Zoe RocheWhile Aucklanders may still swear by their coffee, it seems like bubble tea is sneaking up to steal the spotlight as the city’s second favorite drink. And let’s be real – who can resist it?
With bubble tea joints popping up left, right, and center, it’s clear that this trend isn’t going anywhere soon. From classics to crazy flavors and toppings, there’s something for everyone.
Let me guess: you’re now wondering where to get your bubble tea fix in Auckland, right? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered with a list of the best spots we’ve tried so far.
Gong Cha
– Media by miglaseats
Website: http://www.gongcha.co.nz/
Address: 7/38 Lorne Street, Auckland CBD, Auckland 1010, New Zealand
Contact details: +64 9 303 4634
Operating hours: Monday – Sunday: 11:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Gong Cha rules the bubble tea scene in Auckland – well, everywhere in Asia too actually! Their creamy and tasty drinks are always just the right blend, which is totally enjoyable, even if you’re new to bubble tea.
You can find them at loads of Gong Cha spots, at least 16, all over Auckland, starting with their joint on Lore Street in the CBD.
Their pearl milk tea and taro milk tea are classics that never disappoint. But if you’re after something with a sweet and tangy kick, you have to try their passionfruit green tea – it comes with a mix of Q bomb pearls and coconut that’s seriously refreshing.
Other awesome flavors include Dirtea fresh milk, Oolong milk tea with herbal jelly, and milk tea with coconut jelly. Seriously, there are so many options, you could have a different bubble tea every day!
Chatime
– Media by luca3flowers
Address: 11/350 Queen Street, Auckland CBD, Auckland 1010, New Zealand
Contact details: +64 9 300 6386
Operating hours: Monday – Sunday: 11:00 AM – 10:30 PM
This big Taiwanese player wasted no time making waves in Auckland. Chatime is all about innovation, especially with their sparkling tea. For that, they do offer something called Mojitea, where you can pick Mango, Peach, or Lychee flavors.
People can’t get enough of their QQ range either – those cold fruit teas with tapioca pearls and coconut jelly are always a hit. Of course, you also can’t go wrong with their classic milk tea lineup.
But unlike other bubble tea joints in the city, Chatime also offers delicious snacks. Picture yourself munching on crispy fried chicken, tasty popcorn chicken, and salty fries while you sip your bubble.
And here’s the cherry on top: affordability! With prices starting as low as $4.50, treating yourself to a refreshing milk tea won’t be a pain in the budget.
Daily Tea
Website: https://daily-tea.tuckerfox.co.nz/
Address: 385 Great North Road, Henderson, Auckland 0612, New Zealand
Contact details: +64 20 4090 5981
Operating hours: Monday – Sunday: 11:00 AM – 8:00 PM
If you’re on the hunt for a cool spot to sip on some bubble tea, check out Daily Tea. It has a cozy, clean vibe with mats, beanbags, and small tables, plus free WiFi (kind of like a quaint cafe, right?).
And boy, do they have options! Aucklanders love this place for its bubble tea variety.
If you have a sweet tooth that just won’t quit, you need to try the Oreo Tea – it’s loaded with Oreo goodness, pearls, and Oreo cream cheese. But if you’re more of a classic flavor fan, go for the original milk tea with pearls or the jasmine milk tea with pearls.
If you prefer to have your drink at home, just hop online, order through their website, and wait for your boba at your doorstep.
WuCha Takapuna
– Media by rita.thefoodie
Address: 87 Hurstmere Road, Takapuna, Auckland 0622, New Zealand
Contact details: +64 9 486 4666
Operating hours: Sunday – Thursday: 11:30 AM – 10:00 PM | Friday – Saturday: 11:30 AM – 11:00 PM
With an average price of around $11 each, WuCha is definitely not your cheap bubble tea spot, but you truly get what you pay for. They do use high-quality ingredients, which you’ll definitely taste in your cup.
