Best milkshakes in Vancouver

Nothing quite beats indulging in a sweet, creamy milkshake on a humid summer’s day. Now, thanks to a bounty of eateries and drinking spots in and around Vancouver stirring up both old fashioned and modern milkshakes Vancouverites can enjoy these milky delights whenever the craving arises.

Topped with whipped cream, injected with a shot of booze, or combined with interesting flavour pairings, here’s our list of the best milkshakes in Vancouver.

What’s Shaken

The motto at What’s Shaken, a shop solely dedicated to making great-tasting shakes, is “You’re the boss.”  Customers can either pick from the extensive menu selection or build their own shake from scratch. In addition to their classic shakes (which include chocolate, vanilla malted and strawberry cream) What’s Shaken also whips up old fashioned ice cream floats, as well as a range of creatives shake combos such as apple pie, S’mores, and raspberry key lime.

Most of the shakes at What’s Shaken are made with vanilla ice cream as the base, however they also provide a non-dairy ice cream base for the lactose intolerant or vegan customers.

Address: 586 Davie Street
Phone: 604-559-8813
Website: www.whatsshaken.com

Moderne Burger

In addition to serving a mouthwatering range of burgers, Moderne Burger offers a selection of Deluxe Milkshakes and Malts. At $5.35, these creamy concoctions served in a metal cup include vanilla, chocolate, strawberry, creamsicle, coffee, coffee mocha, and
chocolate covered cherry. Located in Kits, this classic diner garnishes their milkshakes with whipped cream and a cherry on top. Malts are served neat (without whip). For those who request an extra thick shake or malt simply add on $1.25.

Address: 2507 West Broadway
Phone: 604-739-0005
Website: www.moderneburger.com

The Cannibal Café

The Cannibal Café on Commercial Drive is a local burger joint favourite, owing in no small part to the authentic milkshakes ($5.49) stirred up in-house. While strictly nostalgic milkshake flavours are listed on the menu (vanilla, chocolate and strawberry), those seeking something a little less innocent, should ask in-house about The Cannibal’s boozy shakes.

Address: 18181 Commercial Drive
Phone: 604-558-4199
Website: www.cannibalcafe.ca

Save on Meats

Save on Meats is good for a lot of things, and their take on the classic milkshake is just one of them. Available in a variety of flavours, such as chocolate, coffee, banana, butterscotch and vanilla, S.O.M’s milkshakes ($4.95) are thick and deliciously creamy.

For those of age, also on offer are a variety of hard shakes ($8.49 for a single and $11.49 for a double). These alcohol-forward shakes include: Thick London Fog; Warm Polar Bear; Irish Mist, and The Legendary Shake, which is made with Wild Turkey Bourbon, bacon, milk, chocolate ice cream, whip cream and bacon bits.

Address: 43 West Hastings Street
Phone: 604-569-3568
Website: www.saveonmeats.ca

Glenburn Soda Fountain & Confectionary

Located in North Burnaby, this quaint, old-fashioned soda shop is a must-visit for anyone with a sweet tooth, let alone for those who crave a milkshake. With a retro themed interior, Glenburn Soda cries of yesteryear and just like its decor which has taken inspiration from the 1940 and 1950s so has the menu which offers sundaes, egg creams, floats and of course the soda shop’s signature milkshakes. Mixed before your eyes, Glenburn Soda whips up a wonderfully creamy selection of milkshakes, which includes dreamy flavours like butterscotch, chocolate, vanilla, strawberry, coffee and banana.

Address: 4090 Hastings Street, Burnaby
Phone: 604-500-4548
Website: www.glenburnsoda.com

Acme Café

For a great shake in Gastown you can’t go past the creamy delights on offer at Acme Café. Served with a maraschino cherry, whipped cream, and the excess in a steel cup, Acme pours sweet, lip-smacking vanilla, chocolate and strawberry milkshakes ($5.50). Customers at Acme Café have the choice to accompany their blended beverage with two shots of fresh Espresso or 1.5 oz of liquor (Baileys, Kahlúa or Grande Marnier) if so desired.

Address: 51 West Hastings Street
Phone: 604-569-1022
Website: www.acmecafe.ca

Lucy’s Eastside Diner

This 24-hour greasy spoon joint is known for their heaping portions of burgers and fries, as well as their stellar milkshakes. These soft-serve based concoctions are thick (not so thick they will clog the straw) and come in two different sizes. The Original is 26oz and sells for $5.25 and the JR. (junior), is about 12oz and costs $3. Aside from a range of classic flavours like chocolate, strawberry, vanilla, peanut butter and Oreo, Lucy’s Eastside Diner also whips up Crème de menthe, root beer, cinnamon, coconut, banana, caramel, and mango shakes. These shakes are, of course, all kid friendly, but for adults the diner also offers Boozy Shakes.

Address: 2708 Main Street
Phone: 604-568-1550
Website: www.facebook.com/lucyseastsidediner