Something about the end of a day spent by the ocean feels sad. Sometimes, the only thing that makes it feel better is stopping at a classic Jersey Shore candy store. With Valentine's just around the corner, we compiled a list of beloved candy and chocolate shops near our favorite beach towns. Keep reading for a guide to our favorite chocolate and candy shops at the Jersey Shore.

Photo Credit: Sweet Revenge

2 Chicks With Chocolate | 1300 NJ-35, Middletown Township

2 Chicks With Chocolate is a cute Middletown shop featuring artisanal + hand-painted chocolates. Each year, it has a special Valentine's Collection of themed sweets. For 2025, 2 Chicks With Chocolate's collection includes chocolate-covered strawberries, a Valentine's Day countdown calendar, and heart gift boxes. The Valentine's Collection has fun flavors for the holiday, like red velvet cheesecake, strawberries + cream, and white chocolate raspberry.

Caramel Shop | 1215 NJ-35, Ocean Township

Caramel Shop has been a Jersey Shore staple candy shop since 1939. It has handmade chocolate-covered caramels, marshmallows, Oreos, and pretzels. The shop options include fudge, saltwater taffy, macaroons, and peanut brittle. For Valentine's, its chocolate-covered strawberries are a good choice.

Read More: 15 Galentine’s Day Activities at the Jersey Shore for 2025

The Chocolate Bar | 78 Oceanport Avenue, Little Silver

The Chocolate Bar is a hand-dipped chocolate shop in Little Silver. It has chocolate truffles and chocolate-dipped fruits that can be quickly packaged into a box or platter for gifting to a loved one. The Chocolate Bar also has 25 rotating flavors of gelato, espresso-based beverages, and sorbetto (all dairy-free flavors) that customers can check out while browsing the French and Belgian chocolate options.

Criterion Chocolates | 125 Lewis Street, Eatontown

Criterion Chocolates has been making premium chocolate confections and saltwater taffy by hand for almost 100 years. Its long-standing Jersey Shore presence began on Asbury Park's boardwalk, and in 2025, its storefront is in Eatontown (just off Route 35). Criterion has fun chocolate options for a special treat, like The Whale Bar, a milk chocolate bar featuring pretzels, caramel, and peanut butter. Customers who can't make it to Criterion's storefront can shop online and get the sweet goodies delivered.

Jenkinson's Sweet Shop | 300 Ocean Avenue, Point Pleasant Beach

Photo Credit: Jenkinson's Sweet Shop

Jenkinson's Sweet Shop is an old-fashioned candy store on Point Pleasant's boardwalk. It is open year-round and has a wide selection of treats like homemade fudge, salt water, taffy, and candy apples. For Valentine's, it's known for its smash hit with chocolate-covered strawberries or assorted chocolates, love-themed chocolate-covered lollipops, dipped apples shaped like roses, and chocolate-shaped shoes. JSG's favorite festive option is the chocolate-dipped wine or liquor bottles — just make sure to BYO the bottle. 

Jean Louise Handmade Candies | 1205 3rd Avenue, Spring Lake

Jean Louise Handmade Candies is a long-standing family-owned candy shop in Spring Lake. It specializes in hand-dipped chocolates, caramels, and buttercrunch. Jean Louise has many gummies like peach rings, sour watermelons, and blue sharks. For those who stop by the shop, it has a complete section designated to Valentine's Day-themed gifts — it also has two, one, ½, and ¼ pound hearts available.

Lucky Leo's Sweet Shop  | 217 Boardwalk, Seaside Heights

Lucky Leo's Sweet Shop is a chocolate and candy shop on Seaside Heights's boardwalk. Lucky Leo's has plenty of saltwater taffy flavors. It also has different ways customers can take the taffy home, such as its salt water taffy sampler or the three-pound tub. Other shop features include candy bars, fudge, and Belgian chocolate.

Red Bank Chocolate Shoppe | 17 White Street, Red Bank

Red Bank Chocolate Shop has made homemade chocolates in Red Bank for over 20 years. It has gift options for those with a sweet tooth, such as chocolate towers and gift trays. For Valentine's, it has pre-made or customized chocolate-filled hearts and chocolate-covered strawberries and blueberries.

River Street Sweets | 550 Cookman Avenue Suite C109, Asbury Park

Photo Credit: River Street Sweets

River Street Sweets is a candy shop in downtown Asbury Park. Locals love its homemade pralines, bear claws, and glazed pecans. River Street Sweets also has typical chocolate goodies, packaged in pretty Valentine's-themed boxes and sprinkled with red, pink, and white garnishings — making all the options festive for the holiday.

She Shells Sweets | 605B Grand Central Avenue, Lavallette

Photo Credit: She Shells Sweets

She Shells Sweets is a classic sweet shop in the heart of Lavallette. It has chocolate favorites like truffles, sea-salted caramels, chocolate-covered pretzels, and nonpareils. She Shells Sweets carries old-fashioned candies for those who want to feel nostalgic this Valentine's season. FYI: She Shells Sweets also has sugar-free, vegan, and nut-free sweets. 

Shriver's | 852 Boardwalk, Ocean City

Photo Credit: Shriver's

Shriver's is a candy store located on Ocean City's boardwalk. It is known for its saltwater taffy, fudge, and butter mints. Shriver's is also a good option for those wanting to give the gift of sweets — it has treat towers and gift baskets. Customers can also customize a saltwater taffy box or fudge box or even select a combo of both.

Sugar Pop | 1200 Ocean Avenue, Asbury Park + 40 Centennial Drive, Long Branch

Photo Credit: Sugar Pop

Sugar Pop is a candy shop with Jersey Shore locations in Pier Village and Asbury Park's boardwalk. It has an assortment of modern-day favorites candies and childhood classics. Sugar Pop's candy bar has kosher and non-kosher options. For Valentine's, it has Sweetheart conversation candies that are a nostalgic indulgence.

Suzi's Sweet Shoppe | 1100 NJ-35, Middletown Township

Suzi's Sweet Shoppe is a Middletown Township candy shop selling gift baskets, hand-dipped chocolate, and fudge. It also has chocolate assortments, truffles, and chocolate-covered pretzels. JSG's favorite is the 'fancy' chocolate-covered strawberries, topped with mini M&Ms, toffee crunch, and holiday sprinkles. For Valentine's, Suzi's has an advent calendar and a chocolate heart (labeled 'BE MINE'), which is filled with an assortment of gummies, and comes with a wooden mallet for crushing.

Sweet! | 702 10th Avenue, Belmar

Sweet! is a Belmar bakery that sells fine chocolates, boardwalk fudge, and Saltwater Taffy. It is also known for its chocolate-covered bacon and paddle pops — imagine saltwater taffy or caramel on a stick dunked in milk or dark chocolate. Sweet! also has a sugar-free saltwater taffy option.

Sweet Revenge Chocolate | 527 Bay Avenue, Point Pleasant Beach

Photo Credit: Sweet Revenge

Sweet Revenge Chocolate is a custom chocolate shop located in Point Pleasant Beach. It's known for its handmade items, such as its Caramel Pretzel Bark, s'mores, and the Lackawanna Rod — a pretzel dipped in caramel, crispy rice, and chocolate. Sweet Revenge specializes in corporate gifts and cute party favors for events. FYI, its milk and dark chocolate are gluten-free, and the dark chocolate is vegan. For Valentine's Day, it has double heart boxes and red and pink decorated chocolates.

See More: A List of Old-Fashioned Candy + Chocolate Shops in Northern New Jersey

Third Avenue Chocolate Shoppe | 1118 3rd Avenue, Spring Lake

Photo Credit: Third Avenue Chocolate Shoppe

Third Avenue Chocolate Shoppe makes specialty candies and homemade chocolates in Spring Lake. Its popular chocolates include turtles, clusters, creams, and jellies. Third Avenue also has a chocolate section for all things peanut butter and sugar-free chocolate options. Besides its chocolates, it also has gummy candies, saltwater taffy, jelly beans, and licorice. FYI: For Valentine's, the shop has a grab-and-go goodies table.

Van Holten's Sweet Shop | 811 Ocean Terrace, Seaside Heights

Van Holten's Sweet Shop is a candy store located directly on the Seaside Heights boardwalk. It has a mixture of different chocolates and taffy. Van Holten also has chocolate-dipped strawberries, fudge, nostalgic candy, and gummies + sours. Locals also love its homemade almond buttercrunch and chocolate-covered marzipan.