Great food, creative and healthy. Can be a long wait but if you have time, it's worth it!

I usually pass by this place and I finally decided to check it out. This is a cute little cafe in University City, Philly. I ordered a Spicy Taiwanese Scallion Pancake and Ube Matcha with matcha boba (Shrek and Barney). The staff told me she wasn't taking orders and was told to order at the Kiosk. The Kiosk wasn't loading and I tried refreshing and restarting the order etc. Finally got the staff and she was impatient to help and eventually the kiosk loaded and I ordered. Service was not pleasant. The scallion pancakes were bomb! It was unique and tasty. The drink on the other hand was quite disappointing. Half of the boba in the drink were dry and they had the same texture as dried peas. The drink itself had a weird taste and texture. I'm sure there are other good drinks that are worth the try. If I were to go back I'd definitely try the scallion pancake! read more

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On drinks alone, I'd give lulu cafe a 4.5. They can be a bit pricey, but they're made with high quality ingredients. I personally think Molly Tea on 36th is much better and worth the short walk, but I like strong, floral teas. My problem with Lulu cafe, though, is with the cafe and seating area. Lulu Cafe seems to be set up like a spot to sit and work, since they have a lot of tables with one or two seats (i.e. not really a space to sit with a group of friends and talk). Because of this, you would think that they'd have a space that makes working easy, or at least doesn't hinder it, but no. First off, the regular height tables (not high tops) are ALL wobbly. Not even just a little bit, but like as you type lightly the entire table feels like it's on a boat during a storm. Annoying, but whatever, maybe you can move to one of the high top tables. But then, they have wifi, except that it doesn't work!!! Both the cafe wifi and the guest wifi have unknown errors (not password related) that prevent you from connecting. Between the table shaking and having to drain my hotspot, I got frustrated in under 10 minutes and left. I don't think every cafe, especially boba cafes, needs to cater towards workers & studying students. If Lulu cafe put in 2 big tables instead pod all the small ones and didn't offer wifi in the first place I wouldn't have been bothered. However, if they want to be a work space, they need to make some serious improvements before I'll return... read more

Lulu Cafe - Project MT (classic milk tea special) - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

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Delicious house blend coffee with salted cream top! Not too sweet but it was strong. The Taro milk tea was so good without being too sugary. The best part? They use Lactose free 2% milk by default!! Haven't seen this anywhere else and I truly appreciate it! read more

Lulu Cafe - House Blend Coffee and Taro Infinity - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Update: I went back and got a large size of the golden oat. When I shook my drink and took off the cap in order to not lose my straw, there was a bug on the bottom :( read more

Lulu Cafe - Bug on lid - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Spent $10 on an incredibly sugary iced tea. I'm used to spending more at an independent shop, but $10 for something that tastes like a college party, no thank you. You can't customize on the kiosk and it's very difficult to speak to an actual human. I was very thirsty, so I guess it worked, but I will not be going back. read more

One of our go to snack and boba shop! So cozy and such yummy snacks and drinks they are always coming out with new eats and have the nicest owners ever read more

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Food is alright. Good service. A little costly for the food and a very nice ambiance.

I got the taro milk tea and the popcorn chicken. The taro milk tea tasted like the powdered taro you would get at most bubble tea places. The popcorn chicken was delicious and I highly recommend it! The cafe is cute and themed after the owner's dog, but it is a bit small and there are only a few seats available. read more

Lulu Cafe - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

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Finally was able to check out lulus cafe! - Tea: I'm a sucker for rose milk tea so I got the Jin's rose with boba. As an avid fan of boba, this tea was pretty good, I just wish they let me adjust the sugar (ordering was via QR code and pickup in store). - Price: reallyyy pricy (+.65 for boba), and after tax/tip, this boba was almost 8 dollars - Service: they said they would txt me when the order was ready but after 10 min, I didn't get anything so I just went into the store. 1 star taken off for price/service read more

Lulu Cafe - Iced Jin's Rose - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

