We may earn money or products from the companies mentioned in this post. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
During our recent trip to France, Belgium, and the Netherlands, we got the opportunity to spend a few nights in Brussels. Besides being a great place to drink beer and eat waffles, it’s called the “Chocolate Capital of The World” because it offers an immense array of fine chocolatiers who have mastered their craft over centuries. One way to enjoy Belgian chocolate is to take a Brussels chocolate tour or participate in a chocolate-making workshop. These chocolate tours and workshops are a fantastic way to taste and make your own chocolates and experience the beauty, charm, and hospitality of Brussels.
Brussels is the vibrant capital of Belgium and the European Union. It’s a multifaceted cosmopolitan city with a long and fascinating history. You don’t need a lot of time in Brussels, and usually a few days is enough. It’s actually a great stop for anyone traveling via train from places like Paris and Amsterdam.
The Best Brussels Chocolate Tour and Workshops
In this post, we’ll introduce you to several different Brussels chocolate tour and chocolate-making workshop options and share some details about each experience. These chocolate experiences are all highly rated and receive at least 4.5 stars from guests.
A Brussels chocolate tour will allow your family to immerse themselves in the local culture through a fun, engaging, and educational experience that exposes you to Brussels’s most iconic treats.
Why Is Brussels The Chocolate Capital?
Brussels has earned its title as the chocolate capital of the world because of its deep-rooted history in chocolate craftsmanship and innovation.
Belgium’s association with chocolate dates back to the 17th century, but it was in Brussels that the art of chocolate-making truly flourished. The city is home to the praline, an iconic chocolate delicacy invented by pharmacist Jean Neuhaus in 1912, which revolutionized the industry.
Today, Brussels has numerous master chocolatiers who blend traditional methods with new techniques to produce some of the finest chocolates globally. With multiple renowned brands like Godiva, Leonidas, Côte d’Or, and Neuhaus, Brussels continues to lead the world in chocolate production.
Chocolate Tours In Brussels
One way to explore Brussels’ savory chocolates is to take a guided walking tour to visit various local chocolatiers. This is such a fun activity for all ages, and if you are visiting Europe with kids, make sure to add a Brussels chocolate tour to your Belgium bucket list!
On these Brussels chocolate tours, a guide will take you inside numerous chocolatiers located near the center of the city (an area about a 10-minute walk from Grand Place). You’ll be able to taste assorted samples for free. You’ll also have time to look around the shops and buy sumptuous chocolate treats to take home. You may even see chocolate being made by master chocolatiers during your visit! These tours typically last between 1.5 and 2.5 hours.
Here are 5 highly-rated Brussels chocolate tour options!
#1 Chocolate Appreciation and Tasting Walking Tour
In this two-hour Brussels chocolate tour, you’ll stop by five of the best chocolate shops and savor eight different chocolate treats. You’ll also learn about the Belgian tradition and process of making chocolate and stroll through downtown, seeing sights like Grand Place and the Royal Galleries of Saint Hubert.
#2 Brussels Chocolate Tasting Tour Get Your Guide
In this 1.5-hour Brussels chocolate tour, you’ll discover the origins of chocolate in Belgium and get to taste a variety of samples at four different artisanal chocolate shops. You’ll also visit the Royal Galleries Saint-Hubert, home to some of Brussels’ best chocolate.
#3 Brussels Chocolate Tasting Tour Viator
In this 1.5-hour Brussels chocolate-tasting tour on Viator, you’ll learn about how chocolate is made and enjoy six chocolate tastings from an array of famous local chocolatiers. The tour takes you through popular Brussels neighborhoods and past several landmarks. You’ll even get a chance to enjoy Belgian hot chocolate!
#4 Brussels: Hungry Mary’s Famous Beer and Chocolate Tour
If the idea of pairing great Belgian beer with chocolate sounds good to you, you may want to try this immersive 4.5-hour Belgium Beer and Chocolate Tour. You’ll see major landmarks like the Royal Galleries, Grand Place, and Manneken Pis while savoring ten delicious chocolate tastings at some of the most exclusive chocolate makers in Brussels.
