I bought soup to bring home thinking that I would be getting a full serving. This is disappointing! read more

Oolong Tea Shop - I bought soup thinking I would get a full serving :( - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Calgary, Alberta

There just aren't tea houses like this anymore!! The ambiance is truly so warm and lovely - comfy seating and bright windows with hardwood floors and tall ceilings. The service is great, so helpful and knowledgeable, able to find the perfect tea for your tastes. The tea blends are lovely, not artificial or sugary like mainstream tea. And lots of food and drink options to drink inside or take away. I got a pumpkin spice chai latte, with oat milk and it was divine. They make their syrups in house so not too sweet. read more

Oolong Tea Shop - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Calgary, Alberta

Upon entrance, my first observation was the perfumy aroma that filled the store. So I was surprised when the tea lattes came out with barely any flavor except the milk, tea or perfume. read more

Super cool concept for a tea place, you can choose any tea off the wall and they can make a drink out of it. The staff is really knowledgeable about their craft and very kind. The matcha drink i got was a specialty drink he made. It was good but i think I would get it with oat milk next time. read more

Oolong Tea Shop - Honey nut matcha - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Calgary, Alberta

I'm a sucker for a great venue to savor a cup of tea of coffee, and in spite of the name here, they do serve espressos here but told me most of their business is tea between 10 a.m. and closing. We'll stick to that for the purposes of this review. We came post lunch on a chilly afternoon and were happy to find they serve a proper Pu-erh tea and split a large French Press Pot full. Delightful. Pu-ehr, in case you haven't tried it, is one of the heavy (and then some) hitters of hot tea. Imagine you drank nothing but Natty Light or Budweiser beer your entire life, and then someone plunks down a Guinness for you to try. That's kind of the difference between an oolong or Jasmine and say a Pu-ehr. Earthy, pungent, aged, packed with caffeine and antioxidants. Hell, I just like the stuff, and was happy they knew what it was. Kudos. There are delicious looking snacks in a glass case and tons of teas to purchase by the ounce, enough of an enticement we left with something we'd never tried to take home. At the entrance a variety of cups, saucers, tea steeping devices, journals, cards, knick-knacks etc. Cute stuff, fits right in with the super quaint metal roof that adorns the ceiling. Didn't get to return during our stay but this will be a regular part of visits in the future, pretty sure. It's like stepping into another realm here, a great place to unwind and visit. Very highly recommended. read more

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This place is gorgeous and cozy with their wall of teas and shimmery ceiling. I tried the Cape town rooibos tea and it was just wonderful, especially as it was cold and snowy outside. This place can be quiet or loud depending on the day of the week. But typically it is a nice olace to sit back and work/read. I thought the service is usually speedy and friendly. Theu also sell adorable art, mugs, and other ilcute items that are ideal for gifts. read more

Always enjoy dropping in here to grab a new tea once in awhile. It is hit and miss with the staff as sometimes you will get someone really friendly and at other times have to wait for several minutes to be receding. It's a great meeting place for friends as long as you don't drive. No parking. The inside has a nice feel to it with all the teas displayed nicely in glass jars. Staff are very knowledgeable and helpful. I am not a tea drinker but for a change or unique experience this is the place to go and after meander around Kensington. read more

