Dancing Lion Chocolate

I stopped in the shop because I have heard nothing but positive things about it and I love a local chocolatier! I was immediately greeted by Angel, who was very knowledgeable about their products, process, and mission. Very ethically sourced and mindfully created. I can't wait to go back and have the hot chocolate for 2!

We ventured into the Dancing Lion Chocolate before a show at the Rex. Wow the whole experience was imsersive to a whole new level. The brownie and bonbons were utterly divine. The packagine was thoughtfully presented and unique. The coffee lattes were delicious again presentation in a homemade pottery bowl. The experience gave your taste buds time to pause and absord all around you. The staff were extremely knowledgeable and pleasant. This is a must try if you are in the area

What a gem of a place. The Drinking Chocolate is an absolute MUST! Very unique and most delicious, flavorful hot chocolate I have ever experienced. Roger was wonderful as well, willing to educate us on anything about chocolate and was patient & kind. Will highly recommend to family & friends.

This chocolate shop is unlike any I’ve ever been to. Their selections are few, and presented in a museum-case like display. At first glance it might look pompous and self-important, but once you get a taste of their products, it all starts to make sense. They’re famous for their drinking chocolate, of which I got European style, with a bit of milk. I have to tell you, as I told the kind lady at the counter, that this was literally the best hot chocolate I’ve ever had in my life. The hot drinks are served in these quaint little ceramic bowls that you have to handle with delicate care with both hands, drinking as you would a warm bowl of soup, which only adds to the experience of this unique shop. I bought a bar of chocolate (yuzu pineapple cacao) to take home, which was quite pricey, but I couldn’t help but be seduced by the promised flavor combination and the beautiful presentation that makes it look like abstract art. It was almost too precious to eat. But when I took a bite, I understood the price and the pride they take in their chocolates. This is light years beyond simple chocolate- the delicate flavors and even the textures of the smooth white chocolate contrasted with the crunchy geodes of sugar complete with the chewy dried fruits was such a complex and intriguing chocolate-eating experience. I found myself craving the drinking chocolate the day after, and can’t wait to go back.

I read about The Dancing Lion on line so I decided to go in to try the hot chocolate. I am so glad I did. The service was top notch, and the owner, Rich came out to say hello. The chocolate case is full of beautiful chocolate art too beautiful 😍 to eat. The hot chocolate was divine and so rich, the best hot chocolate I ever had. The energy here is full of light and love. They are MASTERS in their craft. You have to try this place, you will be glad you did.

I stopped by this beautiful chocolate shop on my morning commute and I was treated like a regular by the staff. They were extremely knowledgeable and friendly and I can't wait to come back here. I really recommend their traditional drinking chocolate and their matcha latte.

Beautiful art made of chocolate, and delicious too. I tried the homemade marshmallow covered with wight chocolate and it was wonderful! The design of the store is lovely, the employee and the owner were so nice, positive vibes, don't miss the place when you're in the area! 😊

The drinking chocolate is excellent and the chocolate they make here is just as much artwork as it is edible candy. The adjectives used to describe the chocolate can be a bit obtuse, but it’s designer, gourmet chocolate so if they want to call a piece of chocolate “spectacular,” “mysterious,” or “ambitious,” it seems fitting. I never ate a piece of chocolate more slowly as I tried to taste the notes of flavor in the chocolate. The blue chocolate bar we ate looked like a computer motherboard but tasted fantastic.

Chocolates that are works of art for all the senses. The owners are very kind and open to answer questions and guide you to the right item to try. Highly recommend for the adventurous.

this is truly an exceptional chocolate shop. it is small inside but very cute and cozy. i went around 10 am and we were the only people in the shop. after pondering for a bit, we decided to get the chocolate tasting for 2, which came with several truffles and chocolates, two of each. the owner talked to us about the history of each truffle filling and showed use pictures of his travels. it's important to note that every truffle flavor is only made once! this was a few months ago so i'm having trouble remembering the other flavors, but my favorite chocolate was definitely the blueberry sage truffle. we also ordered the drinking chocolate, which was so rich and warming. if you are visiting manchester and want a one-of-a-kind experience, this is the place for you! definitely ask for water though, you're going to need it.

