Top Tao Tea

11

123

200

2 months ago

Some of my all time favorite boba! I've gotten variations of their brown sugar milk teas and it has hit every time! You order at a kiosk so minimal interactions with the actual workers, but they're very quick in getting orders out. This place has a very girly atmosphere, lots of pink and grills so if you're looking for a good photo this is a great place for it. Lots of comfy seating as well! read more

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Ashley B.

Elite 26 All-Star

107

426

2403

16 days ago

Stopped in as my sister and I were craving a bubble tea. We were happily surprised by the beautiful decor, plentiful seating and large menu of drink options. It drinks came out quickly and just as we ordered! Nice experience here! read more

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Victoria M.

8

41

64

20 days ago

Located nearby the blue line Damon station. Fast service with two kiosks. Removed one star because the Oreo Boba met expectations but the coconut milk dragon fruit boba did not. The coconut milk was pulpy instead of smooth, and the texture did not pair out blend well with the flavor of the dragon fruit. read more

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Melanie T.

518

243

935

11 months ago

I am actually quite impressed! Came here on a Saturday afternoon and there were a handful of people inside. It's beautifully decorated and has a lot of comfy and spacious seating! I love that there's a big comfy couch, and the tables and counters are wide. The tables and chairs and whole space was very clean as well. There's a TV and they were playing Adventure Time. It was a relaxed and casual vibe! Ordering was easy on the screens to the left when you enter the space. There was one person working and they were very speedy with making the drink! I ordered the taro coconut milk tea with egg pudding, 75% sweet. It was perfect!! Not too sweet, and you can taste each flavor distinctly. The taro and coconut really came through and the egg pudding had a lovely texture. I thought it was cool that when you order this drink they include one topping with no extra charge, and you can pick any of the options! For $8 for this quality and size of drink I was happy. I can't say the same for some other boba spots that sometimes are too expensive. This spot was just right! read more

Top Tao Tea - Taro coconut milk and egg pudding - Bubble Tea Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Top Tao Tea - Inside - Bubble Tea Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Jonathan B.

6

150

264

1 year ago

I'm not usually a boba person, but I had to get the coconut banana smoothie! I love anything banana flavor, and this definitely hit the spot! All the drinks come with 1 free topping so that's a huge perk. The service was good. The lady took our order and made the drinks SUPER QUICK. The ambiance has a very cute theme to it. It has a large amount of seating, and there's a nice floral theme going on. Would definitely come back here when I'm around the neighborhood! read more

Top Tao Tea - Coconut Banana Smoothie - Bubble Tea Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Mariya G.

151

251

781

11 months ago

I really enjoyed the inside decor (very instagrammable) and thought the tea was just okay. I liked that there was a touchpad to order so you could take your time deciding. I did end up using their bathroom and wish that was cleaner. read more

Top Tao Tea - Fruit tea - Bubble Tea Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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karina k.

Elite 26 All-Star

86

1266

14422

1 year ago

Nice selection of teas and it's quiet enough and cozy. The music is not loud thank you. Nice staff or owner. The coconut banana smoothie w lychee jelly was good it was just not real fruit bc we didn't taste any coconut flakes or banana particles ... maybe they were all part of the powder. The brown sugar boba was good and sweet enough. My favorite was the mango smoothie and I added lychee jelly. It was very refreshing, sweet with bursting mango flavor, and the best part is you can customize whether you add cream or not and the jelly and boba etc. The atmosphere is very nice with lowfi type music and the decor is pleasant and cute. Gender neutral bathrooms and just big enough to fit a wheelchair. Love the neighborhood as it's in the heart of all the fun food and clothing places. Great place for a first date. read more

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Wendy H.

Elite 26 All-Star

55

428

2491

1 year ago

The space is so pretty. The smoothies were good and you can order on a tablet. They made them decently quickly. It was too hot so we got smoothies to cool ourselves off. They have some fans around the cafe. The price includes 1 topping for free. read more

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Janae T.

29

270

667

1 year ago

The decoration was so pretty the cups are so cute and the flavor I chose... I never had anything like it before and I'm still craving it . I'm pretty sure it was a bit pricier than your usual boba tea place but babyyyyy it was worth it. I got the coconut banana smoothie? Or slush whatever it was it was so good omg I never had anything like it and I think I got regular tapioca balls read more

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Kathy T.

4

85

138

11 months ago

Not bad, the care is super cute if you go in person, and teas all get 1 free topping. However I still like gathers tea and Molly tea more due to their stronger tea leaves flavor, this place is good for fun drinks and if y like toppings! (And cute for a date) read more

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Gabriella B.

0

3

0

3 months ago

the service was great, but the building have ZERO air conditioning and it was crazy crazy humid and hot and a terrible condition for someone to be working in. i feel for the workers. read more

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Vanessa A.