I was craving bubble tea and we found this adorable gem in West Philly. The menu first off is very extensive - we had a hard time deciding what drink we wanted to get because everything looked absolutely amazing. We finally decided on Golden Oat (oat milk + dark roast golden oolong tea with a touch of longan honey and coffee jelly) and Flora; Hua (lavender ice blended with housemade whipped cream, sprinkled with lavender petals blueberry drizzle). Both drinks were amazing, and the flavor combinations worked really well. What makes Lulu special is that they have a whole section of their menu where their employees have designed their own drinks and put it up on the menu which is really cool to see. We also got a poopie soft serve to share (vegan! truly does look like a cartoon poopie swirl haha) and their flavor right now for it is earl grey; the tea flavor really comes across well and it was delicious. I'm excited to see what the next seasonal flavor is. We absolutely will be back, there's just so much to try on the menu both drink and dessert-wise! Just as a heads up, you have to order ahead online (they are pick up only right now due to COVID). The wait for our drinks was not long at all. Definitely recommend you stop by next time you're in the West Philly area. read more

Lulu Cafe - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

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Nice little place, kids had fun and ship and buns tea. Latte and cappuccino was good too.

I love this local Taiwanese boba shop in West Philly! Lulu Cafe is named after the owners' adorable French bulldog, and the menu and flavors are authentic. The shop is small, and there are a couple of tables and window spots. I stop by here once in a while for a brown sugar milk tea and some popcorn chicken. On Sunday, they introduced a new grape refresher - a grape slush with jelly on the bottom, topped with sea salt cream and sliced frozen grapes. if you're into Welch's, you'll probably enjoy this refreshing cooler. The slush is sweet, but not overwhelmingly sweet, and you're able to adjust the sugar level. The sea salt cream helps to balance out the sweetness, and I love the jelly that sits at the bottom. Tip: There's only street parking in the area, so parking in this area might get a little bit tricky. read more

Lulu Cafe - Premium grape blended drink with grape slush, jelly, and sea salt cream. Super refreshing! - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Came here after a long hiatus because I moved out of west Philly. First thing I noticed is their once oh so cute decor is going down the drain. The place is so cluttered with boxes, containers, and junk everywhere. Also, service isn't as nice as it used to be. I ordered mango latte but the worker thought I said mango qq. Doesn't even sound the same, nor have I even heard of that drink before, but they wouldn't fix the drink. Nor is it even on the menu?! How would I order something I've never seen before? We ordered 6 drinks and ALL six were more watery than normal. *EDIT* now they comment on my review with false information for publicity instead of correcting their mistakes. Lost a loyal customer AND now will definitely steer other people away from this dirty place. read more

Lulu Cafe - Drink mixins - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Came here because the reviews were so positive (also I was hoping to see the pug, no luck though) and I wasn't disappointed! They have a $10 MIN for cards so I ordered a hot latte (which was standard), a matcha latte with boba (which was pretty and delicious, the boba was very good) and the sweet potato fries. Personally, I didn't think the sweet potato fries were amazing but the price is very reasonable. They were seasoned with salt and sugar. Tasted great. Texture was soft though. I should've ordered the popcorn chicken. The matcha latte is something I would get again! It tasted of quality and care! The service was good. At first the cashier seemed a bit indifferent (maybe because it was earlier in her shift) but later warmed up to me. Overall though, this wasn't necessarily a 5-star experience but I don't have too many complaints. The interior is cute. There's free WiFi and a restroom! read more

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Sweet, yummy boba with classic tea. The space is super small and it looks like they need to update their food menu (they don't sell half of what they advertise on the wall) but overall good service and decent boba for the neighborhood. The decor is so cute since it's dedicated to Lulu the dog but there is a funky smell-- like boba with a wet mop lol. It needs more ventilation please! Otherwise a good place to stop by to get a drink and since it's small, you shouldn't camp out here. read more

