Fort Lauderdale, Florida may be famous for its sun-drenched beaches and boating canals. But it’s also home to an impressive concentration of bubble tea spots per square mile. This coastal city boasts Taiwanese classics, creative fruit infusions, dairy-free options, and some seriously addictive boba pearls. And with its vibrant downtown and walkable neighborhoods, you’ll need more than one afternoon to try our 16 favorite bubble tea destinations.
Dumpling King (Coral Springs)
$ | (954) 775-0867 | WEBSITE
This spot in Coral Springs has big windows showing off the bustling street and memorable dumplings. If you see the Shanghai style pork dumplings on the menu, spring for them. But our favorite thing is the “made-to-order” experience—a personalized “tell me what’s freshest today” moment in which you’ll get to inspire the kitchen. We once told them we love savory food and were craving wings, and we ended up with perfectly crispy wings glazed in a rich, flavorful sauce.
Hold off on ordering fried foods here—if you’re going to spend the $12, you might as well save room for more of those delicate soup dumplings bursting with broth.
Hollywood Boba
$ | (954) 559-2143 | WEBSITE
This bubble tea spot makes drinks we want to grow old with. The taro boba milk tea, with its creamy sweetness and chewy pearls, is the sort of treat you’d order twice in one visit. Except it’s served in a cozy, welcoming space with TVs and games that keep the atmosphere lively. Bring a friend you have a crush on, but know the service can be slow, though the owners are kind and dedicated. The helpful, patient employees assist with orders while customers gather to play tabletop games.
If you think bubble tea is just a passing fad, Hollywood Boba will at least make you consider it a regular habit.
Tiger Sugar
$ | (954) 534-7607 | WEBSITE
For anyone hoping for a cute and chill spot with that signature tiger stripe look, Tiger Sugar has heard your prayers—takeout-only and all. This place has the kind of boba tea that would impress fussy bubble tea fans, as well as solid drinks and truly excellent cream mousse (hello, Black Sugar Milk Tea and Strawberry Mochi). After your order, head to the counter for recommendations, especially if you’re new, which is when the helpful team shines.
Sprinkles & Scoops Ice Cream & Boba Tea
$ | (954) 727-3581 | WEBSITE
This boba and ice cream spot feels a lot sweeter than the typical dessert shop suggests. But you’ll probably stop paying attention to the super chill ambiance as soon as your passion fruit green tea with lychee popping bubbles arrives. Plan to try everything, from the marble soda and Superman ice cream to the excellent ice cream turned into a milkshake.
There’s also a wonderfully smooth and bursting-with-fruity-goodness boba tea selection, though you can always go for the perfect balance of tart and sweet in the diverse flavors. The friendly staff provides exceptional service, making every visit enjoyable for those looking for something different.
Boba & Tea Cafe
$ | (954) 459-9740 | WEBSITE
Normally, you don’t go to a bubble tea shop for a full meal. But Boba & Tea Cafe’s drinks and treats are just as satisfying as its relaxing atmosphere. Unless, of course, you’re not interested in sipping Thai tea in the bright, modern space, with cheerful decor and convenient free parking. Plan on stopping by for a sweet treat, when they have delicious boba tea and soft, chewy boba.
They also let you adjust the sweetness level, but you’ll want to try their highly recommended strawberry milk tea with milk-cheese cap and passion fruit tea.
TEALICIOUS
$ | (954) 314-7490 | WEBSITE
The vibrant K-pop music videos and the modern accent wall featuring their logo do all the heavy-lift advertising for this cozy bubble tea spot in Fort Lauderdale, as do displays of creative drinks like cheese foam and fruit Yakults. It’s pretty much the social hub of the area, complete with milk-free Thai Tea and a variety of well-balanced options made with fresh ingredients.
Order at the self-service kiosk or counter and the friendly staff will bring your drink to your table, or just swing by to pick up a brown sugar milk tea for someone in your life who will appreciate a delightful mango kefir with sago pearls.
Tic Toc Tea
$ | (754) 273-2814 | WEBSITE
Tic Toc Tea is tucked away inside a nail salon, but it’s worth the visit for classic, fruity, or even fruit-and-creamy bubble teas. What feels like a hidden find is actually a full-service boba counter, where customers wait beside nail polish displays and watch staff make drinks behind the counter. They have the usual choices like brown sugar milk tea, but we recommend the passionfruit with kiwi popping boba, as well as the must-try taro milk tea.
It’s a perfect spot for a refreshing treat, especially while getting your nails done right there in the same cozy space.
Summer Wood Cafe
$ | (954) 765-6943 | WEBSITE
We know what you’re thinking—sushi in a bubble tea roundup? When that sushi comes with fresh, generous portions of spicy mayo and eel sauce, you bet. This hidden gem makes fantastic crispy chicken and corn alongside well-cooked chicken fried rice—unsurprising, since the cafe accommodates dietary restrictions with oat milk and dairy-free options. Sit inside, order sushi, chicken fried rice, and crispy chicken with corn (if it’s available, request extra spicy mayo).
Enjoying your meal amid the beautiful decor and nice vibe is objectively the place to be. But the welcoming atmosphere has a special friendly feel of its own, complete with a solid and continuous dining experience in case you are in need of a delightful meal, or would like to try a must-visit spot.
