L.A. Burdick Handmade Chocolates

Such a cute and delicious cafe! I ordered a coconut chocolate cake, an espresso/ mocha cake, a ginger cake, a caramel latte, and a summer drink. They were all so good, you can’t go wrong with any bakery item or drink. We also got a chocolate bar that was so rich and delicious. The seating area was very clean and the employees were very nice and helpful!

Walked into L.A. Burdick on a chilly morning and it felt instantly cozy. The place has this classic, elegant vibe with wood accents and soft lighting, kind of like stepping into a little European cafe. And of course, that smell of chocolate in the air makes it even better. I ordered a hot dark chocolate and an almond croissant. The chocolate was super rich and thick, not your usual sweet drink, more bold, with that little bitter edge. Exactly what I was hoping for. The croissant was golden, flaky, with a nutty filling that wasn’t too sweet. Dipped it in the chocolate and yeah… amazing combo. Staff was extremely friendly and welcoming, which made the whole experience even better. Not really a rush-in, rush-out spot, it’s the kind of place you actually want to sit and enjoy.

If you’re looking for a high-quality, artisanal chocolate shop in Chicago, L.A. Burdick Handmade Chocolates is definitely worth a visit. I stopped by specifically for one of their famous hot chocolates, and I had a pretty unique experience that I want to share in detail. They offer three hot chocolate options: dark chocolate, milk chocolate, and white chocolate, which is perfect if you like having choices tailored to your chocolate preference. Normally, I always go for the milk chocolate because it’s creamy, rich, and classic—but this time, I figured I’d try the dark chocolate, since I do enjoy dark chocolate in other forms. Here’s the honest truth: if you’re a casual hot chocolate drinker or expecting something creamy and milky, the dark chocolate hot chocolate might not be your favorite. It’s very strong, intense, and tastes almost like a clump of dark chocolate melted down, with very little milkiness or sweetness to balance it out. For me, it wasn’t quite enjoyable—it almost felt more like straight-up chocolate in liquid form than the smooth, comforting hot chocolate I was expecting. That said, if you are a true dark chocolate aficionado, this might be right up your alley because it’s bold, authentic, and uncut. Despite my hot chocolate experience, what I really admire about L.A. Burdick Handmade Chocolates is their unwavering commitment to quality and authenticity. This is a place that does not cut corners. When they use vanilla, they’re using real vanilla bean, not artificial flavoring. Every chocolate is handmade and artisanal, which really comes through in the flavors, the textures, and the presentation. You can tell that this is a shop where craftsmanship and care are prioritized over shortcuts, which makes it a premium chocolate experience in Chicago. The shop itself is immaculate—spotlessly clean with a bright, inviting atmosphere. I noticed how meticulously everything was arranged. Their display cases are stunning, showcasing a beautiful array of handcrafted chocolates, truffles, and confections, each one looking almost too good to eat. The presentation alone makes it clear why this is one of Chicago’s must-visit chocolate cafes. The staff is genuinely friendly, welcoming, and helpful, making the experience smooth and pleasant from the moment you walk in. They’re happy to answer questions about flavors, chocolate types, and even the history of their products. One thing I loved about the shop is that it also has in-shop seating, which is perfect if you want to linger and enjoy your chocolate on-site. There’s also a small book available that details the beginnings of L.A. Burdick Handmade Chocolates, which adds a charming, personal touch to the visit. It’s always nice to see a chocolate shop that not only focuses on great products but also shares its story and values with customers. A practical tip: parking in the area can be challenging, so if you’re driving, plan on walking the nearby streets. The effort is worth it, though, especially if you’re a chocolate lover looking for a truly artisanal chocolate experience in Chicago. Overall, while the dark chocolate hot chocolate wasn’t my favorite, I still think L.A. Burdick Handmade Chocolates is a gem. It’s perfect for anyone who enjoys premium, handmade chocolate, gourmet hot chocolate, and clean, beautifully curated chocolate shops. Whether you’re stopping in for a classic milk chocolate hot chocolate, exploring the wide variety of truffles, or simply enjoying the shop’s visual appeal and friendly staff, this place delivers a memorable chocolate experience in Chicago. If you’re in the city and want to indulge in authentic, high-quality chocolate, I would definitely recommend a visit. It’s an ideal spot for chocolate enthusiasts, couples on a date, or anyone looking for a chocolate shop that combines taste, quality, and craftsmanship. Even if the dark chocolate hot chocolate isn’t your personal favorite, you can still enjoy the milk chocolate or white chocolate versions, and take home some of their beautifully handmade chocolates to savor later.

