XOX Truffles

A Sweet Escape in North Beach Even though I am not a big chocolate fan, I have been a happy customer of XOX Truffles for years. I love their truffles and coffee. This small, sweet shop is one of my favorite places in North Beach, San Francisco. Jean-Marc Gorce, the owner and main truffle maker, is very friendly and takes great care of his customers. His love for chocolate began in his childhood. He and his brother Ludvic would always search their home for their mother's hidden sweets, sometimes even mischievously blaming each other when caught. This childhood passion led him to a lifelong dedication to creating fine and delicious truffles. At XOX Truffles, Jean-Marc combines his mother's classic recipe with his own unique flavors, creating various delights for everyone to enjoy. The truffles here are amazing. Each one is a perfect mix of rich chocolate and creative flavors, showing Jean-Marc's skill and love for his work. Whether you like classic flavors or want to try something new, XOX Truffles has over twenty different kinds to choose from. One of my personal favorites is the raspberry flavor. The coffee at XOX is also wonderful, making it a perfect place for a cozy afternoon. The friendly atmosphere and personal touch from the boss and his staff make every visit pleasant. I highly recommend XOX Truffles to anyone looking for a great chocolate experience in San Francisco's North Beach neighborhood. Oh, by the way, with every coffee, you get your choice of a bonus truffle. So, what are you waiting for?!

Exquisite truffles! A friend of mine showed me the place and i was fascinated with the taste, the truffles are just delicious. Very warm and friendly place.

French chocolatier with a big heart nestled in North Beach, close to many dinner spots. If you are looking for a truly decadent chocolate experience, want to have a hand prepared hot chocolate, or impress some company, this is the place to go. I've tasted all 20 truffles available. There are various boxes/deals for buying truffles in bulk and would make the perfect gift for any chocolate lover. Full recommendation for this long-standing small business!

Unexpectedly good truffles, not too sweet and very creamy. Not a very nice looking place to sit down but a coffee with a free truffle deal was attractive:) very nice and friendly owner. While I stayed inside with a coffee to warm me up from that very windy SF weather I noticed that the place is quite popular within people who live nearby, people came in here to buy boxes of truffles

Absolutely fabulous chocolate truffles! Good ingredients, decadent taste and not too sweet. So flavorful and sophisticated! The best chocolate truffles in San Francisco!

I adore this truffle place. I've tried every flavor and they are all unique and delicious. You get a free truffle with every drink order. This place has THE BEST hot chocolate in SF. I get the bitter hot chocolate with oat milk. It's a true dark chocolate, velvety, and thick without feeling like you're drinking hot fudge (like Ghirardelli's drinking chocolate feels -too much). I've never found better truffles at such a reasonable price served by such a kind person. Definitely check them out, I stop in for a hot chocolate every time I'm in North Beach.

This place was right next to a restaurant we were eating at, and we just stumbled upon it. Seeing the delicious assortment of candies & coffees, we decided to give it a try. Originally, we saw the free truffle with coffee sign, but then skipped the coffee altogether and just went for the goodies, the truffles. Not being big on sweets myself, but loving tequila & spicy foods, I immediately was drawn to the cayenne-tequila flavor, but I also ordered the espresso. The espresso was what you would expect, but the cayenne-tequila was surprisingly spicy at first, then after you got the hint of the tequila, but just a little, it was nice. My girlfriend ordered the peanut butter & the dark chocolate truffles. Again the dark chocolate was good, and as expected, but the clear winner of the taste-test, to me and my girlfriend, was the peanut butter. It was really delicious & we both agreed, almost right away, that was our favorite, and we could have just ordered 4 of those and been happy. All in all, check this place out, go for the peanut butter, if you like that flavor.

Ok, the coffee and chocolate here are excellent. The truffles have wonderful flavors are and so soft and melty. For the food and drink, five stars! But, for ambiance and service, two stars. The shop is tiny, old, and kind of beat up and run down. Half the shop was crammed full of furniture that should probably have been outside. The chef who works there was gruff, cranky, and negative. We were polite and friendly, and the best way to describe him is probably a curmudgeon. It really made the experience less fun and pleasant, and because of him, I probably won’t go back. It doesn’t cost anything to be nice.

