Big Top Candy Shop

Really cool (and whimsically decorated) candy shop! It's bigger on the inside than the storefront's appearance, and the walls are packed with all kinds of candy. They also have a variety of sodas, ice creams, and chocolates to try, reminiscent of old-fashioned ice cream parlors. Some of their soda flavors are strange (e.g. jalapeno or corn) and are probably more for novelty than casual consumption. If you get lost trying to find a particular candy, just ask the staff! They are super friendly and great at radiating positive energy. Since it's located on South Congress, parking is tough and you'll probably have to settle for one of the neighborhood streets (which are metered). If you ever want to feel like a kid again, this is the place to be!

Congress has changed in 2024. You have to pay for parking. There is NO meter on the side walk, or a parking box where you use your credit card and a ticket spits out and you display the ticket on your dash. What you actually have to do, is go to the light post where there is a sign, and you have to text a number and they send you a link, after about 15 minutes of filling your information out, then the clock starts ticking. I think they check about every 30 minutes. Be sure to watch the clock and get back to your car before you get a parking ticket. Okay, now on to the actually review of Big Top Candy Shop. Love this place. Just seeing all the candy I used to buy when I was a kid and saved enough money to enjoy the yummies. It's more than just candy to me, it's a glimps of my childhood. I was just talking with a friend about the good Ol' days and we talked about candy and chocolates, etc. Just so happens her birthday is coming up, so I thought I would have a themed present for her, old fashion candy for a classic women. She's also out of state, so I wanted to get something that represented Texas. I got the Dr. Pepper cotton candy. I got Fun Dip which is one of her favorite, and taffy. I'm sure she will get a laugh out her gift.

Cute little candy shop with a wide selection of gummies! It was cool inside which was great given the weather outside! The candy section in the back was $3.57 per 1/4 pound and it was fun to try out a wide selection of candy. Would come back to try more candy!

I love this candy shop! Whenever we are in SoCo I always pass by here. They got old school candies and unique ones as well. The vibe is so fun and cool inside it's just fun to take it all in. The people are super nice too!

What a fun stop if you are in the congress area. When you step into the shop, you are instantly taken back to a simpler, slower time in life. With old music playing, a gorgeous soda fountain and tons of old and retro candy that will bring you down memory lane. Grab a bag and start hoarding your favorite old candy. Nostalgia central! Before you head out, make sure to grab a scoop of ice cream or to slurp on an old fashioned malt. Bonus, they have super duper weird sodas that make a fun addition to a gift. Imagine opening up a movie themed gift with popcorn, candy and a.... what... corn flavored soda?? Or an enchilada soda! Just makes things a little more weird and fun.

So much nostalgia here. Amazing candy options! Had fun trying different things. Worth a try!

Stopped here on a whim while walking downtown and assumed I would just be in to look since I'm vegan and there usually aren't many options. There is a bathroom in the back for customers so I knew I'd find a tiny piece of gum or something. What I wasn't expecting, was to find a whole little vegan section and some vegan gummies in the bulk section! I had to limit myself to how many candy bars to buy (2) and was not disappointed, I found brands I'd never seen before and they were so tasty. Staff was nice and I loved the ambiance. Highly recommend!