This is a really cute chocolate shop that deserves all the praise that it has received. The chocolate is tasty and you can tell that the staff take a lot of pride in their craft. For my first visit, I had a hot chocolate and Mallorca, which was very delicious. I will definitely come back again :)

Thank you for making my fiance's Valentine's day so special! Chocolates are usually wasted on me but I found this shop mentioned on Reddit and thought I'm going to check them out. I gave the shop a call and had a very lovely and informative chat with Richard. I placed an order right away, and rest is history. My fiance says these are the best chocolates he's ever had! You can see how big his eyes are in one of the photos lol. I also wanted to support the business after learning they get their chocolate boxes from Nepal, my home! I tried some of the chocolates with him and I have to say, they are so delicious. We had a very hard time stopping haha! I do with the shipping were a little bit more affordable but it's ok, you get what you pay for!

If they serve it it is the best of its kind. Their coffee is incredible. They keep it laid back and a nice place to escape from, with incredible decor. This is the definition of hidden gem. Do yourself a favor and pop in. See where the road takes you.

OMG if you have not already experienced Dancing Lion Chocolate you must go now to experience this chocolate!!! His brownies are to die for! The sipping chocolate is amazing! His hand crafted chocolates are like a vacation to exotic lands for your mouth. It is expensive but well worth the splurge. The inside is so clean, smells fabulous, and has seating for a few people to comfortably enjoy the treats! He is very knowledgeable about chocolate and is super interesting to talk to. The service was good; it doesn't take very long for your hand crafted drink to be made. Highly recommend!!

Incredible, creative, top tier chocolates. Shared chocolate education & information about business. Wonderful treat.

I had the opportunity to visit Dancing Lion Chocolate Shop a few weeks ago while up in Manchester. Being from the Washington D.C. area, I have to say that this was by far one of the finest chocolate shops I've ever been too. Richard Tango-Lowy, the shop's owner is one of the finest chocolatiers in the world. I a great conversation over the fascination of chocolate sculpture processes, which can be found all over the internet with Shaman, one of the chocolatiers under Richard's apprenticeship, who greeted guests as they arrived that day. Each chocolate is hand crafted and one of a kind, so when they were out of small gift boxes, which I wanted to get my wife, they made one especially for me, with love and care. Every aspect of the shop is exquisite, even down to the nepalese boxes they use for their chocolates. Let's not forget their single origin hot chocolate, which will make you feel warm and toasty on a cold winters day. If you're ever in Manchester, NH, you should make sure to visit this incredible little gem.

Had to do an update - the customer service just goes beyond anything you'd expect! So the kind owner, Richard, read my review and saw that I lost my small box of chocolates and sent me a replacement with a lovely note! So I finally got to sample these beautifully hand made chocolates after all! And they were AWESOME!! Quiet possibly some of the best chocolates I've ever had! The flavors were perfectly balanced, the outer chocolate was firm but not too firm and the fillings were soft and so flavorful! Not to mention how aesthetically pleasing they all are - and beautifully packaged! Long story short, right after I left the chocolate shop, my rental car broke down. In the chaos of tow trucks and switching out cars, my box of chocolates got lost in the fray - but Richard made the situation so happy!! He's so lovely to chat to as well! So friendly and informative! I will DEFINITELY be back anytime I'm in the area! Richard we can't thank you enough!!!

A divine experience. First time experiencing drinking chocolate, and it was delicious, expertly prepared. I even had the bravery of brining in my niece and nephew who are six and almost four. The employees were so patient with us as kids can be picky. My nephew needed dairy free and they accommodated his needs. It was a lovely family experience, but likely best for older kids and adults. Thank you thank you!

Wonderful creations made with chocolate sourced around the world. Delightful delicies found downtown Manchester, the staff is very knowledgeable and helpful. This is a high end chocolate, that doesn't disappoint. Try the hot chocolate, so rich!

