Sea salt caramels have quietly become the treat Ohio candy lovers plan road trips around. That mix of buttery caramel, smooth chocolate, and a little pinch of salt hits differently, and the best versions come from shops that still make everything by hand.
Across the state, from Amish Country storefronts to small-town Main Streets, there are candy makers turning out fresh batches worth the drive. Here are seven Ohio chocolate shops where the sea salt caramels earn their reputation, plus what else you can grab while you are there.
1. Esther Price Candies, Dayton, OH
Some candy names in Ohio carry decades of trust, and Esther Price is one of them. The Dayton shop has spent years crafting chocolates, caramels, and creams, and it also keeps a lineup of sugar-free versions for folks watching sugar.
The sea salt caramels are a standout here, and they share shelf space with dark chocolate turtles and house-made candy bars. Because the candy is made on-site, you are buying it about as fresh as it gets.
You will find it at 1709 Wayne Ave, with a free parking lot out front. Hours run Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., with Sunday closed.
It is set up for a quick visit, so this is an easy stop if you just want to grab a box and go. Tuesday, Friday, and Saturday afternoons tend to be the busiest, so weekday evenings are calmer if you want to browse.
2. Coblentz Chocolate Company, Walnut Creek, OH
Deep in Ohio Amish Country, Coblentz Chocolate Company has built its name on caramels, fudge, toffee, truffles, and caramel corn, all made in-house. If you are hunting sea salt caramels, this is a smart place to stock up.
They sell wrapped caramels by weight, and you can mix milk chocolate and dark chocolate versions, with or without the salt. The truffles are vegetarian, and there is a nice-sized sugar-free selection if you need it.
The shop sits at 4917 Walnut St, with a free parking lot on-site. It is takeout and shopping only, so plan to grab your treats and enjoy them elsewhere.
Hours are Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., closed Sunday. Saturday afternoon is the busy stretch, so a weekday morning is your best bet for a relaxed pick.
3. Sweet Designs Chocolatier, Lakewood, OH
Over in Lakewood, Sweet Designs Chocolatier leans into a European-style approach, with bars, truffles, and even vegan options on the menu. The chocolate here runs smooth and creamy, which is exactly what you want wrapped around a caramel.
The sea salt caramels are a popular grab, and they sit alongside classics like Buckeyes and their signature Chokolatine. Pair a box of caramels with a peanut butter chocolate and you have covered the bases.
The shop is at 16100 Detroit Ave, right along the main strip. It offers delivery, in-store pickup, takeout, and onsite services, so you have flexible ways to get your fix.
Hours are Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., closed Sunday. Saturday afternoon draws the biggest crowd.
4. Bellbrook Chocolate Shoppe, Centerville, OH
Family-owned and proud of it, Bellbrook Chocolate Shoppe in Centerville turns out handmade chocolates that convert even people who claim they are not into sweets. The fresh, on-point flavor is a big part of why folks come back.
Their twice-dipped chocolate covered strawberries get a lot of attention, but the sea salt caramels hold their own in the case. You will also spot chocolate-dipped apricots and cherries if you want to build a fruit-and-caramel mix.
Find them at 101 E Alex Bell Rd. The shop offers in-store pickup, onsite services, and takeout, and it is built for a quick browse-and-buy visit.
Hours are Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday from noon to 4 p.m. The Sunday hours make it one of the few stops on this list open at the end of the weekend.
5. Troyer’s Sweet Shoppe, Millersburg, OH
Right in the heart of Millersburg, Troyer’s Sweet Shoppe carries the kind of variety that makes picking hard in the best way. Artisanal chocolates, handcrafted candies, caramels, and fudge fill the shelves.
The sea salt caramel is one of the picks worth zeroing in on, and the peanut butter crunch drops are another crowd favorite. With so much to choose from, it is easy to walk out with a bigger bag than you planned.
The shop is at 4 E Jackson St, an easy stop while you are exploring Amish Country. It is set up for in-store shopping and pickup, so it works well as a quick treat run.
Hours are Monday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., and closed Sunday. The later Friday and Saturday hours make it a nice evening detour.
6. Tickled Sweet, Milford, OH
Milford’s Main Street has a candy stop that keeps regulars coming back for its sea salt caramels. Tickled Sweet is a chocolate store built around housemade candy, fudge, peanut butter cups, and dark chocolate.
Beyond the caramels, the menu stretches to macarons and specialty flavors like key lime and sea salted chocolate peanut butter. The chocolate covered honeycomb is another fun one to try if you want something a little different.
You will find it at 317 Main St. The shop handles delivery, in-store pickup, onsite services, and takeout, and it is an easy in-and-out visit.
Hours are Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m., which gives you seven days a week to swing by. Saturday evening is the busiest window.
7. Taste of Heaven Chocolates, Perrysburg, OH
Up in the Perrysburg area near Toledo, Taste of Heaven Chocolates makes European-style chocolates and truffles right on-site. It is a handy option for northern Ohio caramel seekers who do not want to trek across the state.
You can buy chocolate by weight rather than by the box, which is a budget-friendly way to build a custom mix of caramels and truffles. The sugar-free chocolate is a well-regarded pick here too.
The shop is located at 3105 Chappel Dr. It offers in-store pickup, takeout, and onsite services, and it is set up for a quick stop.
Hours are longer than most on this list, running Monday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. That evening availability makes it easy to fit into a dinner-and-dessert night out.
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