Bariloche And The Chocolate Factory

February 24, 2022 | by: Nadia Vizcarra

Bariloche is a chocolate paradise located in the province of Rio Negro in Argentina. It is situated at the foothills of the Andes and sits on the southern shores of Nahuel Haupi Lake. The city offers stunning mountain landscapes and incredible natural wonders for traveling adventurers, but it is most famous for The Avenue of Chocolate Dreams.

Bariloche chocolate emerged with the half a million people that migrated from Europe to Argentina following World War II in 1947-1952. Among many of these people were Italians from the Swiss-Italian Alps, who were able to protect their local customs and traditional recipes throughout the years. These specific chocolate-making techniques are what inevitably led to the popularity of Bariloche chocolate today.

Bariloche chocolate has had such an amazing impact on tourism for Argentina that the city went from being an agricultural colony to a “must-see” travel destination in a very short period of time. It gained so much publicity that it is now known as “Little Switzerland”. Argentina offers extensive beauty and authentic diversity, and Bariloche is definitely one of the most remarkable places to visit in the country.

We at Kuoda have summarized the top 8 places not to miss in Bariloche so you and your family can get the most out of the famous Bariloche chocolate in Argentina.

1. Mamuschka

A beautiful chocolate store located on the corner of one of the busiest streets, with a red Russian-style interior and an abundance of chocolate. Upon entering, you will be welcomed by the huge matryoshka nesting dolls at the entrance of this chocolate wonderland.

It certainly feels like a festive season here, with the arrays of dark chocolates of different percentages and the cute café at the back which offers delicious, thick hot chocolate. In case you can’t make it to the shop in the Avenue of Chocolate Dreams, there are a few stores open in Buenos Aires where you can experience these incredibly unique chocolate delights.

2. Rapa Nui

This art-deco inspired chocolate and ice-cream shop flaunts different rooms that display almost anything you can imagine made out of chocolate, even a chocolate fountain! There is also a café to taste first-hand the quality of the chocolate treats that they are so famous for, and their trademark – the indoor ice-skating rink – is just behind the café.

It was founded by Diego Fenoglio, who is the son of the pioneer of chocolate in Bariloche, Alfredo Fenoglio. With this reputation to keep up you can expect chocolate made from high-quality ingredients and exceptional cacao flavors from South America.

3. El Reino de los Chocolates

This is a playful place, known as the Kingdom of Chocolate, which will satisfy both children and their parents alike. The staff wear cute quirky uniforms, resembling something out of a scene from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.

They are well known for their homemade alfajores – a delicious Argentinian cookie filled with caramel. They also sell souvenir packages, with the finest quality chocolate, that serve as the perfect gift to take back home to your family and loved-ones.

4. Del Turista

This is one of the oldest standing shops in The Avenue of Chocolate Dreams. Del Turista is a family-owned business which was founded in 1969, with strong Swiss-Italian traditions of Alpine chocolate making. With a few large stores in Bariloche, they are seen everywhere in the city.

All the way from the Swiss-Italian Alps, the Secco family took their chocolate making tradition and secret recipes with them and brought them here to Bariloche to share the chocolate fantasies to everyone that comes here. The shop on Avenida St. Martin offers a free production making process display to the public, and this is the best way to see how the creamy delights are created first-hand.

5. Frantom

A family-founded business with chocolate recipes that come from the mountainous areas of the Swiss-Italian Alps, Frantom produces high-quality creations in different regions of Bariloche. It is also one of the older stores that take pride in their Italian heritage.

This is a chain with a few stores throughout the city of Bariloche. The main store is conveniently located in the middle of town, with a café so you can enjoy the tasty treats right from its source. Expect to find some delicious, rich chocolate desserts, and an assortment of chocolates filled with homemade jams, fruit, alcohol and more.

6. Havana

Bariloche’s chocolate museum, Havana, offers guided tours which include a walk through the on-site factory where the chocolates are produced. After taking a guided tour, you can try some of the treats in their café.  According to the locals, the alfajores are some of the best you can find in the city, and make great souvenirs to take back home with you.

Learn more about the history of how Bariloche became “Little Switzerland”, important names who brought the chocolate-making traditions here, and why the production of cacao in South America is so important for the local community.

7. Abuela Goye Bariloche

One of the long-standing chocolatiers in Bariloche, Abuela Goye Bariloche is located just between Mamuschka and Rapa Nui, so you can’t miss it! The name of the store pays a tribute to the first women who migrated to Bariloche. The Swiss owners brought with them these European techniques that transform South American cacao into pleasure explosions for your taste buds.

Local ingredients from Patagonia are used in an artisanal method to create the chocolates from Abuela Goye Bariloche, and they have a good reputation for their emphasis on sustainability. The logo of the grandmother represents the “home-made” cooking style, with love and warmth from their chocolate kitchen.

8. The National Chocolate Festival

Not a place, but definitely an experience not to miss! During the Easter holiday in Bariloche, you can expect the city to light up with creative initiatives to celebrate the holy week with lots and lost of chocolate!  This is the sweetest party in the world, and the perfect opportunity to indulge in some of the best chocolate creations in the world.

Among some of the activities you can expect are chocolate making classes, blind chocolate tasting, easter egg hunts, chocolate art, competitions with amazing prizes, live shows, and more. It is a great way to spend Easter with your family, and to experience Bariloche at its finest.

How to visit Bariloche with Kuoda

Bariloche is a place not to miss when you plan to travel to Argentina. Argentina is a diverse country, and attracts people from all around the world for many reasons, so we understand that visiting Bariloche will most likely not be your only destination. We at Kuoda specialize in tailor-made traveling packages that guarantee memorable experiences for couples and families.  Get in touch with us today, and talk with one of our trip designers to see how we can create something that will satisfy your specific needs and requirements. We look forward to talking to you!