Kakawa Chocolate House

The 12 Best Restaurants in Santa Fe

"Willy Wonka has nothing on husband-and-wife team and Kakawa owners Bonnie and Tony Bennett. The duo packs their City Different display cases with goat cheese truffles and caramels infused with locally grown lavender. But this shop also celebrates the region’s long love affair with chocolate and chile—a pairing dating to the Aztec and Mayan civilizations in the Americas—with red-chile caramels and chile solid dark chocolates. It also bypasses traditional milk-based hot chocolates for potent chocolate elixirs, the favored drink of the pre-Columbian cultures who first championed culinary cacao. Diners sip these unsweetened drinks made with water, chocolate, herbs, nuts, spices, and chile in blue-and-white Mexican Talavera espresso cups in a quaint adobe just off Canyon Road and two other City Different locations." - Ashley M. Biggers

"This quiet alternative to a coffeehouse provides a wide selection of hot brews inspired by chocolate traditions from around the world. For those averse to sugar, the small but intense Aztec Warrior elixir — an unsweetened cup of chocolate mixed with chile, flowers, herbs, and nuts — is uniquely satisfying. But if you appreciate a sweet treat, there’s plenty more to drink, as well as a number of truffles, bars, caramels, and even chocolate-dipped chiles sold to go." - Willy Carleton, Justin De La Rosa, Karen Fischer

The Seven-Stop Shopping Guide to Santa Fe

"A shop specializing in small-batch chocolates and caramels with flavors like pomegranate, mezcal, and red chili, as well as traditional Mesoamerican drinking chocolate."

Where to Find the World’s Best Hot Chocolate

@travelleisure

"Founded in 2005, Kakawa — an Olmec word meaning chocolate or cacao — specializes in drinking chocolate elixirs based on recipes recreated from historical sources. These hot chocolates range from pre-Colombian to colonial American to contemporary creations, and are served in small hand-painted mugs from Oaxaca, Mexico. Try the Chili Elixir, made with spicy chilies, or the Jefferson Elixir, inspired by Thomas Jefferson’s own recipe." - Travel + Leisure Editors

Brittany Hopkins

Google

Enjoyable place to learn about and sample a large variety of candies, truffles and of course the hot chocolate. Enjoyed the flights and the flavors I wouldn’t have imagined going so well with the different chocolates. More intimate venue, so there may be a wait for a table if you come during peak hours. Goat cheese and sage truffle was the favorite of the day.

Timothy Williams

Google

Kakawa chocolate has great chocolates and the inside of the shop is super cool with a variety of chocolates, truffles, hot chocolate and more. There are many familiar and new and interesting flavors and blends. The staff here is very friendly and helpful, although they didn’t disclose how much the chocolates were. We didn’t really know until we checked out and much to our surprise, this place is very expensive. It is expensive and tastes great. So just know going in your paying a premium price for premium chocolates. One thing they could certainly work on is the flow of the shop. The layout is kind of weird as there are two displays, but there are people standing around waiting for their order, waiting to pick up their order or just looking at all the chocolates. There could definitely be a better flow with all the traffic. We ordered three different types of hot chocolate, the Americano, Marie Antoinette, and a chili blend with the Americana. They were very rich and tasty. We also ordered a variety of chocolates with goat cheese and lavender being our favorites.

Allyne Marcon-Dawson

Google

My husband and I spent a full week in SF and went to this place 3x for our chocolate splurge! The place had a line up to the counter all 3x we went! Service was friendly and fast. The elixirs were warm and yummy! They will let you have tastes to help you make a choice!

Rachel Paez

Google

A friend recommended this beautiful spot near Canyon Road. It was incredible! The chocolate, ice cream, and other treats are out of this world. It's a chocolate lovers dream, but don't stop there everything they have is delicious. The staff is also amazing. Incredibly knowledgeable and willing to share what they know. We learned about the different styles of hot chocolate and what makes each different. If you can order a flight of hot chocolate with homemade whipped cream so you can try the different kinds. American was my favorite as well as the spicy chile Mayan. Mint chocolate chip ice cream. All of the chocolates are delicious try them all. I was with my kids and they were indecisive and our chocolate barista was so patient and made us feel taken care of. I just found out they ship their chocolate so that’s amazing. New favorite. So fun!!!

