Who Are the Best Chocolatiers in the World?
Pierre Marcolini of Brussels tops this list as the best chocolatier in the world, having won Best Pastry Chef in the World at the World Pastry Stars 2020. Richard Donnelly (Santa Cruz), La Maison du Chocolat (Paris) and Teuscher (Switzerland) round out the top tier. All source premium cacao directly and craft their chocolates by hand in small batches.
The pursuit of excellence in chocolate has long captivated connoisseurs the world over. As far back as Aztec times, cacao was revered as a delicacy fit for nobility.
Today, a new generation of artisanal chocolatiers continues pushing the boundaries of taste, texture, and flavor with their blended creations. This elite community raises the craft of chocolate making to an art form.
In this article, we will take you on a tour of some of the best chocolatiers in the world. We will discover how their exquisite chocolates offer layer upon layer of complex flavor profiles and textural surprises that delight the senses and transport the mind.
What Makes a World-Class Chocolatier?
A world-class chocolatier is a craftsperson who controls every stage of chocolate production, from selecting the cacao bean to finishing the final truffle. The best distinguish themselves on four counts: sourcing, technique, flavour vision, and ethical practice.
●Sourcing: The finest chocolatiers work directly with cacao farmers, often paying above-market prices for single-origin or heirloom varieties. To’ak, for instance, sources exclusively from Ecuador’s rarest cacao variety, which carries the Heirloom designation from the Heirloom Cacao Preservation Fund.
●Technique: Bean-to-bar and tree-to-bar production methods give the chocolatier full control over flavour. Mass-market chocolate typically uses cocoa powder and vegetable oil; artisan chocolate uses pure cacao butter and minimal, readable ingredients.
●Flavour vision: The great chocolatiers develop genuinely original flavour profiles. Laurent Gerbaud blends Madagascar pepper and Izmir figs. Vosges layers Dulce de Leche and I.G.P. Piemonte Hazelnut. These combinations are the result of years of training and travel.
●Ethical practice: Sustainability is no longer optional at the top of the craft. Many of the best chocolatiers on this list use Rainforest Alliance Certified cacao, 100% sustainably sourced cocoa, or donate to conservation, To’ak gives 1% of sales to the Third Millennium Alliance.
The title of chocolatier itself takes years to earn. Many famous chocolatiers begin as apprentices, and it can take up to five years before they are permitted to make their own chocolates.
Overview of The Best Artisan Chocolate Makers in the World
Many of the world’s great chocolates come from artisan producers who have been making chocolates for generations. The best chocolatiers in the world create fine chocolates from scratch, which results in a high quality product that is unparalleled.
When you buy chocolate online or at your local grocery store, it’s likely made with cocoa powder and vegetable oil instead of real ingredients like pure cacao butter. This results in an inferior product that doesn’t really taste like chocolate at all.
The chocolates you want to try are the ones that come from small chocolatiers because they take great pride in what they create. These chocolatiers spend time perfecting their craft and making sure each chocolate will tantalize your taste buds.
Smaller chocolateries also offer unique flavors of chocolates that you may not be able to find at bigger chocolatiers. Many chocolatiers create their chocolates in small batches, which means that they use the best ingredients and pay close attention to detail when making them. You can also get a better feel for each chocolate by seeing it made right before your eyes while standing in front of the chocolatier.
If you love seeking out the finest food experiences, you might also enjoy our guide to the best foodie cities in the world, many of the chocolatiers on this list call those very destinations home.
