London’s bubble tea scene is ever growing with the obsession for the sweet beverage snack. There are over 50 specialist stores and more restaurants are now selling the drink as part of their normal offering. The search for the best bubble tea in London becomes a never-ending yet fun task that many patrons love to embark on.
Although we may argue if it should be called ‘bubble tea’, ’milk tea’, ‘boba tea’ or just plain ‘boba’, we can agree the drink is addictive and good.
The combination of tapioca pearls with milk tea is perfect for casual afternoon dates, romantic night-outs as well as chill evenings with friends. We are not surprised that a subculture revolving boba has developed over the recent years. This tea-drinking cult has spread its influence from Taiwan to other Asian countries and has now reached Europe too.
Starting with the support of the Asian populace in London, shops offering this awesome beverage have thrived in this metropolitan city. Over the years, cafes and specialist stores have adapted the flavours and have rendered their own version of the best bubble tea in London. Now, it is common to see Londoners holding a cup of this once peculiar drink while walking down the streets.
Bubble tea calories are high but that hasn’t stopped the obsession for the sweet drink across the world. With the drink’s popularity growing, we have compiled a list of the best places you can get your bubble tea fix in London.
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Dragon Cat Cafe
We are absolutely in love with Dragon Cat Cafe, which is a young, hip and artisanal bubble tea cafe in Hammersmith, East London. Established by a British and Taiwanese co-founder combo, they got the formula perfect for how to they combined Taiwanese tea-drinking with London’s urban chill culture.
Dragon Cat Cafe has earned a well-deserved spot in the best bubble tea in London rankings. They put a huge emphasis on ensuring the quality of their ingredients and processes are top-notch.
No powders nor pre-made syrups are used in the making of their boba drinks. Only tea leaves are used for brewing a fresh cup upon a customer’s order. In addition, fresh fruits are used for their flavourings and sweeteners.
Apart from classic flavours, you can always find special and seasonal concoctions on their menu. For example, this artisanal bubble tea shop in London has Taro and Banana, Creme Brulee Rooibos, Dark Chai Pumpkin Latte and so much more on their menu. It is because of the creative menu items that we keep visiting this hip bubble tea cafe!
They also serve Japanese and Taiwanese snacks which perfectly complement their delicious boba drinks. For example, Dragon Cat Cafe is one of the few bubble tea shops in London that serve authentic Wheel Cakes, which are deep-fried pancakes with sweet fillings. Our favourite is their Matcha Custard Wheel Cake!
In addition, we also love their Chicken Katsu rice burger and also Basil fried chicken. They make great side additions to complete a bubble tea meal set!
From a young entrant of the bubble tea in London to a fan favourite in Hammersmith, Dragon Cat Cafe did remarkably well as an independent boba business. One of the ways they achieved this is by preparing make-at-home bubble tea kits which are simply amazing.
We tried their Taro Milk Tea kit, and it was so easy to prepare the drink in just 5 minutes! So, if you’re a boba lover who wants to stock up their home pantry with instant bubble tea kits, we highly recommend checking out Dragon Cat Cafe’s online store too!
Yi Fang
With over eight locations across London, Yi Fang has deeply rooted itself as one of the best bubble tea shops in London. We frequently hear the name of this Taiwan born shop in conversations about where to get bubble tea in London.
Yi Fang proudly states that they use 100% natural ingredients to make their boba tea. They also offer soya milk as an alternative to their premium cow’s milk for patrons who prefer vegetarian-based ingredients.
The name Yi Fang is in honour of the founder’s grandmother, Grandma Yi-Fang. The founder explains that Grandma Yi-Fang used to make her own pineapple jam from overripe pineapples. This homemade jam is a secret recipe that is used in Yi Fang’s famous drinks. Loaded with seasonal fruits, we recommend you try Yi Fang’s Fruit Tea which is unique amongst the boba shops in London.
For patrons looking for milk tea-type of bubble tea in London, we suggest you give Yi Fang’s soya milk option a try. The soya milk used is fresh and balances out well with the soaked pearls. This beverage can also be served as a hot drink if you prefer.
As an important point, Yi Fang is available on Deliveroo for delivery. If you are stuck at home and not able to drop by their shop, you can also order one or two portions from the comfort of your home.
Mooboo
Mooboo is a bubble tea franchise that can be found across all major cities in the UK including London. Its growth is a testament to the popularity and quality of this boba tea provider. Therefore, we have included Mooboo within our list of the best bubble tea in London.