BoraSoo Cafe
$ | (954) 990-6082 | WEBSITE
If you want to drink good boba, go straight to BoraSoo Cafe. We’re talking sugar milk tea made with creamy sweetness and floral notes, or refreshing matcha milk tea to sip by the cup. This cafe is right in Fort Lauderdale, a veritable K-pop shrine of BTS-inspired decor, merchandise displays, and cozy seating. There’s plenty of Korean snacks in the shop, too, including a selection of Asian treats, sweet desserts, and Kpop merchandise on the shelves (picture a chill study spot meets fan paradise).
The food is decent—get the comforting Korean dishes and, if you’re indulging, the specialty drinks—but the boba is really the highlight of the experience.
Kung Fu Tea
$ | (954) 999-7701 | WEBSITE
You can’t miss Kung Fu Tea—it’s tucked right behind the parking garage with free validation—and we like it best for a sweet afternoon pick-me-up. The S’mores Coffee Slush with boba is huge (and the leftovers will keep in your fridge all week), and there’s a wide variety of boba and tea options, including vegetarian choices and the classic milk tea with its perfect balance of sweetness.
In case you need a drink for the beach or on your walk around Fort Lauderdale, Kung Fu Tea also does plenty of takeout. Just don’t think too hard about the fact that the global chain maintains such great quality control while still feeling like a local favorite.
Litchi Delights
$ | (954) 530-3837 | WEBSITE
At first, we were skeptical of the star lights out front and the small, cozy space in Copper City. But the food here is genuinely good, especially the curry chicken over egg noodles that somehow has the aftertaste of a rich, savory broth. It’s unsurprisingly better when you order from the friendly staff inside. The restaurant doubles as a relaxing, sociable spot, where you can unwind with friends or even bring the whole family.
Remember Litchi Delights when you need to enjoy a meal over boba (they also have sushi and dumplings), or pick up one of their Taro Boba smoothies to go.
Summer Love Ice House
$ | (954) 404-6431 | WEBSITE
If you want a Kpop-soundtracked afternoon spot to watch families with kids happily digging into mountains of shaved ice, head straight to Summer Love Ice House. We wouldn’t come here for a full meal, but it’s perfect for cooling off and sharing creative dessert classics like the mango strawberry shaved ice, plus dairy-free options like the popular pineapple flavor and delicious side toppings like mochi bites and red bean.
All of which basically function as your ticket to experience Summer Love’s perfectly balanced, not-too-sweet treats that are worth every penny.
Aunt Jenn’s Tea & Spice Shop
$$ | (561) 221-4737 | WEBSITE
Head to Aunt Jenn’s Tea & Spice Shop to spend an afternoon with a chai latte and an exorbitant amount of scones. Located in Wilton Manors, this charming shop serves fresh teas, homemade scones, and light bites, and admittedly not much for heartier appetites. We also like the carrot cupcakes, but make sure to specify if you want them warmed (they’re fantastic either way). As far as non-tea drinks go, there’s a decent selection of coffees that get the job done on a cozy day.
92 Chicken Ft. Lauderdale
$ | (954) 807-8982 | WEBSITE
If you’re craving something crunchy after a long day in Fort Lauderdale, head straight to this cozy Korean spot for the crispiest chicken in South Florida. 92 Chicken loads up family-style tables with perfectly fried pieces, tender dark meat, and standout yangyeom chicken coated in that delicious sauce. Get that, along with the Japchae Bop with tofu—it’s wonderfully filling, thanks to chewy noodles and savory vegetables.
For anyone looking for something meatier, we like the Beef Bulgogi Dupbop with its sweet-marinated slices. The restaurant also serves great fruit teas like passion fruit with mango boba, but if you need something stronger, the friendly bar staff like Josiah can point you toward their soju selection. Expect to pay around $15–$20 per person for a hearty meal, but it’s worth every penny for flavors that transport you straight to Korea.
Yumbo Poke
$ | (954) 870-5633 | WEBSITE
Yumbo Poke does darn good Hawaiian-style poke. In other words, you’ll find lots of fresh fish and several friendly staff members circling options on a written menu behind a counter. Order the Salmon Breeze bowl with tuna, avocado, and edamame to see how all that circling paid off. The salmon is fresh and tender, and their spicy tuna starts bold before melting like a magic trick.
We also love their Thai dumplings with bits of pork, and the ginger dressing is a nice change of pace from the main creamy, tangy, and original poke sauce options. The Fort Lauderdale location is right in a cozy dining spot (maybe a bit on the nose), so come for a casual lunch at one of about five tables. There are only a handful of seats inside, so if it looks busy, get there early.
Jade Tea House
$ | (954) 765-6179 | WEBSITE
If you’re craving something sweet or need a refreshing pick-me-up, visit this bubble tea shop near Tower Plaza. It’s quite relaxed—all drinks come in clear cups even if you’re staying in the shop—so don’t expect a formal dining experience. But the Plain Jane coffee with boba (try it with matcha cream) and the Taro Bubble Tea are both delightful, and a nice alternative to the area’s typical coffee shops. Of their desserts, we recommend the green Thai tea soft serve.
No matter what you order, plan on grabbing a strawberry shortcake sundae or an almond croissant. There are no alcoholic beverages, but the pineapple fruit tea with passion fruit jelly boba and the classic brown sugar boba milk tea do a great job of satisfying your sweet tooth.