Been to this charming little shop a few times now and it always hits the spot. The truffles are so fresh and many of the flavors sell out quite quickly during the day. I recommend ordering a few specialty flavors to try out; some of my favs are the espresso, vodka honey, orange, and hazelnut. The man working most days (I've only seen him during my visits here) is so sweet and kind. He takes really good care of the chocolates and packages the order so nicely each time.

A Sweet Escape in North Beach Even though I am not a big chocolate fan, I have been a happy customer of XOX Truffles for years. I love their truffles and coffee. This small, sweet shop is one of my favorite places in North Beach, San Francisco. Jean-Marc Gorce, the owner and main truffle maker, is very friendly and takes great care of his customers. His love for chocolate began in his childhood. He and his brother Ludvic would always search their home for their mother's hidden sweets, sometimes even mischievously blaming each other when caught. This childhood passion led him to a lifelong dedication to creating fine and delicious truffles. At XOX Truffles, Jean-Marc combines his mother's classic recipe with his own unique flavors, creating various delights for everyone to enjoy. The truffles here are amazing. Each one is a perfect mix of rich chocolate and creative flavors, showing Jean-Marc's skill and love for his work. Whether you like classic flavors or want to try something new, XOX Truffles has over twenty different kinds to choose from. One of my personal favorites is the raspberry flavor. The coffee at XOX is also wonderful, making it a perfect place for a cozy afternoon. The friendly atmosphere and personal touch from the boss and his staff make every visit pleasant. I highly recommend XOX Truffles to anyone looking for a great chocolate experience in San Francisco's North Beach neighborhood. Oh, by the way, with every coffee, you get your choice of a bonus truffle. So, what are you waiting for?!

This little boutique of a cafe/truffle spot is so cute and genuinely makes me happy, Jean Mark makes the truffles there himself and always seems to be all smiles when you drop by. My favorite truffle here is the red wine one, omg is it amazing and paired with a cappuccino, it's just heaven sent. I've also tried the champagne one and it has more of a sweeter taste whereas the red wine has a deep richness that is hard to match. I plan to try each one one day and rule them all. Coffee prices are wonderful and the truffles are surprisingly affordable and lovely, I would definitely recommend taking a stroll here and enjoying your little chocolates in the park nearby and just dreaming a little dream because honestly how can you do anything else with a truffle and coffee at hand!?

I am going to preface this that opinions on chocolate are a lot like wine, beer, whiskey, and many other foods. People like different things, so what is awesome to one person may be mediocre to another. That said, I am staying with the same rating as my last review. Chocolate truffles: 2.5/5. Just average. While they are not too sweet (which I like), I could not taste much of the actual chocolate in the truffle. Expresso Truffles: 4/5. This had just the right amount of expresso flavor, so I liked that very much. I just wish the chocolate flavor would have been a little stronger to better complement the espresso.

Stumbling upon XOX Truffles while meandering down the street was a serendipitous delight. This charming, practically hidden gem, instantly drew me in with the smell of chocolate and coffee. And oh, am I glad it did! XOX Truffles is a haven for chocolate enthusiasts. With every truffle I've tasted here, and I've indulged in every single variety they offer, the experience has been nothing short of extraordinary. These truffles aren't just delicious; they're an exploration of intriguing and fun flavors, each a testament to the art of fine chocolate making. I always grab a coffee when I go by here, if for no other reason than to snag the free truffle you get with every coffee. The coffee complements the truffles wonderfully, but that free truffle is a delicious trap, as I've never just gotten one truffle on my visits to XOX. The place is quite small, tucked into a tiny little store front, but the staff is incredibly welcoming. You will often find the owner behind the counter. He is both charming and knowledgeable on all things chocolate. This little shop is a must visit destination for any chocolate lover.

truly incredible truffles that live up to the hype from the newspaper clippings you see on the window. buy these as souvenirs/gifts and impress all your friends. go early because flavors were sold out by 2pm when we went! recs: free truffle with a coffee or truffle box purchase! Dark chocolate was sold out when we got there, but it seems to be the most popular flavor. I also really enjoyed the rum raisin and champagne flavors. price: $1.25/truffle, $16 for 20 I am no truffle connoisseur, but this was love at first bite. The truffles are smooth, live up to their flavors, and have a decadent texture. It only took one truffle that came free with my mocha (which was delicious btw) to immediately buy 20 more. Worth the wait!

