The 10 Worst Chocolate Bars & 10 That Always Hit The Spot

Sugar Rush Reality

1. Lily's Intensely Dark 92% Cacao, 2. Beyond Good Pure Dark 92% Cocoa, 3. Cadbury Dairy Milk (US Version), 4. Charleston Chew, 5. Hershey's Milk Chocolate Bar, 6. Theo Pure Dark 85% Dark Chocolate, 7. 3 Musketeers, 8. Almond Joy, 9. Bettergoods Cookie Butter Filled Milk Chocolate, 10. Butterfinger, 1. Snickers, 2. Kit Kat, 3. Tony's Chocolonely Dark Chocolate, 4. Reese's Peanut Butter Bar, 5. Dove Dark Chocolate, 6. Ghirardelli Intense Dark 86% Cacao, 7. Milky Way/Mars Bar, 9. Toblerone, 10. Cadbury Royal Dark

Chocolate disappointment tends to sting a lot more than other food letdowns. Some bars look promising but deliver weird aftertastes or flavors that remind you of things chocolate should never taste like. Meanwhile, certain chocolates never let you down, delivering that perfect sweet escape every single time. So, here are 10 that people usually dislike, along with 10 that are beloved the world over. 

1. Lily's Intensely Dark 92% Cacao

1. Lily's Intensely Dark 92% Cacao, 2. Beyond Good Pure Dark 92% Cocoa, 3. Cadbury Dairy Milk (US Version), 4. Charleston Chew, 5. Hershey's Milk Chocolate Bar, 6. Theo Pure Dark 85% Dark Chocolate, 7. 3 Musketeers, 8. Almond Joy, 9. Bettergoods Cookie Butter Filled Milk Chocolate, 10. Butterfinger, 1. Snickers, 2. Kit Kat, 3. Tony's Chocolonely Dark Chocolate, 4. Reese's Peanut Butter Bar, 5. Dove Dark Chocolate, 6. Ghirardelli Intense Dark 86% Cacao, 7. Milky Way/Mars Bar, 9. Toblerone, 10. Cadbury Royal Dark

Professional reviewers literally spat this chocolate out during taste tests. The culprit? Artificial sweeteners like stevia create an unpleasant aftertaste that lingers long after eating. Despite being marketed as a healthier option, it's one of the most expensive bars on the market.

2. Beyond Good Pure Dark 92% Cocoa

1. Lily's Intensely Dark 92% Cacao, 2. Beyond Good Pure Dark 92% Cocoa, 3. Cadbury Dairy Milk (US Version), 4. Charleston Chew, 5. Hershey's Milk Chocolate Bar, 6. Theo Pure Dark 85% Dark Chocolate, 7. 3 Musketeers, 8. Almond Joy, 9. Bettergoods Cookie Butter Filled Milk Chocolate, 10. Butterfinger, 1. Snickers, 2. Kit Kat, 3. Tony's Chocolonely Dark Chocolate, 4. Reese's Peanut Butter Bar, 5. Dove Dark Chocolate, 6. Ghirardelli Intense Dark 86% Cacao, 7. Milky Way/Mars Bar, 9. Toblerone, 10. Cadbury Royal Dark

Imagine biting into what you expect to be rich chocolate, only to taste vegetable soup with curry accidentally mixed in. Well, that's the Beyond Good experience. This costly disappointment contains minimal cocoa butter or sugar, forming a very bitter and hard texture.

3. Cadbury Dairy Milk (US Version)

1. Lily's Intensely Dark 92% Cacao, 2. Beyond Good Pure Dark 92% Cocoa, 3. Cadbury Dairy Milk (US Version), 4. Charleston Chew, 5. Hershey's Milk Chocolate Bar, 6. Theo Pure Dark 85% Dark Chocolate, 7. 3 Musketeers, 8. Almond Joy, 9. Bettergoods Cookie Butter Filled Milk Chocolate, 10. Butterfinger, 1. Snickers, 2. Kit Kat, 3. Tony's Chocolonely Dark Chocolate, 4. Reese's Peanut Butter Bar, 5. Dove Dark Chocolate, 6. Ghirardelli Intense Dark 86% Cacao, 7. Milky Way/Mars Bar, 9. Toblerone, 10. Cadbury Royal Dark

The Takeout's professional taste test in 2024 crowned this the absolute worst milk chocolate bar, and there's solid reasoning behind the harsh verdict. What should be creamy, sweet milk chocolate instead lacks any detectable cocoa flavor, tasting overly milky and cheap.

