There are a few things about Dobra I don't like (the sort of snippity, you-should-know-these-things-don't-bother-me-I'm-a-tea-devotee attitude of some staff and the exhorbitant amount of time it takes to get tea and food).... what I DO love is the tea leaf readings offered by a third-generation reader Holly. She'll work around your schedule, and it's only about $12 for a 15 minute reading AND the tea! My girlfriends and I make a quarterly night of it - it's the best! Hannah Boucher Kirkpatrick read more

If you need a brief retreat in the midst of your day, or if (like me) you find yourself needing a small vacation from your vacation while in the Burlington area, you can't do better than Dobra. The incense-y smell that greets you when you enter, the little ritual of removing your shoes to step up to a platform strewn with cushions, and the delivery of a tome-like menu and a bell to ring when you're ready for service, all combine to tell you that you're stepping into another world. I particularly like that it is the house policy to leave you alone; you don't have to wave off anyone trying to clear a plate you're still working on, and you don't have to try to catch someone's eye to get the check. When you're ready to go, you just go to the register (and can buy yourself some more loose tea to take home! Though, be warned, Memories of Prague is not available, alas.) As other reviewers have said, the menu covers a huge array of teas from around the world. Devotees of the late, lamented Duchess Tea Room near the Essex Outlets might feel that England gets short shrift, but don't despair - there are many delicious choices here. We had Masala chai (served with honey and milk) and Memories of Prague (a black tea with bitter chocolate, served with small spice cookies - each delicious and divine together!) The foods are definitely in the snack vein, but there is a nice range of both sweet and savory snacks. Finally, there is also free WiFi, if you need a little check-in with the outside world while on your tea retreat. read more

Walking around Burlington on a whim on a spontaneous trip to Burlington, my friend and I discovered Dobra Tea and fell in love. What a lovely evening. I'm no tea specialist but I'm no amateur either and this place definitely caters to all tea drinkers. The menu itself is enormous and the descriptions of all the different teas were immaculate. The edamame, miso soup (tangy), and pita with hummus were very nice additions as well. Thank you for a wonderful dinner. I will definitely come back next time I'm in Burlington. read more

Dobra Tea - Camera made it look darker than it was. Delightful evening. - Tea Rooms Near Me - Burlington, Vermont

A cute, cozy little spot. There are several tables, and a few more private areas including some floor tables. The ambiance is relaxing. The employees discourage the use of cell phones (mostly just phone calls or videos), which contributes to the relaxing environment. The whole place smells wonderful. If you're not an avid tea aficionado, they can help you select a tea and prepare it once it arrives (loose leaf can be confusing for first timers). It was about $5.50-$6.50 for most options. The bubble tea is different than some may be used to - it has no ice, and is not very cold. However, it is delicious! The green tea bubbly tea is lightly sweetened, and served only on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Overall, a great spot on Church Street to get away from the crowds for a bit. read more

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Wonderful atmosphere and delicious tea! They have some seriously wonderful staff. If you ever have the pleasure of having a man named Thomas to help you out, then you really hit the jackpot. ;) It's a really calming and relaxing place. There aren't many of those. read more

my girlfriend and i stumbled onto this gem on our recent trip[ to vermont, totally by luck. It is cozy, charming and staffed by some very knowledgable folks. They have wonderful little bites of food to help soak up all the caffeine from the 100's of amazing teas, all in there only little service devices. it reminded me of being in China (just the great respect for the product). we left with a smile and with a much quicker step as i think i drank two pots more than i should have because it was so good. the perfect place for a rainy day and the staff is very good at leaving you alone and letting you sit as long as you want, you get your little bell to ask for service, otherwise you can just sit and relax. read more

I am a tea LOVER, so this is just the place for me. Dobra has a wide selection of teas from around the world, whether you're an herbal tea kinda gal or have more of a sweet-tooth....they have a tea that is right for you. I always get their Chai Chai Chai and a side of tea cookies. They are a perfect combo! I fell in love with this place the moment I stepped in, Its atmosphere is very serene, quiet, and inviting. I often frequent Dobra on Sunday afternoons when it is the least busy to catch up on some reading. You can purchase whatever tea you like if you prefer enjoying a cup of tea in the comfort of your own home. While I don't think I can re-create their Chai Chai Chai I bought a pound of their Rize tea. Its quick and simple, I just add a little bit of milk and honey and I am good to go. Great people. Great tea. Very Burlington. Check it out. read more

