Max Chocolatier

In a city world-renowned for its confectionery excellence, where artisanal chocolatiers grace nearly every corner, this boutique stands as the absolute pinnacle of decadence. Our visit was nothing short of an extraordinary, once-in-a-lifetime experience that redefined our understanding of fine cacao. While Zurich offers endless options, this shop possesses an allure and a standard of quality that remains entirely unparalleled. The sheer variety is breathtaking, with each jewel-like creation offering a symphony of flavors—perfectly balanced, intensely delicious, and crafted to perfection. The highlight of our visit, however, was the exquisite hospitality. We found ourselves as the sole guests in the shop, and the hostess was the embodiment of grace and warmth. She guided us through an indulgent, private tasting, generously allowing us to sample nearly the entire collection while sharing her sophisticated recommendations with genuine passion.

Cannot recommend this place. Whether you are looking for some great chocolates as gifts or for yourself, it’s such a cute little store. They also do takeaway hot chocolate that I swear it’s the richest and most creamy hot chocolate ever.

When I was planning my trip to Zurich, I made sure to add Max Chocolatier to a chocolate walking tour I organized for myself, and I'm so glad I did! It ended up being one of the highlights of my time in Zurich. I’m vegan, so finding truly thoughtful vegan chocolate can sometimes feel like a treasure hunt. Max Chocolatier made it feel effortless. Maria, the woman working there, clearly loves what she does. She offered generous samples and, while I let each piece melt slowly on my tongue, she shared stories about the history of Swiss chocolate (it began as a prescription for depression—who knew?) and the inspiring story behind Max Chocolatier itself. The company is named after Max, the owner’s son, who has Down syndrome and plays an important role in the business. Most, if not all, of their cocoa is foraged rather than cultivated. They partner with communities in Colombia and Costa Rica, among others, who search for wild beans in the jungle, sort of like truffle hunting. Thanks to Max, they weave fair wages and sustainable practices into the heart of the company. The chocolate itself is rich, complex, beautifully crafted, and—best of all—full of options for vegans. I left with several dark varieties for myself as along with some goodies for friends and family. I’m already looking forward to doing a little tasting at home and reliving the experience. As a bonus touch, when I took off my jacket in the shop, Maria worried I’d catch a cold from the breeze through the open door. Her kindness and care made the visit feel less like shopping and more like being welcomed into someone’s kitchen. If you love chocolate, storytelling, ethics, or simply meeting people who care deeply about their craft, put this place at the top of your list. I’d come back to Zurich just to return here. 💛

Busy but the line is just enough for you to get acquainted with the store.The customer service could have been better. We ordered a few cubes and they turned out to be great.

Had the most unique chocolate here that had roasted apple jam with chai flavors. Ended up walking right back in to buy a box. Highly, highly recommend. Very friendly shopkeeper too who was so kind to us! Best chocolatier we’ve been to in the world.

The hot chocolate is the best I’ve tried my entire life! Right amount of sweetness and smoothness. It is worth the detour and to give a shot. In every place they serve you milk chocolate powder, in Max Chocolatier they serve melted chocolate with condensed milk. Delicious!!🤤 My wife and I went two times, we absolutely loved it! 😍

February 2006: Visited this faboulous Chocolate Cafe Shop. The Hot Chocolate and chocolate fudge pieces is well crafted and delicious with real chocolate flavour. Good location in Zurich as its right beside the main cathedral with amazing views of the clock tower

Max Chocolatier in Zurich is one of my favorite stops. The staff is always super friendly, and the chocolate is amazing. Their chocolate affogato ice cream is perfect on hot summer days, and their rich hot chocolate is my go-to in winter. Always a delicious experience!

Another stop on your chocolate adventure in Switzerland. The spot was on a tiny street and was super small. the shopkeeper was helping another couple so we looked around ourselves. I didn't end up making a purchase since we had already gotten so much chocolate today, but the place was pretty darn awesome!

This is small batch, artisan chocolates. And the craftsmanship really shines through. I tell you, I legit regretted not buying a bigger box of chocolates. If I'm ever back in Zurich I will most definitely go back.

