Located on an unassuming stretch of Midway Drive in a small white building, Mission Heights Chocolates is a unique chocolate shop with hidden gem energy. The moment you cross the threshold, you’re hit with a waft of warm, chocolate-scented air. That intoxicating aroma, combined with the sheer variety of tempting treats on display, can make selecting the right items a bit overwhelming.
A few things that caught our eye include 8-inch rounds of chocolate bark studded with nuts, caramels, and toffee, classy canisters of European Sipping Chocolate, and Belgian Chocolate Orangettes—plus a full display case of elegant truffles, chocolates, and caramels.
All of the dark chocolate items are made from the same base, a blend of 56 and 72 percent Callebaut Belgian chocolate, which averages out to a well-balanced profile that appeals to most chocolate lovers.
We asked co-owner Camille McKenna to help us select five options to try on your next visit, starting with the World Famous Dubai Chocolate Bar.
World Famous Dubai Chocolate Bar ($20)
Dubai chocolate everything has been showing up on all sorts of menus, but the best way to experience this trendy treat is to skip the mass-produced imitators and head directly to Mission Heights Chocolates, where you’ll find bars made from premium fair trade chocolate filled with pistachio cream, toasted kataifi, tahini, and a sprinkle of sea salt.
The form factor of the large bar is ideal, and at eight squares per bar, it’s the perfect size to share with someone special. Other Dubai chocolate items include a smaller, Snickers-sized bar for $8, or Dubai Chocolate Labubus, which are fun for gift-giving.
Black Sesame Honey Crunch ($16)
The Black Sesame Honey crunch is one of the most unique items in the shop. Made in ultra-small batches and packaged in a Chinese take-out container, it stars crisp toffee made from black sesame seeds, evaporated cane sugar, honey, and malt that’s enrobed in dark chocolate and finished with sea salt. Warning: the crunchy texture and salty-sweet flavor profile make this item highly addictive.
Chocolate Waffles ($15)
If you’re looking for a straightforward chocolate treat, the Chocolate Waffles are a good choice. Made from soft and spongy Belgian waffle cookies coated with a generous layer of dark chocolate, this simple item is easy to love and hard to resist.
S’mores Bark ($16)
Perfect for marshmallow lovers, this rustic dark chocolate bark pairs housemade marshmallows with crisp Honey Grahams. The marshmallows are the star, with a distinctive smooth, velvety texture and a clean, classic sweetness. The best thing about the bark is how the uneven distribution of marshmallows and grahams turns every bite into a new adventure.
Cacao Luau Bar ($15)
Fruit fans will appreciate this cheerful dark chocolate bar featuring expressive tiki totems filled with four different tropical flavors of pâte de fruit, including passionfruit, pineapple, mango, and guava. There are two pieces of each flavor, so you can easily share this bar (or not!)
Mission Heights Chocolates
3640 Midway Dr, San Diego, CA 92110 (map)
missionheightschocolates.com