What a gem. Rather than all the "popular" boba and milk tea places out there that use powder and lots of flavor additives, Valley Brook Tea specializes in clean, brewed tea with no frills. We loved the cold brewed teas and the traditional Chinese pastries they had. The tea flavors are bright and refreshing. They also have herbal tea/non caffeinated options as well, both hot and cold. It's inside the hotel Ven, just NW of DuPont circle and it's not too obvious. The staff were also very helpful in helping us pick out teas. The store also has a section of cute teas sets and tea cups. We'll definitely be returning! read more

Valley Brook Tea - Dragon Beard Black Tea - Tea Rooms Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

See all

A tea place that appeared very Chinese. It is embedded under a hotel that has been there a while, but this cafe is new. A wide variety of tea options were available, but even ordering the most basic one yielded an impressive result. My iced tea constituted a full carafe of complex flavor to be poured over the accompanying ice. This was refreshing on a hot day. They had a set of pastry options, and I sampled a little taro-based one. It was the kind of delicate flavor that a kid who wants sugar wouldn't go for, but if you like taro you could appreciate. Tea and little pastries is pretty much what they offer, and the quality of what I got was high. I'm more of a white tea person, but really exploring the whole variety of teas available would be a worthwhile endeavor. read more

See all

Valley Brook Tea was recommended to me by a DC-based friend who knows their food and drink, so I came in with high expectations. The cafe is a quick 2-3 minute walk from the Dupont Circle metro station and is connected to a hotel. The space can comfortably seat 10-15 people (I'd say 15 is the upper limit) and would be a nice place to chat or get some work done. The menu has a sizable number of offerings, but there are some teas that are only served hot or cold. I could not fathom having a hot drink today, so I asked for a recommendation on the chilled list. They also have a case of Chinese pastries (think mooncake adjacent, not-too-sweet, bite-sized snacks) to choose from. I ended up ordering a large size of the jasmine green tea, which, to my surprise, came in a glass carafe. I think a large carafe is sharable between two people--I'd say you could have two cups per person if you don't want to chug it all yourself. The jasmine green tea was well-brewed, crisp and floral, and strong enough to be poured into a cup of ice. It's a flavor that is familiar to me, so nothing new on that end, but it was quality and very refreshing. If you're looking for boba, this place is not it! If you are into high-quality teas, as well as tea supplies/loose-leaf teas, you've found the right place. Also, this is probably worth mentioning: If you get your tea to go, I am not sure if you will get a carafe's worth, so maybe that gives you more incentive to stay in, sit down, sip slowly, and enjoy. read more

Valley Brook Tea - Jasmine green tea served chilled - Tea Rooms Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

A small but cute cafe with a relaxing feel located inside a hotel. They have lots of tea bags and tea ware for purchase too! Dragon well - 3/5 not bitter and has a nice green tea flavor like when I went to other specialty tea shops. However, this one was a much hotter than most green teas I've had and felt watered down. Huang guan yin - 1/5 it said medium roasted but it was overwhelmingly roasted tasting to me. Scent of longan - 3/5 it does have a naturally lightly sweet after taste and was very smooth. Still felt a bit watered down Melon tea snack - 4/5 perfect with tea! The snack is very dry but pairs well. Very soft and crumbles as you bite, great melon taste and fragrance that's sweet but not too sweet! read more

See all

Super cute tea spot!! DC has its fair share of boba and coffee shops, but there are very few traditional tea places. Valley Brook Tea is one of the rare exceptions, and it's clear that they deeply value high-quality tea brewed to perfection. They have a wide variety of teas, served either hot or cold, and every single one (decaf or caffeinated) is tasty and fragrant. If there's something specific you're looking for, the staff is more than happy to help! The space is also very cute and flooded with natural light from their giant, floor-to-ceiling windows; it's always quiet and peaceful, making it a great spot for afternoon tea, yapping away, reading, or getting a bit of work done. read more

Excellent selection of teas. Comfortable atmosphere. Nice place to sit and talk over a cup of brew. If you want recommendations, ask the staff! read more

snacks are yummy, tea is great! Owner is a bit of a tea snob, but also don't you want a tea shop owner to be snooty about teas?

