The 15 Best Bubble Tea Shops You Shouldn’t Miss in Chicago

Chicago has not been left out of the bubble tea wave and in this article, let’s explore these 15 best places to get your bubble tea in the windy city! It is hard to resist a refreshing cup of bubble tea. The combination of different flavors in a rich creamy mixture complemented by chewy pearls made from tapioca has proven an instant hit with many people. Native to Taiwan, this amazing tea has quickly become popular across the globe. From high-end café’s to corner shops, bubble tea is now a common fixture in many menus.

1.Vivi Bubble Tea

Vivi is a Taiwanese chain of tea shops that has made its way to Chicago to the delight of bubble tea lovers. If you are looking for the real bubble tea experience Vivi Bubble tea shop is the place to find it. The tapioca pearls used in this tea shop are fresh and soft. The variety of flavors available is diverse including some truly exotic flavors.

One of the signature bubble teas at Vivi bubble tea that you really must try is the 3Q bubble tea that comes with herbal green jelly, pudding, and bubbles. The jelly adds a nice texture to the tea and the soft pearls give it that extra texture to make for a truly delicious drink.

The taro bubble tea is also really refreshing. When it comes to Vivi Bubble tea, picking a hard favorite is hard because they are all so good, we suggest you try as many flavors as possible.

2. Joy Yee Plus

Joy Yee Plus offers Taiwanese style bubble teas that are flavorful fresh and often in intriguing combinations. They combine South Asian fruit smoothies with tapioca pearls offering an interesting twist on bubble tea. Their range of bubble teas can be overwhelming but the taro milk tea is a sure winner. The tapioca pearls are chewy and fresh.

Joy Yee tends to get busy and since there is limited seating space so you are better off getting your bubble tea to go. Fortunately, it comes in a handy reusable plastic bottle so you can grab your favorite bubble tea flavor and enjoy it on the go.

3. Argo Tea

Argo tea on Randolph street is in a great location and offers a comfortable sitting area for their clientele. The service is also quick and friendly. They have many options for bubble tea lovers and you will be spoilt for choice. The green tea strawberry flavor is absolutely divine and they also have an impressive selection of different types of teas and tisanes from all over the world.

If you are looking for a nice place to chill and work on your laptop as you sip a refreshing cup of bubble tea, Argo Tea is definitely it.

4. Jess Cafe

Jess Café specializes in Asian cuisine ranging from Chinese to Malaysian food. Their food is undoubtedly delicious and they also have an impressive selection of drinks including their popular bubble tea options. Jess Café is famous for fresh and richly flavored bubble teas that have the perfect texture from soft and well-prepared tapioca pearls.

The friendly service and great atmosphere are more reasons why you should make it a point to visit Jess café for some refreshing bubble tea.

5. Java & Mug

If you are partial to the sweet things, the milk tea bubble tea is just the thing for you at Java & Mug. Enjoy their bubble tea either hot or cold and revel in the fresh taste and perfect texture of the pearls in your bubble tea. Java & Mug is a cozy laid back spot where you can hang out with friends or work on your laptop. If you are a bubble tea lover, this place is definitely worth checking out.

6. TBaar

This is a bubble tea shop with a variety of drinks on offer including; bubble tea, smoothies, and fresh juices. Their ingredients are fresh and there is always a new flavor of bubble tea to try out. TBaar has a nice atmosphere and great service.

The taro bubble tea is always delicious and freshly prepared. If you are feeling a little more adventurous you can try the mango milk foam green tea and enjoy the rich mix of flavors.

7. Hot Shots Café

Hot Shots Café is popular for its coffee and tea options. Bubble tea, smoothies and different types of healthy juices are served here. The Jasmine milk tea with tapioca pearls is sweet with an interesting flavor profile. The taro milk tea with lychee jelly is also quite popular.

With great ambiance and a generous sitting area, Hot Shots Café offers a relaxed and comfortable atmosphere to enjoy your bubble tea in a soothing environment. There is also free WIFI so you can get some work done as you sip your favorite brew.

8.Bingo Tea

If you are feeling self-indulgent, Bingo Tea is the place to go. The bubble tea at this tea shop is a bit pricey but it is worth every penny. They have many different flavors to choose from and a long list of toppings that you can add to your bubble tea.

The friendly employee recommended the purple yam milk tea and my friend had the oolong milk tea and we were both blown away. Their bubble tea has a rich authentic flavor and the tapioca pearls are a perfect combination of soft but chewy.

If you want to try some more adventurous flavors, they have sea salt green tea, jasmine milk tea, and many other exciting flavors. The staff is happy to make recommendations so feel free to try a new flavor of bubble tea when you visit Bingo Tea. This is definitely one of the best bubble tea shops in Chicago.

9. TSAOCAA Tea Chicago

You may have a hard time saying their name but the bubble tea at TSAôCAA is the real deal. Bubble tea shops have popped up all over Chicago to meet the growing demand for bubble tea. TSAôCAA Tea specializes in fruit teas, mixed teas, and milk teas. The fruit teas here are quite popular and the mixed berry with konjac boba is a delicious treat.

At TSAOCAA Tea you get tasty tea, beautiful ambiance and great service making it a five-star bubble tea cafe.

10. B.I.Tea & Dim Sum

The bubble tea selection is not as wide as it is in many other bubble tea shops but the options they do have are always fresh and well done. The passion fruit green tea with tapioca is really good and you can also try the taro milk tea.

Another plus at B.I tea is that you get options on how much sugar you want in your bubble tea so you can opt for a drink that is not overly sweet. The staff are friendly and the service is quick, so it is a great place to grab a quick lunch with some refreshing bubble tea.

11. Te’amo Boba Bar

If you are in downtown Chicago and get a craving some bubble tea, this is the place to get your fix. The bubble tea is made with fresh ingredients which gives it a rich flavor. You also get options on the amount of sugar and ice you want in your bubble tea.

One of their specialties is the White Mustache Matcha with boba topping which is really delicious. If you prefer your bubble tea organic and made with natural ingredients, try the Te’amo Boba Bar.

12. Gathers Tea Bar

This is a relatively new bubble tea spot in Chicago but they have become very popular because of the quality of their bubble tea. The shop space is ultra-modern and cozy and the staff is friendly and happy to make recommendations if you are having a hard time choosing from the several flavors of bubble tea on offer.

The hojicha milk tea and the lychee fruit tea with tapioca at Gathers tea bar are some of their most popular flavors. They also have an amazing selection of toppings including the honey boba which adds a subtle sweetness to the tapioca.

13. Bobar

Bobar is roomy and comfortable with a relaxed atmosphere and plenty of sitting space. Bobar has a wide variety of milk teas and fruit teas to suit different tastes. You can also choose from a variety of toppings and select the amount of sugar you want in a bubble tea which is great for people who do not want an overly sweet bubble tea.

The tea shop also has a range of board games you can enjoy with your friends and family as you enjoy your drinks.

14. Elitea

If you like your bubble tea rich in flavor, Elitea will not disappoint. The tapioca is soft and chewy and the options in terms of flavor and topics are many. Try the peach oolong tea with tapioca and you will probably be returning for more. The boba texture is soft and chewy and served warm and fresh. Elitea is also famous for its brown sugar milk tea with boba.

15. Kung Fu Tea

Kung Fu Tea has an impressive range of bubble tea flavors to choose from. Their tapioca pearls are cooked to perfection and give the bubble tea a perfect texture. The boba is soft, not too sweet and has a good consistency. You also have the option to adjust the amount of ice and sugar in your drinks to suit your taste.

If you find your way to Kung Fu tea, we recommend the oolong milk tea with tapioca, it is simply divine.

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