Dolce and Bean

Located at the corner of E Howell Ave and Mt Vernon Ave, this quaint coffee and chocolate shop is a great place for an afternoon treat. The owner is kind, generous and pleasant. The chocolate selection is lovely & unique and reasonably priced compared to other chocolate shops I’ve been to. My new obsession is the dark chocolate violet (see pictures below - violet crystal toppings with dark chocolate ganache). If you’re looking for a cozy place to have a relaxing break for coffee and chocolate, this is chocolate shop is a must try!!!

We were underwhelmed here. The chocolate was good but very expensive. Our double espresso, espresso with steamed milk, and 8 pieces of chocolate was $29 before tip. The vibe felt unclear if they were going for a high-end chocolate shop or a casual coffee bar.

These folks make the best (the absolute best) chocolates I have ever had… and I am a chocolate connoisseur. Not only is the flavor unmatched, but some of their designs are perfection. The macarons are also top tier by a landslide. Friendly staff, adorable little shop, great small business. I absolutely need to stop back more often.

After more than eight years this business is closing. The owner let us in even though his open closed sign said closed and he made us good Americanos and was very nice to us. It's always a shame when a small business that survived the COVID pandemic closes and we are sad to see him go.

My friend brought me here after brunch in Del Ray. The chocolates, cake, & macarons are FANTASTIC & I keep coming back for the welcoming, friendly, kind, attentive service from the shop owner & staff. 5/5 stars 🌟

So glad I came by to get some dessert. I tried the carrot cake, decadence cake, bourbon chocolate cake, and Oreo cheesecake. All were good but decadence really stood out, must-try for chocolate lovers. I also tried the tiramisu chocolate truffle but that was just ok for me. It was a little harder than expected but can be due to cold weather.

Had the chocolate gelato and the Napoleon!!! We were craving dessert and we are so happy to find this place! The owner was kind, polite and generous! He allowed me to sample the gelato and at checkout gave us a sample of the hazelnut chocolate treat! The packaging is sophisticated and I’ll be back to purchase gifts for friends! the packaging is perfect for romantic night or to be ready for a gift for anyone with a sweet tooth. I love this place! Also you can ask for a free sample of the gelatos!

For their is a GOOODDD because their is no other explanation for there to be a person created to create such delicious life changing sweet aroma delectables on this planet than God making them himself. This is the PERFECT backery that has the perfect sweets its 1000% worth the pounds. Vut you can totally walk them off because the bakery is surrounded by lovely small business as well . 😋😋😋😋😋❤❤❤❤❤❤

Dolce & Bean focuses on chocolates, macarons, gelato and a few other dessert items. We were greeted warmly by a kind gentleman. After taking a look at the candy, gelato and desserts, we settled on key lime pie. The key lime pie was pretty good, though it was perhaps a little too sweet and the filling rather dry. Because we were first time customers, the shopkeeper offered us each a piece of complimentary candy. The candy had a shell filled with a confection containing Japanese citrus yuzu fruit. The shell was coated with dark chocolate. I'm just going to say this was the tastiest, most delightful candy I've ever sampled. Dolce & Bean also sells attractively designed packages of candies. These would make good gifts. We absolutely will be back for more candy and want to try the gelato. One minor thing is that the shop was chilly and I had to put my hoodie on. But heck, aren't most restaurants and stores around the DMV freezing cold in the summer?

Such a sweet and quaint chocolate and coffee shop. Stopped in sort of by accident, and am so happy I did! Definitely a "mom and pop" shop which makes it feel warm and cozy. I have a suspicion the owner is the one who took our order and served us. He also gives out free samples of chocolate if you're a first time customer - which of course made me want more! I'd definitely return to support this small (and delicious) small business. Oh & I got a green tea macaron - yum!

Amazing chocolate shop! They carry Neuhaus, a Belgian chocolatier and one of my favorite brands of chocolate. The in-house chocolates are very good as well and there's a huge variety to choose from. The owner is so kind and friendly and has usually been there the few times we've gone in and we really enjoy chatting with him! Love having this place in the neighborhood.

