In an ideal world, you’d be sipping bubble tea in a bustling Taiwanese teahouse, surrounded by friends and the sweet scent of tapioca pearls. Unfortunately, we’re not always in that world. But just because you’re craving that perfect boba fix doesn’t mean you have to settle for mediocre. With San Carlos’ vibrant bubble tea scene offering everything from classic milk teas to innovative fruit blends, your perfect cup is closer than you think. Here are the spots worth your straw.
Tpumps
$ | (510) 398-8499 | WEBSITE
Your post-grocery boba run is the stuff of legends, so recreate it this week with the help of Tpumps. The massively popular milk tea spot at the Metro Center is doing quick and friendly service, offering refreshing drinks, unique flavors like rose vanilla milk tea with lychee jelly, and more. If you’re looking to make it extra (of course you are), grab a Pumpbo size cup on Tuesdays for free.
Remember – there’s no long wait when you’re sipping bottomless boba after visiting the park across the street.
WanPo Tea Shop
$ | (628) 228-8007 | WEBSITE
During a busy afternoon in San Carlos, a quality bubble tea can feel like some far-off luxury, but WanPo Tea Shop has made that Taiwanese treat exponentially closer by offering pre-ordering through the Snack pass app that serves the entire area. Now, you can be sipping perfectly chewy boba, delightful mango pomelo sago, and high-quality milk tea for your break and never have to wait in line.
If you are able to make it to the shop, they’re known for quick service even during peak times with their bright anime-themed decor.
Sunright Tea Studio – Burlingame
$ | (650) 437-2959 | WEBSITE
It’s been a long week and you’re ready to treat yourself – so head over to Sunright Tea Studio in Burlingame for your very own boba experience. Prices and flavors vary, but you can generally expect drinks between $5 and $7, a lot of fragrant milk teas, and some very happy taste buds. Try the brûlée oat latte or sunright fruit tea for all the details.
Grapeholic
$ | (650) 231-2682 | WEBSITE
If you’re the kind of person who believes it’s not a hot day unless there’s a refreshing drink involved, head to Grapeholic right now. The bubble tea spot will craft, blend, and serve the grape-focused tea of your dreams right at your table in the food hall.
Tiger Tea & Juice San Mateo
$ | WEBSITE
Tiger Tea & Juice is a San Mateo staple and one of the Peninsula’s most reliable bubble tea spots. Though your chances of grabbing a seat go down exponentially when you’re rushing through downtown, just do what we do and order some of their famous Thai tea to-go, throw in a creamy avocado shake, and enjoy your drinks while walking around the neighborhood. Before you do, check their Snackpass for special deals.
T4
$ | (650) 302-4755 | WEBSITE
Few things will get you more nostalgic for the simpler days of childhood than a citywide lockdown – and that’s exactly why this year, you’re craving T4. Their entire menu of bubble teas and Korean snacks is currently available for pickup, but if you’re able to find street parking downtown, you’ll get that cozy atmosphere with unique wallpaper thrown in. Use that nostalgic craving for Olivia’s Tanghulu at checkout.
Yomie’s rice x yogurt | Millbrae
$ | (650) 392-0650 | WEBSITE
With locations in Millbrae and Fremont, this unique dessert drink spot has carved out a niche pretty impressively in recent years, but all that means for you on a hot day is that you aren’t too far of a drive from one. They’re currently serving their full menu at each location and though the place can get busy sometimes, you’ll still find all the best highlights like purple rice yogurt, salty egg yogurt, and their probiotic-rich signature drinks.
Lily’s Crêperie
$ | (650) 312-1579 | WEBSITE
With everything from lemon crêpes and iced ca phe sua da to gelato and fresh whipped cream, Lily’s Crêperie is the definition of charming comfort food. And even though you have zero plans to venture far today, that electric vehicle charging stop is absolutely still an opportunity. Indoor seating and outdoor space are available daily with drinks and gelato to-go as well. Keep an eye on their Crystal Springs Village location for that perfect sunny day visit.
