Ghirardelli Ice Cream & Chocolate Shop

Mmm! I didn’t know what to expect from this place since I’ve only ever had Ghirardelli chocolate but it was actually really good!
I was originally planning on getting the hot chocolate but after sampling the Ghirardelli chocolate ice cream flavor I had to get it. It was a very rich creamy chocolate and was a little bit on dark chocolate side as opposed to milk chocolate.
I also got the smallest size and my goodness it was a lot of ice cream! I also loved the way it was served — in this large glass goblet which made it look really fancy even though it was just plain ice cream.
It wasn’t like specialty ice cream or anything but If I lived around here I would probably come back!

It smelt so amazing in there! Always great chocolate and new flavors, oh the Ice cream is to die for on a hot day!

I come here often during the winter for the drinking chocolate. The location on Michigan Avenue provides great views of the city, especially at night.

The Ghirardelli sundae is much better in San Francisco. We thought we would give it at try here on our vacation in Chicago. The sundae didn’t have an even disbursement of hot fudge and it was gummy in texture. Not something you would expect from a premium ice cream establishment.

This place was a nice little area. The brownie sundae was very good. I cant say it was the absolute best I have ever had but I would definitely come back again. The service was good and fast.
I really enjoyed the location and how cozy it is and that it has tables where you can sit and enjoy your ice cream in peace.

What a pleasant surprise to have found not one but two Ghirardelli locations in the heart of Chicago! The first one we went in to gave out their miniature dark chocolate squares and it was delish.
This second location gave the traditional Carmel square and we walked next door and enjoyed it with some free coffee from the nespresso bar in Bloomingdale’s.
This was a pretty big Ghiradelli. Two stories! Chocolate for sale on both floors, bottom floor also had ice cream and top floor had the drinks. Very nice set up and the upstairs view was very nice. We didn’t stay long after but next time it’s good to know that there is plenty of seating upstairs.
The squares for sale were plentiful to say the least. I was very tempted to try the new chili Carmel square… hopefully they have that flavor at all their locations.

I mean… there’s not much to say. From the title of the ice cream shop you can already tell their desserts are going to be quality. Here’s a tip, come here after dinner on a Friday night with your friends and SPLIT SOMETHING. I hate people that complain about dessert places being expensive when they really aren’t. Just share a dessert with 1 – 2 people and you’ll find yourself paying like 4 – 7 bucks only, which is not bad at a Ghirardelli’s. Get one of those big desserts like the brownie sundae for $ 13. I shouldn’t even have it explain the chocolate because you already know it’s going to be delicious… which it is. This is a place I would bring tourists because this is the heart of desserts in Chicago. The hot chocolate (although pricey) is delicious and a recommendation for any first-​timer at Ghiradelli’s.

Let me start by saying that this should be a 5 Star review. Once I finally got my order, it was delicious. This also should’ve been written over a month ago as I was there on ¹⁄₃.
It was a super cold day, so as we shopped, we decided to pop in to get some hot chocolate. The shop was very crowded, but never, ever, ever in a million years did I think I would end up waiting 40 MINUTES FOR TWO CUPS OF HOT CHOCOLATE !
They ran out. one young lady who I believe was a manager was stirring this huge vat of milk.. The communication was awful. I wanted to leave but my bf thought it would take just as long to get our money back.
Like I said, once we got it, it was yummy, but my mood was ruined. They need better organization.

This place is a chocolate lovers dream… I was so overwhelmed, it was like an entrance into Wonkas chocolate factory with candy stacked to the ceiling. Dessert came out fast and I’ve never had anything like it! We ordered the Lands End. Kind of pricy for counter service, but definately worth it for Ghiradelli and it easily feeds two! The brownies were super fudgy. a little bit too much for me, but my friend loved it. There was smooth caramel lined at the bottom, topped with scoops of ice cream and luscious whipped cream, flanked by the brownies with a cherry on top. Definately a little place not to pass up.

