
When temperatures plummet in Brussels, there’s nothing more comforting than a steaming hot chocolate. Once the preserve of Europe’s elite, this beverage is now a staple of Brussels winters. And with its long tradition of chocolate excellence, Belgium is the perfect place to enjoy this sweet treat. Bruxelles Secrète has selected the best places to enjoy it to the full.
Mike and Becky
Mike & Becky is a cosy café where cocoa is the star. Founders Julia ‘Mike’ Mikerova and Björn ‘Becky’ Becker take an honest and transparent approach to chocolate-making. They master every step of the process, from roasting the beans to packaging the bars. Their hot chocolate, made from their own bean-to-bar chocolate varieties, is a delight not to be missed. What’s more, the café offers a super-friendly atmosphere, ideal for relaxing while enjoying a cup of hot chocolate.
📍Address: Avenue Brugmann 243, 1180 Brussels
Laurent Gerbaud
Located opposite the Bozar Shop, Laurent Gerbaud’s tea room is attracting a growing clientele thanks to its exceptional hot chocolate. Prepared with organic dark cocoa and no added sugar, it offers an explosion of authentic aromas. For a gourmet touch, hazelnut syrup, speculoos, Christmas spices or maple syrup can be added, topped with whipped cream. Fans can also take chocolate pastilles home to recreate this drink. Just follow the simple recipe!
📍Address: Rue Ravenstein 2D, 1000 Brussels
Moka
Away from the hustle and bustle, in the Rue des Riches Claires, Moka is a little nugget where you can enjoy a rich, creamy hot chocolate, perfect for cold days. Prepared with care, it is served with homemade pastries, including the house’s famous carrot cake. The cosy, vintage atmosphere is complemented by jazz and soul music, and the retro Faema machine enhances the whole experience to guarantee a quality coffee experience.
📍Address: Rue des Riches Claires 5, 1000 Brussels
Kaffabar
Located on the corner of the dynamic Place Rouppe, Kaffabar is renowned for its warm ambience and comforting drinks. One of the winter season’s must-tries, their hot chocolate stands out for its richness and creaminess. Their menu also offers creative options such as “pistoatcino”, a pistachio-flavored cappuccino, and “hot winter lemonade” with pear and ginger flavors, served hot. Don’t forget to say hello to Marcel, the English bulldog and on-site mascot, during your visit.
📍Address: Place Rouppe 1, 1000 Brussels
Pierre Marcolini
A true Brussels institution, Maison Pierre Marcolini is renowned for its refined hot chocolate. It’s made from the finest cocoas carefully selected from the four corners of the globe. You can enjoy this comforting beverage at the Manufacture, located on Place du Grand Sablon, as well as in all the other Marcolini boutiques in the city. To prolong the experience at home, the master chocolatier offers dark or milk chocolate pastilles, made with beans from Ecuador and Cameroon. They let you recreate his signature hot chocolate at home. Perfect for a cozy movie night!
📍Address: Rue des Minimes 1, 1000 Brussels
Frederic Blondeel
Located in Koekelberg, Frédéric Blondeel’s workshop is both a boutique and a coffee & ice cream bar. Renowned as one of Brussels’ finest chocolatiers, Frédéric Blondeel offers a signature hot chocolate, made from his own cocoa roasted on site. This rich, creamy drink is served with a chocolate or cookie of the day. The soft, characterful ambience of the place makes it an ideal destination for chocolate lovers looking to warm up and relax.
📍Address: Rue de Ganshoren 39, 1081 Koekelberg
Benoît Nihant
Liège chocolatier Benoît Nihant offers chocolate pastilles to take away. They come with “Benoît’s recipe” for preparing a smooth, luxurious hot chocolate at home. The pastilles are available in different origins, such as the Dominican Republic, offering notes of spices and dried fruit for a balanced, comforting hot chocolate, or Madagascar, for an intensely cocoa-flavored drink with tangy notes of red berries.
📍Address: Chaussée de Waterloo 506, 1050 Brussels