The best chocolate shops and candy stores in Chicago

It’s nostalgia that draws people in droves to the two North Side locations of this kitschy diner and ice cream parlor—that, maybe, and an abiding love for chocolate. The eponymous candies at Margie's sometimes get the short shrift in favor of the shop's massive ice cream treats, but you'd be remiss not to check out what's behind those glass cases: dipped pretzel rods, chocolate cherries, silky caramels and boxes upon boxes of chocolates await you. 

French Pastry School grad Amy Hansen opened this cheerful Ravenswood shop, where jars of colorful retro and newfangled candies appeal as much to adults as children. We’re especially sweet on her house-made caramels, in flavors such as sea salt, dark chocolate, passionfruit mango and raspberry.

This old-school shop in Berwyn is the definition of iconic. Since 1969, the family-run business has attracted sweet tooths young and old from all over Chicago with sugary delights, handmade chocolates and penny candies like Razzles and Mallo Cups. The shop also makes custom party favors for special occasions like birthday parties, baby showers and graduations. You can even pick up supplies to make your own candy at home. Live in the far western 'burbs? Visit the shop's second location in Indian Head Park to get your sugar fix.

Prepare for sensory overload at the local candy and party-supply superstore Dulcelandia, where a seemingly endless assortment of colorful bulk sweets and rows of princess and superhero piñatas vie for your attention. Much of the candy here is imported from Mexico, and the flavors skew toward tropical (think tamarind and coconut). Pop by for tangy Chamoy sauce by the liter and mango lollipops garnished with chili.

This charming local chocolate boutique specializes in stunning edible creations that are almost too pretty to eat—almost. Shop a variety of exotic handmade chocolates crafted with everything from Indian chili and Italian coffee to hazelnut coriander praline. Or curate a box of beautiful hand-painted truffles that will send you globetrotting through Morocco, Marrakech and Jaipur.

Don’t be fooled by its relatively compact size; you could spend ages perusing the sweets at this Hong Kong import, tucked into a first-floor shop on the northwest end of the Chinatown Mall complex. Among the offerings: a rainbow of hard candies far too wild for Grandma’s purse and American favorites in unusual flavors (think green tea Kit-Kats).

This cozy Logan Square cafe and workshop crafts what is perhaps Chicago’s most decadent hot chocolate, along with flavored caramels, colossal marshmallows and a rotating roster of super-creative truffles (look for seasonal varieties like peppermint and bananas foster). Chocolatier-in-chief Katherine Duncan is big on using locally sourced ingredients, so you can have that hot chocolate and still feel a little bit virtuous.

When you come to Mr. Kite’s, you’ll be starry-eyed and salivating over the choices—peanut butter s’mores, Granny Smith caramel apples as big as your head, Cedar Crest ice cream cones and, in summer, frozen yogurts. But before you let your kids disappear somewhere between delight and diabetes, take the time to talk to Dominick, the personality of the place who’s been handcrafting the heavenly stuff for over 26 years.

New Hampshire-based chocolatier L.A. Burdick brings its European-inspired sweets to River North through this adorable storefront. The State Street location doubles as a café that serves drinking chocolate, stunning pastries and, of course, dozens of tasty hand-made candies. First-time visitors will want to order the Signature Chocolate Mice, which are meticulously crafted over three days and require 12 steps to complete. 

Calling all sweet freaks: this Beverly-based sweet store has everything you're looking for. Started by Chicago chef Patrick Murphy in 2013, the shop has since been passed down to his daughter. Dipping things in chocolate is the specialty—licorice, Oreos, pretzels, twisted caramel and blueberries. Need a last minute treat for any graduation party or communion celebration? No fear. Sweet Freaks provides chocolate-dipped Oreo tray themes for a variety of occasions.

With its intoxicating scent and a front-and-center candy-making station set up to encourage spectators, this sweet shop is the type of place you’d expect to find alongside a boardwalk, drawing in vacationers from their evening promenade. And that’s no surprise, given that the brand is based in the quaint lakeshore town of Petoskey, Michigan. A number of goodies are produced on-site, like fresh, creamy fudge, caramel corn and faintly salty nut brittles. The remainder of the offerings—ice cream, hand-dipped truffles and pecan- and caramel-rich “tuttles,” to name a few—are made in the Petoskey kitchen.

