Nashville has a sweet secret hiding just off Broadway, and it’s way more fun than your average candy shop. Goo Goo Chocolate Co. isn’t just about grabbing a chocolate bar off the shelf—it’s about rolling up your sleeves and building your own.
Whether you’re a local looking for something different or a visitor wanting a memorable Nashville experience, this spot turns candy lovers into candy creators.
A Nashville Chocolate Experience Made For Candy Lovers
Walking into Goo Goo Chocolate Co. feels like stepping into a candy lover’s daydream. Located at 116 3rd Ave South in the heart of downtown Nashville, this isn’t your typical stop-and-shop candy store. It’s a destination where chocolate meets creativity, and visitors become part of the sweet-making process.
The space itself is bright, modern, and designed to catch your eye. Look up and you’ll spot baskets gliding along tracks on the ceiling—a playful nod to old-school candy factory vibes. The layout is open and inviting, with displays that showcase everything from classic Goo Goo Clusters to seasonal flavors you won’t find anywhere else.
What really sets this place apart is the energy. It’s not just about buying candy—it’s about being part of something hands-on and memorable. Families gather around kiosks, couples debate flavor combinations, and kids press their faces against glass to watch their custom creations come to life.
Goo Goo has been a Tennessee staple since 1912, but this downtown shop brings the brand into a whole new era. It’s equal parts nostalgia and innovation, honoring the original recipes while giving guests the freedom to experiment. The staff is friendly and helpful, guiding first-timers through the process without making it feel overwhelming.
Open most days from 10 AM to 6 PM (with slightly shorter hours on Wednesdays), it’s easy to fit into a Nashville itinerary. Whether you’re killing time before a show on Broadway or planning a full afternoon of downtown exploration, Goo Goo Chocolate Co. offers a sweet pause that’s worth every minute.
The Design Your Own Goo Goo Experience Is The Main Attraction
Forget browsing pre-made candy bars and calling it a day. At Goo Goo Chocolate Co., the real draw is the Design Your Own Goo Goo kiosks, where you get to call the shots on every layer of your custom creation. It’s like being a chocolatier for ten minutes, minus the culinary degree.
The process starts at a digital kiosk where you make your selections. Pick your chocolate base—milk, dark, or white. Choose a sauce to drizzle inside.
Then comes the fun part: loading up on mix-ins like caramel, marshmallow, peanuts, pretzels, or whatever combination sounds good to you.
Once you’ve finalized your masterpiece on the screen, a staff member gets to work making it right in front of you. Watching someone pour melted chocolate, layer in fillings, and top it off with your chosen ingredients is oddly satisfying. It’s fast, too—most orders are ready in about ten minutes, including eight minutes in the chiller to set everything perfectly.
What makes this experience special isn’t just the customization—it’s the fact that you’re creating something totally unique. No two bars are exactly alike, and that personal touch makes it feel more like a keepsake than a snack. V
Yes, custom bars run around $16, which might feel steep at first glance. But you’re paying for quality ingredients, the interactive experience, and a one-of-a-kind treat made fresh on the spot. It’s not just candy—it’s a Nashville memory you can taste.
Choose Your Favorite Fillings, Flavors, And Sweet Add-Ins
Building your own Goo Goo bar means making some tough (but delicious) decisions. The ingredient lineup is impressive, with enough variety to satisfy picky eaters and adventurous snackers alike. Start with your chocolate base—milk chocolate for classic sweetness, dark for a richer bite, or white chocolate if you’re feeling bold.
Next up: sauces. Caramel is a crowd favorite, adding gooey sweetness that pairs well with just about anything. Peanut butter brings a creamy, nutty layer that balances out the chocolate.
Some visitors mix sauces for extra complexity, creating flavor combos that wouldn’t exist on a standard candy shelf.
Then comes the mix-in bonanza. Roasted peanuts add crunch and a salty contrast. Marshmallow fluff brings that nostalgic, sticky sweetness. Pretzels offer a satisfying snap and a hint of salt. There are also options like toffee bits, cookie crumbles, and seasonal specials that rotate throughout the year.
What’s great about this setup is that there’s no wrong answer. You can go traditional with a milk chocolate, caramel, and peanut combo that mimics the original Goo Goo Cluster. Or you can get weird with it—dark chocolate, peanut butter, pretzel, and toffee.
The staff has seen it all and won’t judge your wildest ideas.