If you've spent any time at all stopped at the traffic light at the east end of Kensington Ave (at 10th St), you've probably peered directly into this place and been curious about it, if for no other reason than that it always appears to be crowded. I'm not a fan of crowds, and I typically prefer coffee to tea, so it took me awhile to get around to trying this place out, but I'm glad I finally did. The first thing I noted here was a curious contradiction of sorts: on one hand, this place appears to be the domain of Calgary's beatniks, bohemians, Rastafarians, and hippies (and FWIW, I don't intend to slight any of the above). On the other, however, the ambiance and layout of the tea house are ultra-refined, carefully though out, and well tended to, in a way that, from my experience in the Bay Area, would appear to cater more to the Yuppie (is this word still in the vernacular?) set than to the aforementioned groups. (Again, this isn't meant as a knock on anyone; it's just an observation.) Regardless, possibly the coolest thing about Oolong is the way that all of the teas (of which there are probably close to a hundred varieties, though I may be exaggerating) are classified and shelved in such a way that they can be browsed (i.e. seen and smelled) prior to selection. This is a fun part of the Oolong experience, which for me lasted about 15 minutes. A friend and I shared a large pot of a chocolate-infused mate (around $7), which was tasty, complex, and simultaneously soothing and subtly stimulating, and which seemed to last forever given the fact that it was still potent after two hot water refills (it was pretty interesting to me how the character of the tea completely changed with each refill). I still consider myself primarily a coffee drinker, but I suspect I'll be back here often, if for no other reason than that I had a very tough time selecting one from among the teas, and feel compelled to try a few others. read more

A tea lover's paradise. Seriously, I love coming in here, it's always an experience. Sometimes Oolong is just a quiet tea shop in Kensington, a good place to drink some tea with friends or read a book. But they often have poetry readings and sometimes even live music, which can be a pleasant surprise or a hassle depending on your mood. The atmosphere is decidedly cheery, the staff are always pleasant, and they've managed to make ordering tea even more of a hassle than getting a drink from Starbucks! There is a definite "type" that frequents Oolong, but everyone's in such a good mood from the tea that it hardly matters. read more

Oolong Tea Shop - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Calgary, Alberta

Small but very cozy place. They have a wide selection of teas from high quality tea to common ones. I guess part of the reason of why they use coffee press instead of a tea strainer is because it looks more aesthetic ? Since I am quite a picky tea drinker, I found it kinda annoying since the cup givens were quite small compare to the size of the strainer (so you can't pour out all the tea in one go) and all tea drinker fanatic knows that just soaking tea in hot/warm water for a a longtime will ruin the taste It was quite packed at the time I went and quite loud too so keep that in mind if you were trying to study there read more

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Oolong really is a place to go if you love tea. They have so many different options I'm surprised anyone can make a decision... ever. I've only been to Oolong a handful of times, and that's probably because I'm too overwhelmed and nervous every time I order. I always think that the people are judging the things or the way I order. I want to get it right and I'm never sure that I do. I do really enjoy the atmosphere though. Knowing that everyone is there because they have a passion for tea really brings a smile to my face. I must say that if I ever do have a problem ordering, someone is always nice enough to help me out. I also really enjoy it's location. Right in the middle of Kensington makes it a great place to grab a beverage and walk around the trendy area. It's a nice place to go whether you need a quick tea, or you're just looking to relax and sit around. read more

Oolong Tea Shop - *photo credit timinganddelivery.com - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Calgary, Alberta

I'm a tea fanatic, so I adore Oolong Tea House. The atmosphere is all contemporary coffee shop, but the selection of beverages is absolutely top-notch. When you enter you pass a small section of tables. There are also a handful of tables on a patio in the back for sunny-day sipping. Near the counter there is a wall of teas, with glass jars for you to see and smell the tea, and metal containers that you take over to the counter when you're ready to order. You can have your drinks in the cafe, or buy loose teas to take home. They also sell a variety of tea accessories, like travel mugs and teapots. My favorite is definitely the Kyoto Cherry Rose, which is a green tea with strong notes of cherry and rose. It's great warm or iced. My dad constantly makes me send him tins of their best-seller, which is Cream Earl Grey (with soft vanilla notes over the classic bergamot flavour). I've tried lots of their other flavours as well, like Yoga Blend (kind of like chai tea without the actual tea... great hot with milk) and fun rooibos blends like Caramel Cream. With their huge assortment you're bound to find a tea you'll love! read more

It's 3:55 on a Tuesday and I've been standing waiting at the (empty) till for 8 minutes. Does anybody work here??