12

1

2

1 year ago

Super cute place, very girly. Would be nice for a hangout or date . Not a tea person but i got the Stawberry Paradise with black boba. It's refreshing! Only 4 stars because I would like to see more drink options for non-tea people (coffee/fruit). read more

Top Tao Tea - Strawberry Paradise - Bubble Tea Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Top Tao Tea - Brown Sugar Boba Milk, Strawberry Paradise - Bubble Tea Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Long T.

0

7

3

1 year ago

Got the Pandan Tea with no adjustments, it was really good. The interior is very nice and aesthetically pleasing. Would come back and recommend to others. read more

Top Tao Tea - Pandan Tea - Bubble Tea Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Allison W.

62

10

11

1 year ago

Soo yummy. I recommend the Jasmine Milk Tea or the Lemongrass Black Tea!! The decor inside is also very adorable :) read more

Top Tao Tea - Lemongrass Peach Black Tea - Bubble Tea Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Rajesh R.

0

12

20

1 year ago

Great service! I ordered the brown sugar boba. Only suggestion would to be possibly have different size options. read more

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Anita P.

13

306

391

2 years ago

Pretty pricey but the drinks do come with 1 free topping! I wish my pandan tea was a bit stronger. The cafe itself is super cute with lots of floral decor and would be a nice place to work. read more

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Minjae K.

415

3

2

1 year ago

This place is very cute! I got the Tao Special Tea and it came out quickly and was pretty tasty. The interior decor is done really well and I think it's a great place to take aesthetic photos. Would go again! read more

Top Tao Tea - Tao Special Tea (Assam) - Bubble Tea Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Top Tao Tea - Interior - Bubble Tea Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Ebonie C.

37

106

343

2 years ago

The ambiance here in this location is impeccable! It felts so nice to enjoy my tea in there! The staff are super nice and I can tell they use only fresh ingredients with making their drinks! I had the brown sugar boba, the dragonfruit tea, the tropical tea and the Thai tea and they all were so good read more

Top Tao Tea - Front of the location - Bubble Tea Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Top Tao Tea - Thai Milk Tea and Fruity Lover - Bubble Tea Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Micaela P.

0

2

0

5 months ago

There is a wide selection of drinks and they taste really good! The place is gorgeously decorated with comfy sofas and plenty of sitting space The vibes are amazing and the service is great. Our server was Monica and she has always been so sweet and helpful. she is very attentive and fast as well. I think I found my favorite boba spot in Chicago! read more

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Natalie K.

Elite 25

288

174

156

2 years ago

Stopped by on my way to a nail appointment and this did not disappoint! The coconut milk w dragonfruit was very coconutty and not too sweet which is my favorite. Super fast service and very cute on the inside with plenty of seating! read more

Top Tao Tea - Coconut Milk W/ Dragonfruit - Bubble Tea Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Helen N.

0

5

6

1 year ago

My favorite spot for Taro milk tea. They use real taro and not the powder all the other stores are currently using. Taro Coconut. So delicious! read more

Top Tao Tea - Beautiful place. - Bubble Tea Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Delani R.

0

1

2

1 year ago

Super cute vibes. Costumer service was great and they accommodated ny order. Go check it out! read more

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Danielle B.

19

22

9

2 years ago

I know there are a myriad of boba places around Wicker Park, but this is my new favorite. It just depends so it's shiny, new, clean, and has self check out kiosks for people like me who have social anxiety when ordering and like to look at pictures. The menu is pretty robust and have a lot of very dessert-like drinks that are very picturesque. I think the top reason I'll come here from now on though is the decor--everything from the plush seats to flowers on the ceiling is an Instagram-like set, perfect for photos. read more

Top Tao Tea - Bubble tea - Bubble Tea Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Top Tao Tea - Instagram-worthy sets - Bubble Tea Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Top Tao Tea - Clear signage - Bubble Tea Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Top Tao Tea - Plush couches and seating - Bubble Tea Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Top Tao Tea - bubble tea and decor - Bubble Tea Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Luis L.

0

1

2

1 year ago

Great boba shop, amazing service! The decor in the shop is so nice and very welcoming! Drinks are amazing, love the Oreo brown sugar boba and the mango paradise! read more

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Susana M.

0

1

2

1 year ago

Awesome teas, beautiful atmosphere, awesome service. A great place to spend some time with friends. My favorite is the Dragon fruit. read more

Top Tao Tea - Dragon fruit. - Bubble Tea Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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jimin k.

0

39

37

2 years ago

Such a cute place to be with friends or just chill and read. The interior was so aesthetic and I loved the flower decorations. The pink and lights were balanced so it wasn't too pink or too bright. The server was very kind. She got my drink quickly (granted it was empty when I went to get boba) I got the Peach Lover fruit tea with crystal boba and regular sweetness. You should keep regular sweetness since this place isn't extremely sweet but just enough to hit that boba craving. However, the peach tea tasted slightly more orangey than peachy, so I was kind of disappointed, but it was still good. I'll probably try another drink from this place because i wanna try the other drinks! 8/10 read more

Top Tao Tea - Seating - Bubble Tea Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Top Tao Tea - Peachy Lover - Bubble Tea Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Anthony A.

