Cacao

Founded by chocolatier Perla Rosario and her partner, Leo Baez, Cacao crafts beautiful bonbons, chocolate bars, roasted nuts, drinking chocolate and other treats inspired by their shared heritage in the Domincan Republic, where Rosario's family owns a cacao farm and Baez grew up around cashew farms. The couple met here in Boston, where they debuted their growing company: Today, they have outposts in the South End, Newton Highlands and downtown on Broad Street. All of the chocolates are crafted in Newton, and the cafés also serve croissants from Pain D'Avignon, based in Hyannis, to pair with espresso drinks, chai, mocha and of course, decadent drinking chocolate.