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Read MoreThe 13 Best Bubble Tea Shops in Toronto [ 2022 ]
Bubble tea, also known as boba tea, is a Taiwanese drink that has taken Toronto by storm. It’s made with black tea, milk, and tapioca pearls (or “bubbles”) that are sucked up through a wide straw.
Bubble tea shops typically offer a wide range of flavours to choose from, so there’s something for everyone. Whether you prefer your tea sweet or savoury, fruity or herbal, there’s a bubble tea flavour out there for you.
Nowadays in Toronto, there are dozens of bubble tea shops to choose from. To help you narrow down your options, we’ve compiled a list of the 13 best bubble tea shops in the city. Here will we focus on shops that serve up high-quality bubble tea, in a variety of flavours, and use fresh ingredients.
From trendy spots serving up unique flavour combinations to longtime favourites that have perfected the classics, these are the places to go for a delicious cup of boba tea.
And once you had your fix of bubble tea, why not check out some of the best ice cream desserts in Toronto?
Summary
What are Some of the Most Popular Bubble Tea Flavours?
There are endless possibilities when it comes to bubble tea flavours. Some of the most popular include:
Brown Sugar Milk Tea: This is a classic bubble tea flavour that combines rich, creamy milk with black tea and chewy brown sugar bubbles.
Matcha Milk Tea: This popular flavour is made with matcha powder, milk, and sweetened black tea. It’s perfect for matcha lovers looking for a refreshing beverage.
Taro Milk Tea: Taro is a starchy root vegetable that has a slightly sweet taste and a purple colour. When added to bubble tea, it gives the drink a unique flavour and colour.
Oolong Milk Tea: Oolong tea is a partially oxidized tea that falls somewhere between green and black tea on the oxidation spectrum. It has a complex flavour that pairs well with milk and sweetener.
Honeydew Milk Tea: This refreshing flavour is made with honeydew melon, milk, and black tea. It’s perfect for summertime sipping.
If you’re new to bubble tea or are looking to try something different, these are some great flavours to start with. However, there are many other delicious options out there for you to explore. So don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone and try something new the next time you’re at a bubble tea shop.
However, we can’t forget about the toppings! In addition to the drink itself, bubble tea is also known for the chewy tapioca pearls (or “bubbles”) that are often added to the bottom of the cup.
These can be made from a variety of different materials, but most commonly they are made from tapioca starch.
While tapioca pearls are the most popular topping, there are many other options to choose from as well. These include fruit jelly, aloe vera, grass jelly, and pudding. So if you’re looking for something a little different in your bubble tea, be sure to ask about the toppings options at your local bubble tea shop.
The Best Bubble Teas in Toronto
Now that we’ve gone over some of the basics, let’s get to the good stuff: our list of the 13 best bubble tea shops in Toronto.
1. The Alley
The Toronto scene is getting more and more diverse with the addition of this bubble tea chain. The Alley specializes in drinks made from tapioca pearls, and are best known for their deeriocas (brown sugar) flavours they’re sure not going to disappoint any sweet tooths out there.
Made from scratch, the Deerioca can’t be found elsewhere. The Alley makes their own dough and then kneads it before rolling it into small balls to create this tasty treat!
Their signature Brown Sugar Deerioca drinks include a variety of options for those who want to indulge in something sweet. You can enjoy them with fresh milk or soy, depending on your preference!
Business Information:
Address: 505 Hwy 7 #16, Thornhill, ON L3T 7T1
Phone: (289) 597-8855
Website: the-alley.ca
Customer Review Highlight:
"Their Deerioca Puff is the best. Much better than the one i have in downtown location. And it’s consistently good- the brown sugar tapioca is so soft and chewy- never disappointed even one time at this location. Highly recommend!"
"Their Deerioca Puff is the best. Much better than the one i have in downtown location. And it’s consistently good- the brown sugar tapioca is so soft and chewy- never disappointed even one time at this location. Highly recommend!"
Pros
- Unique bubble tea flavours
- Makes their tapioca from scratch
- Trendy interior
Cons
- Bubble tea is on the pricier side
2. CoCo Fresh Tea & Juice
CoCo is another big name in the bubble tea space in Toronto. Like Cha Time they have several locations so you should be able to find one no matter where you are. They also offer a variety of customizable drinks such as the Matcha Milktea and fresh fruit smoothies!