4. Charleston Chew

1. Lily's Intensely Dark 92% Cacao, 2. Beyond Good Pure Dark 92% Cocoa, 3. Cadbury Dairy Milk (US Version), 4. Charleston Chew, 5. Hershey's Milk Chocolate Bar, 6. Theo Pure Dark 85% Dark Chocolate, 7. 3 Musketeers, 8. Almond Joy, 9. Bettergoods Cookie Butter Filled Milk Chocolate, 10. Butterfinger, 1. Snickers, 2. Kit Kat, 3. Tony's Chocolonely Dark Chocolate, 4. Reese's Peanut Butter Bar, 5. Dove Dark Chocolate, 6. Ghirardelli Intense Dark 86% Cacao, 7. Milky Way/Mars Bar, 9. Toblerone, 10. Cadbury Royal Dark

Customer nightmares tell the real story: "totally stale old discolored" pieces with a "grey unappetizing appearance". Others also report receiving products where "half of the bag was melted out of their wrappers and clumped together in a massive ball of nasty mess."

5. Hershey's Milk Chocolate Bar

1. Lily's Intensely Dark 92% Cacao, 2. Beyond Good Pure Dark 92% Cocoa, 3. Cadbury Dairy Milk (US Version), 4. Charleston Chew, 5. Hershey's Milk Chocolate Bar, 6. Theo Pure Dark 85% Dark Chocolate, 7. 3 Musketeers, 8. Almond Joy, 9. Bettergoods Cookie Butter Filled Milk Chocolate, 10. Butterfinger, 1. Snickers, 2. Kit Kat, 3. Tony's Chocolonely Dark Chocolate, 4. Reese's Peanut Butter Bar, 5. Dove Dark Chocolate, 6. Ghirardelli Intense Dark 86% Cacao, 7. Milky Way/Mars Bar, 9. Toblerone, 10. Cadbury Royal Dark

That signature tangy, sour milk flavor is a bug caused by butyric acid, which some unfortunate souls compare to vomit. The chocolate lacks the crisp snap of quality bars, instead delivering a consistently disappointing experience that somehow remains America's most recognizable chocolate.

6. Theo Pure Dark 85% Dark Chocolate

1. Lily's Intensely Dark 92% Cacao, 2. Beyond Good Pure Dark 92% Cocoa, 3. Cadbury Dairy Milk (US Version), 4. Charleston Chew, 5. Hershey's Milk Chocolate Bar, 6. Theo Pure Dark 85% Dark Chocolate, 7. 3 Musketeers, 8. Almond Joy, 9. Bettergoods Cookie Butter Filled Milk Chocolate, 10. Butterfinger, 1. Snickers, 2. Kit Kat, 3. Tony's Chocolonely Dark Chocolate, 4. Reese's Peanut Butter Bar, 5. Dove Dark Chocolate, 6. Ghirardelli Intense Dark 86% Cacao, 7. Milky Way/Mars Bar, 9. Toblerone, 10. Cadbury Royal Dark

Despite showing off organic, fair trade, and non-GMO credentials that should guarantee quality, this item tastes like it absorbed flavors of spices and soaps from sitting too long in a shop. The extremely powdery texture leaves an unpleasant film coating on your teeth.

7. 3 Musketeers

1. Lily's Intensely Dark 92% Cacao, 2. Beyond Good Pure Dark 92% Cocoa, 3. Cadbury Dairy Milk (US Version), 4. Charleston Chew, 5. Hershey's Milk Chocolate Bar, 6. Theo Pure Dark 85% Dark Chocolate, 7. 3 Musketeers, 8. Almond Joy, 9. Bettergoods Cookie Butter Filled Milk Chocolate, 10. Butterfinger, 1. Snickers, 2. Kit Kat, 3. Tony's Chocolonely Dark Chocolate, 4. Reese's Peanut Butter Bar, 5. Dove Dark Chocolate, 6. Ghirardelli Intense Dark 86% Cacao, 7. Milky Way/Mars Bar, 9. Toblerone, 10. Cadbury Royal Dark

Apparently, the American Heart Association recommends women consume no more than 25 grams of sugar daily, but one 3 Musketeers bar packs 36 grams, exceeding the entire daily limit. As per sources, Eat This Not That named it one of the worst candy bars.