List of the Top Chocolatiers Globally
If you’re looking for some amazing chocolates, then look no further than these chocolatiers that are known throughout the globe. Whether it’s milk chocolate bars, hot chocolate or chocolate truffles, there is something here for everyone. While some candy brands such as Godiva Chocolatier are focusing increasingly on their online business, many artisan chocolatiers are expanding their retail outlets due to demand.
| Chocolatier | Country | Known For | Ethical Credentials |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pierre Marcolini | Belgium | Award-winning pralines and macarons | 8 sustainable cacao plantations |
| Donnelly Chocolates | USA | Hand-dipped bars, liquor ganaches | Small-batch, handmade daily |
| La Maison du Chocolat | France | Triple-boiled ganaches, pralines | Premium single-origin cacao |
| Teuscher | Switzerland | Champagne truffles, fresh daily | Swiss Alpine heritage |
| To’ak Chocolate | Ecuador | Heirloom cacao, aged like whisky | 1% sales to rainforest conservation |
| Neuhaus | Belgium | Belgian pralines, chocolate bars | 100% sustainably sourced cacao |
| Vosges Haut-Chocolat | USA | Exotic-flavour bonbons | 100% renewable energy facility |
| Firetree | UK | Single-estate volcanic chocolate | 6 Academy of Chocolate Awards |
18. andSons, United States
This second generation Beverly Hills chocolatier was founded by two brothers who have a family background in chocolate. Their mother previously ran the first Teuscher concession in the United States.
andSons specialize in ethically sourced chocolate that is beautifully presented. They are known for their innovative flavors such as Caramel Apple Cider and Double Yuzy.
They have a great selection of gift collections such as the Beverly Drive Gift Collection and the special edition Chocolate Monster Box for children.
17. Richart, France
For nearly a century, Richart has been creating some of the most exquisite handmade French chocolates and macarons the world has ever tasted. Founded in 1925 by Joseph Richart, this family-owned chocolatier has become synonymous with sophistication, elegance and luxury.
Each mini gourmet chocolate is handcrafted using only the finest ingredients, expertly blended together to create tantalizing flavor combinations that are truly unrivaled. With its commitment to quality and its unwavering dedication to the art of chocolate making, it’s no wonder that Richart is widely regarded as one of the best chocolatiers in the world.
Whether enjoyed as a decadent treat or given as a gift to someone special, Richart chocolates are always a luxurious treat. We particularly like their Petits Richart filled chocolates which come with a tasting guide – so delicious! Richart deliver to many countries including the USA, Canada and the United Kingdom.
16. To’ak Chocolate, Ecuador
Produced like a vintage wine and aged like a whisky, To’ak Chocolate is sourced from the rarest cacao variety on earth. Their Ecuadorian cacao was awarded the Heirloom designation from the Heirloom Cacao Preservation Fund.
Being tree-to-bar chocolate makers, To’ak works closely with a small group of cacao growers and pays them the highest price per pound in Ecuador. What’s more, To’ak donates 1% of its sales to rainforest conservation foundation Third Millennium Alliance (TMA), and all wood that they use is replenished by planting native hardwood trees.
The packaging itself is a work of art, making To’ak chocolate the perfect luxury Christmas gift. At the heart of each To’ak chocolate bar there is a single-roasted cacao bean, hand-selected by co-founders Carl and Jerry.
15. Laurent Gerbaud Chocolatier, Brussels
Awarded best chocolatier in Brussels 2021, Laurent Gerbaud makes amazing hand crafted chocolates at his atelier on Rue Ravenstein. After travelling to Asia, Laurent learnt about sweet treats that were less heavy in sugar content.
He creates fabulous chocolates using unusual ingredients such as Madagascar pepper, Shanghai orange, the Izmir fig and the Taggiascha black olive. What’s more, you can try your hand at chocolate making as we did on a trip to Brussels! You can then take the results home with you.
14. Läderach, Switzerland
This Swiss chocolate manufacturer was established in 1962 by Rudolf Läderach. He patented a process to make thin-walled hollow chocolate truffle balls.
The Läderach ethos is about top quality, from the cocoa bean to the chocolate shop. As well as chocolate pralines and truffles, they also produce Läderach chocolate popcorn.
Today, Läderach is still a family business making some of the best chocolate in the world. They have expanded to shops in the USA, Canada and the UK.
