Best Tea Shops, Tea Houses and Tea Cafes in United States - 2020

The coffee-obsessed nation is slowly but steadily becoming a tea driven country. Yes, we are talking about America. Initially popular for its high consumption of coffee, America is gradually witnessing a change in its favourite drink. Over the years, more and more Americans are switching their cups of coffee with tea. Studies show that around 80% of Americans drink tea regularly. So, the growth in the popularity of tea shops and tea houses is on an upward scale.

Nowadays, American tea lovers are flocking tea shops for a cup of warm tea. Not only is it delicious but also rich in healthy components. Unlike coffee, it doesn't jitter the brain. If you're a tea lover who's search history starts with 'tea shop near me,' then this article is a must-read for you! We'll tell you about the best tea shops in America so that you can even enjoy this wonderful drink.

1. Seven Cups, Tucson, Arizona

Founded by Austin Hodge, founder of the International Speciality Tea Association in 2004, this tea shop and cafe is nothing short of royalty. The cafe is known for its specialization in Chinese tea. One can order from around 80 different varieties of loose tea leaves at this cafe. All are collected by Hodge and his team. If you’re fond of milk tea and search for “milk tea near me”, then this tea shop will take the lead. Seven cups also organize a free tea tasting event every Friday. Undeniably, this tea house is a must-visit for anyone interested in learning about the history and culture of tea. The Da Hong Pao tea served here is a 'must-try' drink for anyone who visits Tucson. 

• Owner: Mr Austin Hodge
• Establishment Year and History: September 2004
• Address and Direction: 2516 E 6th St, Tucson, AZ 85716, United States
• Timings: Mon to Fri - 11 am to 6 pm; Sat and Sun - 11 am to 5 pm
• Notes and Tips: Seven Cups specializes in direct sourcing rare and organic Chinese teas
• Recommended Teas: (a) Yin Gou Mei Cha (silver Fish Hook Eyebrow) (b) Taishan Fo Mei (buddha's Eyebrow) (c) Jing Gu Run Ling Mo Gu Sheng Tuo (green Puer Mushroom Shaped Tuo Cha)
• Recommended Dishes: (a) Cheese Pudding Cake (b) Fresh brown bread
• Price Range: $4 to $30
• Ratings: 4.9/ 5.0 stars (based on 181 reviews as on 5 July 2020)
• Contact Number or Email: +1 520-881-4072
• Website: https://www.sevencups.com
• Social Handles: 
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sevencups
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/sevencups
• Pinterest: https://in.pinterest.com/sevencupstea
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/sevencups
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sevencupstea
• COVID 19 Precautions: Taking all necessary precautions of social distancing and staff hygiene. Regular temperatures are taken and contactless payments and order taking are being promoted.
• Total Funding Amount: Bootstrapped

 

 Reception Area of Seven Cups, Trip Advisor, licensed under CC BY 2.0

 
So, here is our list of the best tea cafes in the United States. Hope you love our research and please don't forget to share your experiences in the comment section below.

2. Song Tea and Ceramics, San Francisco.

This tea shop is so popular in San Francisco that if you search ‘tea room near me', it’ll appear in the top of the local map. Founded by Peter Luong, Song Tea is known to serve authentic, mesmerizing teas. Every year, the tea cafe’s owner exports fresh tea leaves from Japan, to please the taste buds of the tea lovers.

• Notes: Along with tea, you can buy exquisite ceramic tea-ware from this tea shop.

One must try the Oolong tea served in this tea shop along with the Manresa Bread.

• Owner: Peter Luong

• Establishment year and history: Established in October 2013.

• Price: Not Available.

