Share your moments of happiness

Romantic gift

Say it with your heart … and the best chocolates!

Birth gift

A new baby? Congratulate the family with a chocolate gift.

Birthday gift

Chocolates are a welcome guest at celebrations! Give some pleasure with Leonidas for every occasion.

Invitation

Invited at a family diner or an evening among friends? Thank your hosts with a delicious gift

Explore Our Chocolate Collection

From classic pralines to beautifully crafted assortments, our collection offers something for every taste. Whether you’re looking for a thoughtful gift or a personal indulgence, you’ll find it here.

The history of Belgian Chocolate

Chocolate arrived in Belgium via the port of Antwerp in the 17th century. The region was a Spanish colony at that time: the Spanish Netherlands, whose capital was Brussels. The chocolate drink, brought from the Americas a century earlier, was highly prized in Europe’s royal courts.

But it wasn’t until the 19th century that chocolate as we know it today became widely available. Thanks to industrialisation, the mills used to extract the cocoa butter from the beans were gradually replaced by steam engines. This made it easier to produce cocoa mass in large quantities. Across the whole of Europe, chocolate makers set up in business: in England, Switzerland, France and the Netherlands.

In 1828, the Dutchman Van Houten began producing cocoa powder. The chocolate tablet was invented by the Frenchman Menier in 1836. In 1876, Peter of Switzerland, who would go on to join forces with Nestlé, came up with the idea of adding milk powder to chocolate. Neuhaus claims the credit for the first Belgian chocolate, created in 1912. Belgian chocolate was born!

And where was Leonidas in all this? We’re coming to that… Leonidas Kestekides was a Greek man who specialised in granitas, wine and confectionery, first in Italy and then in the United States. In 1910, he participated in the World’s Fair in Brussels where he took the bronze medal for one of his confectionery products, a chocolate-covered fruit jelly. He also found love there, and relocated to Ghent. He was awarded the gold medal at the 1913 World’s Fair in Ghent. He then opened his first tasting shop. Let the adventure of Leonidas chocolate begin!

Visit Our Chocolate Boutique in Canton

Located in the heart of Canton, Connecticut, our store offers a welcoming space where you can explore the full range of Leonidas chocolates in person.

Stop by to discover new favorites, pick up a last-minute gift, or experience the taste of authentic Belgian chocolate — right here in your neighborhood.

Address: 160 Albany Tpke, Canton, CT 06019 (Inside Green Papaya)
Phone: (860) 693-9322

Hours: 

Friday11 AM–3 PM, 5–9 PM
Saturday11 AM–3 PM, 5–9 PM
Sunday12–7:30 PM
MondayClosed
Tuesday3PM – 9PM
Wednesday3PM – 9PM
Thursday3PM – 9PM

Made without palm oil

Our Master Chocolatiers are obsessed with quality. They will only accept pure cocoa butter. That is why you won’t find a single drop of palm oil in our chocolate.

100% pure cocoa butter

Leonidas wants you to enjoy moments of pure bliss. That is why our Master Chocolatiers only use chocolate made with 100% pure cocoa butter.

Belgian since 1913

Leonidas chocolates are designed in Belgium. Our Master Chocolatiers use only the finest ingredients, handling them with loving care and with a respect for tradition.

Sustainable cocoa

Leonidas chooses sustainable cocoa to produce its pralines. When your aim is to create moments of happiness for everyone, what’s more normal than caring about nature and humankind?