Lulu Cafe - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

A little unique taiwanese boba shop with street snacks! Been going to this spot for a few years but a little less since covid because there's no indoor seatings. Their menu offers many drinks options, unique drinks different from regular boba spots. If you are into street snacks.. make sure to try out: Sweet Potato Fries Popcorn Chicken You won't be disappointed!! read more

Such a gem! It's a bit of a walk from Penn's campus but very worth it :) I've tried a few of their unique specialty drinks as well as their ube ice cream and popcorn chicken and absolutely loved them all. Tammy is a sweetheart and the cafe is a cute lil spot with good vibes overall. read more

Lulu Cafe is a solid spot for bubble tea in UCity. A quick walk from Penn's campus, Lulu Cafe is nestled in the heart of West Philly. If you've exhausted all your options for bubble tea or desserts in the area like KFT, Tea Do, or Paris Baguette, look no further! This place is super cute, niche, and a step away from large chains, this is the place to be. While my friends and I enjoyed our drinks outside due to COVID-19 modifications, we enjoyed them nonetheless. It was easy to order and receive our drinks using the QR code, but unfortunately seating outside was limited. The Sea Salt Oolong tea was delicious and it seemed that the rest of what my friends had were yummy too. Would come back and try another drink again! Stay safe, friends! read more

My go-to for boba in West Philly. Yes it's kinda far from Penn and there are boba shops closer to campus but it's worth the walk. I usually get grapefruit green tea (with 50% sugar) but I think I'll try something else next time (at least that's what I tell myself everytime lol). I also got the spicy popcorn chicken to treat myself; it's really good so I would recommend it! Fyi there is a $10 card minimum. Seating is pretty limited so most people order to go, but there is a bathroom and wifi so this place is a decent place to study if you're able to snag a table or seat. read more

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My search for an alternative to Tea Do and Kung Fu Tea in or around UCity led me a quaint and humble cafe located on 45th and Walnut, Lulu Cafe. With no real expectations, I ordered my go-to Jasmine Green Tea with their best sellers: popcorn chicken and fries. First impressions, excellent. Green Tea was brewed perfectly, not too bitter nor lacking in depth. The floral accent of Jasmine was natural, yet not overpowering as I would typically expect. The drink itself was surprisingly harmonious. Moving onto their snacks. They have their recipe carefully tuned and developed. Just the right amount of texture and flavor while preserving the ingredients' integrity. Also, what really surprised me was the lack of oil residue. Personally, it was a very clean bite. With such a great first impression, I had to give this place another try. Saving the details, let me sum it up in a few words. Consistent, fresh ingredients, and honest flavors. My personal favorites include their Jasmine Green Tea, Mi.lky Way, Royal Milk Tea, Golden Oat, Popcorn Chicken, Fried Shrimp, and Fries. Be sure to try their specialty drinks as they were specifically designed by allowing each employee to create their own masterpiece based on their love and palette for tea. My only qualm would be their pricing. Admittedly, a tad higher than your average cafe; however, trust me, you pay for quality. I had an opportunity to chat with the owner and learned she sources a majority of Lulu's supplies directly from Taiwan. Talk about authentic. She wants to share aspects of her culture such as classic Taiwanese street snacks and traditional Boba recipes with her second home, Philadelphia. Lucky us. I have not yet had the chance to visit Taiwan, but Lulu's sure makes me want to in the near future. Don't miss out on this gem next time you are in the area! read more

Maybe I tried to get a little too adventurous, but I was a bit disappointed by my drink. Lulu Cafe has a truck that parks on Drexel's campus, so on the way to class I stopped by for a drink. A little sad there was no Thai tea, I went for the Matcha Boba latte. I appreciated that they made the matcha from scratch versus using a powder, but I feel like a powder might have been better for this scenario. There wasn't enough ice and it wasn't really sweetened with anything, which isn't something I'm used to. Normally at this kind of place, they offer different levels of that, but I didn't see that option and it seems like the hot matcha melted the ice down (and still wasn't enough to keep it cold). I'll probably try again with a more normal order, but this particular drink wasn't very good. read more

