Who does not love a thick, creamy, icy-cold milkshake on a hot summer day in New York City? Sipping a sweet, frosty blend of milk and ice cream through a straw takes me back to carefree childhood trips to the local burger shop.
Today’s milkshakes go beyond just vanilla, chocolate and strawberry though. Creative shops across New York’s boroughs have taken the classic treat to new levels with unexpected flavors, ingredients and toppings that make the experience even more fun.
In this guide, we will check out beloved milkshake places in both Manhattan and Brooklyn that serve up nostalgic classics along with boundary-pushing new combinations. Old-fashioned soda fountains remind us of times when milkshakes first became popular.
Now, New York City milkshakes might have cake slices, whole candy bars and cotton candy mixed in too, blending indulgence with playfulness. The city’s best burger joints also excel at milkshakes, using premium ice cream to perfectly match their burgers.
There are even artisanal ice cream shops focused on crafting rich custards and shakes. And for adults, a number of these spots now add wine, beer and liquor to their shakes for a grown-up twist.
From the East Village to Harlem, this New York City milkshake guide includes iconic staples along with of-the-moment hotspots rethinking how to thrill your tastebuds. We will cover beloved landmarks serving up old fashioned malteds and newfangled places designed for peak Instagram appeal.
You’ll find classic black and white shakes side-by-side with over-the-top sensory explosions. So grab a straw and get ready to be taken back to the days of sharing a frostie with friends at the corner burger joint.
Morgenstern’s Finest Ice Cream
Address: 88 W Houston St, New York, NY 10012, United States
Open in Google Maps: Link
Working Hours : 12 pm–12 am
Morgenstern’s Finest Ice Cream shops let you dive deep into wildly creative milkshake territory with over 80 flavors to choose from. Their classic go-to Black and White milkshake mixes chocolate ice cream with raw Jersey milk for an old-fashioned treat.
But why stop there when you can request more adventurous combinations? You can try blending strawberry and match a green tea ice cream, or mix mango with Vietnamese coffee flavor custards. Feeling extra daring? They offer unique options like black licorice, durian banana and black sesame shakes to expand your horizons.
With locations in Greenwich Village and the Lower East Side, Morgenstern’s invites you to experiment with almost any creamy frozen blend you can imagine whirled into shake form.
If you still have room after that last milkshake, walk just a few West Village blocks to check out another very New York sweet sensation. La Newyorkina takes Latin-inspired ice cream flavors then incorporates additional decadent elements to bring shakes to the next level.
Their creamy Horchata shake gets ribboned with dulce de leche-style cajeta caramel made from Mexican goat’s milk, with cinnamon churros for dipping on the side. Imagine sipping hints of creamy rice, vanilla, cinnamon and spices twirled with salted caramel, all while nibbling warm churros.
This combo provides a perfect sweet and salty contrast in a glass. And with the Lower East Side location added to the original West Village shop, la Newyorkina makes enjoying this delightful fusion easily accessible from either downtown hub.
Only in New York could an ice cream shop successfully capture all the most craveable convenience store munchies in one amazing milkshake. And that’s exactly what Ample Hills Creamery manages with their Munchies creation.
They flawlessly swirl the ultimate stoner snack fantasy into frozen form – just imagine sinking your straw into a shake blending pretzels, buttery Ritz crackers, potato chips and M&Ms all churned together into vanilla ice cream. Down this saucy sipper while munching some hipster popcorn and you’ve got the ultimate movie night in.
With shops set up across four boroughs, Ample Hills dishes out their Munchies shake along with other punny flavors like Ooey Gooey Butter Cake and It Came From Gowanus at locations including Gowanus, Red Hook and Prospect Park in Brooklyn or the Upper West Side in Manhattan. Prepare your tastebuds and appetite for this hardcore milkshake that brilliantly bottles junk food joy in a cup.
Black Tap
Address: 529 Broome St, New York, NY 10013, United States
Open in Google Maps: Link
Working Hours : Friday, 11 am–12 am
Black Tap takes the milkshake to ridiculous new heights with their now world-famous Crazyshakes crowned by entire slices of cake, whole candy bars and more.
The Churro Choco Taco shake maxes out the gluttony with two churros sticking out of a vanilla custard and chocolate sauce shake topped with whipped cream, chocolate-drizzled rim and an actual Choco Taco ice cream bar perched on top.
Or you can try their bright pink Cotton Candy Strawberry shake overflowing with rock candy, whipped cream, a swirly lollipop and billowing puffs of cotton candy. These fanciful, gravity-defying constructions tend to attract long lines and require serious Instagram documentation.
Luckily, you can also opt for their Classic Shakes in chocolate, coffee, cake batter and other flavors without the over-the-top toppings. With locations now sprinkled across Midtown, SoHo and Flatiron neighborhoods, Black Tap lets you show off or keep it simple when enjoying these beyond rich milkshakes.
Sometimes simple is best when you just want to slurp down an old fashioned malt. Five Guys keeps is straight-up with their milkshakes focusing on flavor instead of fuss. Made with fresh dairy delivered daily, their strawberry shake bursts with just the right creamy tang and fruit essence.
