Integral to Bay Area culture is its notoriously delicious boba scene. Almost every neighborhood here has the community gathering spot to acquire top-notch milk and fruit teas that compliment the mini chewy tapioca treats.
We have rounded up all the best refreshing and charming boba tea shops in the city so you know where to pop into one on your next sunny adventure out.
See also: Cool Off And Reenergize With These Best Refreshing Cold Coffees in San Francisco
View this post on Instagram
865 Market St #FE10 / Website
This pastel delight is located inside the Westfield Mall and is iconic for their pink drinks and tiramisu cheese foam, particularly on their Peach Oolong Milk Tea and Kyoto Uji Matcha Latte. They also serve other fresh fruit teas, making it the perfectly cute food court stop during a long day of shopping.
View this post on Instagram
3620 Balboa St / Website
Purple Kow in both the Outer Richmond and Downtown Berkeley are notorious for their large cup sizes filled to the brim with their ten different toppings. Definitely try their D3: Iced milk tea, made deluxe with signature pudding and fresh boba. Their huge servings will ensure you are hydrated and caffeinated the whole day.
View this post on Instagram
2150 Irving St / Website
i-Tea is a seasoned community gathering spot within the Bay Area. You are sure to encounter one of these inviting branches wherever you are, so definitely make a point to try their richly molasses-like and toasty Hokkaido and Okinawa milk teas with tapioca pearls of perfect sweetness.
They also serve popcorn chicken and other afternoon snacks, which they combine for cheaper deals during their happy hour specials.
View this post on Instagram
6050 Geary Blvd / Website
Bambu is no ordinary bubble tea store, as they serve traditional Vietnamese-style "Ché," or dessert drinks akin to boba, but with much, much more. With a base of drink and ice, these cultural delights are filled with all types of toppings from fresh jackfruit, coconut, and avocado, to coffee jelly, red bean, basil seed, taro paste, and more. To experience this complex flavor combination, get their refreshing Bambu Special.
View this post on Instagram
17 Kearny St / Website
“Asha” in Taiwanese translates to “someone that enjoys life,” and you will truly become that person when you try their curated selection of high-quality teas. Aside from classic Matcha and black teas, they also delicately prepare Pu Erh and dark oolong teas, ensuring to highlight their subtle flavor profiles.
These are also best paired with their boba, so we highly recommend sipping on their Hong Kong milk tea to feel some Nirvana in the city.
View this post on Instagram
3157 Geary Blvd / Website
This aesthetic landmark in Laurel Heights is not only wonderful with their drinks, but also with their pastry selections and cute atmosphere! Try a Dynamo donut with their creative drinks like their Honey Coconut Milk Tea for a pick-me-up that’s just as delicious as it is Instagrammable.
View this post on Instagram
3491 19th St / Website
No boba list would be complete without of course mentioning Boba Guys. With multiple locations throughout the Bay Area, our favorite spots are in the Mission near Dolores Park, and the tucked away stall on Stockton Street. Their drinks are fresh, flavorful, and fun, rotating in new drinks along with their signature must-tries of Horchata Milk Tea and Strawberry Matcha Latte with housemade strawberry puree. These places may get packed, but for great, artisanal reasons!
Whatever flavor you decide on, all of these lovely businesses are guaranteed to be 100% cool and sweet.
Photography by: Jason Leung/Unsplash
