Läderach

Läderach is a Swiss chocolatier trading from the Market Building at the centre of Covent Garden, and it is best known for FrischSchoggi, fresh chocolate broken from large slabs at the counter. The shop belongs to an established Swiss chocolate maker that puts freshness and the sensory side of eating chocolate at the heart of everything it sells.

The brand plays up traceability, telling origin stories such as harvest season in Costa Rica, and runs a World Chocolate Master initiative for the craft itself. Milk, dark and white lines sit alongside single-origin and limited-edition releases, and the satin shine and clean snap of a fresh piece are part of the pitch rather than an afterthought.

Swiss chocolate shop in Covent Garden

The signature FrischSchoggi slabs are loaded with nuts and fruit, broken to order and sold by weight, which the brand describes as its bestseller. Around them are pralines, truffles, tablets, snacking lines such as caramel popcorn and a range of vegan chocolates. Buying by weight means you can take a single piece or build a large gift, so the counter works as well for a quick treat as for a present.

What to expect on a visit

The shop sits inside the covered market, a high-footfall spot where the theatre of breaking slabs at the counter suits the lively surroundings. It is open seven days, with later hours on weekdays and Saturdays. For another heritage chocolatier in the Market Building, Neuhaus is a few units along, and you can browse the rest of the area's dessert shops in Covent Garden for gelato, doughnuts and patisserie.