ChocoVivo

UPDATE: the Mayan Cookie is a one of a kind, best in its class, and the dark fudge gf is up there for best fudgey-chocolatey fix-not too sweet- delicious indulgence

Some of the chocolate is pretty good and it is a pretty cool little place. If you order the chocolate flight, though, you will be absolutely gobsmacked at how little you get for how much money you spend. You know those Mr. Goodbar mini-bars you used to get at Halloween? About two mini-Goodbars' worth of chocolate is $15. Holy hell.

When caught on the Westside during a rain storm the only thing I wanted was a hot chocolate-- how lucky for me that ChocoVivo was right down the street! What's unique about this spot is that they make their drinks with their own house-made chocolate bars (all of which are vegan!) so when ordering you follow the steps of choosing a style of drink (hot chocolate, sipping chocolate, mocha, etc;), picking your base milk (whole, almond, oat) and then finishing by selecting which of their chocolate you'd like. As a newcomer this process was a tiny bit confusing for me (I had to clarify which chocolate I should get if I like my drinks especially sweet!) but the cashier directed me toward their 65% cacao bar which I found to perfectly satiate my sweet tooth. The store is very cozy and we luckily found a seat right away, but there were only two tables and a small bar area to choose from for seating, so I could foresee it being difficult to dine-in under different circumstances. That being said, there was a curtain drawn in the middle of the cafe which hid additional seating behind it, so I wonder if they occasionally open up this area to customers during peak hours. When all was said and done I spent around ~$11 on my hot chocolate, which is a little pricey for the amount that you receive but I see this as a once-in-a-while treat-- so it was ultimately worth it to me. I'd happily come back if I found myself in the area again!

I first learned about this place when I went to a chocolate and Mayan culture event at the Getty. This is a minority woman owned business, and they are very careful where they source their chocolate from. Since then, I have ordered from their website from time to time, but since I was finally in the neighborhood, I decided to check out their cafe! It is a small but cute spot. They had sectioned a part off for a party for some young girls that would happen soon. Unfortunately, the cafe part of the small business is run as a very small business, and many things I wanted to try on the menu were sold out by the time I came in the mid-afternoon. However, what I did get was delicious, and I bought a few bars to go home, too. If you prefer milder chocolate flavors, this place is not for you, as my husband is a Hershey lover, and he basically took a taste and pushed it back to me and said, ALL FOR YOU! I very much enjoyed my portion and his, as well!

I love the chocolate drinks from here but not so much their chocolate bars. They're a bit grainy to me. I lean towards the 90% but I normally like savory foods over sweets. I've had their chocolate pizza with pepperoni and it's interesting but I wouldn't get it again.

Came here on a Saturday night and it wasn't crazy busy but all the indoor seating was taken. There's not many places to sit if you're planning to dine in as it's a small but mighty restaurant. The vibe was super cozy and fun but the service wasn't great and I wish we got the spectacular service everyone else is raving about. Although the service was lackluster, the cookies for the flight were delicious and freshly baked!! We enjoyed our warm cookies and ordered a small glass of milk. While the prices are steep, the chocolate is definitely yummy. I'd come back to get an actual hot-hot chocolate.

The hot chocolate was really good, definitely worth the drive! It was very rich & not too sweet. My husband got the Sipping Chocolate (European Style Hot Chocolate) with Oat Milk, & 75% Cacao. I got the traditional Hot Chocolate with Oat Milk & 75% Cacao. Honestly both were delicious. The European Style was more of a melted liquid chocolate to drink, thick & rich. The Hot Chocolate was your traditional Hot Chocolate but rich in flavor & not too sweet. Service was great. There was only one girl working & even though it was a little of a wait time it ultimately worth the wait. Nothing is premade. Ambiance was lively.

Came on a rainy night to get some coffee. It's a small space but great space. The chocolate was delicious and the coffee good too. A bit bitter without the chocolate but if you'd like to sweeten it more they do have sweeteners on the side you can put in.

The hot cocoa here is off the chain, and the cookies are fantabulous. The ambiance has a chill vibe to it, and the owner of this place is super cool.