13. Neuhaus, Brussels
The founder of the legendary Neuhaus Chocolate was Jean Neuhaus. He opened a pharmacy in Brussels and covered his medicine with chocolate to make it more palatable for customers.
Since then, Neuhaus has become known for its Belgian pralines. The luxurious Belgian company has made it into several “best” lists and is a Royal Warrant Holder.
Neuhaus has a wide variety of praline ballotins, chocolate bars and assorted sweets that are all made from high quality ingredients. Their cacao is 100% sustainably sourced and their chocolate is made entirely from products of natural origin.
12. Firetree, U.K.
Firetree make great single-estate chocolate bars from rare cocoa beans. Master chocolate maker Martyn O’Dare has created rich volcanic chocolate from remote Oceanic islands, with an unparalleled flavour.
Their chocolate bars are made with the highest quality ingredients and high in cocoa content and antioxidants. The limited edition Innovations Collection by Firetree features five rare varietals. One of our favourites is the gluten-free oat milk.
This vegan-friendly chocolate brand is ideal for all your gifting needs. As well as the new Innovations range, there are luxury gift box selections and Create with Firetree easy melt bags for chocolatiers and home cooks.
Firetree has won six Academy of Chocolate Awards and three Great Taste Awards. Find the entire range at www.firetreechocolate.com.
11. Teuscher, Switzerland
Founded by Dolf Teuscher in the Swiss Alps, Teuscher are considered to be among the top chocolatiers in the world. This is not only because of their amazing Swiss chocolate but also because of their beautiful chocolate box packaging.
Their master chocolatiers make their pralines and truffles fresh daily. These are then shipped to their branches in Geneva, Zurich, Munich, Asia and the Middle East, the USA and Toronto, Canada.
Teuscher chocolatiers are known for their Champagne truffles, made with dark and milk chocolate, Champagne and butter cream. They also have an extensive collection of other Swiss chocolates and jelly fruits.
10. Jacques Torres Chocolate, New York
Jacques Torres Chocolate is a fantastic chocolatier in New York City that has been around since 2000. They offer small batch chocolates with exquisite flavors and quality ingredients to bring you the best chocolate experience possible all within your budget!
Chef Jacques Torres, aka Mr. Chocolate, learnt his craft in Bandol in the South of France where he is originally from. Jacques was awarded the M.O.F. (Meilleur Ouvrier de France) for Pastry at 26 years old. In 2016, he was made a Chevalier de la Legion d’Honneur.
A pioneer of the bean to bar movement, this chocolatier specializes in bonbons, chocolate covered candies and hot chocolate.
9. Confiserie Sprüngli, Switzerland
This Swiss chocolatier has been making delicious chocolates, cakes and desserts since 1836! Established by David Sprüngli on Paradeplatz in Zurich, the iconic chocolate maker still has a store and cafe there today.
These days there are many other Sprüngli stores in Switzerland, as well as in Abu Dhabi and Dubai. Among the most famous Sprüngli sweet treats are the Luxembergli mini macarons, star-shaped chocolate bars and mini pralines.
Now part of the Lindt & Sprüngli group, they prioritize using Swiss ingredients where possible for minimal carbon impact and also use recycled or recyclable materials where possible.
8. Scharffen Berger Chocolate Maker, Ashland, Oregon
Robert Steinberg and John Scharffenberger co-founded Scharffen Berger Chocolate Maker, which makes some of the best chocolate in America. Originally a sparkling winemaker, John used his expertise to produce high-quality chocolates that are rich in flavor. Today, Chris Spirko carries on Robert and John’s legacy.
The chocolatiers at Scharffen Berger Chocolate Maker are well known for creating luscious chocolates that taste out of this world. They source the best cacao beans from around the globe to create chocolates with rich flavor profiles, using ingredients you can actually read and understand on their labels.
The chocolate makers at Scharffen Berger only use cacao from Rainforest Alliance Certified™ farms. They are known for their intense baking chocolate and chocolate bars.
