Last updated 1 day ago | Originally Published: November 13, 2024
Belgium is known for its top-quality chocolate, combining rich flavors with a long-standing tradition of craftsmanship. This article introduces the 20 best Belgian chocolate brands to try, each selected for its quality and unique taste. From smooth pralines to rich dark bars, these brands offer a variety of chocolates that people just love, including us here at Candy Retailer! So, if you enjoy classic recipes or discovering new flavors, these Belgian chocolate makers offer a high standard of excellence. Explore this list to find chocolates that reflect Belgium’s dedication to quality and flavor, giving you an unforgettable experience that’ll inspire you to share with friends and family!
1. Godiva
Established in 1926 in Brussels, Godiva is a renowned Belgian chocolatier known for its high-quality chocolates, including truffles, pralines, and bars. The brand is named after the legendary Lady Godiva, symbolizing luxury and generosity. Godiva’s commitment to excellence has made it a leader in the chocolate market, with products available in over 80 countries. The brand emphasizes craftsmanship and innovation, consistently delivering delightful chocolate experiences that appeal to chocolate lovers worldwide.
2. Neuhaus
Neuhaus was founded in 1857 by Jean Neuhaus in Brussels, where it began as a pharmacy. The brand is known for creating the praline, a chocolate shell filled with a soft center that revolutionized the industry. In addition, Neuhaus introduced the ballotin, an iconic box for chocolates. Today, Neuhaus maintains its reputation for quality and craftsmanship, offering a diverse selection of pralines and chocolates. The brand’s dedication to tradition and innovation continues to delight chocolate lovers worldwide.
3. Daskalidès
Daskalidès was established in 1931 by Leonidas Daskalidès in Brussels, focusing on traditional craftsmanship and quality. The brand offers a wide range of pralines, truffles, and chocolate bars, emphasizing the use of pure cocoa butter and natural ingredients. Daskalidès is known for its dedication to quality and authenticity, ensuring each product reflects the finest Belgian chocolate traditions. With an international presence, the brand continues to appeal to chocolate lovers seeking rich flavors and exquisite craftsmanship.
4. Leonidas
Established in 1913 by Greek-American chocolatier Leonidas Kestekides in Brussels, Leonidas is famous for its fresh, high-quality chocolates at accessible prices. The brand provides a variety of pralines, truffles, and chocolate bars, all made with 100% pure cocoa butter. Leonidas has expanded its global reach, ensuring its consistent commitment to quality and affordability. With a focus on fresh ingredients and traditional recipes, Leonidas has become a beloved choice for chocolate lovers everywhere.
5. Côte d’Or
Côte d’Or was established in 1883 by Charles Neuhaus and is one of Belgium’s oldest chocolate brands. The name refers to the Gold Coast, now known as Ghana, which produces high-quality cocoa beans. Côte d’Or is recognized for its rich, intense chocolate bars and pralines, made with the finest ingredients. The brand has built a strong reputation for excellence in chocolate-making, continuing to innovate while honoring its rich heritage. It remains a favorite among chocolate lovers.
6. Guylian
Founded in 1958 by Guy Foubert in Sint-Niklaas, Belgium, Guylian is renowned for its seashell-shaped pralines filled with hazelnut praline. The brand’s name combines the founders’ names, Guy and Liliane. Guylian’s chocolates are made with sustainably sourced cocoa beans and are committed to eco-friendly practices, such as using recycled materials in packaging. The company offers a variety of chocolate products, including truffles, bars, and spreads, and is sold in more than 100 countries worldwide.
7. Pierre Marcolini
Established in 1995, Pierre Marcolini is a luxury Belgian chocolatier known for its high-end products. The brand is dedicated to the sustainable and ethical production of artisanal chocolate from bean to bar. Pierre Marcolini uses cacao beans directly sourced and oversees the entire chocolate-making process, setting it apart from other Belgian chocolatiers. The brand has expanded internationally, with boutiques in Europe, Asia, and the Middle East.
