From Parisian artisans to tropical cacao dreams, these indulgent treats make truly memorable journeys
The first bite into a warm pain au chocolat from a French bakery. Searching Brussels’ cobblestone streets for jewel-bright chocolate shops. Sipping velvety hot chocolate from Jacques Torres in Brooklyn… some of my favorite travel memories involve chocolate.
There’s something special about chocolate that sets it apart from any other food. What else can lift the spirits and create a moment of magic in a hectic day? From delicate petits fours (tiny French pastries) to indulge in at the end of dinner to a handcrafted truffle carefully placed on your hotel pillow, the best chocolate turns a great travel experience into something unforgettable.
In Europe, Parisians have their favorite chocolateries and will happily argue about the best place for hot chocolate, truffles, or orangettes (candied orange strips enrobed in dark chocolate). Lisa Arielle Allen, a chef, Academy of Chocolate Judge, and an American living in Paris, recommends a visit to a Patrick Roger boutique (try the Place de la Madeleine flagship) to see incredible chocolate sculptures. She also loves the Venezuelan bean-to-bar chocolate to be found at Ara Chocolat, and the black sesame praline bars at Plaq Chocolat.
"Paris is special for chocolate lovers. We have the work of some of the best chocolatiers in the world in our city"
All of Paris is currently abuzz about star pastry chef Cédric Grolet’s new opening, Cédric et la Chocolaterie, a playful homage to Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, where the air is filled with heady aromas from the shop’s flowing chocolate wall. Locals also love social media favorite Chapon, where they line up for cones of chocolate mousse to go.
“Paris is special for chocolate lovers,” says Lisa. “We have the work of some of the best chocolatiers in the world in our city.” Take one of Lisa’s bespoke Tout Chocolat tours and you can learn how to taste chocolate like a pro, visit chocolateries, then try a hands-on class, where you’ll temper chocolate and make your own confections.
Cities of Chocolate
The French capital has plenty of competition from other European cities. Brussels and Bruges are must-visits if you love traditional Belgian chocolates and pralines, acclaimed worldwide for their soft buttery smoothness and rich aroma. And Lyon is home to exceptional chocolatiers, says chocolate expert and International Chocolate Judge Jennifer Earle, who recommends Nº0 Chocolats (“best in the city”) and bean-to-bar chocolatiers Pralus and Bernachon.
London is no slouch in the cocoa stakes. “London has fewer chocolatiers than some European cities, but there’s more variety, which makes exploring them all especially fun,” says Jennifer, who runs London chocolate tours, where you can sample traditional and modern flavors, “from the late Queen Elizabeth’s favorite rose and violet creams to truffles infused with miso.” Then seek out Makers, a new “healthy” chocolate shop in Chelsea that is drawing plaudits for its creations, which are free from refined sugar, wheat, dairy, and seed oils. Chocolate expert and former chocolatier Amelia Rope is a fan: “It’s an inspirational chocolate shop. They deliver on taste, have a long end note, and are worth trying. Their Grand Cru with Birch Sugar Chocolate bar is a one-off.”
Some of the world’s biggest chocolate trends originate in unexpected places. Take the social media sensation that is Dubai chocolate. These indulgent bars are carefully handcrafted by chocolate company Fix and stuffed with pistachio and tahini cream and knafeh, a traditional Middle Eastern confection of shredded pastry, creamy cheese, and syrup. You’ll find plenty of imitations, but for genuine Fix bars, head to its only store and leave room in your hand luggage – it’s in Terminal 3 at Dubai Airport. Dubai also has a thriving artisan scene. Try Mirzam for camel-milk chocolates, authentic Emirati flavors, and tasting workshops. Delice Gourmet is the place for beautiful truffles and bonbons.
Keep an eye out on your travels for Angel Hair chocolate – the cult heir to Dubai chocolate’s throne. White choc bars are dyed pink and filled with the unexpected flavors of Turkish cotton candy and pistachio cream. The invention of Belgian chocolate company Tucho, Angel Hair bars are available at its Antwerp store.
Across the Americas
Chocolate trends around the world can be broadly separated into two categories. First, the unapologetically decadent – think of Dubai chocolate, flowing chocolate walls, and the super-sized pain au chocolat from Philippe Conticini in London and Paris. Second, there’s bean-to-bar craft chocolate, a style growing in popularity in Tokyo, North America, and elsewhere.
Toronto is a great city for chocolate, and a visit to SOMA, which has a working chocolate factory, is a must. In New York, try MarieBelle on Park Avenue, FINE & RAW in Brooklyn, or head upstate to Fruition near Woodstock, a small-batch maker recommended by Jennifer Earle. Vosges Haut-Chocolat is an essential pit stop in Chicago. Head to its flagship Chocolate Temple for a chocolate pairing event, or to pick up a beribboned box of Vosges’ incredible caramel marshmallows coated in 62% dark chocolate.
However, for the ultimate chocolate experience, you really have to go to the source. There are small-scale cacao farms and growers in the Caribbean and Central America who are happy to open their doors to curious chocolate lovers. Try the farm-to-bean tour at Nortico Cacao Farm in Costa Rica, where you’ll hike through the verdant plantation, harvest cacao pods, and make chocolate from freshly roasted beans. As Amelia Rope says, “Once you meet the cacao farmers, taste incredible craft chocolate, break open the pod, and enjoy the cacao pulp which hugs the beans before it’s processed, chocolate will remain in your DNA forever.”