A unique drink to try is the Mango Yakult. Yakult is a fermented milk drink that adds a fun twist to any bubble tea drink.
However, if you want to play it safe you can never go wrong with the classic Brown Sugar Milk Tea with Pearls.
Business Information:
Address: 3300 Midland Ave #36, Scarborough, ON M1V 4A1
Phone: (416) 546-2996
Website: cocofreshtea.ca
Customer Review Highlight:
"Coco has one of the best and most authentic bubble tea in town, especially for the price!! The tea that they use is very aromatic and fragrant! The wait time can be a little longer when it's busy, but it's well worth the wait! "
"best bubble tea shop.service is very fast and best prices for their promos for red bean matcha milk tea and q series.i recommend everyone to try the red bean matcha and the qseries milk tea.pearls are very chewy and workers and service are very good."
Pros
- 10+ locations across the GTA
- Quick service
- Affordable
Cons
- Customer services is inconsistent
3. OneZo
What’s unique about OneZo is they have the world’s first-ever onsite production of tapioca pearls. When visiting any of their stores, you can see fresh tapioca made from scratch!
OneZo offers a wide variety of drinks to choose from, including Pearl Milk Tea, Bubble Matcha Milk Tea with Pearls, Strawberry Mochi Smoothies, and more. They even have healthy drink options like their Honey Green Tea.
But the star of the show is definitely their tapiocas, which comes in a variety of flavours. They are super soft and chewy which goes perfectly with any drink that you choose.
Business Information:
Address: 3720 Midland Ave #108, Scarborough, ON M1V 0G3
Phone: (647) 351-8108
Website: onezotapioca.com
Customer Review Highlight:
"I love this place. They’re the only place with the Taiwanese brown sugar tapioca and milk drink that allows you to choose your ice level and even add extra sugar if you want. Their homemade tapioca is so soft and the service is also really great."
"The dirty milk tea is simply amazing, the combination of fresh milk and black sugar tapioca just can’t get any better. The staff showed me great hospitality as well. Highly recommend!!!! "
Pros
- Unique tapioca flavours
- You can see their tapioca being made in their stores
- Homemade tapioca has a soft and chewy texture
Cons
- Prices are higher than average
4. TP Tea
This is a newcomer into the Toronto bubble tea scene, but they have quickly gained popularity. What makes this place special is the richness of their teas and the variety of different toppings available.
A favourite here is the TieGuanYin which is a type of Oolong Tea. This milk tea is one of the best ones in the city because it has a sweet floral aroma that is hard to find. You can also choose from different toppings like grass jelly or pudding if you’re into that!
However, because they opened quite recently, they currently only have two locations (Commerce gate & Vaughan Mills). Be sure to check them out once they come around your way!
Business Information:
Address: 505 Hwy 7 Unit 86, Thornhill, ON L3T 7T1
Phone: (905) 597-8358
Customer Review Highlight:
"TP tea has a very rich flavour to their tea. Quality and taste is really good. I've tried a variety of their drinks and you can't really go wrong. My favourite is their mango pomelo drink. This time around got their 3Q. They've been out of certain toppings for a while so the experience isn't quite the same for some of the drinks. A bit of a premium price but one of the better bbt places. Would recommend to give it a try"
"Very good tea flavour...you can taste the quality of the tea. Also, not as sweet as other chains...order accordingly."
Pros
- Teas are rich in flavour
- Great customer service
- Birthday reward for a regular-sized drink
Cons
- Only two locations
5. Chatime
If you’re in the mood for bubble tea, why not try Chaitime? They don’t just serve flavorful milk teas but delicious desserts too. This well-known brand is famous because of their grass jelly roasted Milk Tea – all drinks are customizable so customers can add any toppings they want such as pudding or coconut jellies!
We recommend getting your cup with double-baked cheese tart; it tastes great when combined together and goes perfect alongside any type of food & beverages available at this location.
Chaitime can be found at multiple locations across Toronto so you should definitely check them out if you haven’t already!
And don’t forget to take advantage of their birthday freebie, register your birthday on the app and a free customized drink will be loaded to your account.
Business Information:
Address: 505 Hwy 7 #22, Thornhill, ON L3T 7T1
Phone: (905) 597-5574
Website: chatime.com
Customer Review Highlight:
"I really enjoyed my experience at this chatime! The staff were super friendly and offered help when I was deciding what to try off their menu. I ended up going with the golden lily milk tea with oat milk sub and it was soo good!!!"
