I was excited about visiting this place, given I've heard it's one of the best tea houses in the region (by a friend who is a tea junkie). However, I was a little disappointed because I felt that it was a little stuffy. We were approached by a salesperson in the store asking if we had any questions. Maybe she was new but she seemed kind of cold. I felt that I was on my best behavior. It's a nice place for a date, but did not feel that authentic. We later went to a more low-key tea place with a great selection, and I felt more comfortable there. Just not my cup of tea (ha ha!) read more

Sadly, I have consistently had bad customer service here. It's the only tea place in the Bay where I've been made uncomfortable, because the person serving has been so snobby to me, multiple times. The tea table is really cool, they have beautiful wares, and a few of the teas are very good, but I won't pay their high prices if it comes with a holier-than-thou-attitude! read more

Super trendy and fancy schmancy, the employees really know their tea. We had a tasting, very cool. However, that was the first time I paid $40 for two bags of tea and $15 for a tasting that's not wine, LOL. Kinda pricy, but still very cool. read more

This is a beautiful space with an impressive selection of teas. The attention and expertise of our server Will was inspiring. I'd highly recommend this place to anyone: it is the perfect way to learn about what the world of tea has to offer :) read more

Their tea is amazing, their customer service just as good and the atmosphere is very relaxing. These things added together is the reason I'm going to be back on a regular basis. They educate you on everything, Nd give you the history behind the producers and what each tea is designed for. A great place to relax and unwind. read more

Place was awesome. We were greeted by a women named Elise. She was very energetic, very warm and extremely beautiful. She had us try three samples and they were all great. She was very informative and made us feel very valued. We went inside and looked around and didn't buy anything because we were walking and already had our hands full but I will return here. Thanks so much Elise! read more

I had a great experience today doing a tea tasting with my family. We are tea newbies, but the staff here was very knowledgeable and patient with all of our questions. Genevieve was so enthusiastic about all of the tea, which made it very fun to have her do our tasting. Every tea we tasted was amazing, as were the little tea cakes and shortbreads we ate as an accompaniment. We learned so much and can't wait to return to try more of their tea! read more

This place is a utopia for the tea lover. The tea they sell is so quality and intense, it can be re-steeped 4 times or more, using a small amount. It's the beourgie-est shit ever but you can't deny it's authenticity when you see people of every race, creed, and color at the bar, actually buying the stuff. When we went in today to get my husband a "replacement" for coffee, you would have thought the manager died and went to tea missionary heaven when he had the opportunity to present him with several "roast-like, full-mouthed feel" tastings. Needless to say, the staff is very helpful. Great place to get your zen on and I want to live in their bathroom. read more

Amazing tea house with excellent staff and owners. I am very, very impressed with the ascetic and the refined behavior of the staff. I cherish every time I get the chance to come here. Rarely can we find a place that stocks the best teas in Berkeley hands down, maybe CA, who knows? Definitely give this place a taste and try if you are in the area. Teance thanks so much for everything! read more

I really can't complain about this play even one bit. How anybody can give this place below 5 stars is out of their mind. 1. The staff are friendly and professional. 2. Staff enjoys talking. 3. Staff are knowledgable 4. Their menu is simple, and described perfectly so you don't have to think twice. 5. Great environment. You get a bar like table without the alcohol. 6. Their locations is perfect. You can do more than just get tea. read more

I so enjoyed this tea shop. I was thrown off of the decor. It looks a little fancy for my general interest but it is actually very relaxing. I visited while in Berkeley and I had to leave with some teas. I wish that it was closer so that I could continue to visit! I had one of the white teas. I am not normally a huge fan of the white tea however this one hit the spot. It was so flavorful and the education that you can get there about the proper way to steep the tea was very helpful. We also tried the oolong tea. It was out of this world good. They farm their own tea and it shows. Truly wonderful and recommend to everyone! read more

The customer service is relatively non-existent unless you look like a big spender. The tea is overrated and overpriced, there's plenty of fine establishments to go in the bay area. read more

Teance is heaven on earth. I thoroughly enjoyed my tea tasting with Darius as the tea-tender today. What a great place to be peaceful or connect with someone. Their teas are delicious and expertly prepared right before your eyes. The prices are steep so I think I'll enjoy the tea tastings. They have classes and meetings as well. I'll definitely be back! read more

Went here after buying a Groupon for tea tasting, and had such an amazing experience! Not only is the tea high-quality, aromatic, and delicious, but the staff is so friendly and willing to impart their tea-related knowledge on all tasters. I will definitely be going back! read more

Alas, ruined by Cal students. The tea and service is still lovely. But now the once empty upstairs had stupid laptops galore. Go (AWAY) Bears! read more

The tea is excellent but be warned, this place is pricey. $8 for a pot of tea (not sure if it costs more to share a pot - it might) and $4.50 for one mochi. I ordered the mochi not knowing the price and was in disbelief when I saw the bill. read more

Great ambiance, wonderful and insightful staff and a great variety of amazing teas.

