Bubble Tea

Finally another good boba place in San Marcos! I'd have to say that San Marcos is growing a bunch…read morein terms of getting cool new boba spots in North County. My hubby recommended this place to try when he found it on social media! I'm such a sucker for boba drink places so we made the drive from Escondido to make a pit stop here for a quick boba run before I had to go to work. It was definitely worth the drive. Located in the plaza where Mama Kat's breakfast used to be, it was so cute, modern, and bright inside. Very quiet and the workers were very attentive in welcoming us in. We liked the photo menu signage that's right by the register because it really helps when you have a visual of all the drinks. I got the Ube Foam Matcha Latte with matcha mochi -- which btw I've never heard of that before -- and my hubby got the Chocolate Oreo Slush with matcha mochi. Both were very very good drinks! I was in love with the matcha made in my drink, it's hard to find good matcha nowadays; and combined with the ube foam made it so much more flavorful. My hubby's icy slush was actually really good, we both love Oreo slushies and they made it really really well. I probably shouldn't have got it at 75% sweetness because it really did dumb down the flavor drastically. We had to mix it and let it melt a bit to taste the Oreo slush properly. Great boba place with great drinks! They even have their own take-home ice cream tubs in the freezer.

I was excited to try the banana matcha because of all the ads I kept seeing on Instagram! The…read morepictures of the amount of pudding you get looked intriguing. I rated 3 stars because I was a bit disappointed on the amount that was actually given as well as the taste. I understand products can vary from photos but the pudding in my order was significantlyyyy smaller than anticipated. It was also more of the crumble cookie than pudding, so I kept drinking mushy bits of the topping The banana flavor was also more of a whiff than a punch. For other matcha enthusiasts that use it as a measure of authenticity, I do think the color is reassuring. As for the Sea-salt Japanese Brown Rice tea, I'm saving it for later before work! And will update when I try. I do like the atmosphere, and see it as a great spot to work from.

Nice clean environment. Not a lot of people and with relaxing music.

They also have a kiosk in the corner for easy menu ordering! Wifi also available

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Banana pudding coffee and matcha

Tea Amo

4.3(247 reviews)

1.5 mi

Locally owned & operated

Free parking

Love this place! They still got the mystery cups. Which is what I initially wanted, but I haven't…read morebeen here in a long time and they have so much dessert now!!! We got the cookies n' cream bingsoo!! I love bingsoo!! It was so good!!! I need to try all the flavors!! I need a second person tho, it's a lot! I should've stopped there, but then I got macarons and a slice of cake. The macarons I got were the Nutella boba and caramel monkey. The caramel monkey was my favorite because it was super soft, fresh, and the cookie had great flavor. The Dubai cake was good but really rich. I definitely need milk or tea with this one. Service is good. It was pretty empty when we came here. I love this place, but I waste a lot of money here and I'm on a diet. That's the only reason why I haven't been here in a long time. I'm pretty addicted to this place.

I wouldn't typically leave a review like this, but our visit was far below what we expected. My…read morewife, children, and I stopped in last Thursday evening to try the bubble tea, and unfortunately the customer service was very poor. The fried chicken itself was good, and the drinks were decent, but the overall experience was overshadowed by the staff's attitude. We asked one girl what she recommend to which she simply replied I don't know and the other one seemed irritated by our questions. This was our first visit, yet they didn't seem interested in helping us! Neither was particularly welcoming or friendly. To make matters worse, we overheard the employees' conversations which included lots of profanity and complaining about work, not a family friendly experience! It's disappointing because the products themselves were enjoyable, but the poor customer service made it difficult to enjoy the overall experience. 2 stars, completely unprofessional.

Did someone say party? Yes we can!

Lychee was tired from hike and wanted some!

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Bingsoo - Korean Shaved Ice, dessert to enjoy with friends!

Awaken Coffee

4.4(24 reviews)

1.3 mi

I was pleased to find this gem in San Marcos! They have a small menu, but donned a decent selection…read moreof fun coffee concoctions. I treated myself to a lavender latte during my visit to power me through a few hours of work while waiting for my car to be serviced nearby. The latte was delicious, but a little too sweet for my taste. I wish there was an option to make it less sweet. It's possible that it was an option, but I didn't know about it. If you like the taste of coffee to come out more when enjoying an espresso drink, the lavender latte may be too sweet to your liking. The ambiance is perfect for a work day or even a intimate conversation with a friend.

I was coming to Awaken 3mo and if I didnt get coffee from home I would come to get a lavender & SF…read morevanilla latte with an add shot. It was delicious and something I looked forward to. The staff always was so positive, friendly and working hard. I loved it so much I started to serve in the awaken cafe and love the people & the vibe.

