I wanted to try the white rose but they ran out so I got the blue lavender mint bubble and it tasted so delicious! The service here was great as well. Hopefully when I stop in again they'll have the white rose iced tea. I love how this place offers unique flavors that other tea shops don't have. I really enjoyed what I got today. They are also informative and let you know what drinks have zero caffeine, high caffeine or low caffeine, I think that's so important and it was great to see that. I read the bad reviews and I highly disagree. I've been to a lot of tea spots and milk tea spots all over illinois, I wanted something other than the same old boring brown sugar boba or matcha and this place delivered everything I wanted because they incorporate unique flavors and the result is magical. If you appreciate unique flavors like I do, come here! read more

Eli Tea Bar - Blue lavender mint bubble. - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

As soon as you walk in, you'll see a wall of what reminded me of black paint cans for sale. I believe it was a backdrop to show the unique ingredients that go into making ETB concoctions. That black packaging overflowed to a sizable merch section against a wall further in where the main seating area is located. It's a great place to check out. I almost forgot about ordering my drink and fancy almond + strawberry cookie! The tea barista was friendly and mellow. And I loved seeing the multiple flyers/posters displayed with important messages to absorb and think about...over tea. read more

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I really liked that I could taste the chunks of strawberry in the strawberry matcha. I do wish the matcha flavor was a bit stronger though. I liked that they showcased so many different tea blends and it seems like everything they offer is made in house. The back of the store had a nice stage and seating area where they host a bunch of fun events. read more

Eli Tea Bar - Strawberry Matcha - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Very cool vibe. Good music, lots of space and places to work. There were also lots of tea options, gifts and tea-themed stuff. After taking too long to decide, I had a delicious genmaicha. I dont live here but if I did I'd definitely show up to their community events. I can't wait to return and try something new. read more

Eli Tea Bar - Inside - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I ordered their ube lychee jasmine tea latte with almond milk and peach poppers. It had a natural taste, which I appreciated--I asked for no added sugar, and the drink's subtle sweetness held up on its own. However, I think the ube flavor, lychee flavor and jasmine tea flavor were too light. The peach poppers were sweet but not very peachy. And I was also a bit confused because I requested no ice (which came with an extra $1 or $1.50 charge), but still ended up with a few ice cubes in the cup. There's a large menu on the wall to the right of the entrance, and a self-serve kiosk near the counter where you can customize your order even further. All the drinks are super customizable, which is great, but it took me about five minutes to decide because the options were so plentiful and tempting. Once I placed my order, they prepared the drink pretty quickly. The interior decor was fun, whimsical, and had a touch of mystery. In addition to drinks, they also sell tea, gifts, stationery, and more. There were plenty of seats inside, making it a nice place to sit and enjoy your drink. read more

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They have fun events such as karaoke and trivia, although we just went for drinks Love how descriptive their menu is, especially with indicating the caffeine content. Good vibes and friendly staff. Kombucha was a bit mild, didn't have that stinkiness if ykwim. I ordered the mango turmeric and it just tasted like apple cider vinegar, my friend really loved it though. The matcha mango was good with the bubbles on the softer side. read more

Eli Tea Bar - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I got the matcha mango bubble tea and I really enjoyed it! I don't think I've ever had a combo of this before but I like both things separately. Now to find out that these together ARE DELICIOUS! The staff is nice and funny! I loved the inclusive atmosphere and there's lots of seating! My friend got their strawberry turmeric kombucha which kind of reminded me of the sour part of apple cider vinegar without the bad smell of it! I enjoyed both drinks. I enjoyed that they stay open until 10 so it's perfect for late night hangouts. Also, Eli Tea Bar hosts lots of events! If I lived in the area, I would most definitely want to visit the open mic day (that's on Fridays)! read more

Eli Tea Bar - Matcha Mango and strawberry turmeric kombucha - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Ok boba place Too sweet for me Not very strong tea flavor The pearls also a bit too chewy Price about average here Great staff though read more

This place has gone downhill since our first visit. The last time we were in, we were drinking tea at the counter and a worker came on for their shift and started spraying deodorant and cologne everywhere - right in front of us and another person drinking tea. The smell was overpowering. The next time we came in and tried to order some tea to go but the worker that was loading loose leaf tea into bulk bags was coughing nonstop - right into the tea. Not a good look for Eli Tea Bar. We left and didn't get anything. read more

Really nice little tea bar, the teas themselves are absolutely delicious. The space is kinda small but there's plenty of seating in the back. Service can feel a little cold and uncaring unfortunately but I do really enjoy the teas here! read more

