Delectable delicacies at the top 10 chocolate shops in Zurich
There’s nothing quite like Swiss chocolate. Zurich is full of delicious treats, but the city’s chocolate craftsmanship, which has been honed for nearly two centuries, truly stands out.
I’ve had a sweet tooth since I was a kid, sampling everything from classic milk chocolate bars to unique creations like Dubai chocolate.
With so many chocolate shops in Zurich, picking just one can be tough. Whether you’re visiting or new to the city, you’ll be spoiled for choice. With that, here’s my personal list of the best shops in the city.
1. Läderach
– Media credit: Läderach Instagram
Website: https://laderach.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/laderach.official
Address: Bahnhofstrasse 106, 8001
Contact Details: +41 44 210 11 60
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Saturday: 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM
Pricing: ₣₣₣
Läderach is classic when it comes to chocolates in Zurich. With their dedication to creating high-quality chocolates, many of the ones that they sell at their shop are made and sold on the same day. Personally, their chocolates look like artisanal creations.
Their roster includes several types of chocolates, such as the classic milk chocolate and even boozy chocolate. These are then moulded into different products like tablets, pralines, and truffles.
If you’re looking for something snackable, they have some great small ones. My favourite is their chocolate pearls. For fancy chocolate, they have an entire Dubai chocolate section that’s mouthwateringly addictive.
| Pro Tip: For the vegans out there, they have a dedicated section just for you. You can try many of the vegan versions of their artisanal chocolates and classics, and they taste just like the non-vegan options. |
2. Confiserie Sprüngli
– Media credit: Confiserie Sprüngli Instagram
Website: https://www.spruengli.ch
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/spruengli/?brand_redir=597856733683075#
Address: Bahnhofstrasse 21, 8001
Contact Details: +41 44 224 46 46
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Friday: 7:30 AM to 6:30 PM
- Saturday: 8:30 AM to 6:00 PM
Pricing: ₣₣₣
Confiserie Sprüngli makes more than just chocolates. It’s a confectioner beloved by the people of Zurich for creating some of the finest chocolates. While they’re far more expensive than others, the price is truly worth it considering the quality of their goods.
The highlight of this shop is its pralines. While their chocolate bars and truffles are also great, their home assortment of pralines is just the right amount of indulgence that I like. It comes with twenty-four different flavours, and my favourite has to be Noisette VGN.
Aside from chocolates, I frequent this shop for its pastries. Some of the ones I’d highly recommend are the almond croissant, which isn’t as sweet as it sounds. The plum tartlet is just the right amount of sweet and tart.
| Pro Tip: If you’re in a hurry and can’t come to their shop, they’ve got a great delivery service that brings any of their products to your home or hotel. This is perfect, especially when ordering some of their seasonal products that run out fast. |
3. Max Chocolatier
– Media credit: Max Chocolatier Instagram
Website: https://en.maxchocolatier.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/maxchocolatierzurich
Address: Schlüsselgasse 12, 8001
Contact Details: +41 41 511 70 49
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Friday: 10:00 AM to 12:30 PM | 1:00 PM to 7:00 PM
- Saturday: 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Pricing: ₣₣
Max is where I head to for special occasions. Their chocolate and ingredients come from specific plantations in Asia, South America, and the Caribbean. They specialise in single-origin chocolates with ingredients sourced from a single plantation.
I love their chocolates for their simplicity. The packaging doesn’t have any frills or fuss, as the highlight has always been the chocolate inside. Some options that you’ll find are truffles, single-serving plattli, and even tasting boxes that are perfect for sharing.