0

1

1 year ago

Service was great and swift! Boba tea was great and we could not get enough! The place is beautiful as well and we stayed for a while! read more

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star f.

0

1

1 year ago

I got the Taro Lovers smoothie and this taste amazing!! The place has a really good vibe to it too, a really good date spot I'd say. The service was also great! read more

Top Tao Tea - Taro lovers Smoothie - Bubble Tea Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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T-May T.

0

1

1 year ago

Large menu selection pretty consistent with Argyle location. They have one free topping available too with drinks read more

Top Tao Tea - Thai Milk Coffee - Bubble Tea Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Juanpablo M.

0

1

2

1 year ago

The place looked very homey and the music that was playing felt nice and the boba also tasted good read more

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Jason M.

0

47

0

1 year ago

Solid Boba Tea Place - we've been to their other locations too. Always reliable and decent range

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Michelle K.

1

21

181

2 years ago

Such a cute addition to Wicker Park! When you walk in it's beautiful decorated with pretty pink flowers and pink and blue chairs and couches. It gives off a Bridgerton vibe! They offer real and all natural boba drinks, refreshing teas, organic smoothies and more! Everything is so fresh and delicious and their space is very beautiful decorated that's perfect for lounging and social gathering. Definitely stop by for a drink if you're in the area! read more

Top Tao Tea - Fruit lover tea - Bubble Tea Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Top Tao Tea - Caramel Brown Sugar Boba - Bubble Tea Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Top Tao Tea - Outside - Bubble Tea Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Top Tao Tea - So pretty inside! - Bubble Tea Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Top Tao Tea - Mango Paradise Smoothie - Bubble Tea Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Top Tao Tea - Fruity Lover - Bubble Tea Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Top Tao Tea - The lineup - Bubble Tea Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Shannon L.

0

2

3

1 year ago

what a fun vibe inside! my dragonfruit kumquat drink was so refreshing and delicious (per daniel's recommendation). thanks for a great time and a great meeting location for me and my friend dallas! read more

Top Tao Tea - Dragonfruit Kumquat Brown Sugar Boba Milk - Bubble Tea Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Minh N.

0

1

3

2 years ago

Their new location is so cute!!! I go to the Tao Tea in uptown often but I like this store even better. Drinks and service are as good as usual. I get my usual dragonfruit kumquat. The scene is so so pretty! The couches are comfortable, the flowers are adorable, and the chandeliers are insane! Definitely gonna be my new study spot. The big couches are also great for group outings read more

Top Tao Tea - Dragonfruit Kumquat Tea - Bubble Tea Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Top Tao Tea - Hangout spot - Bubble Tea Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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N A.

0

1

0

1 year ago

Called just to ask if I can place an order, I wanted to order it and pick it up so I don't wait while it's being made and I was going to pay when I got there. After they picked up the call there were seconds of silence before a male voice said a confused sounding hello, and after I replied saying I wanted to make an order he just hung up on me. At least explain you don't do orders ahead of time or something, don't just hang up on your customers. I went in person later and he was intently watching some Valorant human games competition on tv even while making my drink, and before I even grabbed my drink he moved further behind the counter and immediately was on his phone. read more

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W L.

0

13

1

2 years ago

My taro milk tea was made to my satisfaction. The brown sugar bobas were warmed and yummy. One of the best I have had after trying many boba tea stores. read more

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Thomas G.

66

33

5

2 years ago

Just as good as the one up on argyle and that is the best bubble tea in the city. It actually tastes like real tea and not just processed sugar. Tons of flavor options. So glad this opened up by me read more

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Julia K.

0

5

2 years ago

ambiance was super cute and service was good! friendly staff. tea was okay but the furniture needs some updating, chairs were very wobbly and dirty. apple maps also shows the business hours incorrectly, please fix. read more

Top Tao Tea - incorrect hours - Bubble Tea Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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More info about Top Tao Tea

1938 W North Ave
Chicago, IL 60622
Wicker Park, West Town
Directions
Order Takeout or Delivery
Start Order

Full menu

Hours

What time does Top Tao Tea open?

Top Tao Tea opens at 11:00 AM on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

What time does Top Tao Tea close?

Top Tao Tea closes at 9:00 PM on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Mon-Sun 11:00 AM - 9:00 PM

Indoor Amenities

Does Top Tao Tea allow dogs?

Yes, Top Tao Tea allows dogs.

Outdoor Amenities

Does Top Tao Tea have parking?

Yes, Top Tao Tea has parking options. Validated Parking

Other Amenities

Does Top Tao Tea have free WiFi?

Yes, Top Tao Tea has free WiFi.

From the Business

Specialties

Real ingredients, made fresh daily.