Overall Thoughts: I like this spot! The interior is super aesthetic, inclusive, and comfortable. They have a diverse selection of creative drinks on the menu that I haven't seen before in other bubble tea spots. I ordered the ube jasmine tea latte, which was made instantly. It was very sweet but I eventually got used to the sweetness. The ube flavors weren't very strong and I don't think I tasted much lychee flavor either. Regardless, it was a tasty treat, and I'd be eager to try their other drinks on the menu! The prices here are standard for what you'd see at a typical bubble tea store, so no surprises there. -- Price (relative to peers): 4.3/5 Drinks: 4.2/5 Ambience: 5/5 Service: 5/5 Overall Value: 4.4/5 read more

Eli Tea Bar - ube jasmine tea latte - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

After going here four times I am left with pretty mixed feelings. The staff doesn't feel welcoming or as if they want to be there at all. For example I said hello after walking in last time with no reply. I mean it seems like a pretty chill client base that would come in here. Not sure why the staff is so distant. Perused their menu and had to wait a couple minutes while the two staff talked to each other. Just stood at the counter waiting. Drinks were brought out without really acknowledging me or the person I was with despite only a few people in there. It feels like you're bothering staff by ordering. The customer service is just kind of meh. No marking on a drink to differentiate oat or milk. 2nd time I went my drink was wrong. It feels kind of hit or miss with the staff. Don't want to call anyone out because it's the owner or managers job to take a hard look at who they hire to be the face of a business. The boba is pretty good, but if this area wasn't so lacking I wouldn't bother. Would be nice to offer a less sweet variety of the drinks. Seeing reviews on another platform and how the owner replies is kind of wild. Some very condescending comments without any empathy or attempt to make the customers happy. read more

Great tea selection, well prepared drinks, enjoyable atmosphere. I would go here all the time if I was more near by!

Came seeking the silent book club. Came little early. Now that I know the schedule definitely going to return regularly. Seems like a really cool space that's sober. I'm not sober but like 3rd space that doesn't have alcohol but still provides hang out space for adults. Looked at the menu and so many tea options!! I went with a cherry tea and half lemonade. I don't know much about tea but I love the Arnold Palmer formula. read more

Eli Tea Bar - Half Cherry tea half lemonade - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

What an experience! This place is great. I love tea so the fact they cater to that with various drinks is great. They have coffee as well but go for a tea based drink or boba drink. You can buy in bulk or ounces to brew later. There was a pierogi business towards the back that was fun to talk to. The employees were a delight, so funny, engaging, helpful, and someone was singing while they were making drinks. I don't think they knew it but great voice. The chai is nice. The hibiscus drink was tasty, i personally don't like hibiscus but it was solid. read more

Eli Tea Bar - Thai chai latte - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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I came here with a friend as we were in the mood for tea and also noticed they had kombucha on tap. I ordered the lavender hibiscus option as they were out of two others, and it came out pretty quickly. I found it to be a little overpriced given the size, but it is what it is. My friend got some sort of boba tea drink, and they completely forgot about it. He went back up to tell them about it and they didn't even know which one he had ordered. He told them and they brought it out really quickly. After tasting it (I tried it also), we both agreed it tasted pretty watered down and wasn't very good. The boba itself had a great consistency though, so not sure if it was because they put it together quickly or what, but not a fan. Also, the guy working behind the register wasn't very friendly to us. I don't know; just seemed like he could've been a little more reactive and also apologetic about forgetting the drink. Mehhh, I guess I'd return if in the area. The space in the back is really nice to get work done or hang with friends. read more

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Very cool business with unique drinks. Thought the boba was soft and tasty. Loved the Thai tea and cinnamon mix. The ambiance was great as it's such an inviting environment. They have comfy chairs and they seem to host events too. Staff were friendly! read more

Eli Tea Bar - Delicious Thai Chai Bloom - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Great tea and very good selection. Cute space. I bought a cinnamon roll and it was rock hard. I could only have one bite, I cannot believe they would sell something like that. Service was ok read more

Quite possibly my favorite spot in Chicago. They're open late, which is perfect for working or hanging out when every other café closes around 4-5pm. I haven't had the chance to try any of their food, but every one of their milk teas is amazing, and I'm working my way through their iced teas slowly! Staff is always very friendly and knowledgeable. The interior is very cozy, and they've made it into a nice little community space, with lots of events like book clubs, open mic nights, trivia nights... There's also a punch card loyal-tea program, which I think is super cute. Overall, I love this place, and I'd recommend it to anyone in the area! read more

