These days, a plain chocolate bar seems so … basic. Chocolatiers across the country are upgrading the beloved classic by sourcing the best cacao beans, blending them with exotic ingredients, coaxing the chocolate into whimsical shapes and even adorning their creations with exquisite designs. Leave those basic bars to a bygone era and step into these shops, where the confectioners are stirring up chocolate — and imaginations.

For a taste of true French chocolate, look no further than Charleston, South Carolina. Third-generation chocolatier Christophe Paume whips up chocolate creations his customers adore. A favorite is the chocolate caramel sea salt bar, but people come to his shop to look at (and eat!) the beautifully hand-painted truffles and chocolate sculptures as well.

This Northern California chocolate shop is proud of its origins — you’ll see many California influences here, including an abundance of ingredients from local farms. Trained pastry chef (from a family of home bakers) Ginger Elizabeth went out on her own after working for some of the best from New York to Chicago before starting her delightful chocolate business back home. Unique flavors like Raspberry Rose Geranium, Sweet Cream Chai and Peanut Butter Graham Cracker put a fresh spin on the traditional truffles.

This multifaceted chocolate concept that includes not only a chocolate shop but also a bar and restaurant started with a box of chocolates. Owner Phil Simonson’s husband made him chocolates from his own personal recipe, and the rest is history. To this day they still use that as their base chocolate recipe, filling their 300 flavors of truffles with ingredients like Spam and pineapple, drunken goat cheese and Vidalia onions, and salted caramel apple. The restaurant menu pulls in chocolate whenever possible — the pulled pork uses a chocolate bourbon BBQ sauce, and the green salad even has chopped chocolate in it!