Good truffles but closed again without warning. Wish we didn't plan our day around the (wrong) hours posted....

Ah yes, when I think of 'truffles', I think of the fruiting body of a subterranean ascomycete fungus, predominantly one of the many species of the genus Tuber. What? You don't believe me? You think I just copy pasted this definition from Wikipedia? I'm so disappointed you think so little of me that you can't picture me in my plaid sports jacket with my sniffing hounds foraging for truffles? OK, well, I was foraging for the other kind, I guess, when I unhesitatingly stopped at this tiny shop in Columbus. So tiny the owner snapped at me when I walked in while he was conversing with a customer obviously there to chat. Meanwhile, I was at the head of a line forming outside and was eventually granted permission to enter to peruse their broad variety of truffles piled in serving bowls and dishes in the display case. They're clearly handmade because they looked like the other kind of truffles, and at $1.25 a pop, they were hard to deny. I ended up getting a half-dozen - amaretto, coconut, and my favorite, spicy cayenne tequila (photo: https://bit.ly/3EHwTKG). Along with the $2.75 Americano (photo: https://bit.ly/3vcmjIs), I took my stash to the nearby Joe DiMaggio Playground to ingest them in short order. For a sweet French treat in the middle of North Beach, they worked just fine. TRUFFLES - 4 stars...handmade sweet treats with intense chocolateness AMBIANCE - 3 stars...it's small in there SERVICE - 3 stars...could've been nicer TOTAL - 4 stars...it's really about the truffles RELATED - Exploring North Beach? Here's a collection of places I've visited and reviewed: https://bit.ly/2X34Mji

Very authentic truffle experience. The owner was very kind and welcoming and the truffles are super affordable at 1.25 a piece. I got a raspberry and espresso flavored truffle and sitting outside was a very nice experience for a midafternoon treat.

Best truffes in SF hands down!!! I bought a few boxes last year totaling 50 + pieces, and they didn't last a week. My wife craves them and so does my grandmother. I hope the shop owner has found some help to keep up with demand. I'm going back soon to buy more.

This place is awesome! I'm normally just and espresso or americano drinker, but the mocha (made with a huge dollop of real chocolate) is the best I've ever had. You also get a free chocolate truffle (the cognac flavor is the best) Every time we are nearby, we make sure to stop by!

My favorite truffle place in North Beach. The shop was closed for vacation and has reopened. I don't get to visit as often as I like, so I bought 1/2 lb or 32 pieces. You get to pick the flavor and I got the regular chocolate and cognac mix.. Next time I have to remember the vodka one. The owner gave us each a sample for our purchase. I tried the champagne one. I still prefer the cognac one over the champagne one.

I ordered a cappuccino and received a truffle sample, it was so good, we had to get a box of 20. There are number of flavors to choose from, but all were very good. Thanks! Anthonyxibarrax

Delicious truffles!! So many choices too. The guy inside is very nice and makes the truffles in-house. The only downside (for patrons) is that they sell out often it seems, so they'll close shop early to make more and reopen in a day-or-two.

I happened by while wandering around, waiting for a family member with a USCIS appointment nearby. I nearly walked past, but saw painted on the shop window "free truffle with coffee." The distinctive font was what lured me in, oddly enough. I did a 180 and walked in this welcoming shop, greeted warmly as if to the shopkeeper's own home. Unassuming, no flamboyance to upsell or boast the goods within. Humble, like Maman's cooking, and yet, there is nothing else as delicious and nostalgic. Being in this shop is like being in a friend's kitchen. It is casual and warm, very comforting. I ended up choosing only a few chocolates the first visit. The popular pieces had already sold out, like noisette/hazelnut. I brought home crème de menthe (mint), cognac and à la Kahlua. After tasting them at home, on the next visit I walked away with a box of 20 pieces, claiming I would share with others. I did share--only 3 though! These truffles are luxuriously smooth and definitely not diet, but if you're going to indulge, you may as well spend your calorie allowance the right way! They are small and simple, and all of them melt in your mouth, slightly cold at first, and then into a burst of silky chocolate liquid with different variations for the flavors. You'll never look at Lindt truffles as buttery again compared to these. Seriously though--you've already made the trip to SF. Make your Caltrain fare worthwhile and grab these delicious truffles and enjoy un café au lait if you're not in a rush, or as a treat after your Italian dinner date nearby.

