The 10 Best Chocolate Shops // Zurich, Switzerland
When I was a child, I visited my aunt in Switzerland with my family, and the thing I most remember, besides the winding roads leading up to her home in the mountains and the Sound of Music green rolling hills of the Alps, was the vast quantities of chocolate we brought home and never finished.
Switzerland is famous the world over for its chocolate, and for good reason — Swiss chocolate really is the best. So if you’ve found yourself in Zurich and looking for chocolate, you’re in for a real treat (pun intended). The world’s best chocolate and chocolatiers can be found in this idyllic city.
But which shops should you go to? We had the same question, and spent our last day exploring the city via self-guided chocolate tour, looking for our favorite chocolate bar. Which did I like best? You can read about it here! But if you want to host your own favorite-finding taste test, here are some of the best chocolate shops in town (listed in alphabetical order).
***If you’d rather be guided through the city, this Swiss chocolate walking tour might be for you. If you want to learn how to be a conscientious chocolate consumer, this ethical chocolate tour is perfect for you.
Bahnhofstrasse 89, 8001 Zürich, Switzerland
Since 1896, Bachmann has been crafting everything from silky-smooth truffles to heavenly pralines, their chocolate creations are simply irresistible.
When you walk into the store, you’ll find a chocolate fountain that runs down the stairs on the way up, and when you turn the corner at the top, you’ll find an entire wall of flowing, cocoa goodness where the Bachmann logo protrudes.
Instead of the typical large counters of truffles, Bachmann displays them in mini cases of chocolate bars, truffles, and pastries, and you can pick up a box and add the truffles to it yourself, instead of being served by someone behind the counter, much like an Asian pastry shop like 85°C Bakery Cafe, or Paris Baguette.
The most popular chocolate bar, though? That would be the Bachmann Dark Chocolate with Hazelnuts, and it costs around 5 Swiss francs per bar.
Rennweg 53, 8001 Zürich, Switzerland
When a friend who lives in Zurich realized I loved chocolate, her top recommendation was Confiserie Honold. A family-run chocolate business that has been tantalizing taste buds since 1905, Honold has been perfecting their chocolates for generations, and their commitment to quality and tradition is evident in every bite.
Once you walk in, you’ll see beautifully arranged displays, featuring an array of mouth-watering chocolate truffles and pralines, which are made with only the finest Swiss milk and cream. They are well known for their cocktail truffles, flavored with everything from cognac to champagne, Grand Marnier to absinthe. But their Caipirinha truffle is what you should write home about—a divine combination of rum and lime that will leave your taste buds singing with joy. Caipirinhas also happen to be M’s favorite drink—it’s a match made in Zurich.
Like Sprungli, Honold has an indoor café attached, where you can sit and enjoy a coffee or cup of hot chocolate. And if you’re looking for their most popular chocolate bar, that would be the Honold Grand Cru Single Origin Dark Chocolate, a sublime and sophisticated treat that will set you back around 13 Swiss francs per bar.
Bahnhofstrasse 106, 8001 Zürich, Switzerland
I discovered Läderach in July 2022, at Selfridges in London, and it immediately became my favorite chocolate brand. I had probably eaten a bar a month every month since, and knew we had to visit their stories. They are much the same in Zurich as they are around the world, with a sleek and modern design, though much more crowded in Zurich than they are in the States.
Läderach has been pushing the boundaries of chocolate since 1962, with unique and inventive flavors like raspberry-chili and coconut milk. Their cases are full of FrischSchoggi, a marriage of fresh Läderach chocolate (white, milk, or dark), with quality ingredients, presented as slabs, in flavors such as pistachio, gingerbread, or cornflakes. If you ask nicely, sometimes they’ll give you a sample as you check out.
But we came for their chocolate bar: the Läderach Madagascar 64%. With its rich, velvety flavor and a price tag of around 6 Swiss francs per bar, this was our favorite bar before flying across the Atlantic to the Swiss capital.
Schokoladenplatz 1, Seestrasse 204, 8802 Kilchberg, Switzerland
One of the world's best-known chocolate brands, Lindt has been producing high-quality chocolate since 1845, and its innovative flavors and creations have made it a household name. Lindt is probably the most well-known chocolate institution, with a dedicated chocolate factory and museum in Zurich. The museum is an absolute must-visit for any chocoholic out there. You'll be transported to a world of chocolate wonder with fascinating exhibits and interactive displays that showcase the rich history and art of chocolate-making.
If you can’t make it to the museum, though, you can still experience the Lindt magic in their shops, including the one on Bahnhofstrasse. When you walk in, you’ll be greeted with spacious and bright interiors, colorful displays of their famous chocolate truffles, and seasonal delights like chocolate Easter bunnies and Christmas ornaments.
If you’re looking for a classic chocolate bar, you might like the Lindt Excellence 70% Cocoa Dark. There’s a reason this bar can be found in almost any supermarket around the world – it’s a classic. And with a price tag of around 3.50 Swiss francs per bar, it's an absolute steal compared to some of the other chocolate options in this city.
Schlüsselgasse 12, 8001 Zürich, Switzerland
Max Chocolatier is a hidden gem of a chocolate boutique tucked away in Zurich's charming Niederdorf neighborhood. This boutique approaches chocolate like a true artisan. They source single-origin bars based on grand cru from the world’s best chocolate regions, such as Madagascar, Bolivia, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, and Venezuela. But they’re also famous for some unique flavor pairings, sometimes in limited editions, including balsamic vinegar and blood orange, caramel and chestnut, and Max’s favorite, the himbeer branchli—a cigar-shaped chocolate of raspberry jelly, gianduja and short crust pastry coated in 68% dark chocolate.
