Where to Find the BEST Chocolates in Belgium

If you go to Belgium and do not have any chocolate, then did you even go to Belgium? 

While this is not technically a crime according to local laws, Belgian chocolatiers have a world-renowned reputation for their high-quality ingredients and methodical process to crafting the perfect sweet. With such high expectations and an abundance of chocolatiers throughout the country, finding the best bites may be surprisingly challenging for visitors.

Ordinarily, more chocolate is never a bad thing (in fact, 4 out of 5 dentists agree), but for the traveller hard-pressed for time and unable to sample everything on the street, here is where to find the best chocolates in Belgium:

Pierre Marcolini

Being casually known as Belgium’s greatest chocolatier, Pierre Marcolini not only has one helluva endorsement from the Belgian people, but one helluva chocolate assortment as well.

With his sourcing from all over the world, Pierre Marcolini’s reputation has a chocolatier even earned him the honor of “Ambassador of Tourism” from the Belgian government in 2009.

The commitment to sourcing enhances the quality of the final product. Pierre Marcolini only purchases unprocessed cocoa beans from producers, so that the chocolate can be roasted in house.

The result is chocolate with intensely dark flavors in a luxurious packaging. His commitment to perfection extends beyond the chocolate preparation with a beautiful assortment of fruit and nut fillings as well.

While the price point is high, it is absolutely worth it, and besides, no one is going to make you share it. 

Location: Korte Gasthuisstraat 11, 2000 Antwerpen, Belgium

Hours: Monday - Saturday 10 AM - 6 PM 

Cafe Tasse

Both in origin story and product, Cafe Tasse manages to stand out in a sea of chocolate (my inner fat kid is salivating). 

Founded in 1989 as an excuse to enjoy a piece of chocolate with an espresso (not a joke), Cafe Tasse is not only a chocolate shop, but a literal cafe as well. While many Belgian chocolatiers are known for the Neapolitian (tiny chocolate square), Cafe Tasse has a large assortment of gourmet chocolate bars.

Their selection combines high-quality, single-origin chocolates with more creative flavors (matcha, earl gray, etc).

As a family-business, authenticity and craftsmanship are at the heart of their brand and product. Visitors looking for a more budget-friendly option for chocolate binges and souvenirs should look no further than Cafe Tasse.

Location: Rue du Marché Aux Herbes 15, 1000 Bruxelles, Belgium

Hours: Monday - Friday 10:30 AM - 6:30 PM

Saturday 11 AM - 7 PM

Sunday 12:30 PM - 6:30 PM

Vendehende

To round out the list of best chocolates in Brussels, Vandenhende is a family-owned shop known for their selection of pralines. Founded by a former ice cream maker, their shop is not a place for the indecisive, with a selection of over 25 unique praline flavors to choose from.

Their assortment regularly changes as they look to highlight seasonal ingredients in their chocolates. This commitment to local ingredients even earned Vandenhende an award as the best artisan chocolatier in Belgium for 2012.

Coincidentally the most budget-friendly option on the list, visitors should definitely stop by for a peak into one of Belgium’s most unique chocolate outfitters.

Location: Chaussée de Wavre 643, 1040 Etterbeek, Belgium

Hours: Tuesday - Sunday 10:00 PM - 6:00 PM

If you’ve been to Belgium, let us know where did you have the best chocolates below!