Bubble tea is a simple concept, originally from Taiwan: fresh tea shaken with milk or fruit syrup, usually served cold with a signature oversized straw.
But it’s versatile. It’s creative. You can go light and zesty, decadent and creamy or colourful and wonderfully weird. The flavour combinations are vast.
And arguably the best bit: the add-ons! Tapioca pearls, coconut chunks, fruit lumps or something more exotic… there’s a whole world of flavour and texture to explore!
Feeling overwhelmed at the menu? Don’t worry, we’ve got your back.
Start here for your first bubble tea
But if it’s your first time, we recommend the classic: Pearl milk tea. It’s the cold creamy, sweet drink that started the trend.
How to order yours:
- Start with a base (like green, oolong or black tea).
- Add your milk of choice.
- Pick a topping. The most iconic choice is tapioca pearls, or “boba”, which are chewy, sweetened bites that sit at the bottom of the cup (this is what the big straw is for).
Read on for some of the North Shore’s best bubble tea spots, and some advanced orders if you’re feeling a little adventurous.
Where to get your bubble tea fix in Takapuna
Gong Cha is the gold standard of fresh bubble tea. This tea house has a strict four-hour rule: if the tea wasn’t freshly brewed within the last four hours, it doesn’t get poured. It’s a reliable brew, every time you visit.
Advanced move: Strawberry mascarpone cheesecake. Yes, you read that right. It’s a decadent, dessert-in-a-cup experience that tastes like a liquid cake.
If you’re heading down to the shore, make a detour to WuCha. It’s the ideal pit-stop to grab a cold brew before walking on the sand. The fruit teas are especially refreshing on a sunny day.
Advanced move: Chocolate oreo with black pearls. Some days you need to forget the fruit and go full indulgence.
Richi Tea is an under-the-radar must-visit. THis is where you go for unique flavor profiles that feel more like a craft cocktail than a standard tea. It’s a boutique approach to brewing.
Advanced move: Pistachio with coconut. Featuring a fluffy pistachio cream foam.
Where else can you grab a bubble tea while trying your luck at a claw machine or getting creative with a DIY craft? Claw & Art combines that bubble tea life with pure entertainment, making it a massive hit for families and weekend hangouts.
Advanced move: Any drink featuring a yogurt swirl is going to give you a little something extra that’s tangy and rich.
Hey! I am Yogost hits hard with full-on fruit flavours and specialises in yoghurt-based drinks in the bubble tea style. Every cup is like a dessert in drink form!
Advanced move: Get a drink with mochi in the bottom. Mochi is a type of sweet, chewy rice cake. Seem weird to pop one of those in your drink? Sure, but you won’t regret it!