Serves real Chinese tea with a small selection of Chinese snacks. The environment is relaxing. I have family live nearby. Will definitely visit again. read more

Valley Brook Tea - Tea Rooms Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

See all

This location was somewhat hard to find because it's hidden next to a hotel, however, I really liked how it looked inside! The tea I got was a white peony tea, super refreshing *ask for agave for extra sweetness*. Great place to study/read, but no outlets to plug in laptop! Will be coming back. read more

See all

Random location for a delicious Chinese tea cafe. But you're blessed if you find it / come here! Teas are delicious and brewed to perfection. The pastries are excellent, in particular the pineapple cakes. Ambiance is informal / casual - not a spot for high tea. Man behind the counter was friendly and patiently explained what all was on the menu. We ordered to go so didn't stick around. But, I'd come back for the drink and food any day. read more

Tasty and flavorful tea! The ambience is also quite relaxing and peaceful. The service was quick and the store was not too packed in the late afternoon!(10/31/24) read more

Super cute tea shop and a great way to spend a rainy, cold Saturday morning. They kindly helped me select a tea based on my flavor preference which made everything easier. I also ordered the taro pastry which was a bit dry for me but went well with the tea. Valley Brook Tea is a great place to get some warm tea and catch up with a friend. The decor was very inviting and the table we sat had a beautiful cover! read more

See all

They serve very high quality tea. They also have a small selection of pastries. The ambiance is peaceful and the owners are very friendly. In my view, this is the best tea shop in Washington, DC. One of my favorite places! I hope their business continues to thrive. read more

This is not your typical gongcha or taiwanese bubble tea place. This is for tea aficionados. Valley Brook Tea serves up both hot and cold teas. That's it though. There's no non dairy creamer or boba. It reminds me a little bit of coffee bean and tea leaf except that they don't have coffee either. What drew us in was the little seating area outside. It's nicely shaded and casual. We ordered some iced teas because it was a warm day and my dad picked out a little red bean pastry to snack on. The service was friendly and quick. There are also little things you can buy inside like tea pits and tea cups. They also have loose leaf tea for sale. This was a perfect stop for an afternoon snack on our way back to downtown from The Phillips collection. read more

Valley Brook Tea - Tea Rooms Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

I love coming here for a wide variety of Chinese and Taiwanese tea that's hard to find anywhere else -- ambience/decor is fantastic and teas are amazing! The staff is very knowledgeable and friendly. Great place to catch up with friends. read more

Such a wonderful place to sit and read, study, or work in dupont. Free wifi and clean bathrooms. They have a great authentic selection of hot and iced teas and some snacks/pastries as well, including Asian treats such as pineapple cookies and egg tarts but also muffins, bagels, croissants, etc. Lots of natural light and decent amount of seating upstairs! read more

Valley Brook Tea - Tea Rooms Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Unique, high quality tea house. I love black teas and usually get them flavored. Not necessary here. Didn't even need sweetener. Owner is knowledgeable on teas. Upstairs seating. Downstairs and outdoor also with a few chair/tables to enjoy. They make their own tea and have tasting packs. Local gem. read more

See all

Relaxing tea house with attentive staff and quality tea. I ordered both the Silver Needle and Da Hong Pao, and was served the best two cups of tea I've been served at an establishment. I managed to strike up a conversation with the owner, Yunhan, that lasted at least fifteen minutes, just within the small period learning a lot about tea and the surrounding culture. read more