This place is such a hidden gem. It is literally 12 minutes from my place and I didn't find out about this place until 3 years after. As a huge chocolate person, this place is chocolate heaven to me! It's got array of dark chocolate that goes all the way to 100%! They make their chocolate in house too! Very authentic and delicious. Starting with the menu offering, superb and unique. They have the coffee, the hot chocolate, and most important the special set of chocolate square tasting from lighter to darker percentage with interesting flavors. I went with bittersweet mocha: 80% dark, and it was subtly sweet and perfectly balanced. Though, it kind of got little too dense half way through my drink haha. No surprising there. My girlfriend bittersweet hot chocolate. If you are looking to order a 3 piece tasting or other tasting, there will be a separate menu for that. It has all the different type of chocolate offering. I cannot remember exactly the 3, but Mayan tradition was one and the other one was a "surprise me" choice. And the tasting was pretty much from 50% dark to 85 % dark. And the amazing staff who helped us was Francisco. He took his time to educate us about the menu and the chocolate. And we had a blast learning it! We will definitely coming back for other options in the future!

Incredible chocolates! Thanks to Marc of AndSons Chocolatiers for directing us to check out ChocoVivo! Walking into the shop is like walking into an alternate reality. The decorations surround you in a greenhouse like environment from the ceiling strewn with leafy foliage to the hippie words lettered on the wall. In the corner there's a paper tree strung with love notes from past clients. Around the shop, products range from the main attractions- chocolate drinks of every kind and chocolate tasting flights, to butters and bars and a fridge full of natural beauty and wellness products and even more edible treats. Prices are reasonable and range a wide amount. In the front, they have a $85 slab of chocolate infused honeycomb, but on the menu you can get a full chocolate flight of $15 for 15 pieces. We tried the Mayan Tradition hot chocolate, the frozen hot chocolate, the Secret (a not-at-all bubbly but refreshingly tart drink that is either wrongly advertised as bubbly or is just wrongly made when we got it), the filled chocolate churros, as well as a flight of tasting chocolates and a special edition limited Lavendar and Blueberries 70% chocolate bar to go. Sitting in the shop is a calming experience, and there's even a guy randomly playing the flute outside the shop who may or may not be a store employee or just a random unaffiliated human being outside. Either way, if you're looking for delicious stone-ground chocolate from Tabasco, MX then this is your shop. The stone-ground texture isn't as strong as the tezture of the ones I've had in Oaxaca, but I appreciate that, If you like your chocolates dark, I highly recommend ChocoVivo. Shout-out to the store emp (tall guy in green jacket with stylish updo) for a delicious hot chocolate and for mixing it with 100% dark when I asked for a darker version of Mayan Tradition! The store owner was very methodical and efficient with preparing our to-go chocolate flight, which we appreciated as well. Thanks ChocoVivo!

Amazing!!!! I love this place. Some of the best chocolate milk i've ever enjoyed. We ordered a cold brew and an iced hot chocolate without the ice. I got a 70% cocoa and whole milk. It was delish!! Cute little shop with street parking a couple of outdoor tables and a nice, clean restroom. The service was friendly and quick. The cold brew was tasty as well!!

Came here today on a rainy day hoping for some delicious hot chocolate. Instead I received overpriced cold chocolate that I couldn't even enjoyed. I ordered three cups. One of them was 60 percent full. Two of the three were room temperature. Not even warm. 8 dollars each for a super small cup of cold chocolate is not worth it. Never coming here again.

If you crave gourmet chocolate drinks, both cold and hot, your search ends here. There's not much else to add, except that this place is a true gem.

This place is so awesome!! The owner is super friendly and clearly loves chocolate. We split a hot chocolate and a 3 piece chocolate tasting and took a bag of small chocolate chip cookies to go. Everything was really good. The chocolate is incredibly high quality and delicious. The hot chocolate was EXCELLENT and the whole experience was really fun!

Eloisa was so sweet! This was my first time at Chocovivo and she was very welcoming and walked me through the menu. The drink she made me was so good! Definitely will be back.

Best chocolate ever!!! From unsweetened to sweetened you'll find it all here! Great costumer service as well!

Being a dark chocolate lover, it always so hard for us to find a great spot. We found this place thru yelp and we were not disapponted. We tried the silpong chocolate 80% and the Iced chocolate drink 90% and it was sooooo goood!!! Can't wait to come back to this place

Best sipping chocolate in the SoCal region (Especially the European Style). Got the 75% Cacao with hot water. It had any amazing thick and creamy texture (Soooo Yummm).. Could get one of these everyday :) Also found some interesting craft chocolate bars in the cafe/store. Grabbed one of them with lavender and blueberries also (Very different texture .. its more sandy and raw but very good). I'll def swing by when I drive up to LA/Culver City for more sips of incredible goodness !!

