It’s no secret that Portland, Oregon is food nerd heaven. Innovative restaurants, giant farmer’s markets, trendsetting chefs, and an engaged and voraciously hungry public all make this Pacific Northwest town sizzling hot. As you might imagine, speciality stores must be nothing short of spectacular to keep the attention of their particular clientele. And Cacao, a shop in the heart of Portland, exceeds chocolate lovers expectations.

The serious chocolate hound will be floored by the variety and sheer amount of chocolate. It offers premium chocolate from 35+ producers from all over the world in the shape of bars, handmade confections, and even a line of signature drinking chocolate. The hushed atmosphere, perfectly curated displays, well informed staff, and brisk temperature (the store’s thermostat is set to cool to keep the chocolate happy) reminds us of a museum. A delicious museum…Just go and thank us later!

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Don’t let its looks fool you. Though it’s rocking a chocolate bar exterior, these chunks of dark goodness are made of entirely single origin coffee. Yup, the world’s first ‘coffee bar’ lets you experience java like you’ve never experienced it before.

Aptly named Ka-Pow!, this caffeine-in-a-bar is made from the beans of Portland’s finest local roasters. Choose from Stumptown Coffee Roaster’s Costa Rica Verde Alto, or Heart Roaster’s Brazil Sao Benedito, amongst a handful of others. So the next time you’re feeling a bit lethargic, unwrap yourself a coffee bar.

How’s this for an everyday box of chocolates? Designed by Riccardo Fattore, the packaging of new wave Italian chocolatiers La Molina is just as wonderful as the product itself. This forty-piece praline box contains a delicious selection of handmade dark, milk and white pralines in a luxurious mix of pistachio, orange, walnut, passionfruit and gianduja chocolates.

Thomas Haas seems to be equally known for his handmade chocolates, truffles, and pastries, as he is for the packages that wrap-up these mouth-watering sweets. German-born, Vancouver-based Haas produces gorgeous — and addictive — chocolates, cakes, and cookies using high-quality ingredients sourced from around the world.

In addition, Haas boasts an impressive list of Canadian-sourced products like British Colombian wine and, of course, oak barrel aged maple syrup from Quebec. The packaging, like the sweets themselves, is bold and striking, smartly designed with a strong modern touch. So too is his retail boutique on the North Shore of Vancouver where Haas-obsessed Canadians regularly get their fix.