Bob

I'm leaving Wednesday for Brussels for a few days, and several people have asked me to bring back the best chocolates. Apparently, they don't see Godiva as good candidates. Any suggestions on which brands are best and which should be avoided? Thanks for your help.

elvira

Never found a Belgian chocolate I didn't like, but Leonidas is a good one.

Jean Valjean

Most of them are good (Leonidas, Godiva, Cote d'Or), but I've found that the best are Moeder Babelutte. They are originally from Brugge (I think) but they do have an outlet in Brussels, on the street that takes you from the Grand Place to Manekken Pis. Be careful, though. There are many shops along this street that claim to sell the best chocolates, and many of them are no better than Hershey's.

Lori

I'm partial to Neuhaus.

Hungry

No sweat! Wittamer, at the Grand Sablon. Go, even if it is just to take a look.

Deena

I love Wittamers chocolates. Some people consider them the best (I do!). Try the raspberry chocolate pyramids!

Ellen

I too love Leonidas! There is one type in particular that I can luciously describe:

It is a filled square of white chocolate. There are three layers of mousse inside, topped with a nut and covered in white chocolate. Awesome!
Ellen

KT

Leonidas is a good, affordable, mass-market chocolate -- kind of the market equivalent of Fannie Farmer, but sooooo much better. I agree that Neuhaus and Wittamer are great, but they are pricey. I've grown quite fond of Daskalides (they're originally from Gent, but I've even seen them in the Amsterdam duty-free), which falls somewhere in the middle. Another high-end recommendation is Mary on Rue Royale in Brussels. I also liked Sweertvaegher in Brugge and elsewhere; not sure if they're in Brussels. There are jillions of good chocolate in Belgium, ranging from mass-produced to artisanal hand-made delicacies, that won't disappoint your friends, and I don't think you could pick a single "best."

bill

Can't speak for Brussels, but were in Brugge week ago and best I have ever tasted were at small shop called Verbecks....yummie. We also had some from a Leonida's shop there, and they were very good, but not like Verbecks

Marpha

Oh, what a nice subject! I go to Brussels once a month and really enjoy Godiva, Neuhaus, Wittamers, Cote d'Or and Leonidas. I think Neuhaus tastes good but the best bargain is Leonidas. Leonidas isn't hand-made though, so if you're looking for luxury, try Wittamers, Neuhaus or Godiva.

adeeba

das caleedas

Tony Hughes

Not sure of the brand, but the Alpinis are my favourite. Matt brown with a light dusting of confectionery sugar on top. Filled with nuts and fondant stuff.

Myriam

Pierre Marcolini in Antwerp (and Brussels I think). He's an artist with chocolate!

aj

I just wanted to say that the candy store windows were so BEAUTIFUL that it really did not matter what the chocolate tasted like! I took many photos of the window displays!

just

In Brugge, we purchased some wonderful fresh chocolates but, we also purchased a package of chocolate bars, that noted they were from Brugge, individually wraped a bear printed on the front . Touristy, but we thought we'd use them as a gift, or something to put out at work. We knew they would not be as good as the fresh chocolates, but not knowing when we would use them.... Point is, they taste like wax. Stick with the real thing.

Bob

Wow, you folks are really good!! I returned with a major investment in Neuhaus and a couple boxes of Guylian. I haven't tried the Neuhaus, which are all for gifts. But the Guylian are great so the Neuhaus must be wonderful. On the flight back, I read a piece on Belgian chocolate in the Sabena magazine quoting Pierre Marcolini. He says that the distinguishing factor is whether cocoa butter or vegetable fat is used, and you can tell not by the contents list but by the sell date. Cocoa butter chocolate should be eaten within a few weeks - - not a problem, I think. Thanks for your help.