At one time, Philadelphia dominated the candy industry, thanks to being a port on the sugar trade route. That legacy lives on today in candy shops and manufacturers throughout the city and suburbs.
Asher’s claims the status of the oldest continuously family-owned and operated candy manufacturer in the country. Candy has been pumped out of the Shane Confectionery space since 1863. Mueller’s sells the region’s — maybe the whole country’s — most unusual chocolate, in anatomical shapes, and the famous chocolate-covered onion.
Head to the suburbs for some of the area’s best house-made chocolate and candy, at Tradestone and Eclat Chocolate. In town, don’t miss Marcie Blaine Artisanal Chocolate, a project of the prolific chef. Get fancy at Urban Farmer by ordering the seasonally-flavored Farmer Bon Bons for dessert. Stop at convenience stores to pick up some of the best sweets manufactured here, including Zitner’s Butter Krak, Peanut Chews, Peeps, and Asher’s chocolate-covered pretzels.
This Sweets Week, try to experience all 14 of the region’s best candy shops and brands.
A family-owned-and-operated business for the last four generations, Asher’s is known for chocolate-enrobed pretzels, nut barks, and non-pareils. Sold all over, but based in Souderton.
On a busy day, Mueller Chocolate inside the Reading Terminal might serve 800 customers. Many stop to get chocolate dipped pretzels, truffles or nut clusters. Be brave and try their chocolate-covered onion or body part molds, like feet, hands, hearts, lungs, and more.
Master chocolatier Chris Curtin’s confections have been hailed as the best chocolates in America. That’s because he learned the trade in Belgium, Switzerland, France, Germany, and Japan, and uses high-quality ingredients for his exotic and fancy truffles, crèmes and caramels. Worth the trip to West Chester.
Since 1917, Peanut Chews have been made in Philly (and Bethlehem since 2003). Get the crunchy, chewy chocolates at stores all over town. Bonus: manufacturer Just Born also makes Hot Tamales, Mike and Ike and Peeps.
Based in Philadelphia, John & Kira’s delivers elegant, creative chocolates all over the country. Think: chocolate-covered figs with a touch of whiskey and hand-painted hot air balloon-shaped ganaches, pralines and caramels. Pick up their chocolate-covered cherries at Di Bruno Bros.
With 5 locations in Philadelphia, you’re never far from a candy fix. The options are seemingly endless, including caramels, cordials, marshmallows, gummies, hard candy, mints, and chocolate-covered nuts.
Who needs lunch when you can get sodas in flavors like Bacon, Ranch Dressing, or Corn on the Cob at Rocket Fizz? The Old City outpost of a chain of stores with locations in dozens of cities teems with retro and vintage candy. It’s sure to inspire nostalgic memories of childhood — for all generations.
Stepping into this throwback candy shop is like going back in time. Marvel at the taffies and buttercreams made from centuries-old recipes. Try some homemade fudge, chocolate-dipped bacon, and seasonal treats like caramel apples.
For over 30 years, Ardmore’s Sweet Stuff has been wowing kids and adults alike with its wall of candy. The Main Line's largest selection of candy and chocolate includes gummies, non-pareils, licorice, jelly beans, chocolates, and chocolate-covered pretzels and dried fruit.
Just off South Street, Sweettooth is a big draw for families in the neighborhood and tourists looking for a sweet pick-me-up. Over 250 items in the store make deciding what to get a challenge, but mix-and-matching is encouraged ($2.59 per 1/4 pound).
Chefs Chip Roman and Fred Ortega man the chocolate molds at Tradestone. Try their signature bon bons, truffles, caramels, and barks, by having them delivered to your door, or pick them up at the store in Conshohocken or at DiBruno Bros., Tela’s, or Pennsylvania General Store.
Candy gets all dolled up at Philly's newest steakhouse. The Farmer Bon Bons at Urban Farmer are a staple on the dessert menu and their fillings change seasonally.
