We love Oakland. You love Oakland. Which is why it’s so hard to see what’s happening in Oakland right now. Restaurant workers are crafting tapioca pearls, baristas are perfecting milk tea ratios, and people who need a sweet escape are having a hard time finding the perfect one.
Mr. Green Bubble | Oakland
$ | (510) 788-4160 | WEBSITE
Mr. Green Bubble is donating their popular popcorn chicken and boba drinks to local community volunteers – like the neighborhood cleanup crews in Oakland. And when you order one of their office catering packages, a portion of the proceeds will go to continuing to support these community initiatives. Here is their menu – also, it’s quite creative, so we suggest giving it a thorough look.
Happy Lemon
$ | (510) 350-8619 | WEBSITE
Happy Lemon has been serving up delicious waffles and smoothies on Piedmont Avenue, and the City of Oakland’s accessibility advocates – those are the folks who ensure wheelchair-friendly spaces. It’s a great spot for a post-dinner drink while walking down the avenue, with no stairs and a small ramp making it easily accessible. The large space often appears empty from the outside, but adding graphics to the walls could improve its street presence.
One customer tried the dragon fruit yakult smoothie with half sweetness, finding it okay but preferring the mango yakult smoothie for a non-caffeinated option. While the drinks are great, some customers found it challenging to communicate with the barista.
UC Dessert
$ | (510) 922-8857 | WEBSITE
For every $100 in sales, UC Dessert donates $10 towards supporting local arts education. If you want to learn more, go to their website and ‘buy a student a dessert’. People can purchase a gift card and write an encouraging note for a young artist in the Bay Area community.
The Mix
$ | (510) 951-6866 | WEBSITE
The Mix is part of a growing movement to bring high-quality bubble tea to Oakland’s vibrant food scene. They partner with local suppliers to source fresh fruit and cane sugar, creating a rotating selection of signature drinks like the popular Mango Coconut Boom. Their offerings are available throughout the day, with peak hours during both lunch and evening when the cozy atmosphere really comes alive.
QTea Bar
$ | (510) 414-9997 | WEBSITE
Every day from 11am to 10pm, QTea Bar is serving up creamy milktea, refreshing slushies, and scoops of Thai tea ice cream to bubble tea lovers looking for a quick treat. They just need to walk up to the window and order from the friendly, organized staff who keep the wait short and efficient. It’s in keeping with their reputation for high-quality products and satisfying experiences, with boba and grass jelly that are chewy, soft, and sweet but not too sweet.
Visit this spot if you want to enjoy a reliable sweet indulgence without seating, with easy parking and the option to pay with cash to save a little money.
Golden Tea Shop
$ | (510) 251-9368 | WEBSITE
This Oakland tea shop is doing the same thing as other top bubble tea spots – for anyone craving quality, not just tea connoisseurs. All orders are first come, first served, with online ordering recommended to avoid wait times. It’s also known for its perfect brewing methods and cozy atmosphere, and you can visit their new location a few doors down from the original if you want to explore different tea flavors.
Boba Binge Chinatown
$$ | (510) 454-9899 | WEBSITE
The Chinatown location of this bubble tea spot is participating in the Meals Of Love For Frontline Heroes program, where they donate drinks and snacks to frontline workers. Check out their Instagram for more information.
RareTea Oakland
$ | (510) 817-4435 | WEBSITE
The team at RareTea Oakland partnered with local schools to do some good. They’re offering discounted drinks to students, then sending those students back to class with a sweet treat to share with their friends. During busy lunch hours, the cafe becomes crowded with students taking advantage of off-campus lunch, but the friendly staff provides quick service despite the rush.
Customers enjoy the generous serving of tea in larger cups compared to other places, with perfectly cooked boba and creamy milk. The roseflower milk tea offers a floral taste from rose syrup, while the Thai tea allows customizable sweetness levels and ice amounts. Some items like the popcorn chicken come with thicker batter than expected, but additions like lychee jelly or musubi are usually fresh and tasty.
The establishment remains a favorite among locals who visit frequently both alone and with friends.
Poke Zone
$ | (510) 628-0988 | WEBSITE
This Oakland gem is offering “build your own” poke bowls (with options like fresh salmon and brown rice, or hamachi lover rolls) to provide healthy, customizable meals – customers just fill out a form to order. They’re accommodating dietary needs with gluten-free choices and knowledgeable staff about ingredients.
Tea On Piedmont
$ | (510) 947-4663 | WEBSITE
Tea On Piedmont is a charming tea shop that used to be a quiet spot for studying or working on laptops. Now they’ve turned their attention to serving delicious drinks as early as 10:30 am. If you’re interested in trying their strong and not-too-sweet matcha latte with almond milk, it’s a gem in the area.
Gelato Firenze
$ | (510) 414-9997 | WEBSITE
Gelato Firenze has been serving up sweet treats and donating them to local community centers, and neighborhood shelters (like Oakland Family Services). Right now they’re offering complimentary samples of their Thai tea ice cream with every purchase, and all tips go towards their outreach program. They’re available for pickup at their takeout counter.
i-Tea Oakland
$ | (510) 313-8383 | WEBSITE
i-Tea Oakland in Chinatown is keeping the boba cravings of Oakland satisfied with their consistently chewy and flavorful tapioca pearls. They’re serving up a wide variety of drinks, including fruit teas and milk teas, with the option to customize sweetness and ice levels right at the window. You can check out their convenient location with ample parking to learn more.
Boba Binge Uptown
$ | (510) 634-7979 | WEBSITE
If you bring in any reusable cups or containers to Boba Binge Uptown, you get 25% off your order – and they’ll donate a portion of proceeds to local food banks. They’ve also been sending banh mi sandwiches to Oakland shelters with theFood Empowerment Project, and have dropped boba teas off atLaney College- a campus that supports student wellness.
T4 Oakland
$ | (510) 251-1068 | WEBSITE
T4 Oakland has become a reliable late-night refuge for boba cravings. The roasted oolong milk tea, customizable with grass jelly or tapioca pearls, delivers a strong tea flavor though it leans sweet. While some boba flavors can get lost in syrup, the ability to adjust sweetness and ice levels helps. The warm, inviting atmosphere with its ‘Breakfast at Tiffany’s’ theme makes it a cozy spot. With reasonable prices and quick service, it’s a solid choice for a drink and snack combo.
Sweetheart Café & Tea
$ | (510) 835-8136 | WEBSITE
The team at Sweetheart Café & Tea runs a community support initiative, offering discounted combos to local families and students in need. They also provide mobile ordering convenience with text notifications for busy customers, as well as welcoming service inside their clean Chinatown space.
YOKEE MILK TEA
$ | (510) 836-3288 | WEBSITE
Though it can get busy, YOKEE MILK TEA has been consistently serving up delicious boba since it opened. From the warm, chewy pearls in their standout Volcano brown sugar milk tea to their nut allergy friendly approach that makes it a safe choice for everyone. Here is a spot that truly cares about quality ingredients and fresh flavors.