• Faqs: Not available

• Total funding amount: Bootstrapped

• Recommended teas: (a) Oolong tea

• Recommended dishes: (a) Manresa Bread

• Review: https://g.co/kgs/Bo5Y2n (based on 76 reviews on July 6 2020)

• Address: 2120 Sutter St, San Francisco, CA 94115, United States. Google Map

• Contact: +1 415-885-2118

• Timing: Monday to Sunday: 11 AM to 6 PM

Sunday closed

• Email: hello@songtea.com

• Website: https://songtea.com/

• Social media handles:

• Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/pages/category/Tea-Room/hellosongtea

• Instagram: https://instagram.com/ippodoteausa?igshid=10luhn58hq368

• COVID 19 update: They are closed for dine in and providing only online delivery.

• Photo link: https://images.app.goo.gl/uEceMnDk1fb4jgYC7

 

2. Ching Ching Cha, Washington D.C.

 

• Description: Washington D.C is always on the move. And in this majestic city, you'd find heaven for tea lovers - the Ching Ching Cha. If you 're fond of spending time soaking in a warm, cozy ambiance, this tea shop founded by Hollie Wong in 1998 is the perfect place.

 

With all its ingredients and crockery imported from China, this place is a paradise for Chinese and Japanese Tea Culture sommeliers. You’d find 70 varieties of tea at any point in time in this tea cafe. And, its Phoenix Oolong and Ti Kwan Yin are worth trying at least once.

• Owner: Hollie Wong

• Establishment year and history: Established in the year 1998.

• Price: $2 to $20.

• Notes: They import their crockery along with the teas directly from China to maintain the authenticity of the tradition.

• Faqs: https://sevencups.com/seven-cups-faq/

• Total funding amount: Bootstrapped

• Covid-19 precautions: They have resumed service maintaining all the necessary precautions.

• Review: 7/5.0 (based on 195 reviews on July 6 2020)

• Address: 1063 Wisconsin Ave NW, Washington, DC 20007, United States Google Map

• Contact: +1 202-333-8288

• Timing:

Monday to Sunday 11 AM to 6 PM

Tuesday and Wednesday Closed

• Website: com

• Email: tea@chingchingcha.com

• Social media handles:

• Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/chingchingcha.washingtondc/

• Instagram: not available

 

Photo link: https://images.app.goo.gl/oayRnV4PSv1Kn9Cv7

 

3. Ippodo Tea Shop, New York.

 

• Description: If you love authentic Japanese matcha tea, you ‘d simply love this matcha cafe in New York at least once.

Ippodo is a Japanese tea company that started its journey back in 1717 under the leadership of Rihei Watanabe. Back then, it was just a small tea shop near the Imperial Palace in the Kyoto region of Japan. But now it is one of the best matcha cafes in America.

 

The Ippodo Tea Shop not only sells loose tea but also serve customers preferring takeouts. As a tea lover, you could simply dig into the Japanese style mural decor of the place. Like the decor of this small shop, the matcha tea is also prepared in an authentic, traditional way.

The Usucha(thin matcha) and Koicha(thick matcha) are the signature drinks served at this place.

 

• Owner: Rihei Watanabe

• Establishment year and history: Established in April 2013.

• Covid-19 precautions: The Ippodo tea shop is operational from June 23 (11:00 AM to 5:00 PM). Only takeaways and tea-to-go facilities will be available for the time being. Also, along with Mondays, Ippodo Tea Cafe will be closed on Sundays.

• Price: Not Available

• Reviews: 7/5.0 (based on 201 reviews on July 6 2020)

• Address: 125 East 39th Street, New York, NY 10016, U.S.A. Google Map

• Notes: They also sell loose tea leaves.

