Sometimes a restaurant or bar serves ambience over their actual product, Dobra is a tea shop located in downtown Burlington, Vt, is one of those places. As you enter the wicker dominated tea room, the sounds of foreign instruments playing through the speakers and the smell of tea hit you like a ton of mellow bricks. On the walls, photos of exploited tea farmers and vendors from all over the world bring a sense of culture to the scene of patrons who desperately wish they knew a foreign language besides their high school level education of French or Spanish. Upon being seated, a strangely calm waiter places a dictionary of tea on your table. The hard cover, green leather bound book handles like a novel, with the second half being a travel log of the world-travelers who founded the joint. After flipping through 50 pages of teas named, "Memories of Prague," and, "White Dragon," I decided to go with the Masala Tea, a spicy chai served with milk and honey. Looking at the light fare offered, I opted not to buy their six dollar hummus plate--mostly because I don't like hummus. They had pastries and other things called, "Bohemian Spicy Nuggets," which caught my attention, but I wasn't looking to eat as much as I was trying to observe the Burlington hippy in its natural habitat. On the far side of the seating area, there are two elevated platforms where people can take off their shoes and sit Indian style on cushions decorated with moons and stars. Palm reader beads and flickering candles overwhelm this section of the tea room, as it seems like only the elite tea snobs are welcome. Dobra Tea is a cozy little place for anybody looking to relax in an extremely calming environment, however if you're looking to spend five dollars on tea I would recommend going to a market and buying a pack. read more

Even before moving to Burlington, Dobra was my favorite place of favorite places. It's relaxed, comfortable, and the tea is excellent. More importantly, Dobra is the kind of place where one can spend the whole evening in the company of good friends. You blink, and the time just sneaks away within the candlelit shadows. read more

Warm and cozy. Very relaxing setting. Yes was incredible and made walking on church st even more enjoyable. Good study spot as well.

The tea we ordered was excellent but the service was a little off. The staff were friendly and polite but, I don't know how to describe it, aloof? Serious? It just didn't feel very warm or welcoming, which is what you would want a tea house to be. read more

I have a long history with Dobra Tea including the Burlington location. My friend used to manage this location many years ago and I was able to visit with the founders in Prague many years ago. They do things the right way and their tea is excellent. So fresh and high quality. read more

Honestly, this is the best tea I've ever had in my life. And I'm a teaholic. Their menu is bible-sized and the tea cups you drink out of come from the tea's country of origin (trust me, there are a ton of countries represented here). Don't come in if you're in a rush... Dobra is so wonderful because it provides a much needed respite from the crazy shoppers or bone-cold temperatures. I spent two months living in India and their masala chai is the closest thing I've had to the real deal. You can really tell the staff puts a lot of time and effort into each drink; brewing is an art for these guys. Whenever I leave Dobra I always feel like I've just had a full body massage... just an incredibly relaxing, satisfying, and delicious experience, time and again! read more

This beautifully decorated, warm, and friendly environment is exactly what a tea house should be. The options were endless in terms of tea and their food choices are the best I've seen anywhere else. The tea was fantastic, but I think I have to try more of the food to really give it another star. You have to remember, even though I am a tea snob, I am also a food snob - if you can't match up to both, I can't give you the highest rating. However, I am definitely returning here when I can and hope to boost my rating up! read more

Fellow Yelper Mariko treated me to tea and snacks here last week! It's certainly more than I'd pay for a paper cup of tea to go from a regular cafe, but we stayed to chat and people-watch, the tea was flavorful, and the presentation was beautiful - worth it for the relaxed atmosphere. We each got the Memories of Prague tray - a pot of black tea with little cups of cream and honey - and shared a hummus platter which came with yummy hummus, veggies, and pita. We sat outside because the weather was nice. The inside looked cozy with mood lighting too. I'll have to go back sometime and try one of the other teas from their extremely extensive menu. Thanks, Mariko! :) read more

An incredible new experience! Our server was friendly and knowledgeable regarding the many, many tea choices. By the time we did a second infusion of our tea, we were very relaxed. Don't miss sitting at one of the low tables with cushions. read more

I was only in town for the night, but I fortunately stumbled upon Dobra Tea. Beautiful decor, calming atmosphere, quality tea. We took our shoes off and sat on the floor in a carpeted booth with dim lighting and folk music playing. It was the perfect escape. read more

The place for Tea LOVERs!! make sure to read the owners booklet of their journies around the world finding the perfect teas. you can choose to either sit at a table or sit on the floor kinda japanese style around a little table in a semi private little room. you really have to see it to appreciate it. so many teas to choose from, and they tell you the traditional way the particular kind you want would be served, or they will make it however you like. a fine selection of pastries too, i liked the honey cake. read more

My favorite tea room experience of all time, bar none. The menu is thick and detailed, with teas from all over the world. The place is candle lit and cozy, with knowledgeable servers and very reasonable prices. Each person gets their own pot, served with a side of milk and honey. This is a great place for quiet conversation and amazing teas - along with scrumptious sweets! I cannot wait to go back the next time we pass through Burlington. read more

