a variety of his chocolate molds near Amsterdam. My favorite thing to order from Canady is their chocolate that has been filled with delectable fruits like pomegranate, blueberry and mango.

Fourth on my list is Mindy Segal's Wicker Park restaurant, Hot Chocolate. Hot Chocolate caters to your every need, intricate chocolates, delicious sweets, gourmet coffee and even has an elaborate brunch menu. The brined bone-in pork chops are savory and yummy.

Hot Chocolate has even been featured in Food & Wine magazine! When I am not hankering for some chocolate, which is rare, I love to order the bacon cheddar burger on home-made brioche buns with Wisconsin Cheddar.. I order it medium rare!

Last but definitely not least, my 5th choice is Vosges Chocolate ALSO on Michigan Ave. They have an insanely unique and diverse menu with some of my favorites... the Woolloomooloo with hemp seed, the Naga with sweet curry and coconut flakes, and their Black Pearl truffle with sesame and wasabi... mmm!

One of the weirdest but most delicious things I have ever tried came from their menu... Their flying chocolate pigs! Delectably creamy chocolate filled with apple-wood smoked bacon and alder-wood smoked salt. YUM!