Great spot to read, study, or just hang out. The small back patio is nice in the summertime. They have lots of teas organized by type (white, green, black, rooibos) and in a few different price levels. You can get a small size or a large pot to share with 2 or more people. There are good snacks if you get hungry, like baked goods and salads. I had the quinoa salad which was simple but good. They have books and board games at the front too. read more

I've been coming to oolong since junior high, and like some other reviews said, the vibe is inconsistent. During the day it tends to be very quiet, a good place for studying or reading a book, but Tuesday's nights they have an open mic night, so it's usually packed, and the guy who hosts it will play songs and make you come up and sing even if you don't want to if no ones down to play, so be prepared. The variety of tea is 10/10, I love the blueberry black tea, the shitty weather tea, and the lavender earl grey. Tea's a little pricy, but you get a whole pot and free refills if you stay in the shop. Their food is good, love the brownies and the paninis. Service is usually really good. Love this place and think I always will! read more

It was a cool Saturday evening when my man and I decided to take a stroll around my quaint little neighbourhood of Kensington. As we walked along 10th St and smiled at the crowds partaking in St Pats revelry, we decided to pop into Oolong Tea House for a quiet evening of tea and conversation. Upon entering the establishment, I noticed its quiet low-key atmosphere.. A few tables with small groups and couples, and a section of a wall lined with loose-leaf teas. Seeing as to how my new favourite pasttime is sniffing aromatic loose teas, I immediately approached the area and started exploring. I was in the mood for a green tea latte, so I mentioned this to the helpful girl who worked there. She made some suggestions, and I finally settled on a Sencha Matcha tea latte. My man wanted just a regular pot of tea, and in his exploration, discovered this absolutely beautiful coconut almond black tea. As we took our places in a little table near the window, I picked up a chessboard for us to entertain ourselves with. We spent the evening playing chess, sipping teas, and giggling at our 'chess strategies'. My latte was a little too milky for my taste, but enjoyable nonetheless. The coconut almond black tea was so incredibly heavenly that I decided to buy a small pot of it to take home. I cannot wait to go back to Oolong Tea House to try some more of their teas. It was nothing short of delightful! read more

This is an always packed tea destination in Kensington. And although I haven't had the opportunity to experience the patio in the back because of the snow, the interior is something that is worth visiting in itself. The place feels so homey when you come in, there is lots of activity going on here always and it seems to attract a tea cosy crowd, they have nice artwork in the back and the tea leaves are displayed by colour and by category in these delightful glass- like urns on shelves in the wall. You have dozens you can choose from white tea, oolong tea, green tea, black tea, herbal tea and fruit infusions; in fact 150 to be exact and there is even printed placards for you to take home to peruse the benefits of each tea. Staff here is as gentle and soft spoken as their teas, unfortunately I am not really a tea drinker but I have heard tons of great stuff about this place and this yelper didn't want to be left out in the cold with her coffee. So all in all a nice place, to commune, to read or just sit and surf the free Wi-Fi that is available. read more

Definitely enjoyed popping into this place to catch up with an old friend a few weeks back. Cool atmosphere, feels as though it may have been blessed by hippies and druids at one point. But it all fits together and we weren't made uncomfortable and the friendliness of the employees was great. Overwhelming wall of tea, that is broken down so nicely on the labels that you can definitely find something that will fit your tastes whether they be adventurous or not. Even had Earl Grey for my British Friend. ("Do you have REAL tea?") Only thing that keeps it from five stars was that the live music was WAY to loud. Should have been light gentle acoustic but instead the amplifiers were pretty dang loud causing us to have to lean in a lot to chat and a lot of 'What did you say'? But until they started playing we were really enjoying the feel. Parking is a bit of a pain but I won't hold that against them. Definitely will pop back in next time I'm in the area. read more

