Have you ever tried those box boba packs from the grocery store? I once tried them, and let’s just say the “tapioca pearls” weren’t sweet and chewy but slightly fishy and stale. They had the texture of overcooked gummy bears.
While that might be a disappointing experience, that is not what bubble tea is supposed to be like. Thankfully, Calgary has some of the best bubble tea shops around.
Here’s where I like to go when craving good bubble tea.
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1. Royaltea
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Website: http://www.royalteacanada.com/
Address: 931 10 Ave SW
Hours: Monday, Wednesday to Sunday – 12 Noon to 9 PM
Phone: +1 403-454-5483
Price: $
Royal Tea has everything from vibrant fresh fruit slushies to classic milk and refreshing fruit teas.
Plus, they don’t skimp on toppings! You can try their classic brown sugar tapioca, pudding, or coconut jelly. They even have grass jelly, which is among the best options for its subtle herbal flavor.
My personal favorite is the Royal Rose Trio. The floral rose flavor of the milk tea is not too strong, and it has a trio of toppings—coconut jelly, pudding, and tapioca. The coconut jelly is slightly chewy, with smooth pudding and perfectly bouncy tapioca pearls.
Pro Tip: Don’t leave without trying their bubble waffles. I’m a big fan of their crispy matcha bubble waffles myself. Also, ask if they have their cute bear bottles available.
2. Kung Fu Tea
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Website: http://kungfuteacalgary.com
Address: 564 64 Ave NE
Hours:
- Monday to Thursday, Sunday – 12 Noon to 9 PM
- Friday & Saturday – 12 Noon to 10 PM
Phone: +1 403-454-3960
Price: $
Kung Fu Tea uses real tea leaves handpicked from Taiwan’s mountains. Trust me when I say you can taste the difference. Everything feels fresh—from the juices to the ingredients they use.
They even freshly brew their tea every three hours and cook those boba pearls every two hours. That level of dedication shines through in every sip and chew.
Their Kung Fu Milk Tea is a solid starting point—creamy, classic, and always hits the spot. If you’re a newbie, this is where to begin, maybe with some boba or Oreo topping for extra fun.
Pro Tip: Their slushies don’t disappoint. I like their Taro Slush, which has that sweet taro flavor that pairs well with egg pudding or boba.
3. CoCo Fresh Tea & Juice
– Media credit: cocobubbletea.calgary
Website: https://www.cocofreshtea.ca
Address: 999 36 St NE #311
Hours: Monday to Sunday – 11 AM to 10 PM
Phone: +1 587-353-8663
Price: $
CoCo Fresh Tea & Juice has refreshing creamy milk teas, fruity teas, and Yakult drinks.
For a classic milk tea experience, you can’t go wrong with their signature drinks like the “3 Guys” and “2 Ladies.” I lean towards the “3 Guys”—the combination of pearls, pudding, and grass jelly is fantastic.
Speaking of pearls, CoCo’s are consistently chewy and fresh, which is exactly what I want.
For something different, the mango pomelo sago is a refreshing and unique blend. The Roasted Milk Tea is the way to go if you prefer a richer tea flavor.
Pro Tip: Don’t overlook their Yakult drinks! The Grapefruit Yakult is a personal favorite of mine. The tartness of the grapefruit with the probiotic Yakult is incredibly refreshing, and adding popping pearls and pudding takes it to another level of deliciousness.
4. Don’t Yell At Me
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Website: http://dyam-ab.ca
Address: 63 Crowfoot Terrace NW
Hours: Monday to Sunday – 11 AM to 11 PM
Phone: +1 403-453-8676
Price: $
Don’t Yell At Me needs to be on your boba radar. They are all about visually stunning, layered creations that are as much a treat for the eyes as for your taste buds.
For milk tea fans like myself, their flexibility with milk options is a huge plus—soy, oat, coconut, and almond are all on the table.
Two drinks I always return to are the Lavender London Fog Milk Tea, which is just the right balance of floral and creamy. Another great choice is their Smores Milk Tea. It has roasted marshmallows on top, giving it a fantastic toasted sweetness.
Pro Tip: I recomend getting their Toasted Cheese Latte (hot). There’s something about that savory cheese foam with the sweet latte that just works—it’s a unique flavor combo that I find myself craving.
5. Mr. Sun Tea
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Website: http://mrsunteayyc.com
Address: 620 8 Ave SE
Hours: Wednesday & Thursday, Sunday, Monday – 12 Noon to 8 PM
Phone: +1 825-449-8189
Price: $
Mr. Sun Tea makes their tapioca pearls fresh daily on-site. They’ve even developed a unique formula that cuts down on fat and additives compared to typical pearls.