Cute little store in downtown Manchester. Anything chocolate I have to find and try out, just so happens I was walking near this place looking for a breakfast place and decided that I would come back to try it out. I walked in and the person at the counter was very informative and very nice. I decided to stay and try the Mayan drinking chocolate. I went with the spicy drinking chocolate. It's served In a small bowl. Wow!! The flavor is amazing and worth the high price tag. I was so impressed with the Maya drinking chocolate that I decided to buy some of their chocolate candy. The owner is a very impressive chocolatier and I was excited to see what he had. The chocolates are really art, only making each kind once, then never again. I bought a small box which comes with the chocolates already picked out because they don't make a ton. The chocolates were so smooth and creamy with very intense chocolate flavor. I was disappointed in the actual flavors of the chocolates. The chocolate taste was so intense that it seemed to over power the other flavors that were suppose to be there. They were very good but the flavors I was looking forward to just didn't come through. I will be back to have more of the Maya drinking chocolate but may only try the chocolate candy one more time to get it a second chance.

The drinking chocolate is rich chocolatey perfection. The white lion was a white chocolate version. It was well balanced and delicious too.

What a Manchester gem!!! Master chocolatier Richard Tango-Lowy, owner of Dancing Lion Chocolate has truly mastered the art and science of making a perfect chocolate. Just entering this little store will bring an instant smile to your face with its whimsical decor and Funtastic variety of unique and artistic products. I would live in Manchester just to be close to this place. Yes, it's truly that delectable. Try the Mayan Drinking Chocolate. It's silky and served frothy in a bowl, with or without chili. Or go for the Lion's Waltz with white drinking chocolate, maple and ginger. Get the full experience and try the chocolate desserts such as the chocolate bars, cookies and bon bons just to name a few. Try everything for Richard is undeniably a prodigy when it comes to meshing together the beauty, complexity and flavors of the cacao that comes from all over the world.

I love the chocolate here, great selection, liquid drinking chocolate was an added bonus. I have taken a couple of classes they offer and is well worth the money,!! So cute inside, and a great find. Much thanks to everyone that runs this place, really shows pride in your work.

This is a one of a kind find right on Elm. Make it a point to enjoy this fabulous chocolate extravaganza

A Boutique shop that has chocolate from all over the world! My friends and I needed a sugar kick from traveling red eye and saw DLC. Glad we came because it fixed our sugar craving. I got the rose blackberry ice cream. It came with chunks of their fine chocolate. When you ate the ice cream, the aroma and taste of rose instantly intensify your taste buds and came down with a blackberry finish. To my surprise there were little chunks of chocolate, and the chocolate chunks weren't sweet so it complemented well with the sweet ice cream. Worthy of a stop!

It's been several years now, and Dancing Lion has added enough to the shop that it's time to update my review. The first amazing addition is a gong fu tea service using a traditional gaiwan. Richard works with several tea shops around the world to source excellent teas and then presents them in a classic tea service meant to be enjoyed leisurely alongside chocolate or pastries. Dancing Lion is pretty much the only place in the Northeast serving tea this way, filling the hole in the hearts of tea lovers like me! If you haven't ever drank tea this way, you should go right now and try it. Dancing Lion has also been adding more and more creative food, pastry, and chocolate options. There are dessert nights on Saturdays now featuring chocolate cake and other specialty creations, croissant/pastry weekends offering an array of flavor options, and even more elaborate art involving chocolate (including things like chocolate tea cups). If you want to see chocolate and pastry pushed to its delicious limits, come here and enjoy anything. Dancing Lion continues to offer great service, delightful food, and a love of craft that is apparent in every detail.

This is the best chocolate I have ever tasted! I dropped in today to purchase a gift for a relative, and of course, bought some chocolate for myself. I purchased a chai chocolate bar which was beautiful with a blue metallic color on the bar and I got the espresso chocolate bar for myself. The cashier was very helpful, friendly and informative about the types of chocolate. And the chocolate is absolutely exquisite! Such a treat!

