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    The Goldenrod

    3.7 (229 reviews)
    Closed 9:00 am - 10:00 pm
    Updated 2 weeks ago

    The Goldenrod Photos

    THE GOLDENROD ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Touristy
    Casual
    Good for kids

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    Recommended Reviews - The Goldenrod

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    Reviews With Photos

    Homemade candies
    Matthew L.

    The Goldenrod is a historic restaurant, soda fountain, ice cream parlor and candy shop that opened in York, Maine in 1896. It was founded by husband and wife Edward and Mattie Talpey. The following year, the first electric trains arrived in York via the Portsmouth, Kittery and York Railway. Many travelers on the railway began to frequent the Goldenrod, and its popularity soon boomed. In addition to their fine meals, they became well-known for their delicious 'Goldenrod Kisses': saltwater taffy that Talpey pulled by hand while standing in the front window. Today the Goldenrod is known for its delicious soups, salads, sandwiches, dinner plates, homemade candies, and fountain specialties prepared with their homemade ice cream. The current owner is Dave Peck. My extended family and I visited the Goldenrod this past summer while we were spending the week in York. We stopped for lunch one day after spending the morning at nearby Short Sands Beach. We absolutely loved the nostalgic feel that you get as soon as you walk in. At a place like this, you definitely need to order a specialty fountain drink. I enjoyed a delicious "Old Fashioned Chocolate Egg Cream" while my wife enjoyed a "Root Beer Float". For food, I ordered a "Turkey Salad Triple Decker" (w/ crisp bacon, lettuce, tomato, pickle slices & chips), my wife had a "Grilled Cranberry Walnut Chicken Salad Sandwich" (w/ lettuce, tomato, pickel slices & chips), our older son had a "Sliced Turkey Sandwich" (w/ lettuce, tomato, pickel slices & chips), and our younger son had a "Grilled Cheese Sandwich" (w/ lettuce, tomato, pickel slices & chips). We all really enjoyed our meals; our other family members enjoyed their lunch too! Before leaving, we purchased some of the Goldenrod's delicious homemade chocolates as well as their Goldenrod Kisses. We really enjoyed watching them make the fresh taffy in the window with the same copper kettle, taffy pulling hook, and candy shears that have produced countless other candies. If you are planning a visit to York then we highly recommend a visit to the Goldenrod!

    Jill R.

    We love coming to visit- been coming for too many years to count. We love the taffy, jellies, lollipops, and much more. They have food available to dine in too.

    Michelle S.

    Cute little old time candy shop and restaurant. We visited during the summer and had a very nice breakfast, served by a very attentive and pleasant young man. I had a yummy bacon egg and cheese sandwich, while my husband had the gigantic pancakes and crispy bacon. Sometimes you can even watch them make the taffy in the candy store out front. They even have a special taffy flavor each week. A nice place to visit in the center of it all with on street parking as well as a parking lot in walking distance.

    Tuna Fish Sandwich
    Hallie L.

    Pretty busy when I went, but the service was really good. It was a LOT of food for the entree and the sandwich was very tasty as well (albeit a little dry but I'm just being picky). The clam chowder was $8 for the cup which was a bit steep as the cup was pretty small and our chowder was mostly potatoes rather than clam. Otherwise, also pretty tasty. Before leaving, we stopped by the counter and got some saltwater taffy where they had an assortment of all the taffy (one of each flavor) for only $3.25. I normally don't like saltwater taffy but this was really good so would definitely recommend checking it out. The cashiers were also super friendly and surprisingly allowed me to purchase a SINGULAR taffy because I wanted to try the specialty flavor (was 14 cents!). I felt bad because it seemed like a hassle to have to weigh and ring it up but they were super accommodating and nice about it.

    The outside of The Goldenrod in 2019-it never changes
    Sheri M.

    I often wonder if someone who doesn't have childhood memories of going to The Goldenrod would enjoy it as much is I do. After all, it's really just a diner with an old timey soda fountain counter and candy shop. However, several times a summer I drive an hour+, past all of the fabulous restaurants Portland has to offer to experience summer magic at The Goldenrod. I like to sit out on the porch and although there are tons of sandwiches to choose from (lobster rolls, clubs, even cream cheese and olive) I almost always order the grilled cheese with lettuce and tomato and a side of potato salad. I try to avoid eating the chips that come with sandwich orders to save room for a sundae that comes in a one of those old timey stainless steel sundae dishes. They have tons of flavors of homemade ice cream which I understand is made there, and who else has a "hot penuche" sundae? I ordered the hot fudge sundae with vanilla and it was perfect, as always. Our server (Sam) was attentive and polite, as was the hostess when I asked to sit out on the porch. As we were getting ready to leave I heard the man at the table behind us tell the server that he was getting ready to order his 4,000th sundae because he has been coming to The Goldenrod for 75 years. I may never know the answer to my question.

    two antique cars parked in front of a store

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    2 years ago

    Great food . Service. And ambiance. The food is great I love the ice cream and floats.

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    2 years ago

    The ice cream is supposed to be really famous here. But honestly, I thought it tasted like any other ice cream. I've tasted better.

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    Ask the Community - The Goldenrod

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    Sweet Josies Candy Shop

    Sweet Josies Candy Shop

    3.5
    (77 reviews)
    0.0 mi
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    Thomas K, I was actually in the store last night when you were here to say the least you were very…read moredisturbing to a lot of people in the store with your political views. This store has never asked a kid to leave ever, I have never seen such a grumpy old obnoxious individual since the 80s, and I've been coming here for the last 30 years with my children and now my grandchildren. They always go out of their way to make sure everybody is accommodated and they even set up face painting and tattoos for the kids outside. This is a very welcoming store to all and a family candy store in downtown York Beach, Maine. Considering you came in so hot with that hat on and you were definitely trying to make a political statement in a candy store that caters to families.

    Sweet Josie's Candy Shoppe is a seasonal confectionery shop and ice cream parlor that opened in…read moreYork, Maine in 1980. It was founded by Margaret "Peggy" Shaheen Fennelly, who named it for her mother Josephine "Josie" Skeip Shaheen. The shop specializes in over 60 flavors of homemade fudge, old-fashioned hard candies, gummies, saltwater taffy, and other classic candies. The shop also serves Gifford's brand ice cream and Richie's brand Italian ice. After Peggy passed away in 2021, the shop was taken over by her daughter Kathleen Fennelly Perez and her husband Jose. As of 2025, Sweet Josie's is now under new ownership. The shop operates from late April through mid October. My family and I recently visited Sweet Josie's this summer while we were spending the week in York. We were really impressed with the interior of the shop; it was so colorful. All of the candy looked so delicious, especially the fudge! However, we were actually on the hunt for some delicious ice cream. After looking over all of the flavors, I got a cup of "Dinosaur Crunch" (blue vanilla ice cream, fudge swirl, chocolate-covered Rice Krispies), my wife had a cup of "Sea Salt Caramel Truffle", and our sons both had cups of "Cookie Monster". That ice cream really hit the spot; it was exactly what we were looking for. The next time we make a trip to York, we'll have to stop at Sweet Josie's again and try out their homemade fudge!

    Photos
    "Dinosaur Crunch" (blue vanilla ice cream, fudge swirl, chocolate-covered Rice Krispies)
    "Dinosaur Crunch" (blue vanilla ice cream, fudge swirl, chocolate-covered Rice Krispies)
    Old-fashioned candies
    Old-fashioned candies
    Sweet Josies Candy Shop

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    The Goldenrod - candy - Updated July 2026

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