Amazing cakes and drinks , yet the best was the smile and the kindness of the employees , especially Ammar ♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️ who made it a great experiance for us. We started thinking of inviting our family and friends to the place for the great experiance that we want them to have. Will visit again and again and again ♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️

I stopped by LA Burdick hoping to try their caramel latte, but they were out. The staff recommended the mocha latte instead and wow, I’m so glad they did. It was seriously the best mocha latte I’ve ever had. So rich and smooth, worth the $8. I also tried the chocolate chip cookie. Texture wise, it was on point (crunchy edges with a soft center) but it wasn’t sweet which threw me off a bit. I’ll definitely try a different dessert next time. The seating area is cute and cozy. I’ll be back!

Everything was very delicious, coffee was amazing as well as hot chocolate. Lemon cake was really good all the merchandise, including chocolates, hot chocolate mix, and all the sweets looked amazing and tasted good but everything for purchase is overpriced. It didn’t stop us from buying a couple of chocolate mouse candies though😂 also, it has a French door opening to a patio in the backyard. It was so cold so we couldn’t go out, but I imagine it’s magical in spring and summer.

I visited L.A. Burdick after seeing so much about their place online. The caramel hot latte was nice but had a slightly odd taste, just my opinion. The server wasn't overly friendly either which was disappointing considering the prices you're paying, this was just my experience in comparison to visiting other coffee shops nearby - still would recommend going!

This was a nice place to visit coming from out of town, but it’s pretty expensive for what you’re getting, and one of the staff in particular (young girl) does have an attitude as other reviewers have commented. Of all the things we tried - chocolate chip cookie was good for value cos you get a lot of it, rather than getting a bonbon (they’re mid), then paying for almost as much. The spicy dark hot chocolate is great. It’s actually not that spicy at all, and is more of a good hint of spice to make this more palatable for people who don’t necessarily like desserts too sweet.

Stopped in and got a chocolate chip cookie and hot chocolates. We got milk and dark. The cups weren't labeled so we ended up sipping each others and the flavor difference is significant between the 2. The chocolate is rich, the milk is creamy, and drink is hot as advertised. The chocolate chip cookie was SO good. I'm not sure if it can be warmed up in store but I warmed it at home which was perfect. It has a crisp exterior, chewy interior, and the perfect amount of chocolate chunks. The interior is beautiful with a good amount of seating. It was pretty busy on a Friday night at 7 pm.

Came here to browse and was pleasantly surprised to find a cafe in there and serving Devocion coffee of all options. Considering that it's normally a fancy chocolate store, I thought the prices were all quite fair for the beverages. The dessert was definitely on the pricier side and so I had a tiny macaron to go with the coffee as a bite. It's nice that they will bring you your drinks if you stay so that we can cut down on single use cups. There is also a lot of seating and it looks out to a vine covered building which kind of helps you forget for a little bit that you're in a city. Would come again if I was in the area and wanted a place to sit and chill.

