Aside from the Sacher Torte, Vienna is also known for pralines (sweet hand-made chocolate confections) and the Mozartkugels, or “Mozartbonbons” (named after famous musician Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart). And while there are a lot of decadently sweet desserts that can be had in coffee shops, visitors should also never miss the chance to sample the artisanal delights in the city’s many chocolate shops. You can find many of these along the major shopping arteries of Kartnerstrasse and Graben where thw display windows are laden with all sorts of scrumptious freshly made chocolate creations. Here are some of the popular places and shops to visit:
Chocolate Museum (Willendorfergasse 2-8). Anything and everything there is to know about chocolates can be found here – from a film showing about the origins of cocoa beans and how they made their way to the West to the intricate production of chocolates at the Confiserie Heindle. Visitors can also dip their fingers in any of the three chocolate fountains which contain white chocolate, milk chocolate and dark chocolate.
Xocolat (Freyung 2). Located in the Palais Ferstel, this shop is a chocolate lover’s paradise come true. One of the first chocolate shops in Vienna, Xocolat boasts of using fresh ingredients and adding no preservatives so that you get the purest taste of the chocolate beans. As well, they carry international brands such as Valrhona, Rausch, Domori and Dagoba.
Leschanz Schokolade (Freisingergasse 1). Also known as the “chocolate king” in Vienna, Leschanz boasts of making chocolates using the traditional Austrian way. Sample delights such as the Katzenzungen and Hundepfoten or take home their chocolate bars.
Altmann & Kuhne (Graben 30). Another long-time confiserie in Vienna, its signature product is handmade chocolate wrapped in a special packaging.