Lulu Cafe - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

The elusive brown sugar milk tea is here and it is gOOd. It's called the Milky Way and they describe it as a brown sugar milk latte. The bubbles are soft and chewy just as you'd expect and are steeped in brown sugar which you can definitely taste. The sweetness from the bubbles balances with the unsweetened (or not super sweet) milk and its topped with a sea salt foam. A bit pricy tho at $6.25 for a small but tbh I'd definitely get it again. Can't find it anywhere else and it's tAsTy. My friend got a large caramel pudding milk latte and I had a taste and it was also really good. Also not too sweet - the milk latte style they do I'm guessing. He kept saying the pudding aspect reminded him of che. I think I'd def try this next time if I go. And this one is more 'normal' bubble tea pricing. Also gotta try their food next time! read more

Lulu Cafe - Milky Way - brown sugar milk latte - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

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Ordered the peach oolong qq (70% sweet) with sea salt cream and my friend got the winter melon tea. The peach oolong was pretty good - it comes with boba and coconut jelly (I didnt get the boba) and I like the salty cream on top, but all of this made it SUPER pricey (almost $7), I dont think I've ever paid so much for a drink. But I think I found my new favorite tea - THE WINTER MELON :D it's so good and refreshing, honestly will probably order this all the time now We also got the garlic popcorn chicken which was also so good, would 100% recommend. All in all it's a very cute bubble tea cafe with some great food options too. A little small but the smell of fried chicken always wafting through the place makes up for it :) read more

Lulu Cafe - peach oolong qq - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

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Popcorn chicken + matcha sea salt cream oolong tea = $11.33 with credit card ($10.90 if you pay with cash). Cashier told me there's a cash discount and no more minimum for cards. Does this place serve delicious food and drinks? Absolutely! The chicken is juicy on the inside and perfectly crispy on the outside. The seasoning has just enough spice to heat up your tastebuds. The oolong tea is mildly sweet and fragrant. The matcha sea salt cream adds layers of flavor to the drink with a little bit of bitter and saltiness. It's a local hidden gem when it comes to quality and I get that to turn a profit while maintaining quality, the price has to be a little steeper. But as a graduate student surviving on loans, I have to remind myself this should not be a regular occurrence. ...but it's so good & tempting! **update: get the Milky Way!! it'll set you back $7 but omg it's so good. brown sugar, caramelly goodness. read more

Lulu Cafe - $11.33 for popcorn chicken & matcha sea salt cream oolong tea. You pay for quality. - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Who can resist coming to Lulu after seeing such adorable pictures of her? FYI: Lulu is the cafe's dog and mascot, hence the name "Lulu Cafe" After hearing about the hype, I've concluded that... - The Milk Tea drinks were subpar, slightly disappointing. The tea was watered down, and the milk consistency was less creamy & smooth. Definitely sticking to my Chinatown local favorites such as Mr Wish and Kungfu Tea for this. - The Speciality drinks are worth a shot! Try the Summer if you're a mango and passion fruit juice fan (but I would recommend less sugar) **MUST HAVE: - SWEET POTATO FRIES. - POPCORN CHICKEN. No regrets. Conclusion: I would come here more for their snacks like sweet potato fries & popcorn chicken than their drinks... and of course, Lulu :) read more

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Great cafe for amazing boba and authentic Taiwanese snacks! Came to Lulu on a friend's recommendation, and entered a super cute, French bulldog-themed cafe. While the prices are a little high, the food quality makes it worth. The drink menu is huge, but I got the Milky Way drink (which was one of their specials) and the garlic and spicy-flavored popcorn chicken. The drink was fantastic - it not only had multiple layers, but was rich, creamy, and had a strong black sugar taste. The popcorn chicken tasted exactly like the chicken from street vendors in Taiwan. Even though the portion size is small for the price (one cup was around $5), it's the best Taiwanese popcorn chicken I've had since coming to Philadelphia. Definitely stop by - this is an up and coming West Philly gem. read more