First time being in a legit, artisanal chocolate place rather than buying chocolate bars from the gas station. Pretty chill ambiance. There are a few high stools to sit at inside and a few more seating options out front. I highly recommend buying a beverage and just chilling outside. The churros were delicious but I wish I bought the extra side of chocolate sauce. The chocolate filling already inside was adequate but I have a sweet tooth for good choco!

I mean wow! Best mocha I have ever had! Velvety and delicious- just all around adorable and delightful experience

Wow! Cacao! Wow! I was stunned when I went into Chocovivo! Patricia immediately asked if I needed help and she gave me a nanotour and lesson on cacao beans and chocolate. The tiny space was packed full of displays of chocolate culture and the hand crafted process of making chocolate. They have a direct connection to a farm in Tabasco, Mexico where they source all of their beans. I ended up with 7 types of chocolate. The chocolate that ranged from 65-75%, and included the Heirloom Criollo White Cacao Bar, Mexican Vanilla Bean, Hazelnut and Sea Salt, Mac Nut and Coconut. I also purchased the Cherries, Almonds, and Peppercorn, and the Ugandan Chocolate with Vanilla and Black Sea Salt. Oh. My. Goodness! Chocovivo has special beautifully made vessels to sip your hot chocolate concoction, crystals, books, cacao bean jewelry, decadent desserts to consume on site (a la mode if you wish) and nut butters mixed with cacao. They also stock bulk cocoa butter, cacao nibs, and fancy 89% chocolate chips. There is even CBD cacao oil and beer or port with chocolate! I plan to come back when she restarts on-site classes. Thank you Patricia for the education and delectable delicacies!

A great place to purchase and experience chocolate the way much of the world enjoyed and enjoys chocolate to this day. While chocolate from the big corporations and European style chocolates are no doubt delicious, people owe it to themselves to experience chocolate in its original forms. I think they will be pleasantly surprised. ChocoVivo is a cool little shop that feels comforting upon entry. All the wares are well presented and I'm looking forward to going back for a cup of drinking chocolate.

The hot chocolate is straight crack. Idk what they putting in it...but it's fire. I need to try that Willy wonka sipping chocolate they got as well.

This is based on their pastries. Una mini oreja $5 y nada cue digas wow! It's a cute shop, la prices didn't make the best impression. I may give the hot chocolate a try. Not blown out the water

This is a cute little coffee shop. This is a hidden gem located in Culver City. The coffee is great and friendly staff.

D E L I C I O U S !!! Super cute and unique spot with a variety of drinks, pastries, bites and of course CHOCOLATE! The chocolate tasting is such a fun little experience. Don't leave without getting a brownie, it's AMAZING!

Loved it! We went on a Thursday about 40min to close time. I was in the mood for some good coco, but had no idea it would be this good! The flavor was amazing. The service was super friendly and helpful! We'll go again but a little earlier next time

Chocolate was good but nothing special. Ambiance was small but cozy. Service was just ok. Drinks were very expensive, around $9. Portion is good.

Such a nice place. A little pricey but worth it! Delicious chocolate delectable treats for any kind of chocolate lover. Sweet barista and nice friendly chill atmosphere! I'm coming back!!

Patricia and her team have the worlds best mocha and chocolate drinks! And the new baked goods they are offering are excellent. The vibe here is awesome and I'm so happy that they are a part of our community.

ChocoVivo reminds me of those 'pick me up' posters - "She is small but mighty" comes to mind when I finished my visit here. This place is LEGIT! ChocoVivo blends tastes from the world renowned Church of Chocolate (I just made that up, please don't go looking for it... talking to YOU, ya Chocolate Vampires), delicious tastings that you can choose from their menu, or (on occasion) a class! All in all, great fun to be had in this establishment, lots of offerings, and you know exactly what you're going to get when you read their name and step inside. Definitely give them a try!

So amazing. Had chocolate churros and ice cream over a cookie. You can taste a fruity depth to the chocolate. I want more!