You’ll follow up the chocolate tastings with a beer-tasting session featuring six beers at different craft or traditional small breweries. This tour will give you a great overview of chocolatiers as well as many of the beer styles in bars and taverns near Grand Place. Some extra snack food is included. This is a great option for anyone not traveling with kids!
#5 Brussels Chocolate Tour with a Local Expert: 100% Personalized & Private
If you want a highly personalized and private tour for your group, you may want to consider this Brussels chocolate tour with a local expert. It’s a bit more expensive but totally private, meaning it’s just your group and the guide.
On this three-hour chocolate tour, you’ll learn all about the chocolate-making process and sample up to eight chocolate treats in the city’s top chocolate boutiques. You’ll also tour Brussels’ oldest chocolate shop and learn about several downtown landmarks and points of interest.
Chocolate Making Workshops In Brussels
Another fantastic way to immerse yourself in the Brussels chocolate scene is by booking a chocolate-making workshop and tasting. These Brussels chocolate-making workshops and tastings are hands-on learning experiences where you can design and eat your own chocolate creations.
In these workshops, you can learn the secrets of the Belgian chocolate-making process and taste your personalized chocolate treats. They are so much fun for the whole family. They are usually appropriate for kids around 8 years old and older. And I think these are particularly great for anyone visiting Brussels with teens! They tend to appreciate the hands-on activities more than just a basic walking and tasting tour.
Here are three highly-rated Brussels chocolate-making workshops and tasting options for you to choose from!
#1 Belgian Chocolate Making Workshop with Tastings
During this 1.5-hour Brussels chocolate workshop, you’ll create your own chocolate treats with the help of an expert chocolatier. During this fun class, you’ll make chocolate bars, truffles, and mendiants and even enjoy a hot chocolate or lemonade while you work. While creating, you’ll learn the secrets of Belgian chocolate and why Belgium is famous for chocolate. You’ll also receive a 20% discount for the chocolate store.
#2 Belgian Chocolate Making Workshop With Drinks
While attending this 2.5-hour Brussels chocolate workshop, you’ll make praline and mendiant chocolates and learn how to make more than 30 Belgian chocolates from scratch. In the end, you’ll get your own box of Belgian chocolates to take home and be able to sample the wonderful creations from the day. You can enjoy complimentary coffee, orange juice, beer, and other drinks while you taste your chocolates.
#3 Belgian Chocolate Truffles Workshop and Tasting
During this 1.5-hour Brussels chocolate-making workshop, you’ll enjoy a hands-on cooking experience and learn how to make truffles. Under the guidance of an instructor, you’ll explore exotic recipes, including dark chocolate truffles, local speculoos, and even sweeter flavors. Design a sumptuous masterpiece and sample your creations while you sip on velvety hot chocolate made from the finest cocoa.
Brussels Chocolate Museum
If you can’t get enough chocolate, Brussels is also home to an amazing chocolate museum! The Choco-Story Brussels is located in Grand Place in the heart of the city and provides an immersive experience for the whole family centered on the history and evolution of chocolate. Grand Place is stunning and a must-see while in Brussels, so this is a great add on activity if you are visiting Brussels with kids or teenagers.
The museum has many thematic and interactive rooms, allowing you to trace the history of chocolate from bean to table through the ages. In the museum, you can taste real Belgian praline and watch as chocolate artisans guide you step by step in the making of chocolate bars and other confections. The museum also has a wonderful shop where you can find every type of chocolatey gift.
These are two popular, highly-rated Choco-Story Brussels packages!
Choco-Story 2.5-Hour Chocolate Museum Visit with Workshop
This Choco-Story Ticket & Workshop package includes tickets to the Choco-Story museum as well as a 2.5-hour chocolate-making workshop. You’ll see how pralines are made and learn how to use piping bags with the help of an instructor.
You’ll create your own treats like chocolate tablets, lollies, and chocolate drawings with different toppings. During the workshop, you’ll learn about the history of chocolate and explore its evolution over 5,000 years. Children must be at least seven years old for this activity.