Whenever I really want to treat and surprise myself or a friend, I find their chocolate subscriptions to be very convenient. It’s a one-year subscription offering a wide variety of unique flavours made specifically for these seasonal chocolate boxes.
| Pro Tip: If it’s near the holidays and you’re looking for a fun thing to do before Christmas, consider planning an event. I’d highly recommend their surprisingly affordable Advent calendars that hold samples of some of their best and highest-selling chocolates. |
4. Läckerli Huus
– Media credit: Läckerli Huus AG Instagram
Website: https://www.laeckerli-huus.ch/en
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LaeckerliHuus
Address: Im Hauptbahnhof ShopVille-Plaza, 8001
Contact Details: +41 61 264 22 23
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Wednesday, Friday: 8:00 AM to 9:00 PM
- Thursday: 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM
- Saturday: 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM
- Sunday: 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM
Pricing: ₣₣
For a more traditional approach to chocolate, I tend to go to Läckerli Huus. Many of their handcrafted delicacies are made with gift-giving in mind, and I love their packaging. It’s simple and chic, which is perfect for gifting to family and friends.
Their chocolates are made with 72% Grand Cru, which is harvested from Colombian plantations. Their speciality is their wide range of truffles. From coffee-flavoured ones to their nutty creations, there’s truly something for all sorts of tastes and preferences.
For those who are new to Zurich, I’d highly suggest trying out their selection of Basler Läckerli. Its high-quality ingredients and sophisticated flavours elevate this classic Swiss dessert. My personal favourite is the heart ones.
| Pro Tip: To experience firsthand the facility that creates their chocolate and desserts, I’d highly suggest getting a ticket to their World of Indulgence tour at Frenkendorf. It’s a short drive from Zurich, and you get to taste so many of their products. |
5. Confiserie Madeleine
– Media credit: Confiserie Madeleine Instagram
Website: https://confiserie-madeleine.com/en
Address: Rennweg 22, 8001
Contact Details: +41 44 211 13 90
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Friday: 10:00 AM to 6:30 PM
- Saturday: 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Pricing: ₣₣
90 years ago, Adolf Teuscher Sr. began his journey in creating some of the finest sweets in the country. His shop, Confiserie Madeleine, was renowned for its impressive take on confectionery.
I find myself frequenting their two locations in Zurich, particularly the one in Rennweg. The best chocolates at their shop are the pralines and the truffles. There are no words to describe the decadence of their champagne truffles since it’s simply irresistible.
A unique take on chocolate that I highly appreciate for my diabetic family members is their sugar-free chocolate series. It’s still as sweet, decadent, and delicious as their normal counterparts.
| Pro Tip: Their dedicated Zurich specialities are something that I tend to send to my friends outside of Switzerland. The Zurich Market Bridge has some of the best truffles in its collection, and it allows anyone to get a taste of their creations. |
6. Vollenweider Chocolatier Confiseur
– Media credit: Vollenweider Chocolatier Confiseur Instagram
Website: https://www.vollenweiderchocolatier.ch
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/vollenweiderchocolatier.ch
Address: Theaterstrasse 1, 8001
Contact Details: +41 43 288 04 04
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Friday: 8:30 AM to 6:30 PM
- Saturday: 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM
- Sunday: 12:00 PM to 5:00 PM
Pricing: ₣₣
Vollenweider creates great artisanal confectionery and chocolates that are far cheaper than their competitors. All of their chocolates are handcrafted and are made daily at the Vollenweider factory, with ingredients from South America, Bronte, and local farmers.
Something that you won’t normally see with other chocolatiers is hot chocolate. These come in dark and milk chocolate variants that taste like their normal chocolate bars, but in liquid form. They also have pralines and truffles with unique flavours like Earl Grey.
There are days when I head here for their other sweets, such as their eclairs or their single-serving bundt cakes. I also adore their macarons because they sell them for far cheaper than other stores, and the quality exceeds that of dedicated macaron shops.
| Pro Tip: When throwing a party, I can’t help but bring some of Vollenweider’s party snacks. These are pastries, brioches, and even nuts that are created fresh for customers. My personal favourite is the puff pastry squares, which can serve 8. |
7. Confiserie Bachmann
– Media credit: Confiserie Bachmann Instagram
Website: https://www.confiserie.ch/en/zuerich-bahnhofstrasse
Address: Bahnhofstrasse 89, 8001
Contact Details: +41 44 221 97 80
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Friday: 6:45 AM to 8:00 PM
- Saturday: 7:00 AM to 8:00 PM
- Sunday: 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Pricing: ₣
Integrating baked goods and chocolate is the speciality of Bachmann. The brothers, owners Matthias and Raphael, create some of the best pastries in Zurich. Even after being there a couple of times, I’m still astounded by the amount of goods they sell.