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Explore benefits

Gathers Tea Bar

As someone who makes their own matcha everyday, it's always a hit or miss when I buy matcha…read moreoutside. After trying two other disappointing matcha shops in Chicago, I definitely think Gathers Tea Bar is a HIT. Their plain matcha latte is not bad, but I would recommend their mango or strawberry matcha latte!

Got stuck in Chicago for two extra days so I was needing a matcha kick badly! So Yelp suggested…read morethis spot. Wasn't far from my hotel and I got on the bus a few stops. Bright and airy inside. Fast service. It was good. The creamsicle flavor is unique. But the matcha here isn't high quality like I'm used to at spots in New York. But Like I said it was still good and I drank it ALL.

Brown Sugar Hojicha, Brown Sugar Matcha Latte, Black Sesame Matcha Latte

Strawberry Matcha Latte

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Thai Tea

Kurimu

I got soooo lucky and randomly walked in during their seasonal Thai tea and coconut soft serve ice…read morecream!! I LOVE COCONUT SO MUCH I WAS SO HAPPY I COULD EXPLODE!! We tried the coconut soft serve and added on a $1 mochi bites. This was so so so so so good - tasted just like that coconut milk drink in a black skinny tin can with the Asian lady in a funny pose IYKYK. Literally my childhood!! My fav drink ever basically converted into a creamy milky smooth soft serve cup. I wish they'd keep this flavor forever cuz I'd go every day if I could tbh. There's a few seats inside with cute Dora's on decor, and the service is super quick!

(Kari's Rating 9.5/10)…read more I always stop by here after know or whatever does adventure I've gone on and I think in way too full to get dessert but-NOPE! I always have room for Kurimu. When I went, I got two scoops of the cereal and milk flavor ice cream in a cone and they made it into a duck or some sort of cute animal. Wow it was adorable! I'd come here alone for the aesthetic, staff and attention to detail they out into their ice creams. Friday and Saturday night expect a line but it's definitely worth it! Unfortunately I did not take a picture as I ate it that fast!

Miffy Ice Cream ($7.59, 1 scoop white choco salted egg) and Boris Ice Cream ($7.59, 1 scoop black sugar milk tea) - ice cream is just OK imo

Blue ocean mint

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Messy boba

Ume Tea

Pink paradise! Cute boba shop in the heart of Chinatown. I liked that they use REAL FRUIT in their…read moredrinks and not syrups. Since I was visiting I also got the cute bunny ears topper that had a little extra Jebbit that said Chicago on there. Perfect fun little souvenir for my trip. My drink was over $12 but that's because I got the surprise plushie in my cup as well as the bunny ears. #yolo It was still worth it! :)

We shared the watermelon tea and it was super refreshing and not too sweet…read more Also love that they have a mini bean!

Suprise cup with Mango Pomelo Sago

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[UMe] Crème Brûlée Thai Tea

Uni Uni Bubble Tea Wicker Park

I love uni uni! I stopped by real quick for the watermelon coconut milk jasmine green tea with…read morelychee jelly. It's super refreshing for a hot day and I love the watermelon bits that come in it. Lychee jelly is always a fun texture and delicious flavor. We sat and drank our drinks at the table next to the open window. They sometimes have arts and crafts vendors that sell some merch in the store which is cool. I'm always tempted to get the salt and pepper tofu or the popcorn chicken. It takes maybe 5-10 minutes for the orders to come out since everything is made fresh. Uni Uni my favorite boba spot in Wicker Park!

Lychee green tea was so good. Used the kiosk to order and got my drink pretty quickly. I'm not…read morefamiliar with the area (or what it's called) but everything around there was super cute.

Brown Sugar Bubble Fresh Milk Nutella Croffle Mango Croffle Strawberry Fresh Milk with Vanilla Pudding

Inside

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Molly Tea

Yes sometimes there's a crowd but it ebbs and flows. I'm glad that they staff accordingly compared…read moreto some other of my fav tea places "hey" I'm thinking about you. Nothing in particular except the jasmine tea tastes the same in this location as the one near me in a totally different city and state. That's all we want, right?

I saw Molly Tea all over Instagram and TikTok, so I made sure to stop in during my recent trip to…read moreChinatown. When I arrived, the whole place was empty, but it did fill up with a crowd shortly after I got there. They have self-serve kiosks, so it was really easy to order. My tea was ready for pickup quickly. All of the employees were very courteous. I ordered the gardenia tea with half sweetness. I thought it was nice, but I do wish the floral flavor was just a little stronger. The cups, along with the entire shop, are aesthetically pleasing. I'd come back here for sure the next time I'm in Chinatown.

White champaca oat milk tea with jasmine whipped cream and pecans

Staff hard at work!

