Funny Customer Reply to Chocolate Tour

This self-guided walking tour visits 10 of the best chocolate shops in Zürich while seeing some of the best parts of the city. The chocolate ranges from fun sweet treats to fine artisan works of art, nice to eat along the way or pack up for treats later. I've done this walk three times with friends and now it's my go-to suggestion if I'm meeting a friend in the city. I hope you like it!

Below is a map of the full route, a list of the chocolate shops and suggested treats to buy at each shop. The route also includes a few cafes with great hot chocolate if you have time for a break. You can customize the route as you like, visiting just the shops that match your preferences.

Chocolate walking tour map

The map below shows the locations of all the chocolate shops on the tour. You may also like to use this Komoot walking map, which you can load on your phone.

Tips for your chocolate tour

It's totally normal to buy just two pieces of chocolate to eat right away. They might offer the chocolate on a small napkin so you can just pop it in your mouth. Or they might put it in a tiny cellophane bag. Or they might pack it in a pretty gift box.

Truffles and pralines are sold by weight. Expect to pay about CHF 1.50-CHF 2.50 per chocolate piece. I would plan for at least CHF 20/pp if you want to try chocolate at each shop.

Don't be shy. Ask questions. Many of the people behind the counter are used to English speaking tourists and are happy to help. At each shop, I asked what was popular, special or seasonal. A couple shops weren't so friendly (I won't name names) and just wanted to complete the purchase. But most were very friendly and offered lots of interesting info I wouldn't have learned otherwise.

See also: Best places to buy Swiss chocolate online

1. Bachmann / Lindt House of Chocolate

Confiserie Bachmann is a chocolate producer from Lucerne, well known in Switzerland but not internationally. Most of the Bachmann shops in Zürich are bakeries (I can recommend the apple strudel pastries!), not much chocolate. But their shop on the Bahnhofstrasse has a bakery down stairs and a chocolate shop upstairs, a space shared with Lindt, who has a partnership with Bachmann.

This shop is famous for its staircase over a chocolate river and the wall upstairs with chocolate flowing down it as shown here. They say it is 2000 L of chocolate, but I very much doubt that is real chocolate – why? But kids should find it amusing.

Bachman is known for their Schutzengeli (aka guardian angel) pralines, served on little golden wings. Part of the proceeds from this chocolate go to a charity. There are lots of flavors. I tried cinnamon and dark chocolate, which were both good if a bit sweet for my taste. You can buy prepacked boxes or they can pack you a custom box as you choose the flavors you want.

Confiserie Bachmann
Bahnhofstrasse 89, 8001 Zürich
Mon – Fri 6:45 – 19:00, Sat 7:00 – 19:00, Sun 10:00 – 18:00
www.confiserie.ch

2. Globus & Jemoli high end groceries

As you make your way to the next confiserie, you can stop by Globus and/or Jemoli, which are both fancy department stores with gourmet grocery stores in the basement. Both sell a large selection of high-end chocolate bars, many produced in Switzerland. It's not as fun as browsing pralines at a chocolate counter. But if you are after high quality chocolate bars, these are good sources. As you can see, there are too many brands to name here.

They have a wide selection of Choba Choba, an excellent chocolate whose company actively supports ethical cocoa farming and production. We like the strawberry jalapeno flavor.

Globus Zürich
Schweizergasse 11, 8001 Zürich
Open Mon-Fri 10 – 19:00, Sat 9 – 19:00, closed Sundays
www.globus.ch

Jelmoli
Seidengasse 1, 8001 Zürich
Open Mon-Fri 10:00 – 19.00, Sat 9:00 – 19.00, closed Sundays
www.jelmoli.ch

3. Honold

Honold is famous for their chocolate tram, which usually runs for two weeks starting end of October. You ride around the city while you eat chocolate pralines, drink hot chocolate and eat cake. But Honold's main business is their cafes and bakeries, where they sell a variety of pastries and chocolates. Here is the chocolate counter at their Zurich Renweg location.

