A Paris-trained pastry chef who worked for Alice Waters, Alexandra Whisnant is not messing around with her chocolate shop, Gȃté Comme des Filles (“spoiled like girls”). From a tiny takeout window at Bow Market (which also serves takeout treats like rich hot cocoa), she produces small batches of highly coveted confections, in seasonal flavors like rose-pink peppercorn, amarena cherry, and Somerville honey with walnut. Each whimsical box is packed by hand with an “eat by” date just a few days in the future. Trust us—that won’t be a problem. Check the website for shipping options, too.

When the first L.A. Burdick shop opened back in 1987, artisan chocolate wasn’t really a thing here in the States. Larry Burdick changed that by showcasing Swiss techniques and chocolates made the old-school Alpine way: with quality cocoa beans and less sugar. Burdick doesn’t even use molds; every adorable animal-shaped truffle (mice! penguins!) and chewy caramel is shaped by hand. Unwrapping the classic wooden box, tied with ribbon and sealed with wax, is a treat in itself. Shop online, or visit local locations in Boston and Cambridge.

With a divine collection of chocolate orbs—all shinier than a fresh gel mani—local chocolatier Betty Petrova crafts serious confections that are also totally tempting and cheery. Filled with flavors like Sichuan peppercorn-dark chocolate caramel, red wine, and Tropicana, each bonbon box offers a taste of Petrova’s playful vibe. Beginning as a pop-up and direct-to-consumer operation, Petrova is currently building out her own chocolate shop in East Boston. Stay tuned for the return of these special treats when the store opens in late 2023.

Rather than focus on one style of confection, Paula Barth fills Beacon Hill Chocolates with confections curated from around the world. Pop in to the historic Charles Street shop to pick up an artisanal bar from Belgium, whimsical candies, or a cone of locally made gelato. There are nut-free, sugar-free, and vegan options, plus whimsical treats like Milk Chocolate Snowmen filled with cocoa mix to make a rich hot drink. One-of-a kind decoupage boxes, meanwhile, make whatever you choose a really special gift. Shop online or in-store, where you can also indulge in a private chocolate tasting.

Newton Centre newcomer SALT Patisserie has an impressively beautiful pastry case full of crispy croissants, glossy cakes of kouign-amann, rustic loaves of bread, and finely decorated tarts. There’s also a lineup of eye-catching chocolate bonbons in flavors like crème brûlée, passion fruit strawberry, and crispy rice-flecked Creamy Brigadeiro, a traditional Brazilian chocolate made with condensed milk. These colorful bites shine with exquisite decorative detail around high-quality Valrhona chocolate. Shop in-cafe for a rotating selection, and keep an eye out for special holiday pre-order options.

Updated by Jacqueline Cain