I’m a simple person. I see something sweet, I want it. Luckily, the Garden State has its fair share of spots where sweet is the name of the game. If you’ve got a sweet tooth as strong as mine, it’s time you skip the manufactured candies and Little Debbies cakes, in favor of something a bit more local.
From candy paradises complete with flowing chocolate fountains to decades-old institutions specializing in homemade candies and treats, these are the best chocolate and dessert shops in New Jersey.
The Best Chocolate and Dessert Shops in New Jersey
Laurie’s Homemade Candies – Wayne
Laurie’s is a true emporium for small-batch, hand-crafted chocolates. Peruse the packed case for favorites like coconut creams and chocolate-dipped fruit jellies, or take home a chocolate-covered apple and a bag of gummy candies. There’s a good reason Laurie’s has been a Wayne favorite since 1978.
Love Live Sweets – Millstone Township
Homemade cakes, cookies, creamy gelato, and silky chocolates are just a few of the options at the one-stop shop for all things desserts. Love Live Sweets is part bakery, part cafe, and part chocolate shop. No matter where you are in the state, Love Live Sweets is worth a spot on your list.
Bromilow’s – Woodland Park
Nicknamed “the sweetest spot on the mountain,” Bromilow’s has been making homemade chocolates and candies in Woodland Park (FKA West Paterson) since 1958. Sprinkle-topped nonpareils and creamy peanut butter cups, Bromilow’s remains one of the most popular spots to grab homemade candy in NJ.
Chocolate House – Multiple Locations
With locations across North Jersey, Chocolate House provides an excellent option for dessert obsessives. The chocolate options are seemingly endless: brownie-stuffed crepes, tiramisu milkshakes, dipped fruit, and who could forget the viral Dubai chocolate?
Ensōra – Cherry Hill
This Cherry Hill dessert cafe dishes out Japanese fruit sandos, homemade soft serve, ceremonial Uji matcha and houjicha, and fish-shaped Japanese pastries called Taiyaki. Ensōra offers a unique dessert destination in New Jersey.
Vesta – Montclair
For luxe candies, bonbons, handmade marshmallows, and other top-notch chocolates, Vesta in Upper Montclair is a top option for candy in the area. Beyond candy, fudgy brownies and velvety hot chocolate keep Vesta on the map.
Reily’s Candy – Medford
This roadside shop is a local favorite. Reily’s Candy is no-frills—entirely focused on locally made, small-batch chocolates and candies. Pick from chocolatey clusters, caramel-covered apples, and chocolate bunnies during Easter time.
LiBre Dessert Cafe – Hamburg
Cream-filled donuts, colorful macarons, and single-serve cake boxes are just a few of the sugary options at LiBre. The Hamburg dessert cafe is constantly coming up with innovative desserts to keep your sweet tooth alive.
Third Avenue Chocolate Shoppe – Spring Lake
Pick from truffles, chewy chocolate turtles, nut-filled clusters, covered cherries, pretzels, and more at Third Avenue Chocolate Shoppe in Spring Lake. This local favorite has been doing their chocolatey thing since 1989. It was bought by new owners in 2021 who have kept the small town charm and homemade quality at the forefront.
Lee Sims Chocolates – Jersey City
Lee Sims is a Jersey City institution. For more than 85 years, this confectionary has been the go-to for handmade candies and sweets in Hudson County. Originally opened as a soda shop in 1939, Lee Sims Chocolates continues to carry on nearly a century of history today—one gooey chocolate cluster at a time.
Holsten’s – Bloomfield
Tony Soprano called the onion rings at Holsten’s the best in the state, but Holsten’s really feels like a dessert shop at heart. Homemade chocolates fill the case, and creamy ice cream sundaes go out to each table. While the burgers and sandwiches are no joke, it’s the sweets that keep this Bloomfield favorite thriving.
Conrad’s Confectionery – Westwood
The orange booths and diner-style counter define this Westwood favorite for ice cream, homemade chocolates, and other desserts. Conrad’s is a longtime staple for good reason—little has changed at the confectionery over the years, and that’s just the way the locals like it.
Lepore’s Chocolates – Hoboken
Beyond steakhouses and TV-famous bakeries, The Mile Square City also has skin in the candy shop game. Lepore’s is a popular option for handmade chocolates and other sweet treats in Hoboken. Legend has it, Frank Sinatra used to be a regular.
David Bradley Chocolatier – Windsor
Move over Willy Wonka, New Jersey has its own magical chocolate factory. While oompa loompas might not be a part of the equation, David Bradley is still a true paradise for chocolate fanatics. Shelves line the store, packed to the brim with a variety of must-try treats in Windsor, NJ.
Lucille’s Own Make Candies – Manahawkin and LBI
The signature pink facade defines this longtime Manahawkin establishment. Beyond the iconic look is everything you could possibly imagine when it comes to chocolates. Think decorative truffles, chocolate-covered pretzels, and chewy caramels. In the summer, the LBI location serves beachgoers through the warmer months.
Stutz Candy Company – Long Beach
Down on Long Beach Island, sweets are not hard to come by. Still, Stutz stands out as the perfect option for those with a sweet tooth to splurge. From imported gummies and salt water taffy to housemade clusters and chocolate covered to nonpareils and chocolate cigars, Stutz has you covered on all things sugar and sweets.
Duffy’s Fine Chocolates – Haddonfield
Charles and Elizabeth Duffy opened this Haddonfield institution in 1922. For more than 100 years, Duffy’s has served the community only the best chocolates, caramels, and buttercreams. Today, Duffy’s continues to innovate while keeping the old-school feel a pillar of the business.
Red Bank Chocolate Shoppe
Red Bank Chocolate Shoppe boasts a long list of homemade chocolate goodness. From cashew-stuffed turtles and nut barks to almond butter crunch and assorted Valentine’s Day candies, this shore-area sweets shop deserves a spot on your list.
Peter Candia is the Food + Drink Editor at New Jersey Digest. A graduate of The Culinary Institute of America, Peter found a passion for writing midway through school and never looked back. He is a former line cook, server and bartender at top-rated restaurants in the tri-state area. In addition to food, Peter enjoys politics, music, sports and anything New Jersey.