Chelsea Clark

Google

Stopped here on a whim when visiting town, and fell in love! Plenty of dairy-free options. Staff recommended the vegan chocolate sorbet, and it was incredible. Best chocolate sorbet I've ever had - I'd return just for that. We came back the next day and tried the berry sorbet and a few different chocolates - everything was fantastic and well worth the trip. Service was quick, efficient, and everyone was very friendly. Highly recommend!

DW Plato

Google

If you love chocolate (& who doesn’t?!?) Kakawa is a must! The chocolates are super delicious & the drinking chocolate is straight up decadent! 10/10 would recommend 🍫

Gus McLovin

Google

This is a must see when visiting Santa Fe. The chilie hot chocolate is so good. You need to like spicy to enjoy it. Try a flight of 4 from the list and get a truffle to go for later.

Ashley Rick

Google

This place is so cute. They even have plenty of vegan options which made me so happy! I could actually eat some of the truffles! The cacao elixirs are amazing and so yummy.

Amber E.

Yelp

We stopped in after the procession to bring La Conquistadora back from Rosario Chapel to the St. Francis Cathedral to have a beverage and a piñón brownie sundae ( wow was it delicious). Etsy provided excellent customer service and it is a cute little shop!

Evie S.

Yelp

Awesome hot sipping chocolate tasting experience. Highly recommended. Most are water based or almond milk based. They also have a nice chocolate sorbet that was very rich. The stuff was a little intense about asking if we need help or ready when we were just looking at options and trying to discuss among ourselves. There were about 7 of then and literally each of them asked us . I didn't love their horchata as I couldn't taste rice only tons of cinnamon. They have dairy free and vegan truffles as well. Inside got a little busy at times. The outdoor seating was more relaxing:) highly recommended for sipping chocolate experience!

Alpha P.

Yelp

I stopped by the 1050 Paseo De Peralta location on Father's day. After waiting in line for 15 minutes or so, I placed an order for a Caramel Sea Salt milkshake. I then watched several other customers, all of whom had been standing behind me in line, receive their orders before I got mine... some of which appeared to be ice cream and milkshakes. While I was waiting, I couldn't help overhearing what sounded like their employees talking $#!& about customers. They were joking around and laughing in front of everyone. That just added insult to injury, considering they seemed to have completely forgot about my order and made no effort to compensate me for my experience. After waiting for a total of 30 minutes or so, for a milkshake, I decided to just cancel my order and get a refund. They somehow failed to refund the tip I left though, which I didn't notice until after I left. I understand that they are busy on the weekend, and especially on holidays, but I was still surprised by the customer service, or rather lack thereof. For the record, this was my first visit to this chocolate shop and will most likely be my last, as I reached out to the owners via email the day of, and over a week later now, I still have not heard back. Living in Santa Fe, I was excited when I heard that Kakawa serves organic ice-cream. I can't speak to the quality of their products, having still not experienced any of them, but their customer service obviously needs work.

La'Trevia H.

Yelp

*visiting from Houston* I saw this place on, of course, TikTok lol! Decided to try it out for myself- Super cute place. Not a lot of seating but I managed to snag a table outside; the weather was "very outside patio eating" vibes. I wasn't sure what to get but the cashier was knowledgeable and helpful. She was actually a transplant from Tucson, AZ. She allowed me to try to some samples. Based on the samples, it just made sense to get the flight. My favorite was Marie Antoinette and the American. The whip cream is extra but it's homemade!!! So yummy!!!! Very cute and quaint- give it a try!

Brian M.

Yelp

A must visit if you are a chocolate lover!!! Definitely get the half spicy and half chocolate especially if you can't handle spice. Pure chocolate drink with tons of truffles, chocolates and baked foods! Can't go wrong with that! Lots of places to chill, enjoy and relax on this location. There are tons of parking too. Team members are very friendly, will recommend some things and you'll be able to sample drinks before you decide. If you want you can also try their chocolate flight. A must visit if you are in the area for sure!!!

Masha G.

Yelp

My friend and I were on a roadtrip and passing through Santa Fe, so when I came across a chocolate shop, I knew I had to stop in, cuz let's be honest, I'm a chocoholic! I was overwhelmed with the choices when I walked inside! Once it was my turn, a nice gentleman helped me pick out some hot chocolates to sample and pick out some more chocolate to take home. The hot chocolates were all unique and delicious (very rich, so I was really glad that my friend and I shared them). The chocolates themselves are delicious! I wish I had bought more, and luckily for me, they ship! I loved the spicy ones and can't wait to have them again. Would absolutely recommend for anyone who likes chocolate!

renje g.