Eli Tea is a full vibe. Great ambience and space for working. Eli Tea has the style and feel of a bar, but with alcohol free options. I usually go in the early afternoon to work- the cafe/bar is always busy, but never crowded, so you always get the feeling that you want from this beautiful space. Music is always at a good level, adding to the mood but never detracting from the ambience or conversation. KID TIP: The Cafe can make several caffeine free and low sugar options. The strawberry milk boba tea with no added sugar is delicious and kid-friendly. I always get the bubble tea drinks- mint matcha bubble tea is refreshing and delicious. Medium bubble teas are around $6, and they offer a rewards card where the 10th is free. The samosas are prepared by Tasting India chef Jasmine Sheth, so they are delicious and actually come with the tamarind and mint chutneys. I also appreciate that Eli Tea is an inclusive community space, offering up evening events and an alcohol free option. read more

Eli Tea Bar - Honey green matcha tea- DELICIOUS - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I've been here many times and every time has been simply amazing! I really love the ube tres leches one but each drink I've tried was really good! They also sell really nice tea ware as well! I can't recommend this place enough! read more

Eli Tea Bar - Matcha strawberry on the right ube tres leches on the left - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I've been here multiple times hoping the experience will improve, if anything it's gotten worse. The drinks are simply not good, the tea is watered down and the boba is always hard. The atmosphere is also kind of gross, it feels like some teenagers did a DIY job when it comes to the decor. The staff also seems like they don't want to be there. read more

This is definitely one of my new favorite hang out spots in Chicago! Eli Tea has a good selection of unique boba teas. The interior is bigger than you would expect with a space dedicated to a small shop full of knick knacks, as well as a sitting area with board games. My friend and I stopped by and we each ordered a milk tea. I got the taro which was pretty sweet, but super flavorful. I thought the boba was good quality as well! There were quite a few board game options and we sat and played mancala and dominos for a while. This is a wonderful spot to sip some tea, get some work done, or hang out with friends. I will definitely be stopping by again! read more

Eli Tea Bar - Taro Milk Tea - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

My first time at Elitea and I had the best experience. The drinks are delicious and the staff is super friendly. I got the lychee Jasmine bubble drink with coconut milk and it tasted like heaven. I'll definitely be back whenever I'm in the area! read more

Eli Tea Bar - Lychee Jasmine bubble - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Fantastic selection of tea-based drinks - tea lattes, bubble teas, etc. Great loose leaf tea selection to choose from too. Snacks and treats are also available if you're looking for a little nibble with you sip a beverage. They offer a variety of events over the course of the week too (open mics, game nights, trivia, etc). Cute cozy space let's you curl up and stay a while! read more

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Very cute and cozy space - perfect for studying, catching up with friends, or meeting a date. They also have fun events during the week like trivia and crafting. Love supporting queer businesses! Met a date here on a Friday in the afternoon and it was such a cute spot! We're both tea lovers so it made a lot of sense to meet up here and we'd both been wanting to give it a try. They have a very wide selection of teas, chais, bobas, and kombuchas with options for hot and cold where applicable. They also have loose tea for sale as well as some mugs and tea products. I ended up ordering the limited pink Kashmiri chai which was actually pink! They have lots of different milk options which I appreciated and I opted to go with oat. My date got the regular chai with coconut milk. We got the drinks for there and snagged a small table in the back. The space is quite eclectic without a very cohesive style, but it's cute. We enjoyed our time there for sure. Overall the drinks were good, the options extensive, and the ambiance cute. Would visit again! read more

This is my favorite tea shop!! I spent the Summer in Chicago and i'd always spend my weekends in Andersonville (Chicago's Gayborhood). I was walking around, checking out shops and saw a sticker for ELI TEA! Their logo has the pride flag incorporated so i was intrigued. I had to stop in! It looks very small from the outside, but it's fairly roomy inside. It's got a good chill vibe, it's very LGBTQIA+ friendly (like most places in Andersonville) and it's got pride flags everywhere! They have a very wide variety of teas, bobas, and drinks. There's something for everyone, and even tea products you can take home! I definitely recommend to tea lovers and anyone in the LGBTQIA+ community who might be in Andersonville read more

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Can't speak more highly of a tea spot! Such a wonderful selection and such a informative staff. They have wonderful options and so much to try and enjoy! Very eclectic with small fun gift items as well. Sitting options are available if you'd like to chat or do some work in a colorful space. read more

I really like that you can customize the level of sweetness that you want for the boba tea. Not all places do that. I ordered the rooibos matcha (powdered rooibos tea) with cinnamon and oatmilk, very lightly sweetened. It was very good! I didn't give a full 5 stars because the cashier was very stone-like, not giving a welcoming feeling and their price for a small boba I feel is pretty steep. I recall getting the same size elsewhere for $1 less. read more