I ordered hot chocolate and chocolate filled churro Both of them were churros were worm , crunchy and absolutely perfect. Nice place with good feelings

Swung by this place on a whim with my son to grab some hot chocolate after a fun night on the Santa Monica pier. Really had no idea what to expect, but what a cute little space! As someone who generally avoids desserts and sweets, I found myself curious to try some hot chocolate -- and they had non-dairy milk options (oat and almond). I tried the Golden Milk hot chocolate with oat milk. It was pretty good -- could definitely taste the turmeric. My son wanted the churros, which were stuffed with chocolate. I tasted a bite, and it tasted almost exactly like a warm Pepperidge Farm Milano cookie (for the record, I think Milanos as delish). The inside is pretty small, but it feel intimate. They sell things other than chocolate, like books, crystals, sage and palo santo...what a unique find! They also have wine -- I believe you get a free glass of wine with a purchase of $25 or more Friday-Sunday. There is street parking and also a lot hidden right behind up a ramp. Great place to take a first date after dinner. Overall, highly recommend!

Wow this placed surprised me! I had no idea what to expect and seriously was so surprised with the number of products they carried. I was a bit overwhelmed since there were too many selections. I walked out of there with churros stuffed chocolate and a scoop of Jeni's ice cream. I know it sounds boring, but when I tell you that this is the best and highest quality of churro chocolates, I mean it. The chocolate is just the perfect blend of sweet and "darkness." It was absolutely perfect but now I regret not buying any of their chocolates. I can't wait to be back in the area so I can get more delicious chocolate goodies!

Awesome small business with cacao delicacies. Delicious water based cacao beverage made in a way that reminds me of home, yummy.

It was an interesting experience to say the least. Nice to be able to get out of the house. The hot chocolate was good. And the cookies are great. We purchased a tasting of 6 pieces of chocolate. The chocolate pieces are wafer-thin. Not worth it at all. However, we decided to make the best of our time there. The service was great

THIS PLACE. Oh my dear dog-- if you think this is some typical LA stilted, ostentatious, hilariously-over-serious chocolate shop... well, think again. This is the work of a straight up Cacao Goddess inside these walls and some of the most delectable, resplendent, luscious, creative forms of cacao I have ever encountered anywhere in the world. And they can be found h e r e!!! Be advised women of Los Angeles: when it is your cycle, this place is (especially) your heaven/necessity. Let me lay it out for you: The Cacao Mayan Milk is basically perfect. The consistency. The texture. The spices. The smoothness. The fire. It is an orchestra and Patricia, the owner, is Gustavo Dudamel. The CardamomTurmeric Matcha Cacao Cake. Yes I was crying with glee when I took a bite of this. It is all the dreams come true and what is obviously missing off the desert menu of every restaurant in LA. It is the perfect dessert and what I am always hoping to find-- but never ever did until the wonderland that is ChocoVivo. The Rose Cacao Body and Hair Elixir. Uuuuugh. I know every organic skin care line out there, and this extraordinarily low priced oil/balm is rapturous. Ingredient quality surpasses all the stupidly ridiculous $150- goopy 1 ounce oils out there. This was really an unexpected delight and winner winner chicken dinner. The Shangri La Bar. Black Sesame Seed. Goji berries. And exquisite stone ground dark chocolate. Such bliss. Light and flavor is saturated with contrasting elements while also somehow hitting all the bass notes. My partner picked everything as a surprise order for me and suffice it to say, my cycle feels even more wonderful than normal. Partners everywhere-- please take note if you want to knock your woman's socks off. This is the birthright of every woman = a Sacred Cycle of bliss and power. And apparently, Chocovivo is the key ingredient to experiencing this. Noted and now joyously known. Thank you infinity, Patricia for such an incredible creation. You are now at the top of my favorite places in Los Angeles list. And it is well deserved.