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Spinnaker Coffee

3.9(15 reviews)

0.5 mi

As far as hotel coffee goes, this is pretty good. Place was super cute and also had little things…read moreyou could purchase other than coffee. Pretty tiny place but I love the colors. We tried the Campfire Mocha and the Banana Crumble Latte. The mocha was pretty sweet but I love a sweet coffee. They were out of cold foam unfortunately. The Banana Crumble Latte tasted more like just a sweet coffee. The banana was very subtle and we couldn't taste it much. I also don't think they put graham cracker crumble on top so maybe they were out of that too. If I came back I would probably try a different one.

Not to be dramatic but probably the worst coffee I've ever tasted... my friend got the matcha and I…read moregot a PSL and it was so gross. First time my pumpkin latte was sour? We dumped them and went somewhere else. The vibe was cute but was not greeted when I walked in, I just walked into a girl working on something on her laptop.

Inside

Espresso bar

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Counter

El Kafecito

4.2(86 reviews)

2.0 mi

Hands down one of the best coffee shops in town. Besides Starbucks we don't really have any good…read morecoffee options in San Marcos. I love their cold brew. They are able to adjust the sweetness to your liking. Staff is always friendly. They opened up shop on CSUSM campus, where I work. It's the highlight of my day. :)

I'm a big coffee lover, so I'm always excited to try new spots. I actually came across this place a…read morewhile back but thr Vista location, it's a small drive-through hut, and at the time, I wasn't too impressed. Recently, I found myself in San Marcos and decided to give it another shot at this location and I'm so glad I did! I've been back a few times now, and every visit has been great. The shop is in a convenient shopping center with plenty of parking, which is always a plus. It's a small, cozy spot with a really cute setup. Each time I've gone, it's been the same person working, and he's always incredibly friendly and welcoming, which makes a big difference. I've tried a few different coffee drinks, and every single one has been delicious although the Mazapan Latte is my absolute favorite! Definitely a must try. The combination of great service and consistently amazing coffee is exactly why I keep coming back. Definitely worth checking out and making the drive since I'm in Carlsbad.

Corner table seat next to outlets

Still has a coming soon sign, but it is open for business!

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Outside

Better Buzz Coffee San Marcos

4.1(1.1k reviews)

1.2 mi

Ana,Necedah, and Taka were super sweet and lovely customers service . The pastries were super…read moredelicious !!

Ana and Taku were super attentive and really quick with their service at the Walk-Up counter! Had…read moreour drinks out as we were ordering. Perfect perfect!

Pick up window

Hazelnut divinity

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Cute kiosk, front view

Glutenus Maximus Bakehouse

4.8(288 reviews)

1.4 mi

The bakery's name lured me in, and the breakfast sandwiches bring me back. I love their liege…read morewaffle sandwiches, which are only available on Sundays. Their croissant sandwich is also delicious. I love the lemon curd cruffin, and it is huge! They also have a wonderful cinnamon roll. I've only had the original, but the variations look amazing.

Life's butter @glutenus_maximus Maximus--where every flaky bite is on a roll!…read more Tucked away in Vista, Glutenus Maximus Bakehouse is a true hidden gem worth seeking out. From the dreamy Ube Cronut and perfectly spiced Chai Cruffin to their buttery croissants and melt-in-your-mouth cinnamon rolls, every pastry is flaky, luscious, and absolutely delicious. Each bite delivers layers of handcrafted goodness that will have you planning your next visit before you finish the first treat. If you're a pastry lover, this bakery definitely rises to the occasion!

Inside

Milk & Cookies Cruffin

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Strawberry Shortcake Croissant

Starbucks

3.3(79 reviews)

0.0 mi

I realized I never updated my past review, so I wanted to drop a quick note and give credit where…read moreit's due. Ever since the mishap a while back, I've been back several times and the service and drinks have consistently been spot-on. Kudos to the team! As a local with three other Starbucks locations nearby, I have no hesitation visiting this one now.

