Durham, North Carolina, has plenty of places to satisfy a sweet tooth. From handmade chocolates and gourmet bonbons to Mexican candy, caramel apples, nostalgic sweets, and classic boxed chocolates, the city offers several candy shops worth visiting.
Whether you want to pick up a gift, stock up for a party, or simply treat yourself, here are some of the best candy stores in Durham, NC.
1. East Durham Sweet Shoppe
Address: 2022 Angier Ave, Durham, NC 27703
East Durham Sweet Shoppe is a locally owned destination for handmade candy and desserts. The shop offers an assortment of chocolate-covered strawberries, chocolate-dipped pretzels, chocolate-covered Oreos, candy apples, cookies, Rice Krispies treats, gourmet popcorn, and other sweets.
The shop is also a good choice for parties, celebrations, and gifts. Customers can order custom treats and gift boxes for birthdays, holidays, showers, and other special occasions.
If you enjoy colorful handmade sweets and chocolate-covered treats, East Durham Sweet Shoppe deserves a spot on your list.
Best for: Handmade candy, chocolate-covered treats, candy apples, gourmet popcorn, and gifts.
2. Miel Bon Bons
Address: 1011 W Main St, Durham, NC 27701
Miel Bon Bons is a specialty chocolate and dessert shop known for handcrafted confections and elegant presentation. Its selection includes bonbons, truffles, caramels, macarons, chocolates, and European-inspired desserts.
This Durham chocolate shop is an especially good choice when you want something more refined than traditional packaged candy. The attractive presentation also makes Miel Bon Bons a popular option for birthdays, anniversaries, holidays, and other gift-giving occasions.
Visitors can pair their chocolates with coffee or choose from the shop's wider dessert selection.
Best for: Bonbons, chocolate truffles, caramels, macarons, and premium chocolate gifts.
3. Dulceria Estrellitas
Address: 2000 Avondale Dr, Suite T, Durham, NC 27704
Dulceria Estrellitas is a great place to shop for Mexican candy and party supplies in Durham. The store carries a broad selection of traditional Mexican sweets, packaged candy, snacks, and bulk treats that work well for filling party favor bags and piñatas.
The shop also carries piñatas, balloons, decorations, and other party supplies, making it convenient for shoppers preparing for birthdays and celebrations.
Anyone looking for Mexican candy that can be harder to find at conventional supermarkets should consider stopping here.
Best for: Mexican candy, bulk sweets, piñatas, party favors, and celebration supplies.
4. Läderach
Address: 6910 Fayetteville Rd, Suite 2270, Durham, NC 27713
Läderach brings Swiss chocolate to Durham at The Streets at Southpoint. The chocolatier is particularly well known for its FrischSchoggi, large slabs of fresh chocolate that are broken into pieces and sold by weight.
Customers can also shop for pralines, truffles, chocolate bars, boxed assortments, and other premium chocolate products. The wide selection makes Läderach a good stop for both everyday treats and special gifts.
Chocolate lovers who prefer European-style confections will find plenty of options to choose from here.
Best for: Swiss chocolate, fresh chocolate slabs, pralines, truffles, and gift boxes.
5. Sweet Lovable Chocolates
Address: 810 Fayetteville St, Durham, NC 27701
Sweet Lovable Chocolates is a locally owned chocolatier specializing in made-to-order chocolate treats. Its menu includes chocolate-covered strawberries, pretzels, graham crackers, marshmallows, caramel apples, chocolate clusters, and other handcrafted sweets.
The business is particularly appealing for shoppers searching for custom chocolate gifts or treats for special occasions.
Because Sweet Lovable Chocolates often operates through pre-orders and scheduled pickups rather than as a conventional walk-in candy store, checking availability before visiting is a good idea.
Best for: Chocolate-covered strawberries, caramel apples, custom chocolate treats, and gifts.
6. Parker and Otis
Address: 324 Blackwell St, Bay 4, Durham, NC 27701
Parker and Otis is more than a candy shop, but its retail market makes it a worthwhile stop for anyone searching for sweets in downtown Durham.
Located at the American Tobacco Campus, the store offers candy, chocolates, gourmet foods, gift items, and specialty treats alongside its café and market selections.
It is especially convenient for visitors spending time around downtown Durham who want to browse for sweets, food gifts, and other specialty products in one location.
Best for: Specialty candy, chocolates, gourmet treats, and gifts.
7. See's Candies
Address: 6910 Fayetteville Rd, Durham, NC 27713
See's Candies is known for traditional American chocolates and confections. Its selection typically includes boxed chocolates, caramels, creams, brittles, nut candies, lollipops, and seasonal assortments.
The company is particularly popular during holidays, when gift boxes and seasonal candies become a major part of its selection.
The Durham location has operated as a seasonal location at The Streets at Southpoint, so shoppers should verify current operating dates and hours before visiting.
Best for: Boxed chocolates, caramels, brittles, traditional candy, and holiday gifts.
Finding the Best Candy Shops in Durham
Durham offers candy shops for nearly every type of sweet tooth. East Durham Sweet Shoppe is a strong choice for handmade treats, while Dulceria Estrellitas stands out for Mexican candy and party supplies. Chocolate fans can find handcrafted confections at Miel Bon Bons and Sweet Lovable Chocolates, while Läderach offers premium Swiss chocolate.
Parker and Otis provides a broader specialty food and gift-shopping experience, and See's Candies offers familiar boxed chocolates and traditional confections during its operating season.
Whether you're shopping for chocolates, gummies, candy apples, party candy, or a gift box, these Durham candy stores offer plenty of reasons to indulge.