8. Almond Joy

1. Lily's Intensely Dark 92% Cacao, 2. Beyond Good Pure Dark 92% Cocoa, 3. Cadbury Dairy Milk (US Version), 4. Charleston Chew, 5. Hershey's Milk Chocolate Bar, 6. Theo Pure Dark 85% Dark Chocolate, 7. 3 Musketeers, 8. Almond Joy, 9. Bettergoods Cookie Butter Filled Milk Chocolate, 10. Butterfinger, 1. Snickers, 2. Kit Kat, 3. Tony's Chocolonely Dark Chocolate, 4. Reese's Peanut Butter Bar, 5. Dove Dark Chocolate, 6. Ghirardelli Intense Dark 86% Cacao, 7. Milky Way/Mars Bar, 9. Toblerone, 10. Cadbury Royal Dark

The polarizing coconut ingredient brings widespread hatred among consumers who find the texture completely off-putting. Well, that's not even the main problem. Customer reviews reveal the harsh reality: receiving "old candy" with "stale" almonds that "have melted at some point" during shipping.

1. Lily's Intensely Dark 92% Cacao, 2. Beyond Good Pure Dark 92% Cocoa, 3. Cadbury Dairy Milk (US Version), 4. Charleston Chew, 5. Hershey's Milk Chocolate Bar, 6. Theo Pure Dark 85% Dark Chocolate, 7. 3 Musketeers, 8. Almond Joy, 9. Bettergoods Cookie Butter Filled Milk Chocolate, 10. Butterfinger, 1. Snickers, 2. Kit Kat, 3. Tony's Chocolonely Dark Chocolate, 4. Reese's Peanut Butter Bar, 5. Dove Dark Chocolate, 6. Ghirardelli Intense Dark 86% Cacao, 7. Milky Way/Mars Bar, 9. Toblerone, 10. Cadbury Royal Dark

Walmart launched this Swiss-made, Fair Trade-certified bar in 2024 as its premium chocolate option, but premium certifications can't fix fundamental taste problems. The overly sweet profile overwhelms any subtle cookie butter notes, while the hard chocolate refuses to melt properly.

10. Butterfinger

1. Lily's Intensely Dark 92% Cacao, 2. Beyond Good Pure Dark 92% Cocoa, 3. Cadbury Dairy Milk (US Version), 4. Charleston Chew, 5. Hershey's Milk Chocolate Bar, 6. Theo Pure Dark 85% Dark Chocolate, 7. 3 Musketeers, 8. Almond Joy, 9. Bettergoods Cookie Butter Filled Milk Chocolate, 10. Butterfinger, 1. Snickers, 2. Kit Kat, 3. Tony's Chocolonely Dark Chocolate, 4. Reese's Peanut Butter Bar, 5. Dove Dark Chocolate, 6. Ghirardelli Intense Dark 86% Cacao, 7. Milky Way/Mars Bar, 9. Toblerone, 10. Cadbury Royal Dark

Talk about an unbalanced eating experience. An odd residue and persistent aftertaste stick around long after you've finished eating, making you regret the choice. The layered peanut interior's strange appearance feels off-putting to many folks, while the chocolate coating is ineffective.

Now, let's look at 10 chocolate bars that deserve your money and taste buds.

1. Snickers

1. Lily's Intensely Dark 92% Cacao, 2. Beyond Good Pure Dark 92% Cocoa, 3. Cadbury Dairy Milk (US Version), 4. Charleston Chew, 5. Hershey's Milk Chocolate Bar, 6. Theo Pure Dark 85% Dark Chocolate, 7. 3 Musketeers, 8. Almond Joy, 9. Bettergoods Cookie Butter Filled Milk Chocolate, 10. Butterfinger, 1. Snickers, 2. Kit Kat, 3. Tony's Chocolonely Dark Chocolate, 4. Reese's Peanut Butter Bar, 5. Dove Dark Chocolate, 6. Ghirardelli Intense Dark 86% Cacao, 7. Milky Way/Mars Bar, 9. Toblerone, 10. Cadbury Royal Dark

Named after the Mars family's favorite horse, this 1930 chocolate has galloped to global dominance with over $380 million in annual sales. The perfect balance of nougat, caramel, peanuts, and milk chocolate crafts a texture contrast that keeps people coming back.

2. Kit Kat

1. Lily's Intensely Dark 92% Cacao, 2. Beyond Good Pure Dark 92% Cocoa, 3. Cadbury Dairy Milk (US Version), 4. Charleston Chew, 5. Hershey's Milk Chocolate Bar, 6. Theo Pure Dark 85% Dark Chocolate, 7. 3 Musketeers, 8. Almond Joy, 9. Bettergoods Cookie Butter Filled Milk Chocolate, 10. Butterfinger, 1. Snickers, 2. Kit Kat, 3. Tony's Chocolonely Dark Chocolate, 4. Reese's Peanut Butter Bar, 5. Dove Dark Chocolate, 6. Ghirardelli Intense Dark 86% Cacao, 7. Milky Way/Mars Bar, 9. Toblerone, 10. Cadbury Royal Dark

Safety-conscious consumers appreciate that it's nut-free, making it accessible for those with allergies. That iconic "Give Me a Break" campaign turned Kitkat into the ultimate stress-relief candy. It is famous for its wide variety in Japan, where over 300 flavors have been introduced.

