Moscow is a city with a rich food culture, and handmade chocolates are no exception. With an increasing focus on artisanal, locally sourced, and crafted-with-care sweets, the city has some fantastic options for chocolate lovers. Whether you’re a fan of dark chocolate, truffles, or milk chocolate pralines, there are numerous spots around Moscow offering the finest in handmade chocolate. Here’s a guide on how to find the best handmade chocolates in Moscow, where you can indulge in expertly crafted confections and enjoy a truly unique chocolate experience.
1. Mendel’sson Chocolaterie
Located in the heart of Moscow, Mendel’sson Chocolaterie is one of the city’s most renowned spots for artisanal chocolates. Known for their premium ingredients and handmade production, this chocolatier offers an incredible selection of chocolates, perfect for both gifting and indulging yourself.
What to Expect:
- Handmade Chocolates: Mendel’sson specializes in dark, milk, and white chocolates, with each piece carefully crafted by hand to create rich flavors and delicate textures.
- Truffles and Pralines: Their truffles are a highlight, with flavors ranging from hazelnut to champagne.
- Elegant Shop Design: The chic, modern design of the chocolatier’s store creates a welcoming atmosphere for anyone with a sweet tooth.
Why It’s Great:
- Mendel’sson offers a premium chocolate experience where each piece is crafted with attention to detail, ensuring you enjoy the finest handmade chocolates in Moscow.
2. Voskhod
For a truly authentic taste of Russian craftsmanship in the chocolate world, Voskhod is an iconic chocolatier in Moscow. Known for combining traditional techniques with high-quality ingredients, Voskhod offers a unique collection of handmade Russian chocolates.
What to Expect:
- Traditional Russian Confections: Voskhod is known for its classic Russian-style pralines, filled with a variety of ingredients like caramel, hazelnuts, and fruit fillings.
- Handmade Excellence: All of their chocolates are handcrafted using the finest ingredients, ensuring that every bite is rich and decadent.
- Gift-worthy Options: Their beautiful packaging makes their chocolates perfect for gifting during holidays or special occasions.
Why It’s Great:
- Voskhod stands out for its commitment to Russian chocolate-making traditions, while adding a modern twist. The flavors are rich and complex, offering something for every chocolate lover.
3. Chocolate Academy Moscow
If you’re looking for a hands-on chocolate experience, Chocolate Academy Moscow is a must-visit. A place where you can witness the creation of artisanal chocolate firsthand, the academy offers high-quality, handmade chocolates for purchase in addition to classes and workshops.
What to Expect:
- Handmade Chocolate Bars and Truffles: They offer a selection of luxurious handmade bars and decadent truffles, each designed with unique flavor combinations.
- Chocolate Workshops: You can attend workshops where master chocolatiers guide you in making your own chocolates, a fun and interactive way to appreciate the craft.
- Freshly Made Chocolates: The chocolates sold at the academy are made in-house, ensuring top-quality, freshly made products.
Why It’s Great:
- Chocolate Academy Moscow combines handmade chocolates with an educational experience, allowing you to enjoy the best of both worlds while exploring Moscow’s chocolate scene.
4. Vobla Chocolaterie
Vobla Chocolaterie is a relatively new gem in Moscow but has quickly made a name for itself in the world of luxury handmade chocolates. Known for their innovative flavor pairings and premium ingredients, they offer chocolates that cater to more adventurous tastes.
What to Expect:
- Unique Flavor Pairings: Expect dark chocolate paired with bold flavors like coffee, lavender, and spices.
- Handcrafted Artistry: All their chocolates are handmade by skilled chocolatiers, ensuring high-quality craftsmanship.
- Small-Batch Production: Their chocolates are produced in small batches, which ensures they maintain the finest quality and attention to detail.
Why It’s Great:
- Vobla Chocolaterie stands out for its creative flavor pairings and small-batch production, giving you the chance to explore innovative chocolate flavors while enjoying premium handmade sweets.
5. Cacao Fine Chocolate
Cacao Fine Chocolate is a boutique chocolate shop that specializes in high-end, handmade chocolates made from single-origin beans. Known for offering a more refined, artisanal chocolate experience, Cacao Fine Chocolate is a great destination for true chocolate connoisseurs.
What to Expect:
- Single-Origin Chocolates: They offer a variety of chocolates made from single-origin beans, each with distinct and nuanced flavors.
- Handcrafted Bars and Truffles: Their chocolate bars and truffles are all handmade, using traditional methods to create a refined taste.
