Baltimore’s bubbling tea scene has quietly transformed from scattered storefronts to a vibrant tapestry of flavors. Today you can sip classic milk tea pearls in historic Fells Point just as easily as you can try taro slush with lychee jelly in Mount Vernon or matcha foam creations in Harbor East.
Bambao Asian Restaurant
$ | (443) 438-3528 | WEBSITE
There are a lot of bubble tea spots in and around Baltimore, but this one’s good whenever a sudden craving for something comforting and flavorful hits. Get a steaming basket of their soup dumplings, a side of perfectly cooked tapioca boba (which pairs wonderfully with their coconut ginger bubble tea if you’re really indulging), plus an off-menu option like the Szechuan chicken or Mongolian beef. The meal will leave you satisfied and smiling—and planning your next visit for more.
Kung Fu Tea
$ | (443) 449-7297 | WEBSITE
Bubble tea shops are typically small. While that’s both obvious and seemingly irrelevant, it’s worth mentioning here because it explains how this Taiwanese-inspired restaurant in Baltimore has a welcoming and spacious atmosphere spread across multiple seating areas. With a range of options including lychee tea with toppings and Taiwanese-style chicken, it’s a great spot to satisfy your bubble tea cravings well into exploring cuisine.
But make sure to try some signature drinks while you’re here, especially the delicious Winter Melon Milk Tea with Wow and crunchy cheese curds, and some crispy, juicy chicken wings.
New Asian Taste sushi & Ramen Noodles
$ | (410) 467-0100 | WEBSITE
This cozy, mostly takeout spot has fantastic fresh-as-you-like-it Asian fusion dishes in a Baltimore neighborhood known for its diverse food scene. The specialties here are the tender chashu and perfect pork buns, plus the incredible vegan rib rice bowl that’s become a local favorite. (Make sure to try their signature eel and shrimp tempura rice bowl). There are also freshly cooked eggrolls, steak and chicken dishes with crispy vegetables, plus drinks like the not-too-sweet milk tea boba.
The food is best when eaten fresh, so if you’re doing takeout, make sure to enjoy it as quickly as possible to appreciate the generous portions and thoughtful packaging that prevents sogginess.
Bambu Baltimore
$ | (443) 988-4368 | WEBSITE
Tucked into a modern, pretty building between Inner Harbor and Fells Point, this bubble tea spot gives you a reason to visit basically any time you need a calm break. Sunny afternoon stops featuring crunchy pandan waffles and solid drinks (the latter cost around $5 each) segue into quiet evenings where the smashed avocado and che dessert drink remain popular treats.
The atmosphere here is a bit empty and peaceful: the lights stay bright, the music stays low, and the black milk tea with boba will suddenly start calling your name. But if you want to avoid parking hassles that can take about 8 minutes to resolve, consider takeout instead.
T.K.K. Fried Chicken
$ | (443) 449-7297 | WEBSITE
Everything at this straightforward fried chicken spot tastes satisfying, because it is. T.K.K. serves especially great chicken like the spicy strips, plus wings and fries that can be hit-or-miss. Add to the mix a quick-service setup and a reliable-for-fast-food bubble tea, and you’ve got yourself a new occasional craving made better by proper heat.
Chatime WhiteMarsh @ The Avenue
$ | (410) 793-7288 | WEBSITE
There’s a good chance you’ll require a bubble tea at some point soon, whether it’s after an unusually fruitful shopping trip or when you just can’t bear the thought of drinking the same coffee for the 12th day in a row. That’s when this cheerful spot comes in handy, complete with a clean take-out counter at The Avenue. One whole side of the menu is devoted to milk tea—there are many options in total, plus a “choose your own sweetness” section.
Two solid choices are the refreshing peach green tea and the rich tiramisu milk tea. The boba is also a terrific choice, including the impressively tasty (though sweetness-varying) pearls.
