The Best Dark Chocolate in the World (2023–Present Rankings)

A definitive guide to the world’s finest dark chocolate, ranked by international awards and expert blind tasting across multiple years.

This page consolidates the highest-scoring dark chocolate bars from 2023 to the present, based on structured judging from the world’s most respected competitions, including the International Chocolate Awards.

Looking for a perfect gift? Explore our curated chocolate gifts, featuring award-winning chocolate selected from this World's Best Dark Chocolate list.

What Defines the Best Dark Chocolate?

The world’s best dark chocolate is not defined by marketing or popularity — but by:

  • Independent blind tasting

  • International award recognition

  • Score-based evaluation

  • Clarity of cacao origin

  • Technical precision and balance

Scores of:

  • 80+ indicate fine chocolate quality

  • 90+ indicate extraordinary craftsmanship

Only individual bars meeting this threshold qualify for inclusion

How This Ranking Is Selected (2023–Present)

This ranking forms part of our broader Top 100 Chocolate Bars (2023–Present) master list.

Selection is based on:

  • Gold-level and high-score recognition in world and regional finals

  • Score-based performance (not sales volume)

  • Individual bar evaluation (not brand averages)

  • Transparency of cacao sourcing

  • Consistency of maker quality across vintages

This is a performance-based ranking reflecting results across multiple award years — not a single season.

The Best Dark Chocolate by Year

Below are the highest-performing dark chocolate bars of each award year, reflecting the evolving standard of excellence in craft chocolate.

World’s Best Dark Chocolate 2025 — Gold

Cacaosuyo (Peru)
El Ganso — Score: 91.6

An exceptionally refined expression of Peruvian cacao. El Ganso demonstrates clarity, structured acidity, layered cocoa depth, and remarkable finish length. With one of the highest scores of the modern craft era, it represents the current benchmark for elite dark chocolate.

World’s Best Dark Chocolate 2024 — Gold

Vigdis Rosenkilde (Norway)
70% Quellouno — Score: 91.7

A modern reference point for precision dark chocolate. Expressive fruit acidity, crystalline structure, and elegant balance define this bar. Quellouno exemplifies technical mastery and terroir clarity.

World’s Best Dark Chocolate — Gold

Vigdis Rosenkilde (Norway)
70% Kiteni — Score: 91.6

A landmark dark chocolate that set the tone for modern origin-driven craftsmanship. Kiteni is distinguished by vibrant acidity, red fruit clarity, and structural depth — a defining bar of the 2023 awards cycle.

Explore World's Best Dark Chocolate Collection

The World's Best Dark Chocolate Ranking (2023–Present)

80 and above indicates fine chocolate quality and scores above 90 suggest extraordinary quality and craft.

