Cacao’s successful expansion throughout Boston has stemmed from the owners’ dedication to keeping their Caribbean culture alive through chocolate.
The acclaimed chocolate shop draws inspiration from Perla Rosario’s family’s cacao farm in the Dominican Republic.
Rosario, the company’s co-owner, spent her childhood summers on the farm. She still has family there and visits often.
Pictures from the farm adorn the walls of Cacao’s newest location in Downtown Boston. The store, which opened in September, marks Cacao’s third — joining its Newton and South End locations.
The new shop is also in the same building where Rosario’s mother worked as a janitor for two decades.
“My mom did janitorial work in this very building for over 20 years,” Rosario said in a press release “For me it’s definitely a full circle moment!”
The concept for Cacao was equally inspired by Rosario’s husband, Leo Baez, who grew up around cashew farms in the Dominican Republic.
After meeting in Boston, the couple decided to open the first Cacao in Jamaica Plain in 2018. However, that location closed in 2021.
But that didn’t stop the husband/wife duo from moving forward.
Cacao opened in Newton at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. Meanwhile, the South End location opened this past April and the Downtown location soon followed.
This expansion still surprises Rosario and Baez, who never imagined running a chocolate cafe. They originally thought Cacao would just be a retail shop.
Instead, its blossomed into a cafe that’s often put in the same league as chocolate establishment L.A. Burdick.
“Being compared to someone in that caliber that has been around for so long is an honor in itself,” Rosario said.
“I think is a great complement to be compared to such a great company that has the kind of longevity they have,” Baez added.
Cacao has received praise from chocolate connoisseurs and media outlets alike. Boston Magazine included Cacao on its list of “Where to Find Greater Boston’s Greatest Hot Chocolate” in 2019. The outlet also included Cacao in its “Ultimate Guide to Boston Chocolate” in 2023 and list of “The 10 Best Places to Buy Chocolate in Boston” in 2021.
In addition, both the Newton and South End locations have a near 5-star rating on Yelp and Google.
“Great place and service! They made a beautiful coffee and hot chocolate for my wife and I,” a Google review from September of the Newton location reads. “The croissant and chocolate cake were amazing. This is our new favorite coffee shop!”
A Yelp reviewer, who visited the South End store in December, said they tried Cacao’s pumpkin spice hot chocolate and chocolate chip cookie.
“The pumpkin flavor was subtle but not overpowering which was nice. The hot chocolate was not too hot and did not burn my tongue or anything. The drink was not overly sweet or rich, which made it easy to finish over time,” the reviewer wrote. “The chocolate cookie was delicious. It was not too sweet and had a good amount of chocolate chips present. I did find it a little too salty, but I enjoyed the contrast of flavors present throughout the cookie.”
Cacao’s hot chocolate stands out because of its signature blend of high-quality chocolate and warm spices.
Rosario, who began taking chocolatiering classes in 2018, said it took six months for the business to land its final recipe. Other beverages on Cacao’s menu include coffees, lattes, teas and more.
Cacao also sells tons of decadent treats from chocolate-covered nuts and bonbons to truffles. The sweet shop has also ventured into savory territory, with the addition of sandwiches at the South End and Downtown locations.
An example includes Cacao’s Dominican Ham and Cheese Melt, which is inspired by the Dominican classic.
The sandwich is made with grilled ham, cheddar cheese, red onions, and tomatoes. The sandwich is drizzled with a chipotle aioli that’s then toasted on a panini press for melty and crisp finish.
Cacao’s Downtown Boston location is at 64 Broad St. The cafe is open 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily.