This place is rumored to have one of the best hot chocolates in Chicago and it definitely lives up to the hype! It's a quaint and nicely decorated chocolate shop that has a very cozy and Instagram-worthy aesthetic, especially with their pretty Christmas decorations. When we arrived on a Saturday morning it was busy, but we managed to find a small table. The employees were nice, but appeared overwhelmed by the number of people coming in requesting to-go orders. From what we could see, there were only 2 employees working on a busy Saturday morning. We saw many people come and go while we waited at our table, so we ended up talking to the employees who said they were prioritizing to-go orders of people walking in and out. They were very kind and apologetic about our wait. We ended up switching our order to a to-go order and received our hot chocolate and dessert immediately. Overall, we enjoyed our experience and will return the next time we're in the area!

This place is so cute and the servers were really nice! We were wanting to find a coffee spot while in town and stumbled across L.A. Burdick. I had the Chai tea and added oat milk which was pretty good. There are so many treat options which we didn't try but I would definitely recommend this place! Next time I'll try a dessert when we're back in Chicago.

Saw the caramel latte on social media and immediately wanted to try. The coffee itself is great and the sweetness of the caramel really added to the drink. I loved how caramel-y it was throughout the entire drink. The milk chocolate drinking chocolate was incredible. It is true to the name but surprisingly not overpowering. I could drink the whole small drink without it being too much. I want to try the dark chocolate one next. The passion fruit mousse was AMAZING! The mousse itself was so flavorful and light and airy. The chocolate around it wasn't overpowering and added to the treat. The Georgetown was good as well. I liked the hard chocolate exterior and the cherry bits inside. It was a bit more cake than I was expecting but still a great dessert. I liked how cozy the inside was. It feels a tad fancier and welcoming. A nice place to step away from the cold.

Hot chocolate was okay, dare I say I've had better?! To each his own. . I did have high expectations for the drink to come in the regular mug but at the time they were only serving Togo cups.

L.A Burdick is an adorable cafe. We ordered drinking chocolate (milk), a caramel latte, the passionfruit pastry and chocolate cherry cake. The drinking chocolate was the amazing, i will definitely go back to have that again. We think if we ordered the caramel latte iced we would like it better. The passionfruit pastry was delicious but the cherry chocolate I can do without. The service was fine, the person who took our order seemed detached.

L.A. Burdick is Harvard Square nostalgia in a cup. Their white hot chocolate? Hands down the best like sipping a snowstorm, but warmer and sweeter.

Lovely to have this cafe in the area. Nice escape from the typical places like Starbucks, Philz and Stan's. It seats less than 20, small enough to be cozy but large enough to find a seat. However, if there's a lot of people, it can get loud because the sound travels. My latte was just okay. The chocolate is good and I will be getting more. I'll also come back to try their drinking chocolate and various cakes.

Hot chocolate was pricey but good, however service was abysmal. Felt like we were inconveniencing the staff whenever we asked questions or ordered our food. Came in at 8:30pm and was told "that will be takeout" which is fine (we didn't want to stay) but felt very brusque. Cookies were good though.

Very cute chocolatier in downtown Chicago, with its old school charm and delicate handmade chocolates. Tried their dessert and spicy hot chocolate and they do not disappoint. Spicy hot chocolate is rich and a hint of spice, the Georgetown cherry moose almond cake is one of their best sellers and it's crunchy outside, and moist inside with rich cherry filling. Nice spot to take a break after walking around downtown area.

Rude people. I wanted an iced caramel latte but gave me a hot one. When I told them it's supposed to be iced, the guy just shouted, "well you didn't say ICED caramel latte" and ignored me immediately. He didn't even ask me if I wanted hot or iced in the first place while I was ordering! Been eyeing this place for quite some time now but they just gave me a bad experience. Will not go back.

I went here to get some chocolates and tried their chocolate penguin which had a lemon cream flavor without the tanginess that's fairly delicious and aesthetic. I also opted to dine in so they presented the chocolate beautifully on a plate. I also got the signature hot chocolate (dark chocolate) large which is fairly sweet and you're literally drinking chocolate in a cup with a good consistency, which is quite delicious. I overall enjoyed the place, though the prices are a bit on the higher side. However, you're paying a premium for the ingredients and presentation so I found it worthwhile for a nice little gift.

