Brussels launches new chocolate tour for locals and tourists
With the new event “BXL Gourmand”, the City of Brussels is organising a free chocolate tour through the city on 28 and 29 March. The event, organised by Ondernemen Brussel and inspired by the Gent Gourmand concept, allows people to explore the workshops of top chocolatiers, taste chocolate and meet artisans. The announcement was made on Monday during the presentation of Brussels’ ten best artisan chocolatiers.
The “BXL Gourmand” tour will include stops at the iconic premises of chocolatiers Pierre Marcolini at Sablon and Laurent Gerbaud on the Mont des Arts, as well as the historic Wittamer, Atelier Sainte-Catherine, The Belgian Chocolate Makers, Arthur Amblard and Plaisirs Chocolatés. Visitors can enjoy pralines, bars, chocolate drops, hot chocolate and homemade biscuits. Some chocolatiers offer live demonstrations of the production process.
According to Didier Wauters, alderman for economic affairs, the new tour doesn’t just target tourists but also offers Brussels residents a chance “to experience their own city in a different, flavourful way”. “Brussels is bursting with chocolate talent,” he added. “With this tour, we want to give them the visibility they deserve.”
The route also highlights an important part of the city’s history. The praline was invented in Brussels in 1912. Today, the city is home to more than 150 chocolate companies and 200 shops and workshops.
People can follow the tour individually, with friends or with the family, at their own pace. A map listing all participating chocolatiers and additional patisseries is available online and will be distributed in shops. Advance registration is required to book a time slot.
Best chocolatiers
The ten best Brussels artisan chocolatiers were also unveiled on Monday, by the Belgian guide Tartine et Boterham.
The selection for the Brussels-Capital Region includes Frédéric Blondeel, Laurent Gerbaud, Bomma Flora, Arthur Amblard, L Chocolat, Xocolate, La Maison du Cacao, Jérôme Grimonpon, Yasushi Sasaki and Concept Chocolate.
Two awards were also presented. The 2026 Revelation Award was awarded to Arthur Amblard, who has been based in the Sablon district since 2025, for his innovative approach to pralines and chocolates designed specifically for people with diabetes or sugar intolerance. The 2026 Honorary Award went to Frédéric Blondeel, who has been active in the sector for over thirty years and is regarded as one of Belgium’s pioneers of the “bean-to-bar” movement, which involves producing chocolate from the cocoa bean.
Illustration © IMAGEBROKER
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