What could be more tempting than an indulgent escape to a seaside chocolate trail? With Cape Cod’s finest chocolatiers devotedly hand-dipping and slow-cooking small batch after small batch of chocolate, there’s no need to cross the Atlantic in search of premium confections.

From marshmallow to marzipan, and inventive takes on the Cape’s favorite marine life, these local artisans inspire tourists and locals alike year-round. Who knew sand dollars tasted so good? Make time for the scenic route, grab your favorite companion, and visit these community favorites.

Life is short. Eat Chocolate.

In the mood to linger? Head to Hot Chocolate Sparrow in Orleans with your bestie for a specialty drink from the coffee bar and hand-dipped chocolates to take home. Order a mocha anything prepared by the barista from homemade chocolate sauce, then stroll across the street to the Sparrow Store’s official gift shop for a logo laden souvenir. This simple candy shop turned community-loved café recognized as the Lower Cape’s best offers desserts to die for and hot chocolate you’ll dream about in July. Precisely why they invented their famous frozen hot chocolate for summer!

Looking for the perfect box of chocolates? Gifting connoisseurs, Cape Cod Chocolatier in Centerville has the art of the gift down to a mouthwatering science. This family business uses time-honored techniques, high-end Belgian chocolate, and European flavors to produce high quality boxed chocolate that turns premium chocolate giving into a beloved tradition. Wondering about freshness? Every smooth, delectable beauty in these boxes leaves the shop in their peak of eating quality. Recipient raves guaranteed.

Seasonal favorites like personalized, chocolate Easter bunnies (yes, that’s a thing—write the Post-it now) and hand-dipped chocolate roses smooth the edges of every occasion at Main Street’s Kandy Korner in Hyannis. Cape Cod’s finest features are molded to silky perfection in customer favorite seashell wedding favors, and even the shape of the Cape. Have a corporate logo? There’s a mold for that too. The legacy continues with homemade taffy made with the same local sea salt enhancing the thick bricks of handmade fudge just begging to be sampled.

There’s a good chance you’ll stand in line at the beloved community icon Chatham Candy Manor, but you won’t mind the wait—and unless it’s Christmas day, the door’s always open! Sixty-five years in business and a steady stream of die-hard customers have perfected the art of blending handmade chocolates and flavors to pure heaven—the signature aroma that hits you when you walk through the door. Another local favorite, 1830 Sea Salt of Cape Cod, finishes off the customer favorite sea salted caramels (regularly requested for overnight shipping). The large copper kettle in the front of the store? Oh, that’s used to cook the dazzling array of all the candy centers and fudge gracing the shelves around you. One stop and you’ll be hopelessly devoted.