I could spend a fortune at this place. The woman in front of me was selecting separate boxes of individual picks and her total was $450 but she purchased allot. I came out with 8 pieces and I think it was under $25. I stayed with what I was crazing. Earl grey and chocolate raspberry. Both I loved. The early grey, okay! Yay! Their penguins are super cute small gifts and they have a gorgeous dessert by the piece for sale with coffee as well. After you can go to P.O.S.H. next door cuz that's cute too! Anyways small quick cute trip to Paris coming here.

Super strong and creamy! Perfect for the cold snowy chicago weather Small is more than enough for me ($6.25)

Light smell of chocolate hits you as you enter. Not overpowering, just a gentle nudge to remind you of where you are. Chocolate is everywhere; the walls are covered with bars of chocolate combinations from around the world. There are premade goodie boxes, chocolate mice, penguin, snowman and cigars. I came in for the chocolate chip cookies. To this day, the best I have ever had. I made up some gift bags and included the store catalog in case they would like to visit or order online. Always a beautiful experience. They have a new banana cookie. I wish they gave out samples. Each cookie is 6$ and if you don't like it, you have wasted money. Will definitely return for the chocolate chip cookie and some drinking chocolate.

Unfortunately I have to join the group of reviewers complaining about the customer service here. Something is just off. Its such a cute, inviting place but then the staff ....not very friendly. They don't great you with a smile and they seem a little bothered. I just came in to buy a few things to take home. The woman who rang up my selections wasn't rude but standoffish enough for me to notice. Then I saw the other reviews and yeah, other people felt it too. How many bad reviews about customer service is it going to take before management does something?? Fyi: My chocolate was good, but not the best I've had.

I first became enamored with L.A. Burdick's Cambridge, Mass. location when I was in grad school. Since then, I've made it a point to visit the chocolate shop whenever I was near one to bask in the nostalgia of my school days as much as to indulge in my favorite sweets. Lucky me, there happened to be a location in River North where I was staying. I love the charming wood paneling, gold-striped wallpaper, & mirrors that make the cozy digs appear more spacious. I ordered my usual -- a raspberry chocolate chip cookie served warm & gooey which paired beautifully with a tall, cold glass of iced white chocolate. To take home, I purchased a few chocolate bars studded with various nuts & seeds. No matter where I am, I take a moment to sit, sip, & munch at L.A. Burdick. It's a guaranteed good time for any sweet tooth.

I've passed by L.A. Burdick a couple of times in the past, finally made a stop here to try their coffee. It is located at a prime location in River North, at the intersection of State and Ontario St. I got a caramel latte with almond milk on this visit and it was so good. The caramel taste was very fresh and it was a house-made syrup. The coffee art was a bit messy though, can seek some improvements. The ambiance is very chic and European style with wide french windows and huge chandeliers. I haven't tried their chocolates but have heard rave reviews. Give this place a try!

good quality latte, and one of my favorites! Really enjoy the house made caramel. Their space is beautiful too.

I love love love L.A. Burdick! It is an absolutely charming Chocolatier spot. Their Hot chocolate selection is to die for. They also have a variety of pastries that are chocolate based as well as handmade chocolates for sale in the shop. Staff is great. The actual shop is warm, cozy and inviting. I've had multiple of their menu items at this point, but I still plan on coming back!

Swung by L.A. Burdick to buy a few chocolate boxes. They have great chocolate truffle options to choose from that you can mix and match. They also have boxes that have a mix of different chocolates. For Easter, they had rabbit and sheep themed boxes too. Their signature mice chocolates are also available by the box or individually. They also have different coffee blends and coffee flavored chocolate bars. The chocolates are very delicious and high quality. They have a shelf life of about 2 weeks and don't need refrigeration. They have have a great range of pastries. I tried the mocha one and it was so yummy and creamy. The ambience is that of a high end chocolate store with lots of seating available. Such a great chocolate store!

