Where to buy chocolates in Buenos Aires

For many years, Damián Betular stood out as the executive chef at Palacio Duhau, and in 2022 he announced on social media that he would leave the position to open his own pastry shop, Betular Patisserie.

The chef and pastry expert has won over the Argentine public as a judge on the cooking reality show MasterChef, so today his fans don’t hesitate to wait in long lines to try some of his creations at the beautiful shop in the Devoto neighborhood.

Macarons, cookies, or alfajores—the menu is extensive, but chocolate steals the show. Options include white chocolate bars with caramelized pistachios or milk chocolate with caramelized hazelnuts and orange zest, among countless others. They also offer marshmallow, banana, and peanut truffle chocolates. Not only do Betular’s products stand out for flavor, but the aesthetics of every detail are carefully crafted.

Tip: Betular Patisserie offers a custom-designed tin containing 14 dulce de leche and rum chocolates—a must-have special edition.

Where: Mercedes 3900, C1419 Buenos Aires, Argentina

In 1928, Don Panagiotis Yannoulas left his beloved Greece and embarked on a ship bound for “America,” seeking a better future and the chance to start a family. At that time, European migrants with few resources took the first available ship, unsure if their destination would be New York, Montevideo, or another port. After 45 days at sea, fate—and the captain—brought him to Buenos Aires.

“After years of hard work and living in a tenement, Don Panagiotis founded our chocolate shop in 1941, right where we are today. He even had two shops: one on Corrientes Street and another on Avenida de Mayo. After his passing, his sons Mario and Juan continued the business,” says Andrea Abbruzzese. “I met Juan about 37 years ago and started working with him. We married and had a daughter. Almost nine years ago he passed away, and since then, I have been running the family business. Today, most of our chocolates are handmade, while others are specially prepared for us. The best-seller is chocolate in a bar. My personal favorite? It changes… Right now, I love the pistachio truffle and salted pistachio bars,” Abbruzzese concludes.

Tip: Bombonella is an absolute Buenos Aires classic—a place that takes you back in time while letting you enjoy some of the city’s finest chocolates.

Where: Av. Corrientes 1479.

Founded by chef Daniel Uria, Compañía de Chocolates aims to revive the culture of cocoa and chocolate, combining ancient traditions with new ideas and techniques to awaken the senses. With solid international training, Uria turned his passion for chocolate into this venture, focusing on the artisanal production of high-quality chocolates and truffles.

They offer a variety of products, including truffles, chocolate bars, and cookies, aiming to recover authentic flavors while respecting the origins of cocoa and traditional techniques.

Tip: Try the Chocolate Tower—a cake with a brownie base, dulce de leche, and 70% cacao chocolate mousse. Basically, a dream come true for all sweet lovers.

Where: Juan Francisco Seguí 3551.

Ezequiel Bartolomei, a wedding photographer by profession, ran Don Agustín Chocolates alone until May of last year, without a physical store in Mercedes, Buenos Aires. Everything changed in 2023, when he opened a shop with Daiana Yolde Tres, who assists with alfajores.

The project emerged from the pandemic. Ezequiel, impacted by the sudden halt of events, discovered a passion for experimenting with chocolate. Despite having no previous experience in pastry or chocolate-making, he started crafting chocolates for family and friends, whose positive feedback encouraged him to sell them.

Over time, he obtained the necessary permits to produce on a small scale and introduced new products, including alfajores—especially the one filled with two layers of dulce de leche and a liquid chocolate center, an innovation in Argentina. They also offer chocolate truffles with coffee liqueur, popular in winter.

Tip: Don Agustín Chocolates offers half-kilo bars of Marroc chocolate for fans. Delicious!

Where: C. 14 618, B6600 Mercedes, Buenos Aires.

El Viejo Oso is a modern chocolaterie with a history dating back nearly a century. Founded in the late 19th century by European immigrants, it became a benchmark of quality in Buenos Aires.

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In 1936, Robert Baer sent his son Gustav Hermann to study at the Swiss Pastry School. Years later, Gustav, known as Don Gustavo, arrived in Argentina and began making almond marzipan, followed by chocolates and truffles. His son Claudio studied at the Solingen Chocolate School and later in Berlin, transforming the inherited truffle workshop into El Viejo Oso in 1991.

Tip: Try their cheesecake truffles—an innovative bite-sized chocolate with a perfect balance of cheesecake flavors.

Where: Av S. Fernandez 1291, San Isidro, Buenos Aires.

Gustavo Molero, a passionate pastry chef, fulfilled his dream with Villa de Luján, a unique pastry and chocolate shop in Luján, about 68 km from Buenos Aires.

In the mid-1990s, he gradually explored chocolate and became fascinated by its flavor combinations. He acquired the classic Luján alfajores brand “Villa de Luján” and started using the name for his business.

Seventeen years ago, he opened a store inspired by Bariloche. Just behind the Luján Basilica, the aroma of chocolate greets visitors, and the shop’s aesthetic elevates the experience—a must-visit on a weekend trip.

Tip: Boxes of chocolates make a perfect souvenir. Also, try a coffee and explore their variety of chocolates and cakes.

Where: Bartolomé Mitre 179, Luján, Buenos Aires Province

In 2006, Dadi Marinucci and his daughter Federica founded Vasalissa, quickly standing out for their artisanal truffles. The family legacy began a generation earlier with Abrascha Benski, who created the popular “Cabsha” sweet to suit Argentine tastes.

Using only Belgian chocolate, Vasalissa maintains European quality, with striking aesthetics in stores decorated in Toile de Jouy fabric—a signature of this premium Argentine chocolate brand.

Tip: While Vasalissa has multiple branches, we recommend the Palmas de Pilar store, about 50 km from Buenos Aires, ideal for enjoying the outdoors and delicious chocolate.

Where: Cuba 1887, Buenos Aires

Diego Fenoglio comes from a chocolate-making family. His parents opened a confectionery in Bariloche in 1947, originally called Tronador, later renamed Fenoglio.

After his father’s death, Diego struck out on his own, founding Rapanui in honor of his childhood home. Today, Rapanui produces tons of chocolates and ice cream, serving thousands of customers nationwide and even selling online. Our favorite? The Dulce de Leche Gota Bar—a flavor bomb for chocolate lovers.

Tip: Diego also invented FraNui—raspberries coated in white and milk chocolate, now exported to 19 countries.

Where: Arenales 2302.

Juan Carlos Carzalo, a public accountant, wanted excitement beyond his work at Bariloche’s Atomic Center. After six years of determination, he founded Mamuschka, inspired by Russian Matryoshka dolls.

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He transitioned from accountant to master chocolatier, producing his own cacao mass. Mamuschka chocolates are a must-buy for tourists and locals alike.

Tip: Try the dulce de leche timbal, one of the brand’s first creations from 1989 and still a bestseller—a classic laminated chocolate with dulce de leche.

Where: Recoleta Urban Mall, Junín 1648

Founded in 1995 by Dr. Julia Kalogerias and teacher Ana María Terradas in Mar de las Pampas, La Pinocha draws inspiration from the nearby forest. They learned artisanal chocolate-making in Buenos Aires and Patagonia, creating innovative products while preserving traditional essence.

Now run by a second generation, Camila Baratz and Laura Spiner, La Pinocha offers a wide range of chocolates, including passion fruit, coconut, mint, and Black Forest flavors.

Tip: The variety is so vast that choosing what to take home can be a delightful challenge.

Where: Honduras 4866.