Around February, stores across the U.S. begin to fill up with red and pink heart-shaped boxes filled with perfunctory, mystery candies and chocolates that more often than not miss the mark flavor-wise. There's really nothing worse for one's tastebuds than to bite into a cocoa-coated sweet filled with chemically tasting filling. If there was any romance in that box, it's dead now.

Thankfully, New Orleans confectioners offer an assortment of above average treats. These are New Orleans tried-and-true local shops, some dating back to the early 1900s and all of them known for incredible specialties from pralines to truffles to Roman candy. These shops are great for  gifts, whether you want to ship to distant loved one or need to pick something up on short notice. While a sweet from one of these spots may not save Valentine's Day, it will certainly improve the odds of success.

Don't see the best holiday candy shop in all of New Orleans? Leave a comment or send Eater a tip and we'll update the map as needed.

Next Read: Pralines Are More Than Just New Orleans' Signature Candy