We recommend you try the Taro Milk Tea with tapioca pearls. Made of the taro root plant which has natural rich umami and sweetness to it, this purple coloured drink is one you need to try. The drink can be served cold which matches perfectly with the tapioca pearls for that chewy satisfaction. Otherwise, you can also have it as a hot bubble tea drink which is great to warm yourself during those cold winter days in London.
In addition to the tea and juices, some Mooboo stores also sell warm desserts such as the Mooboo Bubble Waffle. This sweet treat is essentially a waffle with round-shaped air pockets instead of the squarish criss-cross of a regular waffle. Then, like a dessert crepe, it is added with different toppings such as cream, roasted almonds, chocolate sauce and more. The bubble waffle paired with bubble tea is a sinful yet worthy treat for sweet tooths out there in London.
CoCo Fresh Tea & Juice
CoCo is a very memorable bubble tea shop once you have been there! Though there are only four branches in the UK, this franchise is one of the best spots for bubble tea in London. With long queue lines and usually packed with customers, CoCo will definitely be a tea shop that you would want to try if you pass by it.
With a very strong presence in mainland China, CoCo Fresh Tea and Juice is also a fan favourite among boba tea seekers in London. One of their signature blends is the Roast Tea Boba. This drink has that additional smoky flavour that goes well with your regular tapioca pearls or the silky grass jelly. We recommend that you try CoCo’s Roast drink series cold, with less sugar and with grass jelly.
The shop also always caters for seasonal and festive flavours. Examples include their Hot Red Bean Matcha Milk Tea during the winter season, Strawberry Latte for Valentine’s Day, Mango Tea series during the summer and many more.
To fulfil the needs of their stay-home patrons, the best of CoCo bubble teas can be delivered to London households. You can order it either via Deliveroo, Uber Eats or Hungry Panda.
Kissaten
Our hunt for the best bubble tea in London led us to Kissaten. It is a boutique tea shop that specialises in handmade tapioca and bubble tea in London. The owners of this shop put much emphasis on the quality of their tea that they label themselves as a ‘big believer in handmade, tactile, and crafted pieces’.
We recommend that you try their Matcha Cheese Tea. Though it may sound weird at first, we highly suggest you give this sweet, salty and creamy beverage a try. The combination of the rich matcha and cheese blend into a unique umami flavour that you would be craving once you have tried it.
You should also try their white boba pearls which are handmade. Made without any artificial colouring or preservatives, these tapioca pearls have a unique texture. This contrast in taste from the common tapioca pearls makes visiting Kissaten for their bubble tea definitely worthwhile.
Not only do they offer supreme boba tea, but they also have eight private karaoke rooms. You can book a karaoke room to spend time singing Japanese, Korean, Chinese or English songs with your friends. All of this while sipping Kissaten’s delicious milk drinks.
This hipster store’s offering is so unique and delicious that we must include it in our list of the best bubble tea in London. The next time you drop by Soho in London, make sure to visit this store to grab their crafted beverage.
You can order the beverage snacks for pickup using their very own app which is available for Apple and Android devices. Kissaten’s native app allows you to collect points for more boba redemption in the future. If you prefer home delivery of your bubble tea, then you may also order via Deliveroo.
Chatime
Chatime states that they offer ‘quintessentially traditional Taiwanese bubble tea’. They are one of the original boba brands from Taiwan that penetrated the overseas market. Famous in many Asian countries, Chatime has also established itself as one of the best places for bubble tea in London.
As a signature, all Chatime boba drinks are lovingly and vigorously hand-shaken before serving to the customer. Their classic menu item is Chatime Milk Tea, which is a black tea shaken with fresh dairy milk. We suggest you add tapioca pearls when you order this sweet drink. As for all drinks offered here, you can choose the level of ice and sugar that you would like to have.
We also recommend that you try their Mousse series which has a layer of thick cream at the top of the fresh tea, juice or drink. The Roasted Tea Mousse and Chocolate Mousse are great options for you to try.
With over 34 stores across the UK, you can surely find a Chatime store near your living or work area. They also partner with both UberEats and Deliveroo for bubble tea delivery to your home in London.
Biju
We think that one of the best Matcha bubble tea in London is served in Biju. If you are a Matcha and boba tea lover, then Biju is the place to go visit. The Matcha used here is organic and sourced from Kagoshima, Japan.