Zitner’s sells more than six million chocolate-covered eggs (with fillings like coconut, buttercream, peanut butter, and marshmallow) each year at stores, including Wawa, Acme, ShopRite. Butter Krak eggs that show up before Easter are the most well-known: they’re made with butter and long-thread coconut.
Chef Marcie Blaine, half of the dynamic duo behind five restaurants on 13th Street, has developed a following for her artisanal, hand-crafted chocolates. Sold exclusively in the boutique Verde, these sweets are as beautiful as they are delicious, in flavors like gingerbread, blood orange, and prosecco.
A family-owned-and-operated business for the last four generations, Asher’s is known for chocolate-enrobed pretzels, nut barks, and non-pareils. Sold all over, but based in Souderton.
On a busy day, Mueller Chocolate inside the Reading Terminal might serve 800 customers. Many stop to get chocolate dipped pretzels, truffles or nut clusters. Be brave and try their chocolate-covered onion or body part molds, like feet, hands, hearts, lungs, and more.
Master chocolatier Chris Curtin’s confections have been hailed as the best chocolates in America. That’s because he learned the trade in Belgium, Switzerland, France, Germany, and Japan, and uses high-quality ingredients for his exotic and fancy truffles, crèmes and caramels. Worth the trip to West Chester.
Since 1917, Peanut Chews have been made in Philly (and Bethlehem since 2003). Get the crunchy, chewy chocolates at stores all over town. Bonus: manufacturer Just Born also makes Hot Tamales, Mike and Ike and Peeps.
Based in Philadelphia, John & Kira’s delivers elegant, creative chocolates all over the country. Think: chocolate-covered figs with a touch of whiskey and hand-painted hot air balloon-shaped ganaches, pralines and caramels. Pick up their chocolate-covered cherries at Di Bruno Bros.
With 5 locations in Philadelphia, you’re never far from a candy fix. The options are seemingly endless, including caramels, cordials, marshmallows, gummies, hard candy, mints, and chocolate-covered nuts.
Who needs lunch when you can get sodas in flavors like Bacon, Ranch Dressing, or Corn on the Cob at Rocket Fizz? The Old City outpost of a chain of stores with locations in dozens of cities teems with retro and vintage candy. It’s sure to inspire nostalgic memories of childhood — for all generations.
Stepping into this throwback candy shop is like going back in time. Marvel at the taffies and buttercreams made from centuries-old recipes. Try some homemade fudge, chocolate-dipped bacon, and seasonal treats like caramel apples.
For over 30 years, Ardmore’s Sweet Stuff has been wowing kids and adults alike with its wall of candy. The Main Line's largest selection of candy and chocolate includes gummies, non-pareils, licorice, jelly beans, chocolates, and chocolate-covered pretzels and dried fruit.
Just off South Street, Sweettooth is a big draw for families in the neighborhood and tourists looking for a sweet pick-me-up. Over 250 items in the store make deciding what to get a challenge, but mix-and-matching is encouraged ($2.59 per 1/4 pound).
Chefs Chip Roman and Fred Ortega man the chocolate molds at Tradestone. Try their signature bon bons, truffles, caramels, and barks, by having them delivered to your door, or pick them up at the store in Conshohocken or at DiBruno Bros., Tela’s, or Pennsylvania General Store.
Candy gets all dolled up at Philly's newest steakhouse. The Farmer Bon Bons at Urban Farmer are a staple on the dessert menu and their fillings change seasonally.
Zitner’s sells more than six million chocolate-covered eggs (with fillings like coconut, buttercream, peanut butter, and marshmallow) each year at stores, including Wawa, Acme, ShopRite. Butter Krak eggs that show up before Easter are the most well-known: they’re made with butter and long-thread coconut.
Chef Marcie Blaine, half of the dynamic duo behind five restaurants on 13th Street, has developed a following for her artisanal, hand-crafted chocolates. Sold exclusively in the boutique Verde, these sweets are as beautiful as they are delicious, in flavors like gingerbread, blood orange, and prosecco.