Edinburgh’s most marvellous milkshakes

Get that Friday feeling any day of the week at TGI’s. As the chain offers a hearty menu of US-style comfort food (think burgers, fried chicken and ribs), it’s appropriate that it has a range of super thick shakes up for grabs. And as this is an all-day restaurant, you can get yours after dark, as well as during the day. Try a Belgian Choc, a Rocky Road, a Biscoff, Oreo Cookies and Cream, or a Salted Caramel one. All come with lashings of vanilla ice cream and chocolate cream, along with other decadent ingredients. And if you want to keep track of your calories, every item on the menu includes its energy count. If you’d rather not know, just don’t look below the ingredient description! You’ll find two TGI Fridays in town; one on Castle Street, the other out at the Fort (that’s Fort Kinnaird retail park, for those non-native readers).

Want a milky beverage with fewer calories and fat, but plenty of flavour? Opt for a lassi. This Indian speciality is available at venues across the city, including The Prahna Indian Grill. Here you can order a tandoori or a salted caramel lassi, alongside food cooked in the traditional clay tandoor ovens; the dishes have a distinct smoky flavour and are especially good accompanied by some naan bread. If you’re not great with spice, the lassi has an added advantage — it’ll help take the heat out of the food and cold down your palate, ready for some pud.

Seeking a plant-based shake? This vegan cafe and wellness centre around the corner from the St James Centre will give you just that. Holy Cow uses non-dairy milk like coconut and oat to construct a range of shakes including their lip-smacking chocolate and peanut butter hit. All are made with organic and ethically-sourced ingredients, and they can be topped with vegan whipped cream for an extra luscious treat. It’s your eco-shake go-to.

Mimi’s began life at The Shore back in 2010. Now there are six different outlets, so great is the popularity of this place. Hop over to the Canongate branch and strap yourself in for a whole nother level of milkshake; the cake shake. It’s technically a freakshake, or a cake in a glass, depending on how you look at it. Either way, your glass will be full, nay overflowing, with oozing creamy goodness and chunks of cakey variations, such as red velvet. If you’ve room to spare, you can also order fancy multi-tier afternoon teas here too.

Oreo? Check. Malteser? Check. Bueno? Check. The big hitters from the world of crunchy chocolate candy are on the shake list at Butta Burger, along with strawberry cheesecake, for those feeling fruity. Butta Burger has taken up residence on George Street and at the Quartermile, having begun trading during the pandemic. It’s open till late and has outside tables to enjoy your shake in the sun, or beneath the stars.

Located in the heart of the Grassmarket, Mary’s Milk Bar is a beloved Edinburgh institution that serves up some of homemade ice cream and milkshakes in unique, sometimes never to be repeated flavours. Go trad with ingredients like rich chocolate (artisan choccies are also made onsite), or off piste with something like tangy rhubarb. Mary’s milkshakes are made with generous scoops of their house gelato, topped with whipped cream and a variety of fun toppings. Don’t miss the Nutella and banana shake, which is a customer fave. We love the retro vibe of the parlour too. But get there early as popular flavours can sell out fast, particularly during the summer months.