Let’s be real. You went vegan thinking you’d never taste decent chocolate again. Wrong. The vegan chocolate game has exploded, and some of these popular vegan chocolate brands are better than the dairy stuff you used to eat. No, this isn’t exaggerated hype to make you feel better about your life choices.
This is a straight-talking breakdown of what actually tastes good — and what’s worth skipping.
Why Popular Vegan Chocolate Brands Are Everywhere Now
Ten years ago, vegan chocolate meant sad, chalky bars pretending coconut oil was a personality. Things have changed.
As more people pay attention to how a plant based diet helps the planet, demand for dairy-free alternatives has pushed chocolate brands to step up. Less dairy means fewer emissions, less land use, and fewer factory farms — and better chocolate as a side effect.
Turns out doing better for the planet doesn’t have to taste terrible.
Now let’s get into the popular vegan chocolate brands that actually deliver.
1. Purdys Chocolatier – Vegan Line
Purdys nailed it when most mainstream brands were still pretending vegans didn’t exist. Their vegan “mylk” chocolate uses rice powder instead of dairy, and honestly? You wouldn’t know the difference.
They’ve got truffles, caramels, and those Sweet Georgia Browns that’ll make you forget why you ever needed cow juice in your chocolate. Smooth, sweet, and unapologetically indulgent.
Best for: Anyone missing real milk chocolate without the guilt trip.
2. Lindt CLASSIC Vegan
Yeah, that Lindt. The one your grandma keeps in her purse.
They finally joined the vegan party with oat- and almond-based bars that play it safe with familiar flavours. Creamy, mild, and designed to keep non-vegans from panicking.
Best for: Testing the waters or proving vegan chocolate isn’t made from sadness and cocoa powder.
3. Raw Halo
This one’s for the “I eat clean” crowd who Instagram their breakfast. Organic raw cacao sweetened with coconut sugar, because apparently regular sugar is public enemy number one.
Earthy, less sweet, with a slight crunch. Cashew butter keeps things creamy without turning it into a sugar bomb.
Best for: Health-focused buyers who still want chocolate that tastes like chocolate.
4. Willie’s Cacao
Dark chocolate snobs, this is your moment. Single-origin, high-cacao chocolate that’s naturally vegan because it never needed dairy in the first place.
Deep, intense flavours with fruity and coffee notes. Don’t buy this expecting sweetness — buy it if you like your chocolate serious.
Best for: People who describe chocolate using wine-tasting language and mean it.
5. Cocoa Libre
A refreshingly normal entry among popular vegan chocolate brands. Bars, slabs, and fun shapes with flavours like Orange & Almond that actually work.
Balanced sweetness, smooth texture, and no lecture about cacao ethics on the wrapper.
Best for: Normal humans who just want good chocolate without a TED Talk.
6. Honest Chocolate
South African, organic, and not afraid to get weird. Local flavours like Buchu make this brand either fascinating or deeply confusing, depending on your palate.
Smooth, rich dark chocolate with herbal notes that divide opinion — which is usually a good sign.
Best for: Adventurous eaters who get bored easily.
7. Afrikoa
Sugar-free vegan dark chocolate that doesn’t taste like sweetened cardboard. Shocking, but appreciated.
High-cacao bars from 55% to 85%, clean ingredients, and no artificial aftertaste ruining your day.
Best for: Sugar dodgers who still want actual flavour.
8. VALOR
Cheap, available, and reliable. Sometimes that’s all you need.
Sugar-free dark chocolate with simple add-ins like orange or almonds. Firm texture, clean cacao flavour, and zero pretence.
Best for: Your wallet and straightforward dark chocolate cravings.
9. CocoaFair
This is serious chocolate for serious people. Dark bars from 70% all the way to 100% cacao, often with nuts because apparently pure cacao wasn’t intense enough.
Bold, strong, and not remotely sweet. Don’t buy the 100% bar unless you hate joy or love punishment.
Best for: Cacao purists who think anything under 70% is basically candy.
10. The Chocolate Yogi
Remember candy bars before you cared about ingredients? This brand does.
Mylk chocolate with playful additions like Hunnycomb-style crunch that hit pure nostalgia. Sweet, creamy, and unapologetically indulgent.
Best for: Anyone craving that classic candy-bar hit without dairy.
Comparison Time: How Do They Stack Up?
| Brand | Type | Texture | Flavor Profile | Best For | Price Point |
| Purdys | Mylk | Creamy | Sweet, indulgent | Milk chocolate lovers | $$ $ |
| Lindt CLASSIC | Mylk | Smooth | Nutty, mild | Beginners/new vegans | $$ |
| Raw Halo | Raw/Mylk | Crunchy | Earthy, balanced | Health nuts | $$ |
| Willie’s Cacao | Dark | Firm | Complex, intense | Dark chocolate fans | $$$ |
| Cocoa Libre | Dark/Mylk | Smooth | Playful, fruity | Gifting/snacking | $$ |
| Honest Chocolate | Dark | Silky | Unique, herbal | Adventurous eaters | $$ |
| Afrikoa | Dark | Robust | Bittersweet | Sugar-free seekers | $$ |
| VALOR | Dark | Firm | Citrusy, nutty | Budget dark chocolate | $ |
| CocoaFair | Dark | Bold | Strong, nutty | Cacao purists | $$ |
| The Chocolate Yogi | Mylk | Creamy | Sweet, nostalgic | Fun treat lovers | $$ |
Which Popular Vegan Chocolate Brand Should You Actually Buy?
There’s no universal winner here. It depends on what you’re after.
If creamy and indulgent is your thing, start with Purdys or Lindt.
If you want dark and intense, Willie’s Cacao or CocoaFair won’t disappoint.
If health matters but taste still counts, Raw Halo and Afrikoa are solid bets.
If money’s tight, VALOR gets the job done.
If fun is the priority, The Chocolate Yogi delivers.
FAQs About Popular Vegan Chocolate Brands
Is all dark chocolate vegan?
No. Some brands still sneak in milk derivatives. Always check the label or enjoy accidentally eating dairy while feeling morally superior.
What makes vegan chocolate creamy without dairy?
Plant-based fats like oat milk, rice powder, and nut butters do the heavy lifting. Science is great when it tastes this good.
Where can I buy popular vegan chocolate brands?
Online retailers like Faithful-to-Nature and Yumbles, or directly from brand websites. Your local store probably hasn’t caught up yet.
Final Thoughts: Your Next Chocolate Adventure Awaits
You don’t have to settle for terrible chocolate just because you’re vegan. The rise of popular vegan chocolate brands proves you can eat better and reduce dairy demand at the same time. Simple food swaps can make a huge difference.
That’s one small, delicious example of how a plant based diet helps the planet — fewer cows, fewer emissions, and better chocolate on your couch.
Eat accordingly.