Sugar Savvy

While mentally cataloging my favorite sweet treats I realized that many of them come from small stores that survive on local business. Here are three of my favorite chocolate places in Sydney. They are all specialty shops, selling chocolate by weight. The busiest times for chocolate stores are from Christmas up until Mother’s Day. This is also a very hot part of the year, which wreaks havoc on chocolate. I don’t think that there is a strong chocolate culture in Sydney, although dark and gourmet chocolate is gaining popularity. There are new supermarket brands popping up all the time, so we definitely have aquired the taste for chocolate. This list may be little use to most readers, but I hope that anyone who is in or visiting Sydney will be a bit more Sydney Sugar Savvy.

Adora Chocolates- quite out of the way, this boutique chocolatier has a wide selection of handmade chocolates. One of my favorites is definitely the cinnamon chili white chocolate, a white chocolate that I actually like! The little store has an even littler café and when you order a coffee you can choose a chocolate to come with it. The combination of good coffee and great chocolate is worth the trip.

Belle Fleur- specializing in Belgian chocolates, this store always has a beautiful window display made of chocolate. The intricate details of these displays showcase the artistry of their products. I’ve seen a replica of the Brussels town hall, a huge soccer display for the world cup and a Balmain Tigers display honoring the local football team. The chocolate shop is also impressive, with a beautiful window display and many pre-packaged items if you’re on the run.

Colefax Chocolate- this gourmet chocolatier has the best chili chocolate that I have ever tried. It is a delicate circle adorned with a simple red chili, and its dark interior packs a fiery heat. While it is not very close to the city, it is located in a hub of fine food stores including gourmet coffee, cheese and pasta.