Yelp

- very busy - friendly and spacious staff - I liked the elixirs - horchata shake was delicious - delicious salted peanut - devious pecan nougat

Kevin F.

Yelp

Had the chocolate and mint chocolate chip ice cream. The chocolate was dark and tasting like eating a smooth fat fudge. The mint chocolate chip used real mint to flavor the ice cream. Both were absolutely delicious,

Destiny L.

Yelp

Visiting Santa Fe for the day, the weather was frightful and a cup of coco sounded delightful lol. I'd been wanting to check this spot out for awhile and I'm so glad I did. They have so many different options but the bottom line is the same, high quality chocolate. They have everything from truffles to ice cream but I was set on trying the sipping chocolate. The small is small but again, it's a sipping beverage not your average hot chocolate you'd find at a coffee shop. I tried a small cup of the Modern Mexican and it was very enjoyable, especially with the house made whipped cream on top. Even better, it's located within walking distance of the capital building.

Celeste A.

Yelp

Me and my boyfriend where in Santa Fe for the weekend and stopped at this delicious place. We arrived around noon so got there right after their morning rush. The staff was very helpful and let us try some elixir before we got our flight. We're both chocolate lovers. For the chocolate elixir, we had French lavender, chili, zapoteca, and can't remember the last one. But since these are pure chocolate they are not sweet. We did order chocolates to try as well some were sweeter than others. They all had their owner unique taste. We enjoyed them all!! I will say the whole experience was fun because it was like we were pairing our chocolate elixir with our chocolate. We will definitely be ordering to ship some home!

Brenda R.

Yelp

We're visiting from San Diego and decided to pick up amazing chocolates and drinking chocolate for my grandson. Not only were the chocolates and drinks amazing, but the women working at Kakawa were the nicest interactions we've had while visiting Santa Fe. To say we loved the women and the chocolates would be an understatement. Thank you! Brenda and Gavin.

Robert W.

Yelp

I flew a Belgium once to get chocolate. Let me tell you something damn that was good frigging chocolate Kakawa better I was here about 14 years ago when they first opened and I loved it at that time. Was back in Santa Fe, as as we booked the trip I told my wife,we have to go back to that chocolate place." Tony, the owner. (He is from Northern New Jersey, but that's OK. we won't hold that against him.) he really knows chocolate and he's interesting to talk to. He makes solid recommendations and he is the consummate ambassador for his brand. I think we stopped there every day we were in Santa Fe because the chocolate is excellent and we wanted to go back to see Tony again I'm not a groupie and I'm a fan of no one but when I go back to Santa Fe, I'm gonna look Tony up and of course I'm gonna suck up as much chocolate as I can.

Andrew M.

Yelp

As a local Santa Fean, I ALWAYS notice excellent service in Santa fe, be it a restaurants, auto shop or a pub. If you don't have the local client the tourism dollar wont save you here. Kakawa Chocolate House has a fantastic product and very pleasant, knowledgeable {and attractive} help behind the counter. They are usually lined up, and the folks behind the counter are quite good at keeping orders rolling. Paula helped me yesterday and as usual, I left with a smile on my face. of course, I'm usually already in a good mood...I am about to have some chocolate ! Thanks KCH ! Andrew Maunders

Bella B.

Yelp

What a sweet little gem and an absolute destination point for chocolate lovers. We tried the hot chocolate with their Kakawa American elixir and it was over the top delicious & decadent, you can taste the quality richness. Also got the 1666 Italian, 1775 Marie Antoinette and 1692 French Lavender can't wait to break into these bags of goodness. This place gets busy at all hours and service is wonderful. They offer free samples as well and that's definitely a bonus, after you try, you definitely BUY!! This place isn't for the weak wallet and it's worth the splurge any day. I look forward to my return soon. Ciao

Christine L.

Yelp

The BEST HOT CHOCOLATE I have ever had. If you're anywhere near here and you love chocolate, this place is a MUST. Their chocolate flavors were absolutely incredible. We got a variety of flavors from yuzu to chili peppers to truffles. Everything was delicious. This is a hidden gem!

Rachel P.

