Belgium is an extremely popular tourist destination for many reasons, one being their famous foods. The waffles, french fries and, of course, the chocolate are some of the main attractions. Belgian chocolate stores are found around seemingly every corner of Brussels, so it can be difficult to know which ones are the real deal. This is why I’ve taken it upon myself to try the top three most popular brands off of Yelp! and ranked them for any future travelers.
3. Pierre Marcolini at Galerie de la Reine 21, 1000 Brussel, Belgium
None of the chocolate brands on this list are bad. In fact, Marcolini chocolate is very high quality. Their many chocolate flavors can be bold, experimental, and something you’ll never see elsewhere. For example, two immensely popular chocolates are palet or (sunflower and caramel) and blackcurrant tonka. They even have their own signature mousse-like cakes that are completely unique and can taste like orange, caramel, rose and more. The only thing holding the brand back is the unreasonably high prices, for what really isn’t the absolute best taste. Unfortunately, the other two brands match or outrank Marcolini in this taste category, which is why the exorbitant costs simply don’t excuse themselves. One box of 36 small pralines is $42.32. Still, Marcolini is high quality and delicious, if a bit expensive, and I give it a 7/10.
2. Neuhaus at Galerie de la Reine 25, 1000 Brussel, Belgium
Neuhaus already gets points for innovation, as they are the inventors of praline chocolate. However, their good quality chocolates don’t stop there. Neuhaus has some of the highest quality cocoa beans in the chocolate world. Their dark chocolate specifically is to die for. There are over 30 stores in Brussels alone, so this widespread popularity has truth behind it. These chocolates are classics.They are not as experimental as Marcolini, but better versions of different milk and dark chocolates, with flavors like gianduja (ground hazelnut and sugar) or matcha here and there. There’s only one downside: the price, again. Neuhaus isn’t even as expensive as Marcolini, and I honestly would rank it as nearly being on the same taste level as Corné. Still, Neuhaus can’t compete with Corné’s costs. A fourth pound of Neuhaus chocolate is $25.90. The chocolate is extremely good and appealing to people with all kinds of tastes, so I give it an 8.5/10.
1. Corné Port-Royal at Galerie de la Reine 5, Brussels 1000 BelgiumFinally, Corné tops the list with its all-around good qualities. The chocolate is just as high quality as the other two, with cacao beans and flavors from all corners of the world. It is also incredibly widely available. Not only does Corné have multiple stores in Brussels and other cities around the world, but their milk and dark chocolate bars are available in Belgium grocery stores. If it weren’t enough to have high quality chocolate like this virtually everywhere, it also happens to be generally cheap. A box of 10 pieces is only $18.66. The only small takeaway is that the array of flavors is not very extensive like in Marcolini, but that’s a more minor detail. Overall, I give it a 9.5/10.
Presentation is a key aspect in the chocolatier world, and each brand has their own unique way of boxing, wrapping or decorating their chocolates. (Photo/Sadie Loughlin)
