You’re craving bubble tea, but you don’t want to make a big deal about it. It seems a little extra now that you’re finally at a point in your life where you can just enjoy a simple boba without posting about it (but you might anyway). Above all, you definitely don’t want to be one of those people who tries every single flavor in one go. You might even go so far as to tell people you’re just ‘grabbing a drink.’
Tastea Glendale, AZ
$ | (623) 261-6446 | WEBSITE
Even though your original plan was to spend the afternoon scrolling through your phone, sipping on a sad convenience store slushie, you now regret not planning something better. Two ideas for you: One, wait a few minutes and see if the craving passes. Two, gather your friends for refreshing boba and tasty snacks at Tastea Glendale. The space is clean and relaxed enough that you can actually hang out, and the drinks are way better than anything from a vending machine.
Save that for when you’re truly desperate.
Phở Avina
$ | (602) 439-2547 | WEBSITE
Remember when you were little, and your family would take you to that one special spot that felt like home? This place doesn’t have your grandma’s kitchen, but you can capture the same feeling with a bowl of their phenomenal pho. Plan to start off by finding a seat in the cozy dining area (since it’s always popular with regulars). Once you settle in, the welcoming and kind staff will take your order, which arrives quickly.
Then, you’ll have all the time in the world to enjoy generous portions of meat, noodles, and toppings in that delicious broth and be glad you’re not trying to recreate these authentic Vietnamese flavors at home.
EN Boba & Tea
$ | WEBSITE
EN Boba & Tea is fantastic, but going there is definitely a big deal. It’s not cheap, and finding a table can be hard. But the lively atmosphere and interactive activities make it worth the effort. They serve great drinks like rose milk tea and Okinawa, along with favorites like Kona boba and extra sweet Thai tea with extra boba. The restaurant has the same cool hangout thing going for it, but it’s much more casual than other boba spots.
Plus they have a very cute Polaroid wall and decorated walls that add a charming touch.
Zero One Ice
$ | (602) 612-3239 | WEBSITE
Zero One Ice is bright and (if the colorful games for kids are any indicator) doesn’t take itself too seriously. And while that playful attitude is perfect for a family outing, it doesn’t extend to the drinks, which are all very well-made. You can’t go wrong with anything you order here, whether it’s the dairy-free options, the passion fruit slush, the strawberry jelly, or the very creamy sno ice. Don’t leave without trying the fresh Thai tea, brewed daily, which sets it apart from other shops.
Bubble Cups
$ | (623) 398-8292 | WEBSITE
Part of “not making a big deal” about your afternoon is being flexible. But wandering aimlessly around a strip mall with no plan at all is a bit too flexible. This Glendale spot is where to go if you want options. Have a drink at Bubble Cups (order the Thai Tea with Boba), get a snack while playing board games in the bright, spacious seating area, and/or go for the arcade games, where there’s entertainment for the whole family.
(All the activities are offered by the same friendly owner and staff.) If the refreshment gods are smiling on you, there might even be a fruit smoothie worth trying—especially if you like stronger banana flavor.
Teamania
$ | (623) 825-6122 | WEBSITE
You’re pretty sure your phone just autocorrected ‘boba’ to ‘boring,’ and your friend just ordered a plain iced tea without any toppings. In other words, you’re not really feeling the ‘basic beverage’ thing today. Luckily there’s Teamania, a bubble tea spot in Glendale. It’s one of the best places in Arizona to visit when you want to forget about your drink dilemmas.
The customizable options, like strawberry green tea with boba or peach tea with lychee jelly, are great for experimenting, and the clean, welcoming atmosphere might take your mind off the fact that your usual order feels stale. So you can focus on what’s actually important: your perfect personalized drink (try the unique combinations).
Tasty Pot Glendale
$$ | (623) 230-2048 | WEBSITE
You secretly miss that feeling of gathering with friends for a big, satisfying meal. Tasty Pot Glendale is an excellent place to do this. It has a welcoming and modern atmosphere, reliably fantastic hot pot with fresh ingredients and rich broths, and a comfortable setting that’s perfect for acting like you’re on a culinary adventure (no matter how many times you’ve been).
The attentive, friendly staff will ensure all your needs are met, and no one will notice if you customize your dipping sauces a little too enthusiastically.
