13+ Brussels Chocolate Shops & Stops

The number of chocolate shops in Brussels is meant to astound. Most people will point you towards the most established Belgian chocolate shops in Brussels, like Leonidas, Mary's, Godiva, and Planete, but historic doesn't always mean good.

Sometimes crappy products continue to thrive because every guide book is just recommending what all the others are. So as a chocolate expert, I decided it was time to tackle one of the most famous and misunderstood chocolate destinations in the world: Brussels!

These 15 Brussels chocolate shops and stops run the gamut from larger chocolate makers to chocolatiers to craft bean to bar makers. Before we dive in, I want to mention some helpful tidbits about the Brussels chocolate scene.

Bonbons here are called pralines, and are almost all sold by weight, even in the most famous shops. But if you buy only a few then the price is per chocolate, often a limit of 3 or 4, and then the method shifts to weight.

For those with very little time, there's a sort of chocolate alley near the Grand Place. I found that shop owners really prefer that you at least try French in shops, unlike in Paris where they scoff and often speak to you in worse English than your French, but many people speak English in touristy areas.

After I ordered anything, often I was offered a free full bonbon from that shop's offerings (and twice I saw other people ask to try a bonbon after placing an order), so keep that in mind when deciding where to buy from. Most importantly, remember that quality doesn't have to be crazy expensive, even in Europe.

ou've just got to know where to look.

Pierre Marcolini

Pierre Marcolini is perhaps the most famous Belgian chocolatier who's still around to innovate & shape his brand. Across Belgium, you'll find a dozen Marcolini outlet locations, some larger than others. Each one will have a basic selection of their bonbons and their barres chocolat or adult chocolate bars (as I call them), as well as a dozen flavors of macarons, chocolate spreads & jams, and caramelized whole chestnuts.

At least, the four locations I checked across Belgium all has these on offer. If you come to their location just 5 minutes from Grand Place, you can visit their tea room for high tea, or your choice of hot chocolates and coffees. I'd highly recommend snagging an eclair or pastry with a hot chocolate and people-watching from above.

Their hot chocolate is seriously decadent, thick in a style that sticks to your lips like crazy. It reminds me of the chocolate sauce the Belgians put on their ever-present waffles. The macarons are also quite good; I recommend trying the salted caramel.

Address: Rue des Minimes 1, 1000 Bruxelles, Belgium (various locations)

Hours: 12:30pm-7pm, weekdays & 11am-7pm, weekends

Passion Chocolat

Don't overlook this small atelier, set in the corner of a large public square. The bonbons here are quite good quality, with the layered framboise remaining a strong standout. Passion keeps around 3 dozen flavors of bonbons available, as well as a wall of chocolate-covered creations on each wall.

Beyond the bonbons are flavored chocolate bars, some classic French cookies, and pre-bagged selections of bonbons from the display case, but unfortunately this spot is for retail only, no seating.

Address: Rue Bodenbroek 2/4, 1000 Bruxelles, Belgium

Hours: 11am-7pm, daily {closes at 6pm on Sundays}

Atelier Saint Catherine

This Atelier is a staple on the Brussels chocolate walking tour, and as one of the few Brussels chocolate shops which makes their own bean to bar chocolate, it's definitely worth a stop. Not only do they stock famous local chocolatier Frédéric Blondeel's entire collection, but they also keep some cookies and truffles and chocolate-covered bits available.

Shortly after you walk in, they'll probably offer you a sample of a bonbon, and I highly recommend you take it! If the owner is busy with other customers, then you can check out their various single origin chocolate bars (offered both sans-packaging and fully-covered) along the wall to right of the shop. There's you'll find their entire collection of single origin milk and dark chocolates, as well as some blended couverture bars.

