New York City offers candy lovers far more than the usual chocolate bars and gummy bears found at the grocery store. Across Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Queens, shoppers can find nostalgic American sweets, imported Swedish candy, handmade chocolates, rare licorice, and colorful pick-and-mix collections.
Some stores have served New Yorkers for generations, while newer candy boutiques have built loyal followings through social media and specialty imports. Whether you want a childhood favorite, a unique gift, or a bag filled with sour gummies, these are some of the best candy stores in New York City.
1. Economy Candy
Address: 108 Rivington Street, New York, NY 10002
Economy Candy is one of New York City’s most recognizable candy stores. The Lower East Side shop has served customers since 1937 and continues to attract locals, tourists, and anyone searching for hard-to-find sweets.
The shelves are packed with nostalgic American candy, international chocolate, gummies, novelty items, old-fashioned treats, and bulk candy. Shoppers may recognize brands from childhood alongside products rarely found in standard supermarkets.
The store’s crowded shelves and extensive inventory form part of its appeal. Every section offers another chance to discover a forgotten favorite or try something new. Economy Candy is an essential destination for anyone who wants to experience a classic New York candy shop.
2. BonBon – A Swedish Candy Co.
Featured address: 119 Greenwich Avenue, New York, NY 10014
Other locations: Lower East Side, Williamsburg, Red Hook, and Upper East Side
BonBon helped introduce many New Yorkers to Swedish pick-and-mix candy. The store specializes in imported gummies, sour candy, marshmallows, licorice, chocolate, and chewy foam sweets.
Customers fill bags from a colorful selection of candies sold by weight. Many products feature flavor combinations and textures that differ from traditional American candy. You may find sour fruit shapes, salty licorice, soft marshmallow pieces, and chewy gummies in the same display.
BonBon is especially popular among shoppers who prefer Scandinavian candy or want to build their own custom assortment. With several locations across the city, it has become one of the most accessible places to find Swedish sweets in New York.
3. Lil Sweet Treat
Featured address: 30 Rockefeller Plaza, New York, NY 10112
Lil Sweet Treat focuses on premium pick-and-mix candy imported from several European countries. Its rotating selection may include sweets from Sweden, France, Germany, Spain, Belgium, and the Netherlands.
The store is known for fruit gummies, sour candy, foam sweets, and unusual chewy textures. Customers can mix different varieties into one bag, making it easy to sample several flavors without buying full packages of each one.
Lil Sweet Treat has attracted attention through its carefully arranged displays and social-media-friendly presentation. However, the candy selection remains the main reason to visit. It is a strong choice for shoppers who want international treats that are difficult to find elsewhere.
4. Glace Candy
Address: 1266 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10128
Glace Candy combines a specialty candy store with the dessert experience offered by the neighboring Glace ice cream shop. The store sells imported candy, gummies, marshmallows, and house-made sweets.
Customers can enjoy candy on its own or add selected pieces to ice cream and frozen hot chocolate. This creates a fun stop for anyone who wants to combine candy shopping with a dessert outing.
The Upper East Side location also makes Glace Candy convenient for shoppers visiting Museum Mile or exploring Madison Avenue. Its mix of imported products and made-in-house treats gives it a distinct place among New York’s candy stores.
5. Myzel’s Chocolates
Address: 140 West 55th Street, New York, NY 10019
Myzel’s Chocolates is a small Midtown shop with the character of an old-fashioned confectionery. It specializes in European-style chocolate, cookies, truffles, marzipan, and an extensive selection of licorice.
Licorice fans have a particularly strong reason to visit. The store carries more than 100 varieties from different countries, including sweet, salty, soft, and firm options.
Myzel’s offers a quieter and more traditional shopping experience than many large candy stores. Its specialty products, personal atmosphere, and central location make it a worthwhile stop for serious chocolate and licorice shoppers.
6. Dylan’s Candy Bar
Address: 20 Hudson Yards, New York, NY 10001
Dylan’s Candy Bar presents candy shopping through bold displays, bright colors, and candy-themed gifts. The store carries bulk candy, nostalgic brands, seasonal sweets, novelty products, and packaged gift items.
Families may find the store especially appealing because of its playful design and large product variety. Children can browse familiar favorites, while adults can search for retro candy and gift-ready assortments.
The Hudson Yards location also fits easily into a day of sightseeing. Visitors can stop by after walking the High Line, visiting Edge, or shopping elsewhere in the complex. Dylan’s Candy Bar works well for anyone who wants candy and entertainment in the same place.
7. Li-Lac Chocolates
Featured address: 75 Ninth Avenue, New York, NY 10011
Li-Lac Chocolates has produced chocolate in New York City since 1923. The company offers more than 120 varieties, including truffles, butter crunch, almond bark, chocolate-covered pretzels, and molded chocolate gifts.
Unlike stores that focus mainly on packaged candy, Li-Lac emphasizes locally made chocolate. Its products work well for special occasions, holiday gifts, thank-you presents, or personal treats.
The Chelsea Market location provides a convenient introduction to the brand. Visitors can explore the market, purchase boxed chocolates, and sample products from one of the city’s oldest chocolate makers.
8. The Sweet Shop NYC
Address: 404 East 73rd Street, New York, NY 10021
The Sweet Shop NYC combines a neighborhood candy store with an ice cream and dessert shop. Its inventory includes nostalgic candy, imported sweets, chocolate, cookies, novelty products, and frozen treats.
The store offers something for customers of different ages. Adults can browse candy they remember from childhood, while younger visitors can explore newer products and colorful novelty items.
Its neighborhood atmosphere makes it feel less like a tourist attraction and more like a local dessert stop. The combination of candy, ice cream, and baked treats also makes it a practical choice for families or groups with different preferences.
9. Williams Candy Shop
Address: 1318 Surf Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11224
Williams Candy Shop is a classic Coney Island destination located near the boardwalk. The shop sells candy apples, marshmallow treats, ice cream, and other traditional seaside sweets.
A visit pairs naturally with a day at the beach, amusement parks, or boardwalk. The store reflects the old-school character of Coney Island and offers the types of treats many visitors associate with summer outings and carnivals.
Williams Candy Shop may not have the largest selection on this list, but its history, location, and classic products make it a memorable New York candy experience.
10. Schmidt’s Candy
Address: 94-15 Jamaica Avenue, Woodhaven, NY 11421
Schmidt’s Candy is a traditional Queens confectionery known for handmade chocolates and classic sweets. The shop is a strong choice for boxed chocolates, holiday candy, seasonal products, and gifts.
The interior maintains the feel of an established neighborhood candy store. Customers can shop away from Manhattan’s busiest tourist areas while supporting a long-running local business.
Schmidt’s appeals most to shoppers who appreciate traditional chocolate making and personal service. It is also worth visiting for anyone exploring Queens and searching for a candy store with genuine neighborhood history.
Which New York Candy Store Should You Visit?
The best store depends on the type of candy you want.
Choose Economy Candy for nostalgic American brands and a large overall selection. Visit BonBon for Swedish candy or Lil Sweet Treat for international gummies and pick-and-mix sweets. Chocolate lovers should consider Li-Lac Chocolates, while licorice fans will find an unusually broad selection at Myzel’s Chocolates.
Families may enjoy the colorful experience at Dylan’s Candy Bar, while visitors to Coney Island can add Williams Candy Shop to their itinerary. For traditional handmade chocolates outside Manhattan, Schmidt’s Candy remains a strong option.
New York City’s candy shops reflect the city itself: varied, surprising, and filled with choices. From century-old confectioners to modern import boutiques, these stores give candy lovers plenty of reasons to explore different neighborhoods and leave with a full bag.