The boutique itself is very cozy, with a delightful aroma of chocolate filling the air. The wooden displays and baskets of cacao beans and other chocolate-making ingredients add to the shop's charm, giving you a glimpse into the chocolate-making process. It just feels like a chocolate atelier.
If you’re looking for a standard chocolate bar (to compare or just enjoy), try the "Rio Huimbi 42%", a Grand Cru milk chocolate from Esmeraldas in Ecuador with fine caramel notes, or the “Madagascar 68%”, which is what we picked up because we’re suckers for the fruitiness of Madagascar cocoa. These bars are much pricier, though, at around 11.75 Swiss francs apiece.
Napfgasse 4, 8001 Zürich, Switzerland
This quaint pastry and coffee shop will take you on a trip down memory lane. As soon as you step inside, you'll feel like you've been transported to a bygone era, with charming exposed brick walls and wooden furniture giving off a cozy and intimate vibe. This family-owned establishment has been satisfying Swiss sweet tooths since 1877, when it first opened as a bakery. Fast forward to today and Conditorei Péclard im Schober has expanded into a café and confectionery shop, offering an array of delectable treats that will make your taste buds dance with delight.
Péclard im Schober offers cakes, pastries, mousses, and chocolates, and also specializes in traditional Swiss pastries like Birchermüesli, a breakfast dish of oatmeal, fruit, and yogurt. And fun fact: Péclard im Schober is the oldest confectionery in Zurich. It was even a favorite haunt of the famous Swiss author, Gottfried Keller.
Almost more a bakery than a chocolate shop, this destination is for anyone looking for a taste of traditional Swiss pastries and a glimpse into Zurich's rich cultural heritage.
Bahnhofstrasse 21, 8001 Zürich, Switzerland
Confiserie Sprüngli is an absolute classic. This Swiss chocolate maker, established in 1836, embodies excellence in the chocolate industry and is synonymous with tradition, quality, and luxury. Their elegant and sophisticated stores in Zurich offer a sensory experience with the alluring aroma of chocolate and displays of Switzerland's finest chocolates, cakes, pastries, and macarons.
One of their most iconic delicacies is Luxemburgerli, a small, colorful macaron filled with a light cream, invented by a Sprüngli confectioner in 1956. A box of these baby macarons make the perfect gift, and seeing them all lined up along the walls may make your heart sing for joy (it definitely did mine). Sprüngli's chocolate bars and truffles are also heavenly, and their Grand Cru Milk Chocolate is a popular choice at 6.50 CHF.
If you stop by their cafe, you can enjoy a full spread of savory foods, including soups, sandwiches, salads, quiches, and hot main courses. Make sure to leave room for dessert, which should include their famous chocolate truffle cake or a cup of hot chocolate.
Bahnhofstrasse 46, 8001 Zürich, Switzerland
Every chocolate shop has its own character, but Teuscher puts them all to shame, wearing bright pinks, reds, and yellows, like it’s Carnaval in Rio. Step into one of Teuscher's stores and you'll know what I mean: you’ll be instantly bombarded by the overwhelming colors, and sheer volume of artificial flowers hanging from every surface, including the ceiling, columns, and walls.
Founded in Zurich in 1932, Teuscher is known for their luxurious chocolate truffles, which feature flavors like jasmine tea, marzipan, salted caramel, and Bailey’s Irish Cream. It’s their signature and world-famous Champagne Truffles (Dom Pérignon dusted with powdered sugar), though, that are a must-try, and I will be the first to admit that they are delicious.
In addition to truffles, Teuscher offers a variety of other chocolate delights, including their Teuscher Dark Chocolate, which is both rich and smooth, and typically costs around 6 Swiss francs per bar.
Kuttelgasse 17, 8001 Zürich, Switzerland
It seems like all of Zurich’s chocolate shops are over a century old, but Vanini is definitely one of them, having been producing chocolates and confections since 1871. It originally started in Lugano, then opened in Zurich, and its chocolates are still made by hand.
Vanini’s “Tavoletta al Sale” is a true masterpiece, combining the sweetness of milk chocolate with the savory crunch of sea salt. Their fresh chocolate bars also feature amaretti, ginger, and curried almonds as flavors. Vanini has a café that serves its own brand of house-made gelato, and during the holidays, their bestseller is a their panettone, an enriched Italian bread traditionally eaten on Christmas day.
Another fun fact: Vanini is the oldest chocolate factory in Lugano, and its chocolates were once served on the luxurious Orient Express.
Theaterstrasse 1, 8001 Zürich, Switzerland
This Swiss luxury pastry and chocolate store that opened in 1943 is stunning. The store’s sleek and modern design, featuring high-quality materials like marble, glass, and brass, make it a feast for the eyes as well as the taste buds. And their products match their decor, featuring a Louis Vuitton handbag, or a pair of high heels. This shop exudes luxury.
They are also well known for their macarons, which come in exotic flavors like Gin & Tonic, wasabi, and ginger-lemon. It’s no wonder that Vollenweider has earned numerous awards over the years, including the coveted "Best Swiss Pastry Chef" award in 2020. It’s even more impressive that, despite their success, Vollenweider remains a family-owned business, currently run by the third generation of the Vollenweider family.
The packaging here is as impeccable as the treats themselves, making Vollenweider the perfect place to find that extra special gift for a loved one (or yourself!).
---
Clearly, Zurich is a chocolate lover's dream come true, offering a huge selection of chocolate that will satisfy any level or variety of chocolate craving. There is something in Zurich’s chocolate shops for everyone, whether you prefer traditional Swiss chocolate or more unusual flavor combinations. You’re in the right place, and best of luck finding your favorite!