Can’t explain why, but I just love ice creams on a cold winter day.
Ghiradelli was the perfect place for me to satisfy my craving.
We don’t have Ghiradelli in Atlanta, so whenever I see one, I tend to be drawn to them as they have the best chocolate ice creams!!!
We ordered one and as you can see, it was gigantic!
I still devoured most of it, but it was plentiful for 2 people.

Greeted by a friendly staff member handing out free chocolate. Yay. Ordering was quick and I was able to use a coupon from a visitor’s handout we found while shopping. The Unilocal app was being too slow! We opted for just tap water to accompany our dessert. You can find small plastic cups and a tap by the dining area. I wish the water was colder and the cups bigger. Our sundae arrived quickly. We weren’t that impressed. Tasted like a regular sundae to us. Definitely not worth the outragrous price.

Just like any other ghiradelli ice cream shop, like a kid in a candy shop, gimme ice cream!
—Chilled Cocoa float: YUMMY comes with two scoops of vanilla ice cream and definitely big enough to share! (One gripe the vanilla ice cream was a bit icy)
NOTE: Free chocolate square when you walk in

Spotted this Ghiradelli Ice Cream & Chocolate Shop while we were across the street at the Hershey store. Within a few minutes, we were outta Hershey’s and into Ghiradelli’s. When we entered the door, there was a young lady who offered us a sample of one of their yummy chocolates. Always a nice touch when a business does that. We were not here to purchase chocolates though. We were here to indulge in one of their ice cream sundaes!
Our choice to share that day was their Treasure Island sundae. Another name for it is their Warm Brownie Sundae. We had ours in a waffle bowl. It tasted so very good! The yummy brownie paired well with the vanilla ice cream. Of course their own homemade hot fudge topped off this delicacy perfectly!!!
This is another great place to stop in at Chicago’s Magnificent Mile. It is located close to the historic Water Tower. Come in for their chocolates, drinks, or sundaes! Do not believe you will be disappointed.

Upon entering, we were quickly met with a free sample. Who goes into a chocolate store and doesn’t love free chocolate?
They have a whole back and front menu for their chocolate! Sundaes, malts, coffee, brownies, etc. It’s insane how ridiculously goods everything sounded.
I got the raspberry smoothly bedside I can only handle chocolate in small doses (lameeee) and the ample alone was enough. We also got the cocoa float. When they rang is up to 17.50, all I could think about was how over priced that was. Then again, I’m in downtown Chicago. When we got our drinks, it was well worth the 17.50 over priced drinks though. My raspberry smoothly was s-​m-​o-​o-​t-​h. I watched them make part of it over the counter and they actually put really fresh raspberries in with the raspberry ice cream. Something that stuck out when I was reading the menu was how they put club soda in this smoothly. It turned out really good. Can’t even taste it.
The cocoa float was very rich, yet very creamy with the ice cream.
They have a whole wall dedicated to chocolate ghirdelli, the counter, and a little section where you can sit and enjoy your dessert or drink.
If you’re in town or have some down time, I recommend you try this place!

First time reviewing after many, many visits!
FREE SAMPLES. Even if you aren’t going to order anything you should stop by and get a free sample of whatever chocolate they’re giving out. This place is very touristy, and always a bit chaotic, but definitely worth a trip if you’re visiting Chicago.
If you are going to order-​in, I recommend the Sea Salt Caramel sundae. Soooo good! Lots of delicious fudge at the bottom and easily big enough to split between you and someone else. Which isn’t to say I haven’t eaten an entire one myself…
Embrace your inner tourist and hit up Ghirardelli while out on Michigan Avenue!

This place has and drinks. The staff are speedy and friendly. I ordered a skinny salted caramel mocha. While waiting I got a free mint choc chip sundae. Both things were amazing.

