We never need an excuse for chocolate, but the third full week of March being American Chocolate Week (this year it’s March 17-23) is a great one! With homemade chocolates, saltwater taffy and vintage sweets, our list of next-level candy shops will have you munching on treats before you can say, “It’s my cheat day.”
1300 Rte. 35, Middletown
888-896-2449
Aside from the incredibly beautiful and interestingly-flavored bonbons here (think PB Oreo Cookie, lemon cheesecake, raspberry chocolate martini), you can get chocolate-covered potato chips, s’mores, hemp-infused chocolates, boozy bites and They make vegan and sugar-free chocolates, too.
5 W. Maple Ave., Merchantville
856-662-0058
Charles Brooks Oakford, Sr., loved his aunt and loved his candy, and thus the shop was born in 1920 and has been in operation for four decades. Although they’ve moved a long way from hand-wrapped caramels served from the front seat of Charles’s Model T Ford truck, they now offer everything from butter creams, crabs, bark and crunch to fudge, meltaway, soft center and sugar-free options.
1522 Rte. 206 – Suite B, Tabernacle
609-388-4237
Order a chocolate-covered pretzel tray, a four-piece customized truffle box, gourmet chocolate caramel apples and chocolate-covered Oreos that you can decorate specifically for holidays or occasions.
Store and Factory: 350 Rifle Camp Rd., Woodland Park
973-684-1496
Essex Mall: 891 Bloomfield Ave., West Caldwell
973-227-0819
The Candy Case includes a selection of crunchies and chewies, fruits and nuts, chocolates with soft centers, and truffles.
COURTESY OF CANDYLICIOUS FACEBOOK PAGE
1152 Rte. 10 W., Unit I, Randolph
973-252-5300
Step into this small storefront with floor-to-ceiling walls filled with candy. Homemade chocolates and freshly spun cotton candy make this spot a favorite destination for candy lovers of all kinds. But because Candylicious ships their treats, anyone with a sweet tooth can get their hands on these treats without making the trip in.
COURTESY OF CHOCOLATE FANTASIA FACEBOOK PAGE
137 Ridge Rd., Lyndhurst
201-935-8723
Chocolate Fantasia may be small, but the store is loaded with homemade chocolate goodies. The shop works year-round to offer the coolest seasonal treats for Thanksgiving (chocolate cornucopia filled with chocolate-covered pretzels), Easter (chocolate-covered marshmallow PEEPS) and special occasions. Make your birthday party 10 times sweeter with chocolate party favors in the shape of a shoe, duck and anything else you can imagine.
931 Amboy Ave., Edison
732-486-3400
Known for its selection of coffee, espresso and tea, Coffee House has the perfect drinks to wash down Chocolate Moonshine Co. candies, which they now carry.
125 Lewis St., Eatontown
732-542-7847
In operation for 95 years, Criterion offers a selection of chocolate pretzels, apples, bunnies, seashells, bark, caramels, cookies, malted bars and apricots. If you are craving something sour, go for the fruit slices, taffy or orange peels.
CHOCOLATE WORKS
Livingston, Millburn, Red Bank
If your little cookie monster’s birthday’s coming up, host your own candy-themed party. Kids can decorate their own chocolate, scarf down ice cream and learn where chocolate comes from and how it’s made. If you want cocoa treats to take home, print your own images onto Belgian chocolate lollipops and bars.
92 N. Main St., Windsor (Robbinsville)
609-443-4747
There’s a fun selection of New Jersey-themed chocolates on the menu, including a cutting board assortment, filled coffee mug and NJ state chunk of chocolate. Take a tour of the chocolate factory and store to see exactly where the chocolates come from.
461 Rte. 202, Flemington
1208 Rte. 22 E., Phillipsburg
21-115 Belle Mead-Griggstown Rd., Belle Meade
Chocolate-covered fruit, almond butter crunch, handcrafted fudge, truffles, pretzels, grahams, Oreos and chocolate bars are available in store or to ship anywhere.
COURTESY OF MRS. HANNA KRAUSE CANDY, INC. FACEBOOK PAGE
89 Westview Ave., Paramus
201-843-0337
Hanna Krause’s candies look more like a cottage in a fairy tale than a shop. Once inside, this store gets even sweeter. Its website boasts candy made the old-fashioned way: cooked in copper kettles and open-flame stoves while being hand mixed. Note: The business announced its closure after 65 years in June, but the online store is open through June 28.
Atlantic City, Tinton Falls, Ocean City, Wildwood, East Rutherford
It’s Sugar is over the top in the best ways. With brightly colored walls and larger-than-life candy boxes, it’s hard not to get lost in all the sugary goodness.
Jenkinson’s Ice Cream & Sweet Shop
300 Ocean Ave., Point Pleasant
732-892-7576
It isn’t a trip to the boardwalk without a taste of homemade fudge or salt water taffy. Jenkinson’s puts its own twist on these classic summer favorites with unique flavors and samples available for tasting. Try the fruity jelly donut and orange creamsicle-flavored fudge or the savory peanut butter explosion and watermelon taffy. If you’re in the mood for a cool treat on a hot summer day, try one of their soft serve or hard ice cream flavors.
COURTESY OF LOLLI AND POPS FACEBOOK PAGE
Bridgewater Commons, Willowbrook Mall in Wayne
908-333-0622
Chances are you stopped in your tracks to check out this pastel-colored fantasy world. Treats are imported from around the globe, and chocolates are made fresh for the picking. You can also order online and have candy (or teddy bears) shipped across the country.