"Come with me and you will be in a world of pure imagination.." One of my favorite childhood movies and remains so is Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory (the Gene Wilder version). In fact, I'm still hoping someone makes the factory so I can visit it before I get to be Grandpa Joes age. That said, what's the next best thing? Visiting a candy store of course! On the way to get pizza for lunch my kids noticed a huge and obnoxious sign for Big Top Candy Shop. Curiosity killed the cat so after lunch we walked over to the facility located on South Congress in a very laid back and safe part of town to see what this was all about. The façade is loud in a sort of Back to the Future 50s style; big letters, bright yellow and red letters, the phrase "soda fountain", etc. Opening the door, I was expecting to see Slugworth proposition me for the everlasting gobstopper however they only have soda jerks. The employees are very cool, knowledgeable and friendly with a goofy side. I'm debating if they're so approachable b/c they're hopped up on sugar or living in a fantasy land. Either way they add to the ambiance. I would say take a moment, inhale, then just absorb candy heaven in all its opulence however one breath isn't adequate. To be honest I was hoping an Umpa Lumpa would jump out and sing, alas I didn't have a golden ticket. Candy is available in metal buckets to grab by the handful with shelves above that and all types of interesting retro artwork and memorabilia adorn the last bare spots before the ceiling. Think of Applesbees if it were made for kids but with a lot more flare. Every candy you can think of is there begging to be sampled. From Harry Potter Chocolate Frogs, Bertie Bott's every flavor beans, and Honeydukes to things I wouldn't try like real cricket lollipops. I did see a lot of Wonka themed delicacies but sadly I didn't see a scrumdiddlyumptious bar. More options are Duff candy (Simpsons reference), Nerds, Pop Rocks, chocolates of all kinds with infinite fillings available by the cup full, Laffy Taffy, jawbreakers and on and on. Also, there are a couple fridges full of fun soda's but my favorite drink, Frosty's blue cream soda wasn't there however I did try a deceit albeit less interesting blue alternative. One suggestion I have is they should make their own candy like saltwater taffy or rock candy. I believe that would be a huge hit with kids and adults alike as its educational and fun to eat. Perhaps they could then move up to making a three-course dinner gum, but they'll need to perfect the blueberry pie. That said there is soda bar area looks like a western salon with all types of addins, 12 types of ice cream, mixers etc. I decided to create the salted caramel malt which I might have to patent because it was good but I would add in a special something extra like "fizzy lifting drink". They even topped it with freshly made cream. In this day of dieting and diabetes it's hard for adults to justify an establishment like this. However, life is about more than just sticking to limitations but allowing yourself to occasionally enjoy the simple pleasures. Big Top is a magical place where dreams come true for adults wanting to do something different on a date or kids having the opportunity to let their imaginations run wild. I encourage everyone to give this place a walk through. When you're there perhaps this song will play in your head... "If you want to view paradise, simply look around and view it."

Big Top Candy Shop is an essential stop on South Congress for sweets in a funky, retro setting. I've been popping into Big Top for years with my kids, and it's the perfect highlight for a day spent on SOCO. You will find the usual bulk candy bins, but this store is so much more. Big Top is densely stocked with carefully-curated oddities, international treats, "trending" products, and locally-made goodies. There's a treat for just about any craving. Big Top is a notable 'tourist' destination, but the shop is legit and worth a visit for locals. Highly recommended.

I was so excited to see an old timey candy shop. But the inside isn't as cool as the front windows are. The place needs someone to clean it up and make it pretty. While we were there, the workers were all young. My husband and I got a selection of truffles, sour candies, and dark chocolates. Disappointingly, the dark chocolates I got were not as tasty as those I've gotten from Trader Joe's. The truffles were huge, which was not necessarily a good thing.

My husband and I recently visited Austin and participated in the Keep Austin Weird Scavenger Hunt. The hunt brought us to the Big Top Candy Shop to ask questions to earn points in the hunt. The store was so busy that I felt bad asking questions but the staff were super duper nice and happily answered our questions. I was fascinated to learn about the owner's fascination with ouija boards and later carnival art. He's even working on writing a book. Ask them if the book is out yet. I'm fascinated with old carnival art myself so it was such a nice surprise to stumble upon so much carnival art on display. Oh, and they have a huge candy selection! Definitely check this place out!

This place is pretty dang cool. Of course, they've got LOTS of different kinds of candy to tickle your fancy (and satisfy your sweet tooth) but they've also got a few other cool things. Like "hand jerked" sodas you can ask them to make you! Italian cream....egg cream?!?!!? Crazy! Also, they've got ice cream scoops and can make you an ice cream float or shakes and malts! Best of all, the people who work this shop are super cool people, and can help you find just the right candy you need to leave happy.

It was fun visiting Big Top, it gives childhood nostalgia, great candy selection, popcorn & fresh made Italian cream sodas! Highly recommend stopping while walking along the Historic South Congress Ave

Tons of candy. Friendly staff. Such a fun time coming here every time I visit Austin.