Not much to look at, but they taste great! In fact, most of them look the same so if you get a Chinese takeout-style box with a bunch, you're gonna go Forrest Gump and not know what flavor you're getting. But thankfully, they all taste pretty amazing. L'Orange: This was my free trial truffle (in addition to getting a few in my batch), so I clearly remember this one. Had a very strong orange essence burst of flavor which complemented the chocolate so well. Maybe my favorite. Caramel: So I left my truffles out at room temperature and these were the only ones to implode a bit. They seem to be filled with real chewy caramel, not some caramel flavoring. A nice contrast to the other chocolate-heavy truffles. Cayenne Spicy Tequila: Probably the only truffle I wasn't crazy about. The cayenne and chocolate combination just doesn't do it for me. Plus the cayenne flavor kinda overpowered any hint of tequila. Espresso: Not sure how much actual caffeine is in this, but the coffee taste is strong. So maybe in a placebo effect, this gives you a nice jolt. It's a great bitter-on-bitter combo if you need a break from the sweeter truffles. Peanut Butter: A tad similar to the caramel truffle in that they seemed to use the real ingredient (i.e. peanut butter in this case) as the filling instead of just essence of to flavor the chocolate base. Like a very fancy Reese Peanut Butter! Dark Chocolate: Another nice burst of bitter. Pairs well if you've having some coffee (assuming you're a cream & sugar person like me). Amaretto: Yup, this definitely had that nice almond flavor. A tad bit creamier than the other chocolate-heavy truffles too. Honey Vodka: Actually did have a vodka zing. Didn't taste the honey as much though.

I came here for the coffee and not for the chocolate so please take this review with a grain of salt. Their coffee is okay, and the free truffle that comes with it was pretty good! Ambiance wise, the inside it dark, seems a bit old, and not very organized. However, I acknowledge this is an establishment in north beach. I would love to go back just to try all their truffle flavors. The owner (perhaps?) was very French about the whole interaction and wasn't super pleasant or rude. Again, try the truffle, or if you need a coffee get a coffee and enjoy the free truffle. Perhaps it will blow your mind?

Excellent expresso. Very good truffles. One free truffle with every coffee drink. Nice hard working owner operator.

Amazing truffles made by the owner for 28 years I believe. Quaint little shop that did not disappoint.

Visiting San Francisco starting from Pier 39 walking to Chinatown. Along the way we had seen this halfway which brought to my attention and thought i should go in. I've always had a thing for visiting small shops esp ones that are hidden. So this was really interesting. What caught my attention however was that with a purchase of a coffee you received a free truffle. I did not have the expresso shots but my partner did and said that it was delicious with the truffle mixed in. We got three flavors. Cognac, Soy/vegan orange and hazelnut. Flavors were delicious and can say it taste like the real thing. The hazelnut one reminded me of ferrorocher but the orange one was my favorite. My partner enjoyed the cognac. I would come here again and make sure to add this onto my SF eats

Excellent service and coffee! Every coffee order comes with a piece of truffle. Very delicious, highly recommended!

Free truffle with every purchase! Mexican hot chocolate - cayenne pepper, cinnamon, and nutmeg.

Jean-Marc, the chief trouble maker, erm I mean the chief truffle maker is a wonderfully passionate chef who never disappoints you. He uses his French family recipes to conjure 26 or is it 30 types of artisinal truffles with booze (think tequila, cognac), without booze and vegan options as well. If you buy a box for $15, you get a free truffle to try. Tip: Ask for the special gift box, makes for a great gift, and you get a free truffle. A hidden gem is chef jean's decadent Guitard hot chocolate, available as Bitter, Classic, Milk, White, or Mexican flavor. I always go for bitter and with almond milk. This is insanely delicious. And guess what you get with it? A free truffle. I usually pick the amaretto truffle. For a while during the pandemic, Chef Jean started to make crepes. These were insanely rich, buttery, pillowy soft and the one I loved had a ton of chocolate inside and outside. Unfortunately, he had to stop it since he was the only one working the kitchen and manning the counter. It's tough trying to do it all by yourself. But if enough people ask once the pandemic is finite, chef Jean may bring back his savory and dessert crepes. Tip: While the shop is open 7 days a week, go early, or you will get leftovers. A safe bet is 4 pm or earlier, esp. after a nice meal at Tony's or one of the Italian ristorantes nearby. Give Chef Jean some love and be patient if there is a line. This is an unhurried European decadent experience. You will be treated to the best chocolate this side of the river Seine. TLDR: Best French-recipe truffles, reasonably priced, makes for a great binge or gift.

