New Jersey still knows how to pour a malt the right way.
Before drive-thrus ruled everything, soda fountains were places to linger, flirt, and sip something made with care. Glass counters.
Spinning stools. The low hum of blenders working their magic.
A proper malt wasn’t rushed—it was earned, spoon by spoon.
These old-fashioned soda fountains aren’t pretending to be retro. They never stopped.
The syrups are thick, the ice cream is cold enough to bite back, and the recipes haven’t bowed to trends. Walk in, and time eases up on you just a little.
A real malt hits different. Toasty, creamy, slightly stubborn.
It clings to the glass and refuses to disappear fast. You don’t gulp it.
You respect it.
Across New Jersey, these 11 soda fountains are still holding the line. They prove some pleasures don’t fade.
They just wait patiently for the right kind of thirst.
Magic Fountain Union Creamery Homemade Ice Cream – Union, NJ
Step inside Magic Fountain Union Creamery and the sweet aroma instantly tells you you’re in the right place. The counter gleams, the stools spin, and the chalkboard lists malts alongside banana splits and thick shakes.
Ask for extra malt powder, and they’ll mix it the old way in a frosty metal canister.
You can watch the blender whirl while the server taps the side and pours that creamy, chocolatey goodness into a chilled glass. It arrives with a crown of whipped cream and a cherry that practically winks at you.
Sip once and you’ll notice the malty depth that milkshakes alone just can’t match.
Floats lean classic here too, with seltzer that keeps its fizz and ice cream that stays rich. If you like a lighter touch, go vanilla malt with a hint of caramel.
Feeling bold, swirl coffee ice cream into the mix for gentle bitterness.
Families love the sprinkle‑happy sundaes, but malt lovers know the counter is the best seat. Bring cash for tips and patience on summer nights.
When you leave, you’ll carry that cool sweetness and a little Union nostalgia along with it.
Holsten’s Ice Cream, Chocolate & Restaurant – Bloomfield, NJ
Holsten’s is the kind of place where a proper malt wears its froth like a crown. The soda fountain hardware shines, and the blender hums with satisfying purpose.
Order chocolate or coffee, then ask for an extra dusting of malt and watch the magic happen.
They pour into chilled glasses and often slide the extra metal tumbler right alongside, so you get the overflow. That move alone feels wonderfully old‑school.
You’ll taste deep dairy richness, balanced sweetness, and that toasted malt backbone that lingers between sips.
Holsten’s is also a candy shop, so you can add house‑made chocolate syrups or sneak in crushed toffee for texture. If you prefer a float, their vanilla ice cream and effervescent seltzer sparkle together.
Egg creams here keep true to the brisk snap of milk, seltzer, and syrup.
It gets busy at peak hours, but counter seats let you soak in the clatter and chatter. Bring a friend to split sundaes and still guard your malt jealously.
You’ll walk out with a sugar high, a satisfied grin, and the sense you touched real Jersey history.
Courtney’s Ice Cream Shoppe – Avon-by-the-Sea, NJ
Steps from ocean breezes, Courtney’s leans into seaside nostalgia with a soda fountain that treats malts like a summer tradition. The staff is friendly, quick, and serious about cold glassware.
Order a vanilla malt with a drizzle of hot fudge and you’ll see why regulars swear by it.
The texture lands perfectly between sippable and spoonable, so you can linger without losing the chill. Try a strawberry malt for fruitiness that still lets the malt powder shine.
On hot days, floats with root beer or birch beer cut through the heat like a wave.
Kids love rainbow sprinkles, but you might prefer a simple cherry on top and a long spoon. Ask for an extra splash of milk if you want it lighter, or keep it thick for that classic diner heft.
Seating is casual, with a steady rhythm of beachgoers stopping by.
After sunset, malt in hand, stroll the nearby streets and let the salt air amplify the sweetness. You’ll taste summer in every sip.