It is very interesting to see how much one place's atmosphere can change day-by-day! I've been to Oolong Tea House several occasions now, and it's either really loud and a buzzin' place to be, or really calm with people reading or working. Either way, it's a cool place! I'm rating this three stars due to the inconsistency of the vibe. You can never plan to go into Oolong with the environment you are expecting, because it might not be what you had in mind. Service: Pretty good! On one occasion, I felt like mixing teas. I knew that I wanted to have moroccan mint, but I wanted something fruity to go along side with it. They were very helpful on providing a suggestion, and it was quite tasty! Selection: Over all, I'd say that they have a pretty good selection! A lot of very similar teas, but plenty of options! Until my most recent visit, I did not realize that they have a cute patio in the back. While the front of the cafe was a very live scene at the time, the back had a nice serene quietness to it! read more

This place is cozy and welcoming, with tons of sunlight streaming in, and a very relaxed vibe to hang out for half a day in. Huge selection of teas, with varying price points depending on the ingredients, and knowledgeable staff that will help you pick out what's sure to be an enjoyable treat. Especially lovely is the leafy patio, where you can sip & relax to your heart's content. It's not my favourite tea shop in the city, but it's definitely one I'll keep going back to! read more

"Oh how delightful!" exclaimed Alice, for sitting in front of her was a canister of Rose Tea which was her personal DRINK ME and so she was pleasantly delighted. So it's like sitting at a mad lil teaparty like a proper poppit drinking in the smells of petals all around you. And so Alice was in Wonderland having found her rose tea which, she'll have you know, is very hard to find indeed. "Thank you Oolong Tea House and Happy Unbirthday to me!" read more

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The music was really all over the place, but a lot of it was good. Great selection of teas, great decaf selection for me (as I'm on a butt kicking 1 month cleanse). I couldn't eat there, but my two friends had the soup and a piece of carrot cake that looked good/fresh. I'd go back - if the parking in Kensington didn't suck so badly. read more

Both the matcha chai latte and regular matcha latte tasted mostly of milk, rather than tea. I'm not usually one for sweets but I had to add some sugar to mine for some flavour. They have a ton (literally a whole wall!) of teas and the cafe itself is lovely and the staff were very nice. I think I would still like to go back to try something else; maybe the flavour will be stronger for one of many teas they have on display. Overall it's great for hanging it but I personally wouldn't recommend either of the matcha lattes. read more

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Walk right in, sniff it right out... baby get your tea right now. Tea-rrific! Nothing gets my nose more excited than a chance to sniff delightful aromas-and at Oolong, I get to do exactly that! Three bookcases full of tea, each with its own jar for you to open and take a whiff. Take your pick, then grab the cannister behind it and present it to one of the lovely employees behind the counter. Take note, the tea comes in different classes. The higher the class, the higher the price point. What's also nice is that you can refill your hot water to get the most out of your tea. No need to stop at one pot only to spend $4+ on a new brew. It's also a quiet spot, perfect for meeting up with a friend for an afternoon pot of tea. read more

I love both of Oolong Tea House's locations. Their Kensington location is particularly good and incredibly well-established in the neighborhood. It's always buzzing with activity, but is a great spot to meet up with a friend and share a pot of tea or a pitcher of iced tea. Every time I've been here the place is warm and friendly. Only thing to remember is it is in Kensington so parking can be beastly, but it's great if you live/work close enough to walk or are willing to take the train (it's pretty close to Sunnyside Station). read more

Out of all of the coffee and brunch places in Kensington, I always find myself returning to Oolong Tea House. I think I'm just a fan of the generally laid-back and quaint atmosphere of the cafe and it genuinely is a great place to just escape the hustle and bustle of Kensington Road. It's definitely a go-to place when I feel like I need to mellow out and go into observation mode. Unfortunately, I can't vouch for any of the drinks, as I've had a pretty average experience with them. On most experiences, they've turned up to be quite flavourless and nothing spectacular to memory. Yet, the food at Oolong is what keeps me returning. The vegetarian panini is one of the most flavourful sandwiches I've ever eaten. I also love the vegan brownie and carrot cake. So if you're looking for a chill and non-intimidating cafe to burn some time in while you're at Kensington, definitely give Oolong a try. read more