7. Norman Love Confections, Fort Myers
Norman Love chocolates are some of the best chocolatiers in the world. Norman and Mary Love have been making chocolates since 2001.
Norman was previously a pastry chef at The Ritz-Carlton. This is why Normans’ chocolates are so good!
They have 25 signature chocolates, from Peanut Butter Cup to Sicilian Pistachio and Key Lime Pie. Norman Love Confections are also known for their chocolate bark and chocolate love pops.
6. Vosges Haut-Chocolat, Chicago
Chocolatier Katrina Markoff of Vosges Haut-Chocolat had a vision for her company to be one of the best chocolate makers in the world.
Based in Chicago, the company has some amazing flavors such as Dulce de Leche, Balsamico and I.G.P. Piemonte Hazelnut Praline Bonbons. Vosges chocolates are made in the USA, in a certified organic manufacturing facility functioning on 100% renewable energy.
Vosges Haut-Chocolat packaging is made of 100% post-consumer recycled material for their purple boxes and chocolate bars.
5. Chuao Chocolatier, California
Known for their fair trade chocolate, Chuao (pronounced Chew Wow) are based in Carlsbad, California. They have a famous chocolate shop in San Francisco.
Chuao use European chocolate making techniques to craft fair trade certified chocolate. This artisanal chocolate is free from additives, colorings, fat substitutes, flavorings and artificial preservatives.
Chuao chocolate have some interesting chocolate gifts including “Exploding Coal Mini Bars”, Firecracker Truffles and “Snuggle Up S’mores”.
4. Puccini Bomboni, Amsterdam
Priding themselves on their artisan chocolates, Puccini Bomboni were first established in 1987. Their delicious bonbons use fresh cream and have some unique flavors such as Lemongrass, Tamarind and Golden Amarena Cherry.
Puccini Bomboni chocolates do not contain artificial preservatives. The ethos of Master Chocolatier Sabine van Weldam and co-founder Ans van Soelen is that their bonbons must look as good as they taste.
They have 2 shops in Amsterdam and one in Utrecht. Puccini Bomboni deliver to all EU countries, Switzerland, Norway, the USA and Canada and make some of the world’s best chocolate.
3. La Maison du Chocolat, Paris
This French chocolatier is known for making some of the finest chocolate in the world. They have been perfecting the art of chocolate-making since 1977.
Founder Robert Linxe achieved fame for his chocolate ganaches, for which the cream is boiled three times. His successor Nicolas Cloiseau and team of professional chocolatiers blend the finest cocoa to make amazing handmade chocolates in Nanterre near Paris.
La Maison du Chocolat has shops all over the world, from Paris to London and Tokyo and even one in New York City. Along with classic French chocolates like pralines, they also make chocolates covered with fruits or nuts and pastries such as macarons and éclairs.
2. Donnelly Chocolates, Santa Cruz, California
Established in 1988 by Richard Donnelly, this American chocolatier creates amazing chocolates in Santa Cruz, California. These high-quality chocolates are made with love and care by hand every day to ensure they’re as fresh as possible.
Donnelly Chocolates are known for their hand-dipped chocolate ice cream bars, dark cocoa tiles, chocolate-dipped fruit gummies and liquor ganaches. Each chocolate box comes beautifully packaged with a colorful ribbon bow.
Try the Chipotle Dark Chocolate Ganache, flavored with spicy chipotle, the Tequila Patron Gold liquor ball or the always popular Sea Salt Caramel. These small batch artisanal chocolates are a true delight.
1. Pierre Marcolini, Brussels
Pierre Marcolini has shops all over Europe, but they are especially popular in Brussels, Belgium. This is where Pierre began making chocolates and macarons.
Pierre Marcolini’s chocolates are made with only the finest ingredients and are often infused with spices, herbs or other flavors that enhance the chocolates without masking their natural taste. All their cocoa beans are sourced from 8 sustainable plantations.
