The best chocolate shops in Brussels to delight your palate

Chocolate shops in Brussels

Belgian chocolate has a great reputation due to its method of elaborating the product. First, they choose very carefully every single cocoa bean, process it very meticulously, paying special attention to the roasting and grinding stages. All this together makes it possible for you to find the best Belgian chocolate in Brussels. If you are passionate about chocolate and are planning a trip to Belgium, pay attention to what we have to tell you. 

Pierre Marcolini

Rooted in the heart of Brussels since 1995, Pierre Marcolini's chocolate empire is one of the best chocolate shops in Brussels. It represents the pinnacle of Belgian chocolatier prowess. Under his leadership, the brand has shone in the chocolate industry thanks to his passionate dedication and enthusiasm for innovation. 

Following the principles of the "Bean to Bar" movement, Pierre Marcolini oversees every stage of cocoa processing, ensuring the highest purity and quality in all his creations. The careful selection of cocoa beans from independent producers around the world gives each praline and chocolate bar a distinctive and exquisite flavor. 

In addition, it is essential to highlight that Pierre Marcolini's products go beyond chocolate, presenting truffles that melt on the palate and exquisite macarons, each one reflecting pure ingenuity. 

With a global presence in more than 40 stores (in Belgium, France, United Kingdom, Luxembourg, United Arab Emirates, China and Japan), Pierre Marcolini has established itself as the ultimate destination for unique souvenirs and handpicked baskets. Meticulous craftsmanship and an unwavering commitment to excellence shine through in each chocolate creation, demonstrating a relentless drive to satisfy even the most refined palates. 

Since you are interested in Belgium, you should know that you have at your disposal 12 stores in Brussels, one in Antwerp, one in Bruges and one in Knokke. 

In the downtown area of Brussels, you have 4 stores that you can visit while taking in the beauty of Belgian architecture. Here are the exact locations:

● Galeries de la Reine. Galeries de la Reine, 21, 1000, Brussels, Belgium. 

● Reine 2. Galeries de la Reine 9, 1000, Brussels, Belgium 

● La Manufacture. Place du Grand Sablon 39, 1000, Brussels, Belgium 

● Sablon. Rue des Minimes 1, 1000, Brussels, Belgium 

Pierre Marcolini and the owners of the cocoa plantations with which he collaborates have signed a letter of commitment not to use child labor on their plantations. This demonstrates Marcolini's values in line with UNICEF and the ILO. In addition, they reject the use of glyphosate, replacing it with natural herbicides, and ensure the quality of the cocoa beans through independent testing. They also commit not to use CCN-51 cocoa beans, preserving biodiversity. 

Wittamer, one of the best belgian chocolate in Brussels

Henri Wittamer, at the beginning of the 20th century, opened his bakery in Place du Grand Sablon, Brussels. From that moment, it marked the beginning of a tradition that has endured for over a hundred years. Since its beginnings, Wittamer has maintained its presence alongside emblematic brands such as Marcolini and Neuhaus. The management of the business passed from Henri to his son Henri Gustave and, subsequently, to his grandsons. Henri Paul Wittamer, also known as Paul, became a master pastry chef, merging the baking tradition with chocolate production. 

Over the course of a century, the coffee, pastry and chocolate shop, recognized as an official supplier to the Court, has evolved into an internationally renowned institution. Although its presence is limited to Brussels with one store in Sablon and two in Uccle, Wittamer has expanded its reach to Japan through a franchise established in the late 1980s, while maintaining strict quality standards. 

Wittamer's specialties include cakes, ice cream, chocolates and macarons, including the distinctive speculaas. These cookies are closely linked to the Brussels markets at Christmas and are known for having shapes that allude to the story of Nicholas of Bari. The interesting thing is that the dough of these cookies does not rise much because it has little chemical yeast, giving them a compact texture. 

To make them, butter is mixed with a unique combination of spices and brown sugar. Then, flour and baking powder are added. An important detail is that the dough must rest cold overnight so that the spices are all mixed up to create this distinctive flavor. As a final step, they are given the desired shape with traditional molds and baked. Some of the most common spices used in speculaas are cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger powder and white pepper. 

If you are strolling around Brussels and want to try some of the country's most outstanding sweets, you can find Wittamer's stores in the following locations:

● Sablon. Pl. du Grand Sablon 12, 1000 Brussels, Belgium. 

● Cavell. Rue Edith Cavell 22, 1180, Uccle, Belgium. ç

● Fort Jaco. Chau. de Waterloo 1359, 1180 Uccle, Belgium. 

If you could only visit one of the three, I highly recommend the Wittamer de Sablon. It is located in the central area of Brussels and is close to points of interest such as the Cathedral of St. Michael and St. Gudula of Brussels, the Royal Palace of Brussels and the Halle Gate. 

