The Chocolate Dragon Bittersweet Cafe and Bakery

First time here to start with the basics, I ordered a hot mocha and egg all butter brownie. The mocha was excellent and perfectly balanced with a rich chocolate base, but not overly sweet The brownie was decadent, and I could not taste the coarseness of the flour. It almost felt like a mouse in brownie form but a lot more viscous. They have a no laptop policy on the weekends. A massive selection of bar chocolates to choose from I did not see any savory options, but that’s OK Will come back here again to try some of their drinking chocolate

First time visit - don’t be deceived by how “simple” the desserts might look. You can tell the ingredients are extraordinary and the result is SO delicious. We loved the butter brownie and the flourless chocolate muffin. 10/10

Excellent Chocolate shop for real chocolate lovers. Come for the delicious chocolate and stay for the great vibe and super friendly staff.

Not only a great chocolate shop but a great coffee shop as well. This little boutique on College Ave had been flying beneath my radar until I stumbled in the other day. The place has the fare one expects at a good coffee shop, a selection of coffee brews and espresso drinks along with pastries and other goodies. However their mocha is quite the delight, with a real dark chocolate taste to it - something that I love. On top of the normal coffee drink menu, there are a number of more exotic chocolate drinks, a tasty thicker chocolate espresso drink or even thicker European style hot chocolate. For chocolate lovers these are a must. The ambience is rather eclectic with fun decorations and even little dragon figurine sets, it definitely gives the feel of fun place to visit. There is a huge variety of chocolates to choose from, some just shelves with a collection of chocolate bars from different providers, but also their own selection of chocolate as well. The owner is a fascinating woman, and very interesting to talk to with a lot of background in the local chocolate industry. The service of course was very good and the verse that was very friendly.

A go to spot to journal and read! Reasonable limits around laptop use to keep the vibes cozy and prevent people from hogging the few tables that are there. A huge delectable luxurious variety of chocolates. Be ready to invest in quality! Lovely lovely workers, easy to converse with, kind and warm hearted.

I love this place. I'm not a coffee, caffeinated tea person. It's not my jam. But I love hot chocolate, especially dark. Majority of places use overly sweet chocolate powder/syrup for their hot chocolate, and it's horrible. This place gives you real hot chocolate in any way you want. I typically get a mix of the bittersweet and classic, and it hits the spot! You taste real dark chocolate and just the right amount of sweetness. Everyone is super nice and I love the vibe they have: super chill and excited to talk about chocolate. I'm super bummed they are closed on Mondays, but they are open all the other days. Also, dragons. Dragons and chocolate hits my whimsical side. Yes, you should come here :).

I wish I knew about this before all my troubles began. Chocolate is my bag, baby. So as soon as I learned of this place, I entered the dragon. Customer service was friendly, while giving me space. They offered help, and I’m glad I accepted because she pointed out options that I hadn’t noticed, but better served my purposes. Options abound for chocolate products and house-made beverages. Hot chocolate is the best in the world. All my troubles are melting away. Bathroom is clean. Street parking. If you choose to give a thumbs-up 👍🏽 or not, I hope you found my review helpful!

if you are looking for gluten free pastries, THIS IS THE BEST BAKERY IN THE EAST BAY. i cannot tell you how many other places i've tried as i'm restricted and i've now found my favorite. the pastry chef here is amazing. pricey but worth every penny (or dollar). thank you, thank you. eve

We've slipped into this spot on rainy days, on sunny days, on any day for a boost. Gluten free chocolate cake doesn't get better than the dark, moist, and rich Cinnamon Hot Chocolate Cake. This and the Coco Chill, dark chocolate melted into coconut water, and we're set. Woooooooo. They've curated a selection of amazing chocolate bars here. Fossa, Amano, To'ak, in particular, a Malva Flowers To'ak that completely blew me away by how sensory it was. It's a little pricey but completely worth it. A great staff recommendation. Which brings me to how much I appreciate that they give customers thoughtful attention. I've been casually given small tastes of different bars I was staring at for forever, which is so above expectations. They seem genuinely interested in helping me discern and learn. For here, a chocolate bar (or two, or three) is high quality enough to be a special gift for a loved one (or two, or three)...