Favorite place in town! It's authentic and with a great ambiance. The staff is knowledgeable and friendly. I spent the entire afternoon there drinking tea, having snacks and the thinking and writing my paper. Next time I want to gather a few friends and sit at the no shoes area. It looks very cozy and wonderful. Perfect place indeed. read more

Always wanted to act like a middle eastern tea connoisseur? Have the urge to meditate in public? Enjoy congregating with other Burlington yuppies to discuss yoga and your inner energy? Good news! Patrons at Dobra Tea feel the same way! read more

When Andrew, the original owner, ran this place, we sometimes came weekly...it was such a treat to try a new kind of tea, and we could share a pot of tea and a mezze plate for about $15 including tip. Those days are gone. The service is painfully slow and the prices are ridiculous. Our last time (and I do mean last) there was last Friday. $30 for a pot of tea and a snack-size portion of food....we are "Devoteas" no more. read more

Waited 15 minutes for overpriced Chai that was too sweet and Yellow tea with a strand of hair in it. Also not really digging the vaguely orientalist decor that's supposed to connote the "East". read more

The is not the most updated clean place to enjoy a cup of tea. But very paranoid about Covid safety. A lot of rules and regulations that were over the top. The shop is very small and cramped and musty smelling. Not to mention Dingy. While all these rules and regulations were in place the guy who waited on us did not wear gloves when preparing my tea and handling the tea. A sign should also state that they automatically put sugar in some of their teas for people unaware of tea making etiquette. Just as if people would have a peanut allergy some people might be diabetic and cannot have sugar. The person was a bit snippy about it after I asked if there was sugar in the tea. The person who made the tea offered to remake it which was nice. Not a relaxing place to sit and have tea, I recommend taking it to go and asking first how the tea is made before ordering . Just wasn't a nice experience ‍ read more

Of all the places I've visited during my stay in Burlington, this one has to be my favorite. We were looking for an after-dinner bite, and my boyfriend mentioned that he had visited this place a few years earlier. Dobra Tea is lovely for a slightly chilly Friday night when you're feeling a bit too cozy for the bar scene. The vibe of the place is moody, comfy, and intimate. I remarked that it would be the perfect place to take someone on a third date, when things are still new, but you're eager to snug up to them a bit and move things along in the right direction. We kicked off our shoes (go ahead, everyone does) and settled in with the menu. We chose a three-tea sampler, which came with a Chinese green tea and two darker ones (forgive my lack of tea knowledge.) The green tea was citrusy and a tad sweet. The next one seemed to be your typical black tea, reminiscent of my English grandmother's drug of choice. The third tea was my favorite, as it was full-bodied with a hint of smoke to it. That's probably the coffee addict in me. I found it to be the most satisfying. We ordered baklava to accompany our tea, and it was fresh and flaky, with the perfect touch of honey. The only awkward thing about this place is that they give you a bell that you're supposed to use to summon a server. Way to make me feel like a diva. Oh, and our whole little snack only came to about $12, tip included. I'd love to visit this place again. But if you come with me, you're going to be the one doing the bell-ringing. read more

No idea why, but they refused to seat me. I was standing there for 15 minutes until I had to stand in front of someone to get their attention. I got a glazed over look and they pointed to the sign "please wait to be seated". That would be fine if my presence was even acknowledged while I was waiting. Never have been so disrespected. Absolutely unacceptable! read more

I grew up in the area and this was always one of my favorite places to go when visiting Burlington in high school. It remained a pleasant spot for years until I moved away. Visiting since, the feeling of the place has completely changed. No longer are you welcomed in to enjoy a wonderful tea. Now you stand there for several minutes while every employee avoids eye contact, when an employee finally messes up their schtick and makes eye contact with you they act like it's a burden to find you a seat. Now this extremely rude and pretentious service could be excused with the hipster vibe they are shifting too, if you were actually served that is. In the case of my visit yesterday, however, I was not. Pointed to an uncomfortably awkward seat that put me in the middle of three conversations. Everyone around me was served, from menu given to order taken and I again didn't even get eye contact. Sat there a full 15 minutes before realizing to myself that these folks must have a problem with me or my appearance to some degree as they have no intention of serving me. After no menu or even aknowledgment to my existence I left but not before asking what their problem was. In there fake-happy ultra prentencious manner they attempted to make me seem like I was overreacting to their mistreatment, some real sociopathic stuff. All I have to say is you will never have my business again after your rudeness and mistreatment of me. Not sure if all the fake-happy stinking bigots who work here are racist or what there deal is but it is really unfortunate one of my favorite places in Burlington has had to take such a negative turn. Used to love the place, now I feel like a blight that they are unwilling to serve for whatever reason. Really unfortunate. read more

