Parkside Candy

Review by: Roadfood Team

Buffalo’s Most Beautiful Candy Store

Built in 1927, Parkside Candy is a temple of chocolate & ice cream — one of the prettiest confectioneries anywhere. When you walk in, your nose fills with a liquorish cocoa-butter aroma. Then you focus on the stunning interior decor. Classic columns line the grandiose oval room. A domed ceiling rises over all. Vending stations around the circumference sell candies by the box and bag. Solid walnut fixtures give the soda fountain a classic air. Soft background music and subtle indirect light create the reverential atmosphere of a fine art museum. A semi-private booth in back invites lovers’ rendez-vous. In fact, the federal government and New York State have declared this building — inside and out — a National Historical Landmark.

Chocolate Paradise

This old-fashioned candy store offers salt water taffy, all day suckers, bon bons of every size and shape, truffles, clusters, barks, and Buffalo’s favorite spun sugar specialty, sponge candy (also known as honeycombs). You can choose from among three kinds of sponge candy: milk chocolate, dark chocolate, and orange chocolate. Sea salt caramels and chocolate pretzels also belong on a list of must-eat confections.

Ice Cream Treats

As is true of many of the city’s best chocolatiers, Parkside also is an ice cream parlor, with cozy alcoves and a scattering of tables about the room for dining in. The ice cream repertoire is a full roster of dusty roads, rocky roads, tin roofs, egg creams, peanut butter fudge banana splits, creamsicle frappes, and maple nut sundaes. Top-of-the-line is the Granada Special: five flavors of ice cream, four toppings, toasted nuts, a mountain of whipped cream, and a maraschino cherry.

Who Can Resist Chocolate’s Call?

You’ll also find a short menu of sandwiches and, in the fall, chili. Honestly, I’ve never tried a savory here. The aroma of chocolate when I walk in the door of this temple of chocolate & ice cream is a Siren’s call.

What To Eat

Parfait

DISH

Parkside Candy Recipes

Discuss

What do you think of Parkside Candy?

3 Responses to “Parkside Candy”

Nathan

January 12th, 2023

Parkside does indeed accept cards and apple pay.

Reply

Ken larson

May 20th, 2022

Looking for the acordion group playing for a dance

Reply

Erika Kilborn

May 10th, 2012

I went to college at SUNY/Buffalo and Parkside Candies was one of the places that kept me alive. Whenever I felt low and alone in a big cold place, I would meander down Main Street and enter into the old world charm of Parkside. A tuna sandwich on white toast or a perfectly cooked burger with a soda or a milk shake set me back on my feet. If I was particularly depressed there was nothing like a bag of sponge candy to bring me back to life. Returning to Buffalo after many years away, I was thrilled to find that Parkside is still there, still a classic gem on Main Street. I hope the owners find the time and money to refurbish their wonder neon sign out front, but even if they don’t, you should find your way there and indulge in a soul-warming experience of food, candy and pure happiness.

Reply

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