This small unassuming chocolate shop has the most decadent drinks. My absolute go-to each and every time I go here is the chocolate chai with oat milk (the oat milk version uses a different chai)! They are electronic-free on the weekends which I think is so nice and really adds to the comfort and coziness of the space!

Beautiful variety of drinks, chocolates, treats, and desserts! Can't wait to be back!

Love this place for the vibes, chocolate, and drinks. I recommend anyone who loves coconut water and dark chocolate to get the coconut chill!!! I don't know any other place that has this and it is my go to order.

Both the young man and young lady at the counter we're so friendly and patient with my multitude of questions! They help me understand what the chocolate drink is and it actually turned out pretty fun! Really refreshing and nice seating outside on the sidewalk where it's a bit cooler. They got chocolate from all over the place!

Came into the Chocolate Dragon for the first time and was disappointed . The drink itself wasn't bad. I ordered the white chocolate dream which has caramel and cardamom. I would most likely order this again if I were to ever come back, but the customer service was not it. When I came into the store, the worker just stared at me while I looked at the menu. I felt so awkward trying to read the various drinks or even look around the shop because he did not look anywhere else but at me. This made me feel pressured to order something. I did ask a question about another drink but the worker did not seem too friendly or welcoming when answering. While I waited for my drink, I noticed the worker change his personality right away after having other customers. He was friendly, laughing, and welcoming to those customers. I wanted to give the worker the benefit of the doubt and think he was just having an off day. Nope! He was perfectly fine with the other customers. If you are POC and want to come into this shop, maybe you should look elsewhere because the ambiance here was too negative and awkward. They get two stars only because the drink was good lol

I was pleasantly surprised that they had several vegan bakery options and the barista was very knowledgeable about the ingredients as well. There's not much seating indoors or out but they had a huge selection of chocolates and tasty drinks :)

Ordered the mex and bittersweet hot chocolate. Both drinks came out quite hot with an ideal level of foam on the Mex one. The bittersweet has a potent flavor similar to a melted 75% dark chocolate bar. The color and flavor seems like something out of the Polar Express movie!

Not only a great chocolate shop but a great coffee shop as well. This little boutique on College Ave had been flying beneath my radar until I stumbled in the other day. The place has the fare one expects at a good coffee shop, a selection of coffee brews and espresso drinks along with pastries and other goodies. However their mocha is quite the delight, with a real dark chocolate taste to it - something that I love. On top of the normal coffee drink menu, there are a number of more exotic chocolate drinks, a tasty thicker chocolate espresso drink or even thicker European style hot chocolate. For chocolate lovers these are a must. The ambience is rather eclectic with fun decorations and even little dragon figurine sets, it definitely gives the feel of fun place to visit. There is a huge variety of chocolates to choose from, some just shelves with a collection of chocolate bars from different providers, but also their own selection of chocolate as well. The owner is a fascinating woman, and very interesting to talk to with a lot of background in the local chocolate industry. The service of course was very good and the verse that was very friendly.

Really cozy spot, especially perfect for the fall/winter when you want something warm. I went here with some friends, and it's a nice spot. I got the classic - pretty rich and creamy, can't go wrong! My friend got the Mexican spicy, def had some heat. They do charge a 10% extra if you do "for here", so if you want to save a bit just say to go.

Totally , totally...100% recommend this coffee shop. First off this place is open late night! Staff is superb , inside is clean and well organized. Besides my mocha being the Best mocha I've ever had, it's like walking into an adult happy place. CHOCOLATE from everywhere in the world neatly displayed around the shop..... and OMG back to my mocha latte. I could kiss the bartsia. Can't wait to come back.

Absolutely delicious! If I could have a bittersweet hot chocolate everyday, I would. The vibes in the shop itself are cozy and warm, there is a decent amount of seating indoors and out and the atmosphere is lovely. I highly recommend the chocolate pudding (it might be a small cup but, boy does it pack a punch) Unfortunately, I do agree with the reviews discussing the disappointing customer service, I've never had a barista that didn't seem like they hated being there or hated my questions. The begrudging service accounts for the 4 stars.

