5 chocolate workshops and tours in Brussels, Tested and Approved

You might know that I'm a huge chocolate fan. I try to never buy any chocolate when I do groceries, though, as I know I'd eat it all in an instant. Although I'm not really overweight, I have to put in a lot of effort each day not to gain weight and so regular chocolate munching is out of the question for me. When I travel independently, I try to keep my food simple, but what I really love are multiple-course meals and lots of desserts. So I obviously never say no to an assignment that involves food. When it's work, you just have to bite the bullet, right? Or the chocolate, in this case, because Intercontinental Hotel Groups invited me to try out their Rewards program. They awarded me with 37,000 Reward Points that I could not only use to book a hotel room, but also to book things like a dinner and activities. I immediately knew what I wanted to do with them: a chocolate workshop and tour in Brussels, the capital of Belgium and of good chocolate stores.

Listed below are the best chocolate workshops and tours to do in Brussels.

• Brussels Chocolate Walking Tour and Workshop. This tour is a 4-hour guided walk, including a chocolate workshop. Participants explore the history of Belgian chocolate, sample confections at renowned chocolatiers, and craft their own chocolates to take home. It requires booking and costs €70 for adults, €40 for kids.
• Chocolate Tasting Tour.  A 2.5-hour tour provides a chocolate tasting experience at Brussels' esteemed chocolatiers. Participants gain insights into chocolate's history and sample at least eight varieties. The tour is scheduled on Saturdays, costs €50 for adults, €30 for children.
• Chocolate Workshop at Duplex Paul-Amaury Michel. This 1.5-hour workshop offers hands-on chocolate making with experts. It is taking place in Ixelles. Attendees create various chocolate treats and keep their creations. Available daily, the workshop is priced at €38 per person.
• Belgian Chocolate Tasting Tour. This 2.5-hour tour involves tasting chocolates from top Brussels chocolatiers and learning about chocolate history. Participants try at least eight chocolates. It takes place on Saturdays and the cost is €50 per person.
• Chocolate Making Workshop at Zaabär. Zaabär hosts a 2.5-hour workshop on chocolate making. Participants learn, practice, and take home over 30 chocolates. The workshop, requiring booking, costs €38 per person.

1. Brussels Chocolate Walking Tour and Workshop

Brussels Chocolate Walking Tour and Workshop is a 4-hour guided walking tour and chocolate workshop in Brussels. Participants will learn about the history and origins of chocolate in Belgium. They will visit famous chocolate shops like Neuhaus, Godiva, and Leonidas to sample different chocolates like pralines, truffles, and ganaches. In the 1-hour hands-on chocolate workshop, participants will learn how to make their own chocolates by creating shapes and decorations with ingredients like sea salt, exotic fruits and sesame. They will be able to take home a box of 30 handmade chocolates.

The tour takes place daily at 2 pm and lasts for 4 hours. The meeting point is at the Grand Place in front of the Gothic City Hall, next to the tourist information entrance. There are no age restrictions. Brussels Chocolate Walking Tour and Workshop requires a booking in advance and the cost is €69 (approx. $74, £61) for adults and €40 (approx. $42, £35) for kids ages 6-12. Kids under 6 are free. 

2. Chocolate Tasting Tour

Chocolate Tasting Tour is a 2.5 hour chocolate tasting tour in Brussels visiting famous chocolate shops like Neuhaus, Godiva, Galler, and Pierre Marcolini. Participants will learn about the origins of chocolate and the history of chocolate-making in Belgium. They will taste delicious chocolates, pralines, truffles, and specialty items at each shop. In total, participants will get to taste at least 8 different chocolates and pralines. The tour takes place every Saturday at 3 pm and lasts for 2.5 hours. The meeting point is at the Grand Place in front of the City Hall. There are no age restrictions. Booking is required. The cost is €50 (approx. $53, £44) for adults and €30 (approx. $32, £26) for kids ages 4-11. Kids under 4 are free. You can book it here.

3. Chocolate Workshop at Duplex Paul-Amaury Michel

Chocolate Workshop at Duplex Paul-Amaury Michel is a 1.5 hour chocolate workshop at Duplex Paul-Amaury Michel in Ixelles, Brussels. Participants will learn about the wonders of Belgian chocolate and make their own chocolates with the guidance of expert chocolatiers. They will have a chance to cook treats like chocolates, lollipops, and truffles. The workshop takes place daily at 11am, 2pm and 5pm. Participants will make mendiants, truffles, and other chocolate creations. They will be able to take home the chocolates they make. The workshop takes place at Duplex Paul-Amaury Michel in Ixelles, Brussels. There are no age restrictions. Booking is required. The cost is €38 (approx. $40, £33) per person.