My go-to drink here is the Mr. Sun Green Tea. The slightly bitter edge from the non-alcoholic Heineken perfectly complements the crisp green tea, creating a surprisingly refreshing and sophisticated drink.
Beyond that, their menu is extensive. They offer everything from classic milk teas to lattes made with fresh milk, smoothies, and slushies.
Pro Tip: Try their panda pearls. This mix of crystal ball pearls and brown sugar pearls offers a delightful combination of textures and a subtly sweet, caramelized flavor unlike anything else.
6. HAPPY CUP
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Address: 5149 Country Hills Blvd NW, Unit 232
Hours: Sunday to Tuesday & Thursday to Saturday – 11:30 AM to 8 PM
Phone: +1 825-438-7700
Price: $
What makes Happy Cup unique is its use of fresh fruit in its teas. You can taste the authenticity in every sip.
Beyond the usual bubble tea options, the shop offers interesting twists like lychee jelly. They even have avocado smoothies if you’re feeling adventurous.
I’m a big fan of their Mango Popping Boba. The mango flavor is fresh, and the popping bobs have the right texture.
Pro Tip: If you’re after something refreshing, their honeydew drinks are fantastic. They are sweet, and you can even find chunks of honeydew.
7. Vitaminboba
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Website: http://vitaminboba.com
Address: 4537 Bowness Rd NW
Hours:
- Tuesday to Thursday, Sunday, Monday – 11:30 AM to 10 PM
- Friday & Saturday- 11:30 AM to 10:30 PM
Phone: +1 866-274-7469
Price: $
Vitaminboba is for anyone serious about their boba fix. They have seriously innovative and popular drinks.
You’ve got to try their Mango Snowcake. It’s a blend of mango jam swirled into a jasmine green tea milk smoothie topped with ice cream. It’s the kind of drink that hits the spot, especially when the weather warms up.
What I also appreciate about Vitaminboba is that it goes beyond drinks. They’ve covered you with dishes like umami ramen, Korean marinated eggs with rice, and even handmade onigiri if you’re hungry.
Pro Tip: Before you leave, check out their retail section. You can find some fun and quirky boba-themed gifts or treats for yourself that you won’t see anywhere else.
8. Yummy Q
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Website: https://yummyqdesserts.com/
Address: 2-338 10 St NW
Hours: Tuesday to Sunday – 12 Noon to 8:30 PM
Phone: +1 825-205-8905
Price: $
If you’re into milk teas, Yummy Q nails the classics. But they also have cream cheese, milk foams, smoothies, and a range of fruit teas and slushies.
Their Uji Matcha Cream Cheese Foam is pretty good. The rich, slightly salty cream cheese foam perfectly balances the earthy matcha flavor—a combination I keep returning for.
And if you’re feeling a bit more adventurous, the Whisky Cream Milk Tea is delicious. I like how it’s got this subtle, warm hint of whisky that leaves you wanting more.
Pro Tip: Try their rolled gelato ice cream with interesting flavors like Earl Grey and Nutella. Try their bubble waffles and Taiyaki (Japanese fish-shaped cakes) if you want something to snack on.
9. Bubble Tea Brewers
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Website: http://bubbleteabrewers.ca
Address: 3919 Richmond Rd SW Unit #1
Hours: Monday to Sunday – 11 AM to 9 PM
Phone: +1 403-475-2117
Price: $
Bubble Tea Brewers has everything from refreshing green teas and smoothies to more indulgent options like their chocolate and cheesecake series.
For those who appreciate a good fusion drink, their brown sugar coffee milk tea is genuinely delicious and refreshing. It strikes a perfect balance between the sweetness of brown sugar and the robustness of coffee.
Their boba pearls are consistently chewy and have that slight hint of sweetness that makes them addictive. They also offer a good selection of toppings to customize your drink so you can tailor your bubble tea to your preferences.
Pro Tip: Try their Halo-Halo or mango float bubble tea floats. They are reminiscent of the classic Filipino desserts and offer a nice twist to classic bubble teas.
10. Happy Spice Bubble Tea
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Address: 813 4 Ave SW
Hours: Monday to Sunday – 10 AM to 8 PM
Phone: +1 587-226-3934
Price: $
Happy Spice Bubble Tea pairs boba with the vibrant flavors of Filipino cuisine.
