The 10 best milkshakes in NYC to try right now
We found the very best milkshakes in NYC at classic soda fountains, brand-new scoop shops and a matcha tasting cafe
A milkshake is one of life’s simple pleasures. Many shops serve the treat as traditional as it comes, but the very best spots prove just how much magic can be spun from the classic, crowd-pleasing combo of ice cream and milk. All across the city, you’ll find versions at old-school diners, over-the-top creations blended with slices of cake from the city’s best bakeries and ice cream shops that know their way around swirls of soft serve and other cream, dreamy desserts.
At counters all over the city, expect playful milkshakes that highlight house-made flavors, showcase small-batch production and tell the stories of the families who first created them. Whether you’re team chocolate, vanilla, licorice or durian, there’s a shake somewhere in New York City that will hit the spot.
September 29, 2025: Colder weather has never kept New Yorkers from chasing down a good milkshake. This fall, lean into local scoop shops’ autumnal flavors like Ample Hills’ Falling for Pumpkin, made with Libby’s pumpkin puree, marshmallow swirl and cinnamon cone pieces. It’s a cozy seasonal shake made for those of us still clinging to the dog days of summer. Whether you’re warming up inside a diner booth or strolling brisk city blocks with a shake in hand, the humble milkshake is a treat worth sipping all year long.
Photograph: Nycfoodmuse
Bananarama at Harlem Shake
What is it? There's more than just shakes at Harlem Shake—in fact, there's a full menu of cravable diner fare—but you might stop by just for their eponymous drink. It’s made with Blue Marble ice cream and a slice of local Make My Cake red velvet cake, all mixed up into a milkshake that’s super thick, pleasingly pink and topped with sweet red velvet crumbs.
Why we love it: Make My Cake’s red velvet is one of the city’s very best, born out of a home-based business that’s been churning out beloved cakes for the neighborhood for over 20 years. While it might seem impossible to one-up a platonically perfect slice of cake, Harlem Shake has managed to do just that.
Time Out tip: Order your Harlem Shake alongside the restaurant’s cult-favorite Hot Mess burger, which is made with Pat LaFrieda beef, pickled cherry peppers, bacon and smoky chipotle mayo, and sweet yam fries. It’s a meal that’s salty, sweet and more than likely to make you want to come back tomorrow to do it all again.
Address: 100 W 124th St, New York, NY 10027
Opening hours: Sun–Thu 11am–11pm; Fri, Sat 11am–2am
Expect to pay: $7 for a small; $9 for a large seasonal shake like the Banarama, made with an organic dark chocolate base and Habrio bananas.
To see the full list, view the article here: https://www.timeout.com/new-york-kids/restaurants/the-best-milkshakes-in-nyc