• Recommended teas: (a) Usuchua (b) Koicha

• Recommended dishes: not available

• Faqs: Not available

Total funding amount: Bootstrapped

• Timing:

Sunday and Monday closed

Tuesday to Saturday: 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM

 

• Contact: +1-212-370-0609

• Email id: ippo-info@ippodo-tea.co.jp

• Website: https://www.ippodo-tea.co.jp/en/shop/ny.html

• Social media handles:

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IPPODOTEA.NY

• Instagram: https://instagram.com/ippodoteausa?igshid=10luhn58hq368

• Photo link: https://www.google.com/maps/uv?pb=!1s0x89c2590151edc0a9%3A0xaf2394ffc6fa3fed!3m1!7e115!11b1!15sCgIgARICEAE&viewerState=ga&imagekey=!1e10!2sAF1QipMXiOk4HzBtqKR-6rSkWMf2tiNZbP2vfyCrhFEl#

 

4. Boulder Dushanbe Tea House, Colorado.

• Description: Located in the Boulder district of Colorado, this tea shop was the brainchild of Dushanbe's Mayor, Mansur Ikramov, in 1987. Since then, this Tajik Tea house has become a favorite spot of tea lovers.

The tea shop and cafe started tits journey from 1998 after the constructed structure was installed in Boulder.

Tea lovers simply love the Tea House Chai served here and is a must-try. Along with 100 varieties of tea, one can dine on dishes like Tajikistan plov( a rice dish) and Moroccan slow-braised beef dish.

• Owner: Lenny Martinelli

• Establishment year and history: Established in the year 1998

• Price: $1 to $30

• Recommended teas: (a) Chai (b) Sparkling tea

• Recommended dishes: (a) Tajikistan plov

• Covid-19 precautions: No updates

• Notes: loose tea leaves are also sold here.

• Faqs: Not available

• Total funding amount: bootstrapped

 

• Review: 6/5.0 (based on 2259 reviews on July 6 2020)

• Address: 1770 13th St, Boulder, CO 80302, United States. Google Map

• Timing:

Monday                Closed

Tuesday to Sunday 8 AM to 8 PM

 

 

Brunch

Saturday               8 AM to 3 PM

Sunday  8 AM to 3 PM

 

 

• Contact: +1 303-442-4993

• Email: mailto:info@boulderteahouse.com

• Website: https://www.boulderteahouse.com/

• Social media handles:

• Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/pages/Dushanbe-Tea-House/102598623127722

• Instagram: https://instagram.com/boulderteahouse?igshid=5xsq1aib5j02

 

 

• Photo link: https://www.google.com/maps/uv?pb=!1s0x876bec2f4f65e7e3%3A0x561b958abcfcde77!3m1!7e115!11b1!15sCgIgAQ&viewerState=ga&imagekey=!1e10!2sAF1QipPIYHbZT28WxY_D00713FNTf5srGqU8R56Xg0qD#

 

5. Steeping Room, Texas.

 

• Description: Established in 2007 by Emily Morrison and Amy March, Steeping Room is now becoming immensely popular as a tea shop. From vegan to gluten-free dishes, you can try out a variety of dishes in this tea shop. Along with the wide variety of dishes, they serve 130+ varieties of loose tea leaves.

• Owner: Emily Morrison and Amy March

• Establishment year and history: Established in the year 2007.

• Price: $11 to $30.

• Covid-19 precautions: They are providing online delivery though Google's theordering.app.

• Notes: They also serve vegan dishes along with the traditional ones.

• Faqs: Not available

• Total funding amount: Not available

• Recommended teas: (a) Japanese tea

• Recommended dishes: (a) ganache brownie

• Review: 6/5.0 (based on 473 reviews on July 6 2020)

• Address: 4400 N Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78756, United States Google Map

• Contact: 512-467-2663

• Timing:

Tuesday to Saturday: 11 AM to 5:30 PM

Sunday          Closed

Monday        Closed

Happy Hours

Monday to Friday: 4 PM to 6 PM

Saturday       Closed

Sunday          3 PM to 5 PM

• Email: orders@thesteepingrocom

• Website: https://www.thesteepingroom.com/

• Social media handles:

• Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/TheSteepingRoom/

• Instagram: https://instagram.com/thesteepingroom?igshid=apddtqonn2d4

 

 

• Photo link: https://images.app.goo.gl/DKTZzQTjrYzZhZ3o6

 

6. Serenity Garden Tea House, West Palm Beach, Florida.

 

• Description: Located in the West Palm Beach of Florida, this tea shop and cafe will take you back to the Victorian era. The cafe has been set up inside a Victorian house from 1919 by Audrey Farrelly and has been operational since 1998. Here, you’d also get around 50 different varieties of loose tea leaves.

