Cream of the crop – Canberra’s best milkshakes

The milkshake. One of the most loved drinks for generations. A mix of milk, ice cream and flavouring, the milkshake has fast become a cafe staple.

While many well-known cafes in Canberra are serving up their best fancy shakes, we decided to dig a bit deeper and look to the places that are a bit harder to find.

So here is where to find the best milkshakes in Canberra based on value for money, atmosphere and taste.

Lindt Chocolate Shop in Fyshwick

One of the hidden places to get a milkshake is at the Lindt Chocolate Shop in the Canberra Outlet Centre, Fyshwick. The store not only sells an abundance of chocolate, but a variety of drinks made from their chocolate. The Lindt store sells two types of milkshakes. The Lindor milkshakes are made with the Lindor Balls and Lindt ice cream, and you can select from a wide selection of flavours such as mango and cream, salted caramel, hazelnut cream or stracciatella. You can also get a Lindt decadent milkshake, where customers can choose from 70 per cent dark chocolate, milk chocolate or vanilla white chocolate. All of the milkshakes are $8, which is expensive for the small container you get. The salted caramel milkshake was strong in flavour but had little crunchy bits which were unexpected. The atmosphere left a bit to be desired due to the limited seating options in the corner of the shop.

Value for money: 3/5

Atmosphere: 2.5/5

Taste: 3.5/5

Overall score: 9/15

Tilba Milk Stand at the Capital Region Farmers Markets

The Capital Region Farmers Markets are abundant with fresh food and drinks, so it comes as no surprise that milkshakes are available there too. The Tilba Real Dairy stall, from the South Coast, sells milk, cheese, yoghurt and of course milkshakes. The milkshakes are made with the milk from the Tilba Jersey cows, which makes the shakes extra creamy. For just $5 you get a large milkshake (regular flavours available) in a takeaway cup, so it is easy to walk around with while looking at the other stalls. The milkshake is of great value but the taste was a bit lacking in comparison to others. What lacks in the milkshake is made up for it with the atmosphere, because who doesn’t love walking around the Famers Markets on a beautiful Saturday morning?

Value for money: 4.5/5

Atmosphere: 4/5

Taste: 3.5/5

Overall score: 12/15

Grease Monkey in Braddon

Despite being known as one of the best burger places in Canberra, Grease Monkey, located in Braddon’s hip Lonsdale Street, also does a cracking milkshake. I was a bit sceptical going in because they are not known for milkshakes or desserts. But I was impressed! Grease Monkey has a ‘flavours of the week’ for their milkshakes, so they are constantly changing. The two options available when I went were the classic Strawberry or Chocolate Malt. I couldn’t go past the strawberry. It was super creamy and had a sharp strawberry kick. The milkshakes are $8, which is pretty expensive but the serving size is quite generous. The milkshake was served in a takeaway paper cup. I found this to be disappointing as I was having the shake at the restaurant and expected it to be in a glass. The atmosphere was slightly disappointing too. The inside seating area was a bit dark and the service wasn’t great.

Value for money: 3.5/5

Atmosphere: 3/5

Taste: 4/5

Overall score: 10.5/15

Pushy’s Cafe in Fyshwick

One of the more unusual places to get a great milkshake in Canberra is at Pushy’s Bike Warehouse in Fyshwick. The bike shop, located in Newcastle Street, has its own cafe BSpoke within the shop, and here you can find great value milkshakes. There is nothing fancy about their milkshakes, just good old fashioned flavours all served in the classic metal containers. The serve size is generous for the small price tag of $5.50. The strawberry milkshake packs a strong flavour and is creamy but not too filling. The atmosphere is really unique. One side of the store lets you sit near all the bikes, whereas the other sits you at the lounge areas or at the tables near the windows.

Value for money: 5/5

Atmosphere: 4/5

Taste: 4/5

Overall score: 13/15

Frugii in Braddon

Located on popular Lonsdale Street in Braddon, the Frugii Dessert Laboratory is fast gaining popularity. Nigella Lawson, an English food writer and cooking show host, even tried some of their famous desserts when she visited Canberra recently! Handmade ice cream is their speciality, with a variety of different and usual flavours. Customers can choose their milkshake flavour based on which flavour ice creams are being sold. Some of the more unusual flavours available on the day I went were Mojito, Bergamot, and Oat and Honey Biscuit. But the salted caramel milkshake that is a must try! Served in a small glass beaker, the milkshake is super creamy, made with the best natural ice cream. There is a strong caramel flavour but you can also taste the salt. The setting is small but cute, with wooden benches and smaller tables available. There are two sizes available, costing $7 for a small size and $9 for a large size.

Value for money: 4/5

Atmosphere: 4/5

Taste: 5/5

Overall score: 13/15