Coffee and chocolates are amazing! The owner is so sweet and friendly. Please support this local business! It's so rare to see hospitality like this with amazing service and delicious lattes

An unexpected small business, with the look and feel of a independent owner, providing a rich and unique experience. I was surprised because this place does not try to be picturesque or modern in any way. It felt like no renovations have been made since the early 2000's, however that goes to show it stands on its principals as a quality coffee shop. I ordered my mocha and was given a chocolate sample. It was difficult not wanting to try every single chocolate available. The staff was nice and friendly. He seemed happy to have us in his shop. The offer a variety of coffees, gelato, and chocolates. The seating is limited since the place is small, but they do offer seating outside. If you are looking for an authentic coffee shop with no frills, this place is it!

Really loved my visit to this dessert shop I tried the tiramisu truffle and it was just OK for me, typically I like my truffles a little bit richer, but it was still tasty The real star of the show was the decadence. It's a chocolate mousse cake and it was one of the best chocolate mousse cakes that I have ever tried in my life. The texture of the bread to the mousse, the ratio was seamless and incredible. I also tried the bourbon chocolate cake which was also delicious. The carrot cake was also not too overwhelming but had plenty of carrots. I liked that the icing was not too sweet. The Oreo cheesecake was also very good. But it didn't stand out. I would love to be back to try the red velvet and dolce de Leche cakes.

Friendly neighborhood service and excellent quality pastries. The owner gave an overview of his Belgian chocolates and the kids loved the gelato.

Please updates your business hours. We came here for a slice of cake for a friend's Bday and you were closed.

Stepping into this unassuming shop we were struck by the obvious pride the owner Mr. Petros has in his coffees and chocolates. It's absolutely warranted. The lavender latte is divine, as are the frisson (dark chocolate balanced perfectly with a light citrus nougat) and violet chocolates. We will certainly be back, probably for Christmas present shopping!

Go say hello to PETROS at Dolce & Bean! Yuzu chocolate was life changing! Perfect place to satisfy your sweet tooth Five star service and wonderful conversation!

Had the Passion Fruit Brazilian Sweet, Tiramisu cake, and Tiramisu dark chocolate truffle. Loved it

The chocolate, pastries and coffee were super tasty! And the owner was super friendly! Pro tip: get the key lime tart.

WOW! WOW! WOW! Dolce&Bean is a hidden gem! I ordered three Neuhaus chocolates, one red velvet cake, and one chocolate bomb cake. Everything was extremely delicious and fresh. Are their desserts on the slightly pricey side? Not so! Not so! The chocolates are Neuhaus chocolates! And the cakes taste like they are made with quality ingredients. Both cakes were also topped with multiple pieces of chocolate decorations that were really really good. If you must order only one thing here, I'd splurge on the chocolate bomb cake. It is superb. Also, the owner is insanely kind and sweet. Before I ate my purchases, I was really hoping their cakes would be delicious because I wanted to give Dolce&Bean five stars. The owner was THAT nice. I knew, however, that if their cakes were not actually worthy of five stars, I would only give them as many stars as they deserved. But when I had my first bite, I was so happy because the cake was so good AND because I could genuinely give five stars! Yay! Also also, look how carefully they packaged my cakes so they would not crash into one another. Genius!

Another place I stumbled upon which honestly so easy to miss yet worth finding. From gelatos to mini cakes to gourmet chocolates, this place will fulfill your SWEET TOOTH. So much options that will force you to come back. The girl who worked their was AMAZING!!!!!! SO sweet, kind, helpful and had a heart of Gold. Her customer service is so amazing that I want to go back just because of her kindness and beautiful personality. l thought this was a family owned place but after speaking with the staff I found out the owner opens his heart to hire local students which is amazing. I was so shocked to know this and it only added another reason to come back. Oh and they have a reward program that linked to cash app how cool.

Everything I purchase is wonderful!!!!! I just tried The Yule Log!!!! I must do if still available!!!!