8. Mary Chocolatier
Mary Chocolatier, established in 1919 by Mary Delluc in Brussels, is known for its traditional craftsmanship and high-quality chocolates. The brand has been the Belgian Royal Warrant Chocolatier since 1942, supplying chocolates to the Belgian royal family. Mary’s chocolates are created with the intent to attain the perfect harmony of flavors, scents, textures, and appearance. The brand offers a variety of chocolates, including pralines, truffles, and bars, and is sold in Belgium, Japan, and Saudi Arabia.
9. Wittamer
Wittamer, founded in 1910 by Henri Wittamer in Brussels, is a family-owned chocolate business known for its traditional craftsmanship and high-quality chocolates. The brand offers a variety of chocolates, including pralines, truffles, and bars, and is renowned for its cakes and pastries. In 1999, Wittamer made the wedding cake for the Belgian royal family, highlighting its esteemed reputation. The brand has maintained its warm and approachable vibe by staying within the family.
10. Galler Chocolatier
Galler Chocolatier, founded in 1976 by Jean Galler in Liège, Belgium, is known for its variety and chocolate-making innovation. The brand offers regular milk chocolate bars and unique flavors like lemon mint and white raspberry. Galler is an affordable Belgian chocolate brand that allows customers to try different flavors without a hefty price tag. The brand has expanded internationally, with boutiques in France, Germany, the United Kingdom, Japan, South Korea, the United States, Australia, and the United Arab Emirates.
11. Corné Port-Royal
Established in 1932 by Maurice Corné in Brussels, Corné Port-Royal is renowned for its handcrafted chocolates, including pralines, truffles, and chocolate bars. The brand emphasizes traditional craftsmanship, using high-quality ingredients to create diverse, one-of-a-kind flavors. Corné Port-Royal operates numerous boutiques across Belgium and France, offering several chocolate products. The brand is committed to maintaining its heritage while innovating to meet contemporary tastes. Visit Corné Port-Royal Chocolatier.
12. Bruyerre Chocolates
Founded in 1909, Bruyerre Chocolates has over a century of chocolate-making experience. The brand offers a variety of chocolate products, including assorted chocolates and pralines with various fillings, chocolate bars, and tablets. Bruyerre uses 100% pure cocoa butter in their chocolates and does not use any cocoa butter substitutes. While it may not be as internationally recognized as some of the larger Belgian chocolate brands, Bruyerre will always have a place in Belgium’s chocolate history.
13. Belvas Organic Chocolate
Established in 2005, Belvas is a Belgian chocolate manufacturer certified organic and Fairtrade. The company traditionally processes all its ingredients without added preservatives, colorings, flavorings, or enhancers and avoids hydrogenated fats and GMOs. Belvas offers a range of 100% organic pralines and truffles, emphasizing a return to authentic tastes. The brand is committed to sustainable practices and ensuring fair income for cocoa farmers.
14. Chocolaterie de Burg
Chocolaterie de Burg is a Belgian chocolate brand known for its traditional craftsmanship and high-quality chocolates. The brand offers a variety of chocolates, including pralines, truffles, and bars, emphasizing the use of pure cocoa butter and natural ingredients. Chocolaterie de Burg has expanded internationally, maintaining a commitment to quality and authenticity in its chocolate creations. The brand continues to appeal to chocolate lovers seeking rich flavors and exquisite craftsmanship.
15. Frederic Blondeel
Frederic Blondeel is a Belgian chocolatier known for his bean-to-bar approach, sourcing cocoa beans directly from farmers and overseeing the entire chocolate-making process. The brand emphasizes sustainability and ethical practices, ensuring fair compensation for cocoa producers. Frederic Blondeel offers a variety of chocolates, including bars, pralines, and truffles, focusing on high-quality ingredients and traditional methods. The brand has gained recognition for its commitment to quality and innovation in the chocolate industry.
