Zurich Chocolate Tour
- Mar 29
- 3 min read
A self-guided tour of small specialty shops that are defining the bean to bar Swiss chocolate culture
Switzerland is world-famous for its chocolate, and Zürich is one of the places where that reputation was built. Swiss chocolatiers helped invent milk chocolate in 1875, combining cocoa with condensed milk for the first time. Today, Switzerland still has the highest chocolate consumption per person in the world—over 11 kg per person each year!
Chocolate in Switzerland is not just a sweet treat — it’s part of daily life, craftsmanship, and tradition.
In this little self-guided tour I created for our Happy Hub community, you can explore a mix of modern artisan chocolatiers and small specialty shops that showcase the diversity of Swiss chocolate and the bean to bar chocolate movement in Zurich.
🍫 Stop 1 — MOON
Bean-to-bar chocolate meets Scandinavian baking
MOON is a unique concept shop that brings together vegan bean-to-bar chocolate from Kürzi Kakao and Scandinavian pastries from NORS Bakery. The focus here is on high-quality ingredients, plant-based recipes, and bold flavor combinations. This is one of my favourite spots to grab a delicious drink, roll and chocolate to go when I'm in the Zurich Wiedikon area. Plus the owners, Britta and Bianca, are always so happy and passionate about what they are creating...it is contagious! (I'm standing with them in the upper left corner of the pic above).
Kürzi Kakao is part of the growing bean-to-bar movement, meaning the chocolate is made from carefully sourced cocoa beans and crafted in small batches to highlight the unique flavors of different cacao origins. I absolutely love their version of Dubai chocolate, as well as the selection of unique flavoured bars that are always changing.
Location: Bertastrasse 4, Zürich
🍫 Stop 2 — Confiserie Sprüngli
A Zurich institution since 1836
Confiserie Sprüngli is one of Zurich’s most iconic chocolate houses, founded in 1836 by David Sprüngli. The famous shop at Paradeplatz opened in 1859, and it quickly became a meeting place for Zurich’s social elite.
Today, Sprüngli is famous for its elegant chocolates, truffles, and especially the delicate Luxemburgerli, their signature miniature macarons introduced in 1957.
✨ Fun fact: The Sprüngli family later split the business in 1892—one branch became the famous chocolate brand Lindt & Sprüngli, while the original confectionery remained Confiserie Sprüngli.
Location: Paradaplatz, Zürich
🍫 Stop 3 — Max Chocolatier
The new generation of Swiss artisan chocolate
Max Chocolatier is a family-run boutique chocolatier founded in 2009 in Lucerne. Their chocolates are handmade in small batches using natural ingredients and creative seasonal flavors.
The Zurich boutique in the old town offers pralines and chocolate creations inspired by the seasons—from Marc-de-Champagne truffles in winter to passion-fruit chocolate in summer.
Location: Schlüsselgasse 12, Zürich
🍫 Stop 4 — Berg und Tal
Swiss craftsmanship and small producers
Berg und Tal is a charming specialty grocery shop in the Niederdorf that celebrates small Swiss food producers and artisanal brands.
Here you’ll find chocolates from independent makers such as:
Location: Niederdorfstrasse 3, Zürich
🍫 Stop 5 — Schwarzenbach Kolonialwaren
A historic gourmet shop
Schwarzenbach is a historic specialty store in the Niederdorf known for coffee, spices, tea, and fine chocolates from around the world.
The shop continues the tradition of old-world specialty food merchants, offering carefully sourced products and rare ingredients.
Location: Münstergasse 19, Zürich
🍫 A Few Other Fun Swiss Chocolate Facts
• Milk chocolate was invented in Switzerland in 1875 by Daniel Peter.
• Before chocolate bars became common, chocolate was often consumed as a drinking chocolate, which was a luxury enjoyed by European aristocracy.
• Switzerland consumes more chocolate per person than any other country.
• Swiss chocolatiers pioneered techniques that made chocolate smoother and creamier.
• The country produces hundreds of thousands of tons of chocolate every year, exporting more than half worldwide.
Enjoy this little tour and by all means, add in other chocolate shops that you find along your way! There are so many in Zurich and each one have their own stories to tell.
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