Yelp

A friend recommended this beautiful spot near Canyon Road. It was incredible! The chocolate, ice cream, and other treats are out of this world. It's a chocolate lovers dream, but don't stop there everything they have is delicious. The staff is also amazing. Incredibly knowledgeable and willing to share what they know. We learned about the different styles of hot chocolate and what makes each different. If you can order a flight of hot chocolate with homemade whipped cream so you can try the different kinds. Americana was my favorite as well as the spicy chile Mayan. Mint chocolate chip ice cream. All of the chocolates are delicious try them all. I was with my kids and they were indecisive and our chocolate barista was so patient and made us feel taken care of. I just found out they ship their chocolate so that's amazing. New favorite. So fun!!!

Jeff B.

Yelp

Great late afternoon 'pick me up' Love the choco ice cream (let it thaw a bit!) and the intense choco drinks MIT SHLAG! (Whipped cream) we each a gem. Go but there is often a queue that moves

Stacy G.

Yelp

Adorable shop in Downtown Santa Fe. The staff was so helpful in offering samples of the sipping chocolates. Every item was clearly labeled as to whether it contained dairy or not, which was so helpful for me as a dairy intolerant person! Lots of dairy-free options. A few favorites were the American sipping chocolate, the mango sorbet, and the passionfruit truffle.

Kristen M.

Yelp

A delicious treat! We stopped by in the afternoon after visiting the spa for some chocolate elixir. We got the chile chocolate and it had some kick! We got the large cups, it was a big portion, I would probably get a smaller one or a tasting platter to share with my husband. The inside of the shop is small so we enjoyed our treat on the patio. Service was prompt and quick despite being busy. We didn't try any of the candy or ice cream, but it all looked very tasty!

Gil S.

Yelp

We visit this little cafe regularly when we are in town. It's nice and cosy and we love the drinks. The service is always nice and there's plenty of parking. It is located within walking distance from the Plaza, which is probably the most touristic place however it's not right at the Plaza so requires a short walk. It's also very close to the gallery area. If you're a Longmire fan (you should be!) there's a signed Vic photo on the wall. I was very excited about it!

Aya W.

Yelp

We had the classic (American) and the chili hot chocolate- they both were amazing. We also got a box of 8 chocolate pieces for later. Each was unique and tasty.

Yelen P.

Yelp

This is the place for you if you really like chocolate that's hot and liquid, or you're a truffle person. Came here bc of a gift card. Otherwise, I probably wouldn't have gone. This place would be nice on a snowy day, but on an average summer day, you'd have to love chocolate. If you don't, it's easy to get overwhelmed with what you're looking at and you feel a little bit out of place. Got Jeffersonian and Zapoteca drinks with whipped cream - the Jeffersonian is better (because of the nutmeg). They have a nice selection of unique flavors. I didn't try the ice cream because it looked a bit basic, but other reviewers seem to like it, so I'd try it next time (there's like $49 left on the gift card). It's nice that they give you samples. Some of them have pretty intense flavors (like the rose almond and chili, which sounds tasty, but it can be a lot if you drink a whole thing of it), so it's good to try beforehand. The most exciting things there are the mini whisks. Service was fast. Ambiance - there were so many people there on a Sunday afternoon. It felt very crowded, and it was hard to find seating outside. It made me not want to go back there. I'd try to go to one of their smaller locations, though I'm not sure if they have ice cream at the other ones.

Christine N.

Yelp

The variety of flavors and purity of ingredients was so impressive. I love how they make everything in house without preservatives or fillers. Absolutely worth a stop while in Santa Fe!

Tracy D.

Yelp

Excellent service, excellent chocolate truffles and wonderful chocolate elixirs. We tried an elixir flight so we could try several different flavors. Tasting chocolate elixirs in the form of an elixir flight was so fun! Highly recommended!

Devi K.

Yelp

I had a small 3oz chili hot cocoa - deliciously dark, thick and creamy with a nice kick to it. Perfect for a cold Santa Fe winter night! Kids had the closest thing to a "typical American hot chocolate". Two out of three loved, one did not appreciate the fanciness! Husband tried a dark chocolate truffle, which he enjoyed! Worth a stop in Santa Fe!

Josephine M.

Yelp

Came to this place for chocolate and Mexican hot chocolate! There were 3 locations in town but I had to come to this one because I love the Adobe building. I ordered a hot chocolate flight and my fiancé wanted ice cream. The flight came with 4 flavors of my choice. I like them but they were too rich for my fiancé's taste. The ice-cream was very good and creamy. I can come back again for that. Had to take some chocolate for dessert later. The girl was very helpful and made recommendations as there were a lot of flavors. Our favorite were yuzu and goat chesses with sage.