- Luxury Packaging: Cacao’s products come in elegant packaging, making them perfect for gifting or enjoying yourself.
Why It’s Great:
- Cacao Fine Chocolate specializes in luxurious handmade chocolates, focusing on high-end, single-origin cocoa beans to create chocolates that are rich and complex in flavor.
6. Chocolaterie A. Korkunov
Founded by the famous Russian chocolatier A. Korkunov, this brand has long been known for producing high-quality handmade chocolates with a focus on tradition and taste. With a heritage dating back over a century, Korkunov’s chocolates are a true staple of Russian confectionery.
What to Expect:
- Classic Pralines and Truffles: A.Korkunov’s pralines and truffles are crafted using premium chocolate and are filled with luxurious ingredients such as hazelnuts, caramel, and cream.
- Elegantly Presented: The chocolates come in beautiful boxes that make them ideal for special occasions and gifting.
- Traditional Russian Confectionery: Korkunov blends Russian traditions with high-quality chocolate-making techniques, resulting in rich, comforting flavors.
Why It’s Great:
- Chocolaterie A. Korkunov is perfect for anyone wanting to enjoy luxurious handmade chocolates that offer both classic flavor combinations and a taste of Russian history.
7. Le Chocolatier
Le Chocolatier is a high-end chocolate shop in Moscow that specializes in luxury handmade chocolates, offering a premium chocolate experience with a range of decadent options.
What to Expect:
- Premium Chocolate Selection: Their chocolate bars and pralines are made using the finest ingredients, including high-quality cocoa beans and fresh fillings like fruit purées and creams.
- Handmade Elegance: Each piece of chocolate is carefully crafted by hand, ensuring exceptional attention to detail and flavor.
- Wide Variety: Le Chocolatier offers a wide range of chocolate products, from truffles to artisanal bars, making it a great spot for any chocolate lover.
Why It’s Great:
- Le Chocolatier is ideal for those looking for luxurious, artisanal chocolates with elegant presentation and rich, indulgent flavors.
8. Pralina
Located in the heart of Moscow, Pralina is a chocolate lover’s paradise, offering handmade chocolates that are crafted with expert skill and attention to detail.
What to Expect:
- Handmade Pralines: Pralina specializes in creating beautifully crafted pralines, filled with rich ganaches, nutty fillings, and silky creams.
- Exquisite Packaging: The chocolates are packaged in elegant boxes, perfect for gifts or personal indulgence.
- Truffle Perfection: Pralina’s truffles are a standout, made with smooth, velvety chocolate and packed with luxurious flavors.
Why It’s Great:
- Pralina is a great spot for those seeking high-quality handmade pralines and truffles, combining excellent craftsmanship with premium flavors.
9. Kroshka Kartoshka
While primarily known for its Russian-style baked potato dishes, Kroshka Kartoshka also serves up a variety of handmade chocolate desserts, perfect for those craving something sweet after a savory meal.
What to Expect:
- Chocolate Cakes and Truffles: They offer a selection of chocolate cakes and small truffles made fresh daily, each with a smooth texture and deep chocolate flavor.
- Warm, Cozy Atmosphere: The cozy atmosphere is ideal for enjoying your dessert while relaxing in a laid-back setting.
Why It’s Great:
- Kroshka Kartoshka offers a unique experience for those who want to enjoy handmade chocolate desserts in a casual and comfortable setting.
10. Chocoladnitsa
One of Moscow’s most popular café chains, Chocoladnitsa also offers an assortment of handmade chocolate delights, including pralines, truffles, and chocolate-based cakes.
What to Expect:
- Handmade Chocolate Desserts: Chocoladnitsa offers a wide range of chocolate-inspired sweets, from moist cakes to rich truffles, all made using high-quality chocolate.
- Casual Café Atmosphere: With multiple locations across the city, Chocoladnitsa offers a relaxed place to indulge in handmade chocolate treats while enjoying a coffee.
Why It’s Great:
- Chocoladnitsa provides a wide range of delicious handmade chocolates and desserts, all made with premium chocolate and served in a cozy, inviting café environment.
Conclusion
Moscow has a wide variety of options for those seeking handmade chocolates, whether you’re looking for luxurious pralines at Voskhod, artisan truffles at Pralina, or a more traditional chocolate experience at Chocolaterie A. Korkunov. The city is home to chocolatiers who combine artisanal skill, premium ingredients, and beautiful packaging to create some of the finest chocolates around. Whether you’re looking to indulge in something sweet for yourself or to gift a loved one with exquisite chocolates, Moscow has it all.
