If you’re figuring out what to do in Brussels and you’re a chocolate lover, you must try Belgian chocolate—and do a chocolate tasting in Brussels. Here’s some advice for finding the best chocolatiers in Brussels on a self-guided chocolate tour in Brussels, including their addresses!

What to look for in a chocolate tour in Brussels before you book

1. Find out how many chocolate shops you will be going to.
2. Find out how many chocolates received (total or per stop) during the tour.
3. If needed, multiply the number of chocolates per stop times the number of shops.
4. Check which and how many high-end chocolatiers are included in the tour.
5. Find out the length of the tour and see what travelers say about the tour/guides.
6. Independent reviews by others online

…How about a DIY chocolate tasting in Brussels?

Do not eat beforehand!   Besides an empty stomach, you need a comfy pair of shoes as there’s a bit of walking (about 30 minutes).  Despite being a chocolate lover, I felt that this chocolate walking tour of Brussels made me appreciate the chocolate that I eat. Similarly, it made me elevate my tastes a bit from Leonidas to…Neuhaus (progress!).

Stops on our Belgian chocolate tour

We started at the Royal Galleries of Brussels. This beautiful pedestrian mall is home of many of the prestigious chocolatiers of Brussels and it’s enjoyable to walk around. (There’s also a great Ethiopian coffee shop if you need some coffee!)

Leonidas (Royal Gallery)

I’m a little ashamed to admit that before this chocolate tour, I thought that Leonidas was the good stuff. It’s still quite tasty—and it’s fitting to start off a self-guided chocolate tour with the most famous Belgian chocolatier, known for popularizing chocolate for the masses.

Leonidas was started in the 1900s by a Greek-American entrepreneur who started making chocolate after showing off his chocolate at the World’s Fair. He made the first mass-produced chocolate for the masses. It remains a fixture of the chocolate world that can be found in many countries.

Neuhaus (Royal Gallery)

This pharmacist turned chocolatier was the first to display chocolate in an elevated way. The original shop in the Royal Galleries was one of my favorite places to visit in Brussels. The shop is decorated like an old pharmacy although over the years, Neuhaus (a Swiss immigrant) and his family have experimented with yearly varieties that vary considerably.

Mary (Royal Gallery)

Mary was the first female Belgian chocolatier. She worked hard to get her chocolates noticed by the King of Belgium.  Her beautiful hand-drawn boxes are perfect for bringing home chocolate for relatives and I loved the feminine touches to the Mary shop in the Royal Galleries.  They still follow her original recipes.

Wittamer (6 Place Du Grand Sablon)

Wittamer is one of the famous chocolatiers and pastry shops of Brussels. The original cafe down the street is famous for cakes although we only went into the chocolate shop.

Of the Belgian chocolate that we tried on our tour, I loved Wittamer the most as it surprised me the most.   I especially loved the passionfruit chocolate. (I ended up getting extra Wittamer chocolates as a souvenir!)

Pierre Marcolini (Rue des Minimes 1)

Even if you’re not planning to do a chocolate tour in Belgium, I consider visiting this extravagant chocolatier something to put on your list of what to do in Brussels.  Pierre Marcolini was a chef-pâtissier prior to deciding that he’d make chocolate.

Originally from Belgium, Pierre Marcolini produces some of the most expensive Belgian chocolate you’ll find with the most elaborate store displays. However,  he goes out of his way to source his products 100% from sustainable sources and produces chocolate around single-sourced chocolate beans.  As a result, you can eat this artisan Belgian chocolate without any guilt: the farmers who produce his chocolate  are well-compensated for their beans.

I quite enjoyed the chocolates although they were on the pricer side with beautiful packaging.  Pierre Marcolini also makes macarons and ice cream during the summer (covered in chocolate).

Unfortunately, Frederic Blondeel has moved to a different neighborhood, however, he now has a larger factory and shop in the less touristic neighborhood of Koekelberg.

Address: Rue de Ganshoren 39, 1081 Koekelberg, Belgium

Frederic Blondeel is the other newcomer to the chocolate scene and his chocolates are bean to bar. Every single bean is accounted for and he toasts his beans in the same equipment used by his grandfather.  His chocolates were the most experimental of the ones that we tried  If you’re looking for the most affordable high-end chocolate on a budget, you should be buying your Belgian chocolates at Frederic Blondeel. Frederic Blondeel was my husband’s favorite by far as he loved how the flavors were not what he expected. We’ll agree to disagree.

Looking for more inspiration for Brussels? Keep reading!

• Day Trips from Brussels: Van Gogh in Belgium
• Villers Abbey: An Abandoned Abbey Outside of Brussels
• The prettiest day trip from Brussels
• One day in Antwerp
• The best cities in Wallonia to visit

Do you love Belgian chocolate? Would you take a chocolate tour in Brussels?

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