ChocolateBox Cafe Brings a Taste of Europe to Malibu

Zare Baghdasarian travels the world, mostly in Europe, to find the best quality chocolates and brings them back to The Chocolate Box Cafe in Malibu.

Baghdasarian and his wife Seda, who have been Malibu residents for 12 years, opened in 2009 at the .

"The Chocolate Box is as local as you can get. It’s my only business here," owner Zare Baghdasarian said.

The cafe has a European look and showcases chocolates and other sweets as if they are pieces of high-end jewelry on display.

"It basically offers the sweet things in life, crepes, gelato, healthy sandwich wraps," Baghdasarian said. "All of our product is very high end. Our chocolates are no preservative, organic and hand made by different chocolatiers."

"It's kind of a cafe that you can sit, you can dine, have a coffee, gelato or desserts. You can also buy it to go home," he said.

Baghdasarian said he travels around the world looking for the best chocolates, mostly in Europe.

A hot chocolate bar features a 15 varieties like chili pepper and ginger, all made from actual chocolate shavings.

The Baghdasarians are involved in the Malibu community by making donations to fundraising efforts and sponsoring local events.

He said he hopes more locals will support his store.

"For an independent local businesses, it is very hard to survive in Malibu. The cost to run a business is very high," Baghdasarian said.

The cafe is open seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Learn more at chocolateboxcafe.com.