There is perhaps nothing more refreshing than an ice-cold, creamy milkshake during the summer. We don’t know what it is, but the combination of ice cream, milk, and other sweet treats makes for a super indulgent dessert — and a nostalgic one to boot. Whether enjoyed by yourself with one straw or splitting with a date in a diner, we’ve rounded up some of the best spots to enjoy a milkshake in the Essex County area. Read on for a list of where to get milkshakes in Essex County.
Allwood Diner | 913 Allwood Road, Clifton
(Photo credit: @theallwooddiner)
There is truly something special for everyone at the Allwood Diner in Clifton. The picturesque pancakes, french toast, and deluxe waffles make excellent partners to one of the menu’s nine milkshakes. We recommend the funky monkey, a fantastic shake full of chocolate ice cream, peanut butter, fresh banana, and chocolate sauce.
CARS: Sandwiches & Shakes | 150 Valley Road, Montclair
(Photo credit: @eatatcars)
CARS: Sandwiches & Shakes is a classic late-night Montclair spot known for its fat sandwiches. There are many sides to pair with a shake, such as french fries, churros, and funnel cake balls. When it comes to flavors, customers can choose from mint, peanut butter cup, banana split, and strawberry.
Read More: The Best Northern NJ Ice Cream Shops to Try
Chocolate House | 1131 Main Street, Paterson
(Photo credit: @chocolatehousenj)
Chocolate House in Paterson has so many mouthwatering desserts. From gooey cakes to extra chocolatey crepes, everything tastes just as good as it looks. We recommend the classic, crazy, or cereal shakes. These cereal shakes incorporate classic breakfast cereals such as Fruity Pebbles, Cocoa Pebbles, Dunkaroos, or Cinnamon Toast Crunch into your dessert experience.
Diesel + Duke | 39 Glenridge Avenue, Montclair + 455 Bloomfield Avenue, West Caldwell
(Photo credit: @eatdiesel)
Diesel + Duke’s has three classic milkshake options to choose from — and a pro tip here is to grab some french fries and dip them in the chocolate, vanilla, or cherry vanilla shake. If you are looking for something even sweeter, the delicious fried Oreos make for a super sweet treat.
Holsten’s Ice Cream, Chocolate & Restaurant | 1063 Broad Street, Bloomfield
Holsten’s is known for awesome ice cream and having been featured on The Sopranos. Plus, it’s been around since 1939, so the team’s had a lot of practice making ice cream. It also serves up breakfast, burgers, sandwiches, and other savory options to have pre-milkshake (or alongside a milkshake — we don’t judge). As for milkshake options, there are so many flavors that it’s almost overwhelming. Black raspberry, butter pecan, chocolate chip cookie dough, coconut chip, and maple walnut are just a few of the many, many choices.
Maple Valley Diner | 1116 US-46, Clifton
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(Photo credit: @maplevalleydiner)
From gooey Nutella pancakes to scrumptious Fruity Pebble French toast, the Maple Valley Diner in Clifton has so much to satisfy any sweet tooth. Flavors like s’mores, blueberry cheesecake, carrot cake, and orange dreamsicle make up the menu. We once again recommend getting a side of French fries or waffles fries and dipping them in that shake. What can we say, it’s a killer combo.
Montclair Nutrition | 41 Glenridge Avenue, Montclair
(Photo credit: @montclair.nutrition)
Montclair Nutrition has over twenty protein-filled milkshakes to choose from. Diners can pair their drink with protein-packed doughnuts or waffles. Fantastic flavors such as thin mint, cinnamon toast, and banana mocha all come with toppings such as marshmallows, fruit, and sprinkles. You can also try flavored tea, workout boosters, recovery shakes, and protein coffee at Montclair’s go-to protein and energy spot.
Mr. Geez | 500 Schuyler Avenue, Lyndhurst
(Photo credit: @mr.geez_eatery)
Mr. Geez is a contemporary, casual dining option for quality- made-from-scratch food. You will find an assortment of delicious omelets, crepes, and salads here. A highlight here is the specialty extreme shakes which include flavors such as raspberry cheesecake, waffle maple walnut, and brownie black and white.
Pink Ice Cream | 243 Parker Avenue, Clifton
Pink Ice Cream, nestled in the Botany Village section of Clifton, is a colorful dessert wonderland. Its signature dish is the Crazy Milkshake where you can create your own flavor and add toppings such as Pixie Sticks, Pocky, and cookies. This is a great spot to unleash your sweet tooth and craft an Instagram-worthy milkshake at Pink Ice Cream.
Shake Man | 467 Bloomfield Avenue, Verona
Located roadside on Bloomfield Ave, Shake Man is a hidden gem of a creamery. With origins in New York City, Shake Man made its way to 467 Bloomfield Avenue in Verona in 2023. On its menu are sweet treats like Italian ice, ice creams, refreshers, specialty desserts, and, of course, Spoon Shakes + milkshakes. One of its Spoon Shakes to try out is the Sweet Thang Spoon Shake, a thick shake made of vanilla soft-serve, M+M’s, Snickers, Twix, and caramel sauce.
Sip N’ Swirl | 510 Main Street, Little Falls
(Photo credit: @sipnswirl)
Sip N’ Swirl in Little Falls is the place to go for a handspun milkshake. Diners can pick from one of the amazing homemade flavors that a worker will swirl for you to sip. There are flavors such as cannoli, mint chip, rum raisin, and butter pecan. You can find pints of its ice cream at various ShopRites, Green Grover Food Hub in Bloomfield, Ma’ Gourmet Market in Hoboken, and many more locations around New York and New Jersey.
See More: Unique Ice Cream Spots in Hoboken + Jersey City
Stuffed Grass Fed Burgers | 150 Valley Road #1, Montclair
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(Photo credit: @stuffed_grassfedburgers)
For those craving a freshly baked cookie or fresh-cut fries, Stuffed Grass Fed Burger is a great place to pair either of these dishes with one of its seven milkshake flavors. It even has a vegan option — the vegan vanilla milkshake is made with vegan vanilla ice cream and oat milk.
Sugar Tree Cafe | 358 Passaic Avenue, Nutley
(Photo credit: @sugartreecafe)
Sugar Tree Cafe has amazing milkshakes and more to choose from. The colorful interior is fantastic for Insta-worthy photos. All the milkshakes are served in a classic glass jar and topped with whipped cream. There are flavors like red velvet, chocolate salted caramel, and s’mores. The vegan joy and strawberry shake are even vegan, dairy-free, and gluten-free. The waffle or deep-fried French toast are great dishes to pair with one of these shakes.