Despite their long history and omnipresence in Switzerland, Honold isn't the first place I think of when I think of chocolate. So I was a bit surprised to find that I like several of their pralines. We particularly like the ginger and coco crispy pralines. We also liked the seasonal chestnut chocolate shown below.

Confiserie Honold
Rennweg 53, 8001 Zürich
Open Mon-Sat 8:00-17:00, closed Sundays
www.honold.ch

4. Vanini

This chocolate shop is just off the main Bahnhofstrasse in a quiet corner. This chocolate is not a household name despite being in business since 1871.

They have big slabs of chocolate (we liked the one with dried raspberries) as well as truffles and pralines. We like that they serve gelato even in winter – dark chocolate flavor is amazing!

I wanted to buy all the chocolate bars just so I could frame the adorable packaging. Their amaretti dipped in chocolate are a special treat.

Vanini
Kuttelgasse 17, 8001 Zürich
Open Mon – Fri 10:00 – 19:00, Sat 10:00 – 18:00, closed Sundays
www.vanini1871.ch

5. Berg und Tal

This little specialty grocery in the Niederdorf focuses on local, small batch, handmade food products. So no surprise they carry some great local chocolates like La Flor, Taucherli and Garçoa.

We love all of these brands and are slowly trying all their bars, which are a bit pricey, but well worth it. Lots of other great products here as well. Last time I was there, the staff were quite knowledgeable about these brands and walked me through the whole table of chocolate. I recommend the La Flor chocolate "breadcrumbs" – yum!

Berg und Tal im Niederdorf
Niederdorfstrasse 3, 8001 Zürich
Open Mon 12:00-19:00, Tues – Fri 10:00 – 19:00, Sat 10:00 – 18:00, closed Sundays
www.berg-tal.ch

6. Schwarzenbach

Schwarzenbach is another small specialty grocery focusing on coffee, tea, dried fruit, spices and chocolate. In Jan 2021, they opened a small chocolate shop in the space next door which used to be coffee joint. This chocolate shop is all chocolate all the time, with a wide variety of high-end chocolate bars from Switzerland and beyond.

I was surprised to learn at many of their bars are vegan, mostly because of many of them are very dark chocolate. So many to choose, it can feel overwhelming. I buy 2-3 bars every time I go, just pick something that sounds interesting. Recently faves were Qantu goats milk, Naive peanut butter, and Garcoa Idukki. All of the bars are more expensive than at your local grocery, usually starting around CHF 5. But some bars are really expensive (like CHF 11), so check the prices so you don't get a big surprise when you pay.

In addition to chocolate bars, they have a takeaway coffee bar with special hot and cold chocolate drinks.

Schwarzenbach
Münstergasse 19, 8001 Zürich
Open Mon-Fri 9:00 – 18:30, Sat 9:00 – 17:00, closed Sundays
www.schwarzenbach.ch

7. Cafe schober for hot chocolate

Directly across from Schwarzenbach is the famous Cafe Schober cafe which has excellent hot chocolate, delicious pastries, and lovely spaces for chatting. If you need to get off your feet, this is a nice place to do it.

Cafe Schober
Napfgasse 4, 8001 Zürich
Open daily 9:00-17:00 (currenly takeaway only)
www.cafe1842.ch

9. Teuscher

Teuscher is internationally known, with shops in many big cities around the world. But its home is in Switzerland.

They are best known for their champagne truffles, which are sold individually and in lovely gift boxes. Last time I went, I got their candied oranges dipped in chocolate and they were super good. They have chocolates in fun animal shapes like cats and bees, which are nice for kids.

They are well known for their seasonal decorations that are filled with chocolate, great for gifts. Here are some from Christmas. The little Santas have a chocolate in their belly.

