Bubble Tea or Boba
Bubble tea, otherwise known as boba, is a craving that is exponentially growing in the city of Atlanta (and nationwide). For those who are unfamiliar with bubble tea, it typically has a tea or milk base mixed with the choice of sugar, milk, or different powders, puree, or even fresh fruit. They can even come in the form of a slushy/smoothie. The added “bubbles” are tapioca pearls. If you don’t enjoy the tapioca, you also have other topping selections, or simply do not include it.
Bubble tea was initially developed in a small tea stand in Taiwan in the 1980s. Since it was such a hit, people worldwide are now implementing and further refining bubble tea to a whole new level. Since metro Atlanta is a rapidly growing city, the number of bubble tea stores is also increasing exponentially. These shops make great spots to go study, do work, or meet up with people.
Since there are a large amount of bubble tea stores opening in Metro Atlanta, we want you to have a good bubble tea experience. To validate this article and my reviews, I used to work at 3 different bubble tea locations. This article will help highlight some of my personal top chosen bubble tea shops in the North Atlanta area and why these locations are chosen (in no particular order). As a self-proclaimed bubble tea enthusiast, I will also be offering some tips for a better drink experience.
Modern Tea Shop
Modern Tea Shop is located on Lawrenceville-Suwanee Rd in Suwanee, GA. This local establishment has a very cute interior with droppings hanging from the ceiling and wall decor. I recommend this place for the fresh milk, as they use fresh ingredients and the consistency is creamy and delicious. I personally like mango milk or strawberry milk. For their milk foam milk teas, the flavor and consistency is lighter which a lot of people find a positive thing and offers a different experience than the typical bubble tea shop.
Moge Tee
Moge Tee which originated from New York has over 380 stores worldwide. An establishment has recently opened up in Pleasant Hill Duluth, GA. The interior is quite roomy, however, due to COVID, there is limited seating. They have a wide variety of selections for drinks, from milk teas, fruit tea, cheese foam tea, Yakult, vegan-friendly drinks, and more. Their drink options are quite creative as they have delicious premium options such as refreshingly blended mango pomelo, Hawaii milk tea with fresh fruit, or creamy creme bru lee uji matcha. The pearls are chewy with a slight softness to them, comparable to crystal boba but it’s still boba, so you don’t have to break your jaw. The sugar levels are not overwhelming either. If you are looking for a new poppin’ bubble tea establishment, Moge Tee is a new good viable option in Gwinnett County.
Ding Tea
Discover a world of flavors at Ding Tea, where traditional Taiwanese bubble tea takes center stage. This trendy spot offers an extensive menu that caters to all taste preferences. From the fragrant and creamy Earl Grey Milk Tea to the vibrant and fruity Passion Fruit Green Tea, Ding Tea guarantees an unforgettable bubble tea experience. Don’t forget to customize your drink with their assortment of toppings, including the iconic boba pearls.
Tea Top
Tea Top is an establishment that ranks high on my personal list. It is located at the H-Mart Plaza in Doraville, GA. Rumors have it that they are prepping for a location in the H-mart plaza in Johns Creek, GA but there are no official dates as of the publication of the article. Tea Top was founded in 2006. Its origin began in 1901 with TeaTalk and selling high-quality tea leaves. This store uses the “high mountain tea leaves”. With just 1 sip, their drinks are really life-changing and that is the reason why. With options to choose from ranging from traditional tea, milk foam options, slushies, fruit teas, and hot drinks. There are a lot of options when it comes to the menu and I usually get overwhelmed, only to get what I usually get.
Personally, I go here for the milk foam teas as they give a very flavorful and creamy tea experience. Some milk foam teas that I get here, which aren’t available in other boba stores, are the Sun Moon Lake Black tea (a type of oolong tea), and the Alpine green tea. The flavoring and the texture of these teas are so unique, you must try these drinks to understand that they are not similar to traditional black tea or green tea. Discuss the tapioca pearls of Tea Top, they are averagely chewy and the sweet flavor is typically on point. Their interior is not too large, typically sized I would say, but offers enough to chill with your friends or do some quick work.