Stepped into Big Top Candy Shop and felt like we were taken back into time with the atmosphere and variety of old school candy and drinks available. A great little shop to satisfy your sweet tooth by trying a candy you've never heard of, grabbing a delicious scoop of Blue Bell ice cream, or trying out a unique soda flavor in an old school glass bottle. If you're walking down Congress be sure to stop by and try something new.

I mean, what are you going to complain about here? They have everything you are looking for and everything you didn't know you were looking for. Any kid is going to love this place and even the adults have fun with nostalgic finds!

I CHEWS YOU! When I was a little girl I told my parents I wanted to open my own chocolate factory just like the one in Charlie and the chocolate factory. That is what I wanted to be when I grew up. Obviously I did not pursue this dream. But when ever I come into candy stores that are extravagant I am reminded of what I wanted to be when I "grew up". Big Top Candy Shop is located on Congress and it is like walking into a fantasy land. There are so many bright colors and things to look at. They have a wide selection inventory. From gag gifts to very nice and fancy truffles and even a small cooler with some randomized drinks I adore as well. One of the best gag gifts that I saw while inside the shop was the office stapler in the jello gift. It was made out of gummies but the thought was executed quite well. So if you have a friend who loves the office this is definitely right up Their alley. The store has some of the most amazing people working there. They are so friendly and sweet. When you first walk in, you notice a girl sitting behind the counter offering samples for the house made sodas that they sell. It was such a great experience here. When I am back in town I will 100% come back.

It's candy and it's all great. It's got a real old timey feel and there is kind of a bar area when you first walk in that sells all sorts of soda and ice cream. The back has candy that you just grab a bag and pay for by the pounds. It's hard to check out because it can get so crowded in there but all the workers are very amicable when you finally get to them.

Great malt from fountain. Friendly service. Tried the black and white. Vanilla with chocolate syrup.

They had all the old school candy from back in the day.. some yummy bluebell ice cream that hit the spot. It's a fun place to visit!

There is something incredibly nostalgic about being in a candy shop, so every time my niece begs to come here, I'm willing and able. It's a true old fashioned candy shop with a real soda fountain and basically any candy you can think of. They have a great fill-your-own-bag section, fudge, ice cream, and all kinds of fun sweet treats. Definitely worth stopping by if you're walking around SoCo!

We make the 30 min drive more than I'd like to admit to this particular candy shop. Always a great time and fun stop off south congress. Staff are super polite and helpful and it smells so delicious in here. Feels as close to nostalgia as you can get inside mixed with fun new candy to try and fresh baked candies and goods. When everyone in the family loves different textures and flavors this place checks all the boxes. Parking is a bit difficult as anyone who ventures down to SoCo knows. Take a pro tip and park on the side street and walk up the block. Much easier to get in and out.

4 Stars for a fully-stocked candy shop, off of south Congress, that's a sweet feast for your tastebuds and your eyes. Walk in and behold-- a child's wonderland and an adults sugar headache! They have your regular chocolate bars towards the front, then a ton of obscure sweets. Every inch is covered in candy of colorful circus images, so be prepared to stand, mouth-agape, for a while. They also have a fudge glass counter and a fill-your-own-bag section with containers of all kinds of sweets. If you're looking for a non-traditional dessert option, I'd hit this place up after lunch at one of the many savory spots in the area!

Who could not like this place? It is great!! Great variety of great candy for a good price. Everyone in my family loves this place.

The staff was very nice, friendly and helpful! They gave us different recommendations and made sure we were okay! Definitely going back when we visit Austin again!

The female who was working when we were in the store should be fired. She belittled my 2-year-old granddaughter. She has no customer satisfaction sense at all. When she cut her hair she must have lost her common sense. If it were the only ice cream/candy store in Austin I would NEVER set foot in that place again. If I was the owner (I own several businesses) I would fire her immediately. The guy making the cone for my 2-year-old was great but this bit&# would not bend over to take the money. When my wife handed her the money she threw it back at her and told her "No ice cream for you" to a 2-year-old girl while the guy held the already made mint chocolate chip cone. To the owner - either you have a lot of money or you just don't care.

