Best Chocolate in Brussels: 7 Shops Worth Visiting
If there is one thing you should try while visiting Brussels, it is Belgian chocolate. The Belgian capital is filled with chocolate shops, from historic houses that have been making pralines for generations to smaller chocolatiers experimenting with unusual flavours. The challenge is not finding chocolate in Brussels. It is deciding where to buy it.
For first-time visitors, the area around the Grand-Place, the Galeries Royales Saint-Hubert and the Sablon is a good place to start. Several well-known Belgian chocolate makers have shops within walking distance of each other.
Here are some of the chocolate shops worth knowing if you want to taste Belgian chocolate in Brussels.
1. Neuhaus
Neuhaus is one of the most important names in Belgian chocolate. The company traces its history in Brussels back to 1857, when Jean Neuhaus opened a pharmacy in the Galeries Royales Saint-Hubert. In 1912, he created what became known as the Belgian praline: a chocolate shell filled with a soft centre.
The original Neuhaus location is still in the Galeries Royales Saint-Hubert, making it an interesting stop for visitors who want to combine chocolate with a little Belgian history.
You can choose from traditional pralines, chocolate boxes and seasonal creations.
If this is your first visit to Brussels, Neuhaus is particularly interesting because you are not simply buying chocolate. You are buying it in the place closely associated with the origins of the Belgian praline.
2. Pierre Marcolini
For visitors who are particularly interested in cocoa and the craft behind chocolate, Pierre Marcolini is one of the names to look for.
The Belgian chocolatier opened his Grand Sablon location in Brussels in 2001 and built his reputation around carefully selected cocoa beans and distinctive flavours.
Marcolini works from the bean-to-bar approach, giving the brand a strong focus on the origin and character of cocoa.
You may find flavours using ingredients such as pistachio, citrus, spices and berries alongside more traditional chocolate creations.
The Grand Sablon is also one of the nicest areas in Brussels for a chocolate stop. You can visit the shop and then continue exploring the historic square and surrounding streets.
3. Wittamer
Wittamer brings together Belgian chocolate and traditional pastry. The family business dates back to 1910, and its shop at the Grand Sablon has become one of the area’s familiar food addresses.
This makes Wittamer a good choice if not everyone in your group is looking for chocolate alone. You can also find pastries, cakes and other sweet creations.
Its chocolate selection includes pralines and ganaches, with several recipes that have become associated with the house.
For visitors spending an afternoon around the Sablon, Wittamer is an easy place to include in a chocolate walk.
4. Laurent Gerbaud
If you want something less traditional, Laurent Gerbaud offers a different experience. The Brussels chocolatier is known for combining chocolate with ingredients and flavours from around the world. His creations can include exotic fruits, spices, nuts and unusual sweet-and-sour combinations.
This is the kind of place to visit if you have already tried classic Belgian pralines and want to discover something different.
Laurent Gerbaud also has a workshop and tasting space near Mont des Arts, where visitors can learn more about the chocolate-making process.
The location is convenient because Mont des Arts is close to the historic centre and several other popular Brussels attractions.
5. Frédéric Blondeel
Frédéric Blondeel is another name worth considering if you want to explore the more artisanal side of Brussels chocolate.
Rather than focusing only on the familiar Belgian praline box, the chocolatier has a strong interest in cocoa, roasting and the character of different beans.
This makes it an interesting stop for people who enjoy darker chocolate or want to understand more about where chocolate comes from.
It is also a good reminder that Brussels chocolate is not limited to the famous names found around the Grand-Place.
6. The Belgian Chocolate Makers
For something a little different, The Belgian Chocolate Makers offers visitors the chance to see more of the production side of chocolate.
The company has a location in central Brussels where visitors can discover Belgian chocolate and shop for chocolate products.
This can be a good option for travellers who want more than simply walking into a boutique and buying a box.
If you are travelling with children, a chocolate-making experience can also be more memorable than simply purchasing pralines.
7. Centho Brussels
Centho is another option for visitors who want to look beyond the biggest chocolate brands.
The Brussels shop has a more boutique feel and offers handmade chocolate creations and pralines.
It can be worth adding to your list if you have already visited some of the famous names and want to discover another Belgian chocolatier.
The shop is located in the European Quarter, making it particularly convenient if you are visiting the European institutions.
Where Should You Go for the Best Chocolate in Brussels?
There is no single type of Belgian chocolate that everyone will prefer.
If you want a historic Belgian name, Neuhaus is an obvious place to start.
If you are interested in cocoa and bean-to-bar chocolate, Pierre Marcolini is worth exploring.
For chocolate combined with classic Belgian pastry, Wittamer is a natural choice.
And if you prefer unusual flavours and a more experimental approach, Laurent Gerbaud offers something different.
The good news is that you do not have to choose only one.
A Simple Brussels Chocolate Walk
One of the easiest ways to experience Belgian chocolate is to turn it into a walking tour.
Start at the Grand-Place, where you will find several chocolate shops in the surrounding streets.
From there, walk towards the Galeries Royales Saint-Hubert and visit Neuhaus. The historic covered galleries themselves are worth seeing, even if you are not planning to buy anything.
Continue towards Mont des Arts, where you can explore Laurent Gerbaud.
After that, walk towards the Sablon. This is one of Brussels’ best-known chocolate areas, with Pierre Marcolini and Wittamer among the names to look for.
Instead of buying a large box at every shop, try one or two pieces at each stop. That way, you can compare different styles without becoming completely full before the end of the walk.
What Belgian Chocolate Should You Buy?
If you are taking chocolate home, pralines are probably the most recognisable Belgian choice.
A ballotin, the traditional box used for pralines, also makes a classic Belgian gift.
Dark chocolate is a good option if you prefer a stronger cocoa flavour, while milk chocolate and pralines are often easier choices for people who prefer something sweeter.
You can also buy chocolate bars if you want something that is easier to pack in your luggage.
One useful tip is to buy chocolate from the chocolatier’s own shop rather than choosing a random souvenir store. That gives you a better chance of discovering the products associated with the actual chocolate maker.
Is Brussels Really the Best Place for Belgian Chocolate?
Brussels has a strong claim to being one of the best places to experience Belgian chocolate because of its concentration of historic chocolate houses and modern artisan chocolatiers.
The city also makes it easy to combine chocolate with sightseeing. In a single afternoon, you can walk from the Grand-Place through the Galeries Royales and Mont des Arts before reaching the Sablon.
That means you do not need to plan a separate chocolate tour to experience some of the city’s most famous chocolatiers.
You can simply make chocolate part of your day in Brussels.
The best chocolate in Brussels is not necessarily about finding one shop and declaring it the winner.
The fun is in trying different styles.
A historic house such as Neuhaus can introduce you to the story of the Belgian praline. Pierre Marcolini offers a stronger focus on cocoa and bean-to-bar chocolate, while Wittamer combines chocolate with the traditions of Belgian pastry. Laurent Gerbaud takes things in another direction with unusual flavours and international influences.
So if you are visiting Brussels, leave some room in your itinerary and in your suitcase.
Belgian chocolate is one of those parts of the city that is much better experienced than simply read about.
