Best Boba in the Bay Area
You will not believe how many terrible boba places I've experienced for the sake of this list. I've tried some of the worst boba so that you don't have to. You're welcome.
What makes good boba?
Chewy, but firm boba
Customization of drink (ability to adjust sweetness, amount of ice)
The boba in the drink should have a naturally sweet taste
My preference: Jasmine Milk Tea, 1/2 Sweet, Creamy.
And with that... the best bubble tea in the Bay Area, so that you can have $3.50 and 300 calories well spent.
Explanation of Go/No-Go Status
Yes= I would go back to this place.
Maybe= If I was in the area- I may go back.
o= I would not go back.
If you like this post, like The Snobbby Foodie on Facebook & follow on Instagram! And - check out the following posts, you boba fiend.
Jasmine Boba Milk Tea - Make your own boba!
And Vegan Thai Papaya Salad - because you gotta eat something with your boba.
|
Venue |
Where |
Boba Rating |
Drink Rating |
Comments |
Go/No-Go? |
|
Boba Guys |
San Francisco, CA |
4 |
3 |
The milk tea was better than the jasmine milk tea (which was gross). The boba was good, but the drinks were average. |
Maybe |
|
Ten Ren Tea |
San Francisco, CA |
1 |
1 |
Inexpensive, but tasted awful. Should have gone to Quickly. |
Never |
|
Fantasia Coffee and Tea |
Milpitas, CA |
1.5 |
3.5 |
The tea was good, but their boba was bad. |
Never |
|
Tea Station |
Newark, CA |
3.5 |
4 |
This used to be my favorite place. Reccently, their tea and boba quality has become inconsistent. They also switched from fruit lychee jelly to some weird synthetic stuff. |
Yes |
|
Boba Loca |
Concord, CA |
4 |
3 |
Lot's of variety. Their boba is good, but often times their drinks turn out too sweet. |
No |
|
Coco Swirl |
Walnut Creek, CA |
5 |
4 |
The manager of this place is very knowledgeable about boba, and cares about delivering fresh product to his customers. Who would have thought a fro-yo place would make such great boba. |
Yes, yes, yes |
|
Kung Fu Tea |
Livermore, CA |
3.5 |
3 |
Inside of a Ranch 99. The drinks were deccent- with some unique options. |
No |
|
Boba Hut |
Pleasant Hill, CA |
2 |
1 |
I ordered Jasmine milk tea- confirmed it was Jasmine milk tea- and then tasted it. It tasted like milk tea- not even a hint of jasmine. |
Never |
|
Quickly |
Concord, CA |
2 |
2 |
The boba is often too squishy because it has been cooked too long. The drinks taste like they're made with powders. |
No |
|
Kevin's Noodle House |
Vacaville, CA |
3 |
3 |
Variety of slush beverages. The boba is deccent. They use fresh fruits. Because they're slushes it's hard for them to control the sweetness. |
No |
|
T4 |
San Leandro, CA |
4 |
4 |
They have people in lab coats making your boba. I call them boba scientists. They have a lot of variety. Their fruit teas are a little too sweet, but other than that it's good. |
No |
|
Cafe Tapioca |
Dublin, CA |
3 |
3 |
This place is very inconsistent. Sometimes it's good, sometimes it's awful. When it's good- it's REALLY good. I usually take the gamble - it's also across the street from a great sushi place. |
Yes |
|
Tea Breeze |
Pleasanton, CA |
3 |
2 |
The boba was nothing memorable. |
No |
|
Tea Island |
Fremont, CA |
3 |
2 |
The tea was too strong in the drink. |
No |
|
Purple Kow |
San Francisco, CA |
4.5 |
4 |
The boba was near perfect, except for the fact that it was a little too little. |
Yes |
|
Bambu |
1 |
2 |
The cashier told me the boba was made two hours ago. I could tell it was definitely made 2 (if not 12) days ago... |
Never |
|
|
Sharetea |
Berkeley, CA |
4.5 |
3.5 |
Great boba, their drinks are a bit too creamy. And me saying that is ridiculous because I love cream. |
No |
|
Craftea |
San Francisco, CA |
4 |
4 |
Great ambiance, good boba. |
Yes |
|
Gong Cha |
Milpitas, CA |
4.5 |
4 |
Friendly staff, lots of options. Good boba. |
Yes |
