My friend went to a chocolate store she heard about from Rick Steves, but for the life of me I can't find it. She called it "Chocoholic" but I'm not sure that's the right name. I know that it is in Antwerp and that they make a Lavender Chocolate. I'm trying to surprise her for her birthday, does anyone know the place I'm talking about?
Posted by
Rick Steves' Europe
16895 posts
I don't see any specific shops mentioned in Rick's book. Chocolate Box is one in Antwerp that seems popular on Google: http://www.chocolateboxantwerpen.com/. There also is Chocoholic based in nearby Netherlands: http://www.chocoholic.nl/.
Posted by
IJzendijke, The Netherlands
2106 posts
Check out “The Chocolate Line” of Dominique Persoone at the “Paleis op de Meir”. The Meir is Antwerps most well-known shopping street.
Posted by
London, United Kingdom
4684 posts
Top places in Antwerp include Del Rey in Appelmansstraat, Burie in Korte Gasthuisstraat, and Elisa in the Markt. Look for "Antwerpse Handjes", miniature hand-shaped chocolates and biscuits.
Posted by
Toledo, Ohio, US
11613 posts
Chocoholic is a chain, I think. I saw several stores in other cities in Belgium. My personal favorite is Neuhaus.
Posted by
OP
2 posts
Thank you Zoe! You just made someone's birthday extra special!
Posted by
IJzendijke, The Netherlands
2106 posts
Chocoholic has some shops in Bruges and 1 in Brussels, their website says nothing about a shop in Antwerp. www.choco-holic.be To be sure contact them first if they really -still- sell the Lavender Chocolate. Btw there is also a US based www.chocoholic.com but has I guess only a webshop.
Posted by
Wyckoff, NJ, USA
7936 posts
I haven't tried them all, but it's hard to believe that there is anything better than Burie in Antwerp. Until recently, they only had that single store, which was absolutely "artisanal".
Posted by
IJzendijke, The Netherlands
2106 posts
One can have always a discussion what´s best, but the reason why I mention Dominique Persoone is that he has a big international reputation with experimental combinations of chocolate with all kinds of flavours you never thought about and I think with lavender too. To my opinion the biggest chance to find what you are looking for. Anyway it´s always free to ask if they sell it and worth trying a few of those special tastes anyway.
For an impression see: www.thechocolateline.be and watch some videos like the one with the Hairy Bikers for instance.