A plus of the whole Covid thing is, parking around town has been a breeze, the negative being that the tasting room has been closed here. At least the smell upon entering is familiar and exciting... chocolate brings me pure joy. I have been a fan of this brand for at least a decade. I discovered them at the Torrance Farmer's Market and have been watching them grow. I love the raw grittiness of their untempered chocolate bars, and they've expanded on the types of products they have. There's beauty, chocolate bars, chocolate covered beans and raisins, chocolate spreads, and bulk cacao. Everything retains a lot of nutrients because the cacao is barely processed. I usually get the darkest bars, as they are just ground cacao and various amounts of sugar, and as a treat, Cherries + Almonds + Black Peppercorns, but now they have a Paleo menu with no added sugar! I went ahead and bought every bar. I wish they had a Paleo box like they have of their top sellers. Those who know me, know I prefer chocolate tasting over wine tasting any day. I'm hoping by summer this spot reopens for chocolate flights and affogatos as a joint birthday celebration with friends. Pros: - cute date place - beautiful layout and ambience - quality products - packaging - unique flavors and rotating menu - cafe menu - super friendly Cons: - parking can be rough - a bit pricey

Heavenly chocolate! Not even a dark chocolate kind of person but wowwww. This is real hot chocolate. Will def be back for more. The ambiance of this place is cool too. A lot of different varieties of chocolate products.

The chocolate is unique and delicious albeit a bit pricey. I'm willing to pay the extra for sustainable and fair practices, and quality product. What are they fall short is customer service and online order fulfillment. I live locally and ordered online, and it took 4 days for them to email and say my order was ready for pickup. I had emailed an additional question that never got answered. When I arrived at the shop, the order wasn't even ready and I had to wait around for it to get packaged up. Not sure why it took 4 days to send an email then.

This is THE Place to go for chocolate lovers! Fully sourced chocolate and nothing but the best is served up here!!! Everything is vegan, fresh and first class. The owner, Patricia really knows her stuff and is so welcoming and warm. Speaking of warm, there is a massive list of hot chocolate drinks (LOTS of interesting flavors) with both real milk and non dairy options and the chocolate tastings looked amazing. The chocolate nut butters are to die for- my favorite is the pistachio. For a personal touch, Patricia put together an awesome gift for my son's birthday so thank you, Patricia! For a special outing, a date or just to treat yourself to an unforgettable chocolate experience, do try this hidden gem!!! You'll leave happy:)

Treated my friend to a chocolate tasting for her birthday and it was a really wonderful experience. We got a very in-depth and detailed history of the origins, types, and chocolate-making process. The products offered were very unique and had a great variety, my favorite being the Mexican chocolate. Overall a totally worth it.

Overpriced but unquestionably good hot chocolate. We parked on the street and walked a few blocks to get here. Ambiance is cozy and warm. There's enough seating as there was no line. I came here out of desperation for frozen hot chocolate. However, I would not go out of the way to come back.

Best chocolate of LA. Done. Just go try their hot chocolate and have nice chat with the host.

Excellent chocolate and great overall service. This is now my guilty go to. Only tried a few but they were absolutely delicious.

The array of treats in this cute shop is thrilling. Sipping Chocolates or Mochas are perfect for cold nights. Frozen Hot Chocolates are outta of this world (Salt & Straw Ice Cream with Chocovivo Chocolate in one!) This place is pure magic.

Drink: Got one of their hot sipping chocolate after giving them my chocolate preference profile: milk chocolate and lactose intolerant. They in turn whip up something suitable and the impression is as follows: the sipping chocolate here is unlike the European Spanish variety. The Spanish sipping chocolate is heavy, dense and decadent; the sipping chocolate here is more tame and natural in its sweetness. The consistency is not thick but instead it's smooth, light and has a hint of graininess in the midst of its texture [European ground their cocoa nibs superfine and adds additional cocoa butter to their chocolate. Here the sipping chocolate is the Mayan type in which the cocoa nibs are only stone ground twice thereby leaving traces of cocoa beans]. In addition there's a slight spiciness in the back of the throat as one drinks it [again paying homage to the Mayan tradition. Kudos]. Service: The staffs are pleasant, patient and attentive. Ambiance: The store is cozily small with a charmingly calm Hipster atmosphere [love the background music that's played here. Great place to study and get some work done]. Price: $6.50 [got the sipping chocolate with hemp milk] for a cup of chocolate of this quality I consider it reasonable if not a bargain. Definitely a place for those who loves quality chocolate.

Amazing place!!! I would give this place 6 stars. Don't listen to the recent one star review, she looks like she has a stick up her a$$ by all the one star reviews she's been giving. This is an awesome place. Great environment and been coming here for a while. I'm a satisfied local customer. Would kick the one star reviews in the face. It's pricey but it's good stuff.