Address: Rue de la Paille 32, 1000 Bruxelles, Belgium

Hours: 10:30am-6:30pm, daily

Wittamer Chocolate

Some may disagree, but I found these to be the best of the mass-market chocolates in Brussels. Their chocolaterie is just a few doors down and to the left of their patisserie (which is what comes up on the map). At this famous Brussels chocolate shop you'll find their 3 dozen flavors of bonbons, as well as 10 flavors of macarons, each carefully labeled.

Along the left wall is a collection of chocolate bars and a few classical European chocolate confections, like marrons glacés and Chocolate-dipped candied nuts. The bonbons are fine, and so are the macarons, but people mostly come for the name brand to bring home some "famous" Belgian chocolates; you'll run into lots of tourists here.

Address: Place du Grand Sablon 6-12-13, 1000 Bruxelles, Belgium (various locations)

Hours: 7am-7pm, Wed.-Sat. & 7am-6:30pm, Sun. & 9am-6pm, Mon. & 8am-7pm, Tue.

Elisabeth Chocolatier Brussels

This small chain of shops sells Frédéric Blondeel bonbons & truffles in both their small display case and boxes along the right wall. Additionally you'll find chocolate-covered espresso beans, choco-marshmallow confessions,  and a whole wall of chocolate barks.

When you walk in, one of the employees will immediately offer you a piece of chocolate to try, often a full bonbon. Take that opportunity to ask all the questions you'd like in English or French, but expect to find the place absolutely packed. I recommend a Raspberry or Speculoos bonbon, if you can only pick out a couple.

Address: Rue du Marché Aux Herbes 55, 1000 Bruxelles, Belgium (various locations)

Hours: 10am-10pm, daily

Choco-Story Brussels (Chocolate Museum)

The Choco-Story brand is somewhat famous throughout Europe, being the parent company of several chocolate museums throughout the region. This particular chocolate museum, in Brussels, is considered one of the best and oldest. It covers the fruit's history in the Americas, and later in Europe, Africa and a bit of Asia; so you get a lot for your 10 euro entrance fee.

Similar to their museum in Bruges, you'll also find a self-guided audio tour, lots of photo ops, and copious chocolate samples along the way. For a demonstration of chocolate tempering and a more physical representation of the chocolate-making process, there are demonstrations every 30 minutes.

I'd set aside a solid hour to walk through all of the museum, give or take 30 minutes depending on how apt you are to geek out over science, history, and anthropology. Note that there's an entrance fee of 9,5€ per person; read reviews and book your tickets here.

Address: Rue de l'Etuve 41, 1000 Bruxelles, Belgium

Hours: 10am-5pm, daily

BS40 (Darcis Chocolatier)

One of many famous Brussels chocolatiers, Darcis has slowly expanded outside of Belgium, leading visitors from all around the world to make a pilgrimage to one of their locations. Most visitors come for their 16 flavors of bonbons, including a set of grand cru chocolates, made with their single origin chocolates.

But they also have ruby chocolate, chocolate-covered nuts & candied fruit peel, as well as bars of their bean to bar chocolates. A friend remarked that theirs are the best macarons in Brussels, so if you have a hankering for cookies, grab one of their 6 flavors of macarons (or even a chocolate-dipped one!).

The bonbons themselves are definitely on the sweeter side, but most of the flavors are clear, and they're one of the best chocolate options near Grand Place.

Address: Rue au Beurre 40, 1000 Bruxelles, Belgium

Hours: 10am-7pm, daily {open until 8pm on Fri./Sat.}

Laurent Gerbaud Chocolatier

This underrated shop maintains a selection of around 3 dozen bonbons, caramels, pâtes de fruits, and chocolate-covered fruit peels. All of their creations are sold by weight, which is really almost too good to be true. Their chocolates are not overly sweet, so you can get a plate of several unique treats for less than 5 euros.

Gerbaud chooses to highlight the beautiful ingredients he uses rather than the chocolate itself, which plays a strong supporting role, without distracting from the star flavor. Apart from their chocolates, they also offer a range of hot chocolate drinks and some teas, including drink specials which come with one bonbon from their case. I truly cannot wait to go back.