incredible variety of teas! They've bring in several vendors, and never disappoint. Love their tea tasting table and the service is stupendous. read more

i was at teance on friday with a big group of friends for a tasting and lecture. the store is beautiful and bar very zen-like. this is truly a tea-lover's paradise. okay, i would love it if they had samples of all the teas on the shelves to smell and touch, etc etc. i kept on trying to yank or unscrew the jars filled with samples.... the lecture itself was semi-informative, though i wouldn't say it was completely objective. read more

My last visit here was remarkable. I had called ahead to find out their closing time and arrived about a half hour before that time to tea taste. They informed me that the tea bar was closed (boo!). The staff was apologetic, gave every member in our party a voucher for a free tea tasting, and a sample of upscale tea flavored chocolates. (yay!!). read more

I am generally the girl sitting at the wine tasting bar, but my friend and I ventured in the other day and opted to do a tea tasting. I really enjoyed my experience. The women behind the counter was awesome! We had some pretty out there questions but she was very helpful and knowledgeable. I honestly did not realize there was so much behind tea, so it was a very informative afternoon and I felt I had learned something...which is always a good thing on the weekends! :) I would certainly recommend stopping by to check the place out. Even to get just a sip of tea it is quite a neat spot! read more

This was a lot of fun. I was a little intimidated when I first got there (like Robert V.), but the tea-tender was very attentive and helpful. I loved that she explained what the tea leaves smelled and looked like before and after the "infusions." read more

I really want to like this place more than I do. It is beautiful inside, serene in ambiance. The staff is effusive and knowledgeable. The prices for the teas are average. Some reviewers feel that they are expensive but I have purchased tea for years from many sources, and for the kind of teas they offer and the quality they are average to moderate. I have purchased tea from good dealers that cost much more and not the same quality as Teance offers. Even their sale (older shelf) teas remain fresher than most. However, I am not happy with one aspect of their shop. They offer one "complimentary" tasting. When I have gone alone, I thoroughly enjoy this experience and when it is not busy, I have been offered complimentary tastes of several teas. When I returned with a friend, we each select our (different) "complimentary" teas. After tasting our own, we offered each other a sip to taste the difference. I purchased tea, my friend did not. I noticed on the bill that they charged me for the tasting. I asked about the "complimentary" taste, and I was told that was only for one and I had two. I explained that *I* ordered one, and my friend ordered her own, we simply tasted each others'. No, they insisted I pay for my tasting. When I went back again, this same thing was repeated: If I go alone they give me multiple free tastings, if I go with a friend, they charge us for just having one tea but sharing a sip. What the ?!? I have to say that you lose all your serene zen buzz that the tea and setting imparted once you get annoyed that they are charging you for the free taste (especially when you are buying 2 digits worth of tea!, just give me the free drink!) I once went with another friend and we entered separately, pretended not to know each other, and were not charged. So, if you go with a friend, do not dare share a single sip or your complimentary tasting becomes null and void. Then you can soak up that Asian peaceful ambiance without the annoyance of arbitrarily applied "free" tastings. read more

Best tea tasting experience I have ever had. My husband and I went and pretty much parked ourselves at the tea bar and planted ourselves there for a few hours while it rained outside. Best day! The manager was serving us and he knows absolutely everything about tea! He was incredible, attentive, respectful, friendly and completely on top of it. It is expensive but their tea is worth it and the lesson you get with the tea tasting is priceless. read more

Wow, what an experience! Sat at the bar on a cold day and just slowed down and had beautiful tea. Really learned something too. The guys there are so nice and really knowledgable and skilled. And their tea making and ritual add to the taste of the tea, and the beauty and great feeling of the place! We also bought some tea there and took it home to do on our own. Fantastic. Re-introduced me to tea and the subtle taste, feeling, ritual and calm of it all. Love it and will be back! read more

The tea is nice, and I think they present everything very well (knowledgable, helpful). But... I just got a bad salesman vibe from the people working there. Actually a mix between that and the people that work at some fancy boutique. The prices are also a little high. I enjoy tea a lot, but who really can afford to buy all their tea at this place. It seems like they're trying to hook yuppies on it. read more

I thought this place was pretty darn cool. It is a little pricey and they do give you A LOT of information about tea, but I thought it was reasonable and enjoyable to sit back, sample different teas and learn about them. Its part of the charm. Everything is made and presented impeccably. They have a huge selection of medicinal teas to purchase for the home and I thought the knowledge they have to offer was impressive and exciting. I went with a dear friend of mine and had a delightful two hour tea tasting sesh and went home with an awesome bag of tea and knowledge of how to steep it perfectly. I can't wait to go back again. read more

I like too go here for a dose of antioxidants, or take a deep breath. Honestly I never buy tea here. While it is delicious, it is a bit too expesive for me. On the other hand the tea bar is awesome, and like a cheap spa treatment. I am an equal opportunity tea drinker: green tea, black tea, english teas service or herbal. It all works for me. What I love about tasting here: especially if you have the original Teance employee on hand, is how detail oriented the team is. The water is always the perfect temperature for the type of tea. And it is always perfectly steeped. No bitterness here. Even better, you can steep till your heart's content. I typically go for 3 steepings. And that is what makes teance the bargain spa experience it is. You spend $5 (or $7 now) and have an hour of antioxidants, hydration in a lovely atmosphere. The mochi are yummy as well. So if you are at forth street, take a break and enjoy the tea. Also: most tea bar patrons are very friendly, feel free to strike up a conversation with your neighbors. read more