Loco's might be a bit out of the way from the beaten path. When really in hindsight it's just on the scenic route of Lake Havasu. Their menu is extensive so you'll enjoy return visits to choose your favorite menu fare. They have an outdoor patio and you're pets are welcome

I drove across town to get to the store. I parked a couple of blocks away. (That part of the city streets are stunningly crowded and slow.) Walked up the to the store to discover a note on the door -- "I'll won't be here today." I suspect that the truffles, etc. are great -- based on notably good reviews -- but I'll never know. The round trip from Glen Park was one hour. So my take away is: don't go until after noon -- when he's supposed to open. If he doesn't answer, then don't wouldn't go.

Fantastic Truffles! My mouth is watering just thinking about them! I always stop in when I am in North Beach.

Truffles are very good. Our favorite is the Rum Raisin. Small shop, practicing social distancing with 1 customer inside at a time (or couple). Everything is handmade so the supply is limited and once a flavor is gone, its gone for the day. Owner is friendly and the place is always busy.

Stumbled upon this place as we walked back to our hotel and super glad we did. For starters, I have an absolute love and appreciation for any place you walk in and get warmly greeted by the chef/owner and family. Tons of character, phenomenal truffles - do yourself a favor, skip the tourist trap of Ghirardelli and try this place instead. The hazelnut truffle was 12/10!!!!!

First of all, the owner is so nice. He was more than happy to give us a few samples too. The truffles are DELICIOUS. We will definitely be back to support his business.

On a cold afternoon in North Beach, looking for a cup of coffee to warm myself up, and found this place. You get a free chocolate truffle with coffee, and it was such a treat! Wish I had tried this place a long time ago, but I will be stopping here from now on when in the area!

I was in the area with friends when we saw the sign offering a complimentary truffle with any purchase of coffee. Curious, we stepped inside and were immediately transported to a European cafe in the heart of San Francisco. I had a tasty cafe au lait while my pals opted for mexican hot chocolates and a box of truffles each. The chocolates were an experience in and of themselves (one friend almost wept over how good they were), and the owner was very charming, too--several neighbors poked their heads in to say hi as they walked by during the evening, clearly equally as taken by this enchanting chocolatier.

Hole in the wall spot with good warm coffee and a free truffle to go with it, located close to the Washington sq park. I felt pretentious and chose the earl grey truffle ;) but loved the flavor so much I ended up purchasing a few dozen truffles :D Lots of delicious flavors to choose from-earl grey, spicy tequila, raspberry and salted caramel stood out.

Jean-Marc radiates a warmth that extends to the chocolate he sells. My friends and I stopped by after dinner and were not disappointed by excellent coffee and sumptuous hot chocolate. We were each offered a truffle with our individual drink orders, and the chocolates impressed us so much that we couldn't help but walk away with a box (after one of us yelled an expletive after sampling our treats because it was THAT good). I'm sad that I live halfway across the country from XOX truffles, otherwise I would support it endlessly. I hope the locals know what a gem they have, and patronize the business as enthusiastically as it deserves. XOX truffles, you have all of my love. Until next time!

Passed by this place walking around San Francisco with the family on the way to the Embarcadero from China town. Little hole in the wall spot with some excellent lattes and tasty chocolate!

