I came here on a weekday afternoon, where it was peaceful but there were a few other customers. The employee was friendly and was wearing a high quality mask which I appreciated. They have an extensive menu of tea, I decided to get the black mango tea, which is indicated as high caffeine. They told me to keep it to less than 1 min steeping or else it gets oversteeped. They were prompt with coming out with my tea leaves and teapot, and gave me a towel to put your teapot on in case of spills It was bitter, but definitely has the fruity notes I was seeking. I was able to make several potfuls of tea which still had some flavor in them, so the leaves seemed to do well with re-steeping. They provided me with a kettle so I could continually reboil the water, so I felt it was decent value (since total it cost only slightly more than the average boba costs nowadays). I'm thinking I'd like to get the lychee or hojicha next time. The worker didn't mention to me if they offer milk, which I wish they did. But they do sell snacks. The bathroom is clean. They have free wifi but the day I was there, unfortunately they were having issues with the wifi. They have a 2 hour time limit on weekends, but no limit on weekdays. I appreciate that they have outdoor seating, for those who are airborne illness conscious, and also so you can enjoy nature and sunshine while having your tea. A lovely spot overall, right on San Pablo Ave so you can take the 72 bus lines to reach it. read more

Far Leaves Tea - Teapot of black mango tea, chocolates - Tea Rooms Near Me - Berkeley, California

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Very cool tea shop with a variety of teas. Came here with a friend this past Saturday at around 2pm. They have a wide selection of teas, so it was hard to choose. The staff member was super helpful and friendly in recommending us different teas. We ended up picking the Yunnan Gold and Moonlight White - a black tea and a white tea. The Yunnan Gold had more of a bold flavor and smelled and tasted wonderful. The Moonlight White was much lighter but still very nice and pleasant. Each table has its own kettle so we got to brew the tea ourselves. I know tea always comes with brewing instructions but I never really paid attention to those. However, this experience made me realize the importance of brewing tea as instructed to fully enjoy the flavors and notes each tea offers. Overall, my friend and I had a great experience. We were able to try new teas and catch up in a relaxing atmosphere. read more

Far Leaves Tea - Tea Rooms Near Me - Berkeley, California

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Great alternative option to coffee shops if you are looking for a peaceful place to read or work on your laptop. While offering a wide selection of East Asian teas and tea-ware, they provide an equally wide selection of seating options from floor seating on tatami mats, normal chairs and tables for studying, rose wood chairs and benches, to even a Chinese daybed placed perfectly by the front windows for you to stare out on a rainy day with a hot cup of tea. I personally recommend the Lychee Black Tea for its fragrance and longevity in retaining flavor over multiple steeps. read more

I was looking for a tea house in Berkeley that stayed open late... somewhere I could unwind after work, enjoy a cup of tea, and read a good book. I was so happy to find Far Leaves Tea on San Pablo, which is open until 7pm. From the moment I walked in, the scenery, aesthetic, and overall vibe felt calm and grounding... completely removed from the workday mindset. The space is beautifully set up with small tables and chairs, some for two and others for four, making it feel cozy and intentional. When you enter, you're greeted by a wide selection of teas... some packaged perfectly for holiday gifts, others loose-leaf with a wonderful variety to choose from. Even though the shop was fairly busy, the associate at the front counter was warm, welcoming, and very knowledgeable. She took her time explaining options and let me know I could choose any open seating. I noticed a Japanese-style tea room area, which instantly caught my attention. You remove your shoes, step onto tatami mats, and sit at a low table with round floor cushions...such a beautiful and thoughtful touch. Shortly after, my tea was brought out on a tray along with my own hot water kettle. It was enough for several cups, and I was told I could request more hot water if needed. The atmosphere was so peaceful that the two hours I spent there flew by. I truly felt relaxed and present the entire time. I'm already looking forward to coming back--next time to shop for teas and likely bring a friend. I highly recommend this tea house if you're looking for a serene place to slow down and enjoy a great cup of tea. read more