4. Belgian Chocolate Tasting Tour

Belgian Chocolate Tasting Tour is a 2.5 hour guided walking tour to taste chocolates from the top chocolatiers in Brussels. Participants will learn about the history of chocolate, from its origins with the Aztecs and Mayans to how it became popular in Belgium. They will visit shops like Leonidas, Jean-Philippe Darcis, Galler, Corné Port-Royal, Mary, and Neuhaus to taste different types of pralines, truffles, and specialty chocolates. In total, participants will get to taste at least 8 different chocolates.
The tour takes place on Saturdays at 3 pm and lasts 2.5 hours. The meeting point is the Grand Place of Brussels in front of the City Hall. There are no age restrictions, a booking is required and the cost is €50 (approx. $53, £44) per person. 

5. Chocolate Making Workshop at Zaabär

Chocolate Making Workshop at Zaabär is a 2.5 hour chocolate making workshop at Zaabär in Brussels. Participants will learn about the process of making chocolate and get hands-on experience creating their own chocolate treats. They will make chocolate bars, mendiants, truffles, and more. Participants will get to take home over 30 chocolates that they created themselves. The workshop takes place at Zaabär's chocolate studio in Brussels. It starts with an introduction to chocolate, followed by demonstrations of techniques like tempering. Then participants will make a variety of chocolate creations. Booking is required and the cost is €38 (approx. $40, £33) per person.

What was our experience with Chocolate Tasting Tour in Brussels?

During the tour, our knowledgeable guide Chris took us to some of the best chocolate shops in Brussels while teaching us all about chocolate and the history of the places we were visiting. We got to taste some chocolate in every place, and in between the tasting Chris took us to some interesting spots in Brussels so that we learned something new about the city as well. We didn't only get to taste chocolate, we also good to make our own chocolate “cookies”. At the workshop, we all got a plate on which we could pour chocolate as well as a collection of ingredients to mingle the chocolate with. I made chocolate with coconut, almond, sesame seed and other things. Lots of chocolate was licked off fingers and spoons during the process, but that was exactly the point: you eat whatever you want and what's left, you get to take home with you. When our chocolates were cooling down, we also got a demonstration on how to make pralines. The melted chocolate gets poured into a mold that's colder than the chocolate, making the chocolate stick to it. When we're sure the chocolate sticks, the mold gets turned around so that the excess of chocolate drips out. We now have little chocolate “bowls”. In goes the filling, in our case caramel, which is covered with chocolate again. The chocolate is scraped off and left to cool for a bit, after which the pralines are ready and can be “smashed” out of the mold, ready to be tasted! I had a great time during the tour and the chocolate workshop. If you really want to learn how to make chocolate, this might not be for you as the chocolate was already ready and liquid so we could start using it, but if you just want to lick chocolate off of your fingers under the excuse that you're making chocolate, this chocolate workshop is perfect for you.

What are the best chocolate brands in Belgium?

Find below the best chocolate brands in Belgium.

• Neuhaus. Neuhaus, a chocolate brand from Belgium, began in 1857 with Jean Neuhaus in Brussels. Initially a pharmacy, Neuhaus introduced chocolates to mask medicines' taste. Jean Neuhaus Jr., the founder's grandson, created the praline in 1912, using hazelnut paste as filling instead of medicine. Neuhaus's pralines, known for their variety, include fillings of gianduja, ganache, and praline. The praline stands as Neuhaus's signature item.
• Godiva. Godiva is a Belgian chocolate firm founded in 1926 by Joseph Draps in Brussels. The first shop opened near the Grand Place and has grown to over 600 stores worldwide. Godiva prides itself on premium ingredients and esteemed chefs. Its signature chocolate truffles feature flavors such as fruit, nuts, and liqueur-infused ganache. Other Godiva offerings encompass chocolate bars, hot chocolate, and chocolate gift boxes.
• Côte d'Or. Côte d'Or is one of the oldest Belgian chocolate brands founded in 1883 by Charles Neuhaus. Its name meaning ‘Gold Coast' refers to Ghana where it sources its cocoa beans. Côte d'Or is known for its wide selection of chocolates like bars, truffles, pralines, and spreads. Its most popular product is the Chokotoff, a chocolate-covered toffee bar. Other variations include Les Bouchées pralines, dark chocolate bars, and chocolate with flavors like hazelnut and salted caramel.
• Leonidas. Leonidas is a Belgian chocolate brand founded in 1913 known for its affordable price and high quality. Leonidas uses only natural ingredients like pure cocoa butter and offers over 100 different pralines. Leonidas' most popular product is the chocolate truffle. Leonidas also makes chocolate bars, chocolates with fruit flavors, and sugar-free options.
• Bruyerre. Bruyerre is a Belgian chocolate label established in 1909 in Gosselies. It specializes in dark chocolate as well as pralines with fillings like hazelnut paste and ganache. Bruyerre's most popular product is its dark chocolate bar made with 64% cacao. Similar products from Bruyerre include milk and white chocolate bars as well as truffles and chocolate with flavors like orange, lime, and sea salt.
• Mary. Mary is a family-owned Belgian chocolate brand founded in 1919 by Mary Delluc, the first female chocolatier in Brussels. Mary produces quality chocolates like pralines, truffles, and bars using high-end ingredients. Its most famous items are truffles and pralines in flavors like hazelnut, pistachio, and creamy fruit fillings. Mary is also known for its ornate chocolate gift boxes.
• Galler. Galler is a Belgian chocolate enterprise created in 1976 by Jean Galler in Liege. Galler is known for its diverse flavors and products like chocolate bars, truffles, macarons, and packaged chocolates. Its most popular items are its chocolate bars that come in over 20 flavors. Other varieties include bite-sized chocolates, chocolate spreads, and seasonal items like chocolate bells and Santas.
• Guylian. Guylian, known since 1958 for its seashell chocolates with hazelnut praline, presents these in varieties of milk, dark, and white chocolate. Beyond its iconic seashells, Guylian's range extends to bars, truffles, and sugar-free options, with the praline-filled seashells as its hallmark. Guylian is considered one of the best chocola
• Wittamer. Wittamer is a family-owned company since 1910, crafts chocolates, pastries, and sweets with fine ingredients. Wittamer's chocolate-dipped strawberries are a renowned delicacy. Wittamer also offers truffles, seasonal chocolates, and gift boxes with assorted fillings and flavors.
• Belvas. Belvas is a newer Belgian brand established in 2005 as one of Europe's first organic chocolatiers. Belvas focuses on ethical and sustainable production. Its most popular creations are its chocolate truffles and chocolate bars. Alternative products of Belvas include vegan, gluten-free, and sugar-free chocolates as well as specialty flavors like honey and roasted almond.

