My Favorite Chocolate Store: LA Burdick

Cambridge, chocolate, restaurants, review

posted on February 22, 2012 by Bianca Garcia

LA Burdick in Harvard Square is my favorite chocolate store in the whole entire world.

It’s a chocoholic’s dream: the smoothest, creamiest handmade chocolates, plus pastries, gift items, and other goodies, in a cozy little restaurant filled with whimsy and warmth. As soon as I step in, I’m immediately enveloped in the magic of chocolate – it seems like every nook and cranny at LA Burdick is filled with something delicious.

I love going in there because it seems like everyone inside emanates happiness (who wouldn’t be, when you’re surrounded with such alluring treats); I look around and people are all smiling and jovial. In spite of the long lines, the crowded little tables, and the fairly expensive prices, the store draws in fellow chocolate aficionados, and keeps us captivated with bonbons and truffles and adorable chocolate penguins.

My favorite thing to order at LA Burdick (and I bet it will be yours too, if you try it) is the hot chocolate. This is, quite literally, liquid chocolate in a cup: it’s shaved chocolate (dark, milk, or white) and cocoa powder whisked into steamed milk and topped with foam. It’s the creamiest, thickest, silkiest cup of hot chocolate. It’s different from my beloved tsokolate (Filipino hot chocolate) which, while equally velvety and frothy, has a slight graininess like Mexican chocolate. The LA Burdick version is flawlessly smooth and very intense.

Below are some pictures from a recent afternoon at the chocolate haven:

People often ask me what my favorite chocolate is, and my answers are constantly changing. But I do append my answer with something else: that I am very lucky to live so close to a wonderful little chocolate store in Harvard Square. LA Burdick recently expanded into Back Bay too, with other locations in New York and Walpole, New Hampshire (the flagship cafe).

If you’d like more chocolate in Harvard Square, check out the Chocolate Walking Tour – a two and a half hour gastronomy indulgence (read about my experience here).

What’s your favorite food store in your city?

posted in Cambridge, chocolate, restaurants, review

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33 Responses to “My Favorite Chocolate Store: LA Burdick”

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1

Meghan posted February 22, 2012 at 9:07 am

I love Burdick hot chocolate! My friends recently surprised me with a delivery of hot chocolate and also a cocoa tea, and it was a very welcome, sweet gift! :)
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2

Amanda posted February 22, 2012 at 9:42 am
How have I not heard of this place? I think I need to structure my weekend plans around a visit for some hot chocolate. :)
- Bianca Garcia replied February 22nd, 2012 at 10:55 am
  
  Amanda it is definitely worth scheduling a visit for some hot chocolate!
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3

Michelle posted February 22, 2012 at 9:59 am
I agree that Burdick’s has the BEST hot chocolate! Has the Back Bay one officially opened? I may have to stop by this weekend. :-)
- Bianca Garcia replied February 22nd, 2012 at 10:56 am
  
  Yup the Back Bay location is open! Haven’t been there yet though, let me know how it is!
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4

Alaina posted February 22, 2012 at 10:39 am
I’ve never been to LA Burdick! I think a great afternoon will be to have lunch at Darwin’s and dessert at LA. :-)
- Bianca Garcia replied February 22nd, 2012 at 10:56 am
  
  Yup I’ve done many weekends like that :)
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5

Parita @ myinnershakti posted February 22, 2012 at 10:41 am
Why did I not find your blog earlier…like when I actually lived in the Boston area?!?! This place looks like a chocoholic’s dream!
- Bianca Garcia replied February 22nd, 2012 at 10:56 am
  
  Thanks Parita! Well now you have a guide when you come back :)
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6

Tracey posted February 22, 2012 at 11:07 am

I love love love La Burdick. They just opened on Clarendon in Back Bay but they are not yet ready for the Tea House :(. I was so excited to go on Sunday. Hopefully very soon they will be set. I did buy some delicious dark chocolate instead!
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7

Elizabeth posted February 22, 2012 at 11:30 am

Mmm, I do love me some Burdick hot chocolate. The NY location just happens to be in between my parents’ apt and Dave’s office. Very convenient.
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8