Came across this cute shop after brunch nearby. It was the perfect treat on a hot day! I enjoyed the lemon sorbet! You get 2 tastings so I also tried the mango sorbet which was also delicious. As a custom, first time customers get one of their chocolates for free! I tried the Cornet which was a fudge and hazelnut combo. Pretty good. The workers were very friendly and the shop was clean. I'll definitely be back!

This little bakery was a delightful discovery after a long day of work! It was a warm evening so we decided to take a stroll around the quaint neighborhood of Del Ray and stopped by the bakery before we left. The staff was super friendly and even offered some chocolate for us since it was our first time visiting! There were many absolutely beautiful cakes and chocolates available, it was so hard to choose. I went with the Decadence (spelling?) cake to satisfy my chocolate craving. The flavor was soo rich, pure chocolately goodness. I definitely will be back to try all the other treats available!! +bonus points for the boxing, I probably was as excited about the packaging as I was about the cake. They put a plastic lid inside the box to prevent the cake from sliding! Genius!!!! My precious cake was still in perfect shape after a bumpy pothole-filled ride home.

Without a doubt 5 Stars! The desserts were beautifully executed and looked like pieces of art. The chocolates on display were hard to resist! We walked in on a Friday night after dinner and overheard the customers in front of us with gelato saying it was the best they ever had. Will have to try next time, but I was in the mood for cake. Mr. Dubs ordered the pumpkin cheesecake which was topped with a cookie stick and white chocolate disc and I had the marble cake which was mix of white, dark and milk chocolate. I'm not a huge fan of pumpkin but the cheesecake was delicious and you could taste a hint of nutmeg and cinnamon. The marble cake was phenomenal...as in I didn't realize how many tastebuds I had phenomenal. The owner was so nice, as was his assistant. He let us try some Belgium chocolates on the house and made me a custom cortado (espresso drink) which was superb. Do not hesitate to stop in if you want dessert or to get some beautiful chocolates for yourself or as a gift. We definitely will be back.

Dolce and Bean is a family-owned chocolate and confectionary shop that offers Belgian chocolates, French macarons, pastries, coffee, cappuccino, cakes, and even gelato! Such a cute little spot in Del Ray, a group of us came here to get some dessert after having lunch. I had a selection of the Neuhaus Chocolates, some filled with peanut butter, others filled with caramel, etc. They were pretty tasty! We also tried a chocolate mousse cake, perfect for sharing between two people; the gelato was delicious, as my favorite was the raspberry one. I'd love to come back and try out their other little cakes! The staff here are so friendly and welcoming, and there are some tables available for you to enjoy your treats. Limited and restricted parking off of Mount Vernon. +tasty Belgian chocolates! +gelato available! +friendly staff!

Great service and of course great gelato and chocolate! Feels very much like a part of the Del Ray community.

Love this place! The owner is so kind and attentive. The macaroons are delicious, the chocolates are a work of art, and the hot cocoa is decadent. We always stop by when we're in Del Ray. Awesome place to buy a host/hostess gift, as well!

I had a craving for delicious and rich hot chocolate and visited D&B after an epic fail at another popular Alexandria bakery that was neither. Wow. Just. Wow! The hot chocolate was super delicious and just what I needed to satisfy the craving, but the service and friendliness of the owner and the young lady working that evening was so incredible. I'll need to watch the waistline a bit, but will DEFINITELY visit more often and recommend this place to family and friends in the DMV.

Wow!! So good! I LOVE chocolate and would like to say that I can tell good from bad chocolate. This spot has amazing chocolates and an option for everyone. Reasonable prices and so many options. They also have great coffee drinks and other dessert. We've been a few times and plan to keep going. Their peanut butter cup chocolate is MINDBLOWING!!!! (Also love the caramel and the milk chocolate)

I found this place through Yelp and Google Maps. Yes, it's a little out of the way, but it's in the charming neighborhood of Del Ray, Alexandria. The cakes are gorgeous pieces of art. So many different pastries to choose from, including chocolates and gelato. I got the red velvet cake, which was light and airy. The owner is also very nice and even gave me a free sample of chocolate. I definitely had to go work out the day after, but will be back!