I will certainly be back to Valley Brook Tea! Wonderful Chinese tea and pastries can be found here. I was running through the area last week and needed a quick snack to keep me going, and picked up a pineapple and taro pastry for myself, and a couple other pastries for a friend. I was so happy with the pastries-- they were truly delicious, and the ambiance and service that I received were top of the line as well. I highly recommend Valley Brook tea to anyone in the Dupont Circle area who is a tea or pastry lover, or who knows one!  Quality: The quality of the pastries was high here-- not overly sweet, but not sacrificing on flavor either! I believe that they use their own tea leaves for their drinks-- while I did not grab a drink myself, in ordering the pastries I overheard a few people raving about the drinks that they had purchased, and I am tempted to come back soon and try for myself!  Service: The folks behind the counter were smiley and kind- eager to help and quick in their transactions in a way that indicated efficiency and care. I got the sense that they would be happy to help me with any question, and immediately felt welcome and comfortable.  Seating: There is some outdoor patio seating, as well as room inside, making this a nice and relaxing place to stop and catch your breath as you enjoy some delicious tea.  Location: Located right in Dupont Circle, off of P Street, this is a very convenient location right in the thick of things. Probably easiest to access on foot-- also within walking distance of Georgetown's east village, and the west end. A great and walkable spot if you are in the area and mood for some delicious tea and pastries.  No cons to speak of here-- reasonable prices, friendly service, and great treats-- I highly recommend and will be back myself. read more

See all

Great tea and pastry selection. I got their Dragon Beard black tea. It was a large mug and nicely brewed.

Great place not just to pick up tea but also to get educated on tea. The first time I visited I was able to speak to the manager and he provided me with lots of information about the different types of Tuesday carry and information about tea in general. I actually ordered several bags of tea here for for Christmas gifts. This place is definitely worth a try for avid tea drinkers. read more

Valley Brook Tea - Tea Rooms Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Was recommended by a friend to check this tea shop out in DC. The store owners are so kind and helpful whether it was picking out the teas or looking at all the different tea sets and items they had to sell. We tried some of the chilled teas and it is so fragrant and refreshing, highly recommend. I had one of the oolong flavors. They have some outdoor tables as well as a nice upstairs area where a good amount of people were peacefully doing work as they sipped some tea. A great study or working spot to also grab some tea. I'm happy to have visited and am excited to continue supporting nice local businesses such as this one! read more

First things first, my wife and I walked by this place while trying to waste time waiting on brunch with a friend. When I walked it, the first thing I said was "this place looks awfully familiar." Well yeah it did; it was on the news because a staff member was being harassed by a guy with severe mental health. Now that we got that out of the way...I'm so upset I never visited this place before! It touched my heart to see little tea pots that were made by the owner's family. I loved the fun facts about tea regions, etc. I honestly forgot what tea I ordered but it was good nevertheless. We also ordered the lemon loaf (cake) and it was really good. We noticed they had a second level and decided to stay and enjoy the view by the window. (It's very rare you get to people watch now in a pandemic but this was very rewarding!) The owner told us that his landlord was requiring back taxes now and they may be facing the possibility of closing. If you've made it this far in my review please go support them! Overall, this place has reasonably priced organic tea, family handcrafted gifts, and an owner that really cares about the history of tea and reclaiming it's heritage. read more

See all

Great tea, nice selection of cold and hot, friendly service, and relaxing atmosphere. It was also very clean, which I appreciate.

The only thing that has held me together during this pandemic is the promise of a hot beverage every morning, afternoon and night. Most recently I've been a coffee gal but after working with owner Yunhan Zhang at a recent Yelp event and literally being BLOWN*AWAY by his deep passion, and knowledge of traditional Chinese teas I knew that I had to try it for myself. Due to COVID, I was unable to go to the shop but after placing an order of their tea selection sampler online (and a beautiful Bodhi leaf to help strain!), I immediately received confirmation from the owner that it was being shipped out for delivery! Trying out the different teas every night have given my husband and I so much joy. We take notes on our favorites and I meticulously write down what I want to order again. It's amazing how pleasurable sipping tea can be and tasting all the different types of flavors is a true experience. In a busy world where I have a hard time even remembering my own name, a sip of oolong tea is pure relaxation. Valley Brook Tea is Chinese-owned, family-owned and not only do they own the shop but they are the producer and manufacturer as well. Their connection with the growers right down to the point-of-sale is impressive. I highly recommend taking one of their free online tea classes or even reading the blog, getting to know the background information on tea makes the whole sipping experience more enjoyable. I'm also finished with my box so I can't wait to order again soon! read more