This place rocks! Very interesting and friendly clientele, intelligent and helpful (and beautiful) staff, and every kind of tea you could ever drink. The art that's for sale on the wall is a nice touch too, there's a few pieces I wouldn't mind picking up. :) I'll be back. read more

I've been to Oolong Tea House a few times now, and all my experiences were very pleasurable! mmm the tea tastes oh so very good and the whole atmosphere of the place is very zen. i'll be making a stop again some time very soon! read more

My favorite little tea shop in Calgary. From the outside it doesn't look like much, but when you enter, it exudes relaxation and comfort. The staff are very friendly and willing to help you if you get overwhelmed by their selection of teas (that cover an entire wall). My favorite drink, whether I'm taking it to go or staying in to do some writing, is their matcha latte, unsweetened with 2% milk (they have the option for soy milk as well, if that's what you are into). Definitely worth checking out. Only a short walk from the Sunnyside C-train station, which I recommend due to the lack of parking in Kensington. read more

Finding Oolong Tea House was a pleasant surprise on my trip from California. All of the teas as labeled, and graded according to quality and type. In most places, the teas are in containers behind the counter making it very difficult to choose, but at Oolong they have made it easy. All of the tins are in shelves, and accessible for you to smell each of their unique aromas and select the tea of your choice. All of the teas are labeled and sorted by type and quality. The ladies behind the counter were also very helpful in our selecting teas, and explaining the varieties. The Bamboo shoots, though only grade II, had a very intense aroma (my friends compared to jolly ranchers.) Another of my favorites there were the jasmine pearls. I bought a few tins to take home for gifts! This place will become a regular stop for me on my trips to Calgary. Easy five stars! read more

I love tea and this place has always been my go to spot for getting my fix. Nothing beats its warm and cozy feeling during the winter and summer time, the small balcony out back is a great spot to catch up with a friend. There is a huge selection of tea to choose from and the baristas are more than happy to help out if you can't make up your mind. The food and non-tea drinks are pretty good as well. This is a great spot to grab a book, relax and a read a few hundred pages. Don't buy the pots and knickknacks, they're way overpriced. read more

Great little place. I was last year about a year ago and they have since done some renos and upgrading and it looks a little less...rustic. Clean and nice ambience. Not a lot of food selection but the sandwich I had was quite good and was about $6.50. Lots of tea to choose from. The canned music through the speakers was a bit loud but I'm pretty sure the speaker was right behind me. I was there on a Sunday morning so it was quiet in terms of patrons and the server was attentive. Can't speak for other times of the day. Maybe if you are a total tea snob this place is not for you but it definitely gets my thumbs up and I'll certainly be going back. read more

Not professional on tea categories. Pu'er does not belong to oolong tea category. Tea smells not fresh. The atmosphere here is like a fast food store not an authentic tea shop at all. Definitely should not be using a coffee press to make tea. Two star is only for the gyokuro taste OK. read more

Best tea house in the city....great service, great selection of blends, wonderful atmosphere.

