Calling All Chocolate Lovers

Indulgence. It’s what we do best in Las Vegas. But what if your idea of indulgence isn’t fine dining, rare wines, fabulous entertainment, fine art, luxury shopping or sumptuous spas? What if your idea of indulgence is nothing more (or less) than good chocolate?

We got you. In fact, the Las Vegas Strip might have one of the most impressive concentrations of fine chocolate options anywhere this side of the Atlantic. Really.

Any chocolate tour of Las Vegas pretty much has to start with Jean-Phillippe, the classic confectionery of an awarded master pastry chef, offering everything from fresh Nutella crepes to handcrafted bars, wafers, gianduja, truffles and much more. The original location can be found just behind the Bellagio’s Conservatory & Gardens (look for the world’s tallest chocolate fountain), but the more expansive sequel in Aria is also not to be missed. J-P has some serious competition, though: namely France—via-New York’s François Payard, whose whimsical Wonka-like shop in Caesars Palace is frequently crowded with lovers of chocolate pastries, filled pralines, and seasonal treats.

But it doesn’t stop there. At various Strip resorts, you’ll find full-service boutiques offering myriad luxury brands including Vosges (Forum Shops), Teuscher (Miracle Mile Shops) and locally adored Ethel M’s Chocolate Lounge (Fashion Show Mall).

Speaking of Ethel M’s, if you’re up for a little excursion, you can actually visit the factory, get a free sample, and browse their anchor store about 15 minutes east of the Strip. On the other side of town, you can also visit Jean-Marie Abouine’s smaller chocolatier (he holds classes—serious students only!) and towards Summerlin, Chocolate & Spice, the confectionery and café of former Strip pastry chef Megan Romano—definitely worth the trip.

Of course, it isn’t all about serious stuff. The Strip is also home to one of the first massive M&Ms World shops (three floors!) as well as the flagship Sugar Factory (warning:famous chocoholics like Holly Madison and the Kardashians spotted frequently) at Paris Las Vegas, where the restaurant side offers a menu of chocolate fondue variations. Max Brenner in the Forum Shops at Caesars is another great place to get your chocolate fix—no pun, considering they sell big syringes of chocolate as well as chocolate pizza and even chocolate body treatments.

Just looking for a quick fix? Maybe you should head to Serendipity 3 (outside Caesars Palace) for their famous Frozen Hot Chocolate or sink into a thick chocolate milk shake at one of the many fancy burger spots (our favorites include BLT at the Mirage and KGB at Harrah’s). For chocolate patisserie, you certainly don’t want to miss Bouchon bakery, either (two locations in the Venetian/Palazzo).

You might think mid-Summer might be a challenging time to carry around fine chocolates. You would be right. Luckily, several of the above have methods for shipping with ice packs or other preservers. But when in doubt, you’ll just have to live in the moment and enjoy them on the spot. Your friends will understand.

E.C. Gladstone did the research for this piece on chocolate because I break out like a 15 year-old before his first date when I have to much chocolate.