Guest article by Chin Lin Pan
Most people drink coffee to jumpstart their day, and while coffee is great for that adrenaline rush, nothing tops the variety and calming effect of tea. Luckily, in a city as culinarily diverse and weird as Austin, you can usually find a tea shop right around the block!
Whether you’re already a tea enthusiast or are just starting to try it out, check out my top picks for tea in Austin.
#1 Teapioca Lounge
Want to hang out at a fun environment with your friends while sipping on your favorite tea? Teapioca Lounge has board games for customers to play with! The couches are comfy as well.
Walking into Teapioca Lounge, you may be overwhelmed with the menu, but it’s hard to go wrong with any of your options. You can order a variety of tea flavors (hot or cold), tea smoothies and tea slushies. You also have the option to add tapioca or another topping to your beverage. The shop also offers shaved ice called Snowyn.
#2 The Steeping Room
Brunch at The Steeping Room (Credit: The Steeping Room)
In my opinion, The Steeping Room is the perfect place to have brunch. Of course, you can visit for lunch and dinner, too. This lovely gem of a cafe offers meals and tea service.
If you’re low on cash, I recommend this combo: soup of the day, a scone and a side. To drink, my go-to “tea-tail” is the Mojteato: Japanese green tea mixed with mint leaves, lemon and agave nectar.
P.S. This cafe is vegan, vegetarian and gluten-intolerant friendly.
4400 N Lamar Blvd, Suite 102 and 11410 Century Oaks Terrace, Suite 112 – Website
#3 Coco’s Cafe
Boba tea varieties at Coco’s Cafe (Credit: Coco’s Cafe)
Light decorations, fancy framed menus and the latest music hits are the first things you’ll notice walking into Coco’s Cafe. Though the drink menu isn’t as big as other shops’, the food definitely makes up for it. I remember days when I made the walk from my dorm to Coco’s Cafe just for takeout.
The really nice thing about Coco’s is they clearly label which base of tea they use for each drink. You’ll see a list of drinks that use green tea, black tea, milk, etc.
I recommend trying the delicious Taiwanese food–peppercorn chicken to start–with almond milk tea with tapioca pearls.
8557 Research Blvd, Suite #118 and 1910 Guadalupe St – Website
#4 Momoko
Warm almond milk tea at Momoko
(Credit: Erin May)
Step into the world of Japanese culture at Momoko. This fabulous little cafe is tucked away in the West Campus neighborhood. Collections of Studio Ghibli toys and plushies decorate the walls and window displays. Japanese kitchenware and stationery line the wall adjacent to the door. The combination makes for a delightful sight to take in. You can spend your wait time window-shopping!
Aside from outstanding bubble tea, Momoko also makes delicious medium-sized rice balls.
705 W 24th St – Website
@theAustinot wants to know:
What is your favorite spot to grab tea in Austin?
Journalist. Couch potato. Podcaster. Anime lover. Wannabe traveler. Made in Taiwan, grown in Texas. Connect with Chin Lin Pan on Twitter at @chinlinpan.
Haven’t tried it, but Bundrick’s Travelling Tea Parlor looks great!
@chandlertforsythe:disqus, just took a look at their website and Bundrick’s does look amazing! Thanks for the tip. http://www.bundricks.com/
No problem! They have very limited hours, unfortunately