The Chocolaterie Luxury Chocolates in Duluth: A Local Guide for Atlanta Chocolate Lovers

If you live in Atlanta or you’re visiting the metro area and craving high-end sweets, The Chocolaterie Luxury Chocolates in Duluth is one of the more talked-about dessert stops on the northeast side of town. Tucked into downtown Duluth, it offers a mix of handcrafted chocolates, ice cream, and gift-worthy treats that many Atlantans pair with a stroll around the city’s historic square.

Below is a practical guide to what to expect, how to plan your visit from Atlanta, and how it compares to other dessert and sweet treat options around the city.

Where The Chocolaterie Fits into Atlanta’s Dessert Scene

Atlanta has no shortage of dessert spots—from Buckhead bakeries and Midtown gelato shops to specialty dessert bars in Inman Park and West Midtown.

Within that landscape, The Chocolaterie (Duluth) tends to appeal to:

• Chocolate-focused shoppers looking for bonbons, truffles, bark, or boxed chocolates
• Date-night and family outings in a small-city downtown setting
• Gift-givers who want something more upscale than grocery-store candy
• Northside residents in areas like Norcross, Johns Creek, Alpharetta, and Suwanee, who want something closer than driving in-town

For someone based in Intown Atlanta, it’s more of a destination dessert stop—you’d usually pair it with a meal in Duluth or an evening at the city’s festivals and events.

Location, Access, and Getting There from Atlanta

The Chocolaterie Luxury Chocolates is located in downtown Duluth, Georgia, roughly 25–35 miles northeast of downtown Atlanta depending on your starting point. It is part of the walkable district centered on Duluth Town Green.

Typical driving routes from Atlanta:

• From Downtown / Midtown Atlanta

  • Take I-85 North toward Greenville
  • Exit near Duluth (commonly the Duluth Hwy / GA-120 or Pleasant Hill Rd exits, depending on traffic and navigation)
  • Expect about 35–50 minutes in light traffic, longer during rush hour

• From Brookhaven / Chamblee / Doraville

  • Use Peachtree Industrial Blvd or Buford Hwy to connect to Pleasant Hill Rd heading toward Duluth
  • Travel time is often 25–40 minutes, traffic-dependent

Parking:
Downtown Duluth generally offers free or low-cost public parking lots and street spaces. On busy nights—such as weekend evenings, concerts, festivals, or food truck events—spots can fill quickly, so it’s smart to:

• Arrive a little earlier than peak dessert time (e.g., before 8 p.m. on weekends)
• Be prepared to park a short walk away from the square

What The Chocolaterie Typically Offers

While specific menus can change, The Chocolaterie is best known for:

• Handcrafted chocolates – individual pieces and boxed assortments
• Truffles and bonbons – often with a mix of classic and creative flavors
• Chocolate bark and clusters – for those who like crunchy, shareable treats
• Ice cream or gelato-style treats – popular with families enjoying the Duluth Town Green
• Seasonal and holiday items – themed boxes and shapes around holidays like Valentine’s Day, Easter, and winter celebrations

Styles and Flavors You Might See

Chocolate offerings in shops like this around Atlanta often include:

• Milk, dark, and white chocolate assortments
• Nut-based pieces (hazelnut, almond, pecan)
• Caramels and toffees
• Fruit flavors (raspberry, orange, passionfruit, etc.)
• Coffee or liqueur-inspired chocolates
• Decorated truffles with colorful finishes suitable for gifting

Because it’s a luxury chocolate focus, the experience is less about grabbing a basic candy bar and more about picking individual pieces or curated boxes.

Ideal Occasions to Visit from Atlanta

Residents across metro Atlanta tend to fold The Chocolaterie into larger plans, especially if they’re driving from inside the perimeter. Common occasions include:

• Date nights in Duluth

  • Dinner at a nearby restaurant on or near the Duluth square
  • Walk around the Duluth Town Green
  • Dessert stop at The Chocolaterie for chocolate and ice cream

• Family evening outings

  • Kids can play on the lawn or enjoy events in the square
  • Parents browse chocolates and grab a few pieces to share

• Gift shopping

  • Boxed chocolates for birthdays, anniversaries, or host gifts
  • Seasonal gift boxes around major holidays

• Pre- or post-event treat

  • Duluth hosts frequent outdoor concerts, festivals, and community events, where a nearby dessert shop is a convenient addition.