This starbucks has the best brown sugar shaken espressos, the staff is really friendly as well !read more

Aerocano

Iced Pumpkin Cream Shaken Espresso

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Pecan Cortado

The Henry

I had an amazing meal at the Henry. I came here for a business lunch, and Katelynn was our server…read more Waters and drinks came out promptly, and she never hesitated to ask how the drinks and meals were. It was my first time so we ate based on Katelynn's recommendation. She recommended the Brussels sprouts and the pretzel bites which were amazing. Entrees were amazing as well but the ambiance could not be beat. Will for sure come back again! Thank you to the Henry staff and especially Katelynn for great service

I'm visiting the area with friends, party of 8 for brunch. The Henry made it easy for us. We…read morebooked online with no issues, and the hostess who checked us in was friendly and had us feeling welcome from the start. The open dining area strikes a great balance. It mixes industrial and classic touches with cozy leather booths, stylish décor, and an open, lively energy that still feels relaxed. It's polished enough for a special occasion but comfortable enough to linger over one more coffee, think business casual vibes. If the weather's nice, the patio is a great option too. The real MVP was our server, Katelynn. She handled all 8 of us by herself the entire time and never missed a beat. Our drinks were always fresh, and she stayed a step ahead of the table. Great solo performance. I split two entrées with my bro, which I highly recommend if you can't decide: California Burrito: Very savory, with creative sauces that set it apart from the usual breakfast burrito. Eggs Benedict: Well put together with quality ingredients. It's a classic done right. Potatoes: Fresh and delicious. I don't normally care for breakfast potatoes, and these still won me over. We left full, happy, and already planning a return trip. Bonus: The Forum Carlsbad shops are right nearby if you want to walk it off afterward, which we did. Cheers!

The Henry - Carlsbad

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The Henry - Carlsbad

Mika's

4.7(214 reviews)

4.9 mi

Cozy atmosphere, always delicious food ,good vibes and best coffee in San Marcos…read more Worth visiting for sure there's there's a nice outdoor seating area where you can enjoy your morning coffee and croissant

Came here in need of breakfast and Mika's did not disappoint…read more I opted for a Smoked Salmon Avocado Toast and it was pretty good! I got nice fatty flavors from the avocado and smoked salmon. The capers on top added a little zing to my bites.

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Cool wall art

Honey Lavender Latte, Vietnamese Shakerato, Avocado Toast, and Yugo Sandwich.

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Cortado with Sparkling Water

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25 reviews that are not currently recommended

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Dominique V.

1 year ago

The Ultimate Bubble Tea & Chill Spot - More Than Just Drinks! If you're looking for your next obsession, stop scrolling and head straight to this bubble tea shop. I've been to countless spots, but this place isn't just serving up phenomenal drinks. It's delivering a full-on experience. Seriously, my five-star rating doesn't even feel high enough! Incredible Quality & Customization You Crave Let's start with the most important part: the tea. The quality here is genuinely next-level. You can taste the difference. The tea bases are rich and freshly brewed, the fruit flavors are vibrant and real, and the boba is always perfectly chewy. But what sets them apart is the customization. Whether you're watching your sugar intake or you're a boba aficionado who needs extra pudding, they let you tailor your drink perfectly. You can adjust ice levels, sweetness, and toppings to create your ideal treat every single time. And speaking of treats, don't miss the seasonal drink menu! Every few months, they roll out creative, limited-edition flavors that are always a massive hit and give me a great reason to rush back. The Vibe: Comfort, Fun, and Games The comfortable atmosphere alone makes this a perfect hangout spot. The lighting is warm, the seating is cozy (perfect for studying or catching up with friends), and there's always a great playlist subtly setting the mood. But the secret weapon of this shop? The arcade and claw machines! This brilliant touch elevates it from a standard tea shop to a true destination. It's so much fun to grab a perfectly crafted drink and then challenge your friends to a quick game of Pac-Man or try to snag that elusive plushie from the claw machine. It truly makes the wait for your drink fly by. The Star Team: Ryan and the Awesome Crew The entire team here deserves an award, and it's clear the positive environment starts from the top. Ryan, the manager, has cultivated a welcoming, high-energy atmosphere that translates into incredible service. And the staff? They are superstars! * Ethan is a total expert, always giving the best recommendations for new flavor combos. * Sumi greets everyone with the warmest smile, making you feel like a regular even on your first visit. * Bianca is lightning-fast and super efficient, getting those complex orders out perfectly. * Kevin has a fantastic sense of humor and keeps the line moving smoothly while chatting with customers. They are attentive, friendly, and they genuinely seem to enjoy making your day better. Don't Forget the Merch! Before you leave, check out the merchandise! I picked up one of their super-soft sweaters, and I swear it's my new favorite piece of loungewear. The T-shirts and hats are stylish, comfortable, and a cool way to rep your favorite tea spot. It's high-quality gear, not just flimsy promotional items. read more

Nicholas I.

2 years ago

Yesterday I was in town and looking for a good boba shop to go to. I stumbled across bubble tea with low expectations, but they surprised me with their excellent customer service and boba. I drink boba all the time and this place was out of this world amazing! I recommend getting the taro smoothie with boba because that drink changed my life. Thank you bubble tea for the amazing service and boba. I will definitely be coming back! read more

C L.