Pleasant, low-key tea cafe. Great place to decompress just off the busier DuPont Circle blvds. They take their tea seriously while maintaining a welcoming ambiance. read more

Amazing tea shop passionately serving authentic Chinese tea in DC. Valley Brook Tea does something most tea shops/cafe in the District fail to do--focus on the leaves and brewing process to create the most perfect tea experience. You won't find any floral or fruit blends or lattes. Instead, each tea on the menu is sourced from their family farms in China and are specially curated, unique, and flavorful. The owner Yunhan is very passionate about tea and very informative if you need any help or are interested in any part of the tea process. Besides made to order tea, there is a variety of teaware and loose leaf for sale. There is also plenty of seating available on their second floor. read more

Valley Brook Tea - Tea Rooms Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

My brother was visiting from out of town and wanted to stop into Valley Brook because he wanted a very specific smoky tea that he was "sure they probably wouldn't have." We walked into the shop, chatted with the owner, and within SECONDS, that very-hard-to-find-tea was in my brother's hands, both the smoky and non-smoky versions (the Lapsang Souchong, for those who might be curious). We had some brewed to enjoy in-house, and I am so glad we did since we got to see their process (filtered through a leaf that they sell there too). The upstairs space is beautiful, airy and full of light - I can totally see myself spending hours here getting some work done. The transformation of the space is pretty remarkable with attention to the small details, like the imported tables. I was particularly impressed with the customer service. The owner Han took his time to explain the shop's concept to us (they have their own tea farms) and even checked in on us once we were seated upstairs. For my tea lovers, I highly recommend stopping by for some authentic tea! read more

See all

Drove by this super cute Asian tea house. It has delicious pastries and a huge selection of teas. It is attached to a hotel and there are plenty of seating. Must come by and check it out!! read more

Valley Brook Tea - Tea Rooms Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Beautiful tea room with an excellent assortment of teas. Our host, Yu Han, crafted our hot White Peony tea and chilled Dragon Beard tea with perfect balance and care. We also treated ourselves to pineapple moon cake and a red bean pastry and bought some tea bags to take home. I have been following Valley Brook Tea on social media since an unfortunate incident went viral during the pandemic. They always have interesting and educational videos. The shop itself also carries a wonderful selection of tea service items. I'm very glad I finally had a chance to visit in person. Go if you have the chance. read more

I am so thrilled about a new tea place in dc. I'm a big tea enthusiast and I love trying different tea houses in the area. Due to covid, I didn't get to visit until recently. I had a really positive experience overall! The owners are from China and are really knowledgeable about tea. The ambiance inside is beautiful - bright and airy. And they have a collection of dainty tea wares on display/for sale. I tried one of their iced teas and I will say I was impressed. The flavor was light and refreshing - perfect for a summer day. I also had some of their tea desserts and those were delicious as well. Specifically had the pineapple cake, which is a traditional Chinese dessert. I can't wait to come back and try a few more teas. The only restraint is that I am quite sensitive to caffeine and it seems like all of their blends are caffeinated. read more

See all

A perfect place to study! This cute tea shop is moderately quiet with plenty of study space upstairs and outside, with plenty of outlets available. They have pastries (like the chocolate chip loaf cake) as well as a variety of hot and chilled teas. The c5 white peony chilled tea was light and refreshing and perfect for summer. Location wise, it's super close to the DuPont metro station and close to other shops. I'd definitely come back again! read more

Valley Brook Tea - Upstairs - Tea Rooms Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Cute little place with ample seating upstairs. Also it's of authentic tea ware. Great for hanging out with friends