Premium jasmine tea

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Taipei Cafe

4.3

(93 reviews)

2.4 mi

At the Taiwanese, I was very excited to try this restaurant since there aren't many Taiwanese…read moreplaces in Chicago. Taipei Cafe is a small restaurant in Lakeview. There aren't many seats available so it feels like a semi boba shop as well. To sum it up, I would say it is ~70 to 80% authentic, which is not bad in my opinion. Braised Pork Over Rice 招牌滷肉飯: The presentation was beautiful and the flavor was actually pretty good. In Taiwan, this dish is usually more on the sweeter side, due to the sugar and shallots added. Here, it is more peppery and savory, and the flavor was actually really good. The beans and the mustard greens were very delicious as well. Even though the flavor profile is slightly different, this was well made and something I would come back for. Noodles with black pepper sauce 胡椒鐵板麵: traditionally this dish is called蘑菇鐵板麵, which uses mushrooms, black pepper and other sauces as a base. The flavor was good, but I wish that there were more mushroom and sauce to balance the black pepper. In my opinion, this dish tasted very different from what I used to eat, but it is not bad on its own. 2/4 Fried pork chops: the meat was fried very well, and it was pretty peppery and crispy. However, I think there are different spices and flavor missing, including white pepper, msg, garlic, Thai basil, cayenne pepper, and more. I wished that the savoriness and spiciness popped up more, and I thought the spice blend and the marinade could definitely use some improvement. 3/4 Beef noodle soup 牛肉麵: I thought the bone broth was pretty good, but I believe the flavor profile should be wider, like tomatoes, five spice, 豆瓣醬, soy sauce, and more. It was a stripped down version, and I wished that is reflected in the name of the item (renaming it "clear soup" etc). Also, the amount of meat they gave us was a little bit pitiful (there were like four pieces), and there were two pieces of bok choy. When Taiwanese people eat beef noodle soup, we definitely expect more. 2/4 Additionally, I wish the drinks were made with some fresh ingredients (not just syrup or creamer), as standard/good quality boba shops from Taiwan try to make drinks as fresh as possible. That is high ask, but I just wanted to note that as a suggestion for improvement. Overall, I thought the food was pretty decent. Would I say it is the most representative Taiwanese restaurant in Chicago? No. The staff was actually Chinese loll. But I do think it reminds me of some flavors and food I grew up eating in Taiwan. If you like popcorn chicken and pork, it is likely a good place for you.

Solid, tasty taiwanese food!…read more We enjoyed a mix of dishes (chicken bento box for me, beef noodle soup for my boyfriend, as well as fries with Thai seasoning and a boba tea for me). The green beans came as a side with my bento box and were amazing. The ordering system is a little clunky and annoying but we got through it. Vibes in the space are fine, it's an efficient little cafe The biggest thing is that there's really an opportunity for more sauces! For the fries, for the popcorn chicken, for example, a sauce would make a big difference to dip it in. I like this place and expect to be back

Oolong Milk Tea with egg pudding and boba

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BAMBU

Locally owned & operated

Free WiFi

BAMBU on North Broadway completely exceeded my expectations. From the outside it looks casual and…read moreunassuming, but once you step inside, there's a lively, colorful energy that instantly lifts your mood. It's the kind of place that feels welcoming whether you're meeting friends for a relaxed dinner or just stopping in because you're craving something flavorful and different. The menu is what really makes this place stand out. There's a creative mix of Vietnamese-inspired dishes and modern fusion options, and everything tastes intentional. The ingredients are fresh, the herbs are vibrant, and the flavors are layered without feeling heavy. I appreciated how balanced everything was -- nothing overly greasy or overwhelming, just clean, bright flavors that keep you going back for another bite. Even the presentation shows care, which adds to the overall experience. The drink selection is just as impressive. Whether you're in the mood for something refreshing and fruity or a more classic option, they've clearly put thought into crafting beverages that complement the food. It's not just an afterthought -- it's part of the experience. Service was another highlight. The staff were genuinely friendly, knowledgeable about the menu, and quick to offer recommendations when I asked. They checked in often enough to make sure everything was perfect but never hovered or rushed us. That balance is rare and really appreciated. Overall, BAMBU delivers more than just a meal -- it delivers a full experience. Great atmosphere, flavorful food, solid drinks, and attentive service. I'll absolutely be back, and I'll be bringing friends next time.

A neighborhood staple and always busy. However, I am also realizing that the service is slow, which…read morecauses the place to get backed up and in turn, causes there to appear to be a flood of customers. Prices are about $7-10 per drink. I really like #10 Bambu favorite: Coconut milk, pandan jelly, red tapioca, and grass jelly (and then I add coconut meat for an additional $10). My friend loves the pandan waffles and always wants to come here for it when she visits.

Variety of Vietnamese desserts (Chè), smoothies, coffees and teas

Bambu Favorite

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Left to right: smashed avocado chè, taro lover chè, and Bambu combo chè IG: @fooddeclassified

TSAôCAA

We ordered off the ubereats app as each entree came with a drink for a pretty cheap price. The…read morewings and burger surpassed our expectations, but the tea was pretty meh.

