Chocolate is one of the world’s favourite treats. Switzerland is one of the world’s leading chocolate consumers. With a variety of brands and labels, it is also home to the world’s most expensive chocolate. The Swiss are fervent chocolate connoisseurs, with a variety of options and chocolate shops tucked around every nook and cranny; it can be hard to figure which brand to choose.
There is a myriad of choices, tastes, and varieties. Like manna from heaven, chocolate exists in many shapes and forms, jauntily wrapped around bars, wrappings, and gift boxes, crowding the impressive shop display shelves and making the decision process ever more challenging.
However, one thing is clear; there are more handcrafted chocolate varieties in Geneva than you could ever think of. According to Swissinfo, Switzerland’s chocolate sales turnover hit 1.7 billion CHF or 1.8 billion USD in 2021 alone.
With so many options, it may seem challenging to consider a specific brand when considering your next gift to a friend or loved one. Nevertheless, many chocolate shops in Geneva are within close proximity to each other, making it easy to pick your own chocolate tour. If you are out of clues while navigating Geneva’s alleys, here are some of the most delectable chocolatiers to try out.
Du Rhone Chocolatier
Founded in 1875, Du Rhone is one of the oldest chocolate shops in Geneva. Gracing Geneva’s most popular shopping street in Rue du Rhone, the shop has an excellent reputation among the citizens of Geneva. History has it that its irresistible delicacies conquered the world. When it first opened its doors in 1875, its coveted delectable chocolates caused countless traffic jams with horse-drawn carriages in Geneva’s most famous shopping street.
Its renowned guests included famous personalities like Winston Churchill, actress Grace Kelly, President Dwight Eisenhower, and even the King of Spain. With a variety of options, all of Du Rhone’s chocolates are handmade without palm oil or preservatives. One of their bestselling favourites is the mocca glace, which is a coffee-infused chocolate. Other options include truffles, dark and milk bars, and pralines. The shop has boutiques in London, Taipei and Riyadh.
Favarger
The Favarger chocolatier is a family-owned business that has existed for over seven generations since 1826. This unique chocolatier has been selling quality chocolates while creating their chocolate products in-house down to the minutest details perfecting their chocolate pralines.
The chocolate shop’s legacy started in 1826. As Geneva underwent an urban transformation, Jean Samuel Favarger took over his father-in-law’s business. He established a chocolate factory in Versoix in 1875 because of its location and access to water. The factory is still headquartered in Versoix to this day.
With a variety of chocolates, Favarger is one of Geneva’s, if not Switzerland’s, finest chocolatiers. Among their favourite specialties are the Avelines, dark milk chocolate, and crunchy Nougaline. Their specialty chocolate consists of three textures in delicious layers of milk chocolate with a creamy praline core and crunchy nougatine shell. Favarger also sells chocolate bars and fondue. Their delectable specialty chocolates are sold in several shops, including Geneva’s central station and airport.
Auer Chocolatier
Auer opened its first store in Geneva in 1939. It creates one-of-a-kind handmade chocolates and chocolate truffles with a high cocoa content. It is known for its signature truffles coated with a creamy chocolate topping; all its specialty chocolates are made in-house.
The family-run shop in Rue Du Rive sells more than fifty chocolate varieties. The chocolatier has an outdoor café allowing you to order cappuccinos, coffees, espressos, and other hot drinks as you enjoy the bustling scene of Geneva’s most popular shopping street.
Auer Chocolatier has existed for over five generations and is considered Geneva’s oldest chocolatier. One of its all-time favourites is the Pave Glace, a marvelous handmade chocolate created in 1940 by Henri Auer. The specialty chocolate is dusted with fine cocoa powder and literally melts in your mouth when eaten.
The chocolatier’s black, cocoa, milk, kirsch, and white chocolate truffles are handmade. The artisanal process involves using a piping bag to create each distinct piece. It is then dipped into melted chocolate with a fork. Priding itself on creating specialty chocolates, Auer Chocolatier certainly warrants a visit.
Chocolaterie Stettler & Castrischer
With a unique selection of chocolates, the Stettler Chocolatier in Geneva prides itself on quality. Established in 1947 by Paul Stettler, the chocolatier is also known for its legendary Black Forest cakes, which are among the best-selling in Geneva.
All of Stettler’s chocolates are made with the finest imported cocoa. The chocolatier won numerous awards, the oldest dating back to 1954 at the Bern Culinary Art Exhibition. Stettler continued perpetuating its excellent reputation in the decades to come, becoming Geneva’s most authentic flagship chocolate shop.
Its reputation expanded beyond Geneva’s borders, becoming a renowned brand with a growing selection of chocolates, including traditional paves with crunchy hazelnuts and homemade pralines.
If you are celebrating a special occasion or anniversary, Stettler offers unique chocolate gift boxes that can be customized with a personal message. The demand for its delectable chocolates has facilitated the store’s expansion across two locations, including Rue du Rhone and Avenue Blanc.
