5 spots to get awesome milkshakes in Shanghai

From boozy to fruity to downright sinful, we've rounded up the best milkshakes Shanghai has to offer.

Charlie's

Hands down, Charlie's has the best milkshakes in town. In fact, the team has a rule: if they stick a straw in your shake and it falls over, you get it for free. But trust us, that will never happen, as all the shakes are thicker than thieves. The Peanut Butter Brownie shake (55RMB) is the most indulgent ice cream dream you will ever find – of course it's uber-thick, but also uber-rich, uber-decadent; packing in a totally insane amount of peanut butter, chunks of brownies and chocolate ice cream. And that's not all – fall in love with a super creamy avocado shake with vanilla ice cream, or even the classic strawberry. Basically, these shakes can do no wrong.

Charlie's 91 Changshu Lu, near Changle Lu, Jingan district.

Bistro Burger

Definitely home to Shanghai's most famous boozy shakes, Bistro Burger does these treats right. Find flavours like the 'All Nighter' (Kahlua, Baileys, coffee liquor and vanilla ice cream), 'Caribbean Dream' (piña colada mix, Malibu, melon liquor and vanilla ice cream) or 'Grandma's Treat' (caramel toffee liquor, bourbon and vanilla ice cream), each for 55RMB. Best of all, your giant shake comes with a big shiny cup of what's left in the blender.

Bistro Burger 291 Fumin Lu, near Changle Lu, Xuhui district.

Carl's Jr

Might not be the most luxurious around town, but a 'hand scooped' shake at Carl's Jr. is a totally tasty steal at only 19RMB. Choose from the classic flavours – vanilla, chocolate, strawberry or Oreo – and of course that comes topped with whipped cream. Done deal.

Carl's Jr 169 Wujiang Lu, near Maoming Bei Lu, Jingan district.

Gracie's

Gracie's ice cream is a hit on its own, so it's no surprise that it shines in shake form. For 50RMB you can make a milkshake from any flavour of ice cream, whether that's Half-baked cookie dough, London Fog, malt with sea salt and dark chocolate, miso caramel or one of the special seasonal blends. Plus, you can add a shot of booze (we're keen on Baileys) for 20RMB. Get one of these babies at the Gracie's counter at Al's Bakery, or at Al's Diner's Xiangyang Lu and Xinle Lu locations. 

Gracie's 204 Xinle Lu, near Donghu Lu, Xuhui district. 

Munchies

A diner food institution in Shanghai, Munchies is always a reliable spot for a simple but delicious milkshake. Its chocolate peanut butter shake has been a popular Time Out pick for years, but other flavours, like Berry Blast, are certainly worth a try, too.

Munchies 974 Wuding Lu, near Jiaozhou Lu, Jingan district.

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