Pittsburgh’s family-owned chocolate makers satisfy our cravings with sugar and spice and everything nice. Perfect for holiday gifts, birthday presents, or just a sweet treat for yourself!
Pittsburgh Chocolate Makers
Sinful Sweets
Making their gourmet handmade chocolates since 2011, Sinful Sweets is a go-to for classics like truffles and pretzels but breaks the mold with funky bars like their viral “Angel Hair” which marries white chocolate with delicate cotton candy strands. “My family owns a traditional chocolate-making business in Chicago, and I’m always breaking the rules a little bit. I love making candy for kids and families, and supporting Pittsburghers with this business,” says founder Chris Wreck. Sinful Sweets has a primary location in Beaver Falls and secondary locations at both Ross Park Mall and South Hills Village Mall.
Tabbara Artisan Chocolate
Ever try a banana caramel or a matcha bonbon? Comforting indulgence meets a sense of wonder with Nancy Tabbara reviving three generations of family tradition. Her exquisitely crafted chocolates blend the sophistication of mid-century Beirut with contemporary flavor and design. Classics like chocolate-covered macadamia clusters and candied orange peel join modern fantasies like beautiful-to-behold chocolate bonbons filled with passion fruit or raspberry jelly and vanilla ganache. Check them out for seasonal and holiday themed assortments, too. Think tiny ghosts for Halloween and autumn leaf-inspired color palettes for fall.
Sarris Candies
Founded by Frank Sarris about 60 years ago, and now run by his son, Bill, and other family members, Sarris Candies is all about quality and generosity. Well-known for their philanthropy and for empowering the fundraising efforts of schools and organizations around the country, the company is also a source of a vast variety of delicious sweets. Their chocolate-covered pretzels and potato chips are popular salty-and-sweet crowd-pleasers. A true “all-occassion” shop, find themed BashCakes® or browse their yearly editorial-level holiday catalog. But the big picture is much broader, and best experienced with a visit to the flagship Sarris store in Canonsburg.
Toffee Taboo
Toffee lovers, this one’s for you. All in Good Taste Productions founder and award-winning chef Bob Sendall started this chocolate line in 2004 with his signature Toffee Taboo. The recipe? Start with toffee-encrusted almonds and cashews in dark Belgian chocolate. Top with kosher salt and drizzles of white and dark chocolate. Infuse the combo with Sendall’s always upbeat, always sunny energy, and you have one of Pittsburgh’s most delectable sweet treats. Handmade to order, you might even find seasonal variety available around the holidays for a limited time.
Milkshake Factory
Run by Pittsburgh natives since 1914, The Milkshake Factory, a modern twist on the old-fashioned soda shop, features flavors including Peanut Butter Brownie, Bananas Foster, and Chocolate Raspberry Truffle. Limited edition items appear every season, including creamy Hot Chocolate and festive shakes. They even have dairy-free options and note a commitment to sustainable cocoa sourcing. At locations in and around Pittsburgh, enjoy a selection of hand-dipped strawberries, chocolate barks, cake pops, and more. The company went national in 2023, offering its delicious chocolate treats to sweets lovers across the U.S.
Lux Artisan Chocolates
Shelby Ortz began her exploration of tempting flavors and beautiful food compositions in the pastry kitchens of Eleven and Soba. She struck out on her own in 2013 with Lux Artisan Chocolates, her all-handmade, all-natural line of chocolate bars, bonbons, and more. Her bonbons truly look like a work of modern art and you get in on the creativity yourself by designing your own chocolate bar with a selection of ingredients ranging from sesame brittle to dried mission figs. We’re big fans of her bars ourselves, and there are several hidden in drawers around the office. Our favorites? Dark chocolate with macadamia, almond, and coconut.
Pollak’s Candies
Run by third generation chocolatier Dick Pollak, Pollak’s Candies recently took home a gold spot on the Trib Live’s Best of the Best list. Boasting an impressive mix of traditional and timely treats, Pollaks offers a selection that can meet any craving or occasion. Explore classic meltaways, cordials, creams, and truffles or get a little adventurous by trying their Dubai chocolate cups. Perfect for gifting or hosting, these candymakers are always offering beautifully decorated seasonal barks, brittles, caramels, and more. They even have a stunning 48-piece truffle assortment that we’d be absolutely tickled to receive ourselves.
Peter’s Chocolate Shoppe
If you find yourself north of the city, stop into downtown Butler to grab a treat from Peter’s Chocolate Shoppe, winner of the Butler Eagle’s 2025 Best Candy Shop. Unique to Peter’s is their generous selection of sugar-free chocolates that they offer alongside their sugary classics. Started by the Meliotis family in 1938 and bought by the Steinheiser family in 1999, this still-family-run shop (or should we say “shoppe”) maintains small-batch production with the finest ingredients and has even maintained some vintage equipment. Find an assortment of creams, meltaways, turtles, nougat, and holiday selections like molded chocolate bunnies and advent calendars.
Story and Styling by Keith Recker
Photography by Dave Bryce
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