16. Chocolaterie Luc Van Hoorebeke
Established in 1982 by Luc Van Hoorebeke, this family-owned chocolatier is located in Ghent, Belgium. The shop offers a variety of traditional Belgian chocolates, including pralines, truffles, and chocolate bars. The brand emphasizes using high-quality Belgian chocolate and fresh ingredients, ensuring each product reflects the rich heritage of Belgian chocolate-making. Chocolaterie Luc Van Hoorebeke has become a cherished destination for chocolate lovers seeking authentic Belgian confections.
17. The Chocolate Line
Founded by Dominique Persoone, The Chocolate Line is known for its innovative approach to chocolate-making. The brand offers a range of unique flavors and products, including pralines, bars, and chocolate sculptures. The Chocolate Line has boutiques in Bruges and Antwerp, where customers can experience avant-garde chocolate creations that push the boundaries of traditional chocolate-making. The brand’s commitment to creativity and quality has earned it recognition in the Michelin Guide.
18. Planète Chocolat
Located in Brussels, Planète Chocolat offers a variety of handcrafted chocolates, including pralines, truffles, and chocolate bars. The brand emphasizes traditional craftsmanship and high-quality ingredients, ensuring each product reflects the rich heritage of Belgian chocolate-making. Planète Chocolat also offers chocolate-making workshops, allowing visitors to learn the art of chocolate-making firsthand. The brand has become a popular destination for chocolate lovers seeking authentic Belgian confections.
19. Chocolatier M
Chocolatier M is a Belgian chocolate brand known for its traditional craftsmanship and high-quality chocolates. The brand offers a variety of chocolates, including pralines, truffles, and bars, emphasizing the use of pure cocoa butter and natural ingredients. Chocolatier M has expanded internationally, maintaining a commitment to quality and authenticity in its chocolate creations. The brand continues to appeal to chocolate lovers seeking rich flavors and exquisite craftsmanship.
20. Chocolatier Elisabeth
Elisabeth Chocolatier is an independent boutique in Brussels that collects Belgium’s best artisanal sweets. The owner travels nationwide to taste and select famous Belgian delicacies and long-forgotten local culinary traditions. Elisabeth offers artisanal melocakes, the real cuberdon, Frederic Blondeel’s divine chocolate truffles and pralines, incredible organic nougat, and their famous chocolate slices. All products are of superior quality, collaborating with local artisans who use honest ingredients and handcraft their sweets as much as possible.
What is Belgian chocolate?
Belgian chocolate is known for its smooth texture, rich flavor, and high-quality ingredients. Made with precise techniques and often using pure cocoa butter, it offers a refined taste that stands out globally. Americans appreciate Belgian chocolate for its consistent quality and the expertise of Belgian chocolatiers. The variety—from pralines to dark chocolate bars—gives it broad appeal, and the luxurious experience it provides makes it a favorite. Its balance of sweetness and depth, combined with a focus on craftsmanship, keeps Belgian chocolate popular among chocolate lovers in the US.
What Is Your Favorite Belgian Chocolate Brand?
So, what is your favorite Belgian chocolate brand? With so many exceptional brands and possibilities, we invite you to share your favorites, recommendations, and personal stories in the comments below! Have you ever visited Belgium and experienced the artistry of a real chocolatier? We’d love to hear about your adventures! As a thank you for joining the conversation, we’ll send you a personal 10% discount code for anything in our store. Share your thoughts, and let’s celebrate the love of Belgian chocolate together!
About Candy Retailer
Candy Retailer is a leading online candy store offering a vast selection of over 800 chocolate candies. Our extensive inventory includes a variety of chocolates and candies from renowned brands, ensuring a delightful experience for chocolate lovers like you. We prioritize freshness and quality, sourcing products from reputable manufacturers. Our user-friendly website allows customers to easily browse and order their favorite chocolates, with prompt shipping options available. Whether you’re seeking classic flavors or unique chocolate confections, Candy Retailer is your go-to destination for all things chocolate, and more!
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