Meemay’s Ice Cream & Milk Tea House
$ | (623) 248-0279 | WEBSITE
Constantly insisting you were too tired for a big night out made everyone think…you were too tired for a big night out. Okay, maybe that wasn’t entirely accurate, but now Friday evening has arrived and you’d feel guilty hauling friends across town to some packed, chaotic hotspot. For something delightful without the drama, head to Meemay’s Ice Cream & Milk Tea House, a cozy and charming spot in Glendale. Sample their perfect milk tea, mouth-watering crepes, or customizable boba drinks.
You won’t be staging any TikTok videos beside a giant taiyaki sculpture, but you’ll definitely leave satisfied.
MK’s Fresh Donuts & Coffee
$ | (623) 349-7699 | WEBSITE
Thanks to Instagram, everyone in your office knows you’re craving something sweet. You weren’t going to say anything about it, but now they want to grab a mid-morning treat, and you get to pick the spot. MK’s Fresh Donuts & Coffee in Glendale has delicious donuts, as well as an inexhaustible supply of breakfast foods – so your entire office can come, and you won’t have to wait for a seat. You won’t have to break the bank, either (we hope). Win-win.
Zero Degrees
$ | (623) 773-0956 | WEBSITE
Kid-friendly fries with chili and cheese, perfectly balanced oolong milk tea, and excellent garlic noodles are just a few reasons why Zero Degrees will inspire you to abandon your usual takeout routine. This casual bubble tea restaurant in Glendale is easy to walk in, but the clean, well-maintained space is always busy enough to still feel lively.
Zero Degrees has lots of tables good for small groups, a menu of delicious options like popcorn chicken with rice and corn and fried dumplings, and beverages including the popular jasmine milk tea and the new rising Phoenix oolong milk tea. Plus, that strawberry bliss drink will (probably) still be available when you return, so you’ll have time to give it another try.
Boba Tea Company
$ | (623) 282-3373 | WEBSITE
It feels like nobody in your crew wants to plan the next hangout anymore. Someone needs to break the cycle, and it might as well be you. You’re basically doing everyone a solid. So pick a spot that’s fun, but doesn’t require much coordination. The creative drinks (like the Snow Bunny over ice with mango gobi) at Boba Tea Company are delicious and unique, ordering is straightforward, and the convenient mall location and two different drink sizes make it perfect for group outings.
Maybe everyone else will have such a refreshing time, they’ll start suggesting meet-ups again—so you can take a break from planning.
Ti-Li Boba
$ | (623) 847-1455 | WEBSITE
Unfortunately your birthday is in December, when most of your friends are still recovering from holiday indulgences. Rather than being forced to listen to everyone complain about how hard it is to find something light and refreshing, make a group trip to Ti-Li Boba. It’s a spot with plenty of delightful drink options, plus those Go Go Mango with poppers you can take to go. Enjoy them later by yourself, or with your other friends.
Tea-riffic Churro
$ | (623) 877-5188 | WEBSITE
Deciding to get bubble tea at a typical boba shop automatically makes it just another sweet drink. Which you don’t want. Not really. But…going somewhere likable and delicious with a wide-ranging menu to make everyone happy would be fun, now that you think about it. You just don’t want a sceney sh*tshow in a strip mall where someone could get overwhelmed by sugary options. Tea-riffic Churro, a spot in Glendale, is a useful workaround.
The menu has amazing bubble waffles and boba drinks, plus other fresh items like smoothies and popcorn chicken, and the space has a cute atmosphere that’s perfect for groups of all sizes. But the truth is, the drinks taste so good you’d be happy coming by yourself, which would be a serious boba power move.
Paris Banh Mi – Glendale AZ
$ | (480) 687-2528 | WEBSITE
Some spots are good for solo visits without being obvious about it—meaning they aren’t full of loud groups, or Instagram-ready murals you’ll want to photograph, or lines of people waiting for their boba orders. Paris Banh Mi is one of those spots. Its menu of affordable Vietnamese sandwiches and pastries is designed for quick enjoyment, and there are plenty of cozy tables that can easily accommodate a quiet meal. It is a total sleeper study spot. Also playlist-free.