The Sweetest Places in the QC: Candy and Chocolate shops
In the Quad Cities, there is no shortage of tasty chocolate and candy shops. Each one has its own specialties and desserts that promise to delight your mouth! Whether you're buying for yourself or someone else, you won't be disappointed by the quality and variety of Quad Cities local shops that offer sweet treats!
pictured: midnight tequila truffles
Chocolate Manor makes divine desserts using only the highest quality ingredients. This family owned chocolate shop has been creating sweets for locals for over 20 years. Each toffee, caramel, cream and truffle is handcrafted. I also highly recommend their gelato. It is AMAZING!
Location: 110 East 2nd Street, Davenport, IA
“Chocolate Manor is AMAZING!! It is also the only place in town that my husband can eat chocolate from. Most places put additives in their chocolates and their's is a nice, pure, Belgian style. Most chocolate places have turtles of some sort. CM let's you pick your chocolate and your nut. My husband likes dark chocolate with pecans where as I like milk with cashews. YUM!!!” - Emilia D.
“Delicious - and the customer service at Chocolate Manor is top notch.” - Sarah B.
pictured: heavenly fudgy brownies in multiple flavors
Lady T’s Catering is a locally owned cooking and catering business that specializes in brownies. These aren’t your average brownies either! They are Heavenly Fudgy Brownies and she offers a variety of amazing flavors such as s’mores, cookie dough, twix, lemon, triple vanilla, mint chocolate, german chocolate, rum raisin and lots more! Lady T’s also offers other kinds of amazing sweet treats and gift options. You can find her while wandering the Freight House Farmer's Market and she is also available to order.
“Her brownies are so decadent and creative. Those are her signature offerings, and she’s expanded to offer cake pops and cocoa bombs. So delicious!” - Kelly T.
Location: Freight House Farmer's Market: 421 W. River Drive, Davenport, IA
pictured: crown assortment
*blog feature photo is Lagomarcino's truffles
Lagomarcino’s has been making the finest chocolates since 1908 and you better believe they are really tasty! While you should also make time for a hot fudge sundae or some amazing rye bread sandwiches, trying some sweet treats is a great choice. The chocolates and candies will delight not only the palate but also the eyes. An assortment of clever and fun, Lago’s delights make the perfect gift.
Locations: 1422 5th Avenue, Moline, IL & 2132 East 11th Street, Davenport, IA
“Lagomarcino’s is both a beautiful candy store and a business committed to our community —it’s a QC treasure! Their sponge candy is out of this world.” - Sharon V.
“Now that I live out of town, I miss going to Lago's to order their fudge topped sundaes with my kids. Going there was a special treat, and I’d take each child on their own special date there. Their chocolate covered cherries are also the best I’ve ever had. Wonderful establishment!” - Kristy N.
*pictured: chocolate covered strawberries
The Shameless Chocoholic is not to be missed! From toffee to chocolate covered strawberries to candied bacon (!), the flavors will sing in your mouth. This lovely shop specializes in local handmade chocolate with over 120 varieties of truffles, butter creams and fudge, a large selection of sugar free items, vintage candy, seasonal chocolates and gift packages.
Locations: 1526 River Drive, Moline, IL and 101 S. Cody Road, LeClaire, IA
“My husband’s employer sent us a huge box of assorted chocolates and fudge for Christmas this year. Oh My GOODNESS! It was so good. So, I took a look at their facebook page…I can’t wait to order some chocolate covered strawberries at a reasonable price! Hurray for local goodness.” - Meghan C.
“The maple creams at The Shameless Chocoholic are very good and the chocolate dipped potato chips are a strangely delicious treat.” - Tara A.
pictured: assorted candies and chocolates including gummy bears, chocolate covered pretzels, rainbow suckers, and more.
Taste Buds is a wonderful shop in downtown Rock Island with a variety of delights for your… taste buds! Try candy, chocolates, coffee, tea and more! Check out the photos section of the Taste Buds Facebook page for some amazing choices. Curbside service or delivery also available. They also offer delightful gift packages made to order.
Location: 150 16 ½ Street, Rock Island, IL
“Taste buds - has a variety of tasty treats from LEGO shaped sweet tarts to chocolate covered pecans with Carmel (Turtle/ Pixie). They have the tastiest gummy bears - fresh and soft from the Albenese factory in Indiana. Also they have chocolate covered gummy bears. They are generous with the scoops of bulk candy and have many other delicious items beside chocolate. My other favorite thing about Taste Buds is the way they give back to the community. They donate baskets of goodies to local charities and use their candy shop to help others raise funds. Also, they did a great job of adapting during this pandemic and offered no contact delivery, too.” - Sarah M.
“Very accommodating and willing to answer questions. My son loves the selection on gummies and the lego block candies. If you're patient, you can actually build with them!” - Tara A.
Written by Meghan Cooley
Meghan Cooley moved to the Quad Cities from St. Charles, IL, as an Augustana College student over 20 years ago. She left briefly after graduation and then returned to work in admissions and then marketing at Augustana College for 18 years. She now works as a consultant for admissions marketing and social media. She also does copy editing and writes for the Quad City Moms Blog. Now a true Quad Cities transplant, Meghan lives in Rock Island with her husband, Luke (R.O.W.V.A. and Augustana grad and Modern Woodmen employee) and four boys. She loves living in the Quad Cities and finds it the perfect place to raise a family, plan a date night, and go on adventures.