Leonidas Fresh Belgian Chocolates

I found out very recently that Leonidas is owned by an American who made his fame in Belgium and came back and opened his own chocolate shops in American soil. It is not an easy competition for chocolate in Belgium for sure. It is not the best out there but it is pretty good and not as pricey as some of the best ones. If you do come here, you need to get their pralines as these are the ones worth your money.

First part of my review is for the shop, the lady at the counter was fantastic and though on the small side, the store is packed full of chocolates and I took my time looking at everything. My fiancé took me, he used to live in Queens and work in Manhattan and Leonidas is his favorite chocolate. We visited just after Thanksgiving (missed the tree lighting by a day), and close to closing, so it wasn’t too crowded. I can’t even remember the chocolates I tried, they were all delicious.
This part of my review is for their online service and especially the enormous help Tess provided me. I got crazy ordering favor boxes of chocolates for my wedding in July, and failed to consider how early I was ordering them and that they’d be stored well past the recommended shelf life. I contacted them online, but while I was writing, received the shipment notice. Tess responded, though, cancelled the shipment and worked with me to get the package delivered just before we leave for the wedding. I think she even upgraded my shipping at no charge, to make sure I get them, since it’s right before the 4^th of July weekend. I’ll update my review on receipt but if everything goes through as arranged by Tess, Leonidas has a fan — and consistent patron — for life!

I cannot believe that of all the places I frequent, I have not reviewed Leonidas, the store I fell in love with more 15 years ago. I love chocolate and my family jokingly calls me the expert because at the tender age of 2, I refused to eat a chocolate bar that did not have as high of a cocoa content as the one my Daddy bought me before, for most of the kids my age a candy was a candy, but I pronounced it not bitter enough. I was so happy to discover Leonidas which tastes a lot better than Godiva. This week (as it seems to be every year in October), they are running a promotion and chocolates are only 25 bucks a pound vs. regular price of 44. Of course, I loaded up yesterday and the entire family enjoyed it.

Hello,
I’m customer at madison Ave. NYC. I shop there a lot.
Yesterday I went there to buy valentine’s chocolate. And I experienced terrible service ever in my life. The Asian women who sell the chocolate to me was so rude. I spent the money about 60 dollars for chocolate. She throw the chocolates to me. Also she didn’t give me time to choose the flavors of chocolate, and she put whatever. I know that it was valentines’ day and everyone is busy. But I don’t think her attitude is proper. She was so rude and annoying and it makes me so angry. I supposed to say something yesterday. But I was so busy and I don’t wanted to ruin others happy valentines’ day. But You ruin my valentines’ day.
You should fire her or manage her. I’m very angry. Also the chocolates that she choose for me was terrible. She didn’t let me choose the chocolates so I told to her that choose the dark chocolate with some fillings. But the chocolates were mixing with whatever she put in the box. And she even put it properly. They mixed them together and it was so bad. You should know that I pay for 60dollars for chocolates.

My boss and I came in here yesterday to pick up some gifts, and we got some for ourselves too. Let me tell you, this place is delicious. Expensive but delicious. If you ever want to spoil yourself or someone else, pick up something here.

Wow. My chocolate had mold inside! What a terrible surprise… I got this as a present and when biting into the first piece, I saw mold inside between the milk chocolate cover and the filling inside. So grossed out!

So happy to have wandered into Leonidas on our trip to New York over Memorial Day. We got maybe 15 pieces of chocolate here to try and didnt end up eating any of them until we returned to Chicago. If I had tried them there, I probably would have brought a few more back. I wasn’t disappointed with any of our choices and they had a lot of flavors that both my husband and I like.

Good quality chocolate but customer service has been in serious decline for the past couple of years. It often feels like the staff is doing us a favor when we make our purchases.
On a recent visit (or rather attempted visit) we arrived at a dark Leonida’s storefront promptly at 12noon on a Sunday. They open at 12noon. Or rather all signs say they open at 12noon. It was about 12:10pm before we saw signs of life inside the storw. By then, there were several of us standing in front of the locked doors. One middle aged female employee steadily eyed the crowd gathering outside through the window for several minutes before turning away with obvious disgust. My boyfriend calls that expression ‘faccia brutta’. I call it giving someone the stink eye. Neither is what customer service at an upscale chocolate shop should be
At 12:15 the doors remained closed and we walked away in the direction of Maison du Chocolat
The particular Sunday this happened was on Mother’s Day

I came across Leonidas chocolates on my way back from Europe recently and brought back a box as a gift for my sister. Once I had my first piece… I was hooked. Some of the best chocolates I’ve ever had. But when I found out that there was a Leonidas chocolate shop here in NYC, I was literally as happy as a kid in a candy store. Gianduja’s are my favorite but honestly everything they make just melts in your mouth and just brings some happiness to your life.

