🥤 9 Bubble Tea Spots in Orlando That Won’t Burst Your Bubble

It’s inevitable to notice the emergence of trendy tea cafés in Orlando that strive to capture the vibe of “Instagrammable” boba spots in the west coast, such as Snow Monster, Roasting Waters, or Boba Guys. A boba tea addiction catalyzed my mission to find the best boba spots in Orlando.

Before I spill the “T” on my favorite teas, here are notable mentions:

• Chewy Boba Company

• Tea & Tea

• Shaka Shaka Tea House

• Kung Fu Tea

• Lucky Straws

• J-Petal

• Bambu

My top choices aren’t solely based on the boba drinks themselves, but on the environment, presentation, and service of the establishment as well. These elements are vital within constructing a complete boba experience; ignoring them would be dishonest. Each boba spot may have several locations so I can only speak on the location I’ve visited. Now let’s get slurping!

1. Zero Degrees

Locations: W. Colonial & Florida Mall Area

With vibey aesthetics and hipster drink presentations, Zero Degrees is more than an Instagram trap. This café takes the top spot because the drinks taste as good as they look. Their fast food items are impressive compared to other boba spots, serving popcorn chicken and Hot Cheeto cheese fries.

2. Bubble & Co.

Location: I-Drive

This café is a getaway from the touristy bustle of I-Drive. With biodegradable straws/utensils, gender-neutral restrooms, and a philanthropy that empowers women in third-world countries, the boba taste sweeter when there’s a bigger purpose. Their drinks are brewed from organic tea leaves that are originally sourced from Taiwan and imported to California.

3. TBAAR

Location: Kirkman

Their drinks are made with fresh fruit juice; everything I’ve ordered wasn’t powder-based. Many of their specialty drinks contain fresh fruit chunks, turning your finished drink into a healthy snack upon finish. The drinks are pretty straightforward, and the aesthetics are fairly clean.

4. Royal Tea

Location: Near Mills 50

Being the “cool kid on the block” in that East Colonial area, RoyalTea was the first to introduce the “cheese foam” hype to the Orlando boba scene. On certain times of the weekend, you can spot people lining out the door to get their hands on a drink; with good reason. The drinks are great with a simple, easy menu to choose from.

5. Vivi’s Bubble Tea

Location: Near Mills 50

Vivi’s is a popular boba chain I would expect to find in New York & LA, so it was exciting to hear that their first Florida location was Orlando. They normalized the “Galaxy Boba” trend and had creative bottle options for visitors. The store itself is spacious with colorful aesthetics, sporting pink walls and floral decor.

6. Quickly

Location: E. Colonial & Universal Area

I’ve been going here since my undergraduate years, so Quickly has a sentimental spot in my heart. Though the boba is a hit or miss, a lot of fun memories are personally associated with this spot. The store’s aesthetics are fun, with several colorful murals. Good vibes, good music, and good people make boba taste better.

7. Tea Spot

Location: W. Colonial

This was the first spot in Orlando to ask for my preferred level of sweetness (I normally choose 0%-25% ). I appreciated the juice quality and freshness of the boba. Though the store itself is minimal and bare, their attention to quality is noticed in the taste of their drinks.

8. Ice & Bites

Location: UCF Area

I appreciate the creativity behind their drink and dessert items. Though the boba may be a hit or miss, some menu items have an engaging aspect to them, such as pouring espresso over a cotton candy cloud in an affogato. It’s a fun hangout spot with board games and Instagrammable food and drinks; a perfect spot for a chill hangout with friends.

9. PARIS BANH MI

Location: e. Colonial

Though this spot serves French pastries, the tray-system is very reminiscent of Korean-style bakeries, such as Sweet Hut or 85°C Bakery. You can request the sweetness of your boba, but my favorite part of the café is how spacious it is, making is a relaxing spot to enjoy a quick dessert with friends.

Now that I’ve spilled the “T” on my favorite tea,

Let me know of any boba shops that you think should’ve been on this list! Unfortunately, Krungthep doesn’t do boba, but I’m aware of their great tea options! Stay Sipping!