Vanessa B.

Yelp

My partner and I came here in hopes for some high quality chocolate and elixirs. We got different drinks and a sample of chocolates. It was a nice way to celebrate my birthday and have something special, rich, and thick. Service was wonderful and they gave samples of the different drinks before you ordered.

Erin D.

Yelp

Dropped by this place while visiting my sister in Los Alamos and was instantly impressed with the selection of chocolates. We were greeted by a friendly young lady that guided us through all of the various chocolate choices. She was knowledgeable and enthusiastic about helping us make our selection. The shop was nice and smelled amazing. After a few samples of the hot chocolate and a bit of time going over the truffles we ended up with a great selection of chocolates.

Jenny W.

Yelp

Kept reading that this was a thing to do while in Santa Fe so made a visit before I left town. Not sure I quite agree with the rave reviews - not a must visit imo, even if you like chocolate. The truffles are quite pricy at 3.75 a pop, and none of the truffles were ones that really impressed me. The texture of the chocolate pales in comparison to the best ones I've had, and the flavors didn't wow me. The Aztec brownie was quite dense and rich, but I didn't love the spice that it came with and the crumbly texture. All in all, cute concept but not a must visit.

Gloria H.

Yelp

This place was incredible! When you walk in you immediately go into a chocolate coma. You wake up sitting in a booth with a cup of green tea and several pieces of delicious truffles in front of you. My server was Lisa she was very knowledgeable of the background of the establishment. It's such a lovely place to meet a friend and get a rush of yummy endorphins. I prefer the dark chocolate truffles no matter what flavor.

Kristen M.

Yelp

We got a flight of sipping chocolates - all awful- 2 were ok but for the price I felt like someone stole from me . Got 2 brownies - one rose , one pb - both were ok And then also got 2 chocolates - both were nasty imo . I felt like I should call my CC company and get my money back . Absolutely regretted coming here .

Bill H.

Yelp

Not the best chocolate in New Mexico but worth a visit. Very strong tasting, which is good. Not as flavorful or charming as the chocolate place in Taos (which is a MUST). But if you're passing by here, maybe stop in. There isn't much charm in there. It's run by a bunch of females with a knitting club type of vibe. Wasn't inviting enough to return to or spend extended time in. Something about the decor seems lazy and cheap. But some good chocolate to be had.

Elithea H.

Yelp

This is a small place that's big on customers and taste. There was a line the entire time we're were there. But it's worth it!! There is limited seating, so keep that in mind. The drinks or "elixirs" as they are called were delicious. They were very very chocolatey, rich and creamy. Ask for whipped cream, you won't be disappointed. But to me, the star was the Chocolate candy!! There were lots of options!! I chose the Sea Salt Caramel (Delicious!!), and the Bourbon Caramel Pecan which was to die for!!! Easily the best chocolate candy I've ever eaten!! I'd highly recommend you try any of their goodies in f you're in the area.

Keanna M.

Yelp

Updating my review to 5 stars because we came back and tried the truffles. 1000% yes.

Alex L.

Yelp

Awesome! The chocolates were amazing. The service was excellent. I would recommend visiting if you love chocolates!

Karen N.

Yelp

A definite must if you are in Santa Fe and love chocolate. A local business with the focus on supporting organic farming and history, We spent way longer than we should of in here, but there were so many choices we had a hard time deciding. The staff were helpful, offered suggestions and were very patient. We ordered several chocolates to go, and have yet to try them all, but while we were there we had a hot chocolate flight. Our favorites were the Kakawa's American and Italian Citrus. The hot chocolate flight was served with a side of whipped cream, a wonderful sweet compliment to the chocolate. We also tried a thin chocolate chip cookie, It was thin and just the right amount to accompany the chocolate flight. An amazing place to stop in and indulge.

Josh S.

Yelp

We didn't get pictures of our delicious treats from Kakawa Chocolate House, but let me tell you that it's absolutely worth the stop here! The folks are very friendly, and the chocolate is RICH. They have things from 60-100% cacao and man it's just next level. Take a minute and stop by here!!!

Truman W.

Yelp

Really good and refreshing chocolate milkshake, not heavy at all. Very chill and personable staff that will help you decide if you have never been here before. Hard to find from the main road as there is no sign.

Steven K.