Lulu Cafe - Popcorn chicken and the Milky Way drink - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

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Disclaimer: I am a boba snob. In my opinion, good boba is not too mushy but rather closer to an al dente kind of texture. I moved here from the Bay Area of California so I've been really missing boba ever since moving to Philly 2 years ago. So glad I can get my fix here; otherwise, I might have to go back to Taiwan or San Francisco, CA! Pros: - Love that they use honey boba here (although the honey boba is not as sweet as other Boba places in California. Shout out to Teaspoon, my fav boba place in Cali!) - very authentic Taiwanese establishment with authentic flavors and snacks that you could expect to find walking down the street in Taiwan. (They hire workers of Taiwanese descent so feel free to order away in Taiwanese!) - Their popcorn chicken is da bomb! Ask for both garlic and spicy, you won't regret it! (and it's not too spicy for those with low tolerance) - awesome ambiance, including their music and decor. - it's a comfortable level of cool in the summer, the air is not uncomfortably on blast which is very thoughtful Cons: - Their boba texture is inconsistent. Some days it's mushy but other days the texture is in point. (If you like it mushier, ask for less ice and enjoy immediately. If you like boba al dente like me, I found that having regular ice levels and swirling it around to let it firm up in ice has helped.) - It's pricy! (See prices below) and they stopped offering stamp cards a long time ago ;( - cash only for purchases below $10. - it's feeding into my boba addiction, lol ;P read more

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This cafe has the best bubble tea I've ever had. I was not expecting to have such wonderful drinks. My brother and I came here to work on a Thursday afternoon. We loved all of the French bulldog decor, so cute! The staff helped us navigate the menu and shared their personal favorites. I was super impressed to see that the majority of their drinks were vegan - even the milk teas! I ordered Rose Honey milk tea (Jin's Rose) and added mini tapioca bobas. My brother ordered the Pineapple black tea and added mini tapioca bobas, passion fruit popping boba and mango jelly. My drink was $5 while my brother's was around $6-7 with all of his add-on's. My drink (Jin's Rose) was absolutely delicious. It was super sweet, floral and comforting. It was a beautiful color topped with rose petals, super aesthetically pleasing. My brother's tea was also very sweet and flavorful. We loved their seating area and peacefully worked there for a couple hours. Lulu creates a peaceful atmosphere with quiet/relaxing music. We loved our teas so much that we shared a third one! We shared a Winter Melon Tea with tapioca bobas. This drink was also amazing! It was sweet, fruity and flavorful. I had a hard time sharing it! This cafe has everything: fantastic drinks and a great atmosphere. The prices are a little high but worth it. Each drink is delicious and high quality. I cannot wait to come back! read more

Lulu Cafe - Jin's Rose (front), Pineapple Black Tea (back) - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

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I've been here a couple times over the last two years and have had a good experience each time! I love the snacks in general but especially the popcorn chicken - it's a must (get garlic and spicy!!) The robin's egg blue and dog-themed decor makes the ambience cute and unique; one time the dog was even there to visit :) Lulu is a place you wouldn't expect to find in West Philly but an awesome discovery once you do! read more

Cute off-campus cafe with high quality boba! Their classic black milk tea has a rich milk flavor and I'm also a fan of their oolong milk tea. I like that their boba is not too sweet, even before a sugar reduction. Their popcorn chicken is also delicious. Definitely recommend stopping by! (Note: credit card minimum of $10) read more

So goooood! The deep fried chicken is very juice, chef cooked it perfectly. And it BONELESS, amazing! Also I have the brown sugar bubble milk tea, the bubble is not too sweet and can taste the flavor of dark brown sugar, great combination read more