We stumbled upon Max Chocolatier by accident (but so glad we did)! The woman working inside was very nice and let us sample some wonderfully delicious Swiss Chocolate! The shop is small, but it is very clean and bright! They have a lot of different chocolates available! You will find something for everyone :)

I'll keep this review simple and short just like my visit to this chocolate shoppe. I was browsing which chocolates to get since I was on the mission to bring home all the Swiss chocolates I could possibly get my hands on. This place is tiny. It was delivery day so the crates of chocolate were next to the door making this place feeling more cramped. I was really turned off by the rude person that was behind the counter. It's not like the store was buzzing with people and now I understand why. The guy behind the counter rudely yelled at me for taking pictures. They don't have any signs that say "no photography allowed" and I've seen pictures online for this place. So, what the hell was up that man's butt? I took my money elsewhere. There are plenty of chocolate shops that have great quality and much better customer service which this place absolutely lacks.

Don't listen to any bad reviews of this place. Is the owner direct? Yes. Does she want to sell you the best chocolate on the planet? Yes. Calm down. Sample the chocolate. But the chocolate. This is the chocolate of your dreams. The best chocolate you've ever had? Yes. Hands downs. Buy as much as you can.

Not sure why anyone would find that review funny. Is it funny to be an asshat to nice people?? I was just remembering this and decided to update my review to a total of one star on the off chance it may actually teach the owners to not be mean for no reason...You know, like teachers do with grade school kids and kindergarteners.

Visited here early November. This little spot is tucked away up a small hill in the shopping district of Zurich. Approximately 10-15 minute walk (uphill) from the main train terminal. Upscale chocolates in a quiet boutique. I was the only patron and Jaiver (pictured in another poster's review) was excellent and patient explaining the backstory of the shop (ask about Max), and describing in detail how each chocolate was made and recommending the best souvenirs to take home to family. He even shared some nice samples. I actually thought the prices were fairly reasonable (for Zurich), considering that the shop is specially certified by the government due to the high quality. My only concern is that unless you're searching for the shop, you wouldn't even notice it - hence the non-existent customers. I hope this doesn't impact the shop's ability to stay open. Due to the rave reviews of the chocolates I brought home for friends/family, I have already ordered more from their website. Go visit!

What a fantastic shop and a lovely story. The chocolates in this shop are elegant - the perfect indulgence or gift. Javier the gentleman working was gracious and very helpful. This is a must find destination. It's a small intimate little shop but seems just perfect wedged into a little pedestrian street near the river. I'm so happy we found Max Chocolatier!

If you want your taste buds to hit high heaven, this is the place to go. Food: we didn't buy any chocolates since they're a bit upscale for our college student budget, but the owner was pleasant and sweet enough to offer us a sample nonetheless! The chocolate melts in your mouth and is comparably priced for Swiss chocolate. What we did get and highly recommend are their ice cream, especially now!! Since it's autumn, they're discounted at 3.50CHF instead of the usual 5CHF. We got the vanilla chai and passion fruit. Both tasted so fresh and are organically made, no preservatives or coloring, hence the seasonal sale while they're still fresh. Service: the owner was sweet and friendly. She also let us take a bunch of little gift tags by the cash register, so nice little souvenirs!

For those looking for the highest quality of chocolate (e.g. single origin and so on) without extra nuts, fruits, and other added flavors, Max Chocolatier is the best you'll find in Zürich. It's one of the few boutique style chocolatiers you'll find in Switzerland.

My husband and I went through hell and high water to find the location in Zurich (note: a taxi can't get you there!). When we finally arrived, they were just closing the doors for the night. I was feeling defeated and saddened by our misfortune when the associate, Javier, saved the day! He was so kind and accommodating and allowed us to briefly peruse the store, gave us some samples to try, and gave us some wonderful recommendations for ourselves and for treats for our loved ones back home. It was such a pleasureable experience and the quality of the chocolate matched the personality and generosity of Javier. I'd go back not only for the chocolate, but for the customer service. Thanks for saving the day! You were wonderful.