Cao Chocolates

Miami, United States

4.7

20 reviews

Contacts

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Telephone:
+1 305-879-0281
Website:
www.caochocolates.com
Address:
9800 SW 77th Ave, Miami, FL, 33156
Nearby public transportation stops & stations:
0.4 miBUSWAY@SW 104 ST
0.5 miDadeland South
0.5 miSW 104 ST@SW 79 AV
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Today

Today –
Local time (Miami) 02:40 Saturday, 28 June 2025

Business hours

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Tuesday –
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Description

Specialties

We are chocolate artisans who have learned the art and science of turning a humble heap of cacao beans into luscious chocolate confections.

Ricardo Trillos, Chocolate maker and Chocolatier, has traveled continuously throughout the years to learn how to make chocolate from scratch and how to turn this delicious cocoa liquor into the most finest chocolate confections.

«Cao», as Ricardo is also known, decided to change his life career as accountant and turned this love for chocolate into a business establishing Cao Chocolates in 2009, to offer a wide variety of options to our customers, including Miami Bean-​to-​bar chocolate bars made using cacao beans sourced from small farmers around the world, and chocolate truffles and bonbons using 100% fine Venezuelan cacao, and other origins with premium quality ingredients, and fine liquors.

In 2012 we opened our first retail/​factory location in Pinecrest, FL. Since then, Cao Chocolates has become a place-​to-​go to get fresh and unique chocolates confections with a friendly atmosphere and outstanding customer service.

History

Established in 2009.

«Cao», as Ricardo is also known, decided to change his life career as accountant and turned this love for chocolate into a business establishing Cao Chocolates in 2009, to offer a wide variety of options to our customers, including Miami Bean-​to-​bar chocolate bars made using cacao beans sourced from small farmers around the world, and chocolate truffles and bonbons using 100% fine Venezuelan cacao, and other origins with premium quality ingredients, and fine liquors.

In 2012 we opened our first retail/​factory location in Pinecrest, FL. Since then, Cao Chocolates has become a place-​to-​go to get fresh and unique chocolates confections with a friendly atmosphere and outstanding customer service.

During this sweet journey, Cao Chocolates have received several recognitions, including «Diamond of the rough» and «Rising Star Award» from de Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce. Also, have been featured in different media channels as NBC, WSVN, Miami New Times, Telemundo, Miami local magazines an

Meet the Business Owner

Ricardo T.

Business Owner

«From accounting to chocolates»

I decided to move from my hometown country — Venezuela to United States in 2004 looking for better and different opportunities to grow personally and professionally. Cao has always been my nickname since many years ago and that’s the way my family and friends call me all the time.

It was only a couple of months after I moved that realized how much I was missing my good and rich Venezuelan chocolate and the rest is history.

After years learning about chocolates and asking my family in Venezuela to bring chocolates every time they visit, the passion turned into a hobby and I decided to go beyond and purchase books besides attending any chocolate making class available in the area.

Working in accounting during the day and making chocolates at night and weekends just for fun is how I was spending most of my time until one of the many life changes I’ve had happened and decided to take this hobby to another level and make a dream happen.

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Ricardo T. says,

«It is one of those gems that Miami has. Outstanding Customer Service, great prices, excellent food at the Deli and carry Cao Chocolates.»

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Ricardo T. says,

«Healthy meals delivered to your place with great menu. Their food is fresh and tasty and have Cao Chocolates truffles as part of the desserts.»

Panther Coffee

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Coffee & Tea

Ricardo T. says,

«Pioneers brewing a good cup of coffee in Miami, using high quality coffee beans. Pair their coffee with a #MiamiBeanToBar Chocolate bar.»

Tepuy Market

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Organic Stores

,

Health Markets

Ricardo T. says,

«It is a petit market for all your healthy style needs, carrying lots of organic products and of course Cao Chocolates products.»

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20 reviews of Cao Chocolates

