In one of my favorite Simpsons episodes, Homer’s nuclear power plant is bought by a group of German investors. When Homer expresses his concerns regarding candy, they assure him they’re all on the same page because “after all, we come from the land of chocolate!” (Homer then proceeds to have a pretty astounding and delicious fantasy about what such a place might be like. Suffice it to say, it rains chocolate).
While Germany might certainly have a claim, I’ll venture to say that it’s fair to consider all of Europe “The Land of Chocolate.” They get chocolate there. They do it right. They give this amazing food group the respect it deserves.
If there is one aspect of travel I’m pretty close to expert in, it’s seeking out chocolate in foreign lands. So just for fun, here’s list of my best chocolate experiences in Europe:
Prague: Chocolate (especially my beloved hot chocolate, or horka cocolada) is everywhere in Prague. It’s been a few years since I’ve been, but I still highly recommend a few places: Kavarna Slavia (which has an incredible view of the Vltava River, as well as delicious hot chocolate—you can probably skip the food though). Get a window table; you won’t regret it. And Café Louvre serves liquid chocolate in a cup. There’s no one alive who won’t like that, unless they are certifiably insane.
Barcelona: Oh, how I wish I remember the name, but there was a chocolate/cookie shop I explored with unfathomable delight during both of my trips to Barcelona. Honestly, that’s one of the reasons it’s among my favorite cities. (I’m sort of embarrassed to admit that, but not really). And while the Museum of Chocolate didn’t wow me all that much as an educational institution, go there to have one of the greatest cups of hot chocolate of your life in the café. Oh, and did I mention there’s a gift shop? Because there is.
London: When you’re in London, check out Café Nero and sample their Hot Chocolate Milano. It’s about the best “European” hot chocolate you can find in London, since England, as so many will remind me, is not really Europe. Anyway, this drink is divine, and has the distinction of being the one redeeming feature of my seven-hour layover in Dubai airport a while back (they do have Café Nero in other countries, as you can see, but I associate it with London). And England also boasts something that U.S. Starbucks stores should be ashamed of themselves for not carrying: Chocolate. Chip. Shortbread. It’s even better than it sounds, which is basically impossible, so try it. Even if you’re just on a layover in Heathrow, make it happen.
Budapest: My favorite café in Budapest is Café Gerbaud, which has amazing hot chocolate (I’m sure you can sense a theme to this piece), but also delicious and decadent chocolate cake. Splurge on a few euros’ worth of luxury and sit inside this beautiful fin-de-siecle building or outside on the terrace and watch the world go by. (And yes, I feel a bit silly for having just typed fin-de-siecle, but nonetheless).
Paris: I’ve saved the best for last. While there’s undoubtedly amazing chocolate to be found all over the city pretty much anywhere you look (I did not have a pain au chocolat during any of my trips here that was not worth falling on a sword for), the best place of all to experience Parisian chocolate magic is at the legendary Café Angelina. Wait in line (it’s worth it), gaze around at the beautiful building where Audrey Hepburn and Coco Chanel used to frequent, and once you sit down, immediately order the famous Chocolate L’Africain. I don’t really have words to explain how good this chocolate concoction with a side order of homemade whipped cream is—although, and I am not making this up, I once based an entire chapter of a short story around it—but drink it and you will understand, and words will be both inadequate and unnecessary. Ah, hello, so this is what heaven tastes like. I’m in.
Disclaimer: now that I’ve written an article on the best chocolate in Europe, I have to confess: I have never been to Belgium or Switzerland, and I’ve only spent one day in Germany. Eek! How could my chocolate-obsessed self have let this happen? I promise I’ll rectify it one day, and in the meantime, please feel free to share your best chocolate experiences in these countries, or any others!