Yelp

Please make sure that you take advantage of their samples before you decide on the flight of chocolates you want to drink. The first couple of options that we tried were so bitter and gross I considered not even ordering a hot chocolate. However their sweeter option was actually a pretty good hot chocolate. We also ordered their homemade horchata and that was probably of the best horchatas I've had. I would just highly recommend that if you are looking for a more normalized hot chocolate that you are making sure to order their sweet options.

Layne D.

Yelp

I do want to start by saying the staff here were so great - super nice, explained the shop offerings, and really took time to make sure we were helped! I absolutely love dark chocolate and have tried many small shops and craft places over the years. I felt the Kakawa truffles didn't stand out as much as I wanted them to. We tried four different flavors - pomegranate, green chili margarita, cherry chili, and black raspberry hazelnut. The black raspberry hazelnut was pretty good, but the others I only tried about half before moving on. I felt the added flavors were a bit strong but that's just my palette. We also tried the American elixir which was good. It was almost like drinking a brownie. Two of us shared a 3 oz cup and we were glad we did as it was rich but again tasty. If you like chocolate I'd still say it's worth a stop to check out. Maybe I just didn't pick the best truffle options but they weren't terrible, I'm just not sure that I would return.

Joop V.

Yelp

Feels blessed to have known of and visited a local gem Kakawa Chocolate House during my recent trip to Santa Fe. Sad to say that in the past few years since I moved to NM, I actually had not heard much of Kakawa Chocolate House until recently my friend who visited Santa Fe with her family told me about the place and how she liked it so much. So, on my recent short stay in Santa Fe with my friend, I made a point that we stop by to check out Kakawa Chocolate House (based solely on my friend's recommendation). The place is small and was already full with customers when we visited on a weekday evening. There was quite a line, but it didn't take too long to get our orders at all. We tried a 3oz cup of European & Contemporary's Jeffersonian, a 3oz cup of Meso American's Rose Almond and a few truffles on display. Overall, I would have to say, both elixirs (that's how they call their hot chocolates) were really good. They were small portions..but really, you don't need to drink too much of it because they both were so rich (and if you really need to have some more..just order a 6oz portion instead of 3oz!). The truffles were also really good. I was so glad I tried it and wouldn't mind stopping by again when I'm in Santa Fe. After returning from Kakawa, I also found out the place was ranked top 10 hot chocolate places in the US by at least a few publications (this makes it more attractive for people to stop by I supposed!). The only thing bringing down a star was just..the place was kind of small...so it was hard to find a place to sit (especially when we stopped by...there were so many customers in a shop). We ended up grabbing a table to sit outside and quickly had our drinks...but would have really loved to just sit inside and people watch and enjoy our conversations without feeling rush.

Sindu K.

Yelp

Kakawa Hot Chocolate Shop in Santa Fe is a true gem. Their hot chocolate is an exquisite experience, setting a high standard for indulgence. The shop itself is a charming haven, with its warm ambiance and inviting decor. The staff is not only friendly but also well-versed in the art of cocoa, offering recommendations and insights. The variety of hot chocolate options is impressive, catering to diverse tastes and preferences. From classic flavors to unique blends, each sip is a journey of rich, velvety goodness. Kakawa's attention to detail extends to the historical recipes they use, adding a touch of authenticity to the entire experience. If you find yourself in Santa Fe and appreciate the art of hot chocolate, Kakawa is a must-visit. It's a delightful fusion of tradition and innovation that will leave you with a newfound appreciation for this timeless treat.

Gloria T.

Yelp

Delicious varieties of chocolate to choose from. They have chocolate bars, candy, ice cream and cocoa drinks. They serve the cocoa in the cutest ceramic mugs. (Some mugs are available for sale). This place is very busy, a consistent long line. The shop is small and cozy. I drank my cocoa, took some photos and left. Personally, I don't find this to be a place to relax because of the crowd and small space. It seemed inconsiderate to take my time when many are waiting for a seat. There are a few indoor seats, about 10. No outdoor seating - at least when I was there in September 2022. There is plenty of parking in the parking lot.

Ann Marie A.

Yelp

Amazing chocolate elixirs, loved the atmosphere and the owner (?) is very friendly and welcoming!

Stephen L.

