Ghirardelli Ice Cream & Chocolate Shop

This place is one of my absolute favorites to visit whenever I'm in Chicago. The location is super convenient, and the seating area is perfect for enjoying a quick hot chocolate with friends and family. My personal favorite is the salted caramel hot chocolate, it has the perfect balance of salty and sweet.

It was so cold and we came by this store, great place to have a nice and warm hot chocolate! Ghirardelli chocolates are well known everywhere, no need to mention that, but I have never tried their hot chocolate. We had one peppermint hot chocolate and one sea salted caramel hot chocolate, both large size of course! There were simply delicious! Well worth the price, which is very reasonable. Their chocolates here are not cheap, so I won’t recommend unless you really want some! But their hot chocolates and other beverages are very reasonable. The place is well located and very larger and comfortable. Nice views through their big windows upstairs. Definitely worth a visit.

A perfect spot for a treat, we got the hot chocolate on a cold day. The hot chocolate was thick and creamy. There is seating inside the establishment and people are coming and going so you may have to wait a couple minutes or so for a seat but we didn’t wait long to find seating for six. There is some seating in the back where you can look onto the river and the riverwalk. It was very well decorated for the holidays.

I have been here many times. Every time I visit I always get the Ghirardelli Hot Chocolate drink. I got the treasure island sundae. It was also very good but too heavy to eat. The brownie in that was too soft and warm.

Perfect place in downtown Chicago to sip hot chocolate or have an ice cream on a cozy winter day. This place is always busy. Great ambience, smells like chocolate and amazing! I had a cup of hot chocolate which was very warm n cozy for a winter night! Love visiting to this place whenever I’m in the city!

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Ghirardelli chocolate ice cream is pure bliss! 🍫🍦 The rich, velvety texture and deep chocolate flavor are absolutely heavenly. Each bite melts in your mouth, delivering a symphony of sweetness that's simply irresistible. The ice cream is perfectly creamy, with generous chunks of Ghirardelli chocolate adding an extra layer of indulgence. 🤤 The friendly staff and charming atmosphere make the experience even more enjoyable. If you're a chocolate lover, this is a must-try treat! Highly recommend for anyone with a sweet tooth. ❤️✨ 😋🍫🍦

My family and I went to Ghirardelli for some ice cream after a nighttime Wendella boat tour. I have been to one location in San Francisco and now the Chicago location. The establishment is very clean, the staff was friendly and everything was delicious. Personally, I would recommend splitting an ice cream. Their ice cream is very rich in taste and definitely sweet, so it can be hard to eat a whole one by yourself, depending on the flavor you get. Their ice cream is delicious, however, and they have a good variety to choose from. In the shop, they also have a wide variety of Ghirardelli chocolates to purchase, either individually or in a pack. The consistency in quality and service between this location SF is great. I love the atmosphere of the shops, it gives a more high end feel than your average ice cream shop. Ghirardelli has created wonderful memories for my family and I and holds a special place in my heart, we hope to visit more locations across the country.

I tried the new Peppermint Hot Cocoa, and it was delicious! I didn’t expect chocolate to come with it, so it was a nice surprise to get it for free 😆. My husband went with the regular cocoa, but personally, I found the mint one much better. The only downside was that there were some families with kids visiting, and it wasn’t exactly quiet during my visit. I understand it’s normal for kids to be a bit noisy in such places, but it’s something to keep in mind if you’re looking for a quieter experience!

