Are you a hardcore chocolate fan (who isn’t?) and lucky enough to be in Brussels? Known for its diverse range of chocolates, Brussels is indeed the world’s biggest chocolate paradise. Here are the 5 best chocolatiers in Brussels you must visit!
Also check out our mini-guide to eating and drinking in Brussels.
Now let’s dive in, shall we?
1. Pierre Marcolini, as fine as wine
Website & Address: 1 rue des Minimes, 1000 Bruxelles
Let’s start with this classic! Master Marcolini’s chocolate is famous and certainly not cheap, but for a reason – he only buys unprocessed cocoa beans directly from producers all over the world and the origin of the beans is labelled carefully. He then performs his magic and the raw material is turned into delicious and strong-flavored dark chocolate with beautiful packaging. Apart from dark chocolate, he also specializes in ice creams, hot chocolates and cakes. Do not miss it!
2. Passion Chocolat, the dark chocolate virtuoso
Photo by Karl Delandsheere – Yummy Planet
Website & Address: 2/4 rue Bodenbroek, 1000 Bruxelles
Passion Chocolat is actually quite new compared to the other chocolatiers – it started only in 2008! But underestimate it not; the owner Massimo Ori, a former Italian engineer, gave up his previous, supposedly promising career to pursue his true passion in life and started this chocolate business. And are we glad that he did! Even the darkest 85% chocolate is not bitter but full of flavors, with secret formulae containing some traditional surprises such as cherry cognac and mint.
3. Jean Galler, the legendary 70g chocolate bars
Website & Address: 44 rue au Beurre 1000 Bruxelles
Master Jean Galler has been making chocolate for almost two score years, who also happens to have the honor of serving the Belgian Royal Family by providing them with delicious chocolates. His repertoire is extremely diverse, ranging from waffles with praline to his famous chocolate bars. He also plays with black and white chocolates, mixing them with different ingredients such as milk, coffee, marzipan, hazelnuts, pistachio, and so on. As his chocolates are so elegantly and creatively packaged (credit to his wife!) in multiple languages, they can also be the ideal gifts for your loved ones back home. If you like dark chocolate, do not miss the perfect Black 85!
4. Neuhaus, oldie but goodie
Website & Address: 25 Galerie de la Reine, 1000 Bruxelles
In 1857, this legend began when Jean Neuhaus used chocolate to camouflage his medicine’s bitter taste. Today, Neuhaus does not sell medicine anymore but is still loved by all for being the inventor of the praline – the kinds you’ve surely tried, such as Bonbon 13 and Astrid. The Caprice, toffee with vanilla cream, is especially remarkable. You cannot say you’ve visited Belgium without visiting Neuhaus!
5. Leonidas, the all-time favorite
Website & Address: 41 Place du Grand Sablon, 1000 Bruxelles*
After going through all the artisanal hauts chcolatiers, let’s now take a look at a machine-made local favorite – Leonidas. As their chocolates are not as costly as the aforementioned, many frugal chocolate lovers choose to spend their hard-earned cash here by sacrificing a bit in quality to enjoy the comparable heavenly taste in greater quantity. By the way, they specialize in white chocolate!
For more on eating and drinking in Brussels, check out this Brussels Hipster City Guide. And also check out our previous post: Mini-guide to Eating and Drinking in Brussels!
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