Pierre Marcolini have won countless international awards including Best Pastry Chef in the World at the World Pastry Stars 2020. He could well be the best chocolatier in the world.
Best Chocolatiers in the US
Several of the best chocolatiers in the world are based in the United States, with a strong concentration on both coasts and in Chicago.
●Norman Love Confections (Fort Myers): Norman Love trained at The Ritz-Carlton before founding his own brand in 2001. Their 25 signature chocolates, from Key Lime Pie to Sicilian Pistachio, are among the most visually striking in American chocolate.
●Vosges Haut-Chocolat (Chicago): Katrina Markoff’s globally inspired brand operates from a certified organic manufacturing facility running on 100% renewable energy. A genuinely original voice in American chocolate.
●Scharffen Berger (Ashland, Oregon): Co-founded by a sparkling winemaker, Scharffen Berger brings a winemaker’s palate to cacao. Their intense baking chocolate and bars use only Rainforest Alliance Certified cacao.
●Jacques Torres Chocolate (New York): Jacques Torres, aka Mr. Chocolate, holds the M.O.F. (Meilleur Ouvrier de France) for Pastry and was made a Chevalier de la Legion d’Honneur in 2016. His New York shops have been a landmark of the bean-to-bar movement since 2000.
●Chuao Chocolatier (Carlsbad, California): Known for fair trade certified chocolate and boldly named creations like Firecracker Truffles and Exploding Coal Mini Bars. Free from artificial additives and preservatives.
●andSons (Beverly Hills): A second-generation Beverly Hills chocolatier with a family heritage in the business, known for ethically sourced chocolate and inventive flavours like Caramel Apple Cider.
●Donnelly Chocolates (Santa Cruz, California): Richard Donnelly has been making hand-dipped, small-batch chocolates since 1988. His Chipotle Dark Chocolate Ganache and Sea Salt Caramel are perennial favourites.
Buying the Best Chocolates as a Luxury Gift
If you’re buying chocolate as a gift rather than for yourself, a few things are worth knowing before you order. These artisan chocolates also make superb luxury gifts for foodies, whether you’re shopping for a serious connoisseur or simply want to impress.
Price and presentation matter: The best artisan chocolatiers treat packaging as part of the experience. Richart’s Petits Richart come with a tasting guide. To’ak’s bars arrive in numbered wooden boxes. Teuscher is as famous for its packaging as for its Champagne truffles.
Shipping windows: Many artisan chocolatiers ship fresh product on a tight schedule. Check whether your chosen brand ships to your country, Richart delivers to the USA, Canada and the UK; Puccini Bomboni deliver to all EU countries, Switzerland, Norway, the USA and Canada.
Occasion matching: For a truly exceptional gift, consider bean-to-bar or tree-to-bar producers like To’ak or Donnelly Chocolates. For a classic European luxury gift, Pierre Marcolini, La Maison du Chocolat or Neuhaus are consistently on ‘best’ lists and carry Royal Warrant or equivalent recognition. If you’re looking for ideas beyond chocolate, our guide to the most expensive items in the world covers the full spectrum of premium gifting.
Vegan and allergen-friendly options: Firetree’s gluten-free oat milk bar from the Innovations Collection is a strong option for guests with dietary requirements, while Chuao’s range is free from additives, colorings and artificial preservatives.
Key Takeaways
●Pierre Marcolini, Brussels: widely rated the world’s best.
●La Maison du Chocolat and Teuscher are consistent top-tier picks.
●Best US chocolatiers: Norman Love, Jacques Torres, Donnelly.
●Artisan chocolate uses pure cacao butter, not vegetable oil.
●Bean-to-bar producers give full control over flavour.
●To’ak uses Ecuador’s rarest Heirloom-designated cacao.
●Ethical sourcing (Rainforest Alliance, fair trade) separates the elite.
