Xocolatl Chocolate in Atlanta: A Local Guide to This Cacao-Focused Dessert Spot

If you live in Atlanta and care about high-quality chocolate, you’ve probably heard the name Xocolatl Chocolate. This Atlanta-based, bean-to-bar chocolate maker has become a local favorite for people who want dessert that’s thoughtful, not just sweet.

Below is a practical guide to what Xocolatl is, where to find it in Atlanta, what to expect when you visit, and how locals typically enjoy it.

What Is Xocolatl Chocolate?

Xocolatl Chocolate is a small-batch, bean-to-bar chocolate maker that started and is based in Atlanta, Georgia. “Bean-to-bar” means they:

• Source cacao beans directly from farms or co-ops
• Roast, grind, and refine the beans themselves
• Turn them into chocolate bars, drinking chocolate, and other treats in-house

In Atlanta, Xocolatl is known for:

• Minimal-ingredient chocolate (often just cacao and sugar)
• Single-origin bars, highlighting cacao from specific regions
• Creative flavor combinations using nuts, spices, and fruits
• A focus on ethical sourcing and transparency

If you’re used to mainstream chocolate candy, Xocolatl will feel more like a specialty food experience than just a quick snack.

Where to Find Xocolatl Chocolate in Atlanta

Xocolatl started out as a micro-factory inside Krog Street Market, one of Atlanta’s most popular food halls. While specific retail details can change over time, Atlantans generally find Xocolatl in a few ways:

1. At Food Halls and Specialty Markets

You’re most likely to find Xocolatl in or around:

• Krog Street Market area (Old Fourth Ward / Inman Park)

  • Xocolatl has been closely associated with this food hall, known as a hub for local, small-batch food businesses.
  • Many Atlantans stop by while walking the BeltLine Eastside Trail.

• Local specialty grocers and bottle shops

  • Independent markets in neighborhoods like Inman Park, Grant Park, Decatur, Virginia-Highland, and West Midtown often stock Atlanta-made products, including Xocolatl bars.

If you’re in town, it’s common for people to walk the Atlanta BeltLine and pop into nearby markets to pick up a bar or two as a treat or gift.

2. Coffee Shops and Dessert-Focused Cafés

Some Atlanta coffee shops and cafes carry Xocolatl bars or use their products in drinks or desserts. You might see:

• Xocolatl bars for sale at the register
• Hot chocolate or mochas featuring Xocolatl cocoa
• Pastries or brownies made with their chocolate

If you’re at an independent coffee shop in neighborhoods like Cabbagetown, Old Fourth Ward, Midtown, or Decatur, it’s worth checking the shelves near the counter.

3. Gift Shops and Atlanta-Made Sections

Gift stores that emphasize local Atlanta products often include Xocolatl since it’s a recognizable local brand. This can be useful if:

• You’re visiting Atlanta and want a souvenir that’s easy to pack
• You’re local and need a host gift or holiday present

Look for “Atlanta-made” or “Georgia-made” sections in shops around Ponce City Market, Downtown, and Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport retail areas.

What Kinds of Chocolate Does Xocolatl Offer?

While options change based on season and production, Atlantans can usually expect several broad categories.

Bean-to-Bar Chocolate Bars

These are the core products and tend to include:

• Single-origin dark chocolate

  • Bars made from cacao sourced from a specific country or region
  • Often just cacao + organic cane sugar
  • Flavors can range from fruity and bright to nutty or earthy, depending on origin

• Inclusion bars (dark chocolate with mix-ins)

  • Add-ins like nuts, sea salt, spices, nibs, or dried fruit
  • These are often more approachable for people new to specialty chocolate

Many Atlanta shoppers pick up a few different origins or flavors to taste side by side at home.

Drinking Chocolate and Cocoa

Some offerings may include:

• Hot chocolate / drinking chocolate mixes

  • Often richer than typical cocoa mixes
  • Can be made with dairy or non-dairy milk

• Cocoa nibs or baking chocolate

  • Used by home bakers in Atlanta looking for higher-quality ingredients

Seasonal and Limited-Run Items

In Atlanta, especially around holidays like Valentine’s Day, Halloween, and the winter season, you might see:

• Special flavor combinations
• Gift boxes or tasting sets
• Collaborations with other local makers (such as coffee roasters or spice companies)

These limited runs can sell out quickly, so locals often plan ahead around major gift-giving times.