My friend and I came here after a Saturday dinner. She had the peppermint hot chocolate and I had the Mexican hot chocolate, which was frothy and delicious. I just really appreciate that they were open until 9:30 PM on a Saturday, for those of us who are old and don't want to hang out at a bar. There needs to be more places like this that provides non-caffeinated, non-alcoholic beverages for people to hang out in, with a small delicious beverage. A quaint place to chat with friends without having to drink, or be around drunk people. Nothing wrong with that, if that's your agenda. But when it's not your agenda, there aren't too many places to go. Really, just wanted to shout that out and say, Chocolate Dragon -- I appreciate you.

I go here to have a decadent hot chocolate with my daughter. I have the classic mostly. And the different offerings of chocolates from all over the world is pretty amazing.

I had the best mocha of my life here. No seriously, the chocolate tastes out of this world!! And they make homemade whipped cream!! If I didn't live so far I'd be there everyday for my daily iced mocha. It's a small shop quiet shop that's perfect for studying or working on your computer. Also, the baristas have a small sign that says please use "they /them pronouns. I noticed the sign after I ordered so please remember and respect their pronouns

The service is great. I wish there was more seating. The vibes are here and my drink was so tasty. I just wish it was warmer. It got cold within a couple minutes of having it. The experience is unique. I recommend

I worked coffee industry for years and get super frustrated when baristas are purposely lazy/rude. Came in at 3pm and asked for a drip coffee and the barista suggested an americano. Drip coffee and americanos are completely different drinks, and i asked again for drip coffee. He told me he'd give me the "old drip" but wouldn't brew a new batch even though they close in six hours at 9:30pm. Never coming here again and going to discourage friends from coming here

This place is floor to wall chocolate. Came in for a coffee and left with so much more. Ended up getting the bicerin to get my coffee and chocolate fix. Oh wow. I'm not sure if I can enjoy normal hot chocolate again. This drink is thick. It's definitely a drink you sip over a period of time instead of drinking all at once. It is amazing and I highly recommend. It was a great balance of bitter espresso and dark drinking chocolate with creaming whipped cream. Just of note, I'm a fan of dark chocolate (greater than 70%) so it might be a bit more than some might like but I thought it was perfect. Definitely plan on coming back to a hot drink and chocolate fix.

I was so excited. A queer friendly cozy chocolate shop?? Yes please. I was thrilled to see a bittersweet sipping chocolate on the menu-- I'm a big fan of rich dark chocolate. Unfortunately... My drink tasted like water with a bit of chocolate powder. It was just so watery. Bummed, wouldn't recommend.

I absolutely love this place! Ambiance: It's the cutest place ever on a street of other small/local businesses (used street parking). The inside is small, cozy, and intimate, but there's still a good amount of seating, and I was able to grab a table on the wall for an outlet. The decorations are amazing -- lots of chocolate imagery in addition to the chocolate bars and candies. Service: Kindest people ever! Someone helped me (and lots of other people) choose from the wall of chocolate bars, gave recommendations, and was extremely knowledgeable. Food: I got a peppermint hot chocolate, and I loved it! I also grabbed two chocolate bars.

Consistently great coffee and excellent service. I always get the chocolate chai and it's just the right amount of sweetness plus a little caffeinated boost. The staff I've interacted with here are genuine and warm. It's distinguished from other cafes that way and more.

How can you not go into a place called the Chocolate Dragon?! I stumbled on this place, while I walked the completely opposite direction of where I was supposed to go. I call it kismet. The place is small, but packed with chocolates of all sorts, baked goods, teas, coffees and hot chocolates. I couldn't help but get the white chocolate dream, which is typically made with heavy cream, but since I'm delicate with dairy, they made it with a different syrup I wish I got the name of. Once I read it had cardamom, I knew I couldn't pass it up. It was so rich and soothing. The next thing I got was their Wu Wei blend of iced tea. I needed something refreshing and soothing for my stomach. It contained some orange peel and I believe hibiscus. It was delicious and my stomach was very happy. The staff there were all so kind and it being my first time there, they helped answer some questions and gave great tips. I can't wait to go back next time I'm in the area. It's a great treat to grab right before sitting in traffic. Next time, I will seek out some gluten free pastries, as I was told from my cranio-sacral therapist, Alex Mart, they have. Thanks, Chocolate Dragon!

