Cute tea shop in downtown Champaign. Lots of loose leaf tea selection, priced by the ounce. Love shopping here!

Super fun and cute store! If you like tea, this is a must stop place! I went in for a gift for a tea lover friend and it was the perfect little place. The employees were very friendly and super helpful. read more

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My wife and I loving going to Walnut Street Tea. I absolutely love their coffee selection and the outstanding service we always receive. Really enjoy staying and enjoying a cup of coffee and working on my computer. read more

Have shopped at the Walnut Street Tea Company for decades despite the unpleasant attitudes of the owner, manager, some employees. Looked forward to the second opening at Jupiter Crossing, since there is a seating area. Music is minimal, which is a grand change from most cafés and coffee shops. The seating is fairly comfortable, and they have a decent selection of teas, coffees, and specialty candies and chocolates. The Costa Rica coffee we buy in Arthur, IL is $7 over-priced here. The great disappointment was in their bakery items, which are made by a local bakery. The labels do not indicate these are gluten and vegan. What a nasty cookie and cupcake. If they are trying to be 'healthy,' they missed the point with adding EDTA, TBQH, Trans fat oils, aluminum, etc. Definitely not the quality I would have expected. Thinking the products were old, I asked the attendant to try one before someone was disgruntled for buying an old and inferior expensive item. I explained I did not want my money back. The girl looked at me and her response was, 'Thank you for your opinion.' So, here is my opinion for you: go and enjoy a cup of tea and a hearable conversation with a friend, but stick to the food items that are professionally made. read more

Walnut Street Tea - Emblem in the café. - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Champaign, Illinois

I love this cute little tea shop!! I'm so happy I wandered in one day just to check it out. This is where I buy my coffee flavoring and also where I get exposed to various types of tea. I've purchased six different types so far and have yet to be disappointed. They have an excellent variety. They even have fresh coffee, tea infusers, chocolates, and more. I'm definitely a regular customer. All tea and/or coffee enthusiasts should check this spot out. read more

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You must check this place out! For the price of what you would pay for an espresso you can have a 4 oz bag of custom blended tea; the variety is awesome! There is much therapeutic value to tea-drinking, of course you need a nice teapot- but it is economical and might change your lifestyle for the better. Bring in the New Year by saying 'goodbye!' to bad coffee and welcome great tea! read more

Amazing tea and coffee shop with a new location at Village at the Crossing. This place is the only one of its kind around. There's over 500 teas to choose from - both loose leaf and bagged. There's over 50 whole bean coffee's from all over the world, and the new location has a drive-thru and serves drinks! Not only does it offer a massive selection of tea and coffee, it has pretty much anything you could ever need to make and enjoy your drinks. They also carry some really great chocolates, caramels, and some other really tasty goodies. If you're new to tea or coffee, or if you're a seasoned vet/hobbyist, this place has it all. All the employees are super helpful and very knowledgeable about tea! Great place to go. I'd recommend this place to anyone, and a cool place to visit if you're not from around the area. You can also order things online and pickup or have things shipped to you which is really convenient, and I can send gifts to friends in other states for the holidays (Surprise Box is a real crowd pleaser!). Great little tea shop and a Champaign treasure for over 40 years! Love this place. read more

So many of my favorite elements come together in this store. Tea, I adore it! Champaign, one of my favorite cities! Shopping with my daughters over the years, obviously priceless! I have gotten presents from my daughters and bought myself treats here. They have cool tea pots, mugs, tea bag holders, teas and candies. (They even have coffee stuff here but I focus on the tea items.) It is a tiny little store which is crammed with cute things to buy. If you are in the CU area, you should explore downtown Champaign and get yourself a spot of tea (or those addictive caramels) while you are on your exploration. Got tea? read more

Walnut Street Tea - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Champaign, Illinois

I have been a devoted client of Walnut Street Tea for over 30 years because of the superior quality of all their products and supplies. Even though I moved out of state I continue to have them ship me various teas. I also appreciate to extraordinary customer service. I genuinely rate them at 10. I am delighted they are still in business as these times are very challenging. All of their prices are very reasonable too...Tom. B. read more

I called as I was unable to find the shop and they gave terrible directions and when I walked in the door I was not greeted kindly, or asked if they could help me find something ... the man acted like he was so busy as he was filling and refilling the same container the entire time i was there! I felt so uncomfortable and unwelcome and I left ! I would NOT suggest anyone to go there They are very rude employees!,,I give them no stars at all so disappointed! read more