You’ll also find classic chocolate and vanilla shakes along with add-ins like salted caramel or peanut butter. With mini Five Guys joints conveniently tucked into NYC neighborhoods from Tribeca and the Upper West Side to Astoria Queens, stop by to sip a no-frills milkshake just like you remember from childhood.
For bold new frontiers in milkshake exploration, look no further than Ice & Vice’s experimental ice cream flavors transformed into shakes. Their Love N’ Smores creation inventively combines root beer and ginger molasses ice creams churned together then crowned with torched marshmallow topping and graham cracker crumbs.
Or you can try mixing their Sweet Corn & Blueberry Cobbler and Green Tea Pistachio Lovelettes flavors for an unexpectedly delightful milkshake combo. With avant garde ice cream shops in Lower Manhattan and Williamsburg, Ice & Vice constantly pushes boundaries – both in tastes and also by incorporating wine and beer bases.
Their shakes attract the neighborhood hipster crowd while thrilling more classical palates through unique flavor profile mashups.
Shake Shack Theater District
Address: 691 8th Ave, New York, NY 10036, United States
Open in Google Maps: Link
Working Hours : 10:30 am–12 am
No milkshake discussion is complete without an appearance from NYC burger royalty Shake Shack. Known for their fresh custard-based shakes with farmer’s market dairy delivered daily, the Shake Shack lineup offers both classic and seasonal flavors. You can sip on standards like vanilla, chocolate, strawberry and coffee milkshakes rounded out with monthly specials like pumpkin or eggnog varieties.
Half the joy stems from enjoying a thick, creamy accompaniment to their popular Shackburgers and crinkle-cut fries. Yes, the lines still snake out their Midtown and Brooklyn locations. But devoted regulars agree snagging a concrete patio table with a Shackburger and salted caramel shake is well worth the wait.
For a grown-up twist, head to the dessert mogul milkshake bar from Christina Tosi. Milk Bar creations centering around Cereal Milk soft serve put a nostalgic spin the classic shake. Their Crunchy Cereal shake features that signature Milk Bar soft serve blended with crunchy toasted cornflake pieces for fun texture contrast.
Or you can try their Birthday Cake shake swirled with celebratory Birthday Truffles rolled in rainbow sprinkles. With multiple locations in NYC neighborhoods like NoMad, the East Village and Williamsburg, Milk Bar offers the perfect sweet capper for a night out on the town.
Finally, no roundup of New York’s most iconic milkshakes is complete without a visit to Brooklyn Farmacy & Soda Fountain. This old-timey ice cream parlor and diner transports you back to 1920s ambiance while dishing out homemade premium scoops.
Their classic black and white milkshake hearkens back to bygone pharmacy counter days with perfectly whipped vanilla malt twirled with chocolate. Feeling more adventurous? You can try their Rocket shake powered by a double espresso shot or the Rainbow Connection overflowing with sprinkles.
Over in Brooklyn’s Carroll Gardens neighborhood, this cherished institution excels at both classic and contemporary milkshakes crafted from quality ingredients.
Eddie’s Sweet Shop
Address: 105-29 Metropolitan Ave #1, Queens, NY 11375, United States
Open in Google Maps: Link
Working Hours : 3pm–11 pm
No NYC milkshake tour feels fully complete without a trip to Eddie’s Sweet Shop, a city landmark soda fountain continuing traditions first established in 1925.
Step inside its doors on Metropolitan Ave in Forest Hills Queens and you’ll instantly be transported back to decades past thanks to meticulously preserved chrome counters, spinning bar seating and servers in classic white caps and bow ties.
Their malted milkshakes represent old school indulgence at its finest, available in chocolate, vanilla, coffee and strawberry flavors. Every creamy sip tastes like yesteryear thanks to proprietary techniques, real malt powder and only the finest ingredients like homemade hot fudge and fresh cut fruits when in season. Make a pilgrimage to this cherished NYC institution for the quintessential retro milkshake experience.
More Milkshakes Restaurant
| NAMES | ADDRESS | WORKING HOURS | MAPS |
| Ray’s Candy Store | 113 Avenue A, New York, NY 10009, United States | Open 24 hours | Link |
| Davey’s Ice Cream | 309 E 9th St, New York, NY 10003, United States | 1 pm–12 am | Link |
| Big Gay Ice Cream | 516 Columbus Ave, New York, NY 10024, United States | 12 pm–12 am | Link |
| Davey’s Ice Cream | 74 Meserole Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11222, United States | 1pm–10 pm | Link |
Final Words
New York City offers no shortage of indulgent milkshake options whether you crave classic soda fountain simplicity or boundary-pushing experimental flavors. You can create a progressive shake crawl itinerary moving from traditional venues like Eddie’s Sweet Shop and Brooklyn Farmacy to modern hotspots like Ice & Vice and Black Tap.
Or you can dedicate a full day to sampling renowned spots like Shake Shack, Milk Bar and Morgenstern’s across Manhattan alone. However you choose to indulge, icy cold milkshakes make any outing feel a little more special no matter your age. Keep this guide handy for the next time a creamy, nostalgic sipper calls your name on a leisurely city stroll.