Oberweis on Grand Rue, Luxembourg

Oberweis – an official supplier to the Grand Duke of Luxembourg – is the family-run business founded in 1964. Although it has its origins in chocolate-making, today the company offers a vast array of sweets and savory creations.

What to buy here: Luxembourg Chocolate, Melusinas and Speculoos.

A favorite flavor in the Benelux region, speculoos can be found in almost every form, from ice cream to chocolates to even spreadable paste. These thin, brown spice biscuits with a design stamped on the front are a very popular accompaniment to coffee in Luxembourg, and you’re likely to find one on your saucer if you order coffee in a cafe. Speculoos biscuits can also be found in any large supermarket and, with some searching, you can spot them in many other products. Check the chocolate-spread section to find the unique speculoos spread, a thick paste that can be spread on toast or crepes. Though the biscuits are easy to find, Oberweis sells them in an attractive package for gift-giving for €6.

According to legend, Count Siegfried, who founded Luxembourg in 963, married the water-faerie Melusina who used magic to make the Castle of Lucilinburhuc (today's Luxembourg Castle) appear on the Bock promontory. As a condition of marrying her, Siegfried had to give her one day and night of total privacy each month. Eventually, he became very curious about this and peeked through the keyhole while she was bathing, and was shocked to discover that she had a fishtail. Melusina immediately noticed herself being watched and escaped into the Alzette river, never to return. Oberweis, the famous Luxembourg chocolate house, pays tribute to this legend with a chocolate truffle called Melusina, sold in gift boxes for about €10.