An awesome store for tea and coffee lovers! The selection is incredible, I could browse for hours at a time

I love this shop. It has a great selection of teas, accessories, candies, etc. They also have coffee but I'm not a coffee drinker so I can't say much about their selection in that. All the employees I've interacted with pre- and post- pandemic have been super helpful and respectful. When I've ordered online they have been super responsive. I highly recommend getting your teas here. read more

Walnut Street Tea is my favorite little tea shop in existence. It's so cute inside, and their teas are super affordable and delicious. I love all the adorable teapots and accessories they sell too. I often buy stocking stuffers or small gifts for friends here. They have a large selection of chocolates, candies, flavored stir sticks, and other delectables. They do sell a variety of whole coffee beans as well, and they have a good flavor, but the roast date isn't posted anywhere so I tend to get mine directly from the roasteries instead. Anyways, the woman who I always see behind the counter (I assume she is the owner) has always been super friendly and sweet. I hope this adorable corner teashop is around for a long, long time. read more

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Yes, this shop is cute. Yes, the proprietors are very nice and it's great to support local businesses. But the best reason to shop here if you are a tea lover like me is that their tea selection is incredibly cheap. Other reviewers have not emphasized the price aspect of things enough, so here are some numbers: Regular black teas cost around $1.00/oz (~$0.10/cup). Given that there is no minimum purchase (you bag your own tea in whatever quantity you desire), you can go in, buy 1-2 oz. of several different teas that catch your eye, and then come back later to buy your favorites in larger quantities. Decaf teas are maybe twice as expensive - not as great of a bargain, but not too bad. Of course you can splurge on silver needle white if that's your thing, but that's not the main attraction here. It seems they get quite a few teas from Market Spice in Seattle, which means you can buy the famous Market Spice cinnamon-orange blend in bulk and then brew it so strong it makes your house smell like cinnamon Red Hots. Or you can get Tropical Isle, a black tea beautifully colored with blue cornflowers and yellow calendula leaves that tastes as good as it looks (and makes a great present). Or get the Earl Grey, or the Assam, or jasmine or rooibos or... the list goes on. Come here. Buy some tea at a small fraction of the price you'd pay in the cafes just down the street. And be thankful that a store like this exists in C-U. read more

Wonderful smelling, small, charming store. This place is right up my alley. The minute you walk in it smells amazing of chocolate, tea, coffee beans and all sorts of other goodies. The store is very small, but pack quite a few yummy products to look through! There is not much parking for the business, but it is totally worth the short walk if you are already downtown! read more

Although this shop is located in downtown Champaign, it does not sit directly on the strip that gets the bulk of foot traffic, and thus it might be easily overlooked. The first time I stopped in, I couldn't help but feel instinctively that this was one of those magical curiosity shops from my childhood books: all crowded aisles and dusty shelves piled to the ceiling with colorful fare. The primary product sold here is tea (of course), and they've got plenty of it in all brands, flavors, and forms. Thankfully, they carry Traditional Medicinals, a set of herbal teas that are invaluable for getting me through the cold/flu season. Many of the big brand teas (Harrisons and Crosfield, Twinings, Stash, Republic of Tea, etc.) are available in both loose-leaf and teabag form. Reluctant about paying $10 for a box of tea that you might not like? You can make up your own variety pack by buying from their stock of individual tea bags (usually less than $0.50 per bag). If you're a novice and just want to sample different kinds of tea, there is also the route of buying some of their self-serve bulk tea. In the winters, I am a big fan of the Seattle Market Spice; for summers, I usually pick a mild fruity tea (like black currant) for brewing ice tea. I do question their storage method (left in transparent glass jars on open shelves) as I'm pretty sure tea is supposed to be kept somewhere dark and dry to maintain freshness. Aside from a variety of teas, they also carry bulk spices, bulk coffee, tea cakes/biscuits, jams, chocolates, and soup mixes. The shop owner will help grind your coffee upon request. Most of the candy and snacks sold here are quality items produced by small or foreign companies not commonly found in regular grocery stores. Shopping for a gift? You can find teapots and teacups (both classic European-style ceramic and some of the Asian variety), as well as other tea-time accessories (including strainers, spoons, cloth napkins, etc.). Some of the teas are sold in old-fashioned, decorative tins--these make charming presents for a tea-lover you may know. For the total foodie maniac, this place may not be all that impressive in the products they carry, but it's still more than adequate for a town like Champaign. read more