I came here for a tea tasting and had a great time. This place is so cute and the whole experience was super relaxing. The woman who helped us (Angela) was incredibly knowledgeable about the different teas and the stories behind each one. She taught us about steeping different teas and explained differences between first and second infusions. They have a whole process for preparing the tea - they really know what they're doing! We got to pick 3 teas from their very extensive menu and had two tastings of each. I very highly recommend the rose red premium tea which was incredible and so naturally sweet and tasty! I was so relaxed when we left that I kept thinking it felt like a spa treatment. All in all, it was a wonderful experience and something fun to do with a friend on a cold afternoon! read more

Came here here with a Groupon with NO ideas or expectations as to what I was about to experience. There was no one else in the store and the gentleman at the tasting counter was quite snobby at first, as if we were insulting him by being there without knowing anything about tea. Eventually he became very friendly as he was sharing his knowledge with us and answering questions. After the initial awkward moments, the rest of the experience was simply delightful. I literally felt all of my tension, aches and pain simply melt away as I felt a calm take over my body. Simply wonderful. I feel I may not have enjoyed it as much had I paid full price, but the value was great for what I paid. read more

Simply incredible. Masood (spelling) was great and did a tea tasting for us. $15 for 3 teas and they steep them twice. He was knowledgeable, kind, and intelligent, and not just about tea. read more

Yes the leaves are pretty pricey, but buying a pot in the upstairs tea room is a pretty good deal and a nice experience- the shop is certainly a beautiful environment. The pick-x sample cuppings are a great way to try a few new and special teas. The staff was extremely knowledgeable and friendly. Honestly, most of the 1-star reviews were helpful in so far as giving me some suggestions for new places to try. read more

My friend Winnie owns this little oasis in the midst of a bustling 4th street shopping district. It's great to come in here and relax over a pot of tea. Teance has a truly awesome selection of teas that were purchased directly from the grower. If it's a cold day I like to have my tea upstairs where I can look over in the store, but if it's a warmer day it's nice to seat at the concrete tea bar. The tea bar was custom made by Cheng Designs, so look closely at the details. On those really hot days you can also get ice tea - the chilled lychee red is my favorite. read more

One of the best tea shops around the world. I have been going here for many years and never regret making the drive. I discovered tea while going to school at UC Berkeley and working on Fourth Street at a local boutique. Teance taught me everything I know about tea and quality. The only tea shop I found during my world anthropologic travels that could be considered slightly higher grade tea is Fang Gourmet in Queens New York and I would have not had a clue if it was not for my education from the staff at Teance in Berkeley.The staff has a solid knowledge and your palette will be satisfied. If you are not familiar with "real" tea you will become educated at every visit. The decor is inviting and the experience will leave you de-stressed and renewed. I highly recommend the mushroom pu-erh as well as the Tung Ting Cold Summit another unforgettable favorite is the Mt. Olympus Flowers. Enjoy! read more

Extremely wonderful and great place, especially for tea lovers. The stuff is very polite and helpful. Highly recommend!

Teance is a beautiful little gem that few people know about. The tranquile atmosphere and beautiful design are really one of a kind. The tea is kind of pricey, but I think you're paying more for the experience than for the tea. Bring your friends, this place is worth seeing! read more

4.5 stars. I had a wonderful time here having a tea tasting. We had three women switch around in serving our tea. They were all very sweet, obviously excited about their product, and took care in brewing the tea well. I especially liked that one of our tea servers was very good about educating us about the teas we selected. The other tea server was very sweet, but seemed a little frazzled at times. The matcha cookies were okay. They were well done -- I'm not a fan of matcha or butter cookies, so it may not be a fair judgement. One tea we had that was simply amazing was the phoenix single grove honey fragrance. It was so fragrant of honey, lychee, and citrus, that it was hard to believe those items weren't actually mixed in with the leaves. The second steeping of this tea was the best and tasted okay, but the fragrance was so much more amazing than the taste. read more

Teance is a wonderfully relaxing place to enjoy fantastic teas. The staff there will help you learn to appreciate the delicate and complex flavors of a variety of teas. There is a delightful crowd of regulars who often enjoy a chat at the bar. Or you can always get lost in a book and a pot of tea upstairs, away from the worries of the day. This is a one-of-a-kind place. read more

Teance is the perfect place for fine teas and tea-ware. There are detailed descriptions for each tea, and the assistants are very helpful and knowledgeable to help you with your selection. You can also relax and have a tea-tasting there. I have bought about several teas from Teance and loved them all. This is where I get all my teas now. They also have an amazing selection of Yixing teapots. read more

Teance has the best costumer service! We had a large group and had to reschedule and make many changes and they were so kind and flexible. I definitely recommend Teance to anyone looking to go tea tasting and have a wonderful time! read more