The Gentleman behind the counter is wonderful. Always a welcome and a friendly smile. Chocolate is exceptional. So fresh and tasty. Buy some for your friends and yourself.

The absolute best service and the desserts are wonderful too. Had the loveliest chat with the owner while my mom and I enjoyed hot chocolate and other sweet treats; it reminded her of living in Belgium!

My friend and I stopped by to snag something chocolate to take to a dinner with friends, and had an absolutely LOVELY chat with the gentleman working there. He shared about some of the specialty chocolates and gave us samples, and after we made our selection, kindly added two of his favorite macarons to try as well. I also loved the Ethiopian art on the wall! Definitely know where I'll be returning when I come through Alexandria again!

Walking around Del Ray after dinner, I was craving something sweet. A quick Yelp search pointed me at Dolce and Bean. The reviews were positive, so we headed there... We were immediately greeted by Petro (sp?) who was not only welcoming but knowledgeable and provided excellent service (like putting a couple of tables together to accommodate our family. Dolce and Bean sells gelato, pastries, macaroons, coffee, etc. These are not desserts but instead, they are pieces of art that look beautiful and taste great from the first until the last bite. I recommend the Dulce de Leche gelato and the Tiramisu!

This place is dessert HEAVEN!! They have the most indulgent mini cakes/plated desserts and delicious gelato. We ordered the espresso chocolate bomb to share and each ordered some gelato. It was my friend's first time and Petros told us he was going to bring out some chocolate to taste. I thought he was going to bring out some chopped up pieces but he brought two whole pieces of chocolate from the extravagant case. The chocolate bomb was SO RICH (in the BEST way) and went so well with my Earl Gray tea. I got the pistachio gelato and it was a beautiful balance of sweet and nutty. My friend got the mint chocolate chip and loved it. Oh! They also have delicious cappuccino and espresso drinks. Petros is such a friendly shop owner. My friend and I were chatting and enjoyed our dessert in the cute little French-styled seating area; we saw him and Kennedy, the other sales person behind the counter, engage everyone with warm welcome. On our way out, we saw a chalkboard sign saying he also serve crepes. Can't wait to go back and try that!!!!

Our visit to Dolce and Bean is the best example I can think of of 6-star service. We stopped in on a Saturday afternoon after brunch in the area while friends were in town. My husband, baby, and two friends got there before me and when I met them inside, Petros, the owner, greeted me so kindly and enthusiastically! He said that I needed to catch up because the others had already eaten their free chocolate. He asked about my preferences and said that he would bring my piece out with the items that the group had already ordered. We sat outside and Petros came out very shortly thereafter with our items. Everything was delicious and we spent the next several minutes talking about the excellent service that we had already received, and how generous & friendly Petros had been. As we were getting up to leave, Peters met us outside with a stuffed bunny from the shop next-door for our son. I am still so shocked by his kindness and generosity. In a time when it is easy to feel like just another transaction at stores, Petros is embodying what it means to love what you do and build loyal customers. When I came on Yelp to see the other reviews, I was not surprised to see that Petros has raving feedback from so many people. He deserves all of them and more. Not only will we be telling everyone to make a trip to Del Ray to go to Dolce and Bean, but we will go out of our way to give Petros our business on a regular basis. For what it's worth, the coffee and chocolates were amazing, as well!

Amazing coffee and amazing desserts! I popped in this afternoon to grab a coffee and couldn't resist ordering some of their unique artisan chocolates such as tiramisu dark choc truffles and Belgian hazelnut pralines (one of my faves!) if you live in the old town area, pay them a visit!

The ice cream was delicious and the staff was very pleasant and courteous! Enjoyed our visit very much!

Macaroons were great. Owner was nice and gave us some chocolate for being first timers.

