Capital Chocolates: Beijing’s Best Chocolatiers
China may not be famed for its chocolate, but Beijing’s ranks of chocolatiers keep us supplied.
Awfully Chocolate
This Singaporean chain is famous for keeping it simple – chocolate cakes, and nothing but chocolate cakes. Of course it is always the exception that proves the rule – his and hers pairs of two large pure dark chocolate chocolates each (RMB 199). Nice chocolate ice cream, too.
1) Daily 10am-9pm. Rm 108, Bldg 2, Wanda Plaza, 93 Jianguo Lu, Chaoyang District. (5820 5826) 朝阳区建国路93号万达广场2号楼108; 2) Daily 10am-10pm. Rm 05a, B1/F, Bldg1, Raffles City, Dongzhimen, Dongcheng District. (8409 8452) 东城区东直门来福士广场B1-05a www.awfullychocolate.com.cn
Cocoa Ballet
Located just a few minutes from Houhai on the tourist-baiting lane of Yandai Xiejie, this store crams a fine selection of chocolates into its tiny space. The dark chocolate is a drop of heaven, though one piece is enough. Chocolates can be bought by the piece or in boxes – all varieties are priced at RMB 29 for 50g.
Daily 11.30am-11.30pm. 30 Yandai Xiejie, Xicheng District. (133 8137 7712) 可可芭蕾巧克力艺术沙龙, 西城区烟袋斜街30号
Coffee Bar
This elegant boutique bakery specializes in traditional French pastries, chocolates and gourmet teas and coffees. Features jeweler-style cases displaying exquisite homemade truffles, pastel-colored macarons and delicate miniardies (miniature pastries) such as madeleines, florentines and financiers.
Daily 10am-9.30pm. 1/F, Park Life, Beijing Yintai Centre, 2 Jianguomenwai Dajie, Chaoyang District. (8567 1834) 朝阳区建国门外大街2号北京银泰中心悦•生活1层
Comptoirs de France
In addition to the variety of freshly baked rolls, sandwiches, baguettes, quiche, rich hot chocolate, truffles, pastries and macarons this chain of French bakeries also hand makes a wide variety of scrumptious chocolates (RMB 100/85g) with a base of valrhona chocolate.
1) Daily 7am-9.30pm. 4 Ritan Beilu (next to Jenny Lou’s), Chaoyang District. (8562 3355) 法派,朝阳区日坛北路4号; 2) Daily 7am-9pm. 1/F, East Lake Club, 35 Dongzhimenwai Dajie, Dongcheng District. (6461 1525) 东城区东直门外大街35号东湖俱乐部1层; 3) Daily 7am-9pm. 1/F, Bldg 5, Hairun International Condominiums, 2B Jiangtai Lu, Chaoyang District. (5135 7645) 朝阳区将台路乙2号海润国际公寓商业5一层; 4) Daily 7am-9pm. L-111, Europlaza, 99 Yuxiang Lu, Tianzhu Zhen, Shunyi District. 顺义区天竺镇裕翔路99号欧陆广场L111室 (8046 6309) www.comptoirsdefrance.com
Debauve & Gallais
The ranks of this brand’s fan club are said to number European royal families and non-regal celebrities; you can join those elites by splashing out from as little as RMB 29 per chocolate.
Daily 10am-9.30pm. L423, 4/F, Seasons Place, 2 Jinchengfang Jie, Xicheng District. (6622 0071) 黛堡嘉莱, 西城区金城坊街2号金融街购物中心L423
Fauchon
Fauchon has been doing its chocolatey thing for 120 years. Their Beijing store has been scaled down – the fine restaurant has sadly closed – but they continue to offer a selection of luxury chocolates and other sweet treats. There is also still a cafe where you can have a cup of coffee and a cake.
Daily 10am-10pm. B1-1/F, Shin Kong Place, 87 Jianguo Lu, Chaoyang District. (6533 1266 ext 8008) 馥颂美食精品店, 朝阳区建国路87号新光天地地下1层
La Place
Attractive chocolates at La Place are handmade, with the all raw materials imported from Belgium. The store offers seasonal gift boxes.
Daily 9am-6pm. 3, Bldg 41, Xinyuan Jie, Chaoyang District. (6466 8090) 朝阳区新源街41楼3号
Leonidas
This Belgian chocolatier offers over 80 flavors and boasts that they use the very finest materials in the production of each. Sure to please lovers of all tastes. Prices for all chocolates are fixed at RMB 88 for 100g.
Daily 10am-10pm. B1/F, Shin Kong Place, 87 Jianguo Lu, Chaoyang District. 比利时列奥尼达斯巧克力 (北辰店), 朝阳区建国路87号新光天地地下1层
The Patisserie
Whiskey and chocolate? Wine and chocolate? Hidden in the Grand Hyatt, this chocolate boutique has everything a chocolate lover fantasizes about.
Daily 10am-9pm. 1 Dongchang’an Jie Grand Hyatt Beijing, Wangfujing, Dongcheng District. (8518-1234 ext.6362) 东城区东长安街1号东方君悦大酒店
The Swiss Deli
The Swissotel’s bakery and deli is a popular stop for Dongsishitiao commuters and offers an extensive range of cakes, bakery items, freshly prepared sandwiches and salads, as well as homemade Swiss chocolates.
Daily 7am-10pm. 1/F, Swissotel, 2 Chaoyangmen Beidajie, Dongcheng District. (6553 2288 ext 2127) 东城区潮阳门北大街2号
Valentino Chocolatier
This Belgian chain of chocolatiers offers a range of handmade chocolates, marzipan and other sweet treats (RMB 88/100g). Eight branches in Beijiing, mostly in malls. Delivery also available.
Daily 10am-9pm. B/1, Shin Kong Place, 87 Jianguo Lu, Chaoyang District. (6533 1974) 朝阳区朝阳区建国路87号新光天地地下一层 www.v-choco.com
