Even if you don’t appreciate the commerciality of Valentine’s Day, or sappy celebrations of love, you must admit that it can be a sweet, indulgent, and delicious day.  You certainly do not need a holiday to indulge yourself or your loved ones, nor to partake in a chocolate feast, but perhaps it’s worthwhile to think of Valentine’s Day as motivation to do both. Thankfully vegans no longer need to feel excluded from the festivities. Even some of the big corporate chocolateries, long reliant on dairy components, have joined the plant-based chocolate game.

This is a list of some of my personal favourites, though I’m sure there’s many more out there. Let me know your favourites in the comments.

Purdys Chocolatier
Popular and well-established chocolatiers (they’ve been making chocolate since 1907) Purdys started delving into the vegan chocolate game several years ago, and their rich history and expertise can be tasted is in every bite. They have a variety of vegan friendly bars, Sweet Georgia Browns, a caramel, and pecan concoction that is one of their specialities, and even a Mylk chocolate cupid just for Valentine’s, but if you’re really looking to spoil a special someone, indulge them with a box of Hawaiian Black Salt Caramels, a decadent and delicious treat that’s the perfect blend of salty and sweet.

Delight 
Delight is a Toronto based company that I first became aware of through their ice cream. I’ve made many a sweaty summer bike ride to the Junction, just for the sweet cool relief of their ice cream, but Delight’s specialty is chocolate-making. They have many vegan friendly options, but the hand-painted, heart shaped chocolate boxes are really something special.

No Whey 
Beloved vegan and allergen free candy purveyors, No Whey, do not skimp on the Valentine’s Day offerings.  While showering your loved ones in Chocolate No No’s or, my personal favourite, No Tricks Caramel Cookie Bars, is sure to be appreciated, if you really want to endear yourself to them, pick up one of No Whey’s truffle collections or Strawberry Love Bites.

z Chocolate
Sometimes you gotta splurge, go all out, indulge in bit of luxury.  When it comes to chocolate, you can’t get more luxurious than World champion French chocolatiers z Chocolate. At the highest end, these expert craftsmen sell a 60-piece assortment of chocolates, in a mahogany chest, for $500, but they also have 12-piece collection of vegan chocolate hearts, for a somewhat more approachable $75 dollars. Vive la France

Chocolate Tales
Hamilton based Chocolate Tales is a company that produces a variety of nut free chocolate products. Truffle boxes and hot chocolate bombs are just some of the plant-based options they offer, or for $75 you can also get the Vegan Decadence Gift Basket, which contains an assortment of their best chocolates. Chocolate Tales also puts on chocolate making workshops in Hamilton and Toronto, which could be the perfect couple activity for chocolate lovers looking to spend quality time together.

Lindt
Lindt probably needs no introduction. The indomitable chocolaterie has been in business since 1845 and is synonymous with quality chocolate making. While they’ve always had dark chocolate options that were vegan, they’ve only recently released a specifically vegan line. Their oat-based bars come in three flavours- hazelnut, original, and salted caramel, and are the perfect sweet, smooth and decadent gift to yourself or to a loved one.

Soma Chocolatemaker
Since launching their first chocolate enterprise out of a warehouse in the Distillery District, Toronto based Soma has become a local chocolate superstar, with three brick and mortar locations  and an expansive and beloved product line, that includes many vegan options. The online store doesn’t list ingredients, but the vegan ones are tagged.  Also, an in-person visit to one of their locations is a must for any chocolate aficionado. They have some innovative and unique products that are not found elsewhere – cocoa nibs tumbled in dark chocolate, c’mon!

Zimt
Zimt is a Vancouver based company that makes a variety of eco-friendly, ethically produced and entirely vegan line of chocolates and other sweets. With a range of products that includes caramels, candy bars, and even macaroons, you’re sure to find something that will appeal to your sweetie. One percent of their sales also goes back to animal sanctuaries and other charities.

Sweets from the Earth
Sweets from the Earth was one of the first big, breakout vegan brands in Canada and despite the increase in vegan offerings and plant-based options in the eighteen years since they first launched, their delightful dessert concoctions are still the best on the market.  Cookies, cupcakes, bars, brownies, cheezecakes – they’ve got something for everyone. The gift of Sweets of the Earth would surely melt any heart.

Oenomel Chocolates
Perhaps the newest chocolaterie on this list, Vancouver based Oenomel has been making quality artisanal chocolate since 2020. They have several vegan options including hot chocolate bombs, bars, and bonbons. Shipping options outside of British Columbia seemed to be limited, but this is a growing company, so the potential to expand is there, and maybe it’s worth a Valentine’s trip to Vancouver.