Samantha Angela posted February 22, 2012 at 12:17 pm

I just read about this place somewhere else (I can’t remember where) and thought it looked amazing. Look at all those chocolates! No wonder people are in high spirits there.
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9

AllieNic @ Frisky Lemon posted February 22, 2012 at 12:51 pm

My mother LOVES L.A. Burdick’s! She makes my sister and me bring them to her in VT when we visit…sometimes she gets impatient and orders them online…once our dog ate an entire box. He was fine, but it was a sad, sad day for the ladies of the house…
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10

yummychunklet posted February 22, 2012 at 2:45 pm

Looks like a fantastic cafe!
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11

Ranjani posted February 22, 2012 at 3:56 pm
My sister recently gave me a box of their mixed chocolates as a gift…soooo good!
- Bianca Garcia replied February 22nd, 2012 at 5:14 pm
  
  You have a great sister! :)
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12

MelissaNibbles posted February 22, 2012 at 6:46 pm

I love thick hot chocolate. This place sounds fabulous!
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13

Emily @ A Cambridge Story posted February 22, 2012 at 10:51 pm

Thank you for reminding me about this chocolate heaven! It’s been way too long since I’ve been here.
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14

Megan posted February 22, 2012 at 11:48 pm

LOVE the hot chocolate. It is just so rich and decadent!!
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15

Kim K posted February 23, 2012 at 11:11 am

so for years it is tradition for my uncle (who lives in winchester) to buy my parents a box of chocolate mice. those things are INCREDIBLE!!! i only went to burdick’s once myself, and had the dark chocolate hot chocolate. i cant stop thinking about it.
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16

Lindsay @ biking before bed posted February 23, 2012 at 3:16 pm

I have added Chocolate Walking Tour to my list of things to do next time I am in Boston!
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17

Molly Galler posted February 23, 2012 at 4:23 pm

I love Burdicks! I agree, the hot chocolate tastes like a liquid milk chocolate bar. Heaven! I love the chocolate mice and penguins. I often send them as gifts.
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18

Daisy posted February 23, 2012 at 10:06 pm

I definitely need some of that hot chocolate in my life. you photos are great!
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19

Carolyn posted February 24, 2012 at 6:20 am

Oh wow, here I am in the Boston area and I’ve never even heard of this place. I have to get my butt to Cambridge soon!
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20

Joanne posted February 24, 2012 at 9:03 am

I was going to be totally jealous until I noticed the location in NYC! This store and I have a date with destiny.
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21

Hannah posted February 25, 2012 at 5:47 am

For a moment, there, your photos and descriptions made me forget that I usually have no interest in hot chocolate or cake! Well done! :D

P.S. Mountain Creek Whole Foods. So if you ever come to Canberra…
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22

MegSmith @ Cooking.In.College posted February 25, 2012 at 1:18 pm

A…chocolate..tour?! Oh my I am in heaven. These pictures and the thought of that hot chocolate. Delicious!
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23

Shannon posted February 25, 2012 at 5:13 pm

ooh, i didn’t realize they were in back bay now! that’s dangerous… love their hot chocolate. have been wanting to try the penguins ;)
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24

Taryn posted February 25, 2012 at 11:28 pm

I’ve been here before, but actually never bought anything! Obviously, that needs to change.
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25

Elina (Healthy and Sane) posted March 1, 2012 at 11:30 am

I LOOOVE this place and am so excited they opened a location in Back Bay – i’m waiting impatiently for their hot chocolate and other treats to be sold! The dark hot chocolate is my favorite :)
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26

tammyCA posted March 1, 2012 at 5:36 pm

This must be what I once had when we traveled to Russia…I ordered a hot chocolate expecting the usual and was surprised that it was like a melted candy bar…yum! Another chocoholic here!
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27

honeywhatscooking posted March 5, 2012 at 9:44 am

just by looking at that cup, i can tell the drink would be delicious. the cups are just so cute, i’m looking for the prettiest tea set.
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28

Yingying Xue posted March 24, 2012 at 2:06 am

Wow,amazing!!