San Diego has some really incredible options for food. Whether it’s Cali burritos, pizza, burgers, and more, San Diego have a wide variety of options. But don’t let the awesome array of food choices in front of you blind you to the drinks. Specifically, the milkshakes.
San Diego has some of the best milkshakes anywhere. Don’t believe us? Then use this handy list of great milkshake spots to go out there and try them for yourself. Use it to discover the best milkshake in San Diego and, therefore, the world.
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Hodad’s
📍 5010 Newport Ave. Ocean Beach CA 92107
Hodad’s has great milkshakes. No, we don’t mean that Hodad’s has great milkshakes for a burger joint. Hodad’s milkshakes are better than anything you would find in most ice cream shops, too.
These shakes are made the old fashioned way, with a giant scoop of ice cream (and we do mean giant), syrup drizzled over the top, and even malt, if you want it. These shakes are a great accompaniment for Hodad’s famous burgers. But be warned: both burgers and shakes are huge, so come with an appetite.
Beef ‘n Bun
📍 2477 Fletcher Pkwy, El Cajon, CA 92020
This is another simple burger joint that does an incredible milkshake. In fact, the shakes are so incredible here that you could even say they are the primary reason to come to the Beef ‘n Bun.
And they have such a great selection of interesting flavors, too! The chocolate peanut butter shake is something that you really shouldn’t miss. But, then, so is the mint shake with Oreo crumbles. And the chocolate banana shake is pretty unforgettable, too.
In fact, there are so many flavor combinations here that you could spend a year exploring them all. And we heartily recommend that you do just that, too.
Cali Cream Homemade Ice Cream
📍90 N Coast Hwy 101 Suite 101, Encinitas, CA 92024
If you want to know why Cali Cream Homemade Ice Cream’s milkshakes are so unforgettable, the answer’s right there in the name. This place makes all its ice cream itself, the old fashioned way. And believe us, you can really taste the difference.
They make more than 50 different flavors available to lucky customers every day, so there’s quite a range of shakes to choose from. The banana créme shake is one of the best shakes you will ever taste. And so is the banana cream pie / peanut butter parfait shake. Of course, the apple turnover shake is quite unique and scrumptious too.
Don’t take our word for it, though. Go find out for yourself. You can thank us for the recommendation later.
Mr. Frosties
📍 1470 Garnet Ave, San Diego, CA 92109
This place has been in business for more than 70 years, and it shows. And by that we mean that the Mr. Frostie’s crew really knows what it is doing. The ice cream they use is really top-quality stuff. The portions are large. They offer some really interesting and different flavors, too, like the cake batter shake.
But the basic classics like the simple chocolate shake are very well done too, and well worth your time. There are also all kinds of interesting mixings that you can use to create even more wild flavors, such as berries. It’s a pretty good value for the dollar, too, so this is a great place to take the whole family out for shakes.
Slater’s 50/50
📍 2750 Dewey Rd #193, San Diego, CA 92106
If you want to try something different in the milkshake line, and we mean something really different, then head on down to Slater’s 50/50. You’ll have the chance to try things that you could never get anywhere else. Take the maple bacon milkshake, for example. Yes, you read us right, maple bacon milkshake. Alright, it’s not going to be everyone’s cup of tea (er, shake) but it has a loyal, even fanatical, fan base.
And then there are the alcoholic milkshakes, like the Guinness beer and mint chocolate chip shake. Again, not for everyone, but the people who like them really like them. What Slater’s is most famous for is its Nutella milkshake, though. As our words cannot do it justice, we suggest you go and try it for yourself.
Corvette Diner
2965 Historic Decatur Rd, San Diego, CA 92106
If you like the whole 1950’s diner vibe, then this is the place for you. And what more fitting setting for a milkshake? They’re made from scratch, here. We recommend the cookies ‘n cream shake but, really, there are no wrong choices at the Corvette Diner.
Remember, they don’t take reservations here, so you may have to wait on the weekends. There is bar seating if you’re lucky enough to snag one. In fact, you may want to bring someone to share one with, perhaps in that classic 50s “1 shake, 2 straws” setup.
On the weekends, at the top of every hour, the staff at the Corvette Diner dances 1950’s style which will definitely put a smile on your face.
Harry’s Coffee Shop
📍7545 Girard Ave, La Jolla, CA 92037
The name might declare this place to be a coffee shop, but they make a good shake here, too. Of course, you don’t have to choose, because you can get a shot of espresso added to your milkshakes to give them that extra kick.
What Harry’s is really famous for, though, is its surfer shake. It’s a mixture of vanilla, peanut butter, and banana. Take it from us, it’s a really awesome flavor combination. It also gives you that combination of protein and sugar that a surfer really needs so, if you’re a surfer, before you next hit the waves, fuel up at Harry’s first.
Midway Classics Malt Shop
📍3625 Midway Dr Suite B, San Diego, CA 92110
The name on this one’s a better indication of the kind of shakes you can get here: classic malted milkshakes. The chocolate malt milkshake is mouthwatering. Classics Malt Shop is another 1950s style diner, so the meals are meant to be eaten with shakes, and they go very well with them.
If you’re a fan of the classic burger and malted milkshake pairing, this is one place you can’t miss, because they really do it right, here.