"The best bubble tea in the city. The place is always busy, great service, recommdations by staff, and just a pleasure to be in....... Every single store is amazing. Great franchise and great products and best of all great people serving up the drinks! "
Pros
- Multiple locations throughout Toronto
- Quick service
- Always releasing new innovative flavors
Cons
- Can get crowded
6. Real Fruit Bubble Tea
Originating from here in Toronto, Real Fruit Bubble Tea offers fresh fruit beverages that are perfect for hot summer days! Their stores can be found all over the city so you should have no trouble finding one near you!
The best part about Real Fruit Bubble Tea is they serve fresh fruit juices made from real fruits (unlike most which use syrups), such as watermelon, mango and strawberry! When you visit one of their locations you can see all the fruits displayed in front of you, so you know exactly what to expect! This gives it a nice refreshing twist to your typical milk tea drink.
A must-try is their Mango Diamond Slush. This delicious drink is made with real mango and topped with real mango chunks (of course you can’t forget about the tapioca).
Business Information:
Address: 209, 1 Main St Unionville #1, Unionville, ON L3R 2G8
Phone: +1 888-896-1829
Website: realfruitbubbletea.com
Customer Review Highlight:
"I love bubble tea from Real Fruit because like the name they use Real Fruit they make amazing drinks especially the Diamond Mango slush with mango pieces and tapioca or Jasmine tea with lychee jelly and tapioca. Many varieties to choose from you will not be disappointed."
"Love the mango diamond slush with tapioca, as well as their cozy-feel store. Their service was fast considering that the number of customets during the Unionville fest."
Pros
- Constantly have promotions
- Offers real fruit chunks as toppings
- Affordable prices
Cons
- Service is not as fast
7. Hi-Tea
Unlike most bubble tea stores which is more a takeout spot, Hi-Tea actually has a nice little sit-down area where you can relax and enjoy your drink. This is perfect for those who want to take a break from the hectic world around them without having to leave the city!
The specialty tea is so refreshing and delicious! It has the perfect blend of fruit, just enough sweetness to make it enjoyable without being overwhelming. The jumbo size which they offer is definitely a must if you’re looking to indulge because it is definitely share-worthy!
A go-to favourite here is their Hong Kong-style Lemon Tea which is typically not found in most bubble tea spots. It has a nice sour yet sweet lemony taste which is made more refreshing with the addition of tapioca pearls!
Business Information:
Address: 3300 Midland Ave #37, Scarborough, ON M1V 4A1
Phone: (416) 335-6161
Website: hiteato.ca
Customer Review Highlight:
"I love this place! I come almost every week. Staff is super friendly , always a good experience. My favourite is their cheese tiramisu, cheese mango strawberry, signature fruit tea and hk lemon tea. I'm addicted! They also have a points program so every drink you buy you get 1 point and once you collect 10 points you earn a free drink. "
"Nice environment and atmosphere to hangout. Love the darling Lemon Tea best in Toronto. Will definitely visit more often！"
Pros
- Serves Taiwanese snacks
- Offers HK lemon tea
- Trendy decor and interior
Cons
- Prices are on the higher side
8. Royal Tea
Located at 491A Dundas Street West and a new location inside Scarborough Town Centre, this new location for great bubble tea is no less than exciting! The place offers a warm, yet cozy cabin-type atmosphere and their customer service only offer the best.
The environment is great for after-work and seating is very comfortable – holding about 4 people per table. Royal Tea has a wide variety of options, including their delicious waffles with ice cream.
The new trend at Royal Tea is their bear and lightbulb trending cups which add a great new addition to the bubble tea family.
Business Information:
Address: 4188 Finch Ave E #9, Scarborough, ON M1S 4T6
Phone: (416) 321-8588
Website: royalteaus.com
Customer Review Highlight:
"So spacious and comfortable, and super nice staff. For some reason this location is rarely overly crowded so it's nice to hang out here. Also all the benches are spaced out so it feels safer. Drinks wise it's standard Royaltea fare, innovative drinks that don't break the bank. Also I love their new merchandise glass bottles! "
"They got some awesome summer special drinks. Was totally blow away by the "Fresh Fruit Oolong Supercup". But do expect longer than usual waiting time for those gems."