8 years ago

This place makes amazing tea!!! but their customer service sucks I have been sitting out in front of their store for 15 minutes when they were supposed to open at 10:30 it is now 1045 I called the store and they said oh yeah we're opening in a little bit I said you're supposed to be open at 10:30 yeah well things aren't ready so you can wait if you want to was what I was told!! They just lost my business !!! read more

Phoebe C.

7 years ago

This place is crawling in cockroaches and rat droppings the owner digs through the trash and then touches the food with bare hands without washing them! The most unsanitary place I have ever been in if I could give negative stars I would!! The owner and her son are completely dicks, the son "Kevin" is racist and sexist, he acts like a spoiled brat that has never been disciplined in his life read more

Nicole T.

16 years ago

I love this place! If you haven't tried boba, you got to try it! It is super weird at first, but this place is so good! I always get the smoothie with boba, which is more like a pure sugar drink rather then a fruit smoothie, but so good! Come try it! read more

Salma D.

10 years ago

I love coming to this place the employees are friendly they have board games if you just want to hang out with friends for a while it literally the perfect place to hang out after school I defiantly recommend this place to all my friends read more

Mike L.

7 years ago

IM SORRY BUT, this place disgust me. There are people there(kids) vaping and smoking in there when I ordered. ALSO, WHEN I WAS WAITING FOR MY DRINK THE WORKER STARTED TO VAPE. I don't know how this place is still open. CLOSE IT DOWN NOW read more

Clair C.

15 years ago

came here after yummy dinner and got a milk tea for me and a mango slush for my kids to share. It's not good...I had much better drink somewhere else. This place is close to where I live so I might come back to try something else. read more

Andy J.

14 years ago

Came here today on this very hot day for a nice refreshing Thai Tea. It served it's purpose. I cooled down immediately. The only bad thing was the wait. But it doesn't matter I will be back again tomorrow. read more

Bobbi S.

11 years ago

Came here on a not so busy morning, with my son although there were a few people sitting here waiting for their order. Not once did the person behind the counter take our order. Waited 20 minutes and left. read more

Jax M.

7 years ago

Alright for starters there's a mf dog jus chillen here like wtf dats mad unsanitary. and wtf is this bs they be chargin for water like bruh what i think das illegal. read more

Krista H.

5 years ago

Here's a thought...update your hours?! It's 10:45 and you're not open. Some people drive across town for a tea. You're wasting people's time. read more

Heather M.

4 years ago

Great spot for tea. Flavor selection is awesome and service was fast and easy. We will be back!

Cesar M.

11 years ago

It was ok, you have a variety of flavors to choose from and the place is a bit too small.

Kevin M.

3 years ago

Nice people like the person and he's a grate guy and the store is grate and nice seats

Rowena P.

12 years ago

love the mango snow smoothie with boba. Get it every time I go. So good.

Jeniffer H.

10 years ago

I really loved Bubble Tea Combo, I bought it twice, and I want more...!

Samantha M.

10 years ago

It was ok, but I have had better boba teas for less $$ elsewhere.

Wesley S.

135

15 years ago

This place is dingy. And there is better boba out there.

Maria S.

9 years ago

Good place to relax in the couch. Plus they have wifi!

Bubble Tea - coffee - Updated October 2026

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Ding Tea San Marcos

3.9

(178 reviews)

This location is one of our go-to boba spots, and it never lets us down. Whether it's busy or not,…read morethe drinks are always consistently good, which is something I really appreciate. My usual orders are the taro milk tea and jasmine milk tea. Both are delicious and always hit the spot. If you're looking for something extra refreshing, the watermelon lemon slush is SO good, especially on a hot day. We've also tried the passionfruit tea and lychee tea, and both were flavorful, light, and refreshing. They've discontinued the Dalgona- I wish they'd bring it back. It's hard to go wrong with anything on the menu. When a boba craving hits, this is one of the first places we think of!

I ordered 4 drinks and a waffle. The drink for me was a regular boba milk tea. Of course it was…read moremissing the boba. I even gave them a $5 tip. What the heck?? This was a treat for me and they ruined it.

The Boba Co

4.8

(84 reviews)

Located in a big plaza with free parking, The Boba Co may be one of the best boba places around…read morethis area! Service was excellent! The employee who was there on Sunday afternoon was so so nice to us, especially to my young kids. My family got - Iced Jasmine Green Milk Tea with boba, 75% sweetness 100/10!!! - Iced Matcha Latte, 75% sweetness 9/10 - Organic Strawberry Ice Blended, 50% sweetness 10/10 (rated by my kids) Omg, their Jasmine Green Milk Tea is the best one I've ever had in my life! (And I'm coming from LA, OC where they have best bobas!) it was so refreshing and you can taste the quality tea so nicely. I think I can do 50% sweetness next time. Their drinks are on the sweeter side, so I recommend to go with less sweet. There are a good number of tables and chairs inside (along with comfy couches), which makes it a nice place to hang out or even study/work at!

