Ghent: Belgian Chocolate Walking Tour & Tastings with Locals

Summary

Belgian chocolate tastings in Ghent’s old streets with city legends and sweet surprises

You’ll wander Ghent’s cobbled streets with a local guide, tasting at least nine Belgian chocolates and sweets (including wild flavors like mustard or passion fruit). Meet chocolatiers in their ateliers, hear city legends along the way, and end up sticky-fingered but smiling after homemade brownies. This is for anyone who wants stories with their chocolate.

What’s the experience like?

“You have to try this one — but don’t ask what’s inside yet,” our guide grinned, holding out a glossy praline somewhere between coffee brown and gold. I hesitated (last time she said that, it was chili), but bit in anyway. The center was sharp, tangy — passion fruit, she explained — and honestly I’m still not sure if I liked it or just loved the surprise. We’d already stopped at two places by then, both run by families who seemed to know everyone passing by. One of them waved us into the back to peek at their atelier; the air smelled like cocoa and something toasted, maybe nuts? It was warm inside even though outside felt like November, kind of damp and echoey with church bells.

I’ll admit I expected more of a sugar rush than a history lesson, but our guide (her name was Anouk) kept pointing out these tiny details about Ghent — why the canals are crooked here, or how the oldest candy shop has been run by the same family since 1904. She told us about Gault Millau awards like it was gossip. At one stop we tried something that tasted faintly of mustard (I know! Mustard in chocolate?), and Li laughed when I tried to say “praline” in Dutch — probably butchered it. There were kids running past on bikes and you could hear them shouting over the clatter of tram tracks nearby.

By the time we reached Julie’s House for homemade red velvet brownies, my hands were sticky from all the wrappers I’d stuffed in my pockets. We stood outside for a minute because someone’s dog wanted to say hi (and maybe beg for crumbs). The tour ended somewhere near the city center with everyone comparing favorites; mine was still that first passion fruit one. Or maybe just the feeling of being let in on all these little secrets behind shop counters. I keep thinking about how each place had its own smell — some floral, some almost smoky — and how Anouk knew exactly when to pause so we could just listen to Ghent going quietly around us.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Chocolate tasting and Ghent sightseeing

• Taste pralines at top chocolatier
• Visit local chocolatier for experimental chocolates
• Taste chocolates at popular Belgian shop
• Taste candy at oldest Ghent candy shop
• Taste passion fruit chocolates at family business
• Taste homemade red velvet brownies at Julie's House
• Enjoy Ghent sightseeing and fun facts

Top questions

How many chocolate tastings are included on this Ghent tour?

The tour includes at least 9 different kinds of chocolates and sweets to taste.

Is there a local guide during the Belgian chocolate walking tour?

Yes, a local entertaining guide leads the group throughout central Ghent.

Are there any unusual chocolate flavors on this tour?

Yes, you may try experimental chocolates with flavors like mustard, tomato, bacon or chili.

Does this chocolate tour include visits to famous chocolatiers?

You’ll visit several top chocolatiers recognized by Gault Millau awards.

Are there stops at other sweet shops besides chocolatiers?

Yes, you’ll also visit Ghent’s oldest candy shop and try homemade brownies at Julie’s House.

Is public transportation available near the meeting point?

Yes, public transportation options are available nearby in Ghent city center.

Is lunch included on this walking tour?

No lunch is included; only chocolates and sweets are provided as tastings.

Is this Belgian chocolate walking tour suitable for all fitness levels?

The tour is suitable for all physical fitness levels as it involves gentle walking in central Ghent.

What’s included

Your day includes a guided walk through central Ghent with an entertaining local guide; entry into award-winning chocolatiers; at least nine different chocolate and sweet tastings from family-run shops (including experimental flavors); plus all fees and taxes covered so you can just focus on tasting your way through town without worrying about anything else.