  1. Cacaosuyo (Peru) – Dark Chocolate – El Ganso (Score 92.3)
  2. Goodnow Farms Chocolate (United States) – Dark Chocolate – Special Reserve, Putnam Rye Whiskey (Score 92.0)
  3. Cacao Hunters (Colombia) – Dark Chocolate – Arauca 70% (Score 91.7)
  4. Vigdis Rosenkilde (Norway) – Dark Chocolate – 70% Quellouno (Score 91.7)
  5. Argencove (Nicaragua) – Dark Chocolate – Mombacho 70% (Score 91.6)
  6. Meybol Cacao (Germany) – Sugar-free Dark Chocolate – Solo Kakao 100% (Score 91.6)
  7. Vigdis Rosenkilde (Norway) – Dark Chocolate – 70% Kiteni (Score 91.6)
  8. Meybol Cacao (Germany) – Dark Chocolate – Single Origin Vraem 68% (Score 91.5)
  9. Goodnow Farms Chocolate (United States) – Dark Chocolate – Limited Release, Spiced Winter Maple (Score 91.4)
  10. Vigdis Rosenkilde (Norway) – Dark Chocolate – 70% Piura med kakaonibs (Score 91.2)
  11. Cacaosuyo (Peru) – Dark Chocolate – Chuncho (Score 91.1)
  12. Feliu Chocolate (Mexico) – Dark Chocolate – Pitaya de mayo 58% (Score 91.0)
  13. Chocolate Sierra Sagrada (Colombia) – Dark Chocolate – Sierra Sagrada 72% Sierra Nevada (Score 90.9)
  14. Vigdis Rosenkilde (Norway) – Dark Chocolate – 80% Echarate (Score 90.8)
  15. Cacao Hunters (Colombia) – Dark Chocolate – Sierra Nevada 72% (Score 90.7)
  16. Cacaosuyo (Peru) – Dark Chocolate – Lakuna (Score 90.7)
  17. Cacaosuyo (Peru) – Dark Chocolate – Piura Nibs (Score 90.7)
  18. Cacaosuyo (Peru) – Dark Chocolate – Piura Select (Score 90.7)
  19. Chocolate Sierra Sagrada (Colombia) – Dark Chocolate – Sierra Sagrada 64% Sierra Nevada (Score 90.7)
  20. Feliu Chocolate (Mexico) – Dark Chocolate – Soconusco 71% (Score 90.7)
  21. Cacao Hunters (Colombia) – Dark Chocolate – Tumaco 70% (Score 90.5)
  22. Meybol Cacao (Germany) – Dark Chocolate – Single Origin Vraem 72% (Score 90.5)
  23. Duffy's (United Kingdom) – Dark Chocolate – Nicaragua Juno 70% (Score 90.4)
  24. Goodnow Farms Chocolate (United States) – Dark Chocolate – Almendra Blanca, 77% (Score 90.4)
  25. Boho Chocolate (United States) – Dark Chocolate – 70% Dark  Philippines – Kablon Farms (Score 90.3)
  26. Goodnow Farms Chocolate (United States) – Dark Chocolate – Maker's Choice, El Carmen with Coffee (Score 90.3)
  27. Argencove (Nicaragua) – Dark Chocolate – 92 bar (Score 90.2)
  28. Goodnow Farms Chocolate (United States) – Dark Chocolate – Maker’s Choice, Asochivite with Maple (Score 90.2)
  29. Cacaosuyo (Peru) – Dark Chocolate – Piura Select (Score 90.1)
  30. Goodnow Farms Chocolate (United States) – Dark Chocolate – Limited Release, Caramelized Onion (Score 90.1)
  31. Goodnow Farms Chocolate (United States) – Dark Chocolate – Maker’s Choice, Caramelized Onion (Score 90.1)
  32. Meybol Cacao (Germany) – Dark Chocolate – Inti 70% (Score 90.1)
  33. Argencove (Nicaragua) – Dark Chocolate – Apoyo 70% (Score 90.0)
  34. Feliu Chocolate (Mexico) – Dark Chocolate – Flor de Un Día 70% (Score 90.0)
  35. Cacao Hunters (Colombia) – Dark Chocolate – Tumaco 82% (Score 89.9)
  36. Goodnow Farms Chocolate (United States) – Dark Chocolate – Limited Release, Yasica Especial (Score 89.9)
  37. Cacao Hunters (Colombia) – Dark Chocolate – Hachimitsu 86% (Score 89.8)
  38. Goodnow Farms Chocolate (United States) – Dark Chocolate – Boyaca 73% (Score 89.8)
  39. Cacao Hunters (Colombia) – Sugar-free Dark Chocolate – Colombia 100% (Score 89.7)
  40. Feliu Chocolate (Mexico) – Dark Chocolate – Finca la Rioja 73% (Score 89.7)
  41. Goodnow Farms Chocolate (United States) – Dark Chocolate – Asochivite 77% (Score 89.7)
  42. McGuire Chocolate Company (Canada) – Dark Chocolate – Santa Maria 70% (Score 89.7)
  43. Chaleur B Chocolat (Canada) – Dark Chocolate – Ucayali 72% (Score 89.5)
  44. Duffy's (United Kingdom) – Dark Chocolate – Nicaragua Amarillo 72% (Score 89.5)
  45. Cacao Hunters (Colombia) – Dark Chocolate – Sierra Nevada, 64% (Score 89.4)
  46. Sleep Walk Chocolateria (United States) – Dark Chocolate – Oaxaca (Score 89.4)
  47. Chaleur B Chocolat (Canada) – Dark Chocolate – Tanzania 79% organic (Score 89.3)
  48. Goodnow Farms Chocolate (United States) – Sugar-free Dark Chocolate – Special Reserve, 100% (Score 89.3)
  49. Vigdis Rosenkilde (Norway) – Dark Chocolate – 70% Santa Ana (Score 89.3)
  50. Goodnow Farms Chocolate (United States) – Dark Chocolate – Special Reserve, Las Palomas Coffee (Score 89.2)
  51. Goodnow Farms Chocolate (United States) – Dark Chocolate – Special Reserve, Lawley’s Rum (Score 89.2)
  52. Cacao Hunters (Colombia) – Dark Chocolate – Campesino 64% (Score 89.1)
  53. Boho Chocolate (United States) – Dark Chocolate – 70% Colombia / Sierra Nevada (Score 89.0)