I've been a regular customer for years. Because my kids take after school classes nearby, I'm here multiple times a week while I wait. I always buy food and a drink and sometimes chocolate bars, too, and the experience has always been extremely pleasant. So I was disappointed that today, at the same time I'm there every week, I was asked to leave because I had my laptop out. I was not aware of this policy, though of course I understand why such policies exist. However, the cafe was empty at the time. There was no one waiting for a table. The only customers were me and one other person-- and I wasn't asked to put my laptop away but to leave. I'm sorry to lose what has been a cozy spot to have a bite and do some writing, but fortunately there are lots of other nice cafes in the neighborhood. I'd rather spend my money someplace where I am treated courteously.

LOVE LOVE LOVE. The BESTTTT hot chocolate in all of Berkeley and can confidently say that I've had in my life. I've been going here for probably 3 years when I need a pick me up or craving chocolate and have never been disappointed. I've tried their hot chocolates, their coffees (the mocha is amazing), their pastries, you literally cannot go wrong. Everyone there is so sweet, have never had a bad experience. It's really small inside, always pretty crowded with people studying or reading. It's a bit of a hike from campus but worth it.

Stumbled upon this place and it's adorable! Beautiful, unique, delicious chocolates and drinks. Great chill vibes inside and friendly staff. I'm already planning my return trip.

Cute cafe in the bougie neighborhood of Rockridge. It's super busy and there was no shortage of people either taking up tables inside or lining up to order caffeine and goodies. When I got here, I was on a mission to have a simple coffee, grab a table and sit down to read the book I just bought a few stores down. The guy behind the counter was super friendly and had a real beautiful smile that I said yes to everything he asked me. By the same I sat down, I realized that they're really known for their chocolate drinks and had I taken my time to see what they offered, I would have gone with a Mexican spicy chocolate drink. Argh. Overall, the vibe is chill and low-key buzzing. It's the perfect spot for just enjoying a drink.

I guess... it's ok but the staff is so weird! Def not very nice and if you're different from them they look at you crazy. Drink was too thick and sugary.

The cutest. One whole menu board focused on chocolate. I had a mocha. Tight space with picnic table and cafe tables. Tall ceilings. Old building. Indoor and outdoor seating. I had a moment. I sat next to the door and marveled at how the world outside was framed by the windows. The feel is old and cozy.

I got the classic hot chocolate with the bittersweet chocolate (instead of milk chocolate) and it was so good! As an avid hot chocolate fan. I love how many different hot chocolate flavors have. I'm excited to try to the European sipping chocolate next time!

Sooo yummy. I highly recommend the Chocolate Chai -- a true game changer! I wouldn't count on being able to drink it there because they have limited seating inside with some additional seats outside.

I came here with my best friend today before our reservations to Kitchen Story across the street and we loved it! She ordered a bicerin and I ordered a soy floral latte. Hers was an incredibly chocolatey filled dessert and mine had a wonderful subtle rose flavor which I adored. They have a large selection of hot chocolates which I'd love to come back and try when I'm in the area! It seems like a great non-caffeine alternative to a mid-day coffee.

I really wanted to like this cafe since I've heard really good things about it and I appreciated how queer the cafe is. I came here in April (4 months ago) and felt really shitty after coming here so I never came back. At the time, I tried not to write a review since I didn't want to hurt the reputation of this cafe, but 4 months later, the interaction I had with the person working there still bothers me every time I think about it, so I wanted to share my experience. Unfortunately the person working there was incredibly rude which tainted my experience. I asked the person at the counter if they could tell me the difference between two chais I was considering. They rolled their eyes and gave me a very short answer which didn't explain anything. After that, I ordered a pastry and the person said flatly "we're out." I instead ordered a different pastry and the person said "we're out." I asked "what do you have that isn't out?" and the person rolled their eyes again and merely pointed to a pastry that was out on display. I ordered that and they put it on a plate cold and gave it to me. I sat down to eat and realized I didn't have a napkin or utensils so I asked the person where they were. Again, the person rolled their eyes and merely pointed in a vague direction. The pastry tasted old and dry and it would have been slightly better if it was heated up. My chai was decent but it was hard to enjoy since the person was so unkind. I ate and drank as quickly as I could since the atmosphere was awkward. As I left, no one said anything to me like even a "thank you" or "goodbye" even though it was quiet and empty in the cafe. The person who was working there was incredibly rude and unhelpful. I tried to be pleasant and friendly with every interaction I had with them but they couldn't even be bothered to speak words to me.