Ghirardelli is the kind of place where you can't walk by without stopping in--the rich aroma of chocolate alone will pull you inside! Whether you're craving a classic hot fudge sundae, a rich milkshake, or a decadent chocolate treat, this place never disappoints. What I Love & Always Get: Hot Fudge Sundae - An absolute must! The warm, velvety hot fudge over creamy vanilla ice cream is pure perfection. The whipped cream, crunchy nuts, and signature chocolate square on top just make it even better. Chocolate Squares & Bars - If you love premium chocolate, you'll want to stock up! They have a huge variety of flavors, from dark chocolate sea salt caramel to milk chocolate hazelnut. Perfect for gifting or treating yourself. Milkshakes - Thick, creamy, and full of real chocolate flavor. If you're in the mood for a drinkable dessert, this is the way to go. Hot Chocolate - So rich and comforting, especially on a cold day. Made with real Ghirardelli chocolate, so it's smooth and indulgent without being overly sweet. Why I Keep Coming Back: Perfect for chocolate lovers--everything is rich & indulgent! Great variety--ice cream, sundaes, shakes, and classic chocolates. Nostalgic, fun atmosphere that feels like a special treat. Always a great stop while exploring Chicago! If you have a sweet tooth and love high-quality chocolate, Ghirardelli is a must-visit! Whether you're grabbing a quick treat or sitting down for a classic sundae experience, you'll leave happy (and probably with a bag of chocolates to take home!).

I visited the Ghirardelli Ice Cream & Chocolate Shop on Michigan Avenue and had a great experience despite the long line. The shop was bustling, but it was worth the wait. They had an impressive selection of Christmas gift packs, with enticing offers like 50% off or buy-one-get-one deals, perfect for holiday shopping. I ordered a coffee, and it was absolutely delightful--rich, flavorful, and very enjoyable. It was the perfect treat to complement the festive atmosphere. The shop's vibrant energy and the quality of their products make it a great spot for both indulgence and holiday shopping. Highly recommend stopping by if you're in the area!

The desserts and hot cocoa are amazing here and well worth a stop in if you're near Michigan Avenue in Chicago. When you arrive, head upstairs to order. Highly recommend the Salted Caramel Hot Chocolate (Large) or Peppermint Sundae. The portions were large and our total was about $30. We were easily able to share both between our family of four. It's an ice cream shop located in a tourist area in one of the largest cities so customer service is average, as expected. It's not the type of place to expect warm greetings or much interaction with employees. The views are great, and there was plenty of seating when we arrived on a cold Thursday afternoon.

Delicious, creamy ice cream. Every bite of ice cream had a cookie dough chunk which is RARE. Although it was delicious, extremely over priced. Def a better priced small business you could support. Beautiful store with lots of chocolate available for purchase. Service was fine!

Ghirardelli Ice Cream & Chocolate Shop is one of my favorites, mainly because of its unbeatable location--right at Michigan and the river. It's the perfect stop whether I'm out for a walk or just craving something sweet. My go-to order is the dark chocolate ice cream on a chocolate waffle cone. The rich, deep flavor of the ice cream pairs perfectly with the crispy, cocoa-infused cone, making every bite indulgent. Plus, the shop always has that signature Ghirardelli aroma, which just adds to the experience. Super convenient, always satisfying!

I stopped by on a Monday evening for a hot chocolate. The place was neat with all kinds of chocolate displayed neatly all around. The hot cocoa was real rich and delightful. I also tried the hot van latte. That was good as well.

A little more off the beaten path than the Nutella cafe and other locations like Starbucks but definitely worth the elevator ride up. Ample amount of seating and menu options. If you're with a large group or tourists this is a great option to take a break from the cold for. The gift shop downstairs also has a lot of great souvenirs and gifts for people to take back with them. Staff are very nice and patient especially with all the tourists that come thru.

Ghirardelli chocolate, you know it, you love it. The bottom floor sells the chocolate squares, the upper floor is the cafe to order treats. This location doesn't have free samples like other Ghirardelli stores. Service was not the fastest, given that when we ordered, there were not that many people in the cafe. There was a rush shortly after us, but I don't know if there was much delay caused by that. The space is quite nice, with window seating being a hot commodity. I got the peppermint chocolate sundae (that is not the specific name but I can't remember it now). It was quite expensive ($16-17) and also huge with no size options for it. It was phenomenal, don't get me wrong - but it feels kind of wasteful when you have to spend that much money for it and then not finish it. I'm not from Chicago, but I don't think I'd rush back here the next time I visit.