3. Tony's Chocolonely Dark Chocolate

1. Lily's Intensely Dark 92% Cacao, 2. Beyond Good Pure Dark 92% Cocoa, 3. Cadbury Dairy Milk (US Version), 4. Charleston Chew, 5. Hershey's Milk Chocolate Bar, 6. Theo Pure Dark 85% Dark Chocolate, 7. 3 Musketeers, 8. Almond Joy, 9. Bettergoods Cookie Butter Filled Milk Chocolate, 10. Butterfinger, 1. Snickers, 2. Kit Kat, 3. Tony's Chocolonely Dark Chocolate, 4. Reese's Peanut Butter Bar, 5. Dove Dark Chocolate, 6. Ghirardelli Intense Dark 86% Cacao, 7. Milky Way/Mars Bar, 9. Toblerone, 10. Cadbury Royal Dark

Belgian craftsmanship shines through the chocolate’s distinctive gemstone cut and luxurious matte finish. The Kitchn's 2024 blind taste test crowned it the winner, earning the highest marks across all professional criteria. Tasters describe it as "creamy," "fudgy," and “luxe.”

4. Reese's Peanut Butter Bar

1. Lily's Intensely Dark 92% Cacao, 2. Beyond Good Pure Dark 92% Cocoa, 3. Cadbury Dairy Milk (US Version), 4. Charleston Chew, 5. Hershey's Milk Chocolate Bar, 6. Theo Pure Dark 85% Dark Chocolate, 7. 3 Musketeers, 8. Almond Joy, 9. Bettergoods Cookie Butter Filled Milk Chocolate, 10. Butterfinger, 1. Snickers, 2. Kit Kat, 3. Tony's Chocolonely Dark Chocolate, 4. Reese's Peanut Butter Bar, 5. Dove Dark Chocolate, 6. Ghirardelli Intense Dark 86% Cacao, 7. Milky Way/Mars Bar, 9. Toblerone, 10. Cadbury Royal Dark

This one is part of the successful Reese's brand empire that generates incredible sales and fierce customer loyalty across all product lines. The thick chocolate coating provides a more substantial chocolate feel, satisfying those who want more cocoa in their peanut butter treat.

5. Dove Dark Chocolate

1. Lily's Intensely Dark 92% Cacao, 2. Beyond Good Pure Dark 92% Cocoa, 3. Cadbury Dairy Milk (US Version), 4. Charleston Chew, 5. Hershey's Milk Chocolate Bar, 6. Theo Pure Dark 85% Dark Chocolate, 7. 3 Musketeers, 8. Almond Joy, 9. Bettergoods Cookie Butter Filled Milk Chocolate, 10. Butterfinger, 1. Snickers, 2. Kit Kat, 3. Tony's Chocolonely Dark Chocolate, 4. Reese's Peanut Butter Bar, 5. Dove Dark Chocolate, 6. Ghirardelli Intense Dark 86% Cacao, 7. Milky Way/Mars Bar, 9. Toblerone, 10. Cadbury Royal Dark

Individual squares are precisely portioned for controlled indulgence. Many consumers believe that the brand's "Choose Pleasure" messaging aligns appropriately with the actual eating experience. It features silky, melt-in-your-mouth consistency. Nutritionally, a serving of about 32 grams contains around 170 calories.

6. Ghirardelli Intense Dark 86% Cacao

1. Lily's Intensely Dark 92% Cacao, 2. Beyond Good Pure Dark 92% Cocoa, 3. Cadbury Dairy Milk (US Version), 4. Charleston Chew, 5. Hershey's Milk Chocolate Bar, 6. Theo Pure Dark 85% Dark Chocolate, 7. 3 Musketeers, 8. Almond Joy, 9. Bettergoods Cookie Butter Filled Milk Chocolate, 10. Butterfinger, 1. Snickers, 2. Kit Kat, 3. Tony's Chocolonely Dark Chocolate, 4. Reese's Peanut Butter Bar, 5. Dove Dark Chocolate, 6. Ghirardelli Intense Dark 86% Cacao, 7. Milky Way/Mars Bar, 9. Toblerone, 10. Cadbury Royal Dark

Dating back to 1852, this chocolate maker has mastered the art of balancing bitterness with subtle sweetness. The complexity and richness deliver exactly what dark chocolate lovers crave without overwhelming inexperienced palates. Additionally, the strong flavor profile complements coffee's natural intensity.

