Perched on the corner of Fortitude Valley’s Winn Lane, cult favourite Ben’s Burgers not only dishes up some of the best burgers in Brisbane but also some killer shakes. Ignore the post-burger full belly and stick a straw into a decadent chocolate Hershey’s, vanilla bean or mind-blowing strawberry jam shake. Retro haven South Side Diner boasts the usual suspects of chocolate, vanilla bean and strawberry plus a few more indulgent options such as peanut butter, coconut and salted caramel. If you’re craving a splash of the good stuff, opt for the ‘hard’ Tootsie Roll featuring vanilla vodka, crème de cacao brown, milk and vanilla ice-cream, or the peanut nutter of vodka, Frangelico, peanut butter syrup, milk and vanilla ice-cream. New Farm local Bitter Suite has gone all out with its genius lemon meringue pie milkshake and a peanut butter concoction featuring either banana or chocolate and topped off with Reese’s peanut butter topping and whipped cream. Those who like to keep it simple can opt for the chocolate, vanilla, caramel, strawberry, coffee or banana versions.

Cowch in South Bank is famous for its decadent desserts so it’s not surprising the team is also talented at churning out luscious shakes in the form of cookies and cream, Tim Tam, peanut butter, chocolate and choc-banana. Meanwhile, 1940s-inspired diner NKB Express in Indooroopilly is pouring chocolate Hershey’s and chocolate Oreo shakes, as well as strawberry, vanilla and caramel. In South Brisbane, Hoo Ha Bar is luring punters away from the beer taps with its new and improved salted caramel milkshake with pink Himalayan salt and the classic peanut buttercup shake, while the Southside Tea Room is blending Oreo and Nutella into cracking shakes and will also be churning out a patriotic Tim Tam option on Australia Day. Woolloongabba’s Pearl Cafe is known for its decadent homemade butterscotch, chocolate ganache, strawberry jam, vanilla bean and espresso shakes, while in Stones Corner, Shady Palms Cafe & Bar has been winning palates with salted caramel and housemade nutella options. If you like yours with a tot of alcohol, swing by Chester Street Bakery and Bar in Newstead for a spiked chocolate, strawberry, caramel or espresso shake, Alfred & Constance in Fortitude Valley for a spiked caramel, chocolate, strawberry or vanilla milkshake, or Chur Burger around the corner for a spiked vanilla, strawberry, salted caramel, Milo or coffee shake featuring Heilala vanilla.

The legendary Nutella, banoffee and vanilla milkshakes from Philip Johnson’s epic Howzat Burger in Brisbane City have caused quite a stir, with the Nutella shake also popping up alongside the line’s burgers at The Triffid live-music venue in Newstead. Paddington’s Ruby Cafe is also known for its iced concoctions, while Ohio Cafe in Clayfield pours all the usuals as well as gourmet options such as chocolate truffle, French vanilla, white chocolate and Indian chai. Brisbane City workers can get their shake fix at Gramercy Coffee, where salted caramel numbers will be poured until the end of this week, before changing to a dreamy banoffee pie shake featuring shortcrust crumbs, caramel sauce, banana and whipped cream from next week. Further afield, Milk Cafe in Ashgrove offers a bulky range of milkshakes and thickshakes on Zymil, soy or regular milk, with sorbet or ice-cream, from the indulgent Turkish delight or caramel tart to refreshing spearmint leaf or lime whirl. Perched on the rise of Highgate Hill, Lucky Duck Cafe & Bar is also pouring vanilla, chocolate and berry-choc shakes, as well as Canadian Bombs featuring a deliciously dangerous fusion of chocolate, banana, espresso, maple syrup and ice-cream. Drink responsibly, Brisbane.