We stopped into Ghirardelli Ice Cream shop while visiting Chicago. It's on Michigan Avenue at the Riverwalk. We entered the first floor, which is relatively small. They sell their chocolates on this level, but were informed the ice cream shop was upstairs. I was disappointed they didn't provide a complimentary sample when we entered, but not sure if every store does that. We ventured upstairs and reviewed a large menu of ice cream treats. We settled on the cookie crumble sundae for two adults and two kids. The sundae was nice sized with two scoops of cookies and cream and one scoop of vanilla ice cream, topped with a heavy decadent whipped cream, cookies and sauce. It was delicious and satisfied the entire group. We would highly recommend if you're looking for a sweet treat while shopping.

YUM YUM YUM! I don't think there's a bad thing you can order from Ghirardelli. I got a mini caramel sundae, which was absolutely delicious. The store is such a cute place with plenty of variety of Ghirardelli chocolates available. There was definitely a bit of a wait to order our sundae, but so worth the wait! The seating is very limited compared to how many people were there and I was waiting around for someone to leave.

We came here on a Saturday afternoon! The entrance was empty, as the staff were outside taking care of the patio. Once upstairs we stood in line. They have menus to browse while in line. The ice cream is incredibly overpriced and there aren't too many options. Tables were either occupied or left dirty and sticky. Try somewhere less touristy and you'll get just as much ice cream if not more for a fraction of the price. This is definitely a place for tourist attraction and I don't recommend.

Expensive!!! But delicious. Great view. I tried the famous hot fudge sundae. Clean bathrooms and small cups of cold water available. There is a sign asking to not refill your bottles with the water.

This place had the best hot chocolate ever, very tasty. I gotta say I would love to come back every night and I think I will. Don't hesitate to come by you'll love it.

Service was fast even with just one cashier. All Ghirardelli's are the same. Menus up front, order, take your buzzer, and pick your order up. What had changed was the addition of the their mini Sunday!! I was solo and could never finish a regular size sundae on my own, so it was nice to see the mini, and it was the perfect end to my day. Dining room needed some attention. Tables needed to be wiped down and chairs tucked as there was a constant stream of folks coming in and out. There was always seating while I sat and savored my hot fudge sundae!!!

We came here my husband and I with our friend who lives in Chicago on our first night and had ice cream and shared hot chocolate. The ice cream was good but def so sweet which isn't my thing. The hot chocolate without whip It was okay but maybe bc had it right after the ice cream but the second time we went and had it with easy whip it was better and tasty. I would try this again. Service was quick but there was a line for sure

Awesome location for tourists. We had the Carmel shake. I loved it but the wife didn't. Mixed review but if you have time, take a chance and enjoy some classic ice cream!

If you love ice cream then there's nothing not to love here ! We got the salted caramel ice cream and it was good now I will say that I have had better and getting the ice cream is just to add to the hype. I'm not sure for $16 that this will ever be worth it when the size of the cup is small and there's no wow factor to the ice cream. The shop was very nice but for the price you're paying you're paying it for the location and the hype of the name. Service was great and everyone was very friendly !

Delicious! Who doesn't love Ghirardelli! Walking back to our hotel and saw it and needed something to warm me up. It was freezing in Chicago (April. Was not expecting that). I ordered their sea salt hot chocolate and it was soooo rich and creamy! 10/10!. The building was gorgeous and they of course had chocolate everywhere! My kind of place. I also ordered some chocolate covered strawberries 10/10 and grabbed a few chocolates.

All things chocolate. This is the place where chocolate dreams come true. I love this place and visit them anytime I've been in the Chi. This time, I got a chocolate chip cookie and a scrumptious brownie. Both were fresh and tasted divine. They also serve ice cream, which is a sweet treat. Of course, their candies are available for purchase as well. The selection is larger than your typical grocery store candy aisle, so be prepared to buy more than what you originally wanted.

This is a very welcoming store. We were greeted with samples, which certainly does get you in the mood to buy a bunch of chocolate. Lucky for us, there were lots of packaged chocolates for gifts. You can mix and match too - the whole store is very accommodating. We did not try any of the desserts for immediate consumption. We had a lot of eating that day!

