iR Choco Cafe

The biggest of thumbs-ups goes to this place in both quality and value. In Europe Switzerland is famed for its chocolate, and Swiss/Taiwanese owner Sylvia knows her stuff! For winter warmers, Sylvia has checked the choc history books to add some original Mayan spice. Not only is Choco Chili the result, but also the heavenly, dark Choco Orange Pepper, and Choco Ginger Cinnamon (NT$90/110). The flavours are surprising, but perfect; the spices of the second expertly offset the sweetness of the white chocolate. Boxes of handmade Swiss chocolates range from NT$90 to NT$780, and you can select the contents from over 20 kinds, many with a rich, high cocoa content. Or try the unusual fruit and white chocolate truffles. For superb quality with an exotic Madagascan, Ecuador or Cuban flavors, go with the Grand Cru Praline or extra smooth Pave. Don't just enjoy chocolate, truly savour the best. Check Valentine's specials in February, including the plentiful and divine heart-shaped dark chocolate fondue for two (NT$480).

Chocoholic

Chocolate and coziness are surely the perfect combination, well created in this YongKang-area treat. After tasting quality chocolate drinks in France, there was just no looking back for Chocoholic owners, and the cafe was opened to fill the Taipei gap. Around 20 kinds of chocolate drink are on offer, suiting just about every taste and flavour preference, as well as cakes, handmade chocolate and snacks. The birth of chocolate saw it as a food of the gods in Mexico, and paying homage is the Aztec Hot Chocolate (NT$130), with cinnamon and a little spice to get the fires burning. The fluffy Rose White Chocolate (NT$140) has a sweet, flowery lightness to it and, solid chocolate-wise, the beautifully-creamy Ganache (NT$90) deserves a special mention. For a date, why not fondue it while gazing into each others eyes, and enjoy the combination of breadsticks, bread, ice-cream, seasonal fruit and marshmallows that come with the melted, rich French black chocolate (NT$520).

A passion for chocolate led Dream from the opening Chocoholic with her friends to branching out on her own with Chocozing, located off Zhongshan Road. Because the original menu was a result of joint inspiration, the offerings here are very similar to chocoholic's, but the atmosphere is somewhat different, with Chocozing having a more modern, spacious feel. Dream is also keen to promote her creations, such as the Oolong Tea Ice Chocolate, and the Maya Mocha (NT$145)--a hot blend of chocolate and cinnamon with, of course, Mocha! The Chocozing Special is also deserving of a mention, made with French Valhorana chocolate, which is 70-percent cocoa. We tried the gooey Marshmallow Chocolate (NT$140), the Espresso White Chocolate (perfect for a very sweet tooth), and the lovely thick and slightly bitter dark hot chocolate. Indulge in the tasty Almond Chocolate Crunch (NT$90), or one of the cake selections or hand-made chocolates. For a date, plan to have a gift box of chocolate truffles, for the take-away, feel-good factor!

A legend in the chocolate world is Belgium's Godiva, celebrating 80 years with a more modern image. This is a fantastic place for special boxed gift sets (NT$500-NT$4,950), including the brand-new Icon Gold (NT$520-NT$2,000)--with stylish new designs, and exciting new flavours in caramels, pralines and Ganaches. Or check out the cute Valentine bear with chocolate. An exclusive new addition to Taipei is the world's first ever Godiva cafe, a cosy, stylish setting with rich chocolatey-coloured furnishings. The drink selection includes White Chocolate with Raspberry, Milk Chocolate with Latte, or the superb Dark Chocolixir--with 72 percent cocoa content and real pieces of chocolate inside (NT$250/180 take away). A select offering of pastries and bakery items are available, like the gorgeous Tourette (NT$220). With a freshly-baked pastry base with Godiva dark chocolate mousse and white chocolate cream, this is as beautiful for the eyes as it is for the taste buds. Godiva is not just a gift, but also a wonderful self-treat, so go on and spoil yourself!