The 10 Best Chocolate Brands in the World

Wondering what are the best chocolate brands in the world? Over the past two decades, the gourmet chocolate market has seen a boom. Whether you’re in bustling cities or tucked away in remote areas, treating yourself to some luxury chocolate has never been easier.

While there’s plenty of variety out there, only a handful of brands have truly made a name for themselves with their top-notch quality and upscale pricing. Here are the top 10 that have earned a reputation as the best in the business.

1. Amedei

The Italian chocolate maker Amedei is famous for its dark chocolate, but also for its staggering prices. Located in Tuscany, in Pontedera, this company has exclusive rights to a Venezuelan plantation that provides high-quality raw materials. One of its products, the Amedei Porcelana, is hailed as one of the world’s most expensive chocolates.

2. Richart

Since starting their business in 1925, the Richart family has won the prestigious Ruban Bleu award seven times (the highest honor a pastry chef can achieve). With their unique designs, amazing flavors, and heavenly aromas, Richart is indeed one of the best chocolate brands in the world. For example, their 159.10-euro box chocolate and macaron gift basket manages to delight even the most refined palates.

3. Valrhona

A French brand from the Rhone Valley, they source their cocoa from plantations in the Caribbean and South America. While their selection is broad, their prices are higher compared to supermarket chocolates. However, they’re far from ordinary chocolates, and connoisseurs consider Valrhona among the finest in the world.

4. Godiva

As connoisseurs say, when it comes to excellent Belgian chocolate, Godiva reigns supreme. Established nearly a century ago by chocolatier Joseph Draps, Godiva has become renowned for crafting top-notch chocolates at an accessible price. Their extensive product line includes truffles, sable cookies, hot cocoa, and chocolate-covered snacks.

5. Jacques Torres

At Jacques Torres Chocolate, you can taste the best gourmet chocolates in New York. The renowned French pastry chef and chocolatier, Jacques Torres, excels in crafting fresh, handmade chocolates using the finest ingredients. There are several Jacques Torres Chocolate stores in the Big Apple.

6. Donnelly Chocolates

Donnelly Chocolates is a Californian brand that mixes Belgian and French chocolate with ingredients such as chipotle, lavender, Earl Grey tea, saffron, and cardamom. The outcome is a delightful and innovative collection of chocolates, widely loved by connoisseurs worldwide.

7. Vosges Haut-Chocolat

Following her comprehensive education in French pastry at Le Cordon Bleu in Paris, Katrina Markoff brought her passion to life by opening Vosges Haut-Chocolat in Chicago in 1998. Swiftly gaining acclaim, her chocolatier venture became known for its daring use of ingredients. Notable creations include the Red Fire Chocolate, with Mexican chili, cinnamon, and dark chocolate, alongside the Black Pearl Chocolate, featuring ginger, black sesame seeds, and dark chocolate.

8. Teuscher

Seventy years have passed since Dolf Teuscher established his chocolate factory in a quaint Swiss Alps town. His vision was clear: to craft the nation’s finest chocolates, sourcing only the finest ingredients available. Today, Teuscher boasts over 100 varieties of chocolates, with their most renowned being the champagne truffle—a delectable fusion of fresh cream, butter, and chocolate, filled with a champagne cream center and delicately dusted with sugar.

9. Patchi

Originating from Lebanon, Patchi was established in the 1970s and has since earned an outstanding reputation, widely regarded as one of the world’s finest luxury chocolate brands. While their prices may lean towards the higher end, the quality of their ingredients matches the premium. The “Patchi Chocolate Menu” offers over 50 diverse varieties to indulge in, with many incorporating ingredients like gianduja, orange peel, roasted nuts, peanut butter, and spun sugar.

10. Scharffen Berger

Scharffen Berger is a Californian chocolate brand. However, it has been part of the multinational Hershey’s since 2005. Setting itself apart from others, it manufactures its own chocolate and has garnered a strong reputation among enthusiasts for its dark chocolate. It is considered by many to be one of the world’s best chocolate brands.