This store is located in the perfect tourist spot for those shopping on Michigan avenue. It’s like the sweet surprise at the end of the rainbow. How can you not be happy walking into a colorful chocolate store where you are greeted with free samples upon entering the door? We opted for the fudge sundae in a waffle bowl, and the cashier kindly gave us a $ 1 discount without me having to use Unilocal deal. There’s both indoor and outdoor seating; it was really hot so we got a spot inside. The ice cream and chocolate fudge did not disappoint and the waffle bowl sealed the deal! It was the perfect mid-​afternoon sugar rush to power through more shopping.

This layout is much better than the other location downtown.
It’s in a fantastic location for them, I only wish it were all on one floor.
Despite that, once you get upstairs, it’s a much better layout and there’s plenty of outdoor seating. The entire plaza between the Wrigley Buildings is finally being developed to its full potential, everyone has outdoor seating including Pete’s and Walgreens.
Their chocolate is their chocolate… it’s good and pretty much the same. Their ice cream concoctions are standard, and well made. Go for the cookies and the brownies, they’re absolutely spectacular.
Worth going.

Perfect spot for a date night! Ghirardelli is a fun and sweet place to stop in while visiting and shopping in the downtown Chicago area. They have a nice selection of chocolates and candies for purchase, and there is an ice cream and desserts shoppe as well as café where you can order warm drinks and coffee drinks.
Service is friendly, and they even greet you with a complimentary chocolate as you enter. How sweet is that? Plus, if you check in on Unilocal,you get $ 1 off your ice cream sundae. Yay!
I have enjoyed their ice cream desserts on summer days. They also have nice hot chocolate that I have ordered on those cold winter days. Whatever the season, there is always something sweet to brighten your mood.
The horse carriage rides also park right outside of Ghirardelli. We have loved grabbing sweet drinks from Ghirardelli and enjoyed sipping on them while riding the in the horse carriages around the beautiful city of Chicago, an experience I recommend.
Overall, yummy sweet goodies, friendly staff, and great memories each time we visit!

During my stay in Chicago, I visited Ghirardelli every night. While their products are on the expensive side, the quality and taste of their ice cream, sundaes, drinks, and chocolate are among the best in the world.
The Crissy Field Sundae ($ 10.45) consists of vanilla ice cream nestled between two scoops of cookies and cream, generously drizzled with homemade hot fudge, and topped with whip cream, chocolate chip cookie crumbles, and Ghirardelli mint chocolates. A sinful sensation that’ll leave you licking the metallic oval bowl it comes in. Perfect to share among two people. Check into Unilocal for a $ 1 off sundaes!
As for the ice cream flavors, I tried butter pecan and rocky road – each having an unparalleled richness to them. Love the plentiful amount of almonds and pecans in each too. A single scoop into a waffle cone costs $ 4.25 and a double costs $ 5.55.
I also tried their sea salt cocoa hot chocolate ($ 4.50) too which was decadent in taste, but lacked any salt it promised.
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Conclusion: As pricey as this establishment has become over the years, I feel its worth a visit, especially at this location in Chicago since it’s more boisterous and fun than the one in San Francisco. Once you enter, you’ll be given a chocolate square which I recommend using to top off your ice cream! The only downside is that the lines could be more organized, tables could be bussed more frequently, and the service could be better. Despite those facts, I’ll be back when I visit Chicago again.
Extra Notes:
–Accepts credit card
–Check in on Unilocal for a $ 1 off sundaes
–Service ranged from being indifferent and stressed. The only enjoyable employee was the one handing out chocolate at the front
–Water bar station near trashcan
–Crowded location, you’ll have to be quick to claim a table
–Outside seating available
–Restrooms are clean

Alors très honnêtement ici on est face à une vraie valeur sûre.
Étant chocolat addict, je peux dire que j’ai bu un des meilleurs chocolats chauds. Je le mets au même rang que celui du Plazza Athénée a Paris et celui du Sélect bd du Montparnasse.
Quand aux glaces, présentation impeccable et goût en chocolat bien présent. Les petites faims n’iront pas au bout.
Excellente adresse et personnel très avenant.