Updated: August 6, 2026
In this guide
Because I think we all kind of deserve a tasty treat today.
Let’s face it, the world can often be an awful and terrifying place. One moment there’s millennials trying to destroy every (mediocre) institution in American culture, the next there’s the looming threat of a nuclear apocalypse. It’s enough to make you want to hide under the covers and never leave your house again.
Fortunately, one thing exists that makes all it better. One guiding force that shines brightly in the grim darkness that is society. One lonely consolation that provides soothing comfort for all that ails the human condition. That one glimmering truth, of course, is the almighty milkshake. Whenever the world gets a little mean and it feels like everything around you is consumed by an insatiable dumpster fire, you can always depend on that smooth frozen goodness to get you through the day.
So here’s a list of the best places in Columbus to pick up the icy treats, you know, in case anything going on in the current news cycle has you down and in the dumps.
Jump to: Flip Side | Shake Shack | Sugar Rush | Shake No Ei8ht | Johnson’s | HangOverEasy | Diamond’s | The Yard | For the Love of Dough
| Spot | Neighborhood | Known for |
| Flip Side | Easton | Burger-and-shake pairing |
| Shake Shack | Short North, Easton, Dublin | Classic chain shakes at three locations |
| Sugar Rush Columbus | Reynoldsburg | Bakery-loaded milkshakes |
| Shake No Ei8ht | University District | Eight signature shakes |
| Johnson’s Real Ice Cream | Bexley | Old-school shakes since 1950 |
| HangOverEasy | Campus and Olde Towne East | Brunch with mason-jar shakes |
| Diamond’s Ice Cream | Sawmill | Mexican-style shakes and paletas |
| The Yard | Short North | Over-the-top mason-jar builds |
| For the Love of Dough | Essex Ave | Cookie-blend shakes |
Flip Side
Flip Side holds down the burger-and-shake formula at Easton, and the shakes aren’t an afterthought. The full name is Flip Side Burgers and Shakes, and the kitchen takes the second half as seriously as the first.
Where: 3945 Easton Station, Easton
Shake Shack
Another burger joint known for great shakes, Shake Shack has made quite the impact since arriving in Columbus. Three locations are up and running around the city now, and the Dublin one has Ohio’s first Shake Shack drive-thru. Grab a burger, wash it down with a milkshake, don’t worry about the fact that it’s a chain restaurant for once and just enjoy life friends.
Where: 740 N High St, Short North; 4005 The Strand W, Easton; and 3734 W Dublin-Granville Rd, Dublin
Sugar Rush Columbus
Sugar Rush runs a bakery and a milkshake bar under one roof, which means the shakes come dressed in the bakery’s own work. The counter is stacked with cakes and cookies, so nobody leaves with just a shake.
Where: 8114 E Broad St, Reynoldsburg
Shake No Ei8ht
The concept at Shake No Ei8ht is right there in the name: eight signature shakes, built tall and priced like the meal they basically are. There’s also a Birthday Shake for anyone whose day deserves the full production, birthday or not. The shop sits on High Street a short walk from campus.
Where: 1537 N High St, University District
Johnson’s Real Ice Cream
This fourth-generation, family-owned ice creamery has been serving the Central Ohio area since 1950. With multiple locations, Johnson’s is serving up some of the best ice cream and milkshakes you’ll find in the entire city.
Where: 2728 E Main St, Bexley
HangOverEasy
HangOverEasy is one of my favorite spots to grab brunch, even when I’m not hungover. Mostly because they have a great selection of milky, creamy goodness in the form of milkshakes.
Where: 1646 Neil Ave, University District and 51 Parsons Ave, Olde Towne East
Diamond’s Ice Cream
This Mexican-style ice creamery offers delicious and decadent dishes. You can also try the paletas, ice cream popsicles made using a variety of flavors and ingredients. Or just go with this amazing fruit stuffed beauty right here, there’s no way you can go wrong with that.
Where: 5461 Bethel Sawmill Center, Columbus
The Yard
There’s nothing quite like the massive milkshakes from The Yard. These whopping treats are full to the brim, offering both dairy and non-dairy options. The best part is that you get to take your mason jar with you when you go!
Where: 1055 N High St, Short North
For the Love of Dough
For the Love of Dough made its name on cookies, and the milkshakes are those cookies blended into local ice cream. Their own menu calls the result straight-up cookie chaos. The kitchen runs out of Buckeye Food Stop on Essex Avenue, with online ordering for pickup and delivery.
Where: 1282 Essex Ave, Columbus
