Remember when ‘bubble tea’ meant a single flavor, questionable pearls, and a plastic cup you’d forget in your car? No. Neither do we. Milford’s bubble tea scene has evolved into something worth celebrating—where tapioca pearls are perfectly chewy, flavors range from classic to creative, and each sip feels like a tiny escape. Whether you’re craving a nostalgic milk tea or an adventurous fruit infusion, these spots deliver.
Loose Leaf Boba Company
$ | (203) 777-4040 | WEBSITE
Loose Leaf Boba Company is a bubble tea spot in Milford that feels like a vibrant cultural hub, complete with an Instagram-worthy wall and exposed industrial pipes. The menu wanders from perfectly soft honey boba to decadent bingsoos topped with mango paradise and caramel biscoff that will make you forget your usual chain-store drinks. The $18 sharing bingsoo is also an excellent answer to the eternal question of ‘where to go for a sweet treat with friends’.
Boba Lounge
$ | (203) 283-1542 | WEBSITE
Thanks to this local bubble tea shop in Milford, you can test your friends’ reactions to you showing up to that afternoon hangout with a zingy, passion fruit tea and agar boba pearls down your shirt. We’re predicting delight mixed with envy. Boba Lounge is a simple, no-frills, serve-your-own-toppings set-up and our pick of the fresh drinks is the slightly sweet passion fruit tea with those standout agar boba pearls.
Poké OLi
$ | (203) 691-1351 | WEBSITE
In a neighborhood full of student budgets and rushed schedules, the consistent freshness and customization of Poké OLi’s build-your-own bowls shines through. The Westville spot is a bright, open space that harks back to casual college hangouts of years past. The signature Joy’s Pick bowl is $12 ($15 with avocado and kimchi) and you can build anything from deveined shrimp with corn and jalapeño to ramen soup with special sauces—while the boba tea options are much, much more refreshing.
Taichi Bubble Tea – New Haven
$ | (203) 891-6155 | WEBSITE
The steady stream of students and friends who fill Taichi’s cozy space throughout the afternoon has got the right idea. You can get your bubble tea by the small, medium, or large—and our go-to order is the Thai Tea with its perfect sweetness. Just be sure to spin the fun prize wheel if your purchase tops $25. The sushi burritos and poke bowls are some of the best around, and demand to be enjoyed in the clean, spacious interior that’s perfect for studying or hanging out.
Mẹcha Noodle Bar
$$ | (203) 691-9671 | WEBSITE
This noodle bar occupies a cozy, inviting spot in Milford that can fit hungry locals and their takeout containers, or anyone who needs a break from the daily grind. Mecha’s pho continues to be the standout order. Rich, flavorful broth with perfect-texture noodles is filled with tender chicken or spicy beef. And the spicy beef ramen, with its marinated egg, is a satisfying meal in itself.
Mai Thai Restaurant – Thai & Ramen & Asian Food & Boba Bubble Tea Drinks
$ | (203) 795-8088 | WEBSITE
Forgetting about your phone is effortless at Mai Thai. Notifications should be silenced so you can give the red-curry-this and wide-noodle-chicken-that authentic Thai dishes (just $14 for the signature spring roll starter) the attention they merit. Whether you’re at the cozy main dining area or seriously considering a midday Thai iced tea at the small counter near the entrance, they serve you promptly and you can leave satisfied and flavor-happy within an hour.
The Whale Tea
$ | (203) 283-3995 | WEBSITE
This bubble tea spot in Milford usually has a steady stream of customers and it’s understandable considering the stellar taro option. Perfectly balanced with creamy milk tea, chewy tapioca pearls, and that unique taro flavor, this is a drink for someone who appreciates quality as a personal standard. It’s flavorful, refreshing, and so generously portioned that you’ll want to savor every last drop through the reusable cup.
Natural Kitchen
$ | (203) 283-1318 | WEBSITE
A restaurant where poke bowls are piled high with fresh ingredients is our kind of restaurant, especially when there’s an anime-themed atmosphere involved as well. Natural Kitchen is Milford’s vibrant dining spot and is a family-friendly destination with lots of colorful decor and lots of flavor that makes for a healthy but still indulgent meal. (Hello, $14 build-your-own options.) The wasabi peas are optional. But, at the same time, they aren’t, if you know what we mean.
Island Poke
$ | (203) 877-8999 | WEBSITE
Island Poke has quickly become a refreshing oasis amid the suburban bustle of Milford, and this bubble tea standout remains one of the best casual lunch spots anywhere in Connecticut. A bowl of their fantastic Tonkotsu Ramen rarely satisfies anything other than spectacularly, and a teriyaki chicken bowl with sweet mango and pineapple goes down similarly delightfully.
Everything hovers around the $12-$18 range, though if you bring a companion, you can also share a couple of their delicious small plates like the popcorn chicken or shrimp tempura. The comfortable, quiet booths and beautiful decor make it an ideal place to enjoy their refreshing salted caramel milk crush or grapefruit tea in those large take-home cups.
Xay’s Kitchen Laos & Thai Cuisine
$ | (203) 298-0381 | WEBSITE
The Milford location of this authentic Laotian and Thai spot is just as dependable as its reputation suggests. Their Pad Kra Prow is consistently excellent—the classic version, or the chicken pho, are our favorites—but the curry dishes and stir fries are similarly satisfying. It’s a meal that works for quick dinners as well as leisurely ones, solo visits, or group gatherings.
Ice and Fire Rolled Ice Cream
$$$ | (203) 308-6658 | WEBSITE
Society needs to accept that dessert is a respite from every shopping trip that teases a four-hour marathon. If you agree, you’ll love Ice and Fire Rolled Ice Cream. It’s the ideal place to start your mall break with Taro rolled ice cream and end it with a selection of egg custard black milk tea, Snickers ice cream, and boba tea.
There’s a cute little counter and mall seating if you want to sit down for some quality time with the epic hand-rolled creations, but you can also grab-and-go and they’ll present your treat in a cheerful container.
T-Swirl crêpe
$ | (475) 234-5278 | WEBSITE
Forget those limp, pre-made crepes. At T-Swirl Crêpe you get a proper, generous wrap of food in your hands. Yes, they’ve got your classic sweet options (strawberry banana Nutella, fruit mix), but others you’re definitely not going to find at a typical dessert spot (shrimp tempura, Angus, smoked salmon). What you really need to know about is their creme brulee crepe. We’re talking a warm, thin crepe, a crackly sugar top, a generous scoop of creamy filling, and enough decadence to make your day.