For those on the search for some of the coziest treats in the city, look no further than Cocoa + Co. Coffee and Chocolate Cafe. Sip or nibble on the bevy of chocolate bars and drinkable options, which include a coconut-cardamom option and hot chilli chocolate mix. Make sure you stop by to see why the Food Network crowned it one of the best cups of hot chocolate in the country.

Founded by two Chicago women with a penchant for sweets, this whimsical marshmallow cafe specializes in handcrafted takes on the sugary confection, with items like whoopie pies, s’mores kits and bespoke hot-chocolate mixes. Keep an eye on the rotating (and always creative) marshmallow flavors, like strawberry cheesecake or red velvet.

This well-loved Auburn Gresham shop serves up cases of classic gummy candies and chocolate treats by the pound, plus shakes, sundaes and ice cream in a rainbow array of flavors—we're talking bubble gum, banana pudding, cotton candy and more. When you've overextended your sweet tooth (if that's possible), make room for savory treats like a heaping plate of jerk steak nachos or fries topped with morsels of Italian beef, cheese and peppers. 

Dark Matter Coffee's newest endeavor brings them to artisanal chocolate with Sleep Walk Chocolateria. The colorful storefront in Pilsen houses a range of drinkable chocolates and solid sweets from cacao sourced in Mexico and handmade in Chicago. This isn't your grandmother's chocolate—Sleep Walk's in-house chocolate combines notes like dried, grape jelly and tequila-infused cacao. Make sure to nibble on Sleep Walk branded Barra Picante, a spicy chocolate bar that received a silver medal at the 2023 International Chocolate Awards.

It may be dedicated to toffee, but Terry’s is far from one-note. In its on-site kitchen, the Highland Park shop turns out varieties of the crunchy stuff in flavors ranging from the familiar (good old milk- or dark chocolate–dipped) to the unexpected (ginger-infused, dark chocolate–coated pieces dusted with crushed wasabi peas). Toffee-enriched popcorn, biscotti and ice cream are also available, and the friendly staff are generous with samples, giving you a chance to try before you buy.

If you’re one of those people who’s always worrying that there’s no good place in town to get a molded chocolate dachshund or an oversize chocolate bar that reads “Happy Divorce” anymore, relax—the Fudge Pot’s got you covered. This sweet shop/candy kitchen/Old Town institution features a prominent display of what can only be described as chocolate tchotchkes, which should be weird but instead are kind of charming. But we suppose you can get away with just about any decorative whim when you also happen to churn out 10 flavors of rich fudge, chocolate-covered oreos and special horchata-flavored truffles. 

Stop by West Town for an exciting take on flavorful chocolate bars and bonbons. Sugoi Sweets specializes in its own earthy matcha crunch, yuzu sea salt and tangy raspberry chocolate bars while sourcing other creative options (we’ve spotted goat milk and wasabi flavors). For the bonbon connoisseur, you'll be swimming in options—Sugoi's collection of 24 flavors include blueberry lavender, guava cheesecake and Mexican hot chocolate, to name a few. Be sure to stop by for a wide range of Japanese tea and matcha to warm up, too.

Are you more of a chocolate person, or do you prefer gummies? How about licorice, or tins of toffee, or slabs of handmade fudge? Whatever your candy preference, you're bound to find a match among the diverse selection of goodies at Windy City Sweets. The Lakeview shop offers more than 1,200 candies for you to peruse, from squares of chocolate-covered s'mores to bracingly sour strips of rainbow gummies (plus some truly unique options, like chocolate-dipped Twinkies). 

Bulk bins line this store, brimming with vividly colored selections like jawbreakers, Swedish Fish, Spree and gummies in pretty much every shape imaginable (not to mention a small range of retro items like candy necklaces and tin lunch boxes). This Lakeview spot is sure to kick up a burst of childhood nostalgia. In the mood for something a bit more grown up? Check out the shop’s extensive licorice bar, stocked with options like traditional red vines, black licorice wheels and salted licorice, a Scandinavian favorite.

This sweets store on the Magnificent Mile just gave you another reason to head downtown. Not only does IT'SUGAR sell flavors and treats for any palate, but it is the source for branded merchandise you've never seen before, including Nerds tie-dye slippers and a five-pound giant gummy bear. Schedule a dentist appointment ahead of time because these innovative candy treats are difficult to put down.