Following on from Part 1 Belgian chocolates (Guild of Bruges Chocolatiers), here I explore the other chocolate shops not associated with the Guild (meaning the actual chocolate may be imported from elsewhere).
La Belgique Gourmande
La Belgique Gourmande was one of the few shops open late so we stopped in to have a look. La Belgique Gourmande not only sells chocolate but biscuits and candies.
There are some amazing looking items, packaged and ready to go, making this a great spot for buying gifts.
There’s a self-service component where you can grab a pincer, and select from the chocolates, biscuits, and cakes displayed in bowls all along the counter. It’s like being a kid in a candy store.
We didn’t buy anything as it was our first night in Bruges and there was plenty more to see, but it is a wonderful shop.
Le Comptoir de Mathilde
Similar to La Belgique Gourmand, this shop has an enormous range of chocolates, candies, biscuits, tea and more.
There are several types of chocolate shards available for purchase behind the counter as well as a self-service option.
I was tempted by these chocolate spoons to melt in a cup, but figured I would wait and look around at more shops before making a purchase. Le Comptoir de Mathilde is another homely shop with lots of good gift options.
Chocoladehuisje
Chocoladehuisje has some eye-catching chocolates in the window display.
I liked the quirky chocolate works of art and decided to go inside to check it out. So many chocolates in all shapes and sizes.
I caved and decided to buy a small pack of mixed chocolates (unsure of price) which I thought were okay, but not as good as some of the Guild-approved chocolates as per the previous post in Part 1.
Pralinette
Pralinette is a large chocolate shop established in 1992. All chocolates are handmade in store. One wall is filled with packaged chocolates, and slabs of chocolate – perfect for gifts. The long display counter has an assortment of individual chocolates and truffles. I couldn’t resist and picked 6 chocolates to go – cola, pina colada, and rum and raisin are a few of my picks. I liked these a lot more than the chocolates from Chocoladehuisje.
You can also get a hot chocolate-dipped waffle to go.
The Chocolate Kiss
The Chocolate Kiss has some interesting items in the shop. There is a small range of individual chocolates, as well as hot chocolate on a stick in so many flavours – gin lemon, sex on the beach, apple strudel, banana split, strawberry pink pepper and more. Home made biscuits, chocolate beer, packaged waffles and fondue in a can.
The shop is also a cafe where you can order a hot chocolate in more than 30 flavours, or taste a Belgian chocolate beer. We didn’t buy anything from The Chocolate Kiss, though Mr FPJ was very tempted by the chocolate beer.
Chocoholic
We passed by a shopfront stating ‘ The Best Belgian Chocolates by Chocoholic’. It was difficult NOT to peek into the windows to check it out.
Chocoholic sell large slabs of chocolate, various truffles, sea shells, florentines, Italian nougat, house made marzipan, Flemish cuberdons (cone-shaped candies), chocolate paste and more.
By this stage, we had purchased quite a lot of chocolate (see Part 1), so we didn’t buy anything from this shop.
Mary
This chocolatier founded in 1919 makes chocolates for the Royal family.
The inside of the shop is elegant with various boxed chocolates beautifully displayed. Prices are very expensive so we didn’t stay long or buy anything.
Neuhaus
Opening in 1857, this is the oldest chocolate shop that we walked passed. Interestingly, the founder Jean Neuhaus had opened a pharmacy and covered his medicines with a layer of chocolate. His grandson then turned this into a chocolate-making business.
We saw the Neuhaus brand in several European airports so didn’t bother to go into the store.
Leonidas
Leonidas has been around since 1913 specialising in white chocolate. There are also pralines, confectionary items, drinks, spreads and ice cream. We had purchased our maximum of chocolates from Bruges (noting we still had 6 more countries to travel to), so no purchases were made here.
Galler
Owner and founder Jean Galler knew that chocolate was life at the age of 16. I didn’t get a chance to go into the Galler shop in Bruges. However when I spotted a huge selection of Galler chocolates available at a supermarket close to our hotel, I didn’t hesitate to buy some.
I purchased the 70% and 85% dark chocolate tablets (2.19€ – 2.30€ each), an almond milk chocolate tablet, as well as some mini bars – Cafe Noir and Praline Noir (1.68€ each).
Godiva
Founded in Brussels in 1926, most people have heard of Belgian chocolate giant Godiva – it’s available at David Jones and airports around the world. I didn’t actually bother with Godiva since it’s so accessible. Various chocolates, chocolate bars, kosher chocolate, biscuits, chocolate covered snacks and ice cream. There are even Godiva dessert cafes where you can enjoy ice cream or a milkshake.
That’s all of the chocolate shops we visited in Bruges. There are so many more that we walked past and didn’t go into. It was difficult deciding where to buy from and I mostly purchased Guild of Bruges Chocolatiers approved shops (which means the chocolate is made in Bruges). But places like Neuhaus would have been worth trying. I will just need to plan another visit!
The next chapter will be on the cafes/restaurants we visited around Bruges.
Places visited
- La Belgique Gourmand – Breidelstraat 14, 8000 Brugge, Belgium
- Le Comptoir de Mathilde – Breidelstraat 10, 8000 Brugge, Belgium
- Chocoladehuisje – Wollestraat 15, 8000 Brugge, Belgium
- Pralinette – Wollestraat 31, 8000 Brugge, Belgium
- The Chocolate Kiss – Wijngaardstraat 20/22, 8000 Brugge, Belgium
- Chocoholic – Wollestraat 34, 8000 Brugge, Belgium
- Mary – Katelijnestraat 21, 8000 Brugge, Belgium
- Neuhaus – Steenstraat 66, 8000 Brugge, Belgium
- Leonidas – Steenstraat 4, 8000 Brugge, Belgium
- Galler – Steenstraat 5, 8000 Brugge, Belgium
- Godiva – Markt 10, Bruges 8000, Belgium
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