Pros
- Sells waffles and ice cream
- Great prices
- Multiple locations throughout Toronto
Cons
- Complaints about poor customer service in some locations
9. Machi Machi
With several locations in downtown Toronto, on 575 Yonge Street, and in Scarborough, MachiMachi quenches every sip of thirst with their all-natural and high-quality ingredients, served in the unique styles of innovative bottles.
Their cute interior setting can only be described as Sanrio minimalism and is perfect for anyone who wishes to embrace their creative side.
Their Freshly Pressed Tea, Machi Milk Tea/Latte, Cream Foam, Fresh Fruit and Fizzy Tea are just some of the splendid creations Machi Machi has to offer!
In need of something to blow your imagination away? Try Machi Machi’s online store for your drinks mix today!
Business Information:
Address: 575 Yonge St, Toronto, ON M4Y 1Z2
Phone: (416) 792-5569
Website: machimachi.ca
Customer Review Highlight:
"I've been to the location up in Scarborough so this was my first visit to the downtown location. Drinks are hand crafted to order and tasty as always! Covid safety protocols are in place and the service was quick and friendly! "
"Friendly staff, the wait time was super short and the aesthetics of the store were very nice. I definitely recommend the tiger brown sugar drink, it is one of the best items on their menu"
Pros
- Modern and minimalistic store design
- Bubble tea is served in cute bottles
- Drinks taste as good as they look
Cons
- Longer wait times
10. Whale Juice and Blends
Instagram/@whalejuiceandblends
Located at 4750 Yonge Street, in the hub of the bustling food and restaurant district where Sheppard meets Yonge, Whale Juice and Blends offers customers spectacular handmade, all-natural beverages that will cool you down for the taking.
On a mission to mix healthy with satisfyingly tasty, Whale Juice and Blends offers fresh fruit blends of all kinds, including strawberry, pineapple, watermelon, pear avocado, honeydew, pineapple kale and many more.
Some drinks are even offered by the season. Freshly pressed juice with sublime toppings, such as tapioca, aloe and cheese foam is also a stellar option!
Then there’s a little bit of everything such as the “Grape Boom Cheese Tea” and the “Tropical Boom Slush” with a little bit of extra blend!
Business Information:
Address: 4750 Yonge St #105, North York, ON M2N 5M6
Phone: (416) 699-4253
Customer Review Highlight:
"This is one truly beautiful establishment. The drinks are made with real fruit, as evident with the absurd amount of fruit stock that they have. They are also extremely quick to make their products and the service is great. I crave a drink from here every week or so."
"The juice tasted very fresh and flavourful, very helpful employees as well!! Tried this place for the first time today and I loved it!! "
Pros
- Freshly blended juices
- Drinks are reasonable priced
- Store has a modern and sleek interior
Cons
- Sometimes the drinks can be inconsistent
11. Ten Ren Tea
Ten Ren Tea is another big name in the bubble tea space in Toronto. They have several locations throughout Toronto. They grow their own tea leaves in Taiwan and used them in their drink in all of their stores – you can also buy them in the store to use at home as well. They also offer a variety of customizable drinks such as the pina cola milk tea and taro coconut slush!
A unique drink to try is the red bean green tea slush. This drink is made with real matcha powder blended with evaporated milk and ice and topped with red beans. If you want, you can also add tapioca to it.
The matcha gives the drink a nice grassy flavour which is balanced out by the sweetness of the red beans. The overall effect is refreshing and delicious!
Business Information:
Address: 111 Times Ave #101, Thornhill, ON L3T 0A2
Phone: (905) 881-8896
Website: tenren.com
Customer Review Highlight:
“Really nice drink selection and served food as well. Nice atmosphere to sit and chat. The staff were very friendly and helpful as well”
“Great atmosphere, a nice change from other Taiwanese food places. Teas are fantastic. It's great change of pace if you want to slow down and enjoy your meal. Tea selection is also better than most other places. The food selection offers a nice twist on popular dishes which makes the experience more unique.”
Pros
- Uses premium tea leaves
- Tapioca is made daily
- Quick service
Cons
- Long lineups
12. Blossoming Juice Canada
Located at 3720 Midland Avenue, at Midland and Finch, Blossoming Juice Canada is an Asian-inspired brand that speaks nothing lower than classical and contemporary art!