Delicious hot chocolate. Tasted very rich but not too sweet. Does wonders during the cold.

Highly recommend! The hot chocolate is amazing- the dark hot chocolate is great if you're not wanting something too sweet, but the milk hot chocolate is a perfect, sweeter traditional hot chocolate.

They have a wide range of single origin chocolate bars as well as small artisan chocolate cubes. But, the most amazing thing is the earl grey cake!

Excellent atmosphere. Delicious cakes. The staff were nice. No wifi in case you want to use the cafe for study.

The packaging was beautiful and very impressive, however, the assorted chocolate box contained candy with rancid nuts. So bad, that I had to spit it out and wash my mouth out. I wrote to the company to let them know that this could cause them unhappy customers and never got any response. After spending $105 on chocolate as a huge indulgence, I have learned my lesson.......never again.

Good chocolate...not great but good. Service was just not the best. They seemed a bit rude.

Terrible customer service. After I ordered a pastry and was already sitting down at a table, my friend was rudely pointed at and asked to leave the cafe and stand outside because she had an "outside beverage" with her. I wasn't going to let my friend wait outside while I ate. So when I asked for my pastry to go, the staff said I couldn't take it to go because it would "crumble". Such nonsense. Not how a paying customer should be treated, especially when the place was completely empty. It's not like there were any other customers waiting for a table. Such a shame, I can't say anything positive about the experience because I was so turned off by how poorly we were treated. Staff needs to be trained to respect customers and not be so rigid.

Bought a gift of various chocolates for my in-laws. Unfortunately the chocolate tasted stale - like they'd been sitting out for weeks. For this price they should throw out old chocolates and make sure what they sell to customers is of adequate quality. Could not recommend this place. I've enjoyed a box of Russell Stover's from CVS more than these chocolates. Preposterous, especially for what they charge $$$$.

This shop was across the road from our hotel. It is very idyllic with it being so small and smelling of chocolates. I went to the make an order to cashier that seemed to not want to be there. I asked if a couple of the cakes were good and he said in deadpan voice 'sure'. Then behind him the barista said, it's going to be 15 minutes for you drink orders. The way he said made me feel as though he was saying don't you dare order a drink. Thankfully we were not planning to get a drink anyway. The cashier rang up our 7 cakes and said 'you're taking this to go, right?' I said and that we planned to eat there as my children had already secured a table. The woman behind him barked 'we are only taking to go orders!' In a knee jerk reaction I said, you could say that nicely!' And she ignored me. Listen I understand busy, but that does not give you permission to treat customers poorly, It felt like they did not want our business. We've visited in years past and never had an issue. I say all this to make sure they try better. The cakes were amazing.

Here's what you need to know: wow! Just wow! Chocolate heaven, with super high quality beverages and desserts. This is serious chocolate crafting. Yes, it's expensive but an indulgent treat. Hot chocolate (dark) may be the best in the city. I tried the mocha too with 2 espresso shots and that was enjoyable but the hot chocolate was better. Great service by ANDREW. A+++ Milk hot chocolate was a bit sweet for me, but the kids and my wife LOVED it Service was nice and friendly, but nothing memorable. Ambiance is SO CHARMING. Limited seating but it wasn't super crowded on St Patty green River day. Overall, even though it was $45 for 3 persons for hot chocolate and a couple small desserts (macarons and pastry) it was a "worth it" indulgence.

As a dark chocolate lover, this spot was perfect. I got a Brunswick spicy Mocha and my partner got a Dark Spicy hot Chocolate. Both had tons of body and flavor but are not 'spicy' in the sense of a hot pepper.

The chocolate is just ok, not the best I ever had. Pretty pricey for the chocolate. I buy to try but didn't buy more.

