Whether drink or dessert, one thing’s for sure: milkshakes are delicious. Looking for anything from a classic strawberry to an OTT Nutella milkshake topped with a doughnut? This is the list for you, featuring Cape Town’s craziest shakes.

Backyard Cafe (Bergvliet)
This little hidden gem is known for its hearty breakfasts and simple sandwiches and wraps. However, the milkshakes have become the talk of the town, with classic flavours like chocolate brownie and peanut butter stealing the show. On Fridays they also do freak shakes, with flavours inspired by childhood treats such as s’mores and Smarties.

 

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A post shared by The Backyard Cafe (@thebackyardcafe) on Apr 27, 2018 at 1:32am PDT

Burger & Lobster (City Bowl)
Make sure you save room for one of the famous monster shakes here. The OTT options include Ferrero Rocher, Italian Amarena cherry, peanut butter and chocolate brownie, Oreo cheesecake, Peppermint Crisp, and salty pretzel with Nutella.

The Creamery (Claremont, Durbanville, Mouille Point, Newlands)
This local ice cream brand continues to expand its dedicated ice-cream parlours, which offer a range of milkshakes made with any flavour on the ice-cream counter that day. Flavours change with the seasons, but you’ll always find 65% chocolate, sea salt caramel, peanut butter, sweet cream, and Rosetta Roastery coffee on offer. Mint choc-chip, chocolate malt, lemon curd, toasted coconut, and chocolate-orange flavours also make appearances. Those looking for a real treat can keep their eyes open for the strawberry shake topped with a perfectly brûléed marshmallow.

 

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A post shared by The Creamery (@thecreamerysa) on Jan 29, 2019 at 1:16am PST

The Eatery Wood Fired Grill (Claremont)
This steakhouse and grill is a hotspot for more than just its red meat. The impressive gourmet milkshake menu ranges from the classics to the more adventurous, like the Harlem Shake with creamy peanut butter, homemade vanilla ice cream and peanut praline sweets, or the nostalgic flavours of the Wilson Toffee shake, which is made with vanilla ice cream blended with blackstrap molasses. If you’re looking for something a little stronger, opt for one of the dom pedros (AKA adult milkshakes!) made with a range of liqueurs such as Frangelico, Amarula or whiskey.

 

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A post shared by The Eatery Wood Fired Grill (@theeaterygrill) on Oct 31, 2018 at 7:38am PDT

Franky’s Diner (Sea Point)
This 50s-style diner comes complete with red booths and retro shakes in crazy flavours. All are prepared with La Veneziana soft serve ice cream and imported French Giffard syrups, and arrive topped with fresh cream and a maraschino cherry. Sip on the candy apple, coffee nut, or peanut butter and jam flavour. Alternatively, try out the cheeky liquor-spiked shakes in flavours like the Marilyn Monroe (cream liqueur with Bar One spread and soft serve ice cream) and the Audrey Delight (premium vodka with cassis, bubblegum extract and vanilla soft serve).

Gibson’s Gourmet Burger and Ribs (V&A Waterfront)
This popular burger spot offers a huge range of decadently thick shakes to pair with the grub (over 100, to be exact). Try the shake with homemade custard, fresh banana and vanilla bean ice cream; the rocky road with strawberry ice cream, chopped nuts and toasted marshmallows; and the chocolate brownie with a homemade brownie, chocolate ice cream and whipped cream (served with two straws). There are also freak shakes, with options like the Strawberry Freek with strawberry pulp, whipped cream, marshmallows, fresh strawberries, hundreds and thousands, meringue, coconut ice blocks and bubblegum jelly beans.

 

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Hudson’s The Burger Joint (Claremont, Gardens, Green Point and Stellenbosch)
Served in large bowl-like goblets, the milkshakes at this popular burger joint have quite the reputation. No syrups are used and they’re also double thick with no milk added – it’s simply ice cream and the base flavour ingredient. Ingredients include peanut butter, salted caramel, choc-mint, house-made fudge, Bar One, Nutella, strawberry, Oreo and Lindt brownies. There are also spiked options like Amarula and toasted marshmallow, and Kahlua and espresso.

Those Monday Blues

A post shared by Hudsons the burger joint (@hudsonsburgers) on Jul 23, 2018 at 11:00am PDT

My Sugar (Sea Point)
The self-proclaimed OTT milkshakes at My Sugar are creative and super indulgent. Flavours include miso caramel (topped with the popular miso caramel Buddha, cookie butter and butterscotch popcorn); creamy coffee (made with the café’s signature blend); caramelised coconut; and super chocolate. All are topped with vanilla-bean whipped cream and optional extras like a chocolate brownie, a choc-chip cookie, chocolate shavings, white chocolate, cocoa nibs or coffee bean shards.

