My favourite 17 Belgian chocolate brands for 2024, including Godiva, Neuhaus, Guylian and Corne Port-Royal chocolates.
If there’s one thing I’ve learned from my 25 years of chocolate making, it’s that Belgian chocolate is in a league of its own. I always enjoy visiting artisan chocolate shops in London and of course eating the delicious chocolates, that that these master chocolatiers craft so beautifully.
In this post, I’m excited to share with you my personal favourites and the best 17 Belgian chocolate brands currently available in Belgium and some also worldwide. From the globally recognized Godiva, Neuhaus and Guylian chocolates to the amazing creations of Pierre Marcolini, there so many wonderful chocolate companies and individual chocolatiers to mention, which make Belgian chocolate so special.
1. Godiva
Godiva was founded in 1926 in Brussels, Belgium, by the Draps family. The first shop was opened in the Grand Place in Brussels. The name “Godiva” was inspired by the tale of Lady Godiva, an English noblewoman who, according to myth, rode naked through the streets of Coventry to gain a remission of the oppressive taxation imposed by her husband on his tenants.
After the end of World War II, Pierre’s sons, Joseph, François, and Pierre Jr., took over the business and expanded the product line. In 1966 Godiva first entered the North American market and in 1972 they opened the first Godiva boutique on New York City’s Fifth Avenue.
Godiva makes premium chocolates including truffles with various creamy fillings, chocolate bars in milk, dark, and white chocolate varieties and beautiful chocolate assortments and gift boxes.
Godiva has been supplying chocolates to the Belgian Royal Court and even has the prestigious title of Royal Warrant Holder.
Godiva has grown to become an international brand and there are hundreds of stores worldwide and their chocolates are also sold in many large department stores. In London, you can visit the Godiva shop in Covent Garden and they also stock their boxed chocolates in Harrods and Selfridges.
2. Cote d’Or
Côte d’Or was founded in 1883 by Charles Neuhaus. The name “Côte d’Or” refers to the Gold Coast, now Ghana, one of the countries which produces cocoa beans.
The famous Côte d’Or logo, an elephant in front of three palm trees, also references the African origin of their cacao beans. Côte d’Or introduced the concept of the chocolate bar, making chocolate more accessible to the public in the early 20 century. Côte d’Or continued to make mainly chocolate bars, including mignonnettes (small chocolate squares).
3. Leonidas Chocolates
The company was founded in 1913 by a Greek-American confectioner, Leonidas Kestekides, who fell in love with Belgium and its chocolate-making tradition. Leonidas chocolates began with a small shop in Brussels and have since expanded to become a global brand with over 1,300 retail outlets in around 40 countries.
Leonidas make pralines (Belgian chocolate bonbons), Truffles, Orangettes (candied orange peel dipped in chocolate), Gianduja (smooth chocolate with ground hazelnuts) and also a variety of chocolate bars.
The company uses 100% pure cocoa butter in their chocolates, but still offers a large selection of fresh, high-quality chocolates at a reasonable price point.
It’s lovely to see that the brand is still family-owned by Leonidas Kestekides’ descendants. Leonidas chocolates have also achieved the prestigious title of Belgian royal warrant and they supply their chocolates to the royal court of Belgium.
4. Mary Chocolatier
Mary Chocolatier was founded in 1919 by Mary Delluc. Mary was a pioneer as a female entrepreneur in the early 20th century, establishing her first shop at Rue Royal, a prestigious location in Brussels.
The brand quickly gained a reputation for quality high – end chocolates and beautiful packaging and in 1942, it became a certified supplier to the Belgian Royal Court and this status was renewed three more times. The original shop at Rue Royal is still there and appart from other shops in Belgium, you can also find Mary chocolate shops in Japan, but sadly not in USA or UK.
5. Neuhaus
Neuhaus was founded in 1857 by Jean Neuhaus, a Swiss immigrant who opened a pharmacy in Brussels and covered his medicines with a layer of chocolate to mask the bitter taste.
In 1912, Jean Neuhaus Jr., the grandson of the founder, invented the praline, a chocolate shell filled with a soft center, which revolutionized the world of chocolate. The company is also credited with the invention of the ballotin, the classic box for chocolate truffles, which was designed to protect the delicate pralines and truffles and to make the packaging easier and cheaper than custom made chocolate box.
My favourite chocolates from Neuhaus are their nut layered pralines, but everything else taste delicious too. There used to be Neuhaus chocolate shop in Covent Garden in London, but sadly it’s no longer there. The only UK Neuhaus shop is in Harogate (5 James St, Harrogate HG1 1QS), but you can find their beautifully designed chocolate boxes in larger department shops such as Selfridges or Harrolds in London.