Very nice place with a rich selection at expected premium prices. I love that there's a cozy place in town where you can get tea from all over, funky sweet or salty licorice, and a huge selection of chocolates. A friend gave me a tip: their Columbian coconut coffee (wonderful!). Here's another tip: the hours state that they close at 4 on Saturday, but they actually stay open until 5. Here's a transcript of the conversation that exemplifies small-town America (at it's quirky best): Me: I thought you closed at 4! Her: Nope, we used to, but we stay open until 5. Me: But the door says 4... Her: Yep, but we like to stay open in case someone wants something. Me: So, you're only open this week? Her: Nope, every week. We close at 5. Me: Do you ever close earlier, if it's busy? Her: Well, we like to stay open until 5. .... So, know that the "secret hour" exists if you have that craving for Gustav's soft licorice drops at 4:30 on a Saturday. read more

This is one of my favorite shops! They have really good prices on tea, and they sell coffee too! It is the best place to get tea infusers, and they have all kinds of cute ones like ones that look like tea bags, and the one that looks like a monkey. The staff is really friendly and they seem to know what they are talking about. read more

An excellent selection of Tea and more. Looking for carafes and such, look no further. Good stuff. Independent and polite. Secret spot. Check it out. read more

Factoring in what I originally stated about the tea that expired a year ago, all the teas I bought ALSO tasted OLD! :( I am thinking they don't have good turnover. The Golden Moon tea doesn't taste like anything I bought from Golden Moon. I am thinking some of those teas have been on the shelf a long time. If you are in a pinch for some teas, this place will do. But if you love quality and freshness, AVOID! Also, you aren't suppose to keep tea in clear containers, tea is light sensitive. The teas I bought from the jar taste stale and bad. read more

Hillary was the worst... She was very rude, and not helpful. The store was nice, but the service was terrible and I will not be returning because of this. read more

Found this place on accident while in town for work. So adorable and so affordable! They have a great selection of tea, coffee and spices, though I myself stayed in the tea section. Just tried a cup of their raspberry mint tea and I'm love. I wish I lived closer so I could come here more often! read more

Walnut Street Tea - So many options! - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Champaign, Illinois

I went in this tea shop for the first time today and I'm in love. They have a loose leaf tea wall and it is self serve. You can get as much or as little as you want and it's all very reasonably priced. They have tons of cute teapots, as well as tons of brands of prepackaged teabags and loose leaf tea. You can also buy individual tea bags to try. If you like coffee, don't rule this place out! They also have a wide variety of specialty coffees. If you live in the Champaign area and you drink tea or coffee, you have to give this place a try! read more

Walnut Street T is such a sweet little shop! I love being able to go and buy loose leaf teas in person, as well as every cute or quirky accessory I might possibly need. They also have a great selection of Republic of tea, highly recommend the ginger peach and get gorgeous. Mugs, tea cups, tea pods, tea infusers- they have it all! I am also totally in love with the Brazilian bourbon coffee - coarse ground for my French press read more

I've only ventured to this place a time or two, even when I lived above BLDD downtown, but I liked this place a lot. The store alone has a ton of character and it's just charming in itself. I also loved the array of chocolate they had. It would make a great place to go to find some uniquely delicious gifts. Mmm! read more

I have a friend who drinks tea (I'm a coffee drinker) and wanted to give him a little gift box of a variety of teas...Hillary helped me (Okay, she did the whole thing by herself) get a few samples together. Although he didn't like them ALL, overall, it was a home run! Excellent service! read more

A little shop on the triangle where Neil Street and Walnut Streets converge. They made great use of the space. Lots of teas of course, but also Ghiardelli chocolate, other gourmet foods, coffees, spices, tea accessories, candy, and more! Great gift place. The owner is so cool and can answer all your brewing questions. So much charm and character. read more

I've been going here since I was literally a wee one. I used to go for the Walker's shortbread but still go for the teas and other treats. The owner is awesome (and even remembered me on my last visit). It's a great little shop. read more

I stop in every time I'm in town to stock up on my favorite teas. It's the best tea shop around!