For an establishment that named themself "Oolong" I am bewildered as to why they have none of the utensils for sale or for use in store that the Chinese and Taiwanese traditionally brew Oolong tea in, namely the Yixing teapot. It makes me wonder what other corners are cut. On their website they have Pu-Erh listed as an Oolong tea. Pu-Erh has never been classified as an Oolong tea in the history of Yunnan province, the point of origin. It is a post-fermented tea and is the only true black Chinese tea that they carry. I use Long Jing tea (Dragonwell) as my yardstick for boutique tea houses. Very few teas reveal as quickly as a Long Jing whether it has been stored properly and the quality of the leaf picked. Here I found slightly fermented LJ, an absolute no no because it ceases to be green tea once it ferments. My hunch is it was due to storage. Properly packed LJ comes with anti oxidant packs and my gut feeling is that their supplier by passed this. The taste was chlorophylly and bitter. I brew exclusively Gongfu in Yixing pots which assassinates an inferior tea. On the good side, they are not pretentiously selling this for $150 plus per pound unlike some other boutiques. They sell for $54 per pound. Their DongDing Oolong was passable, but grown at too low an elevation to exite me. They claim 1000 to 2000 feet. The best teas are grown above 3600 feet. No indication as to spring or winter flush is given. My guess in winter because it lacks the finesse of spring flush. At about $75 per pound it is a tad overpriced. One can do better at Ten Rens, but not much better. This is good everyday table tea but not exciting. The Pu-Erh is abominable. It is loose Pu-Erh which is generally inferior to Toa Cha and Beeng Cha pressed tea. This is shu Pu-Erh which means it is roasted before storage. It tastes between 3 and 5 years of age, Oolong claims 5. Even loose Pu-Erh absolutely must be aged, 10 years minimum. This Shu Pu was bitter and undeveloped. It lacked body as does all loose Pu-Erh. If you want to find good Pu-Erh that will age quickly, find a store that sells Shu (Black) Pu-Erh Beeng Chas (pressed cakes). Buy a young one and sit on it for 10 years, much more if you have the patience. Loose Pu-Erh does not age with grace. I cannot give this establishment more than two stars because the tradition of China or Taiwan they missed and the quality is utility grade. read more

I do not necessarily visit Oolong Tea House just for the tea. The quality of the tea is definitely surpassed by other shops in the area, and their loose leaf offerings, while a large selection, can be found in other teashops as well. However, Oolong has a good little thing goin' down as far as atmosphere. I love sitting out on the patio, the little white Christmas lights wrapping around the patio roof, surrounded by silhouettes of trees. Inside is a little crowded, but it's a cozy place for a game of scrabble, or to watch a little acoustic show. read more

The prices have gone up again. I'm not paying $6-10 for a cup of tea when I can just go to Hong Kong and get a better cup of tea, also properly served, for $0.40. I weep that my city is turning into vancouver. If you wanna impress a date, this is a great place, but if you want to just go for a deece cup of tea without spending the same amount of money that can buy you four kis of bananas, go to the Roasterie, where you can also stare and talk with the freaks outside. The freaks have been priced out of oolong:(. read more

Poor Service (lack thereof) I recently visited the Kensington location on a Sat (first time) and was utterly disappointed in how I was treated or in my case ignored. After walking in I was not even acknowledged, not even so much as a hello. I looked around for 5+ mins and was not even asked if I wanted help. Girl behind the counter (red headed girl) was too busy gabbing with her 2 boyfriends to bother with me. Place was not busy either, just 2 other paying customers who were already enjoying their teas in the corner. Of course she was more than willing to say hello to a staff member that had just walked in for her shift but a paying customer like myself would be too much to make an effort for I guess. Needless to say I walked out without spending any $$. Girl just looked at me like I was bothering her somehow as i walked out. Unfortunately they will NOT be getting any of my business in the future. Obviously some staff have not been trained on "customer service". I have been to other tea shops/stores in Calgary and have always had wonderful service (The Naked Leaf, David's Tea), but Oolong Tea House is now the exception I'm sorry to say. Too bad as I would have loved to have spent some $$ on the lovely teas but will not be now or in the future. read more

Paradise of fine Tea it is, the Tea Capital of Oolong Republic as some call it. After Sherman Oaks, Los Angeles, California it was Oolong that surprised me with the fine genre of delicious Tea. I recently heard from fellow tea favoring friends that Oolong Tea House has named some Orange Poke Tea with Honey Mix as 'Amber Marshall' after a famous Canada TV Show, cool folks & good hosts is what one find's here - a must visit joint when you are at Calgary, Canada! read more

Oolong Tea House is probably one of the cutest places I have ever been. We'll start with the environment, it's comfortable, homey, and the music's always clever. The staff is all adorable and friendly. Of course, the tea selection is amazing. Anyone who hasn't checked out this tea house is in for a pleasant surprise. read more