Winston-Salem has plenty of great places to satisfy a sweet tooth. From old-fashioned candy and handmade candy apples to bean-to-bar chocolate, fudge, and freeze-dried sweets, the city offers several shops worth visiting.
Whether you’re looking for nostalgic favorites, a box of chocolates for a gift, or something different to try, here are some of the best candy stores in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.
1. The Candy Tree
Address: 3710 Reynolda Rd, Winston-Salem, NC 27106
The Candy Tree is a locally owned sweet shop specializing in handcrafted treats and creative confections. Candy apples are one of the shop’s signature items, but the selection extends to candy grapes, gourmet popcorn, peanut brittle, cupcakes, chocolate-covered treats, and other desserts.
The business started with a young entrepreneur selling candy apples and eventually developed into a full storefront. Today, it is a fun destination for everyday treats, party sweets, gifts, and custom orders.
If you want something beyond standard packaged candy, The Candy Tree deserves a spot near the top of your list.
Best for: Candy apples, candy grapes, handmade sweets, popcorn, and party treats.
2. Brasstown Chocolate
Address: 5029 Country Club Rd, Winston-Salem, NC 27104
Chocolate lovers should make time for Brasstown Chocolate. This Winston-Salem chocolate maker specializes in craft chocolate produced from carefully sourced cacao beans.
Instead of simply selling mass-produced chocolate, Brasstown creates small-batch chocolate with an emphasis on the characteristics of cacao from different growing regions. Its selection includes chocolate bars, bonbons, dark chocolate, and other handcrafted confections.
Brasstown is especially appealing if you want a premium chocolate gift or want to compare chocolates with different cacao origins.
Best for: Craft chocolate, dark chocolate, bonbons, chocolate bars, and gifts.
3. Mast General Store Winston-Salem
Address: 516 Trade St NW, Winston-Salem, NC 27101
Mast General Store sells much more than candy, but its extensive old-fashioned candy department makes it one of Winston-Salem’s most enjoyable stops for anyone with a sweet tooth.
The downtown store carries hundreds of candy varieties, including nostalgic favorites, chocolates, gummies, hard candies, Southern classics, and treats that can be difficult to find in a typical supermarket. Visit Winston-Salem reports that the store offers more than 500 varieties of old-fashioned candy.
The nostalgic general-store atmosphere adds to the experience, making Mast General Store particularly fun for families and visitors exploring downtown Winston-Salem.
Best for: Old-fashioned candy, retro favorites, bulk candy, nostalgic treats, and gifts.
4. Kilwins Ice Cream - Chocolate - Fudge
Address: 308 S Stratford Rd, Winston-Salem, NC 27103
Kilwins combines a traditional chocolate shop with an ice cream and confectionery store. The Winston-Salem location is a good choice when you want chocolates, fudge, caramel apples, or a scoop of ice cream in the same visit.
Kilwins is particularly well known for its fudge, along with chocolates and caramel-covered treats. The store also offers ice cream, sundaes, shakes, and other desserts.
It is a convenient choice for families or groups where everyone wants something different.
Best for: Fudge, chocolates, caramel apples, chocolate-covered treats, and ice cream.
5. Wall’s Freeze Dried Sweets LLC
Address: Cook's Flea Market, 4250 Patterson Ave, Winston-Salem, NC
For something different from traditional candy, check out Wall’s Freeze Dried Sweets. The Winston-Salem-based business specializes in freeze-dried candy, giving familiar sweets an airy, crunchy texture and concentrated flavor.
Its in-person outlet is associated with Cook’s Flea Market, where shoppers can find a variety of freeze-dried candies and specialty sweets.
Freeze-dried candy has become a popular alternative to standard chewy candy, making Wall’s an interesting stop if you like experimenting with new textures and versions of familiar favorites.
Best for: Freeze-dried candy, unusual sweets, and candy gifts.
6. Haute Chocolate
Address: 916 Burke St, Winston-Salem, NC 27101
Haute Chocolate is another option for shoppers looking for handcrafted chocolates rather than everyday packaged candy.
The specialty chocolate shop has been associated with handmade chocolates, giftable assortments, and creative flavors. Some of its creations have also drawn inspiration from Winston-Salem’s Moravian culinary traditions.
This is a good place to consider when shopping for chocolates for a holiday, birthday, host gift, or special occasion.
Best for: Handcrafted chocolates, specialty flavors, and chocolate gifts.
7. Winkler Bakery
Address: 521 S Main St, Winston-Salem, NC 27101
Winkler Bakery is technically a bakery rather than a dedicated candy store, but its traditional sweets and historic setting make it worth including on a Winston-Salem sweets tour.
Located in Old Salem, the bakery traces its history to the early 1800s and still uses a traditional wood-fired oven. Visitors can shop for Moravian cookies, Moravian sugar cake, breads, and other traditional baked treats.
The setting is a large part of the appeal. A visit gives you a chance to sample sweets while experiencing one of Winston-Salem’s most historic areas.
Best for: Moravian cookies, traditional sweets, sugar cake, and local food gifts.
Where to Find the Best Candy in Winston-Salem
Winston-Salem offers a surprisingly varied selection of candy and chocolate shops.
For classic candy-store fun and handmade sweets, start with The Candy Tree. Chocolate enthusiasts should put Brasstown Chocolate high on their list, while shoppers looking for retro favorites will find plenty to explore at Mast General Store.
For fudge and chocolate-covered treats, Kilwins is another strong choice. Wall’s Freeze Dried Sweets offers something less traditional, while Haute Chocolate caters to shoppers looking for handcrafted chocolates. If you want to pair sweets with some Winston-Salem history, make a stop at Winkler Bakery in Old Salem.
With everything from nostalgic candy to locally crafted chocolate, Winston-Salem has plenty of options for anyone looking for their next sweet treat.
Store hours, product selections, and availability can change, so consider checking with individual businesses before making a special trip.