By some of the most infamous artists and painters such as Vincent van Gogh and Jean Metzinger, “Starry Night” and “The Blue Bird” have been re-envisioned into a captivating drink.
With juice mix, smoothies, teas and satiety milkshakes, this vintage garden convert real life-juice making into an undeniable prestigious and elegant afternoon dining “ritual at the table”. It’s like having your own fabulous tea party.
Business Information:
Address: 3720 Midland Ave unit 112, Scarborough, ON M1V 4V3
Phone: (416) 551-5154
Website: blossomingjuice.ca
Customer Review Highlight:
"A super cute place that we popped into when looking for bubble tea. We got the “Jungle Smell After Rain” and it was super refreshing!!! The people who work here were patient and helpful when we were deciding our drinks. Definitely coming back again! "
"Blossoming juice is not your average drink place. Originating from Taiwan they serve some of the most aesthetically pleasing drinks which are also made from quality ingredients and no artificial flavors."
Pros
- Stylish store interior
- Drinks are made with high-quality ingredients
- Unique bubble tea flavours
Cons
- Only one location
13. Xing Fu Tang
Bringing you Xing Fu Tang from Xing Fu Tang, Taiwan, this cultural gourmet store is located at 506 Yonge Street, Toronto.
All key ingredients are sourced directly from Taiwan and drinks are made in the exact formula that was used a very long time ago in Xing Fu Tang. Customer appreciation is regarded and bubble teas are like no other!
Signature Brown Sugar Milk Pearl to Damascus Rose Tea with Lime, these teas bring about a sense of incomparable joy and satisfaction! Xing Fu Tang aims to bring to people a cultural experience of Taiwan and shoot to only serve the highest quality Taiwanese beverages in the city.
Business Information:
Address: 4632 Yonge St, North York, ON M2N 5M1
Phone: (416) 222-7888
Website: xingfutang.ca
Customer Review Highlight:
"Amazing location with very friendly staff. The mango bunny drink is not overly sweet and is one of my favourites, and the jelly bunny only adds to the presentation. The tapioca is also tastes fresh and chewy. This location also offers ice cream during the summer with a bubble tea flavours and tapioca."
"Best bubble tea ive ever had in toronto, i work close by and its such a amazing experience, grrat people aswell."
Pros
- Great tasting tapioca
- Quick service
- Sell some of the best brown sugar bubble tea in Toronto
Cons
- Prices are on the higher side
How to Order a Bubble Tea?
Ordering a bubble tea might seem a little intimidating at first, but if you keep these simple steps in mind, it will become second nature.
Choose a flavour: This can be either a milk tea or a slushie drink. Milk teas are the most common and they have that classic creamy taste.
Adjust the sweetness level: You can then pick your level of sweetness by deciding on a regular or jumbo cup.
Pick the toppings: Most bubble tea shops will have tapioca pearls as well as grass jelly and pudding. And that’s how you order bubble tea!
Some stores will also have milk foam and ice cream, but it’s always good to double-check with your store in order to enjoy the best drink!
Although you can’t go wrong with a classic milk tea, it’s always nice to experiment and try something new. So take a chance and get adventurous when you’re ordering your next bubble tea! It might become a new addiction.
FAQs About Bubble Tea
Tapioca pearls are starch extracted from cassava root which is a vegetable similar to yam and potato. It’s then boiled in water and then moulded into the desired texture for bubble tea!
Bubble tea is only as healthy as you make it be. You can choose from a variety of healthier options such as fresh fruit juices, milk teas without flavouring syrups and more! However, if you have too much then it definitely will not be good for your health. It’s best to enjoy in moderation!
Although bubble tea was traditionally vegan, it doesn’t automatically mean that every place is vegan-friendly. Some places might add flavouring syrups so be sure to check with the shop if they use them or not before you order!
Yes! Tapioca pearls are completely gluten-free and there shouldn’t be any cross-contamination in their preparation and cooking process.
Conclusion
Toronto is home to some amazing bubble tea spots, and the list above highlights seven of the best. Whether you’re a fan of classic black milk tea or something more exotic like durian smoothie, there’s sure to be a spot on this list that will satisfy your cravings. So next time you’re in Toronto, be sure to check out one (or all!) of these great bubble tea shops!
For more ideas on other treats, you can find in Toronto, check out these articles:
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