Overpriced crap and really rude customer service! Try smiling it doesn't cost anything unlike your 3 dollar water bottles

Omg. I just experienced the WORST customer service ever. I went in with my mom and 2 year old daughter. My daughter saw the ice cream and wanted to order ice cream my mom asked if we can get order some and the manager Lacey said well you can't order there you have to walk around to the register so my mom did. And then she said now you have to walk back around and go get... meanwhile there was only 2 other people in the store so it was not busy at all. When my mom voiced her opinion of the customer service not being very friendly the manager Lacey told her employee not to give us the ice cream and told us to "get out". My 2 year old daughter was so upset.

Oh my gosh this place is great! It's a good sized store with so many old school candy types! Some I didn't think even existed anymore because I haven't seen them since I was a kid. They had everything from jawbreakers, taffy, jellybeans, to well over 20 types of gummies. The staff that works here is so nice and helpful. Definitely a fun store to stop in to grab a sweet treat!

Great old fashion candy shop. With a real soda found. Super friendly staff. Super location.

Great candy shop that offers all kinds of goodies and fountain treats ! They have a unique assortment of salt water taffy

If you ever get to Austin, you must visit Big Top Candy Shoppe because they have candy from everywhere, and items that I have not seen since I was a kid in the 1960's Make sure to see the Bob Ross items (the PBS Artist - pretty, pretty clouds).

I want to go here everyday. Austin gem. Great variety and amazing drinks. I think about the Pink Elephant daily.

I am so glad this place is doing well. They have so many old school candies and different kinds candies to choose from. Many are even from other parts of the world!! If you don't find at least one thing that you have never seen here then I officially give you the title of "CANDY GURU!" My parents used to own a convenient store when I was little with all sorts of candies and I would even go to the wholesale businesses with them to pick up supplies. I thought I knew a fair bit about candy but boy was I wrong!! They are not overpriced for what they provide and their employees are all very friendly and helpful. They are located in a prime location so it is really great to stop in here and grab a few sweet snacks for your stroll around the block!!

Probably one of the best stores we visited during our trip to Austin. They sell all sorts of candy and fun delicious treats. Too bad we were full from eating down the street at Torchy's. We did buy some candy by the lb. They offer everything you can dream of and more. Definitely worth a visit.

Great licorice! Green apple was my favorite Old school soda and popcorn. Didn't try the ice cream but it looked good. They have so many unique flavors of gummy bears!

One of the best candy stores and stores on SoCo ever. The vintage circus theme is beautiful and so much fun. They stock "retro" candies and a lot of the candies are accidentally vegan so it's easy for everyone to grab a treat. My friends tell me their milkshakes and fudge are delicious and they definitely look it. You MUST visit if you can!

As many other yelpers have written, Big Top Candy has a "HUGE" selection of candy. This is every kids sweet tooth dream and the place to stop by. They have what looks like an old fashioned soda fountain. Pure soda is mixed with your choice of syrup to make your float. I chose to get the root beer float and this was hands down the best that I have had. At the time of my visit, Glenview farms ice cream was used due to a recall on Bluebell products. Their "HUGE" selection of bulk candy is sold by the quarter pound; $2.27. My sweet tooth was already satisfied with my drink selection so I didn't purchase any. They have approximately eight seats within the store where you can relax and enjoy your dessert or candy during your visit. Customer service was awesome......I observed a gal accidentally dropping her ice cream. The clerk immediately offered replacement free of charge. Now that's customer service!!

The only place we could find individual atomic fireballs! I was impressed with the size of the shop and even though some areas are closed due to covid, the store is still a must visit. They have really cool nostalgic candies and drinks from back in the day as well as some current items. Even though I have checked out a few candy shops dedicated to old school candy, I still cannot find a shop that carries Alexander The Grape, Cherry Clan, or Johnny Apple Treats, but that might be next to impossible. At least Big Top does have Boston Baked Beans!

Such a fun shop. They have just about any candy you can think of and the staff is super kind. Definitely stop by here if you get a chance!!!

If you have a sweet tooth and your in Austin, you definitely need to stop by Big Top. I do my best to stop here anytime I'm in Austin. The shop is in a cool strip on Congress with lots of other cool stores. I always pick up my chocolate covered gummy bears and chocolate covered Swedish fish here. My mom picks up the black licorice string. We also made a bag of gummies for my nephews from the candy bins. Stop by but don't eat all my chocolate.