We went into the dry tea section to buy some tea as the restaurant was too crowded for a sit down. The tea was very expensive and the girl behind the counter acted like it was a burden to take our order. We had some questions and she helped us but it was most unfriendly. Could she try any harder not to get any business, I don't know. After I used my credit card for the tea, the screen actually asked for a tip, unbelievable. I spent way too much money for what I got and the tea wasn't enjoyable at all. I didn't even bother with one type I purchased as she told me (after I bought it) that I had to put it in water about 10 degrees under boiling. Who has time for that. Recommend hard pass on this place. read more

This is like a hidden pleasure for me. I don't go here as often as I should, because this place is like a holiday. You can't have it all the time, because it's just that good. When I was single this would be the place I would take a lady for a first or second date. The mood is mellow and the tea options are amazing. It's like a gift you wish you could unwrap again and again read more

The environment of this dark hobbit like tea den was, how can I put it??...very eccentric! People can sit in various spots, including a lounging area that may or may not include a bearded long haired man with tiny glasses...think a young, but not as cool Dumbledore. They give you a tiny bell to ring when you're ready to order, which just makes you feel ridiculous and pompous. The whole experience was very funny to me and my boyfriend who broke out in laughter while waiting to be helped. I ordered the bubble tea and it was super yummy but way over priced...8.00 for a small cup. I do appreciate the gluten free, more natural snack options, although now that I think about it I did get something the resembled particle board . Not really the scene for me; seemed way to fake and trying too hard to be an opium den. read more

I am a bit of a tea fanatic and this place is as cute as a button. It's especially nice to duck in on a cold day and linger over a pot of tea and a goodie. Last time I was in I had the yellow tea and the lemon tea cake, both were delicious. I always try to hit up this place when I'm visiting Burlington. read more

Hidden tea gem in downtown Vermont! If you love tea or even have a slight curiosity on tea, you should def check this place out! Tons selections of tea, served by the Tea connoisseur there. A+ for ambiance too! read more

It's so hard to find a tea house in a small town. But Dobra makes great tea! They have tea from anywhere and I always go there to try more new tea. But I don't really like the atmosphere there, those tables should be bigger, it makes me feel a little uncomfortable to sit there. And I'm wondering do they clean their carpets regularly because there are so many people sit there without socks. read more

This is a good place to splurge on some fancy tea, but not to eat. Ordered 2 mezze plate for $9. Came with 2 small dolmas and one small, flat, dry falafel, (cut in half,) watery "tahini" sauce, and really mediocre gluten free pide, (aka pita read.) Others got hummus plates. Hummus was good, but same bad bread, and no way worth $9. Iced are bubble teas similarly over priced. read more

As if Burlington weren't darling enough, Dobra Tea is a magical extension of this adorable New England city. It looks like it should be straight out of Hogsmeade (if you get the reference, let's be friends). From the low tables and wicker chairs, to the card-catalog-style drawers on the walls FULL OF TEA, to the TINKLY LITTLE BELLS! they give you to call over your waiter, Dobra Tea is perfect. Giant tea menu, pretty large food menu, attentive and knowledgeable staff. My waiter took my order- holy basil (Tulsi) chai, went to the kitchen area and blended the tea+herbs+spices together, brewed it, and came back with a tray containing a tea pot, a little mug, a tiny pot of vermont maple syrup, and a tiny pitcher of hot soymilk. I sat in the dim teashop in a cozy corner, wrote in my journal, listened to Paul Simon over the restaurant speakers, and imagined that maybe someday Burlington is the place I should live. Fantastic selection of vegan fare too. I love you, Dobra. I'll be back. read more