Definitely a fine chocolate shop. New bon bon flavors each day. We tried the chocolate service for 2. Highly recommended! For the day to day chocolate, I'd still prefer Maison Du Chocolat or LA Burdick but for a special occasion, I'd recommend this place. The craftsmanship that went into making these chocolates is very impressive. Not a lot of people would spend time to do this or have the skills. The flavors are complex. We also tried the bon bon, the bars, brownies, chocolate velvet cookies, and the biscottis. The bars are very well made that I've not had something like it before but it's my least favorite just only because I'm not into chocolate bar. The bon bon have very deep complex flavors. $5.75 per piece was quite a lot for me. I love the brownies and the cookies. biscotti is very good, tasted more like a butter biscuit and softer than the normal biscotti. The brownie has very small amount of sugar and smooth. The chocolate drink is very good, made with water. I normally don't like a hot chocolate but I enjoyed it. It's light and not sweet. Not a place for people on budget but definitely a place that you have to try since there are not many shops that are offering these products. I would go back for the chocolate drink and a piece of their bakeries.

Walked in here, just following the smell of chocolate! They sell special chocolates here made from cacao from all over the world, some of it even brought over by backpack. The bars were very expensive, some small bars being almost 20 dollars, but I am sure it would be worth it. Unfortunately, I came in on a budget, but couldn't resist having something. I ordered the spicy Myan drinking chocolate. It would normally be served in a bowl, but as I had it to go, it was served in cup. It was amazing!!! It was like drinking melted chocolate, but without the icky flavor melted chocolate can have, and the spices were so good. It is something I can't really explain, but I highly recommend that you try it! After we left, my husband went back and ordered the white chocolate drink. I don't remember what that one was called, but he said it was really good. If you love chocolate like I do you should stop in and try something. I think you'll be glad you did. Don't expect a Hershey or Lindt, but something even better!!

The mild Drinking Chocolate was so creamy and thick, seriously delicious. The prices are consistent with talented chocolatiers and worth it!

This owner is very talented. I enjoy seeing what special chocolates he has made each time I go in there. It's such an amazing experience with fresh chocolates with clean ingredients. I would highly recommend!

It was a totally unexpected experience. I looked a normal coffee shop on Yelp. This place came up highly rated. I entered this cafe and found really decorated well. Then I found out this place offers traditional drinking chocolate. It was with spices and in the Myan pot. It was my first experience and quite interesting. We also bought special chocolate bar and it was creamy and tasty.

Absolutely recommended anything from this chocolate shop! I went in for the Mayan Drinking Chocolate and Mallorca, and ended up buying some chocolate as well. The Mayan Drinking Chocolate was amazing! I got the "spicy" more traditional version - which isn't very spicy at all, it's more for flavor. I am forever ruined now! It is like the most delicate, rich, frothy hot cocoa you have ever had! It was not too chocolatey and I can't believe it is made with just water! It's THAT good. The Mallorca is great as well. The bun is fresh made and it's very soft and buttery. I loved how there was a tiny bit of dark chocolate inside. I provided just a hint of sweetness. It was great! I honestly think you can't go wrong here. I wish I lived closer! I crave that drinking chocolate!

Dancing Lion chocolates is one of the only chocolatiers in New England that boasts South American confectionary ingredients over the standard European chocolate-making. With imports from countries such as Peru, Dancing Lion has sampler bars, individual flavors and speciality items for the interested buyer. The owner and head chocolatier was proud to discuss every element from his craft from import to creation and welcomed us into his store. These chocolates are certainly on the pricier side with some larger items as expensive as $70 though you'll be hard-pressed to find a finer, more exotic chocolate anywhere in your area. Non-traditional Ingredients in the sample pack include ginger, rose, chiles, and star anise. With national coverage, Dancing Lion is a gem among other businesses on Elm Street.

