This month I decided that a milkshake challenge was in order. My favourite growing up had been a double thick malted banana shake from Happy Days, but where is the best milkshake in Harare today? I ordered the small or regular option if there was one and took the advice of the establishment if they recommended a particular flavour and this was the result.
1. Deanos, Avondale. 9/10
Crème Caramel flavour. I had no words for a few moments because this is actually an exquisite offering. A thick magical shake with rich but not over powering flavour, a good quality ice cream in the mix and even sprinkles of crushed ‘crunchie’ bar on top! $4.
2. 40 Cork Road, Avondale. 8/10
Caramel & Vanilla flavour. The ‘Tutti Gelatti’ kiosk they have set up does milkshakes a real service offering shakes with any 2 scoops of about 30 flavours of ice cream & fresh milk. I could have spent more time here and will definitely be back. $4.
3. Antique Rose Café, Ashbrittle. 6/10
Banana flavour. I had secretly hoped for something a bit special from here as I really like this café and they easily have the thickest shake on offer but I felt banana syrup was a cop-out from using fresh banana and maple syrup which would be more their style. $5
4. Bridge Spar, Groombridge. 5.5/10
Banana flavour. A tough call against the budget Creamy Inn offering 30 seconds away. You can definitely taste the ice cream quality but in the end this is just another syrup shake. It comes out on top but only just. $4.
5. Creamy Inn, Groombridge. 5/10
Banana flavour. The franchise does well against a lot of the more ‘upmarket’ establishments because so many shakes rely on syrup for the flavour. The soft serve is the only let down here. Otherwise top effort. $3.
6. Pistachio, Borrowdale Village. 5/10
Bubblegum flavour. Another establishment that I expected a touch more from. This shake is quite passable but nothing to write home about. I liked that they didn’t try to drown me in flavour and the ice cream is decent quality but that’s all. $4.
7. Vali’s, Kensington. 5/10
Banana flavour. They have an exciting ice-cream deli on site but unfortunately this has no bearing on the milkshake which is a rather average banana-syrup-heavy affair that I feel lets them down on the usual Vali’s reputation. $4.
8. Mugg & Bean, Borrowdale Village. 4.5/10
Strawberry flavour. This shake had an interesting creamy taste to it but I found it really hard to push through and finish this because the strawberry flavour was so sickeningly sweet. Great if you have an extra sweet tooth but not for me. $4.
9. Café Nush, Avondale. 4/10
Coffee biscuit flavour. It sounded more exciting than it was as in the end this was basically an iced coffee with far too much bitter coffee taste for my liking but more importantly this milkshake was easily the least thick of all the shakes I tried. $4.
10. Flavour Burst, Arundel Village. 3/10
Chocolate flavour. A really unenthusiastic milkshake. So, so uninspired. The ice-cream itself I think is where the problem starts but I was disappointed and would only get another shake from here in a life or death situation. $4.

Where do you get your favourite shake? Let us know!