Superb drinking chocolate and dark chocolate confections. Not too sweet and velvety texture.

i absolutely loved the chocolate here. everything is handmade and super delicate and not too sweet. it wasn't really like one of those chocolates that you would eat one, and not want to eat another. instead it was light and the flavors were great. i suggest getting the assortment. the mice are also super cute and the little string is a tail! i regret not getting the elephant and penguin. overall, pricey but well worth the price for handmade chocolate. if you only want to try individual ones, i suggest the earl grey one and any of the mice!

Amazing hot chocolate I got the white hot chocolate, it tasted amazing, and the prices are decent best hot chocolate I've ever had

Delicious and a quick stroll from the Virgin Hotel. I've had the chocolates before but the real star was the chocolate chip cookies which had almost chunks of Ganache like in the cookies--truly a thing of beauty. The other pastries were great too, there was one with Japanois I think and there was the Harvard Square which was dense but delicious. Overall, a nice stroll with our stroller in toe for a late night cookie run. I preferred these chocolate chip cookies to levain which was too sweet.

the cakes and chocolate are good but the employees are more interested in socializing than working. God forbid you provide customer service and do your job.

Great flavor just a little dry. I asked for a decaf coffee and he brought me a latte. When I took it back she made me an Americano but I'm sure there was a difference in price and no refund was offered. Great ambience and seems to be a spot that people enjoy as more people were coming in as we were leaving.

I loved this place!! The drinking chocolate was so rich and good. The cookies are warmed for you to eat in the restaurant. The servers were all friendly and trying to arrange the limited seating to accommodate everyone. This little shop is a great place to bring friends, a date, or even relax on your own!

Great coffee and desserts. Don't understand why this place is not busy enough. Their chocolates are so delicious too.

The man that "waited" on my husband was extremely rude. We made a special trip to buy chocolates and in fact had to pay pretty hefty parking fees just to come here (which is normal for Chicago). I found this super cute, small, sealed candy box display that didn't appear to have any product near it. My husband took the display to the counter to show them and kindly asked if there were more in the back. The man that worked there snuck up behind my husband, literally ripped the box out of his hand and angrily placed the box back in the original place. He then proceeded to dramatically rip the advertising sign off the shelf, I guess in his attempt to let us know that this product is sold out. We apologize if we didn't fit your "standard" of designer clothing and a high end purse on my shoulder, but just because we dress modestly doesn't mean we don't have money. The sales associate really embarrassed us. We left immediately and I will never step foot in here again. This just happened today (April 6th) and upset me enough that I hardly even got in my car and was already typing this. I visit candy and confection shops whenever I travel both because I am passionate about it and because I am involved in the industry. Id love to give him the benefit of the doubt and assume he was just having a bad day, but I will still make sure to tell anyone coming to the area exactly how we were treated in your store.

My favorite chocolate in America. It's not sugar. It's actual cocoa. Service is great since it's a check out. Ambiance is very cozy so I take my laptop sometimes.

Incredible chocolates. So glad there's on in Chicago so that we could experience these East Coast delights here. Best truffles and hot chocolate and chocolate based desserts we've ever had. We came in for a few treats and left with two bags full. There are small less fancy packagings for the shaped delights like the seasonal elephant, as well as the mouse and the penguin. There are also complete assortments of the truffles, minus a few that the wonderful staff will gladly name for you. I'm usually a fan only of super dark chocolates and I fell head over in love with this chocolatier.

Ahhhh i hope life brings me back to this spot! Their hot chocolate is just goodness in your mouth so Rich and full of flavor! & dont even get me started on how delicious the chocolate chip cookie was!

Adorable, decadent chocolates and pastries. The pistachio cake is bomb. A little pricey, but worth it. Also makes for perfect gifts.

They have great chocolates and even better dark hot chocolate. I like that you can sit and enjoy the hot chocolate at the tables. There isn't wifi, but it's a great spot to go with friends after work.

Truly, this place could not be cuter. I stopped in for dessert with a friend and we loved our tea and chocolates. It felt like we were entirely outside the hustle and bustle of the city with the charming interior.