Amsterdam for chocoholics

Puccini Bomboni

For over 30 years, this little chocolatier with two popular locations in Amsterdam’s centre has been offering big bonbons to its devotees. Puccini Bomboni strives for perfection with every one of its luxury confections. Their surprising and original flavours will have your mouth watering, from their signature Gianduja bonbon, a soft hazelnut milk chocolate that keeps punters coming back for more, to firm favourites such as honey and cranberry bonbons. You’ll find exotic varieties such as lemongrass, thyme, rhubarb, and peppery pepper. Yum! No wonder this family-run business is famous among regular and first-time visitors alike.

Puccini Bomboni | Staalstraat 17, Centrum / Singel 184, Centrum

Patisserie Holtkamp

Patisserie Holtkamp has been a permanent fixture on the Vijzelgracht since 1969. The small shop with an art-deco interior is renowned throughout Amsterdam. In addition to cakes and biscuits, you will find the famous Sachertorte (Princess Beatrix's favourite), chocolate galettes, classic, handmade bonbons and champagne truffles. Up to 70 kilograms of chocolate are processed here weekly to become delectable desserts.

Patisserie Holtkamp | Vijzelgracht 15, Centrum

Tony’s Super Store

The Amsterdam-based brand that took over the world, Tony’s Chocolonely, is the place to pick up a bar (or three) of delicious chocolate. In the Super Store, you can make your own bar, taste new and less new flavours, take a picture at their 'chocomate' and buy a Tony Rainbow Pack. Learn everything you need to know about fair labour in the cocoa industry and how Tony's Chocolonely is making an impact and trying to change this.

Tony’s Chocolonely | Oudebrugsteeg 15, Centrum

Ridammerhoeve Goat Farm

The Amsterdamse Bos (Amsterdam Forest) has much to offer, not least of which is the Ridammerhoeve Geitenboerderij (goat farm) right in the centre of the woods. There’s a petting area where you can meet the goats, lambs, chickens, pigs, cows and horses before heading to the farm shop for a delicious goat’s milk hot chocolate.

Geitenboerderij Ridammerhoeve | Nieuwe Meerlaan 4, Amsterdamse Bos

Pompadour

Pastry chef and chocolatier Pompadour in De 9 Straatjes creates works of art from chocolate. Pompadour only works with pure raw materials that have not undergone any complicated processing. The chocolate used for bonbons and cakes comes from the famous French supplier Valrhona. Settle in at Pompadour’s cosy tearoom and enjoy your treats with a warming cup of coffee.

Pompadour | Huidenstraat 12, Centrum

Chocolatier Van Soest

Watch bonbons, ganaches and truffles being made before your eyes at Chocolatier Van Soest. The family business uses a cocoa blend specially formulated for them in Paris to make bonbons, special chocolate bars (the so-called Gold collection), fruit chocolate, cocoa tea and chocolate mousse.

Chocolatier Van Soest | Frederiksplein 1a, Centrum / Zeilstraat 67, Zuid

Polaberry

Pop into this colourful shop on the Prinsengracht, specialising in chocolate-covered strawberries. Polaberry uses quality Belgian chocolate to create chocolate strawberry boxes, arrangements and even bouquets. Check out the handcrafted chocolate bars or the special boxes that will fit any occasion.

Polaberry | Prinsengracht 232 H, Centrum

ArtiChoc

Discover fine artisanal chocolate at ArtiChoc: bonbons, pralines, chocolate-covered figs, marzipan and more line the shop’s displays. Try their chocolate ice cream when the sun is shining, or grab a cup of delectable hot chocolate to brighten you up on cloudy days.

ArtiChoc | Koninginneweg 141 and Molsteeg 11, Centrum

Lait de Choco

As Holland’s first vegan chocolate, Lait de Choco offers hand-crafted plant-based chocolate, emphasising sustainable ingredients. With a menu that will have vegan sweet-tooths flocking, the chocolaterie prides itself on its selection of bouchées, (oval-shaped chocolate bonbons filled with praline), and boasts refined flavours such as pecan ganache and speculoos crunch, and matcha crème and lemon poppyseed. Stroll on over to the Czaar Peterbuurt, a lovely neighbourhood on the corner of Centrum and Oost, where Lait de Coco has its store, to curate your own bundle of bouchées.  

Lait de Choco | Czaar Peterstraat 118, Oostelijke Eilanden

Vanroselen

Vanroselen creates handmade chocolate with a simple and abstract design that does not distract from the pure taste of cocoa. Chocolate bars at Vanroselen are made by exclusive international chocolate brands and are often made in small batches, ‘bean-to-bar’, where the makers source the beans from the farmers directly and sustainably.

Vanroselen | Nieuwe Spiegelstraat 72, Centrum

Chocolatemakers

Chocolatemakers focuses on purity. Not only do they source organic material, but all their bars feature just one type of cocoa from a single origin. These guys never blend! The result is a range of bars reflecting the source's essence: a bit of smokiness from Papua New Guinea, the zest of lime from Madagascar or a hint of tobacco from Cuba. Not only do these bars taste great, but they also support great causes. The purchase of a Gorillabar helps local farmers in the Congo protect the gorilla’s habitat. Bravo!

Chocolatemakers | available online and at the I amsterdam Store, Central Station