About that, they use real fruits and root crops in their drinks, along with fresh milk instead of artificial milk powder. That’s why their bubble teas are “healthier” and more authentic.
And let’s not forget about those perfectly chewy pearls! That’s not something you always get in your typical boba stand.
Now, onto the drinks – their Fruit Tea Series is a hit, especially the avocado slushy. And if you’re not into fruity stuff, go for their Dirty Milk Tea with Pearl.
Q Tea
Address: Shop 3a, Lower Ground, 529 Lake Road, Takapuna, Auckland 0622, New Zealand
Operating hours: +649 394 6633
Q Tea is like the ultimate tea house experience in Auckland that every beverage enthusiast dreams of. In addition to the classics, this Takapuna teahouse offers a few delightful surprises on its menu.
One standout is the fresh milk with taro, kumara, and brown sugar pearls. Another delectable option is the fresh milk tea with black rice. Both are must-trys so we won’t judge you when you come out with two bags!
But what really steals the show are their pearls. The shop is quite generous, serving up more pearls than your average tea joint.
Also, customers can’t get enough of their popping boba, lovingly referred to as “bobo”, which is a burst of lychee-flavored liquid wrapped in a thin layer of sago ball. Don’t forget to add it to your drink for an extra thrill!
Cha+
Website: https://www.chaplus.co.nz/
Address: 583 Dominion Road, Balmoral, Auckland 1041, New Zealand
Contact details: +64 9 260 4088
Operating hours: Monday – Sunday: 11:30 AM – 11:00 PM
Everyone in Auckland knows Dominion Road is bustling with restaurants and cafes and, of course, amazing bubble tea shops. Among them is Cha+, where you can wrap up your dumpling feast with a refreshing bubble tea.
Open every day, it’s the go-to spot for flavorful teas that are both creative and irresistible. Pro tip: you might want to take your time exploring the menu.
You’ll find options like green apple and green tea with strawberry popping balls, rock melon milk tea, matcha milk tea, and strawberry milk tea – all with pearls, of course!
On top of it all, don’t forget to pair your drink with some tasty snacks from their menu, like popcorn chicken, fried chicken bun, chicken bento, or the crowd-favorite cheese-filled fried chicken.
Hulu Cat
– Media by nz_tapioca_bu
Address: 239-249 Queen Street, Auckland CBD, Auckland 1010, New Zealand
Operating hours: Monday – Sunday: 11:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Another place with a wide range of bubble teas is Hulu Cat, and most of their locations are pretty easy to get to, especially the one in Auckland CBD.
They whip up their flavorful drinks fresh to order, including the pearls, so you’re guaranteed a satisfying sip every time. Check out their milk tea lineup, with options like grass jelly milk tea, caramel pudding milk tea, and fresh taro milk green tea.
But here’s where it gets exciting – you can create your own drink! Mix and match by picking a tea and adding your favorite toppings. Flavors include matcha, watermelon, jasmine, Earl Grey tea, and more.
Just don’t go overboard; they recommend sticking to three toppings, which could be pearls, pudding, jelly, or special additions like chia seeds and honey aloe.
Additionally, Hulu Cat offers a selection of foods, including popcorn chicken and kumara chips. If you prefer dining in, there’s seating available inside, or you can order online for pickup at the Albany or East Tamaki stores through the Hulu Cat website.
Cactea
– Media by mytablenz
Website: https://cactea.tuckerfox.co.nz/
Address: 6 Hurstmere Road, Takapuna, Auckland 0622, New Zealand
Contact details: +64 9 963 6249
Operating hours: Monday and Thursday – Saturday: 12:00 PM – 10:00 PM | Tuesday – Wednesday: 12:00 PM – 8:00 PM
If you’re on the hunt for the tastiest drink in town, Cactea might just be what you’re looking for. We think you’ll fall head over heels for their coco with chocolate syrup that almost feels like sipping on melted chocolate.