Such a fun shop! Big Top is always on my list of stops when walking down South Congress. When you enter you're immediately hit with the delicious aroma of fresh popcorn. They sell every kind of candy imaginable including a few rare variations on class candies. For example, they had the tropical flavor Hot Tamales that my mom loves which I've only ever found in this type of specialty shop. There are also a lot of nostalgia candies as well. You can buy a lot of their candy in bulk, and they also sell a variety of fudges. Beyond candy, Big Top also has a large selection of unique sodas for sale. Definitely worth a stop!

I'm not sure why you would give this store anything less than a "5" star rating. This is one of my favorite places to stop by on Congress. I love the HUGE selection of candies, sodas, nostalgia items, ice cream.... Way too much for this candy lover to chose from. The staff is always super friendly and super helpful. I don't think I've ever run into a staff member who was grumpy or rude. They are always very friendly and you can tell they like being there.

This place is so fun! They have so much retro candy that I used to get as a kid...candy cigarettes, peachy penguins, sixlets. They even have a cool soda fountain. They have modern day candy. It was a lot of fun to look around and see what they have. It's a little pricey, but well worth it for the happy memories!

Been taking my kids here for years and always bringing in friends from out of town by. Always a good time but was helped by Melissa recently and she was very helpful with recommendations. Wanted to leave a review as this last visit really stood out. Can't wait to go back

So much fun. Every kind of candy you can imagine and awesome novelty items. There's all types of items you can choose from and it will make you feel like a kid again.

This place reminds me of a store that used to be in Ocean Beach California where I lived in the 70s and 80s. It has just about every kind of candy you can imagine if it's still being made. It reminded me of my childhood except for the prices, LOL. When we would visit my grandmother in her small town in Indiana it was always a treat for my brother and me to go down to the local dime store where they had penny candies and we would be given enough money to buy a few pieces. This is that kind of store. It even has that old-time look to it with the wood floors and the dark wood counters. They sell everything from bulk candy in bins by the fourth pound to better quality chocolate candies behind a case. If you have a favorite from your childhood, they probably have it. I just got a small bag of miscellaneous to nibble on. They have salt water taffy but I was surprised to not see a wide selection of M&Ms, especially in various colors. That's about the only thing I didn't see in abundance though. While we were waiting in line and as the line was growing longer and longer, all of a sudden a very energetic clerk said we were going to play a trivia game and he would ask a question and we couldn't call out the answer but had to raise our hand. The first question was how many were there in the Fellowship of the Ring when it started out. To my surprise he called on two or three people who all gave the wrong answer and they were certainly much younger than I am. I was raising my hand and answered nine and he said that was correct so I got a free drink. I got a watermelon flavored Italian soda so that made the stop in here especially fun. I thought it was a great idea to entertain the people in line so they wouldn't get discouraged and leave.

Woah this place has about a million different kinds of candies! I went in because my car was parked directly outside and I was thirsty I had no idea this was Willy Wonka Wonka's second home! I got a large blueberry Italian creme soda and it was $2.10 should've ordered two! They do fun things in line whoever could name David Bowie's last album got a discount....it was Dark Star...

Ideally located on funky-cool South Congress Avenue, it's easily one of the most atmospheric candy stores you could possibly visit with so many retro-fun candy sweets and soda fountain specialties that my stomach is turning just thinking about the place. And I mean that in a good way since the inevitable wave of nostalgia will waft over you once you enter and browse with purpose. The circus sideshow posters are particularly arresting with the picture of 643-pound Sweet Marie acting as a subconscious warning sign of what happens when you come here too often (see photo). Double-dipped chocolate bacon. Savory-sweet decadence. Pop rocks. Remember Pop Rocks? All sorts of flavors of salt water taffy. Blue Bell ice cream. Texas' tastiest. Shaved ice covered in sickly-sweet Italiano syrups. Chocolate truffles. Classy confections. But their best candies are the ones you didn't even know you forgot. The ones you remember buying at the five-and-dime and then when you grew up, they magically disappeared without a trace. It appears they landed here. In June, USA Today named it one of the Top 10 candy stores in the country. No surprise to me as they offer plenty of sweets to get you in a sugar coma in no time.