17 New York Soda Fountains Still Stirring Real Phosphates And Hand-Spun Shakes
New York has always been a mix of old and new, and a few spots around the state still hold onto that vintage charm. Some classic soda fountains are still in business, serving up phosphates, egg creams, and milkshakes just like they did generations ago.
There’s something comforting about sitting at a counter, hearing the clink of glassware, and watching someone mix a drink by hand. It’s not just about the sugar rush, it’s about stepping into a small piece of New York history that still feels alive.
1. Eddie’s Sweet Shop, Forest Hills, Queens
This spot opened in 1909 and hasn’t lost its charm. The wooden booths creak a little when you slide in, and the tin ceiling reminds you of another era. Every sundae gets made with care, topped with real whipped cream and a cherry.
The milkshakes here are thick enough to stand a spoon in. They use metal cups and mix everything by hand, just like they always have. No shortcuts, no modern tricks.
People line up outside on weekends, willing to wait for a taste of something genuine. The place stays busy because it delivers exactly what it promises.
2. Brooklyn Farmacy & Soda Fountain, Carroll Gardens, Brooklyn
Set inside an old pharmacy from 1920, this spot kept the original fixtures and turned them into something special. The marble counter gleams under vintage lighting, and the atmosphere feels both historic and welcoming. They serve phosphates and egg creams that taste just right.
The menu includes classic sodas and creative ice cream sundaes with quirky names. Everything gets made fresh, and you can watch the process from your seat. The staff knows their craft and enjoys sharing it.
Locals and visitors both appreciate the attention to detail here. It’s not trying to be trendy, just honest about what it offers.
3. Dichter Pharmacy & Soda Shoppe, Inwood, Manhattan
This place still operates as a real pharmacy, with the soda fountain tucked in the back. It’s been serving the neighborhood since 1954, and the recipes haven’t changed. You can pick up a prescription and grab an egg cream on your way out.
The counter seats only a handful of people, making it feel intimate and unhurried. They mix phosphates with fruit syrups and seltzer, creating fizzy drinks that taste like summer. The shakes come in metal cups, cold and satisfying.
Regulars stop by weekly, treating it like their personal hideaway. The place survives because it stays true to its roots.
4. Old John’s Luncheonette, Upper West Side, Manhattan
Tucked into a quiet block, this luncheonette has been around since 1948. The counter runs along one wall, with swivel stools that squeak when you turn. They serve breakfast and lunch, but the real draw is the soda fountain in the corner.
Hand-spun shakes come out thick and creamy, made with real ice cream and whole milk. The egg creams get mixed with precision, creating that perfect foam on top. Nothing fancy, just done right.
Neighborhood folks treat this place like their kitchen away from home. It’s reliable, unpretentious, and always consistent.
5. Peter Pan Donut & Pastry Shop, Greenpoint, Brooklyn
Open since 1953, this bakery also runs a small soda fountain that most people overlook. The focus is on donuts, but the milkshakes deserve attention too. They’re made with simple ingredients and mixed by hand, creating something satisfying without any fuss.
The pink and white decor hasn’t changed much over the decades. You can grab a donut and a shake, then sit at the counter watching the neighborhood go by. It’s a quiet spot that doesn’t need to shout about what it offers.
People come here for the donuts but leave remembering the shakes. Both are worth the visit.
6. Fishs Eddy Café, DUMBO, Brooklyn
Connected to the housewares store, this café brought back the soda fountain tradition with authentic equipment. They serve phosphates, egg creams, and hand-spun shakes using classic techniques. The space feels bright and clean, with vintage touches mixed into a modern setting.
The staff takes pride in making drinks the old way, even though the location is newer than most on this list. They use quality ingredients and don’t cut corners. The menu includes creative sundaes alongside traditional options.
It’s a nice spot to take a break while exploring the neighborhood. The combination of old methods and fresh energy works well.
7. Platter’s Chocolate Factory, North Tonawanda
This chocolate factory has been making sweets since 1939, and the soda fountain came along early in its history. The counter offers a front-row seat to watch chocolates being made while you sip a hand-spun shake. The combination of fresh chocolate and classic fountain drinks creates something special.
They use their own chocolate in the shakes and sundaes, giving everything a rich, distinctive flavor. The phosphates and egg creams follow traditional recipes, mixed fresh for each customer. The space smells like cocoa and vanilla, making it hard to leave empty-handed.
It’s a working factory that welcomes visitors, sharing both products and process. The experience feels genuine and generous.
8. Krisch’s Restaurant & Ice Cream Parlour, Massapequa, Long Island
Since 1958, this family spot has been serving Long Island with homemade ice cream and classic fountain drinks. The interior feels warm and inviting, with booths along the walls and a counter for solo visitors. Hand-spun shakes come in generous portions, made with their own ice cream.
The phosphates and egg creams follow traditional recipes, mixed fresh for each order. Families fill the tables on weekends, celebrating birthdays and making memories. The staff treats everyone like neighbors, which most of them are.
It’s the kind of place that anchors a community. People grow up here and bring their own kids back later.