6. Bruyerre Chocolates
Bruyerre has over a century of experience in chocolate making, with its roots going back to 1909. While it may not be as internationally recognized as some of the larger Belgian chocolate brands, Bruyerre has a respected place in Belgium’s chocolate history.
Bruyerre produces a variety of chocolate products, including: assorted chocolates and pralines with various fillings, chocolate bars and tablets. They emphasize the use of pure cocoa butter in their chocolates and don’t use any cocoa butter substitutes.
7. Corne Port Royal
Corné Port-Royal was established in 1932 when the master chocolatier, Maurice Corné, opened his first chocolate store in Brussels. His shop become a real success, so much so, that his brothers and sisters copied him and started their own chocolate shops! Maurice added the ‘Port-Royal’ to his surname to distinguis himself from the rest of the family.
In 1935, Maurice Corné become part of chocolate history when he created the ‘Manon Sucre’ chocolate praline. The Manon Sucre is a praline which is made with cream, nougatine and walnuts and dusted with white icing sugar.
Corné Port-Royal has a proud heritage of using only the finest single-origin cocoa, so all their chocolates are really high quality. Using single origin chocolate is reflected in the price, so Corne Port-Royal chocolates are an occassional treat (or a great present) rather then your afternoon pick me up!
Corné Port-Royal makes traditional Belgian pralines, truffles, orangettes (candied orange peel dipped in dark chocolate) and chocolate bars and tablets in different flavours.
The shop window displays are always beautifully decorated, especially before Christmas. One year, they had a real size (3-foot tall) Christmas tree and decorations all made out of chocolate! They have 20 shops in Belgium and 15 in France, but none in USA or UK (although their website ships worldwide).
8. Wittamer Chocolates
Wittamer was founded in 1910 by Henri Wittamer, who opened his boulangerie (bakery) with his wife Marie on the Place du Grand Sablon. The shop is still there and it’s without a doubt the best patisserie in Brussels Sablon district. The Wittamer’s cakes are well regarded, so much so, that the company was invided to make the wedding cake for Philippe & Mathilde, who are now King & Queen of Belgium.
Their chocolates are also delicious and include traditional pralines, truffles and you can also buy chocolate praline spread in a large jar and eat it on it’s own!
9. Guylian Chocolates
Guylian is a Belgian chocolate brand and manufacturer best known for its seashell shaped pralines, which you can easily spot in any large supermarket.
The company was founded in 1958 in Sint-Niklaas, Belgium, by Guy Foubert and is named after the combination of his first name and that of his wife, Liliane, as in Guy and Lian.
In 1967 Guylian created its signature product, the chocolate Seashells, which became an iconic item in the chocolate world. The Seashells are pralines made with a unique hazelnut filling and are shaped like various seashells and the sea horse, the latter becoming the brand’s logo.
The traditional chocolate seashells are made with milk chocolate, but I’ve recently also seen dark chocolate seashells, which are less sweet than the original ones. The company is no longer run by the original family, as in 2008 Guylian was acquired by the South Korean company Lotte Confectionery.
10. Pierre Marcolini Chocolates
Pierre Marcolini is a luxury Belgian chocolatier, renowned for his high-end chocolate products. He established his chocolate house in 1995 in Brussels, Belgium. Marcolini is known for his dedication to using high-quality, often rare cocoa beans sourced directly from independent producers and plantations worldwide. He is recognized for his craftsmanship and innovation in the chocolate-making process, from bean to bar. Marcolini’s brand has expanded internationally, with several boutiques across Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. His creations include a wide range of chocolates, including pralines, ganaches, and his signature “heart” collection. In 2007, Nestlé acquired a 6% stake in the business, and Marcolini created a chocolate flavor for Nestlé subsidiary Nespresso.
11. Belvas Chocolates
Belvas is a Belgian chocolate company that specializes in organic and fair trade chocolate products. Founded in 1987, the company is located in Ghislenghien, Hainaut, Belgium. Belvas takes pride in using certified organic ingredients of high quality that contain no hydrogenated fats or palm oil. The chocolaterie has a strong commitment to sustainable practices and ethical sourcing, with a focus on organic agriculture and fair trade principles. They have been involved in setting up sustainability projects in Peru and other regions, emphasizing social and environmental responsibility in their chocolate production proces.