Apart from the classic Iced Matcha Latte option, we recommend that you try Biju’s Hot Matcha Strawberry Latte. With the deep and rich Matcha taste as its base flavour, the mixture of strawberry and tapioca pearls adds a fresh zing that you need to try. If you prefer straight-up pure Matcha, then we recommend you try their Matcha Pure Tea which can be served hot or cold.
Biju also offers low-calorie bubble tea options in London. Their Crystal Boba series include pearls made from agar which is an alternative to the regular tapioca pearls. We think you would definitely like their Iced or Hot Taro Milk menu item.
In addition, Biju also offers eGift cards that you could purchase for your loved ones. We think this is a great way to treat your boba tea lover friends and family! They also have a delivery service for bubble tea orders to be enjoyed at the comfort of your home.
Xing Fu Tang
Xing Fu Tang hails from Taiwan with a name that translates to ‘pure happiness store’ in English. Specialising in the making of brown sugar fresh milk drinks, we believe that Xing Fu Tang deserves a spot in our list of the best bubble tea in London.
When you enter their store in London, you will encounter a unique experience as they prepare their signature tapioca pearls in-store. The pearls are poured into a golden wok filled with melted brown sugar. The pearls are then stir-fried slowly to make sure they are thickly coated with the brown sugar syrup. This method of making their pearls was actually patented by Xing Fu Tang in 2018 in Taiwan.
You will see your bubble tea prepared in front of you. They pour the tapioca pearls and thick brown sugar syrup into your cup before slowly pouring fresh milk on top of it. They then sprinkle a layer of sugar at the very top of your drink. The sugar is then caramelised with a blowtorch for the final finish.
Once you receive your boba tea, you can also grab a light fortune reading which is included in their stores. The whole experience is amazing for milk tea lovers. We highly recommend you visit Xing Fu Tang the next time you crave bubble tea in London.
The Alley
The Alley is one of the first few bubble tea shops to offer brown sugar milk tea in London. With a grand stag as its logo, we found the Alley a very memorable tea shop for its delicious beverages. The store is located in Holborn in London but also offers bubble tea delivery options through their site.
We highly recommend their best seller, which is the Brown Sugar Deerioca Creme Brulee Milk drink! This boba drink is made up of freshly prepared tapioca pearls, sugar cane syrup and fresh milk. The sugar added to the drink is caramelised to give that roasted bittersweet taste.
With their commitment to high-quality drinks, The Alley insists on making their own pearls that they call ‘Deerioca’ as well their own sugar cane syrup. These ingredients undergo a strict in-house process to ensure excellent boba teas are produced for their loyal customers.
Amongst their top five most popular drinks, we also recommend the Snow Strawberry Lulu beverage. Made with fresh strawberries and lightly whipped fresh milk, this beverage is a refreshing one that would brighten your day. They also offer vegan options for customers who would prefer non-dairy drinks.
With such high-quality products, we believe The Alley deservingly gets a spot in our list of the best bubble tea shops in London.
The Alley London
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Happy Lemon
At the heart of Chinatown in London is Happy Lemon, an amazing bubble tea shop. As a global brand, this franchise holds huge popularity both in Asia as well as the UK. With a happy lemon character as their mascot, they offer lemon-based juices and smoothies that are refreshing for anyone’s palette.
For bubble tea enthusiasts, we recommend that you try their Rock Salted Cheese series. This cheese series is unique in the sense that it is ‘crunchy’! Happy Lemon has concocted a delicious mixture of enriched and creamy cheese with natural rock salt into this boba tea drink.
Combined with the sweetness of their tapioca pearls, the tastiness is one you need to experience for yourself to truly know it. We highly recommend that you try this drink series as such a distinctive beverage is a rare find.
In addition to their drinks, the London branch also prepares mini cheesecakes as a side snack. This sweet and rich treat pairs really well with their wholesome teas.
Happy Lemon also has its own loyalty programme namely the ‘LoyalTea Card’ for their repeat customers. This is yet another proof of how great the bubble teas offered by this London store. If you would like, they also offer bubble tea delivery to selected locations in London.
T4
T4 holds a very distinct approach to bubble tea in London. The founder of T4 took it upon the brand to have a philosophy of connecting people through a cup of tea. The name comes from their slogan, “A cut of TEA FOR you”.