So many options of tea to choose from. The shop isn't crowded most of the time but when it is crowded it is hard to move around the shop because there isn't much space to move around in. They do have coffee but just like the tea it doesn't seem to be stored correctly. This is a great little shop to get gifts for your mom or grandmother. The items might be a little overpriced but if you like tea you are sure to find something here you like. read more

Went to visit this place for the first time yesterday and I was impressed. The selection of candies, coffee, home made goods and my favorite tea made this one of my new favorite shops in the area. The selection of teas was nice but I agree with the other reviewers that the storage of it was a bit off. I bought a couple ounces and can't wait to try it! They lost a star with me because of the crowded feeling I got" there were maybe 5 customers other then my boyfriend and I in the store. There was an employee blocking a good deal of stuff I wanted to see stocking stuff on shelves and overall I just felt squished. Pleased with everything else tho!!! read more

A pleasant shop that expresses a great interest in the complex and ancient art of tea. The Walnut Street Tea Company offers a surprising plethora of unique and special teas that are sure to keep you absorbed in your explorations. You should be able to find what you're looking for in the realm of tea and the prices are as they should be. read more

I love going to this shop every time I'm in Champaign, which is several times a month, and it's the source of nearly all the dark chocolate I eat. They have products in all categories that I've never heard of, and I love trying a new tea or soup mix now and then. The chocolate bars and candies selection is awesome, and if you're lucky, there will be some almost or just expired on the sale table at delicious prices. If you like gourmet dry mixes, (soup, dip, rubs, scones etc) they have a large selection. As for coffee - I love their selection, and the fact that you can buy as much or as little as you want with the bag it yourself system, and they will grind it for you to the fineness you request. There is always some coffee brewed and on hand for samples, tho keep in mind you can't purchase a cup, you have to go to the next block for a real, whole cup of coffee. If you like imports, there are quite a few - Italian candies, honey, European goods, dozens of tea and coffee accessories, kitchen items. Mill V left a really bad review which I'd like to partially validate, though I entirely disagree with the 1 star rate. This shop has fresh tea, and it has stale tea. ALWAYS check the dates on a box of consumables when shopping anywhere!, and avoid teas and other herbs that are sold in clear glass jars. This shop does have a sale table for the out of date foods and teas with awesome sale prices which I often take advantage of, but not for the tea which really shouldn't be kept past expiry. Personally, I shop online for truly fresh and awesome green teas, tho I do occasionally get a box or canister of something at Walnut St if I've never heard of it. read more

A wonderful shop with wonderful customer service. Fabulous variety of loose teas & coffees. Quaint tea pots, accessories, etc. So many attractive items that I have often gone in for my favorite loose teas, and have ALWAYS left with purchasing additional items. Too good to resist. read more

Not only was the coffee I bought here great, it was such a fun process to purchase it! I got to look at tons of varieties, and all of the newest cool coffee making gadgets. I would also suggest going there to get any coffee lover you know a gift, there are so many cute things in this store! read more

Absolutely wonderful place, went there today, bought a teapot and a couple of black teas, just a little bit for sampling. Drinking one of them right now - superb quality, great taste. And the staff is super nice and helpful, definitely coming back! read more

I LOVE this place!! My mom introduced me to it a couple years ago when she stumbled across it from shopping for tea and of course, chocolate. I, on the other hand, am a HUGE coffee person and I will say that this place easily has the best flavored coffee around. The slightly crowded setup is what adds to the charm, and the staff is amazingly friendly and helpful. I would recommend this place to anyone who loves coffee, chocolate, and tea!! read more

Best coffee beans in town. The prices are right. The ladies who work there are always friendly and helpful. This is the only place I go to buy coffee. read more

This is one of my very favorite places to find gifts and treats. I've lived in Chicago, Indianapolis, and now Denver, but this is still one of my favorite places to go and wander around. Whenever I'm back home in CU the warmth of the store draws me in. When living in CU, I loved to come here to buy spices and find ingredients to make fabulous gourmet desserts or snacks. It is one of the gems of Champaign-Urbana. read more

It's true---you don't know what you've got 'til it's gone. This place was one of my favorite finds during my four years at UIUC. The tea selection is incredibly expansive and INSANELY cheap. You don't know how many times I spent a half hour picking out teas only to have my jaw drop when they ring me up at something ridiculous like $3.56. If there was a Walnut Street Tea company near me, it'd be an establishment I'd visit until the day I died. Make use of it while you can! Out in Northern Virginia there's only a handful of loose-leaf tea places, and they often have a slim, overpriced selection. Whereas these places seem to make you pay extra to be able to say "oh look at me, I bought some loose-leaf tea," Walnut Street Tea company retains the humbleness that should be inherent in the business. Love you guys. read more