The variety also means repeat visits stay interesting. Try something safe the first time, then push the boundaries on your next trip. Some guests make it a tradition to create a new combination every time they visit Nashville.
With so many possible pairings, you could come back a dozen times and never make the same bar twice.
It’s Part Candy Shop, Part Creative Workshop
Step inside Goo Goo Chocolate Co. and you’ll quickly realize this isn’t a typical retail experience. Sure, there are shelves stocked with pre-packaged treats, but the real action happens at the interactive stations where guests become part of the process. It’s half candy shop, half creative workshop, and fully entertaining.
Families love it because it gives kids something to do beyond just picking out candy. Watching their custom bar get assembled keeps them engaged, and the anticipation of tasting their creation makes the wait fly by. Parents appreciate that it’s quick enough to hold short attention spans but special enough to feel like an activity worth planning around.
Couples find it surprisingly fun, too. Debating flavor combinations and comparing finished products turns into a lighthearted competition. Friend groups enjoy the collaborative aspect, often ordering multiple bars and sharing bites to see whose combination reigns supreme.
The workshop vibe extends beyond the Design Your Own kiosks. Goo Goo also offers hands-on classes where participants learn chocolate-making techniques, taste pairings with bourbon or whiskey, and leave with their own creations plus an apron as a souvenir. These classes last about an hour and book up quickly, especially during peak tourist seasons.
Even solo travelers find value here. It’s a low-pressure way to experience something uniquely Nashville without needing a group. Plus, the friendly staff makes everyone feel welcome, whether you’re a chocolate connoisseur or just someone with a sweet tooth and an afternoon to kill.
Why This Tennessee Candy Stop Is Worth Planning Around
Nashville has no shortage of attractions, so why dedicate part of your trip to a chocolate shop? Because Goo Goo Chocolate Co. offers something you can’t get anywhere else—a hands-on, personalized experience that feels authentically Nashville without the tourist-trap vibes.
For starters, it’s rooted in local history. Goo Goo Clusters have been a Tennessee favorite for over a century, originally created right here in Nashville. Visiting the downtown shop connects you to that legacy while letting you participate in a modern twist on a classic treat.
The custom candy bar experience also hits that sweet spot between quick and memorable. You’re not committing to a multi-hour tour or an expensive tasting menu. In about fifteen minutes, you’ve created something personal, watched it come together, and walked out with a treat that’s genuinely yours.
It’s the kind of low-stakes, high-reward activity that fits perfectly into a busy travel day.
Location matters, too. Sitting just off Broadway, Goo Goo is easy to reach on foot if you’re exploring downtown. It’s a natural pit stop between honky-tonks, museums, or riverfront walks.
The shop also stays open late enough on most days to catch a post-dinner crowd.
Then there’s the gift factor. Custom bars aren’t just for eating on the spot—they make great souvenirs or presents for folks back home. Pair a few bars with some classic Goo Goo Clusters from the retail section, and you’ve got a Nashville care package that actually tastes good.
Unlike a generic Music City T-shirt, this is a gift people will genuinely enjoy.
Make Time For This Sweet Nashville Experience
Planning a trip to Nashville means juggling live music, hot chicken, and enough honky-tonks to make your head spin. But if you’re looking for something a little different—something sweet, interactive, and surprisingly memorable—Goo Goo Chocolate Co. deserves a spot on your itinerary.
Timing is flexible, which helps. The shop opens at 10 AM most days (11 AM on Thursdays) and stays open until 6 PM, with shorter hours on Wednesdays. That gives you plenty of windows to drop in, whether you’re starting your day with sugar or wrapping up an afternoon of sightseeing.
If you’re visiting on a weekend, expect crowds. The Design Your Own kiosks stay busy, especially during peak tourist months. Weekday mornings tend to be quieter if you prefer a more relaxed experience.
Consider pairing your Goo Goo visit with other downtown attractions. It’s a short walk from the Johnny Cash Museum, the Ryman Auditorium, and several riverfront parks. You can easily turn it into a half-day downtown loop, hitting a few highlights and ending with a custom chocolate bar as your reward.
Bring a card—cash isn’t accepted here. And if you’re interested in one of the hands-on classes, book ahead online. They fill up fast, especially the bourbon and chocolate pairings.
Whether you’re a Nashville regular or a first-time visitor, Goo Goo Chocolate Co. offers a sweet slice of Tennessee culture that’s worth making time for. It’s fun, it’s tasty, and it’s a story you’ll actually want to tell when you get home.