Maine Chocolatiers
Maine is rich with small chocolate shops where tradition meets imagination. Here, molten cocoa is tempered by hand and blended with local cream, wild berries, sea salt and herbs gathered close to home. These are chocolates shaped by place, crafted with patience and infused with distinct Maine flavors.
Take chocolatier Kate Shaffer of Ragged Coast Chocolates, whose philosophy blends craftsmanship with a reverence for local ingredients. She believes flavor begins with story, and the truest stories are grown close to home. “From our inception in 2007, we’ve built our product lines around Maine-produced ingredients—from cranberries and apples, to mint and pumpkins,” she says. “And yes, blueberries, too.” Their lineup is diverse, with vegan and dairy-free candies, spiced drinking chocolates, dessert sauces and baking mixes.
Shaffer’s confections (think sea salt caramels, French-style truffles layered with fruit reductions and coffee- or nut-studded chocolate bark) nod to the rhythm of Maine’s seasons. Her process is precise, learned through repetition and strengthened by long relationships with local growers. She sources directly from farmers like Dandelion Spring Farm in Bowdoinham, Snell Family Farm in Buxton, Blue Hill Berry Co. in Penobscot and Rwanda Bean Coffee in Portland, as well as Republica del Cacao in Ecuador.
“Food that’s grown locally is fresher, and therefore tastier, than ingredients from further afield,” she says. “I love having a real, personal connection with our farmers, and they love knowing that their fruits, veggies and herbs are being sent all over the world in the form of beautiful, tasty chocolates.”
Even the chocolate itself reflects this commitment to integrity. “All of the chocolate we use is single-origin and direct-trade from Latin America,” Shaffer says, explaining that the cacao orchards are managed sustainably and harvested ethically.
Over the years, Shaffer has experimented with unexpected pairings, but one combination still surprises her: the Coffee-Peanut Milk Chocolate Bar, which “is one of those weird combos that just works,” she says. “It’s impossible to take just one bite.” Familiar yet bold, it captures something essential about Maine: rugged but refined, rooted but inventive.
More Maine Chocolate Shops
Maine’s gourmet chocolate scene is easy to explore. Get a sneak peek into factories, sample tasting flights with profiles as complex as fine wine, or discover new flavors as you shop your way through independently owned shops throughout the state. Here are a few to get you started.
Bixby Chocolate
This bean-to-bar factory in Rockland emphasizes traceable sourcing and bold flavors. Maine-themed treats include peanut butter “lobster claws,” Maine maple vanilla bonbons, and the Split Rock Bourbon Bar. Book a guided Chocolate Tasting Experience for a deeper dive into the craft.
Byrne & Carlson
Step inside this charming chocolate boutique in Kittery to discover elegant, European-inspired confections rooted in classic French and American candy traditions. Choose from an assortment of hand-crafted truffles, artisanal chocolates and beautifully glazed fruits—perfect for gifting or savoring yourself.
Chocolats Passion
French technique meets Maine creativity in this Portland shop known for seasonal, organic ingredients and whimsical creations like chocolate frogs and jewel-like truffles.
Dean’s Sweets
Dean’s Sweets in Portland specializes in nut-free chocolates made in small batches, featuring Maine-inspired flavors such as blueberry-cranberry squares and sea salt–topped caramels, along with chocolate molded into lighthouses and lobsters.
Haven’s Candies
Haven’s Candies has been making sweets since 1915 and offers factory-viewing windows in the Westbrook retail shop, along with old-school treats like hand-stirred fudge, mint meltaways and sprinkle-studded nonpareils.
Len Libby
In Scarborough, visit the home of Lenny, the world’s only life-sized chocolate moose, and shop sweet treats such as chocolate-covered Oreos and beach pebble chocolates coated in a shiny, crunchy shell.
Monica’s Chocolates
This Lubec gem is known for hand-decorated creations, including orca-shaped chocolates, fruit-filled truffles and sugar-free options.
Robin’s Confections
In Biddeford, stock up on nostalgic favorites like peanut butter balls, cashew clusters and Needhams: the iconic Maine candy made with potato, coconut and dark chocolate. (Trip Tip: Try the sweet potato flavor.)
Wilbur’s of Maine
This longtime favorite in Freeport offers chocolate-dipped wild blueberries, lighthouse-shaped chocolates and its signature Maine Mud chocolate sauce. Take a factory tour for samples and behind-the-scenes viewing.