And let’s not forget about their matcha series – strong yet subtly sweet, it’s a dream come true for matcha lovers. Their taro drinks are another highlight as well, made with pureed real taro so thick it’s almost like Hawaiian poi in consistency
But the generosity doesn’t end there – even the bubbles make up nearly a third of the drink. And those boba pearls? Bursting with flavor, with a hint of molasses sweetness.
On top of all these, there are plenty of food options to choose from. So if you’re craving a bite along with your bubble tea fix, this is the place to be.
The Alley
Website: https://www.the-alley.nz/
Address: 22 Kitchener Street, Auckland CBD, Auckland 1010, New Zealand
Contact details: +64 9 930 0646
Operating hours: Monday – Saturday: 12:15 PM – 8:00 PM
Are you looking for that picture-perfect bubble tea that not only tastes great but also looks amazing on your Instagram feed? Then you might want to order your drink from The Alley!
They don’t just focus on the flavor of their teas; they’re also conscious of their presentation. Just try ordering their Slush series and Aurora series, and you’ll see what we mean.
Of course, you’ll be relieved to know that they don’t compromise the quality of their teas just for the sake of appearance. It’s bubble tea done right – just the right amount of sweetness and chewy pearls.
In fact, The Alley makes its own sugar cane syrup, uses freshly handcrafted tapioca or “deerioca,” and carefully selects tea leaves. You can find them on Kitchener Street in the Auckland CBD.
Tearaffe
Address: 56-60 Hurstmere Road, Takapuna, Auckland 0622, New Zealand
Contact details: +649 486 0971
We’ve already talked about a few bubble tea spots in Takapuna, but don’t miss Tearaffe – it’s a gem. You’ll find it next to Jesters Pie near Starbucks on Hurstmere Road.
It’s a small but bright and clean shop, so it’s hard to resist popping in as you walk by.
People love coming here because their teas are loaded with real ingredients. When you swing by, make sure to try their Matcha Milk Tea, Mashed Taro Green Milk Tea, and especially their Tearaffe specials.
You also can’t miss their cheese teas that are simply extra creamy. And if you’re feeling a bit hungry, their waffles are a perfect snack to go with your tea.
Yu Tea
– Media by jk_jiyong
Address: 301 Lincoln Rd, Henderson, Auckland 0610, New Zealand
Contact details: +649 272 3988
Operating hours: Tuesday – Sunday: 11:30 AM – 11:00 PM
Feeling like having some sweet bites and bubble tea? Well, if you happen to find yourself in Henderson, look no further, because this spot is the answer to your cravings.
Their milk teas keep things delightfully simple, offering a selection of just 20 options.
Take your pick from indulgent flavors like caramel, invigorating coffee, or the classic taro milk tea. Don’t forget to customize your drink with your favorite toppings – whether it’s sago, pearl, coconut jelly, or any other tempting option – for just an additional dollar.
You have the freedom to mix and match to your heart’s content too. So if you’re bored with the typical boba taste, you might want to drop by here first.
Step inside, and you’ll notice how clean, spacious, and lively it is, with that unmistakable Asian vibe. You can’t get more bubble tea authentic than that!
ETea Bubble Tea
Address: 5 Aviemore Drive, Highland Park, Auckland 2010, New Zealand
Contact details: +64 9 218 6770
Operating hours: Monday – Sunday: 11:30 AM – 9:30 AM
This cozy teahouse in Highland Park is all about quality ingredients, so you’re in for a real treat with their authentic bubble teas.
Grab your friends and swing by ETea to try one of their popular drinks, like the cake milk bubble tea or the lychee oolong ice milk tea. And like many places on this list, there’s a wide selection ranging from fruity to milky.
If you’re in the mood for something lighter, go for the seasonal fruit tea or the Zheng Shan red tea, straight from China.
But wait, there’s more! At ETea, you can also indulge in cookies, cakes, and nougat biscuits to complement your bubble tea. Their flavors vary depending on the day, so make sure to drop by and see what’s available during your next visit!