Good quality of chocolate Personal preference are the one with liquor Smooth Not so milky - good thing meaning it didn't put in a lot of milk to replace cocoa Won't get that really sticky texture after Gentle aftertaste

Delicious truffles!! The man who helped us was so kind and patient with us. Definitely going to make it a point to visit every time we're in San Francisco

Truly amazing find! Voted top ten Best Artisian Chocolatier in America by The Food network David Rosengarten. Located in North Beach, San Francisco, one of the best cafe mocha and truffle combination. Definitely stop by this shop (when you are in SF). Carefully made espresso and savor their handmade truffles(one free with drink). Chef Jean Marc is shares his passion and craft, personally making each truffle by hand in the store. I captured a picture of him in action! Great gift for Mother's Day or Valentine's Day.

This tiny little chocolate shop has amazing truffles. The hot chocolate is the bomb too!

The various truffles are unreal! Service by the owner no less! I asked his favorite, he said the hazelnut ones. If you want to score points with your partner, get them some!

We came here after reading all of the great reviews on Yelp to try some truffles. There are so many different flavors, and many are very unique. Cognac, mango, raspberry, kahlua, amaretto, hazelnut, Earl Grey, matcha, milk, dark chocolate, caramel... just to name a few. You can buy truffles individually for $1 a piece, get a free truffle if you buy a coffee, or buy 20 or 40 of them at a time. We decided to get 40 for $26. You can pick any combination of flavors, so we ended up getting about 6 different flavors. The owner was nice enough to give us each a truffle of our choice to taste as well. The truffles are delicious. They are so delicately made and melt in your mouth. The individual flavors are also quite distinct without being overpowering. I really enjoyed the hazelnut truffle, which was rolled in crushed hazelnuts and tasted heavenly. I also like that each truffle is small enough that you don't feel too guilty about eating a couple of them. All of the truffles are mixed together in a box and it is hard to tell which one is which from just looking at them - so every bite is somewhat of a surprise!

I am not a big chocolate connoisseur. I actually was hoping just to get a shot of espresso with some chocolates I chose. after having these chocolate feel like I need more. The chocolate was amazing. I did the Cayenne pepper tequila and the caramel. Both were seriously out of this world.!

Great little place that has been here a while. Get a cup of coffee or espresso and get a free truffle.

Such a gem in the North Beach area, and a perfect stop before tennis at Joe DiMaggio park right nearby. The mocha here is hands down the best I've had - not too sweet but still rich and creamy. Prices are reasonable and the vibe is homely and unpretentious (hard to find in the Bay Area these days). The free truffle and friendly service are just added bonuses :)

XOX Truffles know their truffles. Wide selection of flavors and very well made. They are creamy smooth with a delicate bite and as they melt they flood your mouth with flavor. Every flavor I've tried has been excellent. However, I'm really here to praise their hot chocolate. Whether you get their Bitter, Classic, Milk, White, or Mexican flavor, you can't go wrong. If you want an incredible chocolate experience, then go for their Bitter. It is a dark hot chocolate, not too sweet, with an intense chocolate flavor. It is in the European style which is chocolate forward rather than emphasizing sweetness.

My lord that was a good hot chocolate. I got the bitter chocolate, and the barista used wonderful steamed milk and melted in real chocolate. It even came with a free truffle. All this for only 5 dollars. Be careful, though, as they close when they sell out of the truffles.

Like no place else! Top quality truffles, and a great selection. The owner is friendly, patient, and helpful. A go-to place for me whenever I need a special gift or treat. I also appreciate the way the owner cares for his employees. Last time I went, he was working alone so his employees could take time off. Good truffles and good business ethics!

I got this cute little box as a gift today. I have never heard of this chocolate place before, but the truffles are so delicious! Very rich in fudge/chocolate texture. I was a bit confused on what piece was what since there was no mini-menu or an information sheet to tell you what piece is what. So I'm not exactly sure what I ate, but I'm assuming the following: - flakey white was coconut - flakey orange was peanut/some type of nut - dark brown was dark chocolate - light brown was milk chocolate Don't quote me on the exact flavors! This is just my guess, haha. :)

If you are craving chocolate when in San Francisco it's worth the walk to XOX truffles.

Great place for fresh homemade truffles that you can tell are truly homemade. Not that crap that say on the box "homemade". The true flavors are really amazing. I love the Mexican hot chocolate. Spicy but not over the top. The service is great and they have a wide variety of chocolate and sizes of boxes to choose from. Highly recommend.