Far Leaves Tea - A table full of warmth loose leaf teas, a steaming pot, and nowhere else I needed to be. - Tea Rooms Near Me - Berkeley, California

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great vibes!!! great tea, everyone is so friendly. i will be coming back and will try all the flavors. there's just too many, i got overwhelmed, but in a good way. wifi worked. i think a goat lives next door, you might hear him, you might not. grateful for this lovely little shop read more

Far Leaves Tea - jasmine - Tea Rooms Near Me - Berkeley, California

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We came here to purchase some loose leaf tea to brew at home and opted for the silver tip jasmine. It has a wonderfully fragrant aroma and flavour and does not get bitter no matter how many times it's rebrewed from the same serving of tea leaves. Highly recommend for some quality tea! read more

Far Leaves Tea - loose leaf jasmine tea - Tea Rooms Near Me - Berkeley, California

It's quite far from the Cal campus in West Berkeley, so one would ideally have a car to get to here. As a tea person, this place is certainly lovely to visit! You order at the counter, and after taking a seat, the server will bring the teapot and cup to you. On my first and only (so far) time I've been here, I got a cotton candy-flavored tea, which really did taste like cotton candy. An herbal, healthy kick of cotton candy with none of the guilt nor sugar! Tea is kind of pricey though. Environment-wise, it's nice and cozy, and I love the elevated nooks and the traditional tea spots with cushions you can sit on. It's not very large, so I can imagine it'd be very cramped or you'd have to find another place to work/study if there's no seats. read more

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Went here on a whim with my dad. Had a wonderful time catching up and was so glad I chose this place. The atmosphere was so peaceful and quiet. The tea was a really nice quality loose leaf tea. Overall the food was alright. The snacks were cute (although some crackers were a bit stale). The mochi brought a nice sweet but not too sweet change of taste. The dry plate of snacks added up to $5 and the mochi $3. It's something you buy to share with a friend for fun. They definitely had a unique assortment of snacks. I noticed a few people coming in to get some quiet work done. I would definitely come back with a good book to just relax for an hour or two. Absolutely loved the person running the store when I was there. They were so sweet. read more

Far Leaves Tea - Two teapots (open one contains black lavender tea, closed contained jasmine green tea). Assortment of 3 types of snacks and two mochis. - Tea Rooms Near Me - Berkeley, California

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I love this cafe! Super nice, quiet with a large variety of hot teas to sip on. I usually come on Mondays and I've never had trouble finding a seat. My favorite tea so far has been the lavender white! Wifi is great and ambiance of the cafe tends to be very quiet and peaceful. Highly recommend for fellow hot teas lovers! You can also buy teapots or tea leaves from the store which would make great gifts! read more

Far Leaves Tea - Tea Rooms Near Me - Berkeley, California

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Loooooove this place! Peaceful ambiance, check. Outlets and free WiFi for studying, check. EXTENSIVE tea selection and employees that will help you pick if you need help, check!! I asked for a recommendation for rich, warm, and sweet tea, and the employee recommended a yunnan black tea. Very deep, rich, and warm, with a hint of sweetness! He also told me how long to steep the tea to ensure the best taste which was very helpful for me as a chronic oversteeper. Overall, this is a lovely, quiet place to study and get some work done, or just to enjoy the calm and take some time away from the outside world. Great service, good quality tea, and I would love to come back and try all their teas and little snacks! (: Side note: on weekends there is a 2 hour limit for seating! read more

Lovely staff, very kind and patient young women who will extend grace for newcomers and help you settle in

