Venice Beach, with its eclectic vibe and sun-kissed atmosphere, offers more than just breathtaking ocean views. It's also a haven for milkshake lovers! From classic concoctions to innovative creations, the area boasts a diverse range of spots serving up some of the best milkshakes in Los Angeles. This guide explores 14 must-try milkshake destinations in Venice, ensuring your next visit is as sweet as it is memorable.
Classic Creaminess: Traditional Milkshake Havens
These spots offer the comforting familiarity of classic milkshakes, perfectly executed with quality ingredients.
1. The Milky Way Diner: A Retro Delight
The Milky Way Diner is a Venice institution, embodying the charm of classic American diners. Their milkshakes are thick, creamy, and made with real ice cream, delivering a nostalgic treat. They offer all the standards – chocolate, vanilla, strawberry – and often have seasonal specials. Don't miss their malted milkshakes for an extra layer of richness.
- Standout Feature: The nostalgic atmosphere perfectly complements the classic milkshake experience.
2. Soda Jerks: A Blast from the Past
Soda Jerks maintains the spirit of old-fashioned soda fountains. Their milkshakes are handcrafted with a focus on quality ingredients and generous portions. Expect thick, creamy shakes with a delightful sweetness. They frequently rotate seasonal flavors, keeping the menu exciting.
- Standout Feature: The attention to detail and commitment to traditional milkshake-making techniques.
Elevated Experiences: Gourmet Milkshake Destinations
These establishments take the milkshake to the next level, incorporating unique flavors and high-end ingredients.
3. Salt & Straw: Artisan Ice Cream, Exceptional Shakes
Salt & Straw is known for its inventive and seasonally-inspired ice cream flavors. Their milkshakes are equally exceptional, showcasing the same dedication to quality and creativity. Expect unexpected flavor combinations and a truly gourmet experience.
- Standout Feature: The use of unique, high-quality ingredients and innovative flavor profiles.
4. Diddy Riese: Cookie-Milkshake Perfection
Diddy Riese is famous for its warm cookies, but their milkshakes are equally enticing. You can customize your milkshake by selecting your favorite cookie to blend into the creamy base. This combination of warm, gooey cookies and cold, refreshing milkshake is a must-try.
- Standout Feature: The unique combination of warm cookies and a creamy milkshake.
5. Felix Trattoria: Italian-Inspired Indulgence
While known for its Italian cuisine, Felix Trattoria also offers delicious milkshakes with an Italian twist. Expect rich, creamy shakes possibly incorporating Italian flavors or ingredients. Check their menu for seasonal offerings.
- Standout Feature: The unexpected Italian flair in their milkshake creations.
Unique & Inventive: Milkshakes with a Twist
These spots offer milkshakes that go beyond the ordinary, incorporating unique ingredients and unexpected flavors.
6. Gjelina: A Hipster Haven with Delicious Shakes
Gjelina is a trendy Venice spot known for its farm-to-table cuisine. Their milkshakes, reflecting this ethos, often feature fresh, seasonal ingredients. Expect inventive flavor combinations that change with the season.
- Standout Feature: The use of fresh, seasonal ingredients and inventive flavor combinations.
7. The Butcher's Daughter: Vegan Delights
The Butcher's Daughter offers a completely vegan menu, including their decadent plant-based milkshakes. These shakes prove that vegan can be incredibly creamy and satisfying, utilizing innovative plant-based milk alternatives and creative flavor combinations.
- Standout Feature: The delicious and creamy vegan milkshake options.
8. Blue Star Donuts: Donut-Milkshake Synergy
Blue Star Donuts, known for its gourmet donuts, often features creative milkshake options that perfectly complement their donut offerings. Imagine a milkshake infused with the flavors of your favorite donut!
- Standout Feature: The innovative combination of donuts and milkshakes.
Hidden Gems: Undiscovered Milkshake Treasures
These lesser-known spots often provide surprisingly delicious milkshakes.
9. Nighthawk: Breakfast Burritos and...Milkshakes?
While primarily known for their breakfast burritos, Nighthawk often features surprising and delicious milkshake options. Their unexpected milkshake offerings might be the perfect complement to a late-night burrito craving.
- Standout Feature: Unexpected milkshake options to complement their famous breakfast burritos.
10. Ahi Poke: A Surprising Milkshake Stop?
While primarily a poke restaurant, some Ahi Poke locations offer refreshing and delicious milkshakes as a complement to their menu. Check their location for availability.
- Standout Feature: Unexpected milkshake options in a non-traditional setting.
Beyond the Beach: Milkshake Destinations Nearby
These spots are located slightly outside Venice but still worth a short trip for a milkshake fix.
11. Sweet Rose Creamery (various locations): A Classic Choice
Sweet Rose Creamery is a beloved Los Angeles ice cream shop with several locations, including some within reach of Venice. They offer classic and inventive milkshake options with high-quality ice cream as the foundation.
- Standout Feature: High-quality ice cream and a range of classic and creative milkshake choices.
12. Carney's (various locations): A Local Favorite
Carney's is a well-loved local ice cream shop chain known for its delicious ice cream and classic milkshakes. With several locations, finding a nearby Carney's is often easy and convenient.
- Standout Feature: Delicious ice cream and classic milkshake recipes.
Luxury & Indulgence: Premium Milkshake Experiences
These establishments provide truly elevated milkshake experiences.
13. The Tasting Kitchen: Upscale Milkshake Indulgence
The Tasting Kitchen offers an upscale dining experience that extends to its dessert menu. Expect sophisticated and exquisitely crafted milkshakes that match the restaurant's refined culinary vision.
- Standout Feature: The sophisticated and expertly crafted milkshakes within a fine-dining atmosphere.
14. Gracias Madre: Organic Vegan Milkshake Oasis
Gracias Madre is a popular organic vegan restaurant known for its delicious plant-based dishes and drinks. Their milkshakes reflect their commitment to organic and fresh ingredients, resulting in incredibly creamy and satisfying vegan shakes.
- Standout Feature: Commitment to organic, fresh ingredients in their vegan milkshakes.
This list provides a diverse range of milkshake options across Venice and its surrounding areas, catering to various tastes and preferences. Whether you crave a classic treat or an inventive creation, Venice has a milkshake waiting for you. Happy sipping!