Meh. Kind of pretentious and I wasn't impressed with their drinking chocolate. My husband thought it was okay, I mostly didn't like the vibe. We were obsessed with a place in Portland OR and this place fell very short of it so I'm slightly biased

Forget everything you know about chocolate. Learn what real chocolate is like here from Richard, Rachel, and Shaman. This small cozy place was such a delight to enjoy some Mayan chocolate, and some bob bons and get a lesson in real chocolate. Service was very personable, knowledgeable and it is obvious they love their craft.

This was such an amazing experience! The chocolate was superb, and the tea was such a unique experience. He walked us through each and every tea, their composition, origins, and taught how to masterfully steep it with a gaiwan. We had the Dragonwell green tea... and it was marvelous. Now they are plannin pop-up restaurants on Fridays, showcasing diverse cuisines. Do NOT fail to visit this place!

Unique atmosphere and an enjoyable space to decompress after a cold Northeastern day. I greatly enjoyed the white hot chocolate and the sampler pack. Take the time to talk to the owner and hear his stories about the various chocolates available to purchase. It's a small shop, so I would recommend going during the week to avoid the rush and really be about to relax while you enjoy whatever delicacy you end up purchasing.

4.8 stars. With all the great reviews about this place, I had to check it out. I had the hot chocolate without the spice. It was definitely not like any hot chocolate I've ever had. It had a slight sour taste from the cacao so you know it's the real deal. You can also see the specks of what I assume to be cacao in the drink. It didn't feel heavy at, which gave me an excuse to get the Thai chocolate chip ice cream. The ice cream was good but didn't have a Thai tea flavor at all. If you asked me what the flavor was without saying it's Thai tea, I'd say it's a delicious sweet cream ice cream with really dark chocolate chips. But still, it was delicious. This place is definitely pricy though. My hot chocolate and ice cream was $10 and I bought a $12 chocolate bar for my grandma. Definitely try the hot chocolate though. I think it's worth the taste and experience.

I was just looking for some good places to go while visiting downtown, and I found this place!!! And I must say... LOVED! Here's why.... I was really wanting something warm in the frigid cold! So I pulled up my bookmarks, and decided to come here! We walked in, and the first thing you notice is how small, and quaint it is inside. It is warm, and welcoming. We were quickly greeted by the owner (who was very nice and welcoming) As I was browsing through the menu, I still had no idea what I wanted to get. The store was so cute, and had so many pretty things in it that I couldn't decide on what I wanted. So I asked the owner what he would recommend. He recommended what was most closely related to a hot chocolate. But the difference with his is that it is only made with water, cocoa, and spices. (I had never had a spicy hot chocolate) Let me tell you... It was PHENOMENAL!! It was served in a small bowl and smelled amazing. The spice was not super intense, but hit the palette in a way that wasn't overwhelming, which I really really enjoyed. While I was there, I also purchased little gummy frogs that were made there (all the chocolates and things are made there). I also purchased a chocolate tasting kit $16.50. And a little packet of rare chocolates 4 small squares for $5.50. In total with two warm drinks, gummy frogs and a couple types of chocolate I ended up spending about $41. The drinks were $6.50/each (if I remember correctly) Normally I wouldn't like spending that much money on chocolate, but I really enjoyed talking to the owner about how he started doing what he does and could tell how passionate he was about it, and I could taste it in his products! So I didn't mind splurging a little! Highly recommend trying this place out! Especially with this freezing cold weather!!