Wow, is all I can say. What a great experience at Far Leaves Tea! I wasn't sure what to expect, but the staff member who helped us choose our teas was incredibly knowledgeable, kind, and unhurried--he truly made this visit above and beyond. Not only did he answer all our questions and guide us in selecting our teas, but he also went the extra mile by creating small tags for each of our teas, explaining how to pour, how long to steep, and even recommending we steep each tea a bit longer to let the flavors evolve. It really made the experience feel personal and thoughtful. We came on a Friday around 3 pm, and while parking was a bit tough (street parking or in the community with full streets), it was totally worth it. The place was packed from start to finish, with people chatting and others working. My friend and I ended up sharing a flight to sample three different teas: one was mild, another had a funky twist, and my pick was the Puer Rice Nuggets tea--definitely try it if you enjoy a malty puer tea. It was absolutely delicious! The vibe inside was cozy and welcoming, perfect for both those wanting to focus and those looking to have a conversation. They also provide a pot of water that's free to refill if you ask the staff, so you can enjoy endless pours. Though they offered snacks, I didn't try any this time, but it's great to know they have them on hand. Great tea, fantastic staff, and an inviting ambiance--what more could I ask for? I can't wait to come back! read more

Far Leaves Tea - Tea Rooms Near Me - Berkeley, California

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Only got tea leaves from here but the tea was very good. Service was on point, I wanted to try some tea and he made us pots of different tea with different strengths. He was very patient with us. read more

By far one of my favorite spots in Berkeley. Warm, quiet, and serene. So unassuming from outside, elegant and quirky interior. The silver tip jasmine teas are such good quality you can snack on the leaves afterwards and feel so fresh and warm. The service is always attentive and knowledgeable, and we could sample teas we were curious about. Their guidebook (tea baedeker?) is also great guidance. read more

Very adorable, cozy way to enjoy your tea. The tea was excellent and I loved the concept of this place but I went on a Sunday and found the place to be very crowded at times with people loudly talking and working on laptops and annoyingly a dog barking. The building itself is also very cold so dress warm. I will give this place a second chance though maybe on a weekday when it is hopefully less busy. read more

Far Leaves is a quaint little tea shop located on a busy stretch of San Pablo Avenue. It's easy to miss as the front doesn't have much presence or signage. They have a great selection of white, green, and black teas and there are fancier teas available if you're looking to try something really special. Most of their teas are very affordable at around $15/tin and the staff have all the teas behind the counter that you can smell to help with your decision making. My all-time favorite tea here is the Monk's Blend, which is a black tea with notes of cream, grenadine, and cotton candy. I've repurchased it many times and also gifted it to family. I also like Yunnan Supreme, which has notes of orange blossom, cacao, and caramel. Staff are very friendly and take the time to walk you through the steeping process if it's not busy. The shop does get full on the weekends since a lot of people seem to like studying here, but the weekdays are quieter and you can easily grab a table. I've only purchased my tea tins to-go here, but would like to try the full experience with the teapot sometime! read more

Summary: Tea selections to fit all sorts of palates Details: Other Yelpers weren't kidding: from how rundown the outside is, you wouldn't be expecting much from this tea shop, if you even could recognize that it was such at a glance! But don't let this cover deceive you: the inside of Far Leaves has some really chill East Asian tea house vibes (from several different cultures), offering up a variety of seating options, even including a tatami mat area in the back. Tea options span a huge range of varieties and price points, from your more basic flavored tea options, to fancier, and more expensive aged puers that go for hundreds a brick. The latter is what we've found is a great reason to go to a tea shop: to try something you either can't afford, or don't want to drop so much on without first taste testing it. Staff is really helpful if you have any questions or want recommendations, especially given the extensive menu of options. They also offer a pretty good selection of packaged teas for sale, which seem largely priced in-line with places of similar quality. Accessibility: The venue itself is pretty spacious, with seating being a bit more hit or miss with accessibility: you'll definitely find a few tables that are accessible, but things like the tatami mat will not be. read more

Far Leaves Tea - the interior of a teahouse - Tea Rooms Near Me - Berkeley, California