It was a rainy night and the best thing to have is a hot chocolate. Speaking of this beverage they have SEVERAL options, I decided to go for the thicker version. The thicker hot chocolate was THICK and it's literally melted chocolate chips in a cup, would have went PERFECT with a cookie! Anyways, I definitely recommend y'all stop by and grab a drink while you're in the area.

It was very busy and Christmas Eve. The line moved quickly and our food came out fast. Terry was at the register and was helpful, efficient and pleasant. The woman who delivered our items was also pleasant. Great visit.

Ambiance - inviting with views of the riverwalk Service - Special mention of Ms Mae I have certain food allergies which can make a causal ice cream outing a tad bit challenging But Ms Mae made sure I had a fun ice cream experience without worrying about anything She is a gem! What I ordered - Hot cocoa was absolutely delicious Ghirardelli chocolate ice cream was yummylicious

I have been to this Ghirardelli Chocolate every time I visit Chicago. Primarily it is because the Wendella Tour & Cruises entrance is nearby and my friends and I drop by their restroom prior to getting stuck on a boat for 90 minutes. They are located in such a good spot, since I have seen many many wedding parties take their photos here outside the Ghirardelli front since it has a great view of the riverwalk, bridges and buildings. You can drop by to indulge in some chocolate gifts or personal treats. They have shakes, ice cream, coffee, hot cocoa and more. I love getting their Hot Cocoa ($5.75/medium) when I come by. If you go to the farthest window on second floor it has a beautiful view so you can have some sweets and a view. Their hot cocoa is super tasty and rich in the chocolate flavor and the perfect drink for a cold frosty day. A bit pricey but the way I see it, you are somewhat paying for the views and the experience too. I recommend dropping by to get a drink or sweet treat before walking down the riverwalk. At this point it just feels like tradition that I stop by every time I visit Chicago.

Ghiradelli's is my favorite spot for ice cream and hot chocolate. It can get busy during prime times, but otherwise it's a nice spot to sit and relax with a sweet treat and a view.

What a classic place to get some sweet treats. Where you want ice cream now or chocolate to take home, this place will definitely have it. Everything is a bit on the expensive side when it comes to the frozen desserts and coffee type items, but the chocolate itself is pretty reasonably priced in my opinion. I did the option of filling my own bag of chocolate squares with miniature Ghirardelli pieces. Essentially, you select the chocolate flavors you want, put them in a bag, and weigh the bag to get your price. I got all the sweet classics, like white chocolate, milk chocolate, caramel, dark chocolate. They were all pretty good, but you can find all of these chocolates in most stores anyway. Part of the experience is just knowing you've been at the pretty giant Ghirardelli store. My favorite was the caramel, but all of them were quite nice. Would I come back here? Probably not. Once you've tried it, it's just a one and done deal. It's not a bad place to buy chocolate, but I just prefer other spots more.

I love Ghirardelli brownies, so coming and getting an "authentic" one in a brownie sundae is a must! Not only does this shop sell a huge variety of Ghirardelli chocolates, but it also has a full ice cream counter and serves up delicious sundaes, scoops and shakes. They definitely have some of the best brownie sundaes out there: homemade Ghirardelli brownies, rich fudge, perfectly made caramel, fresh whipped cream and the ice cream they use is high-quality. I dream about this! The prices are a bit steep though: a full-sized brownie sundae will run you about $18 after tax, but it is so worth it!!

The reason I'm giving this store one star is because of the service. When we stepped up to the register and immediately didn't feel welcome. The lady at the register wasn't friendly from the get go. We placed our order and waited. When my husband went to pick up our order, which consisted of two sundaes, mine being the Treasure Island, she (I won't mention her name unless management asks for it but she is a manager), turns to her staff of younger aged kids, and barks, "Who made this sundae?" One of them said they made it and again, she barked at this person, "You put one too many brownies! Take it off!" This was all done right in front of my husband! Then she has the gall to say to my husband that he, "Almost got a bonus!" We were appalled! You don't reprimand an employee in front of customers but to have him take off a $.30 brownie from a $20 sundae is terrible!!

