Kakawa Chocolate House

Kakawa Chocolate House in Salem is a chocolate shop and cafe known for historic drinking chocolate elixirs based on Mesoamerican, Mayan, Aztec, 1600s European and Colonial American and Mexican recipes. Visitors can try a sample of the elixirs and browse artisan chocolates, truffles, agave caramels, solid dark chocolates, organic ice cream and baked goods, all made by hand on the premises where customers can watch. Many dairy-free and vegan options are available.

The company is based in Santa Fe, New Mexico, and takes its name from an Olmec word meaning cacao or chocolate. Its chocolatiers work in small batches with fresh, seasonal ingredients, pairing classic European-style truffles with contemporary flavors such as prickly pear, cherry-chili and a signature goat cheese and sage truffle. The Salem shop sits on historic Essex Street, directly adjacent to the Peabody Essex Museum.

What to Know

• Cafe seating is available for dining in, and orders can also be taken to go.
• The shop offers Wi-Fi.
• Kakawa’s chocolates are made without preservatives, so they can melt in warm weather.
• The business supports local organic farming and promotes the history and anthropology of chocolate.