I visited in search of loose leaf tea for a gift. I was pleasantly surprised by what I saw upon walking in. The ambiance was total bliss to enjoy a fresh cup and have a light conversation if desired. I was assisted in my selections by a kind, friendly employee. She even provided me some tasting of the days choices. I felt the pricing for loose leaf was fair and chose 3 varieties for my daughters. I will be back for a sip with a side of peaceful atmosphere. read more

Lovely study place. They have teas ranging from $7-$12ish. You get the pot and boil the water and you can keep rebooking the water for new tea for several hours. They also have small snacks like chocolates, mochi, and nuts. Most of the seating is indoors and the atmosphere is very quiet and relaxing. There is a public restroom and outlets and free parking across the street in the residential neighborhood read more

Far Leaves Tea - Tea Rooms Near Me - Berkeley, California

Really good service that helped us walk through the many choices. Ambiance was good too.

I love new experiences and this place definitely brought one to the table. Walking in, you can tell the place is quite zen and relaxing. We couldn't find much seating but decided to order some teas. We had no idea if they came in a cup and wasn't really educated on the usual ordering process which was quite frustrating. As we got our pots with tea and began to heat up the kettle with water, I noticed inside there was a dead spider. Even worse a web where it was living was hanging above it. Already a bit annoyed from the ordering process this just completely turned me off. I notified the staff and they did nothing, just took the kettle and let us back to our seats. Seemed to me it was a bit too relaxed in there and nobody gave a crap and we left. Check ur cups and kettles before you drink, seems like they assume it's clean after boiling water. read more

Far Leaves Tea - Spider in the kettle - Tea Rooms Near Me - Berkeley, California

Far Leaves is a beautiful place to catch up with a friend and even to do some quiet work, as they have ample seating and wifi. They're very nice about you staying as long as you like. They match the tea ware with the tea here. The best tea on the menu consciousness wise to me - and the most price-wise - is an aged Puerh that costs $350 a cake. (See pics.) The secret is, you can order it as a tea in-house. It brews 9-10 infusions. Amazing. I've had six different teas here: high mountain oolongs, aged Puerhs, and even flavored teas that are balanced blends such as a lavender white and a chocolate black mint. All good. They even gave us our leaves to take home! This is a lovely place to slow down and be present with. Everyone here is always good vibes. I like that they're turning on the heat now, too, so it's cozy. read more

Far Leaves Tea - Tea Rooms Near Me - Berkeley, California

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Just had the sweetest date experience of my life here! My love and I ordered a personal tea pot each - I orders the Oakland blend and she got the 1st flush Darjeeling. The worker / (owner?) was so kind to bring us our tea pots, cups and hot water to our table and talk us through how to best make our teas. They had really sweet coloring pages that we colored while catching up over the really delicious and full bodied teas. The owner/worker was super kind, welcoming and sweet the entire experience. I can't wait to come back!! read more

While waiting for the kiddos to be done with their Spanish lesson down the road, I look on my gps for a place to stay and find Far Leaves Tea. I walk by and didn't noticed it and when I did, I thought it was closed. Once inside, you step into a world of peace and relaxation, a break from the busy street just behind the door. Multiple sitting options to satisfy all, so many teas, so many, the waitress was a vibe on her own, so sweet and patient, she got a few teas out for me to smell and I didn't feel judged for not knowing all about teas, neither for coming with my baby (I had doubt when entering the place) but everyone actually seemed to be happy to have a baby here. Highly recommend. read more

Far Leaves Tea - a teapot and a glass of tea - Tea Rooms Near Me - Berkeley, California

Very nice selection of teas - white, green, puehr, oolong. Sometime I am going to go when I have time to sit and enjoy a pot of tea. I'm not sure what food treats they will have-I know it's not a formal English Tea but hope they have some savory items. read more

Great casual, chill and basement lounge like vibe to enjoy some wonderful tea. Try the house puer.