Underwhelmed with the boba here, but I believe as a chain, their actual tea is decent…read more Unfortunately I wanted boba at night and wanted to avoid caffeine, so went with a simple fresh milk. At another location, outside of Chicago, I had tea that was solid but the boba was still mediocre. Not sure if it's the franchisees or the actual chain, but the toppings may not be freshly rotated. Double Purple Bubble Fresh Milk - ube lining, ube grounding, milk, and boba. Combo sounds pretty great, but felt like execution was off. Ube lining was decent and smooth, just took some effort to scrape. However I expected the ube at the bottom of the cup to be mashed similarly and it was not. Boba was chewy on the outside but ripped apart easily in the center, almost firm.

Double Mix - Strawberry mango shaved ice cream

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Guava yakult green tea w honey aloe

Taipei Cafe

Delicious. The kind of place where there's always a kid doing homework or playing with legos at one…read moreof the tables in the back. Built on consistency and neighborhood loyalty. Basically two places in one: * Boba Tea - Grab a drink and walk the park across the street. Fantastic boba texture and flavor. * Restaurant - Focus on the Popcorn Chicken and the Taiwanese Beef Noodle Soup A easy place to make a regular haunt.

One of my favorite meals while visiting Chicago! It wasn't too busy and service checked up on us…read moreoften. We got the cucumber salad, popcorn chicken, and fried sweet potatoes to share for appetizers! I got the pork noodle soup for myself and ended the meal with a shared mango shaved ice dessert. I appreciated how the food was authentic with generous portions and overall, delicious. Everyone also liked their entree! Pork noodle soup was a lot more filling than I thought with flavorful broth.

Spicy Beef and Tendon Noodle Soup

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Cold Noodle with Sesame Sauce

Chicago Teahouse

4.2

(27 reviews)

2.5 mi

Wonderful tea shop! It smells amazing inside! So many choices of loose leaf teas!…read moreI ordered one of the specials, a pistachio pumpkin tea latte. Friendly and helpful staff. So many cool tea accessories to look at. I bought a beautiful china mug with "The Kiss" artwork by Klimt on it. I love that painting and this mug also has a lid on it, and a strainer inside for loose leaf tea. Limited seating, only a few tables so it's more of a to-go place but it's only a few blocks from the lake so it's a lovely location.

This shop totally wowed me. The variety of teas is…read moreincredible, and what surprised me is that they have many teas that aren't even visible on the shelves. For example, I was looking for a jasmine tea and didn't see any jasmine options displayed, so I asked about it, and they told me they have three different types. I asked for the strongest one, and they recommended the Royal Jasmine, and wow, I absolutely loved it. The flavor was intense, so I had to buy a bag to take home. I also love the fact that they sell tea by the cup. If you want to try several teas without committing to a full bag, you can simply buy a cup, which is such a thoughtful option.

Visti our store for festive experience

Signature Chai Latte

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Matcha time

Kasama

The hype is real. The breakfast/brunch is very delicious and if you don't want to wait in line, hop…read moreon the website and order for pick up. There is seating around the corner for you to eat, if needed. It was very busy on a Friday morning and everyone was very friendly. The sandwich is as delicious as it looks and I recommend the gooey pecan bun. My to-go order was right on time: steaming hot food, lattes made fresh for the pick up time, what more can you ask for?! Really nice touch that you can choose your sweetness level. 10/10 I recommend, this restaurant was running like a machine and it's quite impressive.

I absolutely love an Asian bakery, so was super excited to try Kasama (especially after its moment…read morein The Bear!). Got there Sunday at 10:45, and waited almost 1.5 hrs in line. Thankfully they still had their famous breakfast sandwiches by the time I ordered (even though they normally stop selling them at noon). Got a couple drinks- Ube Latte and the Corn Maiz Tea Latte. I'll preface by saying that the Corn Maiz drink was my favorite thing I got from Kasama. It has a strong corn flavor that blends perfectly with the milk tea. This is a 10/10 no notes. Ube latte was also tasty. For food I ordered a ton of things: -Longanisa Egg and Cheese Sandwich w a hash brown: was surprisingly just okay IMO. Egg is very uniquely fluffy, more like a steamed egg than a scramble! The rest of the sandwich was tasty but nothing special. -Filipino Breakfast Platter w both meats: the Tocino is delish! IMO the better of the two breakfast meats. Garlic rice is good, but i always love garlic rice. -Italian Beef Eggrolls: so crispy and delicious with the gardeneira dipping sauce! Weekends only item- be sure to try! -Lumpia: so crispy and flavorful, they really fry things well here. -Matcha Pandan Eclair: the choux was pipped on top, and was so fluffy and delicious. The crispy rice inside the shell added a fun texture. This was my favorite pastry! -Truffle Croissant: lamination was good, flavors were a bit weird. Was overly sweet from the rock sugar + honey, so much that it overpowered the truffle IMO which is hard to do. -Guava and cheese ensaymada: very fluffy brioche with yummy filling. This was good, really wanted to try the ube one but they were out :( -Ube and Huckleberry basque cake: very rich! Was suggested this instead of the ube ensaymada and it was definitely more huckleberry than ube. Tasty though. Overall this spot was good and certain things (corn maiz drink, pandan eclair, Italian beef eggrolls) were worth the wait while others are overhyped. I would definitely order ahead next time for take out or sit inside- cute indoor and outdoor seating options!

