The 7 Best Chocolate Tastings You Have to Do in Brussels

Brussels has a surprising number of chocolate shops. Most visitors head to the most famous chocolate shops such as Leonidas, Mary's, Godiva and Planete for the best chocolate tastings. However, the historic isn't always the best, so it doesn't hurt to visit other, less popular chocolate shops.

Chocolate tastings last between 30 and 45 minutes and cost between €30 and as much as €75. Generally, if you go as a family or in a group, the cost per person is lower. And if you decide to take part in one of them, you will not only learn how the chocolates are made, what ingredients are included and what varieties there are, but you can even have the chance to take part in the making. Are you up for it?

One of the most famous chocolate-related tastings in Brussels is the so-called Brussels Chocolate Workshop where you will learn how to make your own gourmet cocoa delights. Starting from scratch and with the help of a professional instructor, you will make the two most typical types of Belgian chocolate, pralines and mendiants, and learn some easy and authentic methods that you can imitate to create more than 30 dark chocolate treats.

This tour lasts 2.5 hours and you will also have the opportunity to have a cup of hot chocolate and a tasting of different kinds of chocolates.

The tour costs €38 and includes all the ingredients and equipment, as well as help, teaching and techniques from the professionals, the tasting and a box of 30 chocolates.

• Price: 38 €.
• Duration: 2.5 hours
• Highlights of the tour: Learning
• What the tour offers: Includes ingredients and equipment and a box of 30 chocolates.

Chocolate waffles are another great protagonist of Belgian gastronomy. This tasting is aimed at visiting the best waffle shops in Brussels during a 2-hour tour. Of course, the ones you will taste the most are the Belgian waffles or Brussels waffles, which are famous all over the world and usually have a thick, crunchy dough and larger holes. They also have the characteristic of having a very rectangular shape and are served hot to bring out the flavour of their chocolate shavings or syrup.

These waffles are also served by some street vendors; what's more, one of the great things about this tour is that you can compare the street waffle flavours with the flavours of the big Brussels waffle shops.

This tour costs €55 and includes tastings, an apprenticeship in the waffle workshops, a guided tour by an expert, a 10% discount on products purchased on your own in one of the waffle shops visited and a two-hour gastronomic experience.

• Price: 55 €.
• Duration: 2 hours
• Highlights of the tour: Learning about Belgian waffles and a wide variety of different kinds of chocolate waffles to try.
• What the tour offers: Includes tastings, an expert-guided tour and 10% discount on products purchased.

Taking a tour in the company of an acclaimed chef with an in-depth knowledge of the culinary art of Belgian chocolate making is more than an experience, it is a privilege. On this 2.5 hour tour, which costs 65€, you will visit some of the most famous workshops in Brussels where you will see how these delicious products are made and you will be able to taste different products. In these workshops, almost the entire process is done by hand, as creativity is the key to success.

After this inspirational tour, it's time to get down to work. Usually in small groups, you will make simple Belgian chocolate derivatives. You will then take your handmade creations home as a gift for your family and/or friends. Everything is included in the tour, both the chocolates and the material used to make them.

• Price:65 €.
• Duration:2,5 hours
• Highlights of the tour: Visiting different workshops to create Belgian chocolates and having fun activities in the company of an expert.
• What the tour offers: Almost the entire process is done by hand and everything is included in the tour.

With this tour you will learn about Brussels' culinary culture and its love affair with chocolate on a walking tour led by a guide. You will pass by the Royal Palace, located close to the best chocolate shops in the city, and you will be able to go into some chocolate boutiques for a **tasting of** different chocolates and chocolates as you go along the tour. The idea of this tour is to get to know the best chocolate shops in Brussels such as Godiva, Pierre Marcolini, Chocolaterie Elisabeth, Wittamer, among others.

The tour will mainly focus on the areas near the Grand Palais, the Royal Palace and the Houses of New Art, will last 2 hours and will cost 50€. The tour includes small groups, expert Belgian guides, and a pleasant walk through the most important chocolate shops in Brussels. An ideal tour to get to know Brussels and taste its chocolates.

• Price:50 €.
• Duration:2 hours
• Highlightsof the tour: A wide variety of chocolates to taste in a small group and the experience of visiting the best chocolate shops in Brussels.
• What the tour offers: Includes small groups for those looking for more direct attention.

