Milkshakes have always been an ice cream shop favorite for all ages to enjoy. Flavors like vanilla, strawberry and chocolate are classic options loved by many.  However, in recent years, this popular dessert has been reinvented. Think Instagram-worthy creations with whacky combinations and toppings galore. For sweet treats enthusiasts feeling brave, we’ve rounded up 13 places in NJ where you can get your hands on these over the top milkshakes.  Subculture – Jersey City, NJ

If you want to feel nostalgic about your childhood, Subculture is the perfect place for you. This restaurant located in downtown Jersey City is plastered with ‘80s and ‘90s memorabilia ranging from iconic film posters to a Nintendo system. Besides their old-school vibe, their menu has a special section dedicated to their take on over-the-top milkshakes. One fun offering you can order is “The Pink Panther”— a strawberry milkshake with vanilla frosting, pink sprinkles, whipped cream, cotton candy and a Ring Pop. 

Another option is the “Obi-Wan Cannoli” which is a cannoli-flavored milkshake with vanilla frosting and a chocolate sprinkle rim topped off with whipped cream, powdered sugar and a cannoli. You can even accompany your milkshake with a sandwich or chicken fingers.  View this post on Instagram A post shared by Christopher J. Johnson (@the_wndrfull_wzrd) Surreal Creamery – New Brunswick, NJ 

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What happens when bubble tea meets ice cream? They come together to create the ultimate mouth-watering combination. At Surreal Creamery, their signature Floteas and Mason Jar Specials are their top menu items. Starting off with their Floteas, there are different combinations to choose from: Taro Bubble Tea with Matcha Ice Cream, Matcha Bubble Tea with Taro Ice Cream and Earl Grey Bubble Tea with Earl Grey Ice Cream, just to name a few.  Mason Jar Specials from Surreal Creamery in New Brunswick, NJ | Photo by Bertha Solis

Mason Jar Specials from Surreal Creamery in New Brunswick, NJ | Photo by Bertha Solis

Their Mason Jar Specials are an overall explosion of sweetness. One option is the “Matcha Made in Heaven” which includes matcha ice cream, Lucky Charms and caramel syrup. Another option is the “Chocolate Blackout” which has chocolate ice cream, chocolate crunch, chocolate syrup, Cocoa Puffs and Oreos. Their milkshake flavors vary with options including matcha, taro, strawberry and chocolate with the choice to add toppings such as caramel cookies, almond cookies, lady fingers and more. Pink Ice Cream – Clifton, NJ 

At Pink Ice Cream, you are more at liberty when it comes to creating your very own crazy milkshake combo. Customers get to choose their very own flavors ranging from the classics – vanilla, strawberry and chocolate – and others such as rum raisin, red velvet, cake batter, banana and strawberry cheesecake. You can also choose to top off your milkshakes with candy such as lollipops, Pixy Stix and Airheads. There are no limits when it comes to building the milkshake of your dreams. View this post on Instagram A post shared by ???The ᗷEST IᑕE ᑕᖇEᗩᗰ ? (@pinkicecream243) Mr. Geez – Lyndhurst, NJ

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Mr. Geez in Lyndhurst, NJ is known for serving both breakfast and lunch dishes from Tuesdays to Sundays, as well as over-the-top milkshakes. At this establishment, they call them their “Special Extreme Shakes.” Listed on the menu, there are three options: the Raspberry Cheesecake, Waffle Maple Walnut and Brownie Black & White. If you aren’t ready to go full on with these new crazy shakes, Mr. Geez also has regular milkshakes as an alternative.  View this post on Instagram A post shared by Mr.Geez (@mr.geez_eatery) Brownstone Pancake Factory – Multiple NJ Locations

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With various locations of the Brownstone Pancake Factory, this beloved business has a rich history which sprung from a family’s love for the food industry. For over 45 years, Brownstone Pancake Factory has brought breakfast, lunch and dinner dishes to the masses ranging from pancakes to char-grilled burgers. They even have what they call their “Ultimate Insane Milkshakes.” 

Some of their signature milkshakes include the Oreo Cookie Cake Shake; a cookies and cream milkshake decorated with a chocolate frosted rim and topped with a sliced Oreo cookie cake, chocolate sauce, Oreo cookies and whipped cream. Next up, there’s the Maple Bacon Brunch Shake; a vanilla milkshake mixed with maple syrup and topped with mini pancakes, mini waffles and bacon. With locations in Edgewater, Brick and Englewood Cliffs, there is enough of these sugar-packed shakes to go around.  View this post on Instagram A post shared by Brownstone Pancake Factory (@brownstone_pancake_factory) Coney Waffle – Multiple NJ Locations

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The first Coney Waffle location opened in Belmar, NJ back in 2016. Since then, the ice cream chain has expanded to other parts of NJ – Red Bank, Long Branch and Asbury Park. Their menu lineup includes ice cream cups and cones, ice cream cakes, floats and their towering two-feet Sideshow Shakes. Once again, there are many milkshake flavors to select from for your crazy milkshakes. What makes these shakes at Coney Waffle iconic are the crazy amount of toppings used. They include giant lollipops, cotton candy, caramel corn, chocolate-covered pretzels and more. You may need a family member or friend to help you scarf down this sugary-filled treat. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Coney Waffle (@coneywaffle) Echo Tap & Grille – Mountainside, NJ 