Address: Rue Ravenstein 2D, 1000 Bruxelles, Belgium

Hours: 12pm-6pm, Tue.-Sun.

Ginkgo Patisserie

This is the only one of the chocolatiers in Brussels I had wanted to visit, but didn't have the chance to. The shop is originally a patisserie, baking in the French style I've come to associate with indulgence, but they've also expanded into chocolates.

Like many Belgian chocolate shops, Ginkgo offers classic praline flavors, as well as chocolate cakes & cookies, and even praline paste (candied hazelnut & almond paste, often with chocolate). My friend raved about the cakes as well as the chocolates, so this will be one of my first stops once I can get back to Brussels!

Address: Place Julien Dillens 8, 1060 Saint-Gilles, Belgium

Hours: 7am-3pm, Tue.-Fri. & 8am-3pm, Sat./Sun.

Benoit Nihant Chocolatier

"Small, but mighty" is how I'd describe Nihant's shop. Offering around two dozen flavors of bonbons, as well as small bags of chocolate-dipped treats, the options seem limited in comparison, but you really can't go wrong. Their bonbons are very good, with smooth whipped ganache fillings and carefully-infused flavors; the chocolate never overwhelms the proposed flavors.

The service was a bit snippy, but as soon as we tried to pronounce the flavors in French, the employee's face brightened a bit, so maybe get in & get out quickly unless your French is decent. I recommend trying the Lavanda, the Baracoa, and the Cassis, plus whatever else strikes your fancy. You won't regret it.

Address: Chaussée de Waterloo 506, 1050 Ixelles, Belgium

Hours: 10am-7pm, Mon.-Sat. & 11am-5pm, Sun.

Mike & Becky Chocolate

I am so excited to share about this beautiful little bean to bar chocolate cafe in Brussels, or just south of the city, as it's one-of-a-kind! With hot chocolate and single origin chocolate bars, even the soy-free, dairy-free, vegan crowd will easily find something to their liking here.

In addition to their own brand of bars and products, they also have bean to bar chocolates from over a dozen other international chocolate makers, and four flavors of cookies and brownies. I recommend grabbing a cup of single origin hot chocolate and settling in. 

Address: Avenue Brugmann, Rue Vanderkindere 243, 1180 Uccle, Belgium

Hours: 2pm-6pm, Wed.-Sun.

Frédéric Blondeel Chocolatier

There's a reason this shop has such glowing reviews all over the internet: this is one of the best chocolate shops in Brussels, if not all of Belgium. Not only do they have a fabulous selection of chocolate bonbons and pastries, but they craft their chocolates from bean to bar.

You can walk right up to their counter and choose from several dozen flavors of bonbons, and then walk just a few yards and sell burlap sacks of cacao beans from all over the world. If you have the chance to go, you can't miss the hot chocolate and a quick peek around their factory. Don't forget to grab a bar to go!

Address: Rue de Ganshoren 39, 1081 Koekelberg, Belgium

Hours: 9:30am-7pm, Mon.-Thu. & 9:30am-8:30pm, Fri./Sat. & 1pm-6pm, Sun.

Chocolate Walking Tour Brussels

Want to take your Brussels chocolate tour to whole other level? Take a chocolate walking tour with a local guide and chocolate expert, namely Cathy of Cocoa Journey. Cathy's tours take place over the course of one to two hours, and you can choose from a chocolate walking tour in downtown Brussels or a chocolate truffle making workshop.

The walking tours start at the Grand Place— near the "Chocolate Alley," as I lovingly call it— and incorporate history and chocolate tasting with tidbits about Belgium's intricate history with the cocoa bean. You're encouraged to ask questions, and nothing is off-limits when it comes to chocolate.

Over the course of the tour, you'll taste 12 treats from some of the world's best chocolatiers, in Brussels, no less! Click on the name above to inquire about booking a tour, and tell Cathy I said "hi!"

Best Brussels Chocolate Shops Map

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