Over The Top Milkshake Shops in Philly to Add to Your Bucket List

Nothing completes an awesome meal or even cools you down on a hot day like a milkshake.

Everyone has their favorite selection when it comes to these frosty treats. Now we have unique milkshake flavors topped with glazed donuts and slices of birthday cake. Even if you’re not a big fan of ice cream or sweet things, you will surely give in to Philly’s incredible milkshakes.

From new entrants dishing out gourmet creations piled with plenty of toppings to classic spots with pretty much-untouched recipes since the 50s, here are the best milkshakes in Philadelphia.

Instead of getting ice cream, why not get a milkshake. To explore some of the best milkshakes spots in Philly, make sure you get a virtual GiftYa gift card. These cards are easy to use and you can load any amount onto your debit card and enjoy. If you’re sending one to your friend, make sure you add a special message to make the experience even better!

The Franklin Fountain

116 Market St, Philadelphia, PA 19106 franklinfountain.com

An old-time space with bow-tie-wearing staff serving classic ice cream flavors, shakes, and fountain treats!

When you come to The Franklin Fountain you will be greeted by the extremely beautiful layout, an extensive menu, and bow-tie-wearing staff ready to serve you whatever you want. Although they serve incredible ice cream treats such as caramelized banana, mint chocolate chip, and sea salt caramel, they have delicious milkshakes that are worth trying.

Diners can choose from up to three flavors and also select their thickness and topping too including whipped cream, malted milk powder, and chocolate syrup. If you want to try the signature floats, you can never go wrong with the Orange Dreamland, a combination of orange and vanilla sodas, whipped cream, and vanilla bean ice cream, or the popular Ladies Choice with peach ice cream, raspberry soda, whipped cream, and raspberry compote.

You can also order some baked goods to enjoy along with your shake with options such as the chocolate chip cookie, hot brioche waffle with powdered sugar, and a brownie with a scoop of ice cream. If you want, you can build your own hot ice cream sandwich with your choice of toppings and enjoy it with your shake!

Craftsman Row Saloon

112 S 8th St, Philadelphia, PA 19107 craftsmanrowsaloon.com

Laid-back hangout featuring leather banquettes and serving burgers, American classics, plus mouth-watering milkshakes!

At this Center City shop, you will find quite a number of unique shakes that are sure to cool you off no matter what time of the day. They serve non-alcoholic shakes that come topped with delicious treats such as a hefty sprinkle of favorite sugary cereals, or chocolate chip cookies pieces, depending on the flavor you want.

Enjoy classics such as the Brotherly Love with Hershey's chocolate, tasty cupcakes and Kandy kale, peanut chew, and Amish pretzel stick. Try the S’more Than Good, their popular take on a summer campfire dessert that comes with some toasted marshmallows, graham crackers, and Hershey's chocolate. Adult milkshakes are a favorite selection for many too. Not just spiked, but also developed to bring out the best in their featured alcohol.

Make sure you try the 3 Strikes and You’re Stout, which is made using rich chocolate stout and liquor. The Cherry Lee Lewis is also a great treat here and it’s served with cherry vodka and dark chocolate. If you’re feeling hungry, they serve awesome burgers such as the Cheesesteak Burger with chopped steak, smashed patties, American fried onions, and martin’s potato roll, or tasty sandwiches such as the Hot Honey Chicken Mac served with mac and cheese, fried chicken, and sriracha honey.

They also serve signature cocktails, wine, specialty cans, and beer in case you want to try something alcoholic!

Shake Shack

3200 Chestnut St, Philadelphia, PA 19104 shakeshack.com

Counter-serve spot known for serving delicious burgers, frozen custard, and other classics!

It’s all in the name and the frozen treats of this New York-based nook back that up. The evident, colorful interior takes you back to the old days and you will surely enjoy a flavorful shake as you sink into the cool atmosphere that rocks this spot. They use cage-free eggs as well as natural sugar to make their frozen custards, which form the base for their hand-spun shakes.

Make sure you try popular treats such as jelly coconut and peanut butter, banana brulee, mocha banana malted, or the red licorice. If you like something traditional try flavors such as strawberry, chocolate, or even vanilla.

Also, grab an antibiotic-free burger in flavors like strawberry, caramel, vanilla, and fair trade coffee to enjoy with your shakes

Bassetts Ice Cream

45 N 12th St, Philadelphia, PA 19107 bassettsicecream.com

A Neighborhood spots serving over 40 flavors of ice cream, and delicious shakes!