Nice addition to the local tea scene. Location is great. Inside, it's calm and quiet, with tasteful decor. There is also a selection of imported teaware and decorative accessories that is an attractive mix of traditional and modern design. The tea was quite good, and the owners were happy to talk about it at length. They have talked about having tea classes in the future too, so check out their site/blog for more info, and stay tuned! read more

Valley Brook Tea - Green tea! - Tea Rooms Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

See all

Update: Employees wear masks and gloves ________ What a great new tea experience in DuPont Circle. Valley Brook Tea is family owned and operated. They serve black tea, white tea, oolong, and green tea. The interior is quiet and cozy. The tea itself is tasty. I love that they use bodhi leaves as the filter(you can buy your own). Tips: go upstairs to read the board and try the sweet potato cheesecake. read more

See all

One of those rare instances where 5 stars seems woefully insufficient. This place is outstanding, featuring a wonderful selection of teas, an extremely friendly and knowledgeable owner, and a relaxing environment. You can drink your tea using a beautiful tea set, and on Sundays the owner hosts a tea tasting where he shares teas and stories with customers. There are also an array of snacks - I enjoyed the pineapple cakes. Tea and tea-related products are for sale. If you love tea and want to learn more about it, this is the place for you. read more

Valley Brook Tea - Tea set with pineapple cakes. - Tea Rooms Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Stopped into this lovely little place this morning! The owners have done such a nice job with the space- it felt more dark and cramped as a Starbucks, but feels light, bright, and airy inside. The owner was very knowledgeable and friendly, and gave great tea recommendations. I had initially wanted an herbal blend, and it didn't look like they had any on the menu, but there was still a wide variety to choose from. I followed his recommendation and tried the chilled Dragon Blend, which was a lightly sweet black tea that I really enjoyed. You can tell that the tea is high-quality. There are also lots of tea accoutrements for sale in the shop, including some beautiful cups, saucers, and teapots, and other items like jewelry and cute figurines of the Chinese zodiac animals. The owner told us that all of the items were curated by his family, and you can tell that a lot of care went into selecting the right items. Unfortunately I couldn't stay for long, but there was also a really nice sitting area upstairs. This is a great addition to the neighborhood and I'm looking forward to going back and trying more teas! read more

Found a gem today! I got the pistachio rose croissant and Da Hong Pao tea. (Note: teas here are unsweetened for those who may be expecting something like boba tea). Pistachio Rose Croissant: Not too sweet and can taste and smell the pistachio and rose -- the flavors complimented each other well and did not overpower each other. The custard inside was a nice surprise; not overly sweet and definitely refreshing! Da Hong Pao: I am so happy I found an authentic tea shop in DC!! Each cup is made to order and with loose-leaf tea. You can definitely taste the roasted earthiness of the Da Hong Pao. The ambiance within the shop is also great -- nice and relaxing. A great place to do some work. read more

Cool new addition to the neighborhood! This is a family run business with a great story and good selection of teas and pastries (cheesecake was delicious). The owners are super knowledgeable in their teas and are excited to share their knowledge. We very much enjoyed our conversation with them! To be frank - At first, I was disappointed that there weren't any herbal teas, however the owner explained caffeine in teas to me and found me a perfect option for the evening. Delicious! In terms of the ambiance, the decor is super cute and there are plenty of seats upstairs and downstairs (WiFi is available). They also have a few cute tea sets and loose teas that they sell downstairs. Hate to do this - but if you are comparing to teaism - the service and seating area/options are much better read more

Valley Brook Tea - Tea Rooms Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Amazing amazing amazing! Our host was knowledgeable and amazing. He took us through the history of the teas it made me think about my wine tastings but even BETTER! I'm walking away learning so much about tea and culture. Visit visit visit! The environment is beautiful and the service is phenomenal. I coming back again! read more

Valley Brook Tea - Beautiful fireplace with the teas we sampled!!! - Tea Rooms Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia