Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion or trying to recover from a bad day, chocolate makes everything better. White, milk, or dark – take your pick. But who says you have to choose just one, especially when New Jersey is home to some pretty exceptional chocolate factories, shops, and museums. We say skip the store-bought box kind and go right for the local handmade chocolates instead. To make your selections a little easier, we’ve rounded up 10 of our fave chocolate factories and shops around NJ (some offer factory tours and chocolate-making classes like Hershey Chocolate Factory) – so you can fulfill all your Willy Wonka dreams, no golden ticket required!
Chocolate factories & shops around NJ hit your sweet tooth
Hershey’s Chocolate World & Factory
Just next door is Hershey’s Chocolate World in – you guessed it – Hershey, Pennsylvania! Take a little trip across the state border to the town built on chocolate and learn how chocolate is made on a free factory tour followed by a free Hershey’s product sample. Tours are 30 minutes and take you on an immersive journey that engages all the senses so you can see, feel, hear, and maybe most importantly, smell the transformation of bean to bar. One free chocolate sample not enough to satisfy your sweet tooth? Pop into the Hershey Chocolate Factory bakery and try chocolate-covered popcorn or one of their best sellers, like the Hershey’s Special Dark cupcake (a chocolate cupcake, Special Dark ganache, and Hershey’s Special Dark bar).
There are also other sweet experiences ranging from a 4D Chocolate Mystery and Create Your Own Candy Bar to the Hershey Trolley Works and Chocolate Tasting Experience. If you plan to do multiple attractions, check out the ways to save.
101 Chocolate World Way, Hershey, PA 17033
David Bradley Chocolatier
Looking for a home-grown chocolate factory? Try a free tour of David Bradley Chocolatier in Robbinsville, New Jersey, a family-run business since 1977. This local chocolate factory manufactures and sells to over 500 businesses across the country, including numerous Hallmark stores, hospital gift shops, and specialty retailers. You can watch fresh chocolates being made through the observation window, taste free samples, and learn how to temper chocolate at home with their instructions – trust the experts, you know?
92 North Main St., Building 19, Robbinsville, NJ 08561
Chocolate Works
The sweetest thing about this Chocolate Works shop? It’s truly a place where everyone discovers a love for chocolate-making. Through unique kids’ birthday parties and workshops, the master chocolatiers at Chocolate Works provide guests with a memorable hands-on experience in molding and decorating chocolate on a 20-foot conveyor belt machine (they lovingly call it a chocolate car wash) – and you even get to take home your creation, that is, if you don’t eat it all first. We’d also be remiss if we didn’t at least mention the giant chocolate fountain (yes, really!) for hand-dipping treats in. Giant, it’s giant.
3120 Promenade Blvd., Fair Lawn, NJ 07410
42 South Park St., Montclair, NJ 07042
1170 Town Center Way, Livingston, NJ 07039
36 Broad St., Red Bank, NJ 07701
321 Millburn Ave., Millburn, NJ 07041
335 Princeton-Hightstown Rd., West Windsor, NJ 08550
Thomas Sweet Chocolate
Not to be confused with the original Thomas Sweet on Nassau Street which serves up ice cream, Thomas Sweet Chocolates is tucked away nearby in historic Palmer Square of Princeton. When you open the door to this charming chocolate shop, you get the exquisite aromas of freshly-made chocolates. Thomas Sweet Chocolates has been crafting endless confectionary possibilities for over 30 years; a few of our faves are the hand-rolled truffles, flavor-infused meltaways, and hand-dipped treats like pretzels, strawberries, and cookies, just saying.
29 Palmer Square W, Princeton, NJ 08542
Enjou Chocolat
Are you in search of holiday-specific candy to fill your kids’ baskets? The chocolatiers at Enjou Chocolate in Morristown have you covered with their incredibly detailed, seasonal chocolate molds – Leprechaun lollipops and chocolate pot o’ golds are currently center stage over at Enjou Chocolat, but next up will be chocolate bunnies and eggs. Be sure to also check out their fun novelty chocolates in practically any creature your heart desires, from unicorns and pig faces to moose and koalas.
8 Dehart St, Morristown, NJ 07960
If you’re craving more than just chocolate, check out our 10 Best Chocolate Chip Cookies in New Jersey.
Genevieve’s Home Made Chocolates
This third-generation business in Garfield has been hand-making fine chocolates since 1944. Genevieve’s Home Made Chocolates uses only real and pure chocolate to make some of the finest chocolate goodies around town. From milk chocolate, dark chocolate, and white chocolate, your sweet tooth (and stomach) is guaranteed to get its fix any which way. Grab a batch of their chocolate-covered marshmallows – we think these are genius for making s’mores over an open fire!
174 Ray St., Garfield, NJ 07026
Two Chicks with Chocolate
Love chocolate and wine? An obvious pairing that doesn’t get any better, except maybe at Two Chicks with Chocolate in Metuchen where you can paint on chocolate with chocolate, all while sipping BYOB and learning about how to pair wine and chocolate. Or try an out-of-the-box class to paint and design your very own chocolate high heel shoe – each one is made to order and perfect for girls nights outs, bachelorette parties, and baby showers. Your little ones won’t miss out on the fun at Two Chicks with Chocolate – stop in for daily chocolate craft sessions at the Kids Corner, or book your child’s next birthday party complete with an edible DIY painting and dipping station stocked with all your favorite treats!
19 New Street, Metuchen, NJ 08840 (classes and activities only offered at this location)
1300 Hwy 35 South, Middletown, NJ 07748
Aunt Charlotte’s Candy
Located in a charming, historic 19th-century building, Aunt Charlotte’s Candy is a fourth-generation family business in Merchantville. Staying true to their traditions and original slogan of “Delight in Every Bite” since 1920, this sweet shop makes everything right in the candy factory upstairs on the second floor. From cashew crabs and almond butter crunch to butter creams, Aunt Charlotte’s Candy is your one-stop shop for all things chocolate in South Jersey. Stop by and you can take a tour of the candy factory to see where the sweet magic happens.
5 W. Maple Ave., Merchantville, NJ 08109
Sweet!
Dark chocolate dipped bacon? Sea salt caramels? Milk chocolate strawberry creams? Three-inch chocolate covered gummy bear? If you raised your hand to any of the above, then make a special trip to Sweet! in Belmar. Jersey Shore’s finest chocolate shop has award-winning, handmade chocolates for all your cravings and occasions – and then some cupcakes, cookies, fudge and other sweet treats. We’re thinking we’d like to try a Golden Egg this Easter; think: coconut cream (like a Mounds bar) covered in rich dark chocolate!
702 10th Ave., Belmar, NJ 07719
Matisse Chocolatier
Stop by Matisse Chocolatier and unleash your inner Willy Wonka. At this Englewood sweet shop, join their Matisse Chocolate Academy where you will learn how to make and decorate your own molds, how to properly temper chocolate, and maybe even watch a movie on the history of chocolate. From chocolate pizza and chocolate candy bars to chocolate dipped fresh fruit and other treats, there is something sweet for everyone!
260 Grand Ave., Englewood, NJ 07631
Are you a white, milk or dark chocolate lover? What’s your favorite chocolate factory in NJ? We’d love to add it to our list. Let us know in the comments below!