Wanted the food advertised on the door lol but the guy told me they didn't have it because they're…read morechanging the menu soon. Anyway he was super friendly, great demeanor and hooked up my drink. It tastes great and I'm appreciative. I didn't get his name, but "he wore a black shirt today. Whoever he is tell him I am grateful!

Ding Tea Vista

4.7

(246 reviews)

Good service, thanks for your patience with our big group! We had about group of over twenty and…read morethey were very patient and friendly.

I order here if I'm looking to have something that's dessert-like to satisfy sweet tooth cravings…read more From time to time I'll branch out and try something new but usually rotating between 4 drinks. The menu is large and a bit overwhelming. Whatever the order, the flavor is consistently good. I'm happy that they have a frequent buyer program (Clover app) - Free drink when you buy 10. It's takes awhile but it's nice to get that freebie. Sometimes, they're lightly staffed so it can take a while to place or get your order if ordering in person.

Happy Lemon - San Marcos

3.7

(96 reviews)

I stopped by Happy Lemon in San Marcos for the second time and had a really good experience…read more There's plenty of parking in the busy shopping center shared with Ralphs. The shop itself is tiny with just a few seats inside, but it's cute and cozy. The service was super friendly. We also happened to get a July special that gave us $2 off when buying two drinks, which was a nice bonus. They were out of the ube foam when we visited and were making a fresh batch, but we didn't want to wait, so I ordered the ube smoothie with boba at 50% sweetness instead. It was light and not overly sweet, with a really nice texture and flavor. The boba was especially good and tasted more like it was made in house rather than the packaged kind. My favorite was actually the mango matcha smoothie. It was SO delicious! Such a refreshing little treat, and I'm already looking forward to trying more of their drinks next time.

Cute place with great vibes, I always love my Asian tea shops…read more The bubble waffle is the greatest sweet treat that isn't too sweet. Thank you for the night crew that worked on 6/13, very sweet and kind for making all four of my bubble waffles, great service!

Boba Hut And Deli

4.2

(197 reviews)

I believe the owner is the one who took my order and prepared my meal. Super nice and great…read morecustomer service! My meal was delicious, felt super fresh. Definitely recommend this place!

My every week place for smoothie. Thank you for great service and amazing smoothies. I come back…read morehere every week!

BoBaPoP Tea Bar

4.7

(110 reviews)

Ding Tea Escondido

3.9

(167 reviews)

We got the brown sugar milk tea and lychee storm! Both were very good! Service was as fast as it…read morecould be since there was only two workers and quite some orders to fill. Place also had some fun games to play while waiting and great for catching up/hanging out with friends.

Very disappointing experience. I only wanted to order two simple drinks--but the cashier somehow…read moremade the ordering process unnecessarily difficult. Instead of making the experience quick and straightforward, the cashier seemed unwilling to help and made me feel like I was inconveniencing them just by placing an order. There was no reason for such a simple purchase to become so frustrating. The drinks may be okay, but customer service matters just as much as the product. I hope management can address this because a difficult attitude at the register can easily make customers choose not to come back.

Ding Tea

4.6

(57 reviews)

I would sell a kidney for their brown sugar boba…read more Okay I need to talk about Ding Tea because I've officially become "that person" who brings it up in casual conversation unprompted. My husband has started timing how long I can go without mentioning it (current record: 6 hours, and honestly I'm not proud of that). The staff here are so genuinely kind that I've started to suspect they're either extremely well-trained or just secretly the nicest humans alive - I'm leaning toward the latter. Every single time I walk in it's warm greetings and zero judgment when I order something absurdly complicated with three add-ins and "light ice, not too light- 50% sweet." The tea itself tastes like it was brewed with actual love and not, you know, whatever sad tea bags are haunting other boba shops. Fresh, fragrant, the real deal. And the boba?? Cooked to that perfect chewy-not-mushy texture that feels like it should require a culinary degree. I've had boba elsewhere that tasted like sad little erasers. Not here. Here they respect the pearl. Honestly this place has ruined me for other boba shops in Escondido. I walk past competitors now like a woman who's found The One and simply cannot be tempted. 10/10, will be back approximately tomorrow.

Awesome place! Owner very accommodating and treated us like…read moreVIPS. Having a great day in sunny CA!

Thirstea

4.2

(90 reviews)