I like this shop. It's touristy but it's not. The menu & chocolates are mouthwatering and sundaes have a generous portion. Been to the original one at SF too which is way better due to the factory feel. However this Chicago one is a good stop too. My only issue with Ghirardelli is that it has become too mainstream and has lost it's exclusivity. It shows in their chocolates too which taste more sugary now than rich. Go ahead & indulge in this chocolate dreamy world.

The milkshakes are delicious but service is hit or miss. Usually it is fine but occasionally when I come in on a Sunday there will only be 1 person working and it's always busy. Inside there is seating and an elevator in addition to stairs for the upper level.

Sure it's a fun place to visit with yummy treats. Service is never an issue. And it's a fun place to visit. The ambiance is fun. My problem is that everything is over priced. Perhaps I'd go once, but I wouldn't return.

The staff here are super nice and professional The chocolate here is good and desert options are plenty. Hot chocolate for the winter Ice cream during the summer Chocolate strawberry any time

Absolutely loved the sundae-mint bliss hot fudge. Huge serving so hubby and I shared. The staff were efficient and professional. Loved the clean look and lighting inside the store. Ground level is only for chocolates and the 2nd floor is where the ice cream mani happens. A welcome sweet indulgence and relaxing as we people watch outside. Great location too. Enjoyed the experience!

HIGHLY-OVERRATED! So not bother wasting your time at this place. We went in looking at how popular this place this. We had to wait 30 min in line to put the order. I ordered chocolate ice-cream in waffle cone with Hot fudge and almond topping. Boy, what a disappointment! The ice cream felt so gritty as if the flavoring was done with cocoa powder and waffle cone was soggy. Such a bad experience for 15$ DO NOT WASTE YOUR TIME and MONEY HERE!

Loved the season options!! This location is super busy but they do a great job of keeping the lines moving. Very clean and well stocked.

Desserts were tasty but very decadent. This place is very crowded over the weekend, so expect a wait. Nothing mind blowing about the food and drinks- you get exactly what you'd expect. No real complaints, but also nothing to write home about. Likely a tourist destination. Bathrooms available on site, and there is a public water cooler available, but they don't want you filling your water bottle up here.

This could have just been a one time mistake but this happened to me today Came in and placed a single sundae order, no modifications, at 5:30 pm. 30 minutes pass and still nothing, I ask the guy handling pickups if he could please check on the status of my order. He doesn't look at my receipt and just says they complete the orders in chronological order so I wouldn't be skipped. I wait 10-15 more minutes and I see that people that have come in way after me are getting their orders. I even apologize to the guy and ask to please see if my order is being made. He says I got skipped. My order comes out within 2 minutes after... It's not like I asked the guy before to prioritize my order and make it asap, I just asked for a status after 30 mins of waiting. The ice cream was good though

When visiting Chicago, I was recommended to check out this chocolate shop and it did not disappoint. The location of this shop allows you to get a great view of the city when sitting on the second floor. I ordered the double chocolate hot fudge sundae and it was exactly as depicted on their menu. Personally I thought it was a little too sweet but thats to be expected with this type of dessert. The staff there were very courteous even though they were pretty busy.

Too busy and too slow! We wanted ice cream on a hot and humid afternoon and Ghirardelli's was the closest option. While the ice cream itself was good (as expected with the name and brand), the hassle of the experience itself wasn't worth the trouble. The staff were doing their best to keep up with demand, but we waited in line for over 25 minutes before ordering, and another 10 minutes to get our sundaes. I'm not a patient person, especially when it's hot and humid outside!, so this is why I'm dinging two stars in this review. I'm not sure I have a helpful suggestion other than hiring additional staff during expected peak demand.

While waiting for the boarding time for Wendella's Chicago River architecture tour, we popped into Ghirardelli at the Wrigley Building for some sundaes. As someone from the San Francisco Bay Area, it felt a little strange to be in Chicago and going to a place that is iconically San Franciscan. The downstairs has a small shop where you can purchase chocolates. Upstairs is where the ice cream parlor is located. We lucked out and got a seat by a window with a great view of the Chicago River.