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Place rating: 5
Miami, FL
If you go anywhere else in Miami for your chocolate fix, you are just triflin’ (or trufflen’) around.
Go here to get you some learning, as well as buy everything off the glorious menu. The staff will teach you a thing or three about their bean-​to-​bar program, which is the only one of it’s kind in SoFlo. Where most chocolate shops buy chips and melt them down to create their bon bons, Cao himself imports all their cocoa beans direct from farmers across the globe (most of which are organic, or from natural farming operations) to create the luscious bounty on display. They have a variety of single-​origin chocolate bars for purchase as well, so you can get a taste of multiple chocolately terroirs. Heck, they even do tasting classes on this throughout the month – and you can bet you’ll see me there at least once.
All their truffles wowed me, but you certainly can’t miss the decadent dark chocolate mango-​lemon or the guava-​dulce de leche, which I did not expect to like at all. Instead, it swept me up into a beautiful adult riff on peanut butter and jelly, that was complex but so so satisfying.
Lastly, don’t skip their baked goods and confections. Life-​giving, magnificent chocolate mousse, scrumptious and adorable mini cheesecakes will get you drooling, even if the chocolate doesn’t (and shame on you). But don’t skip what are quite possibly the best brownies I’ve ever tasted – with the option to top your dessert with bacon and salted caramel. You know who you are.
Place rating: 5
Miami Shores, FL
Master chocolatier Ricardo! Can’t go wrong with anything here. Not only is it great chocolates, it’s great service, great social conscience, and involved in the community! Forget the rest, you already found the best!!!
Place rating: 5
Miami, FL
Great chocolate made by local Miami artisans!
You can taste the love and passion that goes into making the variety of chocolates made here. They go out of their way to make sure that the cocoa comes from local farmers that are in fare trade with the growers. That means that the farmers are paid fair prices for their product and are educated on how to grow more and organic. They really care about the farmer and the final product. They get their cocoa beans from several different countries and continent’s. My favorites are the milk chocolate bacon, salt and nuts, and caramel. You can also do private chocolate tasting events here.
If you Love chocolate like I do then you need to try this place out! Locally made and owned!
Place rating: 5
Miami, FL
I will never look at chocolate the same way.
Attended one of their tastings (Five Stars *****) and learned the art of chocolate. If you think a good chocolate bar comes in a dark brown wrapper from somewhere in Pennsylvania, you’re in for a treat. Everything tastes as good as it looks.
They have offers on Groupon to attend a tasting. If you see their Groupon, buy it & go! I went with my wife and we felt like family halfway through Ricardo’s presentation.
Place rating: 5
Chicago, IL
These chocolates melt in your mouth! I spoke with the owner of this quaint shop. They are the only Bean to Bar chocolatier in South Florida. Chocolate always makes a great gift and these are so delicious. I also tried their pudding, it was great.
Place rating: 5
Miami, FL
I love this little chocolate lovers paradise. It is a small place full of chocolaty goodness.
The menu is small but big delicious flavor. I always get a hot chocolate. it is wonderful…
Best I have tried and it is made with real chocolate not quick. AWESOME. :)
The chocolate truffles are great and so are the chocolate croissants and biscuit.
It is small and more of a take out place but so worth the surprise of flavor.
Place rating: 5
Miami, FL
Fun and different experience. If you love chocolate you must attend one of their private classes. You learn everything g there is to now about chocolate and you sample some of the best chocolate in the world. Loved it!
Place rating: 4
Miami, FL
Very nice experience! The lady behind the counter told me to make sure I checked in to get $ 2 off. She also helped me to make the perfect selection for my Valentine. We were quickly able to eliminate any chocolate with nuts, alcohol and spice. I was able to taste few samples and they were wonderful! Full disclosure, however, I’m not too into chocolate or sweets, again, this was a gift for someone…
Place rating: 3
Miami, FL
Tiniest shop hidden behind the dadeland south train station with the cutest and most tasty chocolate. Rich in flavor a variety of flavors to choose from. Great spot for chocolate lovers.
Place rating: 4
Tulsa, OK
I wasn’t craving chocolate until I walked out of getting a green juice down the street. This craving was tamed by the most insanely delicious $ 2 3 bites of sweetness.
I opted for the salted chocolate. It was soft and I never really understood why people call chocolate ‘decadent’ until now.
There are gift options, bars and other to-​go treats, too!
Place rating: 5
Orlando, FL
My girlfriend was graduating college and she loves chocolate, so I thought of this very high rated chocolatier! I showed up and found this to be a very small but cute place. I thought well, a unique gift like this would be a perfect way to commemorate her big event. I got her the 12pk of chocolates, which comes in a nice gift bag. She let me try some and they were quite delicious, worth the price. I had one inconvenience, I only had a $ 50 bill. The clerk said that the bill was too big and they were not accepting it due to previous counterfeit efforts. I had left my wallet at home and only had this bill I keep in my car for emergencies — now I know to keep smaller bills. Anyways, I asked if she accepted Paypal and she did to my surprise. She gave me a free $ 3 bar of chocolate which was also lovely. This is a great unique gift for anyone who loves chocolate (and who doesn’t?)
Place rating: 5
Miami, FL
Quality products and warm hospitality, reasonably priced. The delightful little store is run by a husband and wife team, and they are so kind! Walk in and you’re greeted with genuine friendliness and the aroma of warm, melty chocolate.
I went for coffee with my mum on a rain-​besotted afternoon. I ordered a cappuccino and my mother, a mocha. The owner added two chocolate truffles into her drink. Much to my pleasure, he dropped a square of white chocolate /​coffee bean candy into mine, on the house. The cappuccino was so good! Smooth, rich, and crowned with lots of foam.