  54. Cacao Hunters (Colombia) – Dark Chocolate – Pimienta 70% (Score 88.9)
  55. Goodnow Farms Chocolate (United States) – Dark Chocolate – Limited Release, Pure Passion Fruit (Score 88.9)
  56. Kasama Chocolate (Canada) – Dark Chocolate – Tanduay Rum (Score 88.9)
  57. Argencove (Nicaragua) – Dark Chocolate – Batch 18 80% (Score 88.8)
  58. Argencove (Nicaragua) – Dark Chocolate – Saffron 70% (Score 88.8)
  59. Cacao Hunters (Colombia) – Dark Chocolate – Arhuacos 72% (Score 88.8)
  60. Goodnow Farms Chocolate (United States) – Dark Chocolate – El Carmen with Coffee (Score 88.8)
  61. Kasama Chocolate (Canada) – Dark Chocolate – 70% Kisinga (Score 88.8)
  62. Cacaosuyo (Peru) – Dark Chocolate – Cuzco 80 (Score 88.7)
  63. Chocolate Sierra Sagrada (Colombia) – Dark Chocolate – Sierra Sagrada 85% Sierra Nevada (Score 88.7)
  64. Feliu Chocolate (Mexico) – Dark Chocolate – Soconusco 70% (Score 88.7)
  65. Vigdis Rosenkilde (Norway) – Dark Chocolate – 70% Echarate (Score 88.7)
  66. Goodnow Farms Chocolate (United States) – Dark Chocolate – Signature Line, Esmeraldas (Score 88.6)
  67. Goodnow Farms Chocolate (United States) – Dark Chocolate – Ucayali 70% (Score 88.6)
  68. Meybol Cacao (Germany) – Dark Chocolate – Single Origin Piura 72% (Score 88.6)
  69. Sleep Walk Chocolateria (United States) – Dark Chocolate – Trinitario (Score 88.6)
  70. Goodnow Farms Chocolate (United States) – Dark Chocolate – Special Reserve, Brown Butter (Score 88.5)
  71. Meybol Cacao (Germany) – Dark Chocolate – Chuncho Collection N°5 (Score 88.5)
  72. Meybol Cacao (Germany) – Dark Chocolate – Solo Kakao 90% (Score 88.5)
  73. Goodnow Farms Chocolate (United States) – Dark Chocolate – Maker’s Choice, Herbaceous Green Sichuan (Score 88.4)
  74. Kasama Chocolate (Canada) – Dark Chocolate – 70% Costa Esmeraldas (Score 88.4)
  75. Meybol Cacao (Germany) – Dark Chocolate – Solo Kakao 80% (Score 88.4)
  76. Meybol Cacao (Germany) – Dark Chocolate – Chuncho Collection N°3 (Score 88.3)
  77. Feliu Chocolate (Mexico) – Sugar-free Dark Chocolate – Soconusco 100% (Score 88.2)
  78. Allo Simonne (Canada) – Dark Chocolate – Huila 75% (Score 88.1)
  79. Argencove (Nicaragua) – Dark Chocolate – Caramelized Cacao Nibs (Score 88.1)
  80. Chaleur B Chocolat (Canada) – Dark Chocolate – Ténébris 70% organic (Score 88.1)
  81. SLOK Chocolate (Hong Kong) – Dark Chocolate – Aged with Idaho 7 Hops (Score 88.1)
  82. Argencove (Nicaragua) – Dark Chocolate – Banana, Cinnamon and Cloves (Score 88.0)
  83. Goodnow Farms Chocolate (United States) – Dark Chocolate – El Carmen 77% (Score 88.0)
  84. Goodnow Farms Chocolate (United States) – Dark Chocolate – Maker's Choice, Black Urfa Chili (Score 88.0)
  85. Argencove (Nicaragua) – Dark Chocolate – Cocibolca 70% (Score 87.9)
  86. Chocolate Sierra Sagrada (Colombia) – Sugar-free Dark Chocolate – Sierra Sagrada 100% Sierra Nevada (Score 87.9)
  87. Goodnow Farms Chocolate (United States) – Dark Chocolate – Maker’s Choice, Coffee Crunch (Score 87.9)
  88. Meybol Cacao (Germany) – Dark Chocolate – Solo Kakao 100% (Score 87.9)
  89. Allo Simonne (Canada) – Dark Chocolate – 70% Zorzal, Republique Dominicaine (Score 87.7)
  90. Cacaosuyo (Peru) – Dark Chocolate – Amazonas 100 (Score 87.7)
  91. Cacaosuyo (Peru) – Sugar-free Dark Chocolate – Rupa Rupa 100 (Score 87.7)
  92. Chaleur B Chocolat (Canada) – Dark Chocolate – Maya Mountain 70% Organic (Score 87.7)
  93. Kasama Chocolate (Canada) – Dark Chocolate – Single Malt (Score 87.7)
  94. Boho Chocolate (United States) – Dark Chocolate – Dominican Republic / OKO Caribe 70% (Score 87.6)
  95. Goodnow Farms Chocolate (United States) – Dark Chocolate – Limited Release, Zanzibar Black Pepper (Score 87.6)
  96. Kasama Chocolate (Canada) – Dark Chocolate – 88% Costa Esmeraldas (Score 87.6)
  97. Kasama Chocolate (Canada) – Dark Chocolate – 100% Tupi (Score 87.6)
  98. Meybol Cacao (Germany) – Dark Chocolate – Mazamari 70% (Score 87.6)
  99. Goodnow Farms Chocolate (United States) – Dark Chocolate – Limited Release, Unfiltered Hard Cider (Score 87.5)
  100. Meybol Cacao (Germany) – Dark Chocolate – Chuncho Collection N°7 (Score 87.5)

Frequently Asked Questions

What percentage of cacao wins most awards?

Most multi-year award-winning dark chocolates fall between 70% and 75% cacao, where balance and clarity are strongest.

Is higher percentage always better?

No. Awards are based on sensory harmony — not intensity alone.

Why do some makers appear repeatedly?

Long-term relationships at origin and technical consistency allow certain makers to achieve elite results year after year.