Since 1861, Bassetts Ice Cream has been creating homemade ice creams, making it one of the oldest ice cream spots in the country. This fifth-generation family business is also a full-service frozen dessert distributor, offering incredible products and exceptional service. The creamy and quality ingredients such as Madagascar vanilla beans are what have kept the company a Philly favorite since the turn of the 20^th century.

The menu features over 40 different ice cream flavors including the popular Guatemalan Ripple and Gadzooks. That said, nothing compares to enjoying your favorite shake while relaxing at the marble counter in the Reading Terminal Market. Make sure you order specialty shakes such as Peanut Butter Dream served with crushed butter cups and whipped cream, Chocolate Overload with some dark chocolate chip and sprinkles, or even the Cookie Madness that comes with chocolate cookie sandwich pieces and whipped cream.

The Root Beer Float blended and drizzled with gourmet root beer sauce is also a great treat if you want something with a little bit of alcohol. The menu also features tart frozen yogurt with strawberries that will surely cool you off on a hot afternoon!

Scoop DeVille Ice Cream – Midtown

1109 Walnut St, Philadelphia, PA 19107 scoopdevilleicecream.com

Casual eatery to get name-your-own ice cream flavors and a variety of toppings including custom cakes!

At Scoop DeVille, everything is just colorful and delicious. Established in 1989, this neighborhood nook has provided Philadelphians and tourists, with the most incredible ice cream experience in town.

The most outstanding thing at Scoop DeVille is their custom Blends that allow you to create your own flavor of soft serve on the spot. Whether you want banana-flavored or the one with bacon, they have hundreds of mix-ins and combinations that will surely satisfy your cravings.

Enjoy popular items such as Gourmet milkshakes with a choice of toppings. Also, enjoy delicious blends such as the Pb Cookie Crunch which includes vanilla ice cream blended with peanut butter cookie dough, cap’n crunch cereal, and Orea, or Smoreo which is vanilla ice cream or yogurt blended with Nutella, Oreos, golden Grahams, and topped with marshmallow fluff.

If you’re in the mood for something different try the vegan milkshake and you can use the Deville method to create your own flavor and add toppings of choice!

Joe's Steaks + Soda Shop

1 W Girard Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19125 joessteaks.com

Retro icon spot popular for its cheesesteaks and classic shakes as well as fountain sodas!

For over six decades, Joe's Steaks + Soda Shop has been serving Philadelphians the best cheesesteaks in town and signature shakes. While it was rebranded a couple of years ago with a more PC name, its dedicated cheesesteaks, floats, homemade sodas, sundaes, and milkshakes remain the same.

While banana splits and egg creams are popular menu items, the extra-thick shakes are the outstanding shakes ordered most often. Enjoy standard flavors such as vanilla, strawberry, mint chocolate chip, black and white, and chocolate, with malt and banana available for an additional charge. They also have a “Shake of the Month,” which is typically a seasonal flavor such as egg nog, candy corn, apple pie, or pina colada.

If you want something to eat, make sure you order one of their sandwich with a choice of American, whiz or provolone. Gluten-free rolls are also available and you can have either a small or large size.

Häagen-Dazs Ice Cream Shop

242 South St, Philadelphia, PA 19147 icecream.com

Counter-service chain offering scoops of ice cream and sorbet plus shakes, sundaes, and smoothies!

Start the summer with a bang with milkshake flavors you will never forget. Check out Häagen-Dazs Ice Cream Shop where you get super delicious and smooth classics no matter what time of the day you come in.

If you are in the mood for shakes, make sure you try the house's special Mocha Milk-less Shake, Neapolitan Strawberry Vanilla Shake, Outshine Mango Turmeric Smoothie Bowl, Tangerine Turmeric Ginger Smoothie, or the Pumpkin Coconut Smoothie.

Sorbets are also available and you can sample the Lemon Sorbet which includes juicy, sun-ripened lemons to create a tart fruit sorbet or the Raspberry Sorbet which features delicious raspberries blended into a smooth puree. Gluten-free options are also available on order.

If a milkshake is your way of having a good time, then you must look for the best flavor in the best spot that serves it exactly the way you like it. Philly has plenty of milkshake spots to grab your treat, but these will surely tick all your boxes. Try a couple of milkshakes in town and let us know your experience in the comments!