Mum also ordered a chocolate croissant. Here they slice open a fresh croissant, stuff it with truffles, and toast it flat in a panini press.
The owners offered us samples of products — even some prototypes they were working on. Not only do they want to hear customer feedback for any new ideas, they’ve nailed the quality of what they currently offer. Mother dearest bought chocolate-​covered fruits to bring home, and they were very good.
The torrential downpour tapered into a gloomy drizzle; it was so nice to be in the cozy shop chatting with the owners while cradling a beautifully crafted coffee. And to think, mother dearest wanted to go to a chain coffee shop. She couldn’t stop talking about the Cao experience for the rest of the afternoon.
Place rating: 5
Miami, FL
I attended a chocolate tasting not knowing what to expect. I came out of there with a new fond of love for chocolate and the way it’s made. The owner’s passion for chocolate and chocolate making come across and makes the experience even better. He changed my opinion on white and milk chocolate. Had to be one of the best chocolates I’ve ever tasted. Eating chocolate is not the same anymore I highly recommend it!
Place rating: 5
Miami, FL
I received these chocolates as a gift from one of my costumers, and I have to say I’m dying to go buy more for myself!
This is a true chocolate lovers dream !
If you love chocolate, YOU HAVE TO TRY THIS PLACE OUT!
Reading the reviews they have chocolate tasting on thursdays… forSURE i’m going next thursday !
Place rating: 5
Atlanta, GA
Went for a tasting on a Groupon bought as a gift. It turned out to be quite the gift that we turned around & gave it as a gift as well. Ricardo emphasizes a proper method to truly taste a piece of chocolate. His demeanor is serious, yet friendly. He shares a wealth of knowledge about his trade as he relates the tasting notes to different foods that we would be a little more particular about. He roped me in with the relation of chocolate to scotch & how different areas have different tastes. He holds a legit foodie experience when sharing his passion for chocolates. Definitely worth it to check it out!
Place rating: 4
Fort Lauderdale, FL
When you think of passion for chocolate, you think of Ricardo and this little gem in Miami! Tried out the chocolate and it was a great way to spend my Thursday night! Learned a lot, chocolates were heavenly and made me appreciate the process and devotion to the REAL stuff. I bought the hot chocolate mix to bring home at the end, perfect for these chilly days. I hope I can meet his wife on my next visit :)
Place rating: 5
Kendall, FL
Oh. My. Lumping. Glob.
There aren’t enough stars in all of the galaxies to rate this place!
The shop is located at an intersection and is a little difficult to get out of if there is too much traffic, but fear not! This place is totally worth the 1 minute hassle of waiting for cars to pass so that you can leave– not that you WANT to leave.
Right when I walked in, I was surprised by how tiny the place was. It is maybe the size of my kitchen! It felt very cozy, home-​y, and personal. The woman at the counter (which by other reviews I am assuming is the chocolatier’s wife) is a sweetheart. She let us try some chocolates the minute she greeted us and let me tell you, it was literally the best chocolate I had ever tried.
I, myself, am not a chocolate lover at all, and I like very dark chocolate when I do it it. And fruity centers? Forget about it– not this girl! However, the sample of the Passion Fruit chocolate REALLY blew my mind. The taste of passion fruit was perfect, not over or underwhelming… The dark chocolate casing as the perfect toughness (if that’s a way to describe chocolate). I mean, wow. I ended up purchasing two of them.
The box of 12 was $ 24 (6 was $ 12, 24 was $ 45, etc). I filled mine with two passion fruit, pistachio, two chai tea (MUST TRY), salted caramel (A DREAM), pistachio (OMG), cayenne pepper (YES PLEASE) guava, hazelnut, malt and scotch, and strawberries with rum.
Literally all of the chocolates were delicious and had their own distinct, unmissable flavor. These aren’t the kind of chocolates where you will leave one in the box because it was just okay. They really are as fantastic as everyone says.
I will recommend this place to anyone that asks me what they should give Fulana or Fulano for any occasion. I’ll definitely be back, for both the lovely service AND the wonderful, fabulous, so good, very great chocolates!
Place rating: 5
Miami, FL
This is good quality chocolate. I’m not a chocolate lover… Let’s scratch that… I’m not a cheap chocolate lover. Aka American chocolate. This place has the good stuff. Not cheap but worth every penny. That day I went to pick up a pizza in the same strip shopping center. I spotted the chocolates and I knew I had to stop by. Hubby is a chocolate freak. The store was closed because they had a chocolate and wine tasting. The owner was so kind to open the store for me. He was incredibly nice and told me about all the different chocolates he had. I got 2 white, 2 milk with almonds and my favorite, the Thai chocolate.
Needless to say… I’ll be back soon
Place rating: 4
Miami, FL
Chocolate lovers rejoice! This chocolate is absolutely delicious! I have not been to the store but received a gift of these chocolates from a friend.
My favorite type of chocolate is dark and the gift had about 8 different types of these including one with chili which was the best one for my taste. I plan to visit the store and try their other varieties.
Place rating: 5
Miami, FL
Take your taste buds on a chocolate vacation! No really, I mean a real, authentic, made from scratch chocolate vacation. The chocolates here are made daily from scratch with the actual cacao beans! Who does that in Miami? You will taste the difference the minute you put a piece in your mouth.
We attended a chocolate tasting after purchasing a Groupon deal. It’s a tiny cozy adorable shop. We learned a whole lot about how chocolates are made and where the cacao beans actually come from. Not from Belgium! Ricardo has a very large selection of chocolates to try. Even non chocolate lovers like my bf will convert.
I love local businesses with owners who are passionate about their product. Cao chocolates has to be on the top 5 Miami businesses who meet this criteria. I hope they grow and last forever!
This girl needs her chocolate fix every month! You get me?
Go check them out today!