Great hot chocolates and cozy interior! Perfect for a cold night. I tried the bittersweet, chocolate salted caramel, and chocolate chai. I liked them all, they're very different, but the salted caramel was probably the best. Bittersweet is thicker but not too sickening. I am very full after drinking it though! I want to come back for some desserts or chocolate bars!

This place has such rich and flavorful drinks. I am convinced that no matter what you order or how you order it (iced or hot), it will still be crafted to perfection. I have had their spicy hot chocolate, white chocolate dream, and the bicerin. Each of the drinks were extremely rich and divine. Lots of rich chocolate infused flavor in every drink I've had! There is only street parking available and limited outdoor seating. You cannot enter inside, there is a stand right at the entrance where you can order (and ring a bell if no one is available to help). This place screams cold, winter holiday seasons! A must go to when in need of a drink that emanates COMFORT and WARMTH!

The Chocolate Dragon Bittersweet Cafe and Bakery has long been a favorite stop of mine during every daycation to the Oakland Rockridge shopping neighborhood. Sadly, it was closed for much of the pandemic, but it's open now and rearing to go! As the sweettooth and I were passing through we had to visit and enjoy. We ordered two hot chocolates: one classic and one Mexican spicy, the brownie, and a tea cake. The hot chocolates are spectacular: thick and sweet and damn close to being transcendent. The Mexican spicy lives up to its name, with a bit of a tail that pushes the boundaries for some. I absolutely love it! ! The tea cake is satisfying, and my SO loved it. The brownie, however, is so spectacular that it deserves a paragraph all to its own! This is close to the perfect execution of brownie. It is an incredibly dense square of brown delight. Slightly crispy on the outside, the interior has a mouthfield that always sticks with me for days. We ate at one of the few sidewalk tables in front, and in the warm winter sun it made for a perfect moment. We are both beyond glad that a little bit of normalcy has returned and that's a bittersweet cafe is back in our lives.

What an absolutely lovely little cafe. I love the bittersweet hot cocoa which is perfectly balanced, and rich. A quiet spot to sip on a rainy winter day.

Everything at The Chocolate Dragon tastes great! I love all the options for dietary restrictions. I love that there is a huge gourmet selection of chocolate bars. I love the cold drinks case, in case you just want to grab something and go, I love the indoor a outdoor seating in case you want to stay. The counter people are super friendly and adorable. True people persons. Hours of operation can be a bit inconsistent. Note: I once witnessed the manager/owner who was having a bad day be incredibly rude to some patrons. Not to me thank goodness but it was still very cringe. Talk about a dragon! Just tread lightly and you'll enjoy yourself.

[serious face] The owners are completely irresponsible to run this business without some kind of warning to customers. [crazy for chocolate face] Because...THIS PLACE IS AMAZING. And a serious hazard to your wallet if you have a sweet spot for chocolate. [happily munching on gluten free pastries face] And they have some delicious gluten free baked goods too! The Mexican chocolate cake was bomb. I want to have it for my birthday. Though I may also have to start celebrating half birthdays and Happy Second Thursday of The Month too.

Nothing had prices listed. Not on the shelf. Not on the items. Yes....prepared foods and drinks are priced on the menu but I did not see any prices for the baked goods or the large and interesting variety of chocolate products. My mom used to tell me that if you have to ask, you can not afford it.

The most mazing beverage for me recently was with matcha. The dark chocolate is excellent as well. Service is very gracious. If only there were more space...

Great espresso beverages and nice selection of chocolates. Nice amount of seating both outside and indoors. The ambiance is pleasant.

