Candy Store Near Me: Irish Sweets & Swedish Candy Guide

There’s something about walking into a candy store that makes even adults feel like kids again, whether hunting down a nostalgic bar or curious about the latest Swedish licorice trend. Dublin has more sweet spots than you might expect, from century-old Irish toffee to online shops stocking over 1,200 varieties.

Top-rated candy store in Dublin (Yelp): Aunty Nellie’s Sweet Shop – 4.4/5 ·
Largest online sweet shop in Ireland: Planet Candy – over 1200 varieties ·
Oldest Irish candy brand (circa 1895): Cleeve’s Toffee

The table below summarizes key facts about candy stores and Irish sweets.

What candy is Ireland known for?

Traditional Irish sweets

• Cleeve’s Toffee – first produced in 1895, it’s considered the oldest Irish candy brand. The toffee is still made using the original recipe (Anderson’s Candy Shop (century-old confectioner)).
• Tayto crisps – while technically a crisp, Tayto is a beloved snack in Ireland and often found alongside candy in sweet shops.
• Cadbury Dairy Milk – the top-selling chocolate bar in Ireland, produced in the UK but deeply ingrained in Irish confectionery culture.

Modern favorites

• Planet Candy, Ireland’s largest online sweet shop, stocks over 1,200 varieties including American, British, and international candies.
• Aunty Nellie’s Sweet Shop in Dublin remains a local favorite with a 4.4-star rating on Yelp.

Where to buy them in Dublin

• Aunty Nellie’s Sweet Shop – top-rated on Yelp with traditional Irish sweets.
• Mr Simms Olde Sweet Shoppe – a chain with retro and modern candies.
• Sweet Memories – known for nostalgic Irish confections.
• Planet Candy – online with nationwide delivery.

What is a candy store called?

Different names around the world

• Confectionery store – the formal retail term used in the industry.
• Sweet shop – common in the UK and Ireland, evoking traditional corner shops.
• Candy store – primarily a US term, though increasingly understood globally.

Historical terms

• In 19th-century Ireland, shops selling boiled sweets and toffee were often called “sweetie shops”.
• In the US, “candy store” became standard in the early 1900s as mass-produced candies spread.

Modern branding

• Many Dublin stores now use “sweet shop” or “candy store” interchangeably, appealing to both local and tourist audiences.
• Online stores like Planet Candy brand as “Ireland’s largest sweet shop”, mixing traditional and modern language.

The pattern: While “confectionery store” remains the technical term, “sweet shop” dominates in Ireland and the UK, reflecting a cozy, nostalgic image that store owners actively cultivate.

Why is Swedish candy so good?

Unique ingredients

• Swedish candy often uses salmiak (ammonium chloride) giving a distinct salty licorice flavor not found in other sweets.
• High-quality, fresh ingredients and natural flavorings are standard.

Licorice culture

• Sweden has a deep licorice tradition, with both sweet and salty varieties widely available.
• Swedish licorice has gained viral popularity globally, including in Ireland, where stores like CandyCave.ie offer imported Swedish sweets (CandyCave.ie (Dublin’s hub for imported candy)).

Quality standards

• Swedish confectionery brands prioritize quality over quantity, often using fewer preservatives.
• The “lördagsgodis” (Saturday candy) tradition reinforces a culture of high-quality, treat-focused sweets.

What is the #1 selling candy in the world?

Top contenders

• Snickers – often cited as the best-selling candy bar globally, with annual sales exceeding $2 billion.
• Kit Kat – holds a top position, especially strong in Japan and the UK.

Sales data

• According to confectionery industry reports, Snickers leads in global revenue, while Cadbury Dairy Milk dominates in Ireland and the UK.

Regional differences

• In the US, Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups and M&M’s are top sellers; in Ireland, Cadbury Dairy Milk outsells all others.
• Regional preferences mean the “#1 selling candy” varies by market.

Why this matters: If you’re searching for a “candy store near me” in Dublin, you’ll find global best-sellers like Snickers alongside Irish favorites—so knowing the local leader helps you narrow down what to try.

What candy is 100 years old?

Iconic century-old candies

Retro candy timeline

• 1896: Tootsie Roll introduced – the first individually wrapped penny candy in the US.

Availability today

• Many retro candies are still produced and available in Dublin sweet shops and online stores like Planet Candy.
• Anderson’s Candy Shop, founded in 1919, continues making handmade chocolates and toffee, proving century-old recipes have staying power (Anderson’s Candy Shop (handmade confectioner since 1919)).

The catch: Only a handful of candies have survived 100+ years. Those that did—like Tootsie Roll and Hershey’s Kisses—owe their longevity to simple recipes and strong brand loyalty across generations.

For a candy lover in Dublin, the choice is clear: explore local sweet shops for Irish heritage favorites like Cleeve’s Toffee, or visit online stores like Planet Candy for international variety—otherwise you might miss out on both nostalgia and global trends.