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Located right on Route 22 East, this restaurant, bar and lounge spot is a place that shouldn’t be skipped upon. Echo Tap and Grille has a wide variety of draft beers, food options and exciting milkshake choices if you have space for some dessert. You can choose between a number of flavors such as vanilla, coffee, chocolate, pistachio, strawberry and Oreo. These milkshakes are then topped off with various candies ranging from sour to sweet, ice cream cones, sprinkles, cereal pieces and other sweet treats. Be prepared to be surprised with these crazy shakes at Echo Tap & Grille. View this post on Instagram A post shared by foodE (@food.e__) Sugar Factory – Atlantic City, NJ 

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Hence its name, Sugar Factory is known for its menu items that will satisfy any sugar-related cravings. You can go for their old-fashioned milkshakes, but if you are willing to take it to the next level, their “Insane Milkshakes” are a perfect way to end a night out in Atlantic City. They have seven different creations such as the Nutella Banana Milkshake which is a vanilla ice cream concoction mixed with Nutella and banana pieces and toppings include a unicorn lollipop, whipped cream and a candy necklace. 

If you are looking to spice up your milkshake, the Campfire Spiked S’mores Milkshake may be what you need. It is a chocolate and coffee ice cream base mixed with espresso, toasted marshmallow, a splash of Virginia Black Whiskey and a seven layer s’more cookie. Sugar Factory will have you on edge while trying out their take on these over-the-top milkshakes.  View this post on Instagram A post shared by Larmmy Ogidan-Odeseye (@larmmy_d) Milk and Cream Cereal Bar – Jersey City, NJ 

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This beloved cereal bar was highly successful in NJ’s neighboring state, New York. This led to Milk and Cream Cereal Bar opening its first ever NJ location in downtown Jersey City in 2020. Its menu lineup features many ice cream treats but with the addition of cereal. If you are looking to get a milkshake, you can choose one topping, cereal base and flavored syrup of your choice. Some of their cereal options include Apple Jacks, Cap’N Crunch, Cinnamon Toast Crunch, Froot Loops and more.

If you are unsure of what should go into your milkshake, Milk and Cream also has their signature combinations you can try out for yourself. Some of their listed concoctions are the Froot Berry Bliss; a Froot Loops, berries, Fruity Pebbles and gummy bears mixture. Or, try Cocoa Dough; a Cocoa Puffs, brownie bites and cookie dough mixture. View this post on Instagram A post shared by MILK & CREAM CEREAL BAR (@milkandcreambar) Yella’s – Hawthorne, NJ 

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Yella’s in Hawthorne, NJ has been a family-owned business since 1967 . Their menu consists of many American classics such as burgers, subs, and deli classics. Yella’s also offers a range of milkshakes. Their hand-spun milkshakes are a great add-on to your meal. Flavors such as salted caramel, vanilla, chocolate and strawberry make up the list. 

For any bold eaters, Yella’s has some daring creations to choose from. You can try out the Dreamsicle which is a vanilla and orange sherbert shake with toppings including whipped cream, orange sprinkles and a dreamsicle bar. If you are in a festive mood, Yella’s Birthday is a great option; it’s a vanilla shake with  whipped cream, caramel sauce, birthday cake cannoli and rainbow sprinkles. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Yella’s ? (@yellas_original) Maple Valley Diner – Clifton, NJ

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No diner trip is complete without a milkshake at the end of your meal. If you are the kind of person who likes adding Nutella to your desserts, Maple Valley Diner has a Nutella milkshake which includes the popular hazelnut spread mixed in with rich chocolate ice cream. As an homage to an American classic, the Peanut Butter and Jelly Milkshake made with vanilla ice cream mixed with peanut butter and strawberry syrup will bring you back to your childhood.  View this post on Instagram A post shared by Maple Valley Diner (@maplevalleydiner) Jam Burger – Garfield, NJ

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The restaurant Jam Burger in Garfield likes taking ordinary milkshakes to the next level. To compliment their various burger selections, you can enjoy their signature shakes. If you are a strawberry milkshake lover, you can opt for the Strawberry Shortcake milkshake topped with strawberries, whipped cream and a strawberry crunch dessert bar. For chocolate enthusiasts, the Jam Chocolate will satisfy your cravings. It’s made up of all things chocolate like Hostess chocolate cupcakes, chocolate bar pieces and whipped cream. These milkshakes will help balance out the savoriness from the burgers.   View this post on Instagram A post shared by JAM BURGER (@jamburgernj) Cookie Connect – Multiple NJ Locations 

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Rated as one of NJ’s best spots to get cookies, The Cookie Connect was founded by two college students who started off by just baking cookies. They eventually grew a massive following throughout the Garden State which led to The Cookie Connect being featured on publications such as Food Network and Thrillist. Besides cookies, they have an innovative Cereal Ice Cream Bar. Currently, they offer the Cereal Shake where customers can choose which cereal they want added in their shake, add extra toppings like Oreos or sprinkles and a drizzle of flavored syrup.  View this post on Instagram A post shared by The Cookie Connect (@thecookieconnect)

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Will you be going to any of these over-the-top milkshake places in NJ? Let us know in the comments! best ice cream spots in njcentral jerseyice cream in NJmilkshakes in njmost popular dessertsnew jersey dessertsnew jersey foodnew jersey foodiesnew jersey summernorth jerseyover the top milkshakes in njSouth Jerseysweet treatswhere to get milkshakes in nj

Bertha is currently a junior at Rutgers University-Newark. She is interested in writing about fashion, lifestyle, arts / culture and most importantly - food! When she's not writing, she loves spending time with her golden retriever dog, Gizmo.

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