What is the best Belgian dessert food to try in Brussels?

There are 10 best Belgian dessert food to try in Brussels. These are Mattentaart, Belgian waffles, La Dame Blanche, Rum omelette, Appelflap, Stofé, Couque de Dinant, Cuberdon, Pannenkoeken and Speculoos.

Firstly, mattentaart is a puff pastry cake filled with a light cheese curd called mattenbrij. The main ingredients are butter, flour, sugar, eggs, milk, and mattenbrij. In Brussels, mattentaart can be enjoyed at bakeries like Olavs Mattentaartenhuis in Geraardsbergen.

Secondly, Belgian waffles are a signature sweet Belgian dessert food. The main ingredients are a batter of flour, yeast, eggs, milk, butter and sugar. Two varieties exist: the rectangular, lighter Brussels waffle and the thicker, sweeter Liège waffle. In Brussels, waffles are widely available at street stands, restaurants and specialty shops.

Thirdly, La Dame Blanche is Belgium's version of an ice cream sundae. It features vanilla ice cream topped with fresh whipped cream, warm chocolate sauce, and a cherry. The main components are ice cream, heavy cream, chocolate, and butter for the sauce. Many restaurants in Brussels offer La Dame Blanche, like Georges Doutrelepont Chocolatier Glacier in Nimy.

Fourthly, the rum omelette is a historical Belgian dessert of beaten eggs, sugar, cream, butter, and rum cooked in a pan then flambéed and served warm. Traditional recipes call for eggs, sugar, heavy cream, butter, and rum as key ingredients. As a rare treat, rum omelettes are hard to find in Brussels but some restaurants may offer them as a nostalgic dessert.

Fifthly, appelflap are puff pastries filled with a sweet apple filling and baked until golden brown. Main ingredients are butter, apples, sugar, cinnamon, and flour for the dough. Good quality appelflap can be found at bakeries across Brussels like Le Saint-Aulaye – Châtelain in the Chatelain neighborhood.

Sixthly, stofé is a Belgian cheesecake made with cottage cheese, meringue, almonds and apple slices. The base ingredients are cottage cheese, eggs, sugar, flour, apples, and almonds. In Brussels, you can sample stofé cheesecake at Le Pain Quotidien locations like the one in Wavre.

Seventhly, couque de Dinant is a very hard, honey-flavored biscuit from the town of Dinant made solely with wheat flour and honey. No couque producers are located in Brussels, but a few bakeries may offer couque de Dinant among their selection of regional treats.

Eighthly, the cuberdon is a Belgian cone-shaped candy with a distinctly sweet and gummy raspberry center and a hard outer shell. It contains gum arabic, sugar, and raspberry flavoring. In Brussels, bags of cuberdons can be purchased at candy shops, chocolatiers, and souvenir stores around the city.

Ninthly, pannenkoeken are traditional Belgian pancakes that are larger and thinner than American versions. Main ingredients are eggs, milk, flour, butter, and variations of sweet or savory fillings. Pannenkoeken are served at many cafes and restaurants in Brussels that offer them as a specialty.

Lastly, speculoos are traditional Belgian spiced shortbread cookies flavored with cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg and cloves. Speculoos can be purchased year round at grocery stores, markets, and bakeries across Brussels.

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