Choco-Story Brussels: Chocolate Museum Entrance with Tasting
This Choco-Story ticket includes basic entry into the Choco-Story Brussles Museum. You’ll be able to see the museum and its exhibits, taste chocolate samples, and watch chocolate-making demonstrations by master chocolatiers. The ticket also includes an audio tour in several languages. This ticket does not include the chocolate-making workshop.
Helpful Tips For Taking A Brussels Chocolate Tour
When booking and taking a Brussels chocolate tour, plan ahead and be sure to read the entire tour summary closely. The tours have different descriptions, meeting points, age limits, durations, itineraries, and highlights. Some tours drop you off at the meeting point, while others stop somewhere slightly different. A little bit of reading and preparation can make the experience more enjoyable.
Here are some helpful tips you may want to consider when booking a Brussels chocolate tour.
Wear Comfortable Shoes
We recommend comfortable sneakers for walking tours, as you will be walking in the city. This is true for most places in Europe, and comfortable shoes are one of my recommended European travel essentials.
Dress For The Weather
When going on walking tours, you should check the weather beforehand and dress appropriately. Brussels can get chilly year-round, and it’s always smart to have an extra layer available in case the weather changes. On the other hand, it may be warm inside these shops, so layers are always best.
My must-have travel essentials list on Amazon has some of my favorite packable jackets for family travel!
Eat Something Before You Go
The whole point of these tours is to try some wonderful Belgian chocolate! However, you may not want to rely solely on samples to sate your hunger. It’s smart to eat a light meal before venturing out so no one gets hungry, especially when traveling with kids.
Bring Cash To Tip
While tipping isn’t generally customary in most parts of Europe, we always trip on guided tours, especially if they are private. Guides appreciate these tips to supplement their income, so if you had a good tour, be sure to tip your guide. They won’t be able to accept credit cards, so be sure to have cash handy when the time comes.
One of my best tips for international travel is to order foreign currency in advance before your trip!
Bring Water
Walking and eating will make you thirsty. Carry a bottle of water to cleanse your palate between tastings. Some shops may offer water, but it’s best to have your own on hand. Look for public fountains along the way to refill your water bottle.
Pair With Local Delights
Depending on your time and your palette, you may want to pair chocolate with local Brussels delicacies like waffles, speculoos (sweet biscuit), stomp (mashed potatoes), waterzooï (fish and vegetables), Flemish stew, shrimp croquettes, and many others. Push your boundaries a bit and experiment. When traveling with our teenagers, we have a lot of fun watching each other try new foods!
Respect Shop Ettiquite
Be mindful of shop etiquette, especially in smaller, artisanal stores. Refrain from touching chocolates with bare hands and ask for assistance when selecting your treats.
Check Age Restrictions
Many of the tours have age restrictions, so be sure to read them carefully. If you have kids younger than about eight, we recommend tickets to the Choco-Story Museum, as it caters to younger audiences.
Making Memories On A Brussels Chocolate Tour
A Brussels chocolate tour is an incredible way to experience the culinary depth of this cosmopolitan city. These immersive, fun, engaging, and rewarding bonding experiences are perfect for groups of all ages. We love taking food tours and learning about the history, heritage, and culture surrounding these local delicacies.
So when you tour Brussels, channel your inner chocolatier, roll up your sleeves, and dare yourself to create a chocolate masterpiece all your own!
More Belgium Travel Content
If you are traveling to Belgium, here are some of my related travel blog posts that you will find interesting!
- Hotel Indigo Brussels
- Day Trip From Brussels To Bruges
- 2 Days in Belgium
- Bruges Canal Tours
- The Secret Rooftop Bar in Brussels
More Family Travel Inspiration
If you are interested in seeing photos from our travels and reading more about the places we visit, make sure to check out the travel section of my blog. This year alone, we have traveled around the US and internationally to places like Fiji, Europe, and South America.
For general travel tips, here are some of my popular travel blog posts:
- Finding The Best Flight Deals
- How To Get Into Airport Lounges
- How We Find Family Accommodations
- Using AirTags On Your Family Trip
- How To Plan A Trip to Europe