Passion Chocolat

Passion Chocolat is a traditional chocolate manufacturer and is one of the best chocolate shops in Brussels. It has stores in different areas of Brussels such as Sablon, Woluwe-Saint-Pierre and Zaventem. However, it also has stores in other cities such as Waterloo and Luxembourg. 

If Passion Chocolat stands out for anything, it is for the more than 70 varieties of chocolates molded according to traditional Belgian recipes. It is difficult to contain your appetite when you find yourself in front of one of their colorful and, of course, chocolate-filled shop windows. 

Passion Chocolat can therefore be defined in a wide range of exquisite products. From classic pralines, with their delicate filling and smooth texture, to intense ganaches that awaken the senses with their combination of flavors. 

Atelier Saint Catherine

In a workshop in the Sainte Catherine area, roaster-chocolatier Frederic Blondeel launched his own Bean-to-Bar chocolate production in 2013. After his departure, the remaining team decided to continue his journey by applying all their expertise with a new concept: the "Pure Origine" chocolate range. 

The idea in creating these chocolates is to preserve as much as possible the original flavors of the cocoa. The beans come from high-quality lands and from the same plantation, whose soil gives the beans a unique character. 

Each chocolate obtained in this way is unique and its taste depends on the specific characteristics of the land, the local climatic conditions and the year of harvest. If you are walking around Brussels, the following stores are within easy reach:

● Sablon. Rue de la Paille 32 - 1000, Brussels 

● Sainte Catherine. Quai aux Brique 36 - 1000, Bruselles 

● Sainte Catherine. Quai aux Briques 24 - 1000, Bruselles 

They are ideal because they are located in the downtown area, so they are the perfect accompaniment to visit the city while tasting a bonbon. 

Elisabeth Chocolatier Brussels

This store has one of the best chocolates in Brussels and you can find them in the heart of the old town. To taste these delicacies surrounded by spectacular architecture and in a quiet place, we recommend you to go to the boutiques:

● Kerkstraat 163 Rue de l'Eglise , 1150, Brussels 

● Stoofstraat 55 Rue de l'Etuve, 1000, Brussels 

● Grasmarkt 55 Rue du Marché aux Herbes, 1000, Brussels 

● Boterstraat 49 Rue au Beurre, 1000, Brussels 

These boutiques offer a wide range of local delicacies and classic sweets, from handmade pralines and truffles to melocakes, chocolate chips, nougat and more. In addition, their entire selection of sweets has been carefully chosen by prestigious local chocolatiers, guaranteeing superior quality. 

BS40

BS40, also known as 'Darcis Chocolatier' since its foundation by Jean-Philippe Darcis, is one of the best chocolate shops in Brussels. This store has been a reference chocolate store in the capital for a long time. Partly because Jean-Philippe Darcis is recognized as a master chocolatier, transforming his creativity into exquisite flavors. 

From chocolate-covered nuts to candied fruit shells, it proves that chocolate can sweeten anything. As if that weren't enough, many consider BS40's macarons to be the best in the Belgian capital, to the point of competing with the most famous macaron stores in Paris. 

Laurent Gerbaud

Laurent Gerbaud is a Belgian master chocolatier who has been captivating chocolate lovers for over a decade with his store in Rue Ravenstein, Brussels. He has a unique approach, combining chocolate with unusual ingredients such as Madagascar pepper and Taggiascha black olives. 

Transparency is key for Laurent, which is why customers can observe the entire manufacturing process behind glass as a showcase. Beyond the chocolate, Gerbaud strives to create a warm and friendly experience in his store, where a passion for the craft is reflected in each artisanal creation. His loyal team shares this dedication, making the boutique a welcoming place for customers to enjoy the authenticity and delicious perfection of Laurent Gerbaud chocolate. 

Mike & Becky Chocolate

Mike&Becky originated in March 2015, when Björn Becker and Julia Mikerova discovered the many facets of chocolate in Prague. Although they were excited about this world, they were disappointed to taste it in Brussels and decided to introduce imported chocolate. 

Julia is an avid knowledge person who participated in a bean-to-bar course at the Ecole du Chocolate in Vancouver. With new knowledge and passion, she founded together with Mike the famous Mike&Becky in November 2016, becoming the first Bean-to-Bar Small-Batch atelier in Brussels. 

Their focus is on minimizing sugar content, ensuring fair conditions for farmers and using organic ingredients. Transparency is key to their concept, allowing visitors to observe the artisanal process in their cocoa. In addition, they launched Bean2Bar2You, an online store that imports and resells Bean-to-Bar chocolate, achieving great popularity. 

In conclusion, explore the delights of the best chocolate shops in Brussels, with a rich history dating back to 1635. Today, you have at your disposal a wide variety of chocolate establishments to visit such as Pierre Marcolini, Wittamer, Passion Chocolat, Atelier Saint Catherine, Elisabeth Chocolatier Brussels, Laurent Gerbaud, BS40 and Mike&Becky. Each store has its own personality, but all of them have an exquisite mastery in the handling of chocolate.