I never leave a tea leaf unturned when I travel, so this was a must stop. Great ambiance, great tea selection, and an informative tea menu. plus... loose leaf tea for sale. read more

I love Dobra's atmosphere. It is warm, comfortable, relaxed, and eclectic. Their tea menu is extensive, and I have enjoyed everything that I have tried. Go here for a mellow, unhurried experience with a good book or friend. read more

Awesome stop for tea and snacks. It brings me back to every trip I've taken. The chai reminds me so closely of the streets of Calcutta, the mint tea of the markets of Marrakech, the black rea of the tea houses in Krakow and St. Petersburg. They somehow just do everything tea-related in the right and proper way. Can't really explain how, but it is worth it to me to bring those memories back and mix then with new ones at Dobra. I can definitely recommend the biscuits and cookies strongly to go with your tea of choice. read more

This place is a must go if you like listening to relaxing music, drinking tea and catching up with friends and/or family. I went here the other day and spent a whole 2 hours just drinking tea and visiting with good friends. It a great way to warm up from the cold. The staff is very friendly and knowledgeable about different teas. read more

I used to be such a huge fan of Dobra until they started to cut down portion sizes and raised their prices. It's still a cozy place to be and relax though. Their menu is also incredibly extensive. read more

Dobra tea is great! They serve a wide selection of tea and use the proper glassware for each unique variety. The place is tranquil and filled with hippies and yuppies alike. They even have special areas where you can nap! read more

I have been a long time customer of dobra tea shop. I used to go there every weekend in high school when I lived full time in Vermont. They used to have the friendliest staff and such a welcoming warm environment. Unfortunately, I visited today while home in Burlington and had the WORST experience I've ever had there with one of the workers (dark hair, Beanie, lots of facial piercings). I went to go say goodbye to my friend who was having tea and he told us to be quiet immediately in an overly rude tone, and after several minutes of rudely glaring at us, told us to put our phones away when my friend tried to show us a video (at a very low volume) on her phone. We were in no way being obnoxious or too loud (believe me I hate that person in the coffee shop), just talking at a normal volume. He made me feel so unwelcome there and he was so incredibly rude that I am sad to say I will not be going back to dobra again. read more

My family loves this place. Dobra has a vast selection of teas. This place is not like Teavana and that is a compliment. This is the kind of place where you need to use your library voice. They also have small savory and sweet dishes to have a long with your tea. read more

If you're a tea lover, this is up there with the best places you'll find anywhere and is absolutely not to be missed if you find yourself in Burlington. Dobra has the full tea experience, excellent staff, a great atmosphere, and a superb tea selection. read more

Every time I visit burlington I stop here. I wish they had something similar near home, I would never leave! Wonderful atmosphere, great friendly knowledgeable staff, amazing selection of teas. The teas are all served uniquely in various appropriate kettles. The seating arrangement and the small little private rooms are great. Very relaxing place to take a break and explore some new exotic teas! read more

I love tea, and this place is the best tea house ever. I felt as if I was in Morocco again, and I never went to Morocco before. if you need to get off of the beaten path, or if you need to just be a freak, get your freak on here read more

Why don't more places like this exist? I found it by happenstance. I'd arrived in Burlington for my vacation, saw a bookstore a little ways down a block from Church Street, and while walking to it, saw this place. One step inside, and I knew I would spend a lot of my vacation in here. The varieties of teas are exquisite and broad. The snacks are delicious, and should you want to buy some tea to take home, they have plenty of options to choose from. On hot summer days, you'll appreciate their chilled iced teas, as I did. The atmosphere is what seals the deal. This isn't a cafe, an independent coffee shop that specializes in tea. It's quiet and subdued inside, with comfortable wicker chairs at tables and reclining areas with cushions for groups. The lights are low, the temperature is just right. All of the financial and mercantile aspects are in the side room, leaving the main sitting area for reading, chatting with friends, or working. The staff make this a complete experience, kindly and efficiently serving customers while making you feel like you belong there. Its location is super convenient too; when you need to leave, you're right near parking and downtown Burlington, in walking distance to anything you'd want or need to do. Don't miss out on the books in back, near the restrooms. This is a treasure; treat it as such, and treat yourself to it! read more

I went to Vermont for leisure and this place was introduced by my niece. I came here twice. Absolutely love LOVE LOVE it!