@endoedibles on Instagram 03/21/25

Longanisa breakfast sando

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Truffle Croissant

Sweet Bean

A Taiwanese bakery. How could a place that loves Michael Jackson be bad?…read more Salted Egg Yolk Bolo Bun流心菠蘿麵包: Calling it "流心"(runny) isn't quite accurate; it's a bolo bun菠蘿包 (pineapple -shape bun) with a salted egg yolk filling, but it had an authentic, old-fashioned flavor that made me feel like back to childhood. The crust was thin and crispy, with a large air cavity, making it very soft and fluffy. The salted egg yolk has just the right balance of sweetness and saltiness, and wasn't too cloying. Garlic Cheese Brioche Bun蒜香奶酪麵包: Perhaps its more Taiwanese name is "八蒜包" (Eight Garlic Bun). Its appearance and taste were very similar to those I've had at Taiwanese bakeries in mainland China. The cheese and garlic flavors were very strong, but the bread itself was slightly coarse. Hojicha Latte: The whole milk was very milky, but the hojicha flavor felt a little weak. However, it's already great to find a tea latte that's not very sweet.

We came around 12:30noon and got a huge bread haul at this bakery. I'm SO glad we did!…read more Here's what we got: * Purple rice taro bun / 5 (OUR FAV!!!) * Matcha custard bun / 4.5 * Matcha pistachio bun / 5 * Tuna egg mayo bread / 4.5 * Hot dog & cheese bread / 4 * BBQ hot dog skewer / 3 * Sesame roll / 3.5 * Cheese pudding tart / 3.5 * Banana bread matcha c oat milk / 4.75 If there's one thing you get here, get the purple rice taro bun. Suuuuper soft & chewy bread filled with purple rice and taro. The textures were amazing. Best baked good I ever had. It's pricey but SO worth it!! 10/10, 5 stars, 100%. Service here is just okay, nothing special. There's also a small seating area in the back that is open until 4pm!

Inside of Scallion & Ham Bun 蔥花火腿麵包 ($3.95) - very strong scallion flavor. Bread is soft, moist, and pretty oily.

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Inside of Lychee Cranberry Scone 荔枝蔓越莓司康 ($5.75) - not the best, is dry and powdery. Definitely not worth the price.

Hero Coffee and Bagel Bar

Ordered chai and a lavender latte, the latte didnt taste like lavendar and the chai was super sweetread more

Had amazing customer service from Gabby, she very was friendly and helpful !! would definitely come…read moreback again.

Bulls Eye on Jalapeño Cheddar Bagel with sausage instead of bacon

Inside hero cafe

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Storefront

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Lisette J.

43

163

185

1 year ago

Top Tao Tea is undoubtedly one of the cutest and most aesthetically pleasing boba cafes in Chicago! From the moment you step inside, the charming decor and cozy atmosphere make it an inviting spot to enjoy your drinks. During my visit, I had the pleasure of trying several delightful flavors: the Dragonfruit Kumquat was a refreshing delight with a vibrant hue and a perfect balance of sweet and tangy. The Oreo Brown Sugar was a rich and indulgent treat that combined the creamy flavors of Oreo with a deep brown sugar sweetness--absolutely divine! The Thai Milk was smooth and comforting, capturing the essence of a traditional Thai drink, while the Passion Fruit Tea brought a burst of fruity freshness that was simply irresistible. Last but not least, the Matcha Tea provided a lovely earthy flavor that's both calming and revitalizing. Overall, Top Tao Tea offers a fantastic selection of beverages that cater to a variety of tastes, all within a beautifully decorated space. I highly recommend this charming cafe for anyone looking to enjoy a delicious boba experience in Chicago! read more

Sandy Y.

0

1

0

2 years ago

The staff here is incredibly friendly! My drink was so refreshing and exactly what I needed at the moment. Definitely try their fresh fruit teas or smoothies. Plus, the interior is absolutely stunning. read more

Jason P.

0

1

1 year ago

Taro love smoothie is really good would recommend. The staff is super nice and place is well decorated with flowers. Really cute.