Confiserie Teuscher
Storchengasse 9, 8001 Zürich
Open Mon-Sat 10:00-18:00, closed Sundays
teuscher-zurich.ch

9. Chocolat Dieter Meier – Oro de Cacao

Note: This shop has recently changed locations so note the new address – Münsterhof 4, 8001 Zürich.

This chocolate shop is more of an experience than a store. The pralines are so beautiful, works of art really. Most of the chocolates shown here are carried in the store year round. But at least 4 flavors change seasonally.

I lvoe the names like Roller Coaster and Sun Kiss. These chocolates cost CHF 3/piece, which is admittedly expensive. But it is a delicious bit and worth it in my opinion.

Before you buy, make sure to have them explain their special cold-extraction process (they love to do this and will certainly offer, English is fine), where the beans are not roasted above 50C and other interesting things I forgot.

Their milk and which chocolate have a super high percentage of cocoa butter (around 60%), making for a super delish and unique flavor. Most other brands of milk and white chocolate have less than 30% cocoa butter and are mostly milk and sugar.

If you get their ice cream or hot chocolate, you can enjoy it at their café tables overlooking the lovely Münsterhof plaza.

Chocolat Dieter Meier
Münsterhof 4, 8001 Zürich
www.orodecacao.com

10. Sprüngli at Paradeplatz

I hardly need to introduce this Zürich institution. Sprüngli is the high end arm of Lindt, with lovely shops all over Switzerland, mostly in the big cities. You really can't go wrong here – it's all good!

For a splurge, try the pricey Truffe du Jour, which are made the same day they are served. They usually have seasonal flavors, like this vanilla bean truffle, which is amazing.

If you need a cake, definitely get the chocolate truffle cake, which is topped with a massive triangle of pure chocolate truffle. If you want to a fun gift, I suggest the hot chocolate mix, which is chocolate shavings, not powder. For extra credit, get a little box of Luxembourglis for later. Every flavor is my favorite. You can also start your day here with breakfast in the upstairs cafe. Back in the good old days, I would often meet friends here for fancy hot chocolate and truffle brioche.

Sprüngli Paradeplatz
Bahnhofstrasse 21, 8001 Zürich
Open Mon-Sat 7:30-18:00, Sun 9:00-17:00
www.spruengli.ch

11. Chocolatier Vollenweider

This last stop is a bit far from Sprüngli, so either enjoy the stroll along the lake to work off some of the chocolate you just ate or you can catch Tram 2, which drops off directly at Vollenweider. They offer a wide selection of high end chocolates, with pretty shapes and interesting flavors like ginger, which I really enjoyed. I don't go there as often as I should because it's a bit off the main drag. But I should.

Vollenwieder Chocolatier Confiseur
Theaterstrasse 1, 8001 Zürich
Open Mon – Sat 9:00 – 18:00, Sun 12:00 – 17:00
www.vollenweiderchocolatier.ch

I hope you enjoy this walking tour and all the chocolate you eat! Here's the stash I came home with last time I went out on a chocolate walk with a friend.

Extra credit – Max Chocolatier

Note: Sadly Max Chocolatier has closed their Zürich shop, so I've taken it off my map. But if you are in Lucerne, you can visit their boutique at Hertensteinstrasse 7, 6004 Luzern

These are one of my very favorite chocolates in Switzerland. The mojito praline is amazing!!! They change their praline flavors four times a year, so you'll have a good reason to go back. They usually have two vegan pralines, which are super delicious – no compromises on flavor.

Online they offer a Schoggi-Abo, sending you chocolate every month (hint family: I would like this!). They sell a hot chocolate pod shown below, where you pour hot milk over it and stir.

At Christmas, they sell a limited run of chocolate advent calendar (hint family, I want this next year!), which sell out quick. Best to order those in October.

See more posts about chocolate in Switzerland

P.S. I know some of you are wondering why I left Läderach off this list. Here's why.

coomesbrines.blogspot.com

Source: https://swissfamilyfun.com/chocolate-tour-zurich/