Parking: street Ambiance: -so cute and serene -cashier is new but so welcoming, accommodating, and had a nurturing/soft vibe. She is perfect employee for this place -seating is limited but had an available bathroom -great place to chat with a friend, solo date, or to get work done read more

An amazing hidden gem in Berkeley! They have a huge tea selection and all the notes and flavors are written out in their menu book to look over. Me and my friend came here on a day out to sip some tea and catch up and it was empty when we got there. The server let us look at the menu for a pretty long time while we were deciding, when we finally ordered the tea was wonderful and we got quite a few cups out of the pot! Great ambience here as well, gorgeous decorations and teapots/cups, and a really good price for the experience. Definitely recommend this one to locals and college students looking for a break from the bay life! read more

Far Leaves Tea - a woman sitting at a table with two cups of tea - Tea Rooms Near Me - Berkeley, California

Everything I was looking for in a tea house!! I'm so happy we came here. The ambiance is calming, socializing and cozy. The service was very friendly, may have been one of the nicest interactions. The worker was by themselves and handling all the business with a positive energy and a smile. It was lovely. The little mochi and pineapple cakes were so good that I genuinely want to know where they buy them! I need them in my daily life. They also give you a big water kettle to keep refilling your tea. I'd definitely come back! Thank you! read more

Far Leaves Tea - Lemongrass turmeric tea and taro mochi - Tea Rooms Near Me - Berkeley, California

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Ambiance: Don't be fooled by the rundown outside. Inside there is tatami seating or regular chairs and stepping inside is like entering a whole new world. Literally feels like I'm being transported back to my grandparents' tearoom back home in Asia. I'm almost tempted to stop raving about it so it stays a hidden gem. The person at the register (barista? tea guru?) walks you through different types of tea and lets you smell everything to your heart's content. I've been here three times and every time there's someone different at the front but they're always extremely passionate about tea and will tell you so much about it. The whole thing felt like a true tea tasting/smelling experience. Food: HIGHLY recommend the pearl jasmine. The tea starts off curled in these compact spheres and once water is poured over them, unfurl into regular tea leaves. It's really a sight to behold. Also it's just fun sitting there steeping your tea every once in awhile watching the leaves fall outside. read more

Far Leaves Tea - Tea Rooms Near Me - Berkeley, California

Love this tea place, very chill and relaxing, my family love the vibe here and they have music band as well. The service was very good too! Will keep coming back here read more

What a cool find, in a spot I wouldn't have expected. Cozy inside with a few different seating areas. Warm and comfy on a rainy day. The setup is cool, with electric kettles for each table and small tea pots for each selection of tea. The staff person, Jesse, was super helpful and very attentive and friendly. This was a great place to chat and relax over some nice tea. read more

unique tea room with a huge variety of worldwide teas! the interior is very relaxing with its decor, music, and lighting. we got to sit on the tatami mat and we enjoyed the 2 teas we got over and over with the water boiler on the table. the server was very nice too. such a pleasant experience and necessary escape from the busy world! read more

Lovely space. Knowledgeable staff. Great serious tea selection to have there and to buy. Also equipment.

This would be Uncle Iroh's favorite joint in the entire NorCal area, and I wouldn't argue otherwise. Far Leaves is my favorite teashop I've visited because it exudes an authentically serene, zen ambiance juxtaposed against the busy San Pablo St. The environment makes it perfect to have some deep conversations with friends and acquaintances -- or just enjoy a soft Sunday afternoon by myself. Oh, and the tea -- great quality, lots of varieties including rare seasonal harvests and interesting "elixir" blends. Service is always friendly. And they play Nujabes. Need I say more? The owners clearly know what's up. read more

Far Leaves Tea - Amazing seating areas - Tea Rooms Near Me - Berkeley, California