What to Expect When You Visit (Local Experience)

If you’re heading to Xocolatl’s home base or a shop that stocks their chocolate in Atlanta, here’s what the experience is typically like.

Tasting and Choosing Bars

At many locations that carry Xocolatl, you’ll find:

• Clearly labeled bars with notes on flavor (for example, “fruity,” “nutty,” “caramel notes”)
• Information about cacao origin on the packaging
• Staff who are familiar with the chocolate and can suggest a bar based on what you already like

If you’re new to craft chocolate, a simple approach is:

1. Start with a classic dark bar (around 70% cacao)
2. Add one single-origin bar with tasting notes that interest you (like “berry” or “toffee”)
3. Try one inclusion bar with mix-ins like sea salt or nuts

This gives you a small “flight” to compare at home without over-spending.

Price Expectations in Atlanta

Bean-to-bar chocolate generally costs more than mass-market candy. In Atlanta, Xocolatl bars usually fall into a specialty dessert price range, similar to:

• A good dessert at a sit-down restaurant
• A specialty coffee and pastry combo

People in Atlanta commonly buy:

• One or two bars for themselves as a treat
• Sets of bars as gifts for birthdays, holidays, or thank-you presents

Dessert Ideas: How Atlantans Use Xocolatl Chocolate

Xocolatl can be more than a bar you eat straight. Many locals use it as a base for desserts and sweet treats at home.

Simple Ways to Enjoy It

• Chocolate tasting night at home

  • Pair different bars with local Georgia nuts, dried fruit, or cheese
  • Add a cup of coffee from an Atlanta roaster or a Georgia-made wine

• Upgraded s’mores

  • Swap standard chocolate for a Xocolatl bar
  • Many Atlantans do this at backyard fire pits or at campgrounds in North Georgia

• Hot chocolate in winter

  • Use drinking chocolate or melt pieces of a bar into warm milk
  • Popular during colder months, especially after walking the BeltLine or attending winter events in Downtown Atlanta

Baking and Cooking

Home bakers in Atlanta often use Xocolatl chocolate for:

• Brownies with a deeper chocolate flavor
• Chocolate chunk cookies using chopped bar pieces
• Ganache or chocolate sauce for ice cream, fruit, or cakes

The higher cacao flavor can make desserts taste more intense and less sugary, which some people prefer.

Xocolatl for Gifts and Special Occasions in Atlanta

Because it’s locally made and thoughtfully presented, Xocolatl is a frequent go-to gift in the city.

Common Gift Situations

People in Atlanta often choose Xocolatl for:

• Host gifts for dinner parties
• Corporate gifting for clients visiting from out of town
• Wedding welcome bags for guests staying in Midtown, Downtown, or Buckhead hotels
• Holiday gifts for teachers, neighbors, and coworkers

Since bars are compact and shelf-stable, they’re easy to tuck into gift baskets that also feature Georgia products like local honey, nuts, or coffee.

How Xocolatl Fits into Atlanta’s Food Scene

Atlanta’s food culture has shifted toward locally made, small-batch, and ethically sourced products over the past decade. Xocolatl fits right into this pattern.

Part of the Craft and Local Movement

Alongside local coffee roasters, bakeries, and breweries, Xocolatl represents:

• Small-scale production instead of mass manufacturing
• An interest in where ingredients come from and how they’re grown
• A focus on distinctive, regional flavors

This makes Xocolatl a natural stop for people who already explore:

• Krog Street Market
• Ponce City Market
• Neighborhood farmers markets (such as those in Grant Park, East Atlanta, or Decatur)

Tour-Friendly but Very Local

For visitors, picking up Xocolatl chocolate offers:

• Something uniquely Atlanta-made, not generic
• A dessert that packs well in luggage
• A useful, consumable souvenir instead of another object to store

For locals, it becomes a part of everyday life—something you can:

• Pick up while out on the weekend
• Serve after dinner
• Keep on hand for gifting or small celebrations

Practical Tips for Getting Xocolatl Chocolate in Atlanta

Here’s a quick reference overview to help you plan:

If you’re in Atlanta and interested in desserts and sweet treats with real character, Xocolatl Chocolate is one of the city’s standout options. Whether you’re walking the BeltLine, exploring Krog Street Market, or looking for a thoughtful local gift, it fits naturally into how Atlantans eat, entertain, and share something sweet.