The essence of this thinking can be found in the operational philosophy of how T4 prepares their bubble tea too. They pride themselves on never preparing tea using bags or powder. All of their drinks are made using whole leaves which they grow themselves in the beautiful hills and mountains of Taiwan.
Specifically, T4 bubble teas use ‘Jadeite Royal Tea’ as the base of their drinks. Because of this, the bubble teas offered to their patrons in London always carry an aroma and flavour that is distinct from T4. The passion that the company puts into tea-making is evident from their ingredients, processes and of course, their delicious drinks.
We tell you not to take our word for it and try T4 bubble teas for yourselves! Apart from classic flavours, we recommend you try their Elegant Lady Rose Tea, the Lychee Black Tea and the Passionfruit Royal Tea. They also prepare milkshakes if you prefer. Among those, we suggest you try the Red Bean Milkshake or the Taro Milkshake.
Their stores are common drop zones for boba tea fans in London. They also offer home delivery of their bubble teas.
Woo Tea
Amongst the contenders for the best bubble tea in London, Woo Tea is one of the newcomers to this competitive arena. With a cute little store located in Chinatown, they offer deliciousness-packed drinks that keep their customers returning.
Woo Tea claims to be the first shop to prepare handmade Oolong Artisan Tea for customers in London. They serve their boba tea in beautiful cups that catch the eye of any passersby. Because of that, they are very active on social media such as Instagram as well as Tiktok. They often post limited-time offers on their social media accounts, so make you check them out the next time you are in London.
Woo Tea offers some interesting flavour combinations. We recommend that you try their vibrant Purple Potato Oolong Tea with Tapioca Pearls. If available, you should also give their Matcha Milk series with Cherry Blossom Pearls a try!
Although they operate from one store in Chinatown, they do offer delivery for bubble tea orders. They have partnered with Uber Eats and Deliveroo to provide for customers in London who are in need of a bubble tea fix at home.
Yunique Tea
With a friendly bear wearing a cap as their mascot, Yunique Tea is certainly unique. This tea shop originally hails from Taiwan and has gained a lot of popularity in South East Asian countries such as Malaysia and Singapore.
Yunique Tea is indeed another great entry within our list of best places to get boba milk tea in London. They established their first store in London close to the end of 2019.
We recommend you to try their Cucumber Lychee Macchiato drink. If you think fresh fruit, roasted coffee and fresh milk make a weird combination, you need to try this bubble tea option! We believe you would be pleasantly surprised by this refreshing twist of a beverage.
If you are looking for a more classic flavour, we would suggest that you try their Brown Sugar Bubble Latte or Oreo with Milk options. Both are delicious bubble tea drinks that we urge you to try the next time you drop by Yunique Tea in London.
They also offer delivery of bubble tea to your home or workplace via Happy Panda.
Tealive
If you live for boba tea, then Tealive is another great place for bubble tea in London you need to try. Born in Malaysia and now spreading its wings throughout many more countries, Tealive competes well to be the best tea shop in the UK.
The Tealive brand gives much emphasis on the environmental impact of their operations. They initiated a Tealive Eco series to ‘elevate the tea-drinking experience and create a positive environmental impact’. This includes efforts of using paper and metal straws instead of the regular plastic ones, creating their own strawless cup for loyal bubble tea customers to reuse and eco-friendly takeaway bags.
However, at the very base of it all, Tealive’s bubble teas are certainly delicious. We recommend you try their Caramel series with tapioca pearls which are popular among their patrons. If you are looking for something different, we propose that you try their avocado coffee. Inspired by traditional juices in South East Asia, it is a filling coffee drink that could perhaps even replace your lunch or dinner.
Tealive’s bubble tea store is located in Bayswater in London. They also offer delivery of their boba tea if you would like to order your sweet treat from the comfort of your home.
Best Bubble Tea in London
With so many delicious bubble tea places in London, here is our list of the best boba tea shops we recommend you try:
- Dragon Cat Cafe
- Yi Fang
- Mooboo
- Coco
- Kissaten
- Chatime
- Biju
- Xing Fu Tang
- Deer Alley
- Happy Lemon
- T4
- Woo Tea
- Yunique
- Tealive
Did we miss a great bubble tea shop that you love? Let us know where to buy bubble tea in London by emailing us at contact@honestfoodtalks.com.
Find out how to make tapioca pearls to recreate your favourite bubble tea from scratch!