Ambiance was great and service was awesome. We ordered this sweet minty tea which we finished super fast. The waiter did this cool thing where he poured tea into each of our cups from a pretty significant distance with minimal spillage. It was pretty impressive. read more

Dobra Tea has developed somewhat of a cult following among certain groups of college students. People honestly have a standing date once a week here to hang out... and they keep going after they graduate... and talk about Dobra Tea all the time... It's a little strange. I went here once, and was frankly overwhelmed. We got a pot of tea and really liked it, but we were hungry. We could see that other people had food, but there was no menu for food, and our waitress had a bit of an attitude so we were too shy to ask her what they had for food. We drank our tea, tried not to stick out like sore thumbs amongst the other tea connoseuirs, and left promptly afterwards. I think we went to Starbucks. Dobra just wasn't our scene. read more

I always enjoy a quiet moment here trying some new tea from a vast selection. They also have some great vegan/vegetarian lunches & desserts.

Wonderfully cozy spot for some tea and a snack. Customer service was great. I had the chilled kabusecah green tea which was uplifting and tasty. Prices are a bit high but probably justified. I look forward to going back next time I'm in town. read more

I loved Dobra; you walk in and the calming music hits your ears and all the hustle and bustle melts away. The menu alone is impressive. There are more than 50 pages of tea selections! Along with the tea options, Dobra does serve small Mediterranean inspired dishes- I had the mezze platter and chose hummus, feta and falafel. The meal came with a good amount of warm pita bread. The food was good. In order to order, ;) one is given a bell when seated and to get the attention of the server, must ring the bell. This is a cute idea, but the bell is taken away after you place an order, and you are not checked on after that. Some people prefer not to be disturbed, but others might need assistance, so I would recommend Dobra leaves the bell on the table (space permitting- about that, the tables are small and can get cramped). I had a white tea that tasted good. The decor is really nice and eclectic, if you so choose, you can opt to sit on the ground with pillows and have your tea that way. read more

This is probably my favorite place in Burlington. It's very relaxing and has a peaceful atmosphere. Walking in is like stoping into an oasis where scent and nostalgia take over. It is the epitome of a quintessential traditional tea experience. The prices are VERY reasonable and the staff is friendly. The food and tea is alright, not fantastic. However, there are many gluten free and vegan options. Be warned though, if you're searching for bubble tea THIS IS NOT the place. The bubble tea is simply not to par. Yet, the overall experience and ambiance make this a must do in Burlington. read more

Loved the atmosphere, the tea and food items were expensive but we enjoyed our visit. The next visit was completely unexpected and unpleasant. I am very disappointed but I do not like to patronize places that are rude and condescending. Does anyone have suggestions for an alternative read more

Dobra is a unique tea spot. Their tea is excellent. The ambiance of the place is definitely nice. There's the regular table and chairs or they have areas with tables where you can sit on cushions on the floor. My only issue was ringing the bell when you're ready to order. Not that it's a bad idea but it's really awkward and both my husband and myself felt bad doing it. I suppose that's just something to get use to. The staff seemed to be knowledgeable and gave us great service. This is a great place for any tea lover! read more

The ambience is usually good. Wifi and closes late. However, the desserts are extremely overpriced and very lackluster. Had a baklava today that was soggy and had to send back. Lemon cake last time that was try. Today I spent $18 on a pot of tea, a piece of baklava and a bowl of lentil soup. read more

Fantastic service, nice people, immense selection, delicious food, blatant authenticity in the process of making and serving tea.

Drinking tea at Dobra is a deeply satisfying, mysteriously soothing experience. The charming young people who work there are called tea devoteas. They're not merely serving the tea. Most have traveled with the owner to plantations in India, China, Japan, Sri Lanka, Taiwan and Vietnam on tea tasting and purchasing expeditions. The menu is as thick as a blockbuster novel, full of fascinating descriptions of every tea Dobra offers. No matter which tea you choose, it will be brewed properly. Different teas require different water temperatures and procedures to taste their best. My personal favorites are Masala, Puer and organic Japanese Gyokuro. You can even enjoy o-matcha, Japanese tea ceremony tea, at Dobra, with an authentic bean-paste-stuffed tea sweet. Dobra isn't a dinner restaurant, yet my husband and I often eat our evening meal there. The couscous Casablanca, bursting with nuts, apples and bananas, is quite filling and incredibly delicious. We also love the fabulous hummus with pita and raw vegetables. And when we're ravenously hungry, we top off our main dish with baklava or some other wonderful sweet. You can take off your shoes and sit on a cushion on a raised platform, or choose a cozy table. Sometimes the music sounds like a snake charmer. Other times it's African, Jamaican, techno or koto. The crowd is likely to include young people on computers, professors correcting papers and friends discussing the Great Questions of life. The atmosphere at Dobra is as exotic as the tea. read more

