We’ve all seen the Instas. We’ve heard our friends detail their Black Tap experience and we’ve all been jelly. Here’s the thing, folks: Waiting on line for 2 hours just feels wrong. NYC is a big place and there are other amazing (if not better) milkshakes to devour. Start crossing these bad boys off your list. Maybe by then, Black Tap won’t be cool anymore and the line won’t be balls-to-the-wall long.
1. The Burgary
Photo courtesy of @calebthill on Instagram
Can you say ‘shake goals?’ Damn.
2. Emack & Bolio’s
Photo courtesy of @emackandbolios on Instagram
Ummm, hi. This is technically an Oreo frappe lined with Nutella, but we’re gonna call it a milkshake. It’s definitely not as healthy as these milkshakes, but still.
3. Melt Shop
Photo courtesy of @meltshop on Instagram
This place has my two favorite things in one place: grilled cheese AND milkshakes.
4. Big Gay Ice Cream
Photo courtesy of @biggayicecream on Instagram
Let me introduce to you the ginger-curry milkshake. What the what?
5. Big Daddy’s NYC
Photo courtesy of @bigdaddysnyc
It’s like a damn carnival in your mouth. That’s right folks, this is a cotton candy milkshake. P.S., cotton candy grapes are a thing?
6. Harlem Shake
Photo courtesy of @cheycheyfromthebay on Instagram
Hi there, red velvet milkshake. My name is Gilly and I’m gonna destroy you.
7. BareBurger
Photo courtesy of @bareburgernyc on Instagram
BareBurger is super-duper good because it’s organic ‘n shiz. Why not top of your healthy meal with a ridiculously tasty milkshake?
8. OddFellows Ice Cream Co.
Photo courtesy of @oddfellowsnyc on Instagram
This piña-colada milkshake comes complete with booze. Party time, excellent.
9. Hill Country Chicken
Photo courtesy of @hcchicken on Instagram
This is called a pie shake and it is, wait for it, le-gen-dairy. Get it? I said dairy.
10. Lexington Candy Shop
Photo courtesy of @lexingtoncandyshop on Instagram
I’m straight-up mesmerized by all of these pastels. I want them all and I want them now.
11. Brooklyn Farmacy
Photo courtesy of @brooklynfarmacy on Instagram
Such sprinkles. Much vanilla. Very wow. Doge-approved.
12. Shake Shack
Photo courtesy of @shakeshack on Instagram
I’m like hey, what’s up, hello. Getting food? Hack the menu with these tips.
13. Steak ‘N Shake
Photo courtesy of @steaknshake on Instagram
Oreo and red velvet came together to make this delicious milkshake baby.
14. Bill’s Bar and Burger
Photo courtesy of @billsbarandburger on Instagram
I can’t guarantee that you will get a candle on your milkshake, but I can guarantee that you’re gonna devour it.
15. Morgenstern’s
Photo courtesy of @jonastheprince on Instagram
Morgenstern’s naturally had an ice cream dedicated to Kanye West, so it’s safe to say that they know what’s up. This is called the ‘Young Metro,’ which is reason to buy it alone.
16. Nespresso Boutique
Photo courtesy of @sanantoniofoodguy on Instagram
You (yes YOU) can even get a delicious chocolate-coconut milkshake from a freakin’ Nespresso Boutique.
17. Schnipper’s
Photo courtesy of @camillamarcel on Instagram
Fancy toppings are great and all but at the end of the day, a plain chocolate or vanilla milkshake is where it’s at.