It’s a classic that works. Giving a gift of chocolates from an artisan chocolate shop in Madrid is almost always well received. In this case we are not talking about churrerías where they serve a very thick chocolate a la taza, although it is always well received, but to those chocolate shops where there is usually a master chocolatier capable of making magic with this ingredient that in itself does not have a hint of sweetness.
1. La Duquesita
If La Duquesita’ s chocolate palm doesn’t make your date fall in love, nothing will. So crunchy, so flaky, with a veil of chocolate perfect for not cloying and leaving you wanting more.
But it’s not all chocolate palms: La Duquesita is Oriol Balaguer ‘s sales space and, in the adjoining number, the renowned pastry chef also boasts a Tea Room, where he shows his most avant-garde work. Either of the two spaces is perfect for enjoying the most refined chocolate and its most special forms.
📍Location:Calle de Fernando VI, 2 (Salesas)
2. La Pajarita chocolate shop
Renowned for its violet candies and, of course, for its chocolate pajaritas, this bonbonería has been working with sweets for more than 150 years. Inaugurated in 1852 by the great-grandfather of the current owner, La Pajarita works chocolate with love and tradition (famous are its liqueur chocolates, the marron glacé or the assortment that you will see displayed in its showcases every day). For Valentine’s Day, they also work on their heart-shaped chocolates filled with violet ganache.
📍Location:Calle de Villanueva, 14 (Recoletos)
3. Moulin Chocolat
Moulin de Chocolat is headed by Ricardo Vélez, who calls himself “The Cocoa Chef” on Instagram, and who has also been elected the best pastry chef of 2023 by Madrid Fusion. It is not a daring, therefore, to assure that this is one of the best chocolate shops in Madrid. Its chocolates enter through the eyes and do not disappoint the palate, but its torrijas, roscones and other typical pastries make it a versatile pastry shop.
Vélez also runs other sweet institutions such as Chocolatería San Ginés or the pastry shop of the famous Lhardy restaurant.
📍Location: Calle de Alcalá, 77 (Salamanca neighborhood).
4. Cacao Sampaka
Cacao Sampaka is an artisan chocolate shop in Madrid that was born in Barcelona in 2000 and has a third store in Japan. Everything you buy here has chocolate, you can’t miss it. They have teddy bears, special edition bars, such as Gaudí; boxes of chocolates designed for special dates such as Valentine’s Day and spreadable cocoa cream, among endless options for (cocoa) lovers.
📍Location:Calle de Orellana, 4 (Salesas)
5. 24 ounces
24 onzas doesn’t have customers, it has parishioners. The feeling that this small store and chocolate workshop gives is that whoever goes once, repeats. Carmen Capote is the founder of this recognizable space and tells Madrid Secreto: “The company’s philosophy is to treat chocolate by hand, artisan, without machinery. And with natural ingredients, greatly reducing sugar consumption”.
Here, in addition, you never know what you are going to find because 24 ounces has a new product every week with new ingredients.
📍Location: Zurbano Street, 54 (Almagro)
6. Kaicao
The hashtag instahealthy seems to be created just for them. Kaicao’s chocolates contain no added sugars, but are sweetened only with dates, which makes them a superfood with a sweet tooth.
This small chocolate shop located in the heart of Lavapiés is part of thebean-to-bar movement , which seeks to change the chocolate industry by using ethically traded cocoa beans from single-origin farms. A sustainable and healthy alternative, as well as delicious.
📍Location:Calle de la Encomienda, 15 (Lavapiés)
7. Oriol Balaguer
His name has already appeared before in this list, but it is not for less when it comes to a true master of chocolate. In the Salamanca neighborhood you can find Oriol Balaguer’s store, where you can find from panettones to chocolates and bonbons with a clear sign of identity: sophistication and, of course, a taste at the height of one of the best chefs of the sweet side of gastronomy.
📍Location:Calle de José Ortega y Gasset, 44 (Salamanca neighborhood).