Pennsylvania takes its chocolate seriously, and not just at the big-name factories you already know. Scattered across the state are family-run shops where the candy is still made by hand, in small batches, often using recipes that go back generations.
From a classic ice cream parlor near Pittsburgh to a downtown Lancaster maker that claims a record no one else can, these are the spots worth planning a trip around. If you love chocolate covered pretzels, buttercreams, sponge candy, or a good old-fashioned sundae, this list is for you.
Save it, share it, and use it the next time your sweet tooth needs a road trip.
1. Sarris Candies, Canonsburg, PA
Walking into the home store in Canonsburg feels like stepping into a candy wonderland that families have visited for decades. The shop is decorated with whimsical sweet-treat details from wall to wall.
The selection here is enormous. You will find chocolates, candies, jelly beans, and just about anything else a sweet tooth could want, all in one festive space.
Beyond the boxed candy, Sarris runs a classic ice cream parlor, which means you can shop for gifts and grab a sundae in the same visit. Standout treats include the two-pound Extra Large Chocolate Bars and the 32-ounce Bash Cake.
Hours are generous, open Monday through Saturday from 9 AM to 9 PM and Sunday from 10 AM to 9 PM. Sunday mornings and weekday mornings tend to be the calmest, while Saturday afternoon and evening get busy.
Parking is easy, with a free lot, free street parking, and a paid lot nearby. It is a quick, fun stop whether you are buying for a holiday or just treating yourself.
2. Miesse Candies, Lancaster, PA
Here is a bragging right no other shop on this list can match: Miesse calls itself America’s oldest continuously operating confections company. That legacy is woven right into the fabric of Lancaster.
What sets it apart is how the candy is still made. Confections are produced by hand in small batches at the company’s factory in downtown Lancaster, keeping the old methods alive.
The flagship store is a welcoming place to browse, with free Wi-Fi and a gender-neutral restroom, and it is a designated LGBTQ+ friendly and transgender safe space.
One thing to plan around: the store keeps a limited schedule. It is open Thursday through Saturday from noon to 6 PM and closed the rest of the week, so time your visit accordingly.
Free street parking makes the downtown stop simple. If you appreciate history with your chocolate, this is a satisfying place to see a true institution still doing things the way it always has.
3. Romolo Chocolates, Erie, PA
Erie has a favorite when it comes to artisan chocolate, and Romolo has earned that reputation with confections you will not find just anywhere. The sponge candy in particular gets talked about.
What makes this stop different is that it is more than a candy counter. Romolo doubles as a foodie destination with a cafe serving coffee, tea, signature cocoa, ice cream, and baked sweets, plus a gift shop and a beautiful outdoor patio.
Dogs are welcome, and there is free Wi-Fi and a restroom, so it works well as a place to linger rather than just grab and go. Delivery, dine-in, and takeout are all available.
The doors open early, Monday through Friday from 8 AM to 8 PM, Saturday from 9 AM to 8 PM, and Sunday from 10 AM to 5 PM. Weekday and Sunday mornings are the quietest windows.
Free lot and street parking round out an easy visit. I like this one because you can pair a great cup of coffee with some of the best chocolate in the city.
4. Daffin’s Candies, Sharon, PA
Chocolate that is creamy, smooth, and remembered fondly by generations is what keeps people coming back to Sharon for Daffin’s. The shop specializes in chocolate confections along with gifts.
Fans reach for the Daffin’s candy bars, the eggs, and the milk chocolate treats, and the peanut butter varieties get plenty of love too. There is a real range here for different tastes.
Part of the fun is the showmanship. The shop is known for its Chocolate Kingdom, chocolate sculptures, and hard candies, which makes browsing feel like an event rather than a errand.
Hours run Monday through Saturday from 10 AM to 6 PM and Sunday from 11 AM to 5 PM. Saturday afternoon is the busiest stretch if you prefer a calmer crowd.
Service options include curbside and in-store pickup, in-store shopping, and takeout, though there is no dine-in or delivery. Free and paid parking lots are available.
It is a fine spot to introduce a younger family member to a Pennsylvania candy tradition.
5. Rosalind Candy Castle Inc, New Brighton, PA
Family traditions run deep at this New Brighton shop, where more than a few households started with Easter candy and never stopped ordering. It is a longtime family-run business through and through.
The specialty is handmade chocolates, candies, and pretzels, and the variety is impressive. There is a huge selection of chocolates alongside plenty of other candy to choose from.
The chocolate covered strawberries are a highlight worth planning around, arriving fresh and generously coated. The layout inside is clean and easy to shop, which makes finding a gift straightforward.
Hours are Monday through Friday from 9 AM to 5 PM and Saturday from 10 AM to 5 PM, with Sundays closed. Thursday, Friday, and Saturday afternoons tend to draw the biggest crowds.
You can shop in store, order for pickup, or have items delivered, though there is no dine-in and no restroom on site. Free lot and street parking make quick stops simple.
I would save this one for a holiday gift run.
6. Gardners Candies, Tyrone, PA
Central Pennsylvania has an old-school chocolatier that qualifies as a genuine institution, and it sits right in Tyrone. Gardners has been part of the area’s story for a long time.
Beyond the candy cases, the store has a bit of a twist you do not usually find at a confectioner. There is a small museum inside, plus Hershey’s ice cream, so a stop here comes with a little history and a scoop.
The vintage setting adds to the charm, and the shelves are stocked with chocolates and other sweets that draw travelers passing through town. It is the kind of place people work into a drive on purpose.
Hours are wide open, Monday through Saturday from 9:30 AM to 9 PM and Sunday from 1 PM to 9 PM. Saturday afternoon is the peak, while weekday mornings stay quiet.
You can shop in store or arrange pickup, though there is no delivery. If you enjoy candy shops with a sense of the past, Gardners delivers on that in a way few others do.
7. Asher’s Chocolate Co., Souderton, PA
Few candy makers in the country can trace their roots as far back as Asher’s, which has been in business since 1892. That makes it one of the oldest running chocolate companies around.
The retail store in Souderton is stocked with classics people return for again and again. Think chocolate covered pretzels, chocolate coated animal crackers, milk chocolate vanilla buttercreams, and cashew caramel patties.
What really sets this stop apart is the experience side. Asher’s offers factory tours and even chances to build your own homemade chocolate bars, which turns a quick candy run into something memorable.
Gift packages here are personalized, so it is a smart place to shop when you want something a little more thoughtful than a standard box.
Hours are Monday through Saturday from 9 AM to 5 PM, closed Sunday, with Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday afternoons the busiest. Curbside and in-store pickup, delivery, and takeout are all available, and there is free on-site parking.
This is the pick if you want to see how the chocolate is actually made.
8. Gene & Boots Candies Inc, Perryopolis, PA
Some families have been buying candy at the same shop for 70 years, and that is exactly the loyalty Gene & Boots inspires in Perryopolis. It is a bright, cheerful spot with a lot going on.
The candy selection is broad and fun to browse. You will find homemade candies, nostalgic favorites, and even sugar-free options, along with fudge, hard candies, gummies, and bon-bons.
What keeps this one from feeling like just a candy store is the extra menu. Beyond locally made chocolate and nuts, they serve traditional ice cream, boba, and milkshakes, so there is something to sip while you shop.
The hours are the most forgiving on this list, open every day from 9 AM to 9 PM. Monday and Tuesday mornings are the calmest, and Saturday afternoon into evening is the rush.
Parking is free in the lot, and the stop is quick and easy. If you like having plenty of choices and a treat you can enjoy on the spot, this is a friendly place to end a chocolate tour of the state.
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