I won't be caught dead at dobra tea ever again. You might be thinking that I am making a mountain out of a mole hill but you have to take the prices with a grain of salt because my shitty ass HOT WATER was $10. First I thought someone was lighting up in the restaurant until I tasted my tea and it resembled what I imagine to be bong water. Dobra tea is barking up the wrong tree if they think I am EVER coming back. It's fucking bullshit that whatever that was on the menu that I couldn't pronounce and was rudely corrected at the counter costed 10 dollars. Namaste. read more

Love this place! Staff could be a little more personal and nice though. They come off cold often.

Dobra is one of my favorite spots in Burlington to go out for a night with the girls or on a date. They have so many options for tea, including fun mixes (Boston Tea Party and Memories of Prague are personal favorites) that are exclusive to the shop. The atmosphere is so cozy, warm, and relaxed. I love that their menu has suggestions on when it's the best time to drink which tea ("watching the first snow fall", or "when you have something to celebrate" come to mind). It's a great place to lose yourself in good company and conversation. read more

Sometimes a restaurant or bar serves ambience over their actual product, Dobra is a tea shop located in downtown Burlington, Vt, is one of those places. As you enter the wicker dominated tea room, the sounds of foreign instruments playing through the speakers and the smell of tea hit you like a ton of mellow bricks. On the walls, photos of exploited tea farmers and vendors from all over the world bring a sense of culture to the scene of patrons who desperately wish they knew a foreign language besides their high school level education of French or Spanish. Upon being seated, a strangely calm waiter places a dictionary of tea on your table. The hard cover, green leather bound book handles like a novel, with the second half being a travel log of the world-travelers who founded the joint. After flipping through 50 pages of teas named, "Memories of Prague," and, "White Dragon," I decided to go with the Masala Tea, a spicy chai served with milk and honey. Looking at the light fare offered, I opted not to buy their six dollar hummus plate--mostly because I don't like hummus. They had pastries and other things called, "Bohemian Spicy Nuggets," which caught my attention, but I wasn't looking to eat as much as I was trying to observe the Burlington hippy in its natural habitat. On the far side of the seating area, there are two elevated platforms where people can take off their shoes and sit Indian style on cushions decorated with moons and stars. Palm reader beads and flickering candles overwhelm this section of the tea room, as it seems like only the elite tea snobs are welcome. Dobra Tea is a cozy little place for anybody looking to relax in an extremely calming environment, however if you're looking to spend five dollars on tea I would recommend going to a market and buying a pack. read more

Very nice ambiance, smells amazing and extensive tea offerings, BUT, serious attitude and customer service issues. My son and I stumbled upon this place after a day of college tours - my son loves tea, so we decided to check it out. I walked in with a cup of coffee from another coffee house. We were seated and after a wait our order was taken. At no time was any mention made of the cup I brought in BEING A PROBLEM. My son's chai and truffle were delivered and after more waiting, the cookies I ordered were delivered. At this point the server (dark beard & glasses) decides to tell me that I can't have a drink from elsewhere "or they could get shutdown." It was baffling and such a turn off.... if they had said something before we were seated / ordered I would have understood, but it was about 15 minutes into our visit. I stood outside to finish my drink, my son finished his chai alone, bought some loose leaf tea & we even tipped these silly people. Very negative feeling, we won't be back. Bad Karma. read more

Even before moving to Burlington, Dobra was my favorite place of favorite places. It's relaxed, comfortable, and the tea is excellent. More importantly, Dobra is the kind of place where one can spend the whole evening in the company of good friends. You blink, and the time just sneaks away within the candlelit shadows. read more