Urban Ritual
$ | (650) 458-3298 | WEBSITE
You’re spending this afternoon craving something sweet – don’t settle. You have three errands to run nearby, plus you’re stopping by Urban Ritual. Made with high-quality ingredients and served in compostable cups, this boba milk tea store in San Carlos serves up some of our favorite drinks in the entire area. And that’s the type of treat you need right now. In addition to their regular menu, they’re also offering easy online ordering for pickup – visit their website to order.
Bobalicious
$ | (650) 298-8268 | WEBSITE
With everything from classic jasmine green tea to unique avocado shakes to oolong milk tea, Bobalicious’s $6 drinks are the perfect way to treat yourself during a busy downtown day. The menu features consistent options daily, so you can count on their quality whenever you visit, but rest assured, whatever you choose is going to be refreshing.
Tea Juice
$ | (650) 591-4952 | WEBSITE
You don’t need a full meal or elaborate dining for your afternoon break, all you want is a refreshing drink. Make Tea Juice your choice. The hidden gem in San Carlos has their entire menu available for takeout, so whether you’re in the mood for fresh juices, Vietnamese coffee, Rose Oolong Tea Salted Cream, or Brown Sugar Boba Fresh Milk, your thirst shall be quenched today. For the latest updates, check out their social media.
Shuyi Grass Jelly & Tea 书亦烧仙草
$ | (650) 437-4090 | WEBSITE
If all you wanted this weekend was a little comfort and some brown sugar jelly milk tea, you’re in luck. Every day from 11am-9pm, Shuyi Grass Jelly & Tea in downtown San Mateo is serving their signature drinks for around $6 each. The specific sweetness levels are customizable, so be sure to ask for 30% sugar if you prefer it less sweet. Then be sure to add some grass jelly topping as well – it is your weekend treat after all.
Happy Lemon Belmont
$ | WEBSITE
Weekends are about treating yourself, and there are few bigger indulgences than grabbing a perfect bubble tea from Happy Lemon and watching your favorite shows from the comfort of your couch all afternoon. Almost the entire menu is available for convenient app pickup (with a buy 10, get one free reward), and that includes classics like the Okinawa roasted milk tea with tapioca and the plain bubble waffle, which you absolutely will be craving again tomorrow.
They’re also offering the option to customize many drinks to 50% sweet.
Tong Sui Desserts & Drinks (Redwood City)
$$ | (650) 362-3313 | WEBSITE
After a long search for something different, this coconut-focused spot delivers exactly what you need – a Dessert Night Escape. Tong Sui offers their full regular menu, but we say skip that in favor of their signature coconut puddings. Ranging from $6-12, these glass-jar desserts are essentially build-your-own sweet stations, complete with fresh-tasting coconut pudding (plus mango sticky rice option), their famous silky texture, and all the toppings you could want.
Available for dine-in with modest seating.
Lilikoi on Broadway
$ | (650) 389-6716 | WEBSITE
You were just planning to grab your usual coffee from Peet’s, but after spotting the line out the door, you’re pivoting to the cozy spot right next door. Specifically, to Lilikoi on Broadway. This hidden gem has been serving up some of our favorite Hawaiian-inspired boba drinks for a while now, and the self-service kiosks haven’t slowed them down one bit. They’re always offering quick and easy ordering during regular hours, but on hot afternoons, you can grab a refreshing P.O.G.
Aloha or House Milk Tea to enjoy in their inviting seating area. Drinks available all day via their friendly service.
BOBER TEA & COFFEE
$ | (650) 226-5552 | WEBSITE
If you can’t decide what you want to drink and your friends are picky, head to Bober Tea & Coffee. The San Carlos spot is offering mochi donuts for $1 with any drink purchase every Tuesday where you can mix and match different flavors until you get the treat you want. Or, if you just want to do boba instead, they have that as well – at $6 a cup with no extra charge for converting it to a slushie. Everything is available through iPad ordering or friendly staff assistance.