Love Live Sweets Chocolate Cafe
508 Monmouth Rd. (Rte. 537 West), Millstone
609-208-3799
This is the type of shop you wish you could live in. Why stop at chocolate-covered everything when you can add on freshly baked cupcakes, gelato, a coffee bar and sandwiches? There is a party room in the back, and often community events are held on site.
7 Kings Highway E., Haddonfield
856-281-9565
1618 E. Passyunk Ave., Philadelphia, PA
215-419-5574
The artisanal chocolates are made with interesting ingredients such as sea salt, caramels, red wine, cocktails, tea, coffee and herbs.
COURTESY OF NUTTY OVER SWEETS FACEBOOK PAGE
6 White Deer Plaza, Sparta
973-729-3466
Even with the latest and greatest candy creations in stock, Nutty Over Sweets still has a classic feel to it. If you’re not in the mood for chocolate, sample nuts and dried fruit, or if your kiddos have allergies, there’s a specific selection of treats just for your little sweeties.
627 Park Avenue, Freehold
732-462-1311
Considered the OG of New Jersey candy shops, you’ll feel like you’ve gone back in time. They’re famous for their cans of peanut brittle, traditional chocolate bars and Easter treats. Their 3-foot-tall chocolate bunny for Easter is a showstopper!
21 Park Pl. W., Cranbury
732-259-1997
Each decadent chocolate bar is handmade and hand-painted. They have dozens of flavors of fudge, rich hot chocolate, ice cream cakes and seasonal candies.
719 Stokes Rd., Medford
609-953-0040
Through the Chocolate Store, their cyber candy store, you can order chocolate, candy, nuts, gift baskets, favors, custom chocolate and other novelties. Some of the 40 featured items include boxed chocolates, chocolate-covered pretzels, deluxe chocolate assortments, gourmet chocolate truffles, and sugar-free chocolates and candies.
Crystal Springs Resort, Hamburg
844-205-1857
This isn’t a chocolate shop, but instead an elegant forest-to-table fine dining experience at Crystal Spring Resort’s Restaurant Latour, which is partnering with renowned chocolatier Jacques Torres to offer seasonal chocolate treats. Debuting March 17-23 during American Chocolate Week are Truffle and Black Trumpet Mushroom-Flavored Bonbons. Chef Torres will showcase his chocolates the New Jersey Wine & Food Festival VIP Tasting at Crystal Springs on May 4. In addition, Torres’ traditional chocolate bars and hot chocolate are available for purchase throughout the resort’s stores.
1325 Rte. 206, Skillman
609-924-1124
The chocolate shop has been serving the Central Jersey region since 1978 with custom and gourmet chocolates, truffles and confections. Some of the more popular items are a caramel assortment, coco-vine variety pack and seasonal molds (everything from a St. Patrick’s Day lollipop to fillable Easter eggs to a Diwali assortment).
COURTESY OF ROCKET FIZZ FACEBOOK PAGE
Rocket Fizz Soda Pop & Candy Shop
Marlton
856-574-4740
This beloved franchise has locations nationwide, all stocked with a variable selection of soda and unique sweets. From bacon-flavored pop to gift baskets loaded with nostalgia-inducing toys and candy, this is the one-stop shop for all the vintage lovers in your life.
COURTESY OF SHRIVERS SALT WATER TAFF AND FUDGE FACEBOOK PAGE
Shriver’s Salt Water Taffy and Fudge
Ocean City
877-668-2339
Shriver’s saltwater taffy doesn’t actually contain salt or much water, but that doesn’t make it any less delicious. This candy shop has been serving the Jersey Shore community since 1898. Choose from more than a dozen flavors, including molasses mint, oh-so-very berry and flippy fruit.
COURTESY OF SUGARFINA FACEBOOK PAGE
Short Hills
855-784-2734
Named one of the world’s most beautiful candy shops by Architectural Digest, Sugarfina is totally Instaworthy. If Short Hills is too far for you and your crew, you can shop Sugarfina candies at Kings Supermarket and The Paper Store locations throughout NJ.
1100 Rte. 35, Middletown
732-796-0115
You can’t open the door to Suzi’s without being hit in the face with the smell of delicious chocolate. There are shelves and baskets filled with everything from truffles to chocolates in novelty shapes to ready-made gift baskets.
COURTESY OF SWEET NOTHINGS FACEBOOK PAGE
26 Beechwood Rd., Summit
866-283-3300
This locale is always pushing the boundaries of what a candy store can offer. Some of its newest candy creations include coffee dipping spoons flavored with caramel, mint or marshmallow. If you love the smell of chocolate, try one of the shop’s scented candles.
1118 3rd Ave., Spring Lake
732-449-7535
The Candy Directory here is split into chocolates and gummy candies. They specialize in handmade chocolates, especially truffles, turtles and caramels; as well as fruit slices, jelly beans, saltwater taffy (you’re by the beach!) and licorice.
Van Holten’s Chocolates & Sweet Shop
1893 Rte. 88, Brick Twp.
732-830-2220
Since 1904, Van Holten’s Chocolates has been presenting chocolate as an art form to fill your sweet tooth. High-quality cocoa beans are combined with fruits, nuts, creams, jellies and just about anything else you could imagine. Sample their fudge, jelly beans, M&Ms, lollipops and other creative treats.
Get the latest on the best things to do with your family in and around New Jersey by signing up for our newsletter and following us on Facebook and Instagram!
Read More:
Where to Make Your Easter Brunch and Dinner Reservation in New Jersey
Wonder Is The Dinner Plan You Need For Every Type of Eater
This Burger Chain Now Has $6 Grown-Up Meals For The Kid In All of Us
Celebrate Pi Day in New Jersey With a Slice of Pie