Top Tao Tea - bubbletea - Updated August 2026

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Top Tao Tea

4.3

(144 reviews)

Cute little place! The variety of teas they offer is so fun. I haven't seen so much coconut being…read moreused on a menu like this. The atmosphere is casual - a little dusty but not too much. I tried a classic earl grey milk tea and it was perfect! One thing to note: it was super crowded on Saturday when I went. If you're planning to visit on a busy day, be prepared to not get a seat. - AD

I'm a regular customer here and today I ordered a peachy melon smoothie with 25% sugar and sago…read more The drink was watery, extremely sweet and not a smoothie consistency. I called to tell the girl about it and she apologized and said it was on her but didn't offer a resolution to replace my drink or offer to make me one that's actually drinkable. This was my favorite place but seeing how she didn't give me a replacement offer, I'm truly disappointed. I've been a loyal customer giving great reviews for the longest and I'm just bummed they offered me no replacement. She said she over blended it but it had no sign of ice and was mostly liquid form like she used too much artificially flavored syrup. The drink wasn't a smoothie. I also don't like how it gives the smoothie price but when you customize it only has the option to charge you one dollar and some change for the only cup size they offer. My 6 dollar drink came out to be almost 9 dollars with a free topping. I threw away the drink and went down the street to get a better tasting smoothie at Uni Uni. I can't believe I was served a really disgusting drink today.

Tsaocaa Lincoln Park

3.9

(54 reviews)

•$

Tsaocaa still the G O A T…read more Their bingsu is amazing. We haven't had any in a while like pre baby. My baby is 3 so it's been a min. She even got to try some and she enjoyed the toppings a lot. Overall great tasty treat after a bowl of ramen. It's a huge dish to be shared. I think even splitting amongst the 3 of us was still a lot, you need like 5 people for this. Inflation hurts though because this was $17. I swear it was cheaper centuries ago. We Tsaocaa frequent for to go for boba so I'm pleased we have some boba options nearby in comparison to hiking to Chinatown.

This review is only for the bingsu - it is huge, honestly too much for two people. I think my ideal…read moreamount is four people. I do wish they would make it smaller and slightly cheaper - I'd probably be more likely to come back often. We got the honeydew melon bingsu - the honeydew flavor was too sweet but the ice was still an excellent texture. I would get a different flavor next time.

Uni Uni Bubble Tea Wicker Park

4.2

(34 reviews)

I love uni uni! I stopped by real quick for the watermelon coconut milk jasmine green tea with…read morelychee jelly. It's super refreshing for a hot day and I love the watermelon bits that come in it. Lychee jelly is always a fun texture and delicious flavor. We sat and drank our drinks at the table next to the open window. They sometimes have arts and crafts vendors that sell some merch in the store which is cool. I'm always tempted to get the salt and pepper tofu or the popcorn chicken. It takes maybe 5-10 minutes for the orders to come out since everything is made fresh. Uni Uni my favorite boba spot in Wicker Park!

Lychee green tea was so good. Used the kiosk to order and got my drink pretty quickly. I'm not…read morefamiliar with the area (or what it's called) but everything around there was super cute.

Rare Tea Chicago

4.5

(29 reviews)

Great bubble tea shop on Broadway. It is a relatively small store with limited seating but great…read moreservice. I was looking for something other than a coffee or dessert-tea so decided to give the Tea-Presso Milk Tea a shot. It is definitely worth a try!

My favorite place for Boba tea within walking distance of home. Big menu and comfortable seating…read morearea.

OMi

4.1

(101 reviews)

The short of it: great place to cool down from the sun, wire variety of tasty beverages for…read moreeveryone and a good variety of food. I had the brown sugar boba milk tea (lowered the sweet) - so refreshing on a super hot day! The pork bun was melt-in-your-mouth perfect. Had to remote work for an hour or so, and the wifi was solid. Every seat has an electrical outlet and there's plenty of seating inside. There's even a kids table with coloring books.

great spot to work/study at!…read more staff was nice, seating is really nice with ample outlets around - big windows for light, drinks were yummers & japanese dishes & baked goods were such nice to have for the long days!

Living Water Tea House

4.5

(114 reviews)

The hype is real! Came here to treat myself to a tea tasting and highly recommend the experience if…read moreyou are curious to learn about tea facts/ history, like trying different high quality tea variations, or just want an excuse to feel cool while sitting in a cute tea shop:) Thoroughly enjoyed talking to the barista about the different tea variations I tried during the tasting; he was super knowledgeable and very friendly in answering all my questions. Loved getting to know more about tea accessories used during the tasting as well.

I love coming here for tea and matcha! The drinks are always really good. The staff is always nice…read moretoo.

Hello Jasmine - Lincoln Park

4.1

(174 reviews)

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Casual place for a quick lunch or food to go. Food menu isn't extensive and focuses a lot of fried…read moreitems. The portions are on the smaller side. I did enjoy the cold noodles, which combined nicely with the fried chicken steak. Ordering was easy and quick. They have lots of drinks to choose from and my personal favorite was the strawberry coconut smoothie. I found their mango milk cloud to be overly sweet and there was no option to adjust the sugar level when ordering from the kiosk.

Great ordering system on their kiosk. Quick service and great drinks! Go here while waiting for a…read moretable at the rotary sushi restaurant two doors down.

Kurimu

4.1

(185 reviews)