I travel the world eating chocolate and have eaten at chocolate bars like Pierre Hermé in Tokyo and multiple La Maison du Chocolat outposts in different countries, but would you believe that the best chocolates I've had are from a place in Manchester, New Hampshire? That's what Dancing Lion is, they are the best chocolate I've ever had. If you're a chocolate fan, this place will not disappoint. Richard sources his chocolate from a variety of locations, from your standard Valrhona to extremely small batch cacao grown by independent farmers in South America. Richard (the founder/owner) also works with cacao farmers to grow sustainable cacao. How do I know all this? Richard will tell you all this and more if you're curious about his chocolate. Every time I come here he is always excited to tell me about a new chocolate he got his hands on, or a new bon bon he has created using some combination of ingredients you wouldn't think would work together (but totally does). He's extremely passionate about his craft and it comes through in all his chocolate and food. And on the subject of food: it's all great. Every time I come here I have to get a Mallorca (basically a sandwich made with ham, cheese, and a sweetened bun), a cup of Mayan Heat hot chocolate (made with dark chocolate and a little spice), and some chocolate bon bons. Most of Dancing Lion's chocolate is only ever made once, so I can't really recommend any particular bon bons I've had because you probably won't be able to get them. But trust me when I say that any chocolate you see will probably be some of the best you've had. Richard and his staff are all very friendly and knowledgeable about the product. Richard will also likely remember your name after a couple visits, even if you go infrequently. The shop is small and cozy, small compared to its neighbors (a cafe and a bar), with seating for maybe 8-10 people. I've never seen it very crowded, and I go there early afternoons on weekends. The atmosphere tends toward the quiet side, even when the shop is basically full. All in all, this is one of the best places in New England, and I will drive the 70 miles one way just to eat a handful of chocolate and a sandwich sometimes. On a final note, Dancing Lion is an expensive place, in the upper tiers of chocolate bars. A piece of chocolate might cost $3-5 and a mallorca is over $6 if I remember correctly. It's definitely far from a pack of M&Ms and a bar of Twix. And some short tips: * Get the mallorca * Try the hot chocolate - I like the Mayan Heat, but the Lion Waltz is really good as well * I like the Liona chocolate bar * If they have croissants, try one (they only do them one weekend per month)

I have never experienced chocolate like this before. To die for! I purchased a small bag of Quantum Bark for $5. Well worth it. The drinking chocolate is what dreams are made of. Subtle spiciness adds so much dimension. I even purchased a bag drinking chocolate to try to make at home. The gentleman at the counter was very knowledgeable. I will definitely return when I'm in Manchester again.

This place is a high quality craft chocolate shop. The shop sells bars of chocolate that are made there from cacao that the owner has sourced from single farms in different places around the world. They are very good but very expensive. I think they would make very excellent gifts for people with a discerning taste. They also sell Mayan hot chocolate and serve it in the traditional bowls. I tried it here for the first time. It wasn't like anything I had ever tasted before. I strongly recommend trying it once for the historical and cultural experience. They also have more common sweetened style hot chocolate as well as espresso drinks. The owner was the only person working there. He is a very friendly person and extremely passionate about his work. His passion shows in the overall quality of the establishment.

This place is incredible and Rick really knows his stuff! Rick is a chocolate artist that travels around the world in search of flavorful and rare cocoas and then comes back to his store to concoct one of kind chocolates, brownies, and other chocolate goodies using them. He puts so much thought, care, and detail into them that they look like sculptures and paintings. I was hesitant to eat them they look so good. Upon tasting the chocolates I was blown away. They are unlike any other high quality chocolates I've ever had. I've lived in New York City for 10+ years and I have to tell you this is as good as it gets. The brownies are some of the best I've ever had This guy is a chocolate genius, the Willy Wonka of chocolates and he lives here! Best chocolates in NH - no question. I'm definitely coming back and you must try this place.

I love chocolate! After visiting the Dancing Lion and trying their chocolate, I love it even more. The sensation of flavors in every bite it blissful. All I could think of the entire time I was in the store was the movie chocolate. You can see and taste the love and passion that goes into every item made. I look forward to going back to try the cocoa.

Wow. What an experience. Small show, literally every piece of chocolate is one of a kind and truly a work of art. Originally skeptical of the concept but was blown away by the results. They also do teas, coffee and patisserie items that are worth the daily or at least weekly trip in. Would recommend to all

Wow. I am speechless. This is an exceptional place and you must visit. Chocolate is fantastic and the service is friendly.

