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Fassbender & Rausch – Sublime Chocolates in Berlin

Kir Royal Trüffel (Truffles) at Fassbender & Rausch Chocolatiers on the Gendarmenmarkt in BerlinA trip to Fassbender & Rausch would be one of my top tips for anyone visiting Berlin.

Of course, on your first visit to the German capital you should see the Reichstag, the Brandenburg Gate, the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church and the Fernsehturm (TV Tower), but why not also see them crafted from chocolate.

Fassbender & Rausch was formed in 1999 when two families of chocolatiers joined forces.  Heinrich Fassbender started making chocolate in 1863 in Mohrenstrasse, not far from the present shop.  Later, in 1890, Wilhelm Rausch established his first confectionery.

Entering the shop on the southern edge of the Gendarmenmarkt in Berlin’s Mitte, you’ll feel like Charlie stepping into Willy Wonka’s factory.  Your eyes will be on stalks as you walk passed all the sights listed earlier and the chocolate volcano.

The Fernsehturm made from chocolate at Fassbender & Rausch Chocolatiers on the Gendarmenmarkt in Berlin

To give you some idea of scale, the Reichstag here measures 1.6m x 1.6m x 0.65m and weighs in at a staggering 285 kg.  Oh, and it took 492 man-hours to create it.

The Reichstag made from chocolate at Fassbender & Rausch Chocolatiers on the Gendarmenmarkt in Berlin

There is a huge array of truffles on offer and after enjoying some yourself you can earn some serious Brownie points if you take some home as gifts.  Fortunately, the staff here are incredibly patient with customers who find it difficult to narrow down the wide selection.

Shoppers at browsing the Truffle counter at Fassbender & Rausch Chocolatiers on the Gendarmenmarkt in Berlin

Truffles cost €5.75 per 100g but the less fancy (but still wonderfully tasty) Borken Schokolade costs €3.45 per 100g.

Above the shop there is a Café and Restaurant.  I’m told that the hot chocolate here is something special but I’ve never been so can’t vouch for that.  The desserts on the menu outside look like they are to die for.

For most, Fassbender and Rausch in Berlin is a fantasy world of chocolate creations.  For a chocoholic like me, it’s a little slice of chocolate Heaven on Earth.  On leaving, those worried about their waistline can cross the Gendarmenmarkt to the Französischer Dom, where climbing the steps to the viewing gallery will help burn off some of the calories just consumed.

A box of Berlin souvenir chocolates at Fassbender & Rausch Chocolatiers on the Gendarmenmarkt in Berlin

A white chocolate rabbit at Fassbender & Rausch Chocolatiers on the Gendarmenmarkt in Berlin

Mazipan Herz (Hearts) at Fassbender & Rausch Chocolatiers on the Gendarmenmarkt in Berlin

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8 Responses to Fassbender & Rausch – Sublime Chocolates in Berlin

  1. James 2 March, 2012 at 19:23 #

    AWESOME!

  2. shallowpocketslucy 5 March, 2012 at 13:05 #

    These looks absolutely fantastic! Lovely photography and all-in-all, a great post. Wish I’d known about this when I was here 🙂

    • andBerlin 5 March, 2012 at 13:19 #

      Thanks for the kind words, Lucy, and for taking the time to look at my blog. Did you see the photos of the Berliner Dom?

  3. Spiller 9 May, 2012 at 14:40 #

    Yes! I will definitely be making a trip to this place. Thank you for the top tip!
    Great to find your blog

    • andBerlin 9 May, 2012 at 15:26 #

      Jo, another top tip on this one. If you enjoy the chocolates at F&R I’ve since discovered that you can visit the factory. You can buy chocolate there in larger quantities at much cheaper prices (eg champagne truffles in kilo boxes, though also in 200g bags). It’s a little out of the way but a good way to buy bargain gifts – My mum loves the truffles!

  4. Patrick 5 January, 2015 at 18:52 #

    Great pictures — I always drop by that place whenever I’m in Berlin.

    If you want to stay on a chocolaty path, you can also walk from there to the Ritter Store, on Französische Strasse, 5 minutes by foot.

    (just realized the original post is 2 1/2+ years old — doesn’t matter!)

    • andberlin 5 January, 2015 at 21:40 #

      Thanks, Patrick. Believe it or not, I still haven’t been to the Ritter store even after all this time. I’ll have to visit but not until I’ve managed to eat all my Nikolaus and Christmas chocolate, which will probably take a while yet!

      • Patrick 5 January, 2015 at 23:46 #

        Then you’ll have one more reason to explore the city: burn off those delicious calories 🙂

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