The company’s cocoa is fully traceable, coming mainly from cooperatives in Peru and the Dominican Republic in Ivory Coast, ensuring that growers receive fair compensation for their work. Since November 2017, Belvas has been working to improve the sustainability of its production processes and has been involved in circular economy initiatives .
12. Galler Chocolates
Galler Chocolatiers, founded in 1976 by Jean Galler, is a Belgian chocolate company based in Liège, Belgium. The company has been creating and producing chocolate independently for many years, and it stands out for its quality and innovation in chocolate making. Galler is known for a variety of products including bars, pralines, and other chocolate treats.
A notable aspect of Galler’s chocolates is their commitment to not using palm oil in their products, adhering to a philosophy of purity in their ingredients. They offer a wide range of flavors and have a reputation for producing generous filled chocolates.
Jean Galler was trained in the art of chocolate making from a young age, having been introduced to the craft in his family’s pastry shop, founded by his grandfather in 1930. His passion for chocolate led him to create a brand that is now recognized both in Belgium and internationally.
Galler has continued to maintain its tradition while also being a precursor in quality white chocolate and has been credited with creating a chocolate with 70% cocoa content. The company has more than 170 employees and has been successful in distributing its chocolates in various countries around the world.
13. Jacques Chocolates
Chocolat Jacques was founded in Verviers, Belgium in 1896, by Antoine Jacques. The production was later moved to Bruges and Eupen to accommodate the growing business. In 1936, the company launched the first filled chocolate bar, which was filled with praline, which was very innovative in the chocolate industry at the time. It was later developed into chocolate bar filled with 9 different flavours, that could be all separated and eaten one by one. Jacques Chocolates are still being sold in many confectionery shops in Belgium and online and include filled chocolate bars, and special chocolate pieces which are designed to melt on your croissant or toast.
14. Charlemagne Chocolatiers
Charlemagne Chocolatiers was established in 1974 and focuses on making chocolate square bars with innovative flavours such as Hemp, Ginger, and Green Tea. They also make a “bean to bar” chocolate and use cocoa sourced directly from the cocoa farms.
15. Jean-Philippe Darcis
Jean-Philippe Darcis is a renowned Belgian chocolatier and a pioneer in the chocolate industry, particularly known for his contributions to the popularity of macarons in Belgium.
Jean-Philippe Darcis opened his first chocolate shop at the age of 25 in Verviers, Belgium in 1992. His chocolates now include bean to bar chocolate bars, pralines, truffles and also flavoured fondant filled long chocolate bars. You can also try amazing patiserie cakes and there is even a chocolate museum, where you learn about the history of chocolate and try to make your own chocolate.
16. Dolfin
Dolfin was founded in 1989 and makes innovative chocolates flavoured with fresh ingredients such as fruits, spices, flowers, and essential oils.
Dolfin prides itself on using selected, high-quality natural ingredients, and their chocolates do not contain any artificial flavors or preservatives. Dolfin also offers a range of vegan chocolates.
17. Zaabar Chocolates
Zaabär is a Belgian chocolate company based in Brussels. Founded at the end of 2007 by François-Jean Decarpentrie, Zaabär is known for its innovative approach to chocolate-making, with an emphasis on combining chocolate with a wide variety of spices, echoing the ambiance of bazaars where spices from all over the world can be found.
The name “Zaabär” itself is inspired by the famous spice bazaars, and the company reflects this inspiration by infusing its chocolates with spices and flavors from around the globe. Their product line includes a range of flavored chocolates, such as those mixed with fruits, herbs, and spices, offering a unique and exotic tasting experience.
The complete list of Belgian chocolate brands
- Belvas
- Benoît Nihant
- Bouchard
- Bruyerre
- Café-Tasse
- Charlemagne
- Chocomeli
- Chocolatier M (Knokke)
- Corné Port-Royal
- Côte d’Or
- Dandoy
- Daskalides
- Jean-Philippe Darcis
- Debailleul
- Defroidmont
- Dolfin
- Duval
- Dumon Chocolatier
- Galler
- Gerbaud
- Godiva
- Gudrun
- Guylian
- Hamlet
- Jacques
- Kwatta
- Leonidas
- Pierre Marcolini
- Mary
- Meurisse
- Neuhaus
- NewTree
- Olivier Molitor
- Planète Chocolat
- Victoria
- Vranckoq
- Wittamer
- Zaabär
Chocolate brands for chocolate making
- Callebaut
- Belcolade
- Veliche Gourmet
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This blog post was originally written on 5 March 2024 and last updated on 5 March 2024
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