So many other chocolatiers in the sicy I have found too be incredibly expensive and not all that great. Love their praline filled chocolates. I will be back to try the gingerbread truffles! I don’t think you can go wrong giving a delicious box of these Belgian chocolates as a gift!

Small space amidst the midtown chocolatier grid that’s on the smaller side but offers a slightly better product.

First tried these in Bruxelles, and I thought that they were truly amazing. Some say that Neuhaus are better, but I disagree.
The reason for the price, is that they are flow in fresh from Belgium. And in my opinion, worth it.

Had some hot chocolate since it was a bit cold outside and it was really good. Some of the best I’ve ever had. They also gave me some bits of chocolate to go with it. Great place.

There are few things you cannot get in Chicago. Leonidas Chocolates are sold in Chicago (Chicago Ave), but not the marzipan and liquor filled chocolates made by Leonidas. First of all, Leonidas chocolates are the best anywhere, but what I like can only be bought from the New York store. During the holidays marzipan shaped like fruit is a standard as are liquor filled chocolates. There are imitators, but the real booze and smooth deliciousness are only found at a Leonidas store. The Grand Marnier is Grand Marnier and goes perfectly with the dark chocolate. The chocolates are filled to the brim with the exquisite authentic liquors and there is no skimping. these are just perfectly made and just right all around.
This review is for mail order services as much as for the chocolates. They get stuff out the same day, package it wonderfully and my candy comes in perfect shape fresh as the day it was made right to my desk. Ask for Tess of Jacque and you will get value, service and quality each and every time. It is not expensive when you realize the added value you get with skillfully made candies.

Besides having the very best and freshest chocolates the service on net and phone orders is absolutely fantastic!!!
I placed a order last evening and wished to change the gift card they did it immediately and thanked me for my past orders.
Delicious, Professional, Kind Patient. totally satisfied !!!

i can not rate Leonidas less then 5 stars. They remind me of Europe and my country where I also was a big fan. I read the other reviews and saw people saying that they are more expensive then Europe. I can say that i was surprised when i saw that they were cheaper than eastern europe. Here a pound is 40 $, in my country was around 60 $. they have lots of types of chocolate candies (white, black and milk chocolate) with different fillings. I have the following favorites: Pralines Les Coupes, Marzipan, Delice and the ones that i really really love are Truffe Nature: D

I hate to give my favorite Belgian chocolate store only 3 stars but they get minus 1 star for not even offering their customers a sample piece at the counter or when they walk into the store.
I first learned of this brand of chocolates in the Amsterdam Airport many years ago and have loved it ever since.
Unfortunately it is very expensive here in the US … in some cases almost triple the price that I pay in Europe.
Luckily I have both friends or family who bring me the inexpensive packs from Europe. :-)
Try the orange-​infused dark chocolate bars … yum!

Wow, these chocolates are divine. I tried a chocolate that had fresh cream inside. If you’re in this area, you need to stop by here. It’s also more affordable than Godiva!

Best chocolate I’ve ever had, hands down.
The cream chocolates are the best — there’s a coffee cream one — or the hazelnut cream one — OR the pineapple cream one — — - –oooo they are all so good!
Definitely a little on the pricier side, but excellent for a special treat once in awhile. Beats Godiva hands down.

I had a totally terrific experience buying chocolates at Leonidas.
To the lovely lady behind the counter, I pelted the following questions:
What’s the weirdest one?
What’s your favorite?
What’s the most popular?
Anything with caramel?
Anything with fleur de sel?
She pretended to be amused with my inquiries and indulged me until my purchases were made. While I didn’t sample anything I didn’t like, I especially enjoyed the gianduja and the praliné with biscuit pieces. Oh, and the orange peel dipped in dark chocolate too!