8 Old-School Chocolate Shops in Tennessee That’ll Make You Feel Like a Kid Again

Tennessee has some seriously amazing chocolate shops that bring back all those sweet childhood memories. From watching candy being made right before your eyes to picking out handmade truffles from a fancy box, these spots remind you what it’s like to walk into a candy store with wide eyes and endless possibilities.

Whether you’re visiting Nashville, Gatlinburg, or Chattanooga, these old-school chocolate havens offer treats that taste just as magical as they did when you were little.

1. Goo Goo Chocolate Co. (Nashville)

Walking into this Nashville landmark feels like stepping back in time to when candy was king. The Goo Goo Cluster, born in 1912, is basically Tennessee royalty—a round chocolate treat packed with caramel, marshmallow, peanuts, and milk chocolate that generations have loved.

The shop itself is a total dream for anyone who loves sweets. Shelves overflow with every variation of the famous cluster, plus tons of other chocolatey goodies and gifts you can take home.

You’ll find everything from classic Goo Goo flavors to modern twists, all wrapped in packaging that screams vintage cool.

2. Olive & Sinclair Chocolate Co. (Nashville)

Since 2007, this Nashville gem has been turning cacao beans into seriously delicious chocolate bars using old-fashioned techniques. Everything here is made in small batches, which means each bar gets the attention it deserves.

The bean-to-bar process might sound fancy, but it’s really about doing things the right way—slowly and carefully. You can taste the difference in every bite, whether you’re trying their signature Southern-style chocolate or one of their creative flavored bars.

What makes this place feel old-school is their commitment to craft over mass production. They’re keeping traditional chocolate-making alive while adding their own Nashville twist, creating confections that feel both nostalgic and fresh at the same time.

3. Tempered Fine Chocolates (Nashville)

Remember that feeling of picking chocolates from a fancy box, trying to decide which one looks the most delicious? This Nashville chocolatier brings that magic to life with stunning handmade truffles that look almost too pretty to eat.

Each piece is crafted with serious care and attention to detail. The flavors range from classic favorites to adventurous combinations that surprise your taste buds in the best way possible.

Perfect for gifts or treating yourself, their chocolate boxes capture that timeless moment of choosing something special. The shop has an elegant vibe that makes you feel like you’re doing something fancy, even if you’re just grabbing a few truffles for an afternoon snack.

4. Ole Smoky Candy Kitchen (Gatlinburg)

Founded way back in 1950, this Gatlinburg treasure is the real deal when it comes to throwback candy experiences. Watching candy being made right in front of you never gets old, no matter how many times you’ve seen it.

Taffy logs, homemade chocolates, and all sorts of sweet treats fill the shelves here. The smell alone will transport you straight back to childhood vacations and simpler times when a bag of candy felt like the best treasure in the world.

5. Chocolate Monkey (Gatlinburg)

Cruising down the Gatlinburg Parkway, you can’t miss this beloved sweet spot that’s been making vacation memories for years. Fudge, chocolates, and every kind of candy you can imagine pack this place from floor to ceiling.

There’s something wonderfully nostalgic about walking through aisles of colorful treats while on vacation. The shop captures that pure excitement of being a kid in a candy store, when everything looks amazing and you want to try it all.

Their fudge is especially popular—rich, creamy, and made fresh.

6. Kilwins (Gatlinburg)

Classic candy shop vibes hit you the moment you walk through the door at this Gatlinburg location. The star of the show? Watching fudge being made the traditional way on big marble slabs, just like candy makers did decades ago.

The process is kind of mesmerizing—hot fudge gets poured onto cool marble, then worked and folded until it reaches perfect creamy consistency. You can smell the chocolate from down the street, and it’s impossible to resist.

Beyond fudge, they’ve got caramel apples, hand-dipped chocolates, and tons of other confections made fresh daily.

7. Belle Chocolates (Chattanooga)

Chattanooga’s answer to craft chocolate starts with single-origin cacao and ends with seriously impressive confections. This bean-to-bar operation takes chocolate-making seriously, treating each batch like the art form it truly is.

Small-batch production means quality over quantity here. They source their cacao thoughtfully and transform it into bars and treats that taste complex and interesting, not just sweet.

The shop itself has a thoughtful, welcoming vibe that invites you to slow down and appreciate good chocolate. Their products make fantastic gifts because the care put into every piece really shows.

8. MoonPie General Store (Chattanooga)

This Chattanooga wonderland is basically a time machine disguised as a candy store. MoonPies—those iconic marshmallow and graham cracker treats—take center stage here.

Walking around feels like exploring your grandparents’ favorite old-time general store, but way sweeter. Retro candy, vintage memorabilia, and MoonPie merchandise in every imaginable form fill the shelves with nostalgia.

You can grab a warm MoonPie straight from the bakery or stock up on every flavor they make. The whole place celebrates Southern candy history in the most fun way possible.