In Conclusion – Best Chocolatiers in the World
The chocolatier has a history that is intricately tied to the evolution of chocolate. The best chocolates in the world will always have one thing in common, and it’s not just an amazing taste – they are all made by hand with care and passion for their craft. In fact, many famous chocolatiers start their careers as chocolatier apprentices, and it can take up to five years before they are even allowed to make chocolates of their own.
Chocolate lovers are sure to enjoy these high quality chocolate brands. Good chocolate is a delicious treat that can also be good for you in moderation!
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the best chocolatier in the world?
Pierre Marcolini of Brussels is widely regarded as the best chocolatier in the world, having won Best Pastry Chef in the World at the World Pastry Stars 2020. All his cocoa beans are sourced from 8 sustainable plantations, and his chocolates are made with only the finest ingredients, often infused with spices and herbs that enhance rather than mask the natural flavour.
La Maison du Chocolat and Donnelly Chocolates are close competitors for the top spot.
What are the top luxury chocolate brands in the world?
The top luxury chocolate brands include Pierre Marcolini, La Maison du Chocolat, Neuhaus (a Royal Warrant Holder), Teuscher, To’ak, and Richart. These brands are distinguished by hand-crafted production, single-origin or heirloom cacao, and a commitment to ethical sourcing that mass-market brands rarely match.
What is the difference between artisan and mass-market chocolate?
Artisan chocolate is made with pure cacao butter and minimal, readable ingredients, often in small batches by hand. Mass-market chocolate typically uses cocoa powder and vegetable oil instead of real cacao butter, resulting in a noticeably inferior flavour.
The best artisan chocolatiers also control sourcing, working directly with cacao farmers for single-origin or heirloom varieties.
Which chocolatiers are best for ethical and sustainable chocolate?
Several of the world’s best chocolatiers lead on sustainability. To’ak donates 1% of its sales to rainforest conservation foundation Third Millennium Alliance (TMA) and replenishes all wood used by planting native hardwood trees. Scharffen Berger uses only cacao from Rainforest Alliance Certified™ farms.
Neuhaus sources its cacao 100% sustainably, and Vosges Haut-Chocolat operates from a certified organic manufacturing facility running on 100% renewable energy. Chuao Chocolatier is fair trade certified, and To’ak pays the highest price per pound to cacao growers in Ecuador.
Which chocolatiers deliver internationally?
Many of the world’s best chocolatiers ship internationally. Richart delivers to the USA, Canada and the United Kingdom.
Puccini Bomboni deliver to all EU countries, Switzerland, Norway, the USA and Canada. Läderach have expanded to shops in the USA, Canada and the UK, and Teuscher ship to branches in the USA and Toronto, Canada, among many other locations. Always check the official site for the most current delivery information before ordering.
What makes To’ak chocolate so special?
Produced like a vintage wine and aged like a whisky, To’ak chocolate is sourced from the rarest cacao variety on earth, which was awarded the Heirloom designation from the Heirloom Cacao Preservation Fund. As tree-to-bar chocolate makers, To’ak works closely with a small group of cacao growers and pays them the highest price per pound in Ecuador.
At the heart of each bar is a single-roasted cacao bean, hand-selected by co-founders Carl and Jerry, and the packaging itself is a work of art.
Where can I try making chocolate myself?
Laurent Gerbaud Chocolatier in Brussels offers hands-on chocolate making experiences at his atelier on Rue Ravenstein. You can try your hand at making chocolates and then take the results home with you, a memorable way to experience one of the world’s great chocolate cities.
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Thanks Ruben, we will do!
The best chocolate in the world is made by the famous Lindt chocolate company from Switzerland… 👌👌👌
We’ve included Confiserie Sprüngli which is part of the Lindt & Sprüngli group.
There is a small chocolate shop in Canonsburg, PA called Sardis Candies that services the Pittsburgh area. You should give it a try. They make incredible chocolate. It’s a shame those outside of the Pittsburgh area can’t experience it.