9. Hildebrandt’s, Williston Park, Long Island
Operating since 1927, this place knows exactly what it’s doing. The soda fountain equipment is vintage but well-maintained, producing shakes and phosphates that taste like they should. The ice cream is made in small batches, keeping flavors fresh and interesting.
The decor mixes old photographs with vintage signs, creating a museum-like quality without feeling stuffy. You can sit at the counter or grab a booth with your family. Either way, the service is friendly and efficient.
Generations of Long Islanders have passed through these doors. The place earns its longevity by staying consistent and caring about quality.
10. Bridgehampton Candy Kitchen, Bridgehampton, Long Island
This spot opened in 1925 and still uses the original soda fountain. The counter stretches along one side, lined with chrome stools that spin. They make egg creams, phosphates, and hand-spun shakes using recipes that haven’t changed in decades.
The atmosphere feels relaxed, even during busy summer months when the Hamptons fill up. Locals and visitors mix together at the counter, united by their appreciation for something authentic. The staff works steadily, never rushing but always moving.
It’s a rare find in an area that’s changed dramatically over the years. The place holds its ground quietly.
11. Lexington Candy Shop, Upper East Side, Manhattan
Walking into this place feels like stepping back to 1925. The original counter, chrome stools, and vintage equipment haven’t changed much over the years. You can still order a real egg cream or a hand-spun shake made the old-fashioned way.
The staff works behind the same marble counter that’s been there for generations. They know the recipes by heart and take pride in keeping things authentic. Nothing here feels rushed or fake.
Families come back year after year, bringing their kids to experience what they remember from their own childhood. It’s a living piece of New York history that refuses to fade away.
12. Hicksville Sweet Shop, Hicksville, Long Island
This sweet shop has been around since 1925, outlasting most of its competitors. The soda fountain sits in the back, still functioning and still popular. They serve phosphates, egg creams, and hand-spun shakes using methods that haven’t changed much over the decades.
The front of the shop sells candy by the pound, while the back offers a few counter seats. It’s small and unpretentious, focused on doing a few things well. The staff knows most customers by name and remembers their usual orders.
It’s the kind of place that survives through loyalty and consistency. No gimmicks, just good products made right.
13. Tom’s Restaurant, Prospect Heights, Brooklyn
This family-run spot has been feeding the neighborhood since 1936. The soda fountain sits behind the counter, still in working order and still getting used daily. They serve breakfast all day, but the egg creams and lime rickeys are what keep people talking.
The atmosphere is loud and lively, with regulars chatting across tables and staff calling out orders. Hand-spun shakes come out fast, made with practiced efficiency. Everything tastes like it should, nothing more, nothing less.
You might wait for a seat on weekends, but it moves quickly. The place has earned its reputation honestly.
14. S&P Lunch, Flatiron, Manhattan
This tiny luncheonette squeezes into a narrow space but packs a lot of history. The soda fountain dates back decades, and the staff still makes phosphates and lime rickeys by hand. You sit elbow to elbow with strangers, but somehow it feels comfortable.
The menu is simple, focusing on what they do best. Milkshakes come in classic flavors, mixed in metal containers that frost over while you wait. The egg creams are legendary among regulars who’ve been coming here for years.
It’s easy to miss if you’re not looking, but once you find it, you’ll remember where it is.
15. Ray’s Candy Store, East Village, Manhattan
Ray has been running this tiny shop since 1974, staying open late into the night. The soda fountain is basic but functional, serving egg creams and shakes to late-night wanderers and neighborhood regulars. The space is cramped, the decor minimal, but the drinks are solid.
You can order through a window or squeeze inside to the small counter. Ray makes everything himself, working quickly and efficiently. The prices stay low, and the quality stays consistent.
This place survives on loyalty and location. It’s not fancy, but it’s real, and that’s enough for the people who keep coming back.
16. Sip’n Soda, Southampton, Long Island
Since 1952, this diner has been mixing shakes and serving meals to Southampton residents. The soda fountain operates alongside the full kitchen, offering classic drinks made the traditional way. The booths are red vinyl, the counter is Formica, and everything feels comfortably familiar.
Hand-spun milkshakes come out cold and thick, perfect for hot summer days. The egg creams get mixed with care, creating that signature foam. You can grab breakfast, lunch, or just a drink, depending on what you need.
The place stays busy year-round, serving both locals and seasonal visitors. It’s reliable in a way that’s increasingly rare.
17. Parkside Candy, Buffalo
Buffalo’s oldest candy store opened in 1927 and still runs the original soda fountain. The counter stretches across the front, with stools that have supported generations of customers. They make hand-spun shakes, phosphates, and egg creams using traditional equipment and recipes.
The candy cases display handmade chocolates and penny candy, creating a visual feast alongside the fountain drinks. The atmosphere is cheerful and nostalgic, drawing families and history buffs alike. The staff takes pride in maintaining Buffalo’s traditions.
It’s a landmark in the neighborhood, representing a connection to the past that Buffalo values. The place feels essential to the community.