What a cute little dessert/coffee/chocolate shop! My husband and I dropped by for dessert after an early dinner. We both had giant mugs of hot chocolate and then split a few of the cookies. They have several kinds of hot chocolate that all must be tried! Street parking is a little tight

Who doesn't love a nice cup of hot chocolate? I had to oblige when my mom requested some "real" (lol) hot chocolate after our Marica dinner on College Ave. Good thing we walked! I love coming to this popular chocolate spot pre-Covid to peruse the unique chocolate bars - there are several local and international types that are nice to sample or give as gifts. I had gotten a limited edition of a dark chocolate Cabernet bar and it was so tasty (I like the bitter dark with the cab notes). I savored it (only a few bites for dessert) and made it last for a few weeks. It wasn't cheap! Back to our visit - indoor store is still not open for patrons but glad they have outdoor seating now and are still selling their amazing chocolate bars as well as their yummy hot chocolate, which ranges from $4-5 for a regular sized cup. I had tried the spicy Mexican in the past and it was really good! This time I got the bittersweet one and it was rich and delicious- felt like I was in a European cafe. Only issue for me was the caffeine kept me awake until midnight but it was worth it. My parents got the Classic one and enjoyed it to the last drop. Next time I want to try the spicy chai!

Great customer service! The staff was super friendly and helpful in choosing which items to purchase. The fudge brownie was delightful and delicious! The milkshake had a unique and flavorful taste. Sadly, I only can give three stars because all items were highly overpriced. I did not feel as if I got the value behind the various desserts and milkshake.

For a coffee shop, this is affordable! Everything here is cheaper than your average coffee shop with a plethora of choices to pick from in the menu! I had an americano with 2 shots and it was delicious. One thing that surprised me was the fact that when I wanted a pastry the associated asked me if I had any allergies or anything. The simple fact that I was asked about my allergies was mind blowing. Where else do you get asked this type of question? It's very rare.

Like Klay Thompson, The Chocolate Dragon is back and it's better than ever. After a long hiatus due to flood damage they have reopened, and it's worth a visit. Firstly: this place specializes in drinkable chocolate, and you really can't go wrong with any of the options. I am partial to the bittersweet chocolate myself, which is deep and rich, and served in just the right quantity to satisfy without overwhelming. They've got a bunch of outdoor tables, which is nice. And their pastries and cakes are good too! Try the chocolate zucchini cake, it sounds weird but it's super moist and awesome.

This was the worst hot chocolate I've ever had (we ordered the hazelnut). It was not chocolate-y or rich at all but rather tasted like a very dilute Swiss Miss packet mixed with water and some hazelnut syrup thrown in. 5.40 for a small to-go cup is pricey to begin with but this was outrageous considering the taste. I had half a mind to return to the store and ask them to remake it because I simply cannot believe this is the same hot chocolate everyone is raving about. My husband refused to drink it and we threw most of it out. I won't be returning. It's too bad because the chocolate selection looked really good but I can't justify throwing away 5 dollars for something not drinkable.

Wonderful hot drinks, small but comfy interior. Loads of different kinds of chocolate to choose from and knowledgeable staff!

This place does sipping chocolate well. Its extremely rich, and the chocolate tastes full bodied and has the perfect level of sweetness, with a dash of mintyness. I got the Thai Chocolate Tea. However, note that it is not really tea. Its more like straight up sipping chocolate. Its in a prime location, in the middle of Rockridge, and they also have other baked goods and chocolate that looks really good. Didn't try them but would like to next time. Not much area to sit and talk except outside as of now, but apparently they are renovating the inside and should have indoor seating soon.

These poor folks have had the hardest time the last few years. First of the pandemic shut them down... then flooding forced them to spend a ton of money on repairs. They are struggling to re-open for in-person sit-down service, but are still selling their beautiful chocolate at the door, and there's outdoor seating. Most importantly -- If you like chocolate, without a doubt, this is one of the best places in the bay area to get your fix. They make homemade chocolate bars that will blow your mind, along with a wide variety of pastries - brownies, blondies, cookies, mini pumpkin pies! - that will make your mouth and belly very happy. They also make the best hot chocolate I've ever had. It's so thick and rich it's like drinking a candy bar, and I mean that in the BEST possible way. Throw them some business and be a gem, would you?? p.s. Great holiday desserts, gifts and stocking stuffers!!!