Price Expectations and What “Luxury” Means in Practice

Compared to everyday grocery-store candy or chain ice cream, a shop branded as a luxury chocolaterie usually comes with:

• Higher per-piece prices for truffles and bonbons
• Premium packaging that’s ready to give as a gift
• Handmade or small-batch items rather than mass-produced candy

A simple way to think about it:

If you’re coming from Atlanta, it’s worth planning this as a treat or outing, not just a quick sugar fix.

Tips for Atlanta Visitors Planning a Stop

To make the most of your trip from Atlanta to The Chocolaterie in Duluth:

1. Check hours before you drive
Hours can change seasonally or around holidays. Since Duluth is not a short ride from central Atlanta, it’s wise to confirm opening times by phone or the shop’s most current public information before heading out.

2. Combine with a meal or activity
From much of Atlanta, Duluth is far enough that most people plan:

• Early dinner nearby, then dessert
• Or a midday visit with a walk around the shops and town green

3. Consider traffic patterns
Metro Atlanta traffic on I-85 North can be heavy during:

• Weekday rush hours (roughly 7–9 a.m. and 4–7 p.m.)
• Friday evenings, especially when people are heading out of town

Shifting your visit by even 30–45 minutes can make the drive much smoother.

4. Plan for weather if you want to stroll
Duluth’s downtown is a walkable, open-air area. In summer, Atlanta heat and humidity can be intense; in winter, evenings can be quite chilly. Comfortable shoes and weather-appropriate clothing make the outing more enjoyable, especially if you’re walking with chocolates that can melt in high heat.

Dietary Considerations and Questions to Ask

Like many specialty dessert shops in the Atlanta area, The Chocolaterie may offer some items that meet different dietary preferences, but it’s important not to assume. If you have specific needs, ask staff directly.

Common topics Atlantans ask about at chocolate and dessert shops include:

• Nut ingredients or cross-contact with nuts
• Dairy content in truffles, chocolates, and ice cream
• Gluten in certain fillings or cookies added to chocolate items
• Gelatin or other animal-derived ingredients if you follow vegetarian or certain religious diets

If you or a family member has an allergy, communicate clearly and consider carrying any necessary medication as advised by your healthcare provider. Staff can often point you toward options that may be more suitable, but they typically can’t guarantee an allergen-free environment.

How It Compares to In-Town Atlanta Dessert Options

If you’re deciding whether the drive to Duluth is worth it, it can help to think about what you want from the experience. Within Atlanta proper, you’ll find:

• Boutique bakeries (cupcakes, pastries, pies) in neighborhoods like Virginia-Highland, Decatur, and West Midtown
• Gelato and ice cream shops in Midtown, Old Fourth Ward, and the BeltLine area
• Chocolate and candy stores scattered across Buckhead, Midtown, and the suburbs

So why might someone still head to Duluth?

• You want a focused chocolate shop in a walkable small-town-feel setting
• You’re already in North Atlanta suburbs and Duluth is closer than driving downtown
• You’re planning a full evening out with events around the Duluth square and just need a memorable dessert stop nearby

If you mainly want something quick and close to downtown Atlanta, an in-town dessert shop may be more convenient. If you like the idea of a destination outing with luxury chocolates as the highlight, Duluth can be a good fit.

Practical Planning Checklist for Atlantans

Before you head to The Chocolaterie Luxury Chocolates in Duluth, it can help to run through a quick list:

• ✅ Confirm current hours and any special closures
• ✅ Check traffic on I-85 North and surrounding routes
• ✅ Plan parking near downtown Duluth’s main square
• ✅ Decide if you’re buying for yourself, for gifts, or both
• ✅ Note any dietary needs or allergies to discuss with staff
• ✅ Combine your visit with dinner, a coffee, or a walk around Duluth Town Green

For Atlantans or visitors staying in the city, The Chocolaterie Luxury Chocolates (Duluth) is best approached as a destination dessert experience—a reason to explore a different part of the metro area, stroll a charming downtown, and enjoy carefully crafted sweets that go beyond everyday candy.