Irish potato candy is a Philadelphia tradition. The little lumps of coconut and buttercream (or cream cheese) rolled in cinnamon — which contain no potato whatsoever — can be found in stores across the region every March, leading up to St. Patrick’s Day.
No one is 100% sure how the candies got their start (they are not, despite the name, from Ireland), but for a lot of Philadelphians, they’re a seasonal, nostalgia-packed hometown delicacy.
And the beloved treat has prompted many a derivative dish or drink at Philly eateries, from milkshakes to martinis. Here's where to find this humble potato as well as several different items inspired by the candy this weekend.
🥔 In Their Original Form
If you wanna keep it simple and enjoy some of the OG Irish potato candies on St. Patrick’s Day, candy shops across the city have them, including (but not limited to!):
- Shane’s Confectionery in Old City
- Lore’s Chocolates in Center City
- The Pennsylvania General Store in Reading Terminal Market
- Isgro Pastries in Bella Vista
- Anthony’s Italian Chocolate and Coffee House in the Italian Market
If all else fails, you can probably find a box of Oh Ryan’s Irish potatoes at your neighborhood Wawa or Acme.
😋 Cannoli from Holy Cannoli Cafe
Find a crispy cannoli shell stuffed with coconut cream filling and rolled in cinnamon at this West Passyunk spot.
☕ Lattes from The Ground CPG, Wirlybird Coffee, and Holy Cannoli Cafe
Hit up these shops in Norris Square, East Falls, and South Philly (respectively) for their takes on a caffeinated-drink version of Irish potatoes. The Ground CPG recommends trying the iced version of their “nod to Philly’s culinary traditions and the creativity of our community.”
🍨 Ice Cream from Bassetts
The Reading Terminal Market fave has rolled out a “coconutty, cream cheese ice cream with a cinnamon swirl and bits of hand-rolled Irish potatoes.”
🥛 Milkshakes from Franklin Fountain, Joe’s Steaks, Nifty Fifty’s, and Thirsty Dice
You can slurp up a dairy-heavy, zero-proof take on Irish potato candy’s coconut-y and cinnamon flavors in Old City, Fishtown, or at one of Nifty Fifty’s several locations (in South Philly, Northeast Philly, and beyond).
At Thirsty Dice in Fairmount, the shake (called the “Boozy Shillelagh”) is alcoholic — a combo of Jameson, Bailey’s, and the aforementioned Bassetts Irish potato ice cream topped with whipped cream and caramel.
🍺 Beer Float from Thirsty Dice
Called the “Shamrock Stout,” this concoction is what you get when you pour stout beer over Irish potato ice cream.
🍸 Martini from McGillin’s Olde Ale House and McKenna’s Pub
Check out one of these bars — one in Center City, one in Pennsport — to taste an Irish potato-inspired martini.
🥃 A Very Boozy Version from Green Elephant
This St. Paddy’s pop-up bar in Center City has a pretty alcohol-packed take on the traditional candy, called the “Drunken Irish Potato.” It’s made with Rumchata, Malibu, and Beach cinnamon whiskey, complete with some cinnamon sugar on the rim.
🍀 Happy St. Paddy’s Day!