I never write Yelp reviews, however I feel so strongly passionate about this place that I simply must write. First, I must express my deep and wholehearted gratitude to team-member Jesse (sp?) for their astute knowledge on tea, their welcoming and friendly demeanor, and their beyond excellent customer service. They were absolutely wonderful in introducing me to the basics of tea and tea making, the history of tea and herbal infusions (as I've learned our quite different!,) and to this establishment that I may very well call my "third place." I hope that this review finds its way to you. Far Leaves Tea truly exceeds your expectations from the venue to the service to the tea. As other reviews might mention, at first glance, you would not think this place was open given the exterior. The windows are translucent and gives off a "hole-in-the-wall" vibe; however, when you open their doors, you will find yourself transported into a wonderful and peaceful world filled with various teas, tea pots, and an ambience that will soothe your very soul. At first, I was a bit lost not knowing how to order my tea however the wonderful tea barista/artist/master Jesse walked me through every step of the process including an excellent demonstration of how to steep different types of teas, the "arcs" and "stories" each one holds, and articulated their recommendations for each tea we taste-tested! We had such a fantastic conversation at the bar just talking about tea and Jesse welcomed each guest to the conversation with ease and finesse. Jesse took my existing knowledge of tea and broadened it to a world I am now incredibly excited to explore with Far Leaves Tea as my home base. As I am writing this review, I continuously admire the small community here and the respect each patron has for tea and the environment. If you are a tea enthusiast, this is the perfect place to do any kind of work--professional or creative. Also, I'd be remiss to not mention the wonderful snacks this teahouse procures and sells that go perfectly with your tea. (Did I also mention affordable?) And newcomers, be not afraid! If other team members reflect Jesse's service, I can guarantee you will leave this place feeling like a tea master. Far Leaves Tea might very well receive my one and only Yelp review as I have never felt more strongly, more inspired, and more enlightened after visiting an establishment. This place is so perfect you WILL want to gate-keep it. You can expect me to return several times. I wish this business the success it absolutely deserves! read more

Love this place. Tea was so yummy and they had great snacks. There were not there many people in there when I went with my friend. Just another group of people who were obnoxiously loud (like no home training), but after they left it was lovely . Would recommend read more

Far Leaves Tea - Tea Rooms Near Me - Berkeley, California

Berkeley now has several high-quality tea houses, but Far Leaves remains my very favorite, for both ambiance and for their wide selection of quality teas (both single-sourced blends from East and South Asia and Western-Style flavored blends) at a good value. Having the kettle at the table for easy access to multiple steeps is a great touch. (I can often hang out with a delicious pot of oolong for two hours before I need to refill or leave.) I love the ambiance in the cafe as well. It's perfectly serene for people trying to get work done (especially reading or writing), but also warm and inviting for quiet conversation. (I take my tea-loving mom whenever she's in town.) The employees are also very knowledgeable. My only complaint is that their hours during the work week are somewhat weird, but it's worth planning ahead to get a chance to hang out in this awesome shop. read more

I came here to buy loose leaf tea and the guy talked me through every flavor note on their entire selection. Which seems ample but not overwhelming - maybe 10-20 options in each of white, green, oolong, black and pu-eh. The tea house looks very chill - small but sweet. I'd love to come back and sit with a pot read more

Far Leaves Tea - Tea pots - Tea Rooms Near Me - Berkeley, California

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It doesn't look like much from the outside, but don't let that fool you. Walk into a cozy and serene shop that is perfect for catching up with a friend or sitting down to work. The vibes are impeccable: many different nooks and styles of tables to sit at, outlets and Wi-Fi. I love that there are raised mats and pillows to sit at for some of the tables instead of chairs. And that's all without even getting to the tea!! The tea menu is lengthy, varied, and informative, not to mention wildly affordable: a pot of tea runs from $6-12 and typically gives you at least 2 cups of tea. Each tea order arrives with an electric kettle so you can keep the tea hot and refill as many times as you like. The snacks are adorable and the staff are very kind. They sell tea and tea implements as well. Perfect for any tea lovers in your life. read more