Eli Tea Bar - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Great food. Great vibes. Great atmosphere. Visiting from Milwaukee and stopped for a break while exploring. Great location that combines shopping, food and work space. Very cool place. Upcoming events and full length mirror in bathroom. Excellent veggie samosas 2 for $7 and a London Fog Latte. Happy to support. read more

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Love this place and the atmosphere only thing is they are a bit expensive but the neighborhood is too. Good recovery oriented tea bar they have everything you can imagine of different kinds of fresh tea to try read more

Hand-crafted bubble tea made with fresh ingredients available in the heart of Andersonville! I've been wanting to get boba that I can trust is vegan (you never can know with other outlets since some use milk powders in their mixes). I got their Matcha Mango Bubble Tea. This boba was so fresh and delicious with a great flavor balance between the sweet, sour mango and the bitter matcha tea. I really love that they make everything in house and are very transparent about ingredients. I also love that they are super LGBTQ+ friendly (including beautiful decorative rainbow art). Would definitely recommend if you're in the neighborhood. read more

Eli Tea Bar - Matcha Mango Tea - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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I was super excited to try this place out after hearing the buzz about it online. I came in a little after 12:00 on a Saturday and was happy to find that I didn't have to wait to order! The customer service was great! The only reason that I didn't give it 5 stars is two reasons. First, because there was not much seating left even for just one person and I had to grab a seat at a table that was about a foot wide and faced a wall in the aisle leading to the back. I just moved a stool over and sat in the doorway next to the table, so atleast I wasn't facing the wall. Second, my London fog tea latte was rich and creamy, but it had a slight matcha taste to it. I drink these regularly at home and at other shops, so I knew what to expect and that was a bit off. It seemed maybe the glass wasn't washed thoroughly enough? Or maybe the matcha here is served so strong that it's essence seeps into the glass after so many times? Idk, either way I drank it all up and I'd still go back! read more

Eli Tea Bar - Perfecting area and shop center - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

RATING: 6.5/10 Eliteabar is a nice oasis located in Andersonville where you can sneak away from the bustling street outside. The atmosphere inside is super cozy, complete with cushy sofas and charging ports for your convenience. I'm definitely coming back with a book! There's also a small makeshift shop near the front where they sell all types of teas and miscellaneous items which is cool. I ordered the mint matcha--it was high quality matcha but I didn't care for it much. That's more on personal preference than a reflection of the store's quality so keep that in mind. read more

I ordered the Large Passionfruit Lemonade Special with butterfly lemonade and passionfruit. The customer service was great very patient I even ordered what they recommended. The price was great also $5 for a delicious treat. read more

Eli Tea Bar - Delicious lemonade - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

How am I the first review here? This is a FANTASTIC tea bar just north of the main shops in Andersonville. They've got a large selection of tea and tea-adjacent drinks, kombucha on tap, and a nice variety of pastries and samosas. There's a back space for working, reading, socializing, etc. The staff is friendly and fabulous. They've got special events on the weekends, which I have yet to check out. I'm a big fan of this place and frequent it often. It's nice to know there's a safe social place for sober and lgbtq folx as well. Please support small businesses like this. Try the winter tonic- you won't be disappointed read more

This place has such a cool vibe and I love the way they set up the place. We had a London fog latte and Indian chai - it did not disappoint! We also had the kombucha on tap! It had great flavor and wasn't too sweet. Give this place a try! read more

Came during the soft opening in early December. Had the Hot Christmas Punch and it was fruity and delicious! On the first sip, my taste buds instantly told me I was consuming premium quality ingredients. It's a large, warm, colorful space with ample seating, chess sets, card games, and a live jazz band performance. Service was quick and friendly as well. Will definitely come back! read more

Eli Tea Bar - Cherry pop tart, Ube boba - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Incredible team working here - always friendly and helpful. There's a huge tea selection, obviously, and the team will help make sure you make a good choice. read more

A friend of mine recommended this place. We went there together, and let me tell you: it is now gonna be my favorite spot in that area! Regrettably, it's a wee bit of a trip from where I'm currently at, but it's always worth coming back to!!! I would genuinely die for boba, and this place brings out my inner Simp for the hahaha! It's also super LGBTQ+ friendly (which I love as a bi woman with lots of friends on the ). But they are also not in your face about it, if that's not how you identify. Overall, amazing place with a cute atmosphere!!! On certain nights (I wanna say Fridays?) they start doing open mic performances/comedy. I think that's pretty cute, since I love community building! During the day, it's actually a pretty quiet place with cozy seating- excellent for studying, working, or simply just being. Hope to see you all again soon! -V read more