Besides, you’d also find a range of wine and desserts. The Pineapple and Coconut black tea are a must-try for every tea enthusiast visiting this cafe.

 

• Owner: Audrey Farelly

• Establishment year and history: Established in 1998.

• Price: $2 to $30.

• Covid-19 precautions: They are operational for 1.5 hours, maintaining proper precautions like contactless delivery and wearing masks. Online delivery and takeaway are also available along with 50% dine-in space.

• Notes: Wine is also served here.

• Faqs: Not available

• Recommended tea: Pineapple and coconut black tea

• Recommended dishes: (a) finger sandwich

• Total funding amount: bootstrapped

• Review: 6/5.0 (based on 189 reviews on July 6 2020)

• Address: 316 Vallette Way, West Palm Beach, FL 33401, United States Google Map

• Contact: +1 561-655-3911

• Timing:

 

Monday        Closed

Tuesday to Friday 11:30 AM to 5 PM

Saturday       11:30 AM to 4 PM

Sunday          11:30 AM to 4 PM

 

• Email: serenitygardenteahouse@gmail.com

• Website: http://serenitygardentea.com/

• Social media handles:

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/serenitygardenteahouse

• Instagram: https://instagram.com/serenitygardenteahouse?igshid=1xmowf6extlw8

 

• Photo link: https://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=https%3A%2F%2Fmedia-cdn.tripadvisor.com%2Fmedia%2Fphoto-s%2F05%2Fda%2F99%2F3e%2Fserenity-garden-tea-house.jpg&imgrefurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.tripadvisor.in%2FShowUserReviews-g34731-d663770-r716185081-Serenity_Garden_Tea_House_Cafe-West_Palm_Beach_Florida.html&tbnid=KG_Y0CbdbXq6GM&vet=1&docid=wK44pSVcl-1LuM&w=550&h=412&itg=1&q=Serenity%20Garden%20Tea%20House%2C%20West%20Palm%20Beach%2C%20FL&source=sh%2Fx%2Fim

 

7. Cha-an tea house, New York

• Description: Tucked away in the East Village District of New York, Cha-an tea house is a small tea shop that’ll make you feel that you’re in Japan. Tea lovers and patrons sing praises of it for bringing the authentic Japanese culture to New York. According to its founder, Bon Yogi Cha-an shows the world the Japanese culture beyond sushi since its inception in 2004.

This cafe not only serves a wide variety of tea, but there's also a range of Japanese sweet and savory dishes. The Green tea and Genmaicha Brown Rice Tea are their signature varieties and are a must-try item in this tea shop. Along with these teas, you can also enjoy Japanese toast and Zenzai desserts.

 

• Owner: Bon Yogi

• Establishment year and history: in the year 2014

• Price: Up to $45.

• Covid-19 precautions: The Tea shop is currently not in service.

• Tips: they serve Japanese tea by following all the traditional rituals.

• Faqs: Not available

Total funding amount: bootstrapped

• Recommended tea: (a)green tea (b) Genmaicha Brown Rice Tea

• Recommended dishes: (a) Japanese toast b) Zenzai dessert

• Review: 4.4/5.0 (based on 770 reviews on July 6 2020)

• Address: 230 E 9th St floor 2, New York, NY 10003, United States. Google Map

• Timing: Not available

• Contact: +1 212-228-8030

• Website: http://www.chaanteahouse.com/

• Email: not available

• Social media handles:

• Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/pages/Cha-An-Tea-House/407260262790117?nr

• Instagram: https://instagram.com/chaanteahouse?igshid=vk2q0vkazt5

 

• Photo link: https://www.google.com/maps/uv?pb=!1s0x89c2599c6e23fa2b%3A0xd41b601349ff1bea!3m1!7e115!11b1!15sCgIgAQ&viewerState=ga#

 

8. The Chai Spot, New York

 

• Description: Founded by Khalida Brohi and her husband, The Chai Spot brings the Dhaba culture to the otherwise busy New York. According to Khalida, this tea shop was founded to provide a space where one could spend quality time with their special ones. Don’t forget to try the Dhaba style Masala chai or the Butter-Chai served in this tea shop along with Parle-G biscuits.