When you head back, you’ll already be planning your next malt‑and‑boardwalk pairing.
The Stirling Fountain – Stirling, NJ
The Stirling Fountain feels like a time capsule you can taste. Marble counters and chrome taps set the stage, and the staff keeps the art of egg creams and malts alive.
If you love the snap of seltzer, order an egg cream first, then settle in with a proper malt.
Chocolate malt is a favorite, but coffee or black‑and‑white variations shine too. They balance ice cream, milk, and malt powder so the flavor stays round and not cloying.
Texture is velvety, with a cool finish that invites another sip.
For floats, they pour firm scoops to slow the melt and preserve fizz. You can customize with syrups, or keep it classic with vanilla and seltzer.
Either way, the presentation feels wonderfully deliberate, like soda jerks used to do it.
Grab a counter seat to watch the careful pours and gentle tap of the metal cup. You’ll feel the ritual calm you down as the sweetness revives you.
It is the kind of place you recommend by saying, just trust me and order the malt.
The Pop Shop Collingswood – Collingswood, NJ
The Pop Shop doubles as a playful diner and a love letter to soda fountain culture. You’ll spot big malts towering with whipped cream, striped straws, and the kind of cherry that begs for a photo.
Ask for chocolate or peanut butter malt if you want richness with personality.
The staff understands texture and temperature, keeping glasses frosty and portions generous. Floats come in technicolor flavors, but root beer remains top tier.
Kids go for sprinkles while grownups sneak in coffee ice cream for a gentle buzz.
The menu spans grilled cheese and burgers, making it easy to turn a malt run into a full meal. Pro tip: split a diner classic, then linger over malts so they do not overshadow dessert.
The vibe stays upbeat, even on busy nights.
Whether you sit at the counter or a booth, you’ll feel part of a nostalgic parade. The soundtrack, clatter, and sweet aroma wrap around you instantly.
Leave room for a second malt, because the first tends to disappear too fast.
Evergreen Dairy Bar – Vincentown, NJ
Evergreen Dairy Bar serves malts the way roadside Jersey spots did generations ago. Pull up, order at the window, and watch them work the blender like it owes you a memory.
The malt arrives cold, thick, and perfectly sweet, with a classic cherry finish.
Seasonal menus keep flavors rotating, but the malt formula stays steady. Vanilla or chocolate are sure bets, while occasional specials add playful twists.
If you’re a float fan, root beer with vanilla ice cream hits the nostalgia bullseye.
Picnic tables foster lingering, and summer nights mean a friendly line with patient anticipation. Ask for extra malt powder if you like a deeper toastiness.
The staff knows regulars by order, and they keep the vibe neighborly.
Bring napkins, because condensation builds fast on humid evenings. Pair your malt with fries or a burger for peak diner energy.
You’ll drive away content, windshield dotted with memories and a straw stained with chocolate.
Da’Villas Creme and Cookie – Cherry Hill Township, NJ
Da’Villas Creme and Cookie brings a modern craft touch to old‑school treats. While the menu shifts, the malt spirit shows up in creamy shakes with thoughtful mix‑ins.
Ask for classic chocolate or a cookie‑crumb twist that adds texture without overpowering the malt.
Their ice cream leans rich and smooth, so flavors bloom slowly with each sip. You can request extra malt powder for deeper toastiness or go lighter for a silkier feel.
Floats and sundaes rotate, keeping repeat visits interesting.
Service is upbeat and happy to customize. If you’re indecisive, start with vanilla malt and add a ribbon of caramel or espresso.
The balance of sweetness and cream keeps the finish clean rather than heavy.
It is a sweet stop before movie night or a casual date, and portions are generous. Grab napkins, take a stroll, and savor the cool weight of the glass.
You’ll appreciate how a contemporary shop can still honor the soda fountain playbook.
Sundaes – Point Pleasant, NJ
Walk into Sundaes on Arnold Avenue and the shore-town breeze follows you through the door. Glass jars line the back bar, and yes, one reads malt powder in tidy script.