Lulu Cafe - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Cute neighborhood bubble tea/ dessert shop near Saad's, lulu cafe offers a variety of bubble tea flavors. They even have a cup split in half to allow for 2 different flavors for indecisive people. Sea salt matcha oolong tea is truly the way to go. Matcha foam with sea salt sits on top of the oolong tea. All the flavors mix together nicely as you keep drinking from the straw. The matcha was so creamy that it almost felt like I was drinking matcha ice cream. It was such a nice treat. There's other snack foods and shaved ice dessert that I will try next time. Just a heads up, there's a credit card minimum so I would bring cash. read more

Lulu Cafe - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

My new favorite boba shop in Philly! I love everything about this cafe from the boba itself, to the aesthetics and decor, to the cute little French bulldog design on their drink cups. My favorite drink that I've tried here so far is the Lychee Lemon Yogurt drink, a must-try with tapioca and peach popping boba. Their tapioca is well-cooked and perfectly sweet. I have also tried the Milky Way drink (brown sugar latte) and Jin's Rose (rose milk tea), both of which were great and not too sweet. Subtle flavors all around, but in no way did the drinks taste watered-down at all. It's a rather small space and might feel a bit cramped if there's a rush of people coming in, but I imagine it would be the PERFECT study spot on quiet days. My only thing about this cafe is that it's a bit pricey; the more toppings you add to your drink, the more it adds up. However, once you taste the quality of their drinks, you'll understand why the prices are what they are. I look forward to coming back and trying more of their drinks and food items. The cafe is a bit out of the way but is accessible via the 46th St subway station and a short walk. It's because of its location that I don't come here as often as I would like (but maybe it's better for my bank account!). read more

I like ordering snacks from this place, popcorn chicken and sweet potato fries are pretty good. The drinks are decent too but don't get the milk teas. I tried a Lulu milk tea and it had a coffee creamer aftertaste to it, which I don't like. read more

Lulu Cafe is very close to my apartment, so I'm a regular here. It's a remarkable Taiwanese tea & ice shop in University City! They also have a food truck near Temple University. Lulu cafe serves a wide variety of hot and iced Taiwanese teas (fresh brewed tea, bubble tea, milk tea, etc.) I personally prefer low-sugar drinks, so it's very nice that you can customize sweetness at Lulu. Simple and warm decor makes it a good place to study alone or hang out with friends. I typically order honey black/green tea, jasmine tea, or winter melon tea, and spend 1-2 hours studying or writing in the shop. Their sea salt tea mixes the sweetness and savory, a true specialty! The popcorn chicken (w/ spice) is authentically yummy! Two cons of Lulu Cafe: (1) $10 minimum for credit card purchases without a fee (bring some cash), and (2) very limited seating area (it seems they focus on takeouts and delivery - Uber eats). read more

Lulu Cafe - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

This is one of my favorite bubble tea place in Philly. LULU cafe has very authentic drinks and snacks which taste like what I actually have in my home country Taiwan. I got spicy popcorn chicken with garlic today. It was so amazing. It was very juicy and I really love spicy powder. Definitely recommend to my friends!!! read more

Lulu Cafe - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Very authentic boba milk tea! Love that it is sweetened with black sugar. It's also a great place for meeting up with a friend or to get some work done. I went at 5 pm and it was a bit crowded. Staff is very accommodating to sweetness and ice adjustments. They also deliver on uber eats! read more

Lulu Cafe - Boba milk tea! - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

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What a cute stop! We came by for bubble tea after dinner and stayed a long while. It was seni-quiet so we took up one of the tables and played a board game while sipping on our drinks. I tried the green tea with sea salt foam milk and tapioca. I'm a fan of bubbles, but for some reason I liked these even better than usual. They have a menu of drinks designed by their baristas which is a nice idea too. If I'm in the area I would definitely stop by again! read more

Wow! What an amazing new addition to the neighborhood. Beautiful, peaceful, clean interior. Very friendly staff. Delicious, reasonably priced drinks and snacks. Awesome drink toppings. What more can you ask for? A cute, lovable French bulldog? Check! I wish this place much success, but judging by their drinks, snacks, and staff, they'll do very well. read more

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