 

• Owner: Khalida Brohi and her husband

• Establishment year and history: Not available

• Price: Not Available.

• Recommended tea: Dhaba style Masala Chai (b) Butter chai

• Recommended dish: not available

• Covid-19 precautions: No update yet.

• Tips: They also organize several charity events and social work activities.

• Faqs: https://www.google.com/search?q=the+chai+spot+manhattan+opening+year&oq=the+chai+spot+manhattan+opening+y&aqs=chrome.1.69i57j33l2.19468j0j9&client=ms-android-xiaomi-rev1&sourceid=chrome-mobile&ie=UTF-8#trex=m_t:pqaQ,rc_fid:0x89c259d2e5705ba5%253A0xc3246f59ded9c11d,rc_q:the%2520chai%2520spot%2520manhattan%2520opening%2520year

• Total funding amount: bootstrapped

 

• Review: 4/5.0 (based on 344 reviews on July 6 2020)

• Address: 156 Mott St, New York, NY 10013, United States. Google Map

• Contact: +64 6-678 5868

• Timing:

Monday        Closed

Tuesday to Sunday     11 AM to 5 PM

 

• Email: not available

• Website: http://www.thechaispot.com/

• Social media handles:

• Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/thechaispotnyc/

• Instagram: orders@thesteepingroom.com

• Photo link: https://g.co/kgs/qT3NW9

 

9. Samovar, Yerba Buena Gardens.

 

• Description: Samovar runs a chain of tea shops that is immensely popular in the U.S.A. If you search for tea room near me' online, you’d find many of their cafes listed. The Masala chai, Masala Latte Boba, Gunpowder Green Tea served at this tea shop is a must-try.

• Owner: Jesse Jacobs

• Establishment year and history: In the year 2001

• Price: $2.50 to $30.00

• Reviews: 3/5.0 (based on 880 reviews on July 6 2020)

• Address: 730 Howard St, San Francisco, CA 94103, United States. Google Map

• Covid-19 precautions: Takeaway and online delivery services are available during limited hours.

 

• Tips: Definitely try the Masala latte boba

• Recommended teas: (a)Masala chai, (b) Masala Latte Boba, (c) Gunpowder Green Tea

• Recommended dishes: the breakfast platter

• Faqs: Not available

• Total funding amount: bootstrapped

 

• Timing:

Thursday               Closed

Friday    Closed

Saturday               10 AM to 5 PM

Sunday  Closed

Monday                Closed

Tuesday                Closed

Wednesday           Closed

 

Delivery

Monday to Sunday 11 AM to 6 PM

 

Brunch

Thursday               Closed

Friday    Closed

Saturday               9 AM to 2 PM

Sunday  9 AM to 2 PM

Monday                Closed

Tuesday                Closed

Wednesday           Closed

 

• Contact: +1 415-227-9400

• Email: mailto:info@sacom

 

• Website: https://www.samovarlife.com/

 

• Social media handles:

• Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/pages/category/Tea-Room/Samovar-Tea-Lounge-1738787362898047/

• Instagram: https://instagram.com/samovartea?igshid=lyz5soljyi3k

 

 

• Photo link: https://www.google.com/maps/uv?pb=!1s0x808580876d131ac1%3A0xdcbd19f86c695545!3m1!7e115!11b1!15sCgIgAQ&viewerState=ga#

 

 

So, here was our list of the top 10 cafes in the United States. Let us know in the comment section which one you found to be the most exciting and are planing to visit soon.