The best places to spoil yourself on World Chocolate Day across Melbourne’s eastern suburbs

Whether you like your chocolate sweet or with a bitter kick, Melbourne’s eastern suburbs has something rich in flavour for you.

World Chocolate Day is on the way on Monday July 7 and plenty of local chocolateries can help you celebrate with a selection of their finest creations.

The early beginnings of Melbourne’s chocolate-making history begin with Cadbury’s first Victorian factory – launching in Ringwood in the 1960s and still going today. In the decades that have followed, Melbourne’s eastern suburbs have only gone from strength to strength in showcasing the best of talent in creating chocolate treats.

Hahndorf’s Fine Chocolates

Hahndorf’s first store opened in Balwyn North in 2001, inspired by German chocolatiers. Now, there are five café-style locations in the east.

In-store, you can sample over 70 varieties of handmade chocolate blocks, truffles, bars, and coated chocolates over a coffee or hot chocolate.

You also get a complimentary chocolate or truffle with every hot drink you buy, and there’s vegan and gluten-free options available a well.

Where: 960-962 Mount Dandenong Tourist Road, Montrose.

Hours: 9.00am to 5.30pm seven days a week.

Cost: prices start from $4.95. 

The Ministry of Chocolate

This is a family-owned and run business that creates bespoke chocolates, blocks, treats and gift packs.

Their commercial kitchen is in Croydon, which is adjacent to their factory outlet.

Owner Drew Maddison has a background as a pastry chef and chocolatier. His business uses sustainable and ethically-sourced chocolate including local ingredients where possible.

Here you can find couverture chocolate, pralines, blocks and bars, bags, and gift packs, as well as a small selection of items that are vegan, gluten-free or nut free. They also host pop-up events at locations in the east throughout the year.

Where: 5/35 Lacey Street, Croydon

Hours: 8am to 4pm Monday to Friday

Cost: prices start from $7

Yarra Valley Chocolaterie and Ice Creamery

This is another location for sweet tooths where all chocolate products are made onsite by European chocolatiers and pastry chefs using ethically sourced and ecologically sustainable ingredients.

There are hundreds of chocolate products to choose from, whether you want coated chocolates, rocky road or gourmet chocolatey treats and packs.

If the choices are too overwhelming, you can book in for a “taste and create” workshop or a chocolaterie high tea.

There are options for those needing vegan, gluten-free or lactose free chocolate. A food technologist is onsite to answer questions about allergens.

Where: 35 Old Healesville Road, Yarra Glen

Hours: 9am to 5pm every day except Christmas Day

Cost: prices start from $4.25

Only Mine Chocolate

This is a premium chocolate shop and café that stocks a colourful supply of gourmet chocolates, signature hot chocolates and desserts.

Bonbons, specialty chocolates, bars and buttons are available, as well as “signature” gift packs and jars of hot chocolate mix. Those who need vegan and gluten-free choices will not miss out.

Where: Shop 1, 540 Mt Dandenong Tourist Road, Olinda

Hours: 10am to 4pm Thursday to Monday

Cost: prices start from $2

The Sassafras Sweet Co

Keep the chocolate tour of the east going with a visit to this confectionary shop. They specialise in sweets, lollies, candy, chocolates, and fudge that are sourced from around the world. Their first store opened in Olinda in 1997, and have other locations in Warrandyte and Sassafras.

Choose from chocolate blocks, bags, bars, and boxes. A selection of chocolates from Australia, America and the UK are stocked. There are vegan, gluten-free, and sugar-free options.

Where: 207 Yarra Street, Warrandyte

Hours: 11am to 5pm weekdays and 11am to 5.30pm weekends

Cost: prices start from $1.20

Melbourne Cocoa

Lovers of fine chocolate can purchase artisan chocolate at various stockists, including at the Jefferies provedore in Croydon Hills.

This is another family-owned chocolate business that makes its chocolates from scratch. 

Their online shop has coated chocolates, rocky road, mixed coated nuts, and truffles. For vegans, there is a mint crisp chocolate block and drinking chocolate. Gluten-free options can also be found.

Where: Local stockists include Jefferies at 40-42 Plymouth Road in Croydon Hills and local Woolworths branches

Cost: prices start from $10