I visited dolce & bean on a whim and was blown away by the display of beautiful desserts. We ordered several chocolates and one of the little cakes, all of which were divine (my favorite probably being the dark chocolate sea salt caramel). The shop has a policy of giving a free chocolate to try to new customers and even offered one to my husband who was sitting outside! The service was very friendly and I can't wait to take my family here when they come to visit!

Great desserts, great coffee and wonderful service. The owner Petros is always very warm, welcoming and generous. He really makes the effort to connect with his customers and make them feel valued. In addition to the store having a positive atmosphere, there are always a variety of flavors of gelato, macarons, and chocolates in rotation. The gelato is my favorite because the flavors are so rich, but there's a large selection of chocolates in interesting flavors such as tiramisu, key lime, and violet-infused. I also love the coffee here as it has a fuller, richer flavor than some of its local competitors, to me at least. This shop is definitely great for a quick treat/drink or for buying a nice gift!

Absolutely delicious desserts!!!!! I can't wait to go back, which is going to be tonight. Lmao, excellent service, and dessert. This is a place I would try to support as much as possible, especially during COVID-19. I didn't catch the owners name, but he was so darn kind!!! Offered us a sample bc it was our first time, and that was foreshadowing for the amazingness that was about to follow. Can't recommend enough!

After happy tart closed, I've been in a funk looking for good dessert spots in Del Ray...of course I'm not forgetting Dairy Godmother, which thank goodness the owner decided not to close the business. That said, I do eventually get tired of delicious, creamy custard, and my mind goes wondering, looking for an alternative; maybe cake, maybe pie, maybe even a macaroon...is a cannoli asking too much? Oh my, with Dolce and Bean I think I've satisfied my alternative dessert craving, at least for a few minutes. I just tried the pumpkin cheesecake for the first time and it was superb! Super rich and creamy, beautiful texture, and not overpowered by the cream cheese or pumpkin, just a perfect balance. It's served in a single slightly-larger-than-a-cupcake personal sized pie. You peel back the plastic on the outer plastic and just indulge! I'm so happy Dolce and Bean has come to Del Ray and I can't wait for my next post-dinner pasty indulgence.

An incredible restaurant with the best chocolates and customer service in alexandria. They have great macaroons, pastries, and chocolates, they also serve coffee and ice cream.

Adorable local chocolate house with artisanal gelato. Wheelchair accessible, ample seating indoors with limited outdoor seating, upscale coffee, slightly overpriced, medium size chocolte selection, and fantastic customer service! Highly recommend the vanilla Bourbon gelato - but be warned, it is fairly alcoholic, so don't give to children. Small gelato (max 1 flavor) $4.95 and large for $5.95 (yes, they allow samples). I'm coming back to try the absolutely decadent mini cakes!!! Ownership/service After talking to the owner for a few minutes about my love of chocolate, he was kind enough to give me two free pieces of the criolla truffle for me and my girlfriend. Wasn't a big fan of the chocolate itself (Great flavor but very strange texture), but the owner was very kind and this was after the cashier gave me excellent advice about all of their selections. Cons Wish they had a wider selection of chocolate bars and also wish everything had been marked with prices because I probably would have bought more. They should carry more small batch chocolatiers and also a "healthy" chocolate bar option like Honey Mama lavender rose bars (from Oregon) or perhaps Choco Perfection raspberry, orange, or mint bars (from Idaho).

If I could give this hidden gem six stars I would ! I just moved to Norfolk, Virginia from California in July because my husband is stationed out here. We decided to take a spontaneous trip this weekend to Washington DC and Alexandria. My husband and I were looking for a something sweet to eat after dinner and since we aren't familiar to the area we decided to go on Yelp to see what we could find. I was craving macaroons and my husband was craving ice cream. We came across Dolce & Bean which had the best of both worlds and we set off to the destination hoping for the best. Upon entering, we were greeted by not only the kind gentleman who helped us out but also the owner. The gentleman who was helping us was so friendly and patient as we were still deciding what to get. He also helped us pick out some pastries which were absolutely AMAZING! I wish I would of taken pictures but they were just too delicious to stop eating. The owner was also very kind. He made us feel like we've been loyal customers for a long time and like we were his friends! They have an awesome tradition that if you're a new customer you get a free treat! Customer service superb and the desserts AMAZINGLY DELICIOUS! We will definitely be coming back before making our way back home !