Holy crap, our minds were blown. Not only was this a delicious and unusual experience, but Richard is the kindest and most informative human. Had spicy chocolate espresso and it was unbelievable, complex like a wine. Definitely a grown-up chocolate experience. I'll 100% be back.

The shop overall is very quaint, artisan. The best spicy hot chocolate! Completely decadent, rich. Pricey but absolutely worth it!

I went with my sister one morning for breakfast, and we were so happy to see they offer mallorcas. This is a staple pastry in our home of Puerto Rico, so to find it all the way in New Hampshire felt like a blessing. So ofc we ordered two, and oh my god! They were just as good, if not better, than mallorcas we've had back home. Buttery, soft, almost melt in your mouth with top notch ham and cheese. Such a delight. I had the dark and milk hot chocolate, and my sister had the spicy chocolate espresso. Both were incredibly creamy and rich, we've been spoiled for chocolate beverages. What really makes this place 5 stars is the owner, however, who is a wonderful person wh really gives above and beyond great service.

Expensive but world class chocolates being made here by a chocolate artisan. The owner has a great palate and even better presentation skills to make his pieces look like art. Come here for an experience and not for something to gobble down.

Let me first say this chocolate is so beautiful it looks like jewelry. I got a great chocolate box as a momentum of my New England adventure. However, my experience was tarnished when the owner/chocolate expert verbally attacked his employee for selling a display chocolate instead of the pre-boxed chocolates. What? Jaws dropped from 5 customers who were enjoying his establishment. Not to mention he chased us down the street to pay for the chocolate because with the fluttered employees response they forgot to charge my friend. Excellent chocolate. VERY POOR MANAGEMENT SKILLS.

My go to place for a gift for a chocolate lover. Have never had anything here that wasn't amazing. Seriously. Anything!

I read the fantastic reviews about this place, and wanted to stop by and see for myself while driving through the area. I thought it was cute and interesting, but I wasn't blown away. There were some really creative and beautiful chocolates, for high prices (example: you could buy a small, edible "gift box" made of chocolate, for about $45). I do have to say the chocolate bars were very pretty for the most part- decorated with iridescent glazes and floral designs and such- and I'm sure they were tasty. My friend decided to buy something less pretty, but marked as a rare Guatemalan chocolate bar, for $15. It was tiny, and he ate it in a few bites, and said it was "ok". He said the $6 organic chocolate he gets from Whole Foods was better. I tried one of the brownies I'd seen, and I did think it was really good. It was only 3.50, and apparently gluten-free, so I was impressed with that. Perhaps if I'd tried the drinking chocolate I would be slightly more impressed, since I hear that's very good. I do have to give kudos for the talented artist creating the decorative confections I saw.

I wanted plain croissants to serve at a family brunch, but the other bakery I went to ran out, BOO! Luckily for me Dancing Lion was nearby so I stopped on by. Thank goodness I came here because if I had not, then I would have never known about their flaky,buttery croissants! When you walk in you'll notice how warm and inviting the employees are. I was promptly greeted and encouraged to ask any questions that I may have. The associate informed me of their varieties of chocolate and where their ingredients are sourced from. The display case of chocolates looked so tempting that I totally wanted to stick my hand in there and swipe chocolate pieces one by one. With great restraint, I pointed and made my selections. Since I was in a time crunch, I couldn't taste anything until I got back to my destination. Back home I was able to sink my teeth into a piece of croissant and it was amazing! What I appreciate most is that there wasn't a weird shortening aftertaste that other bakeries use to make their croissants flaky. As for the chocolate, totally decadent. Next time I'm back in Manchester, I'm going to definitely sign up for one of their "how to bake" croissant courses. YUM!

Lovely small artisanal chocolate shop on Manchester's main drag. We shared a bowl of Mayan drinking chocolate on a sunny 30 degree day (we're Texans). Velvety dark chocolate with deep spices. Also bought two distinctive bars of chocolate as gifts. Pop in and enjoy.

Best place for specialty chocolate in NH. Staff takes time to explain the ingredients and are truly excited to share their creations with you. Great place to spend a moment enjoying something refined.