This location has two floors, with the bottom floor dedicated to purchasing chocolate gifts and indulging in their delicious chocolate offerings. But the real treat is on the second floor, where you can order decadent sundaes, specialty drinks, and other refreshments. They also offer specialized chocolate packages or individualized ones that you can purchase by weight. We couldn't resist trying their famous banana split, which was over $10 or so, hence why I took off a star. It came with a trio of Neapolitan ice cream flavors, though I would have preferred being able to customize the flavors. One of the best parts about the second floor is the view of the Chicago lake that you can enjoy from the windows. It's a peaceful and beautiful way to savor your ice cream and take in the city sights.

This was a great experience and met expectations. I knew going into it I'd be paying a lot for the dessert item but it was so good and came with a decent view and atmosphere. Only go here if you're willing to pay $16 for the Sundae shown in the photo, among other things. They have these in a lot of tourist cities so it's nice to have in Chicago. As far as service goes, it's mid. The lady manning the counter has a bit of a "done with life" attitude to her which isn't the greatest thing for a tourist establishment but otherwise they were fast and not rude at all, she just seemed a bit over it that day. If you ever work in the service industry, you'd get it. Overall, 8/10 experience, especially if you know what you're getting into beforehand (a tourist spot type place).

This place overlooks the river, so it's a very beautiful location. I got the create your own shake, so I got to choose 3 chocolates to blend into the shake. It was fun customizing it, and it was fun tasting my favorite flavors in drink form! My friend got one scoop of the cookies and cream and one of the chocolate, and she got dark chocolate hot fudge and whipped cream as toppings. The dark chocolate hot fudge was incredibly rich, and it was sweeter than we expected (I can't imagine how sweet the milk chocolate must be). Our orders also came out very quickly, and we were able to grab a table by the windows! The ice cream was delicious, but it was very expensive for the amount that we got. I guess you're really just paying for the brand and the views.

Lots of delicious chocolate choices Ice cream and brownies were soo good Delicious treat after a day of site seeing

GF/DF amazement! You cannot go wrong filling your sweet tooth here. If you can, get a seat at the community high-top. It's an amazing place to people watch!

What a cute shop! Beautiful views and very nice interior, the sundaes look just like the pictures. It would be the perfect place to take the family or on a date, it has a good amount of seating. The staff was very helpful, thank you LaTonya! Also they give veteran/military discounts. We will definitely be back and adding this to our "must do" list for Chicago. Not pictured but we also got the hot chocolate and it was amazing. It tastes just like melted chocolate. 10/10 would recommend!!

Biggest issue is the customer service. We ordered 1 chocolate lover's sundae. And a strawberry sundae. We didnt see on the receipt that she rang up 2 chocolate sundae's. Rather than fixing the error. The staff simply said that 2 chocolate sundaes were ordered. She could do nothing about it. Really?

After having a good dinner at the Volare Italian restaurant, my hubby and I decided that we wanted dessert at a different spot. I checked out Yelp and noticed some decent places, but we settled on Ghirardelli since it wasn't a far walk from our current location. Upon entry, we noticed all of the chocolates candies. We went upstairs to access the creamery. It was packed, but the line wasn't too long. I noticed on their menu that they now have a dairy free sundae made with dark chocolate (70% cacao). I was so thrilled to see this option since I try my best to avoid dairy. I opted for this and my hubby reneged. He opted for nothing. He claimed to be full. I paid over $18 for this small sundae in a small plastic cup (see picture). I was so disappointed when I saw my order. I just couldn't believe my eyes . I paid $18 for something that should have been at most $5. As I began eating the sundae, it was just ok. The nondairy ice cream was creamy, but the chocolate was too bitter for my liking. They were also out of nondairy whipped cream so what I had was not even complete. Buyer beware, this place is truly a tourist trap with mediocre nondairy ice cream, and everything is overpriced too. The ice cream receives a rating of 1/5, but the customer service was average - 3/5. Overall, I am rating a Ghirardelli Ice Cream shop a 2/5. I would recommend you go elsewhere and pay your hard earned money to someone who values customers and isn't out to rip you off.

Snuck in out of the rain and had had two hot chocolates after our architecture boat ride down below. Great views! Nice place to stay warm and dry for a little bit on a wet afternoon.