Hidden gem! Just moved in the area and their chocolate, gelato, dessert, and coffee options are to die for! So yummy!!

One of my biggest sadnesses of moving from Alexandria to DC is the fact that I no longer live 2 blocks from this Alexandria gem. Petros is always hospitable, caring, and memorable providing exceptional customer service every visit. He has a tendency to remember what chocolates I have and haven't tried and recommends new favorites. As for the chocolates themselves, they are divine. Favorites include the salt caramels, the key lime truffles, the hazelnut Mephistos, and the peanut butter cups. I can't remember the name of the white chocolate Madagascar vanilla chocolates but those are a treat as well. A must visit in Del Ray.

Omg! This place is a must for all those craving for deserts! It's like one of those delights you find in Paris. Absolutely loved it. The staffs were just so friendly, they gave us this complimentary milk chocolates truffles!

If you want beautiful pastries, this is the place to go. Not only are their treats delicious, but the presentation is unique and superlative. I had a chocolate mousse slice recently that was decorated for Mardi Gras with vari-color chocolate tiles and tied with a ribbon and topped with an elaborate chocolate bow. It was too pretty to eat...almost! One caveat, if you are relying on something for a special dinner, for example, you'd be smart to call at least a day ahead to make sure you'll be able to get what you need. Last time I stopped by on impulse, they were sold out of pastry. Also, their prices are somewhat higher than elsewhere per piece, but definitely worth it.

This is a review for the gelato. I didn't want to wait in line at the Dairy Godmother so we decided to try out Dolce and Bean instead. It was a bad move.They served me the dinkiest half of scoop of icecream for $3.50 and claimed that was a serving. When I complained they gave me another half scoop and charged me $5.50 without telling me. There are no prices posted. Moral of the story is to suck it up and wait in line at the dairy godmother instead.

After a long wait, Dolce and Bean opened its charming doors to Del Ray this week, and lovers of good chocolate and gelato rejoiced! Featuring rich belgian chocolate (imported every day, and every bit as decadent as you think) with pastries and a gelato counter, D+B has an incredibly friendly staff and a sweet, polished interior. It's interior is bright and airy and is completely uncluttered. The coffee is fresh, and espresso should be a welcome addition to bleary eyed families all over the area. I loved the dark chocolate belgian chocolate with raspberry cream, and the other truffles I tried were wonderful. Similar to Kilwins in Alexandria, this spot will definitely inspire some sweet tooth fantasies. Looking forward to checking this spot out when they get their feet

This place is awesome! Gelato, coffees, crepes, and Neuhaus chocolate!!! We've come in a number of times for creamy delicious gelato, and even some Neuhaus chocolates boxed up to go to a dinner party. Everything here is special and yummy! The owner, Petros, is one of the nicest people you could ever hope to meet in your entire life. There's a nice quiet atmosphere if you want to eat inside, there are also a few tables outside on Mount Vernon Ave. perfect for munching and people watching. We are working on becoming regulars.

Mango / Lemon sorbet on a scorching Del Rey afternoon after a filling dinner nearby. Delicious and refreshing. Cool interior (temperature). Clean. Service left no complaints. Will definitely return for a coffee test run on another day.

Fantastic. Family owned. Friendly. And that is all before the amazing pastries! We got four of their small cakes. Not only are they gorgeous, they are delicious! They also treated us to two samples of their chocolates and they are heavenly! We will definitely be coming back. Please support this amazing local business!

Besides that the flavors are great, we ordered pistaccio ice cream is great and the fantastic tiramisu feels the flavors of each ingredient with the mascarpon cheese and the touch of good chocolate, or a delight for the palate ... I will definitely return !!!