Discover the best brands of chocolate from Belgium, with a variety of mouth-watering flavors and textures, and a deep history in every bite.
Belgium has long been known as the country that produces the best chocolate in the world. Belgian chocolate is not only renowned for its exceptional taste and quality, but also for its meticulous chocolate-making techniques and use of the finest ingredients.
If you’re a chocolate lover, here are ten Belgian chocolate brands you must try, each with its own uniqueness and interesting story behind it.
1. Godiva
Founded in Brussels in 1926 by Pierre Draps, Godiva is one of the world’s most famous luxury chocolate brands.
Godiva chocolate is known for its extremely high quality and incredibly rich taste. Godiva’s first store opened in Grand Place, Brussels, which is renowned as one of the most beautiful places in Belgium.
This brand is famous for its delicious pralines, which are prepared using the finest ingredients. Today, Godiva is not only famous in Belgium but also throughout the world and has stores in various countries.
Godiva chocolate has become a symbol of luxury and quality, making it a favorite choice for many who want luxury chocolate. It is also one of the most popular Typical Belgian Souvenirs, perfect for bringing home a taste of Belgium’s rich chocolate tradition.
2. Leonidas
Leonidas was founded in 1913 by Leonidas Kestekides, a Greek chocolate producer who came to Belgium to pursue his dream of making chocolate.
Although Kestekides was from Greece, he managed to establish a very famous chocolate company in Belgium.
Leonidas is known for their mission to provide high-quality chocolate at a more affordable price, so that it can be enjoyed by more people. This brand still uses 100% pure cocoa butter in their products, resulting in some truly delicious pralines and chocolate bars.
Since its inception, Leonidas has become one of the most popular chocolate brands in Belgium, offering delicious products at pocket-friendly prices.
3. New House
Neuhaus is a chocolate brand that should not be missed, especially for those who want to try the typical Belgian praline.
This brand plays an important role in the history of Belgian chocolate, as Neuhaus was the creator of the world’s first praline.
Founded in 1857 by Jean Neuhaus, the company was originally a pharmacy that sold medicines wrapped in chocolate to attract customers. However, in 1912, Jean Neuhaus’ grandson changed the medicinal recipe into the pralines that are famous today.
Neuhaus continues to be one of Belgium’s luxury chocolate brands, with products such as pralines and truffles being very popular.
4. Côte d’Or
Côte d’Or is one of the most well-known and affordable Belgian chocolate brands. Founded in 1883 by Charles Neuhaus in Brussels, the brand takes its name from the “golden coast”, a reference to the high-quality cocoa beans used in their chocolate.
Côte d’Or is known for its rich-tasting, smooth-textured milk and dark chocolates. Because they use cocoa beans that are roasted at a low temperature, Côte d’Or chocolate has a distinct flavor that sets it apart from other chocolates.
This brand is very popular in Belgium and many other countries, with more than 600 million products sold annually.
5. Guylian
Guylian is known worldwide for its iconic seashell-shaped chocolates. Founded by Guy Foubert in 1958, the company rose to fame in 1985 when they began producing delicious chocolate shells.
The name “Guylian” itself is a combination of the names of Guy and his wife, Liliane. Guylian’s chocolate shells are their main product and are highly sought after due to their unique shape and extraordinary taste.
In addition, Guylian also offers a variety of other chocolate products such as pralines and truffles. The uniqueness and high quality of Guylian chocolate make it a favorite choice for many people around the world.
6. Pierre Marcolini
Pierre Marcolini is a luxury chocolate brand founded in 1995 by Pierre Marcolini, a multi-award winning chocolatier in the culinary world. Marcolini is best known for its artisanal chocolates that use high-quality ingredients and often focus on environmental sustainability.
Every chocolate produced at Pierre Marcolini has a very rich taste, with premium ingredients such as cocoa hand-selected from various chocolate-producing countries. This brand is a top choice for those looking for luxury chocolate and wanting to enjoy a deeper taste experience.
7. Mary Delluc
Mary Delluc, founded in 1919 in Brussels, is one of the legendary chocolate brands owned by a woman. Mary Delluc is very famous for the art in every chocolate box they make.
Every chocolate produced by Mary Delluc aims to achieve the perfect balance of taste, texture, aroma and appearance.
Over the years, this chocolate shop has developed into a much-loved destination for chocolate lovers in Belgium. With its meticulous attention to quality and presentation, Mary Delluc has become one of the most respected chocolate brands in Belgium.
8. Gallery
Founded by Jean Galler in Liège in 1976, Galler is one of the Belgian chocolate brands known for its exceptional taste and quality.
The brand has the slogan “Taste, joy and freedom,” which expresses the essence of their philosophy in producing chocolate.
Galler produces chocolate that is not only delicious but also affordable, making it one of the favorite chocolate brands to find in Belgium. Their products include chocolate bars, pralines, and a variety of gourmet chocolates ready to tempt the taste buds of every chocolate lover.
9. Belvas
Founded in 2005, Belvas is the first organic chocolate factory in Europe. This brand is famous for not using any additives or preservatives in its chocolate products.
All Belvas products are 100% organic and Fair Trade certified, meaning they use ethically and sustainably produced ingredients.
Belvas offers a variety of products such as pralines, chocolate bars and truffles that are not only delicious but also environmentally friendly. As a pioneer in the organic chocolate industry, Belvas provides a healthy and ethical alternative for chocolate lovers around the world.
10. Callebaut
Callebaut is one of the biggest names in Belgian chocolate. Founded in 1911 by Octaaf Callebaut in Wieze, the brand is renowned for its couverture chocolate, which contains a higher percentage of cocoa butter than regular chocolate.
Callebaut has become the first choice for professionals in the chocolate industry, but also offers a wide range of high-quality chocolate products for consumers.
Callebaut chocolate is renowned for its high quality ingredients and rich flavours, making it a top choice in many premium chocolate shops and restaurants.
Belgium is known as one of the countries with the best chocolate in the world, and these ten brands are just a small part of the many choices on offer.
From luxury brands like Godiva and Pierre Marcolini to more affordable yet quality options like Leonidas and Galler, Belgium offers an unforgettable chocolate experience for every chocolate lover.
So be sure to try some of these chocolate brands, which are part of Typical Belgian Food, when visiting Belgium or when looking for premium chocolates in local shops!