Mr. Bingsoo
$ | (443) 759-4757 | WEBSITE
Follow the sweet scent of fresh-baked taiyaki drifting through the cobblestone streets of Fells Point to Mr. Bingsoo and it’ll lead you to some of the best Korean desserts in the area. The mango bingsoo is always a solid choice, but it pays to come with a sweet tooth so you can try the mix-and-match dessert combo: your own personal bowl loaded with a choice of bingsoo flavors, bubble tea, milk teas, and small pastries.
There are still plenty of options if you don’t feel the need to try three different desserts in one sitting, though, including green tea bingsoo (everything from smooth and creamy to perfectly balanced not-too-sweet textures), red bean taiyaki (crispy, fresh, with pure bean paste), and Mr. Bingsoo’s very good bubble tea. Take a stroll to the waterfront a block away to walk it all off—the views are incredible if you time it right.
YOG Crepes & Waffles
$ | (410) 832-3168 | WEBSITE
Visit this super cute spot—the kind where colorful yogurt machines hum next to jars of cookie crumbles and peanut butter swirls in the display case—for delicious crepes, waffles, and frozen yogurt. (If you like things sweet, try the yogurt shake made with peanut butter and cookies and cream yogurt.) They also have a selection that accommodates various nutritional needs, which is worth the slightly higher price.
The restaurant is kid-friendly with plenty of seating in a small space that’s easy for parents to manage, and it operates as a sit-down spot, but there’s also parking available in the same complex, too.
Simply Sip Tea (Entrance at Eastern Ave)
$ | (443) 509-8886 | WEBSITE
This little walk-in-only spot at Eastern Ave grew out of a pandemic bubble tea obsession that’s still going strong. During peak hours, the small space feels like a neighborhood gathering point. Someone might spontaneously decide to order three different drinks to sample all the toppings while waiting for their online order. People stand at the narrow counter or take their drinks outside, swirling chewy boba pearls through the last sips of brown sugar milk tea in their cups.
As great as the classic drinks are though, we love the fruit teas even more, when you can pair something refreshing like Supreme Fruit Tea with a not-too-sweet Coconut Mango Bliss. Get a Brown Sugar Milk Tea for the table—it’s the crowd favorite that reminds everyone why they keep coming back.
HH TEA
$ | (443) 563-4544 | WEBSITE
Is bubble tea better with smaller boba? That’s a thing we wondered while waiting for our drinks at HH TEA, a solid bubble tea spot in Baltimore. Turns out, the regular boba here is indeed smaller and tastier than others. Which is nice, but at least the drinks themselves turned out to be pretty good.
(If you’re not feeling bubble tea, there’s a selection of cooked food and Asian snacks to keep you happy.) HH TEA isn’t fancy, but the ample seating is the kind you’ll want to hang out in for a while, especially when sipping their excellent passion fruit tea.
iFusion Express
$ | (443) 438-7468 | WEBSITE
This compact Asian fusion spot offers more than just the popular strawberry boba tea and beef bento box—there are fresh sushi burritos with options like plain salmon or tuna, plus build-your-own poke bowls with ingredients like avocado, tuna, and shrimp over warm rice. But there are almost as many customization choices too, along with unlimited toppings and sauces (a custom poke bowl with three proteins runs about $13) and a convenient terrace for dining outside.
As a bonus, the minimalist dining area is perfect for a quick, solo bite—or any other time that grabbing a sushi burrito in silence while checking your phone feels right.
Kokee Tea – Canton
$ | (443) 438-6399 | WEBSITE
Kokee Tea in Canton serves exceptional bubble tea and matcha ice cream in a colorful, anime-themed setting. (The owners are passionate about both quality drinks and Japanese pop culture). For the full experience, try their signature boba milk tea—creamy, perfectly sweetened, and with chewy tapioca pearls—and add a croffle, a delightful croissant-waffle hybrid dusted with powdered sugar. Follow that up with a matcha soft serve, rich and earthy, topped here with optional oat milk foam.
If you’re browsing the knickknacks, the bright seating area is a good spot to sip on the almond milk-based “Sakura Dream” tea, a tribute to cherry blossom season that pairs beautifully with the vibrant decor.