Order a chocolate malt and watch the mixer whirl until the metal tin frosts, then that silky pour hits a chilled glass. The straw stands straight because it is that thick.
You get the classic soda fountain vibe without fuss. Peanut butter, black-and-white, and coffee malts make choosing harder than it should be, but the staff happily guides.
Sit at a red stool and people-watch the boardwalk crowd. The soundtrack is laughter, clinks, and soft surf.
Regulars swear by a coffee malt paired with a scoop of salty caramel on the side. Portions lean generous, so bring a friend or an appetite.
Order extra malt and they will not blink, they will grin. That first sip blends sweetness, toastiness, and a little seaside nostalgia.
Summer evenings can stack a line out the door, but it moves fast. Off-season afternoons are peaceful and cozy.
Parking is easier a block over, and cash moves quicker at the counter. It is a classic shore stop worth timing right.
Applegate Farm – Montclair, NJ
Applegate Farm looks like a postcard, with the old farmhouse glowing under string lights and families queued for cones. Ask for a vanilla malt and you will hear the mixer hum like an engine of summer.
They scoop dense ice cream, add malt powder with intention, and pour into a tall cup crowned with whipped cream. The straw bends, then surrenders.
Chocolate, strawberry, and coffee malts headline, but seasonal flavors sneak in. Pumpkin malt in October is a quiet legend.
Staff keeps the line cheerful and quick. You can linger at picnic tables and watch kids chase fireflies while you nurse that last sip.
The malt here tastes balanced, not cloying, with a toasty backbone that keeps you going back. Ask for extra malt if you like it bold.
Pair it with a hot fudge sundae if you are committing to the bit. It is worth the sugar budget.
Parking fills up on weekends, so arrive early or late. The walk from Valley Road adds charm and appetite.
Cash and cards both fly at the window. On warm nights, the air smells like waffle cones and nostalgia, and you will wish you lived closer.
Taylor’s Ice Cream Parlor – Chester, NJ
On Main Street in Chester, Taylor’s Ice Cream Parlor feels like a time capsule that never stopped working. The checkerboard floor and spinning stools set the scene, but the malts do the convincing.
Chocolate is the move, blended in a frosty tin and poured thick into a classic glass. Ask for extra malt powder and watch the smile.
Black-and-white and coffee malts hold their own, especially on crisp fall weekends when antique shoppers crowd the sidewalks. The staff moves with calm rhythm.
You lean on the counter and talk weekend plans while the mixer sings. It is small-town theater with better drinks.
The texture lands perfectly between sippable and spoon-worthy. Whipped cream and a cherry are standard but never mandatory.
Pair a malt with a split if you are sharing, or just commit. The aftertaste carries that toasty malt note you chase for days.
Parking is easier behind Main Street, then cut through to the door. Lines build after dinner, so afternoon stops are ideal.
Cash or card is fine, and refills are not a thing, so savor it. When you leave, you will glance back at the sign and plan your return.
Nasto’s Ice Cream Co. – Newark, NJ
Nasto’s in Newark feels like stepping into family history, with photos that hint at decades of scoops and smiles. Tell them you want a vanilla malt with an extra hit of malt powder and watch the mixer whirl.
The result is creamy, cold, and beautifully old-fashioned, poured alongside the cup for generous refills.
Known for spumoni and Italian ice, they also keep the fountain spirit alive with sundaes, floats, and classic malts. The counter chatter is friendly, efficient, and precise about toppings.
You can taste craftsmanship in every spoonful.
There is something about the texture at Nasto’s, closer to silky custard than fluff. Malts carry a toasted note that plays well with chocolate or coffee.
Ask for a half-and-half blend if you like layered flavors.
Parking can be tight, but it is worth the small hunt. Bring cash as a backup and order a pint to go for later cravings.
If you grew up on boardwalk treats, this malt reconnects the dots.