In case you missed it – the boba tea trend is taking over Cape Town, one chewy pearl at a time. While not entirely new, a slew of stores have popped up in recent years, and we certainly can’t complain. Whether you enjoy rooibos, matcha, coffee or fruity drinks, you’re bound to find a flavour you love – and what’s not to love about tapioca? If you’re just as obsessed with this drink, here’s where you can get your fix of boba tea in Cape Town.

But First, Some Sweet Facts…

– Boba tea originated in Taiwan in the 1980s.
– The creator of boba tea is credited to Lin Hsiu Hui, a tea house owner who added tapioca pearls to her tea, which became an instant hit among customers – but this is widely debated.
– Traditional boba tea is made using a base of black or green tea, milk and sweeteners, but nowadays, many flavours exist, including fruit-infused teas and cream cheese toppings.
– The chewy pearls (called boba) are made from tapioca starch derived from cassava root.
– Boba tea is served with a wide straw, specifically designed for sipping the tapioca pearls.

Boba Tea Shops In & Around Cape Town

Whether you call it ‘bubble’ or ‘boba’ tea, here’s where you can get your daily fix:

Royal Tea

Royal Tea reigns supreme in the local world of boba. With a vast range of specially selected teas and fresh ingredients, customers can indulge in fruity and milky drinks. Interesting flavours like Taro, Lemon Bomb and Cherry Blossom can be enjoyed. Decadent drinks like Oreo Choco Cheese with cream cheese are also on offer. Go wild and customise with extras like oat milk, coconut or custard jelly and passion fruit.

Location: Level one, Victoria Wharf, V&A Waterfront | WE ARE EGG, Floor 1, Cavendish Mall, Claremont | Neighbourgoods Market, The Old Biscuit Mill
Hours: Mon-Fri: 09h00–17h30
Contact: 079 829 9418

royalteasa.co.za | Facebook | Instagram

Psycho Boba Bubble Tea Room

Got a crazy or borderline psycho obsession with boba? So do these guys. Located in Sea Point, Psycho Boba Bubble Tea Room is one of the latest boba spots in town. With a delicious range of Taiwanese-inspired flavours with a local spin, customers can enjoy drinks like Mango Grooving with rooibos tea, or their Springbokkie with matcha and mango boba. We love that you get a free boba for every ten drinks you buy with their loyalty cards.

Location: 233 Main Rd, Sea Point, Cape Town
Hours: Tues-Sat: 12h00–17h00 | Sun: 10h00–14h00 | Closed Sundays
Contact: 0735999203 | Call or WhatsApp

psychoboba.com | Facebook | Instagram

TeAwesome

While many local spots are just hopping on the boba trend, TeAwesome has been around since 2015. Select from a wide range of tea and coffee flavours to pair with tapioca pearls. Because everyone likes their tea a certain way, customers can specify the level of sweetness, and whether they want it served hot or cold, which is pretty awesome. If you want to grab a bite, they also have snacks and poké bowls available.

Location: Shop 43 Mojo Market, 30 Regent Rd, Sea Point | FCK 03 Food Court, Canal Walk Shopping Center, Cape Town
Hours: Mon-Sun: 10h00–22h00 (Mojo Market) | Sun-Thurs: 09h00–21h00 & Fri-Sat: 09h00–22h00 (Canal Walk)
Contact: 021 422 4888 | 079 436 7855

teawesome.co.za | Facebook | Instagram

MACHA

If you love matcha and boba, then you’ll want to get your fix at this Cape Town gem. With exciting flavours like Matcha Pearl Tea, Caramel, Mango and Ginger, they’ll keep you coming back for more. Can’t decide which to go with? Try their Boba Trio Tea with a mix of tapioca pearls, coconut jelly and pudding.

Location: 122 St George’s Mall, Newspaper House, Newspaper House, Cape Town
Hours: Mon-Fri: 12h00–16h00 | Sat: 11h00–15h00 | Closed Sundays
Contact: 074 614 6612

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MochiMochi – By Tori

While this kawaii (cute) Japanese store specialises in mochi, and other sweet and savoury treats, they also have a fantastic Lady Boba Bubble Tea. Flavours change depending on what’s available, but we fully recommend trying their version – while you’re at it, get some mochi too.

Location: Heritage Square, 71 Buitengracht Street, Cape Town City Centre
Hours: Tues-Sat: 10h00–18h00
Contact: 066 019 4656 | 021 422 4374

mochimochi.co.za | Facebook | Instagram

SuSu Bubble Tea

In dire need of a boba? Fear not, SuSu Bubble Tea has you covered. This bubble tea shop offers imported Taiwanese milk tea. Some of their best-sellers include Jasmine, and Milk Tea with Red Bean. To make it even better, you can easily order off their website and pick up for collection – how convenient? They also have Taiwanese coffee and Japanese slushies.

Location: The Old Cape Quarter, 72 De Waterkant Street, Green Point | Sport Scene Canal Walk Shopping Centre (Canal Walk) | Shop 407A, Century Blvd, Milnerton (Parkhurst)
Hours: Varies by location | see operating hours
Contact: 061 426 6620 | 062 799 7992 |  084 687 7072

susububbleteaza.com | Instagram

BoBaLicious

Thankfully, you don’t have to drive all the way to the Southies or City Centre to get your hands on some boba goodness. If you’re in the Northern suburbs, you’ll want to check out this BoBaLicious pop-up store, located within Food Truck Valley. They have yummy flavours like taro, caramel and matcha. Check their Insta for updates on pop-up events.

Location: N1 City Value Centre, Goodwood (Opposite McDonald’s)
Hours: Every weekend: Fri: 14h00–22h00 | Sat: 12h00–22h00 | Sun: 12h00–19h30
Contact: 072 717 3986

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Booba Beautea

Located in Stellenbosch, this beautifully decorated store serves up some seriously delish boba.  Enjoy interesting fruity and milky teas accompanied by casava, taro or sago pearls. Sweet tooths will love their Biscoff Bubble Tea complete with biscuit crumble, caramel sauce and cream cheese topping, and more. This is the perfect spot for girls’ date – their interior is adorned with flower arrangements, making it an Instagram foodie hotspot. They also make Tiramisu Mochi and poké bowls.

Location: 112 Dorp St, Stellenbosch Central, Stellenbosch
Hours: Mon-Sat: 10h00–18h00 | Sun: 10h00–16h30
Contact: 074 706 3075

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Bubble Up Boutique

New to the boba scene is Bubble Up Boutique. Situated in the heart of Durbanville, this charming boutique not only offers sensational boba flavours, but also Bubble Tea Paring and Tasting, featuring sweet treats like chocolate and fudge. They also have outdoor seating – perfect for sipping boba and soaking up sunshine on warmer days.

Location: 3 Pampoenkraal Ln, Durbanville, Cape Town
Hours: Mon-Fri: 09h00–17h00 | Sat: 09h00–15h00 | Closed Sundays
Contact: 082 883 5671

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