I returned here this time with my husband in tote and I just adore this place. It is the BEST tea house I have ever been to. They have over seven types of Puer which is my husbands favorite. He was a bit overwhelmed but our server was patient with him and he found one that was perfect for him. I also had a Jasmine tea which was wonderful, though they gave me a weird look when I asked for sweetner, but whatever. The baklava was very good. We had two pots of tea and baklava for around $13. I love the look alcoves with beads where you sit on the floor. It felt like a very spiritual experience. read more

Pretty nice little teahouse in downtown Burlington. I haven't been here in a couple years, but I really enjoyed the tea when I went. They have an abundance of teas to choose from and they were all reasonably priced. I really like the interior of this place too. Very mellow and relaxing atmosphere. I'm pretty sure the guy working the counter was rolling a joint when I was there. But whathever, it is Vermont afterall. They have an awesome "pad" where you sit on pillows instead of chairs which was a a fun change from the normal coffeehouse chairs. Definitely worth checking out on its own merits, but especially if Muddy's or Uncommon Grounds are packed. read more

We stumbled upon this place because it was 7:30 on a Saturday night and this was the only restaurant we could find without a long wait! The atmosphere was great. Really cute place. You have your choice of a table or floor seating. We chose a traditional table. The tea menu is so vast that it was overwhelming! We chose a mint tea which was amazing! The food menu includes all sorts of global vegetarian street foods such as edamame, olives, hummus, grape leaves, dumplings. We sampled many of the items and it was all delicious! It was kind of like tapas! We dined with our 2 small children and we were all pleased with our meal! This place is a real gem! Service was great too. read more

Beautiful tea, cozy setting, warm friendly service and yummy desserts! Not sure what else to add to make this review longer :-) the first statement really says it all :-) read more

Dobra Tea - Jasmine tea and baklava. - Tea Rooms Near Me - Burlington, Vermont

the tea menu here is more diverse than anything I have ever seen. I love how I feel when I come here - it really awakens the senses. in the summer you can smoke hookas on beautiful sidewalk tables. oh and katie...the food menu is on the last page i believe. read more

Dobra Tea is a staple of Burlington. Whether you're looking to impress on your first date, you want a nice place to relax with friends, or you're looking for that perfect spot to catch up on reading or homework, Dobra's atmosphere is fantastic. While space is a little tight, it isn't uncomfortable, and the platforms are great for groups up to 6 or so. With the floor covered in groovy rugs and typically a nice sitar in the background, the low light and warm atmosphere make for a relaxing place to sip your tea. What makes this place great is a fantastic selection of high quality teas, and a knowledgeable staff who can help you find the perfect choice. I have been here more times than I can count, and it's a great place for people just looking for a one-time event while on vacation, or if you're trying to find a new regular place to relax at the end (or the middle) of a stressful day. read more

Do take your girl or guy out for a quiet romantic evening at Dobra if you're in Burlington. It is such a calming atmosphere, inviting contemplation and general schmoozery perfect for the closure of a first date!! read more

I was in town with my mom, her husband, grandpa, and a friend. We parked right next to this place on a Sunday evening and after walking around downtown my friend wanted a Chai so we jumped in. Everyone was very nice. My friend was just getting a to-go drink but everyone went in and sat down because it was pretty cold outside and we were underdressed. No one ever complained that we were all sitting there and getting just one drink. While they were making my friend's drink he and I were talking to the tea-makers (sorry, I'm not really a tea-person so I don't know the right word for them), and I asked them if they had any Iraqi chai. I sort of explained what it was like and she made me an almost perfect proxy of it in on the house. I then gave her some feedback and she tweaked it a little more and it was just like the chai I used to drink with the Iraqi's on deployment. It was a great experience and I was impressed at how knowledgeable they were. The decor was great and everyone at the place looked like they were having a great time. I would definitely recommend it to a friend. read more

The most incredible establishment that i have ever visited in my life. Dobra Tea introduced me to the beautiful world of loose leaf tea. I highly recommend this place. read more

Dobra has a large selection of tasty teas from all over in a relaxing atmosphere. They have a modest but pleasant selection of light snacks, pastries and so on. They are slightly expensive but enjoyable. I like the cheesecake personally. Not good if you want a filling meal ,but if you're looking to wind down and take it easy for a while and slowly sip tea it's a great spot. My one complaint is the chairs are not as comfortable as they could be, the tables are slightly cramped. read more

Once again a great spot. Wonderful atmosphere, delicious food and fantastic tea. Went there last night and everything was great. It's a very cozy place with a super Syrian band on Tuesdays. Everything was spot on. Thanks Dobra! read more

A little slice of heaven on earth. Great teas, atmosphere, food, and staff. I can easily sit here for hours.

They have literally every kind of tea there is and rad mixed tea concoctions. Also lots of little food stuff to munch on so yummy

I love this tea house and it is the perfect spot to take a break and relax while in Burlington. It is especially good on cold days as I have found they keep the place pretty warm (like 72 degrees). There are usually a few food treats to choose from on the counters. While they don't have much for choices, they usually have a gluten free option and their lemon cake is fantastic. The service takes their time so do not expect your tea in a hurry. The menu of teas is extensive and delicious. You can also ask them about the teas, they're very knowledgable and love to help. Dobra's staff could possibly be some of the most relaxed people I have ever met. The place is larger than it looks and has some booths with floor seating. I make a point to stop in every time I am in Burlington. Its so delicious and relaxing! read more

I have been here a few times with my best friend. I enjoy the atmosphere and the tea is always great! We go here every time he visits.