With this small group tour you will have the opportunity to visit five of the best chocolate shops in the city of Brussels and have a tasting of the best Belgian pralines, truffles and chocolates. In addition, you will also learn a few lessons about why Belgian chocolates are so tasty and appealing worldwide. You will also receive an extra 10% discount on any purchase you make at any of these 5 chocolate shops.

The tour costs €39, lasts two hours and you will have the chance to taste at least 8 samples of pralines/truffles from different chocolatiers and brands.

• Price: 39 €.
• Duration: 2 hours
• Highlightsof the tour: Tasting at least 8 samples of pralines from different brands.
• What the tour offers: Ideal if you are looking for a small group. In addition, you will have the chance to taste at least 8 samples of pralines/truffles from different chocolatiers and brands and receive a 10% discount to use at five major chocolatiers.

On this private tour you will discover the city's chocolate buying points and some historical places of interest related to the art of chocolate. The walking tour lasts 3 hours and costs 70€, includes the company of the guide, treats and the chance to ask the chocolate artists any questions you may have.

On this tour you will meet the chocolate makers in person and learn about the craft of chocolate making. In addition, you will be lucky enough to taste at least eight treats based on your judgement and the guide's recommendations. If you are going to Brussels at Christmas, this tour should be one of your top things to do; you will enjoy the experience even more.

After the truffle and praline tasting, you will attend a chocolate-making workshop where you will learn the secrets behind the sweets. The delicacies that will be made in the workshop will be distributed among the tour members.

• Price: 70 €.
• Duration: 3 hours
• The highlight of the tour: Private tour just for you and your group.
• What the tour offers: A private tour with a guide to ask all your questions, a tasting of at least eight sweets and recommendations from the guide.

If there is one chocolate factory that is complete enough for a self-guided tour, it would be the Marcolini Chocolate Factory. This chocolate factory includes a "menu" option where you will be lucky enough to taste a variety of creations, hot chocolate, chocolate coffee and mix and match drinks and truffles. For this option you don't need a guide, you simply enter the chocolate shop and choose the "menu" you are most interested in tasting. I recommend doing this activity with children, as the chocolate shop is very spacious and serves both inside and outside.

Pierre Marcolini is perhaps the most famous Belgian chocolatier who is still around to innovate and shape his brand. Across Belgium, you will find a dozen locations of Marcolini outlets. At least four locations of this chocolatier are in Brussels. The main one is only 5 minutes away from the Grand Place and is the one I recommend the most.

Inside you will find a tea room where you can have a Belgian tea and combine it with a selection of hot chocolates. Their hot chocolate is seriously spectacular, thick to the point where it sticks to your lips. The macarons are also quite good, but I recommend you try the salted caramel. For more information on Marcolini's "menu" varieties visit the Pierre Marcolini website. And if you want a change of pace, you can book a menu at the Hard Rock Café in Brussels.

• Marcolini chocolate shops opening hours: 12:30pm-7pm weekdays and 11am-7pm weekends
• Price: 20-50 euros
• Duration: not defined
• Highlights of the tour: A very complete tasting experience.
• What the tour offers: A tasting of a wide variety of products.

Before I start, I want to point out that chocolate tasting is definitely one of the things you have to do on your visit to Brussels, the chocolate capital of the world, and I'll give you some useful facts about the Brussels chocolate scene. The chocolates here are called pralines, and almost all of them are sold by weight. But if you buy just a few, then the price is per chocolate; usually the limit is between 3 and 4 units.

There is a very famous alley near the Grand Place that is full of chocolate shops, ideal for not going too far from the centre. In this area, most of the owners and workers speak perfect English. They usually have the habit of giving away a free chocolate after you order something, sometimes even when you come in. You will see how friendly they are in explaining the variety of chocolates they offer. Remember that quality is not synonymous with a very high price, so look carefully and don't get carried away by appearances.

An ideal plan if you are going to see Brussels in 4 days. However, if you are looking for less hustle and bustle and more comfort when it comes to chocolate tours and visiting chocolate shops, you should opt for a trip to Bruges, or better still, to the city of Ghent. Less choice, but more convenience.