7. Milky Way/Mars Bar

1. Lily's Intensely Dark 92% Cacao, 2. Beyond Good Pure Dark 92% Cocoa, 3. Cadbury Dairy Milk (US Version), 4. Charleston Chew, 5. Hershey's Milk Chocolate Bar, 6. Theo Pure Dark 85% Dark Chocolate, 7. 3 Musketeers, 8. Almond Joy, 9. Bettergoods Cookie Butter Filled Milk Chocolate, 10. Butterfinger, 1. Snickers, 2. Kit Kat, 3. Tony's Chocolonely Dark Chocolate, 4. Reese's Peanut Butter Bar, 5. Dove Dark Chocolate, 6. Ghirardelli Intense Dark 86% Cacao, 7. Milky Way/Mars Bar, 9. Toblerone, 10. Cadbury Royal Dark

Different names in different markets—Milky Way in the US, Mars globally—but the same beloved formula that appeals across cultural boundaries. The nougat and caramel mixture without nuts specifically targets consumers who prefer smoother textures over crunchy additions. It is lighter than Snickers.

8. Twix

1. Lily's Intensely Dark 92% Cacao, 2. Beyond Good Pure Dark 92% Cocoa, 3. Cadbury Dairy Milk (US Version), 4. Charleston Chew, 5. Hershey's Milk Chocolate Bar, 6. Theo Pure Dark 85% Dark Chocolate, 7. 3 Musketeers, 8. Almond Joy, 9. Bettergoods Cookie Butter Filled Milk Chocolate, 10. Butterfinger, 1. Snickers, 2. Kit Kat, 3. Tony's Chocolonely Dark Chocolate, 4. Reese's Peanut Butter Bar, 5. Dove Dark Chocolate, 6. Ghirardelli Intense Dark 86% Cacao, 7. Milky Way/Mars Bar, 9. Toblerone, 10. Cadbury Royal Dark

Did you know that this biscuit-caramel-chocolate combination earns more than $192 million annually? Classic Twix bars consist of a crunchy biscuit/cookie, a thick layer of caramel, and a smooth milk chocolate covering. The combination yields its yummy “snap” and creamy mouthfeel.

9. Toblerone

1. Lily's Intensely Dark 92% Cacao, 2. Beyond Good Pure Dark 92% Cocoa, 3. Cadbury Dairy Milk (US Version), 4. Charleston Chew, 5. Hershey's Milk Chocolate Bar, 6. Theo Pure Dark 85% Dark Chocolate, 7. 3 Musketeers, 8. Almond Joy, 9. Bettergoods Cookie Butter Filled Milk Chocolate, 10. Butterfinger, 1. Snickers, 2. Kit Kat, 3. Tony's Chocolonely Dark Chocolate, 4. Reese's Peanut Butter Bar, 5. Dove Dark Chocolate, 6. Ghirardelli Intense Dark 86% Cacao, 7. Milky Way/Mars Bar, 9. Toblerone, 10. Cadbury Royal Dark

Collecting $135 million in annual sales, the famous Swiss creation remains popular as both a personal treat and a gift chocolate worldwide. The unique triangular shape mimics the Swiss Alps alongside those honey notes, which add unexpected complexity to the milk chocolate base.

10. Cadbury Royal Dark

1. Lily's Intensely Dark 92% Cacao, 2. Beyond Good Pure Dark 92% Cocoa, 3. Cadbury Dairy Milk (US Version), 4. Charleston Chew, 5. Hershey's Milk Chocolate Bar, 6. Theo Pure Dark 85% Dark Chocolate, 7. 3 Musketeers, 8. Almond Joy, 9. Bettergoods Cookie Butter Filled Milk Chocolate, 10. Butterfinger, 1. Snickers, 2. Kit Kat, 3. Tony's Chocolonely Dark Chocolate, 4. Reese's Peanut Butter Bar, 5. Dove Dark Chocolate, 6. Ghirardelli Intense Dark 86% Cacao, 7. Milky Way/Mars Bar, 9. Toblerone, 10. Cadbury Royal Dark

This bar serves as the ultimate stepping stone between milk and intense dark chocolate for those hesitant about dark chocolate. It offers richness and slight bitterness while maintaining approachable sweetness. The Cadbury Royal Dark chocolate bar was first introduced in 2002.

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