Yelp

A local favorite and popular tourist spot specializing in drinking chocolates and other solid chocolate goodies. To try out the famous drinking chocolates (or "elixirs" as they call them), I got a flight of four hot elixirs ($12.50): - Kakawa's American: This was the most like a standard hot chocolate and was my favorite - Jeffersonian: This had some nutmeg in it and was my second favorite - Chili: Unique chili flavor and decent quality - Mayan: This one is definitely not for everyone, because of its VERY strong and unique flavor (and not in a good way, in my opinion). It started off okay with the chocolate flavor and then suddenly, the other "interesting" herbal flavors hit me and made my face change through many not-so-pleasant expressions As for the other chocolate treats, the orange peel was pretty good, and the goat cheese and sage truffle was amazing. It was the perfect amount of goat cheese flavor that complemented and not overpowered the chocolate taste (a unique combo that you should try for yourself). This place is a small standalone shop with a couple of seats inside available. The staff are very friendly and the service speed is quick. The prices are pretty reasonable for a place like this. Overall, Kakawa Chocolate House offers a wide variety of unique tasty chocolate treats, and while I did not personally enjoy all of the drinking chocolates, I am still glad I came and tried them all for the unique experience. I recommend that you come and give them a try too.

Kim C.

Yelp

I've been to two of their locations now, Salem, MA and Santa Fe, NM. Both locations are friendly and inviting. The flight of drinking chocolate is one of my favorite things to get while there. On the most recent visit, I fell in love with the rose almond elixir. Their chocolates are also excellent; being creative, well proportioned and delicious.

Aubrie R.

Yelp

You guys. YOU CAN DRINK YOUR CHOCOLATE. Not hot cocoa. Liquid chocloate. In a beautiful cup. In a lovely courtyard. What are you doing still looking at your phone? Get in your car and get over there right now! And get some beautifully crafted artisian chocolates while you're at it. And some liquid chocolate to drink at home ; )

Ashley K.

Yelp

wow! what a treat. if you like chocolate, this place will treat you to something you've never had before, certainly. i've gotta say, from the truffles to the drinking chocolate, everything was outstanding. the service was also great, super friendly and they know what they're doing, giving you plenty of time to browse the cases, which i really appreciate. with spots like this, i can sometimes feel rushed. not here. they're all about you enjoying yourself. also appreciate the attention to allergies right off the bat i sampled a couple of the drinking chocolate and settled on the one with many different herbs and spices, the zapoteca. they hit at different times, giving you sweet fennel in one moment, spicy chile in another, complex bitterness from herbs... all amazing. i didn't get any whipped cream and only got a small. i'm not sure who the bigger sizes are for, but with the richness of it, 4oz was plenty! it's wild - i had this before dinner, ate dinner, and at the end of the night, all i could taste was chocolate still. amazing quality product they sell here. now onto the truffles. i had planned on eating these during my stay, but somehow didn't have the stomach capacity for them until i got home. they traveled well and were just as enjoyable a few days later. i had the goat cheese and sage (so so smooth, and that slight savory component is amazing), red chile caramel (nice and spicy, and the perfect toothsome caramel texture), mezcal (honestly way more flavor here achieved than most other liquor-flavored bonbons i've had. very impressed) and our favorite, the pinon caramel. just a great texture all around. i could have eaten 12. highly recommend. i came just before close, but still enjoyed their little patio.

Mayai A.

Yelp

Wow, wow, wow! I love chocolate. Yes please! So I know my stuff and I read reviews before coming here. And this place is busy for a reason. Their store is small but very cute. We did manage to find a seat. They have some of the best chocolates I have ever had. I like dark chocolate but it's not so bitter. It does lean more towards a hint of coffee to it. Service was ok, the lady we got seemed like she hated her job. But because my chocolates were phenomenal I could overlook it. I got a sample of their hot chocolate and I loved it. I should have bought some. I ended up buying just chocolate to take home. And when I looked to ship some home, it was a shocker how pricey it was. I am not sure I'll be back to new Mexico anytime soon. But I wished they offered lower rates. Rates are higher online. And that shipping fee about sent me over. But I get it, they don't want the chocolate to go bad. So shipping is fast. Quality matters to them, and I love that. Overall this place is my favorite chocolate place ever!

Jdot S.

Yelp

The chocolates are good and pretty to look at, but not sure the taste is worth how pricey a dozen pieces were. Bought as a gift. The hot cocoa may be better than the chocolates.

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"A shop specializing in small-batch chocolates and caramels with flavors like pomegranate, mezcal, and red chili, as well as traditional Mesoamerican drinking chocolate."

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