4.0
4.0 Ice Cream & Drinks is in the same H-Mart Doraville, GA plaza as tea top and their menu is the most extensive of all bubble tea stores that I have listed, and even visited. So if you’re indecisive, this menu might overwhelm you (but in a good way). As the name suggests, besides drinks, they have desserts which include soybean custard, creme brulee, ice cream, and jelly cups. Besides the typical milk teas and fruit teas, they offer sparkling tea, flower tea, lemon teas, slushies/smoothies, fresh milk, lattes, and you name it. 4.0 does a fantastic job with drink presentation and it’s something they give attention to detail too such as adding fruit garnishes and in-cup syrup drizzle to its appropriate drink.
The drinks that I go for here are soybean milk tea and especially creme brulee milk tea. To discuss the creme brulee milk tea, they add real creme brulee to your drink and although they do not utilize milk foam, the tea has a creamy consistency to it as well (but not as creamy as if you were to have milk foam). If you are someone who likes creamy milk teas, then we have the same taste buds. If not, I would recommend their fruit teas as they have a variety of combinations that many other shops do not offer. For example, citrus strawberry pearl tea. These combinations apply to all their other types of drinks as well. The bubbles for 4.0 Ice Cream & Drinks are averagely chewy, but the flavor isn’t much there, however, the drinks make up for the lack of.
Yi Fang Taiwan Fruit Tea
Yi Fang Taiwan Fruit Tea has a location on Buford Highway, Doraville, GA, and on Satellite Blvd, Duluth, GA. Yi Fang operates more than 170 locations worldwide. As mentioned earlier, I have a preference for creamy milk teas. I wanted to include Yi Fang on this list because when I do have fruit tea cravings, this place is 10/10 the place to go since their fruit tea recipes are passed down from generation.
They put real fruit slices into their teas which offer a very refreshing feeling from the first to the last sip. Something I would recommend doing is ordering a fruit tea without ice, and letting the fruit sit in the tea for a couple of hours to a day for the most flavorful experience. I would recommend some fruit tea and I don’t usually say this, but they are all good in my opinion and it just boils down to your personal preference. A milk tea that I would recommend however would be the coconut milk with pineapple green tea for a pina colada feel.
Greatea
Greatea is located on Medlock Bridge Rd in Johns Creek, GA. Their menu consists of creamy milk foam, cheese foam, and regular milk teas, zesty fruit teas, and uniquely packaged detox sparkling water. Their signature Greatea drink which consists of their signature black milk tea with spread custard on the side was the first drink that I tried.
They also have unique and appetizing milk tea flavors like the Oreo bubble tea and the coffee cake milk tea. When it comes to taro milk tea, they also offer a different experience as they use freshly mashed taro to bring out the authentic flavor of the drink. For a healthy alternative, they have flavored detox sparkling water which uses real fruits and ingredients freshly packaged in a bag. This establishment has interior and exterior seating. This location is a must-try for a rich milk tea experience and is definitely worth going out of your way for.
Sharetea
Sharetea is a franchise that opened in Taiwan in 1992 and is now in over 18 countries and at least 450 stores. In Georgia, we have 2 locations: Sandy Springs, GA off of Roswell Rd, and Duluth, GA off of Peachtree Industrial Blvd. The interiors are chic and clean. One thing that stood out to me personally about Sharetea is that they have mini tapioca pearls which most bubble tea stores do not offer.
Their fruit teas, like mango green tea or mango milk green tea, are what I go here for and they are very refreshing for this hot Georgia summer weather. I like to order my drink with less ice so I can have more drink but to each your own preference. Their milk teas like the Hokkaido milk tea aren’t too milky, which may be an upside for you. They also provide a fresh milk option for a great caffeine-free option.
Conclusion
Despite pointing out some personal favorite locations, I truly and wholeheartedly recommend trying all of these joints at least once. They each have their own factors which are unique and they keep your boba cravings soothed with what they have to offer and the different varieties of all these locations. If you have a favorite establishment or drink from these locations, please share your review and experience in the comments to help out your fellow boba comrades when trying these places.
Atlanta is a bubbling hub of exceptional bubble tea boba, offering a plethora of flavors and combinations to tantalize your taste buds. Whether you’re a bubble tea aficionado or a curious newcomer, the city’s diverse bubble tea scene has something for everyone. From Boba Bliss to Ding Tea, each establishment on our list is dedicated to delivering a remarkable bubble tea experience. So, sip, slurp, and savor the best bubble tea boba in Atlanta, and let your taste buds dance with joy.
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