I can’t help but gush about their chocolates. They have all the usual pralines, truffles, and chocolate bars. But the best thing about them is that they’re cheap, high-quality, and come in an assortment of flavours.
In addition to their dozens of pastries, such as breads and buns, they also offer some great Aperos that are perfect for a quick snack. My personal pick has to be the classic bruschetta.
| Pro Tip: If you’re looking to give gifts to co-workers, then they have a dedicated section for that! They pack and customise packaging to fit any occasion and can even integrate company logos into some of their unique chocolates. |
8. Lindt Home of Chocolate
– Media credit: Lindt Home of Chocolate Instagram
Website: https://www.lindt-home-of-chocolate.com/en
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lindthomeofchocolate#
Address: Seestrasse 204, 8802 Kilchberg
Contact Details: +41 44 716 20 00
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Sunday: 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM
Pricing: ₣₣
You can’t talk about chocolates without discussing Lindt. The Home of Chocolate is more than just a museum because it also sells some of Lindt’s best chocolates.
Here, you’re not only going to taste and buy chocolate, but you’ll also get to make your own. They offer dedicated courses here that teach the ropes on how to become a chocolatier, without the need for years of training.
Something you’ll only find here is their exclusive Lindt Squares. They have limited flavours like dark caramel sea salt, and my personal favourite, dark orange. You’ll also find all their classic chocolates here, as well as an assortment of sweets.
| Pro Tip: I’d highly suggest booking earlier than usual when heading to The Home of Chocolate. This is a frequently visited place for locals and tourists. Tickets and chocolates can sell out faster than at other chocolate shops in Zurich. |
9. H. Schwarzenbach
– Media credit: WalterMartin Instagram
Website: https://www.schwarzenbach.ch/en
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/schwarzenbachkolonialwaren
Address: Münstergasse 19, 8001
Contact Details: +41 44 261 13 15
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Friday: 9:00 AM to 6:30 PM
- Saturday: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Pricing: ₣₣
One of the oldest grocery shops in Zurich is H. Schwarzenbach. Having been established in 1864, the shop exudes a nostalgic charm that’s comforting and unique among its competitors. Aside from chocolate, they’re also a well-known delicatessen.
They don’t sell their own chocolate, but have ones from around the world. While they have Swiss chocolates, they also offer some from Panama, Ecuador, and even the Dominican Republic. They even sell cacao beans here.
They also have a variety of baked goods and pantry staples. I always buy some of their dried fruits, nuts, and jams due to their long shelf life. For gift-giving, they have great bundles that showcase products from around the world.
| Pro Tip: This is the perfect place for vegans to find chocolate. Unlike other shops, they have a selection of almost 250 different types of chocolate products to enjoy. All of them are far cheaper than locally made chocolates with great flavours. |
10. laflor
– Media credit: laflor Instagram
Website: https://laflor.ch/en
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/laflor.schokolade
Address: Hohlstrasse 418, 8048
Contact Details: +41 76 219 34 87
Operating Hours:
- Wednesday to Friday: 3:00 PM to 6:30 PM
- Saturday: 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Pricing: ₣
Laflor is a sustainable brand that truly cares for the environment. They also claim that their chocolates are ethically sourced and that they’re all single-origin.
Unlike other chocolate shops, all of their crafts are artisan in nature and are all made in Zurich. Their list of flavours includes classics like white, milk, and dark chocolate. Many of these chocolates find their origins in Peru, Brazil, Ecuador, and Venezuela.
There are also vegan options available for all flavours. I also frequent their hot chocolate section because they offer some of the richest and creamiest blends in Zurich. These chocolates also come with a variety of nuts, like almonds.
| Pro Tip: I find that their Advent calendars are truly something special. Each bar inside is uniquely crafted, and you get to try some of their most unique flavours. There’s also their annual subscription service for those who can’t wait for the holidays. |