A Local's Guide to Finding Sweet Treats in Grand Rapids

Mokaya has been handcrafting truffles, bonbons, pastries, chocolate bars, desserts, frozen treats and more in its Uptown Grand Rapids location since 2016. Everything is made in small batches in house using the freshest ingredients, with no artificial flavors or preservatives. They source cacao from ethical and sustainable suppliers, so you can indulge without guilt.

Unique creations – such as a dark chocolate Thai basil black pepper truffle and a chocolate raspberry corn pop malt ball – make Mokaya stand out from the confectionary crowd. They also offer some ingeniously delicious collections, including a Beer Flight featuring four truffles and two caramels created with craft beer from six local breweries.

Make sure you have your smartphone handy because everything Mokaya produces looks amazing – almost too good to eat. You’ll definitely want to take a photo before your first bite.

They had us at “Sugar Bar.” This family-run bakery in downtown Grand Rapids offers an array of homemade, handmade pastries and desserts – cookies, eclairs, croissants, macarons, cake pops, waffle sundaes, brownie skillets and more. You can enjoy a tabletop fondue with your choice of milk, dark or white chocolate and assorted dippers, or a personal s’more roaster with toppings, chocolates and mix-ins to build s’mores at your tabletop. They also have Dubai chocolate bars and gelato, so prepare for a sugar rush.

Those were the sweets, now for the sips: Sugar Bar is known for its creamy, decadent milkshakes – both standard and “boozy.” Guests can also enjoy Michigan-made beers, wines and a range of signature cocktails and mocktails. For the best of both worlds, choose a sips-and-sweets flight.

Relax with your sweet treats in Sugar Bar’s Parisian-inspired interior or outdoors in Rosa Parks Circle, just across the street. Sugar Bar will even put its alcoholic beverages in designated containers so you can stroll around the Downtown Refreshment Area with them.

Get lost in a colorful world of candy, stickers and other sticky-sweet goodies in this Uptown neighborhood candy shop. Sticky Fingers is stocked to the brim with new and nostalgic treats, all arranged in Instagram-worthy displays that change with the seasons. You’ll find candy you enjoyed as a kid and candy you’ve never encountered before (but can’t wait to try again). There are vegan and gluten-free options, and the owners keep a list of top dietary restrictions behind the counter – so if you want to know if a product will play nice with your food allergy or sensitivity, just ask.

While Sticky Fingers is a destination in itself, it’s just steps away from restaurants like Asada, Chez Olga, Yesterdog and Wolfgang’s, so you can stop in for something sweet after a meal. The owners of Sticky Fingers also operate Rebel, a homegrown, modern gift shop just around the corner.

Sweetland Candies is a fourth-generation family confectioner launched in Grand Rapids in 1919, and it has stood the test of time: locals still rave about Sweetland’s many handmade treats, including seafoam, turtles, truffles, creams, cordials, clusters, barks and more.

The company operates two local stores – one in Grand Rapids and one in Rockford – each offering a selection of sweets, gourmet roasted nuts, specialty coffees, teas and ice cream beverages, which you can enjoy on site or grab and go. Boxed chocolates, baskets and towers are popular gift items that any chocolate lover is sure to enjoy.

Horrocks is a one-of-a-kind Kentwood market whose many charms include a well-stocked candy department. From classic packaged candies to gourmet chocolates handcrafted by a local chocolatier to seasonal treats like caramel apples and chocolate-covered strawberries, Horrocks has something for every sweet lover. New items are rotated in constantly, and an organic section showcases better-for-you selections. Can’t wait to get your treat home? Enjoy it in the attached tavern or beer garden with a glass of craft beer, wine, mead or cider.

Nestled in the heart of Gaslight Village in East Grand Rapids, Jersey Junction is the epitome of an old-fashioned ice cream parlor, both in menu items and décor. It was established in 1963 by Doris “Chris” VanAllsburg, mother of “The Polar Express” author/illustrator Chris VanAllsburg, and a model of that fictional train to the North Pole runs along the ceiling of the shop. Jersey Junction offers a diverse array of ice cream flavors made by local manufacturer Hudsonville Ice Cream. Jersey Junction is open from March-October.

Coffee cakes, tea cakes, Danishes, galettes, cake, tortes, cheesecakes, cookies, macarons, biscotti, chocolate croissants, dessert bars, muffins, pies and scones are among the fresh-baked sweets available at Nantucket Baking Company. With locations in northeast Grand Rapids and downtown GR-adjacent Heritage Hill, Nantucket invites guests to get their goodies to go or enjoy them site with a latte or other beverage. Custom cake orders are welcome and Nantucket also offers a big selection of artisan breads.

These sugar shops also got some love in our poll:

Downtown GR

Chewie Bitez. A Grand Rapids Downtown Market shop specializing in mouthwatering stuffed desserts and artisan boba tea.

Kilwins Chocolate and Ice Cream Shop. Downtown location of a Michigan-based chain opened in 1947.

Love’s Ice Cream & Chocolates. Crafting from-scratch ice cream, gelato and fine chocolates in the Grand Rapids Downtown Market.

Uptown GR

The Cakabakery. Decadent cookies, cakes, cupcakes, cake pops and more from a finalist of Food Network’s Cupcake Wars.

Chartreuse Sisters. Cozy café and bakery crafts French-American pastries to complement its creative coffees, teas and mocktails.

Wealthy Street Bakery. Neighborhood bakery offers a wide selection of pastries in addition to artisan breads and breakfast & lunch items.

Northeast

The Cone Shoppe. Seasonal ice cream shop serving cold, sweet treats for 50-some years.

Frosty Boy. Seasonal ice cream shop known for its lemon soft-serve ice cream and vegan options.

Ken’s Fruit Market. Neighborhood grocery store offers a huge selection of bulk candies.

Kingma’s Market. Includes a wall of goodies with nearly 400 unique bulk selections.

Koeze. Making fine chocolates, gourmet nuts, peanut butter and more since 1910.

The Sweet Spot. Seasonal shop at Cannonsburg Ski Area offers a variety of ice cream treats and cold beverages.

The Sweet Tooth. Downtown Rockford destination for popcorn, caramel corn, ice cream, chocolate and candy.

Northwest

Checker Pop Candy Shop. Find nostalgic favorites, specialty sweets and unique freeze-dried selections at this Sparta shop.

DreamScape Desserts. Custom bakery also offers a rotating selection of brownies, cookies and cupcakes at its retail counter.

Southeast

Barry G’s Italian Ice. Features a rotating menu of 60+ artisan ice cream flavors and 50+ dairy-free Italian ice selections.

Hall Street Bakery. Neighborhood bakery offers a wide selection of pastries in addition to artisan breads and breakfast & lunch items.

Ken’s Fruit Market. Locally owned grocery store offers a huge selection of bulk candies.

Underground Cookie Club. Offering handcrafted ice cream sandwiches and other dessert novelties.

Southwest

Koeze. Making fine chocolates, gourmet nuts, peanut butter and more since 1910.

Finally, the candy department at Meijer – the local forerunner of the global superstore concept – was mentioned. There are 20+ Meijer locations in West Michigan, so there’s always one close by to soothe those sudden sugar cravings.

Still have an appetite for sweets? Check out locals’ recommendations for ice cream shops, frozen yogurt spots and donut destinations.