For matcha lovers, you can’t go wrong with either their classic matcha milk tea or the brown sugar matcha milk tea. The brown sugar version adds a lovely depth of sweetness that complements the earthy matcha.
And if you’re hungry, their Chicken Inasal is fantastic. It’s marinated in a blend of calamansi, pepper, and annatto, giving it a slightly tangy and savory taste with a hint of smokiness from the grill.
Pro Tip: Try the Halo-Halo! It’s a refreshing shaved ice dessert loaded with sweet beans, jellies, and fruits and topped with ice cream.
11. Machi Machi
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Website: http://order.tapmango.com
Address: 737 1 Ave NE
Hours:
- Monday to Thursday, Sunday – 11:45 AM to 9 PM
- Friday & Saturday – 11:45 AM to 10 PM
Phone: +1 403-226-0800
Price: $
Machi Machi crafts drinks that are as visually appealing as they are delicious. Their layered drinks are designed so each sip offers a slightly different experience, which I appreciate.
If you’re looking for something caffeine-free, I always recommend the fresh strawberry panna cotta. It’s made with real strawberries and milk. The vanilla bean paste gives it a lovely, rich flavor that I love.
For something lighter, the Fresh Fruit Four Seasons Spring Tea is a solid choice. It’s incredibly refreshing and packed with fresh fruits like passionfruit, strawberry, and pear.
Pro Tip: Don’t miss out on their Cream Foam Series. The Mochi Black Tea with cream foam is enjoyable because they torch the mochi, giving the tea a warm and chewy contrast.
12. Popping Dragon Tea House
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Website: http://poppingdragon.ca
Address: 7711 Flint Rd SE
Hours: Tuesday to Sunday – 12 Noon to 7 PM
Phone: +1 587-327-9608
Price: $
Popping Dragon Tea House has something for everyone, from classic milk teas to icy slushes. They even offer unique sparkling bubble teas!
Beyond the tea, they offer Nespresso coffee, ice cream, and frozen yogurt. There are also sandwiches and snacks, making it a great place for any craving.
The floral lavender notes are beautifully balanced with their creamy Lavender London Fog Milk Tea. Of course, their classic milk tea is a solid, reliable choice if you want to stick to the basics.
With those brown sugar pearls, the Dirty Milk Tea is a must-try for something a bit richer—the pearls are perfectly chewy and sweet. And for a caffeine boost with your tea, try the Double Dirty Milk Tea. It’s infused with a shot of espresso and is the perfect pick-me-up.
Pro Tip: Try out their “Glitter Series.” The Blue Dream is a visually stunning layered drink with refreshing butterfly pea tea and lemonade, and the honey-popping pearls add a perfect touch of sweetness.
13. Thé Moon Tea House
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Website: http://tmoon.ca
Address: 80 Longview Common SE #420
Hours: Monday to Sunday – 11:30 AM to 8:30 PM
Price: $
The Moon Tea House has a genuine passion for tea culture, which you can taste in every sip. Forget artificial powders—they’re all about fresh fruit, cold-pressed juices, and even make their own natural sugar cane syrup.
Their tea selection is impressive too; they use specialty jasmine and kung fu teas. The Kung Fu tea is a lightly roasted black tea blend that’s incredibly comforting, with a sweet, buttery base and subtle chocolate notes—I crave it regularly.
For something lighter, the Jasmine Green milk tea is wonderfully fragrant and refreshing.
Pro Tip: If you love milk tea, try their creamy and delicious milk tea soft-serve ice cream. It’s a refreshing, icy twist that’s indulgent.
14. Baire Patch
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Website: http://bairepatch.com
Address: 330 Sage Vly Cmn NW #110
Hours:
- Tuesday to Thursday, Monday, Sunday – 12 Noon to 9 PM
- Friday & Saturday- 12 Noon to 10 PM
Phone: +1 877-323-2137
Price: $
Baire Patch milk teas are non-dairy, which is great if you avoid dairy or prefer a lighter taste. They use creamer but offer soy milk as an alternative.
One drink that really hits the spot is their Pompom. It’s named after the Hello Kitty character Pompompurin and captures his love for caramel pudding.
You get this delicious mix of milk, brown sugar, and mango. It also comes with honey boba and egg foam. I usually go for the soy milk in the Pompom as it gives the drink a really smooth, almost velvety texture that I prefer.
Pro Tip: Don’t overlook their Katsu Kutie plate if you’re hungry. It’s a solid meal with chicken katsu, rice, eggs, and vegetables.