 

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A post shared by My Sugar (@mysugar_capetown) on Jan 5, 2019 at 4:28am PST

Protea Hotel Fire & Ice (Tamboerskloof)
There’s an overwhelming number of milkshake flavours on offer at this city spot, including 10 spiked grown-up shakes. Some are flavoured with chocolate bars (Aero, Lindt, Peppermint Crisp, Kit Kat and Crunchie), while others are flavoured with fruit (peaches and cream, peanut butter and banana, and toffee apple and fudge). There are also crazy flavours for the adventurous: pumpkin, marshmallows and caramel, or popcorn and Coke float. The spiked options include ones with tequila, peppermint liqueur and caramel vodka.

 

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A post shared by Fire & Ice! CT (@fireandicect) on Jun 19, 2017 at 6:49am PDT

Royale Eatery (City Bowl)
This Long Street burger favourite is known for its burgers and double-thick shakes. All shakes are served with a spoon and wide smoothie straw to make slurping them a little easier. Popular flavours include the choc-brownie with chocolate sauce, Oreos with vanilla ice cream and Jack Daniel’s with peanut butter. There are also nostalgic flavours of Nuttikrust, Romany Creams and Lunch Bar. Fruity shakes are made with fresh fruit pieces or the pulp of bananas, strawberries and oranges. Milkshakes are available in 300ml or 600ml servings. They’ve also added a vegan milkshake offering, so vegans and those who are lactose intolerant can share in the milkshake joy.

 

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tashas (Constantia)
Settle down in the small waffle house alongside the main restaurant and slurp on the range of milkshakes made with Italian full-cream vanilla ice cream. Flavours are more classic, with choices such as strawberry, lime, chocolate, vanilla bean, Horlicks or Bar One. For a burst of freshness, there are also shakes made with freshly squeezed fruit juice, as well as the popular frullatos, made with ice cream, freshly squeezed juice and fresh fruit pieces.

 

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A post shared by tashas Cafe (@tashascafe) on May 26, 2018 at 8:21am PDT

Winelands and beyond

Betty Blue Bistro (Hermanus)
This café offers Hermanus locals and tourists a little taste of sunshine with its bright, wholesome pancake treats. There are also delicious milkshakes on offer. There are the classics like chocolate or bubblegum, plus Peppermint Crisp, lemon meringue, fresh banana, and coffee.

A post shared by Betty Blue Bistro (@bettybluebistro) on Dec 13, 2016 at 3:39am PST

Cold Gold (Stellenbosch)
Sweet-toothed foodies can order any flavour of the available ice creams, sorbets, vegan ice creams and banting ice creams in milkshake form. There are normally around 70 flavours of ice cream in stock at any given time, with options such as cappuccino-caramel swirl, honey-and-cinnamon crunch, chocolate rocky road, salted-caramel cheesecake, and white chocolate with toasted coconut. The normal milkshakes are made with scoops of ice cream and full-cream milk, and all ice cream is prepared using organic and local ingredients, with no artificial colourings, flavourings or preservatives.

The Fat Butcher (Stellenbosch)
This meaty grill house also offers a range of creamy, decadent milkshakes for which you’ll absolutely want to save space. There are the regular options like strawberry, chocolate and lime, or more exciting creations like Oreo, honeycomb, Bar One, and Toffie.

The Hickory Shack (Elgin)
The milkshakes here are as good as the brisket. Flavours are fairly simple, with vanilla bean, lime, berry, and chocolate cookie available.

Thirsty Scarecrow (Stellenbosch)
This popular craft beer and pub grub spot offers picturesque views and creamy shakes. The milkshake range is concise but exciting, and all are made with real dairy ice cream and no syrups. Options include the apple-pie shake, made with vanilla ice cream and apples cooked with cinnamon, sugar and butter. Other more cheeky flavours include lemon meringue, banoffee, coconut, milk tart, strawberry tequila, ginger-beer float and stout-beer float.

Tiger’s Milk (Stellenbosch)
Regardless of your craving, Tiger’s Milk has you covered. They have a tidy list of classic flavours, as well as an Outrageous Oreo, Deadly Bar One and Killer Nutty Caramel. Yum.

 

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A post shared by Tiger’s Milk Restaurant & Bar (@tigersmilkza) on May 23, 2018 at 4:36am PDT

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