I can't believe it's been nearly a decade since my first Black Tea with Salted Cheese when Happy Lemon opened its first West Coast store in Cupertino. I remember how long the queue was with anxious Asian youth jumping quickly on the then-hot trend of Taiwanese milk teas. Over the years, I've patronized several other Happy Lemon locations and ordered the same Black Tea with Salted Cheese. Perhaps it was the predictability of that order that left me feeling a bit empty this time. I've also recently visited Taipei where they continue upping their game when it comes to the latest toppings. My Large Black Tea with Salted Cheese was $6.75 and refreshing enough even at 50% sweet (Photo 6). I'm sure I'll go to another Happy Lemon because they're dependable. Just probably not too soon. TEA - 3 stars...the same creation, points for consistency AMBIANCE - 3 stars...the lifesize Happy Lemon girl was missing SERVICE - 3 stars...efficient TOTAL - 3 stars...time to try another milk teas? RELATED - Exploring Piedmont Avenue? Here's my collection of places l've patronized and reviewed: https://yelp.to/j8GBpUxf54 read more

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The place was a bit grungy looking, chairs were kinda dirty but it's because the material was like straw hat sticks? The floor wasn't swept or mopped. There was tables and chairs for seating. There was one self ordering kiosk, but if you wanted to use your rewards from the app then you'll have to go to the cashier. There was only one person working when we went there around 1pm ish. The drinks took a while and the waffles came out shortly after. I ordered the mango Yakut smoothie and my mom had the mango matcha smoothie. We both had the original waffle. The drinks were good, both had a good amount of mango at the bottom of the cup. The waffle was good, but I wish it was crispier so when you break them off to eat it, it would snap. Some of the waffle was soft and kinda soggy so peeling it apart was a bit difficult. read more

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Clean and bright location on Piedmont with interesting seasonal specials. Bummed they were out of boba at 540pm when they close at 6. We ordered at the kiosk and the employee told us afterwards there's no boba so my husband went to the kiosk with her to cancel the order and we reordered my drink alone without the boba. He only drinks the tea as a vehicle for boba (haha). Management should figure out a way to disable customers from selecting boba if they are out if customers are ordering from the kiosk or shut down the kiosk once the boba is out which forces customers to order from the cashier. The next two customers who ordered at the kiosk immediately after us also had the same problem because they ordered their drinks with boba and had to choose replacements. Ordered the fresh lemon honey green tea which was made quickly. A little sweeter than 25% sugar which is why I appreciate when places make it with less sugar. Tasted more like 50% sugar. I like it a little sweet and it's too sour with 0% sugar so that is my dilemma. Will try again next time when they have boba! read more

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I'm a big fan of happy lemon and go pretty often to the SF locations. I always get a grapefruit green tea and the ones at this location just aren't that good. I normally order 50% sweet and there's barely any sugar. I tell myself to order a higher amount to adjust but I get nervous it's going to be too sweet. read more

I like to get the ube milk tea with the cream and boba, so good! Friendly workers, good location

Always love coming here to get some boba. Whenever we are here this is normally our boba stop. We always get the boba tea, mango matcha and the lemon drink. Service is always great for us. They always make it nice and quick for us. Nice spot, friendly workers read more

A potential work/study spot open later than all other cafes on Piedmont Ave... if you have xfinity (GREAT signal). Strolled in on 6pm on a Sunday, one party ready to leave so it wasn't crowded. I almost always order Milk Tea (MT) with Puff Cream @ Happy Lemon, but they said that they are out of boba. While they did offer to substitute another topping, I did find it weird that "Boba MT with Puff Cream" (with boba) cost the same as "MT with add-on: Puff Cream" (no boba). Anyway, I also order a matcha bubble waffle (technically not true - this was a mochi batter, though still yum) and they ask if I'd like an add-on. I like the idea of a matcha oreo waffle so I ask for oreo. This is an extra charge - the same cost as a boba as a topping. So I jokingly say, maybe I can get oreo for free since I am not getting boba from my drink? By now, I have two staff working on my order and they kind of have a blank and confused stare. While I could, I decide not to fight it but explain a second time what I meant. They charge me the full price anyway. By the way, the matcha waffle is lovingly chewy and has a yummy hint of bitter! My puff cream MT (despite without boba) was also on point. However, I can't help but think perhaps my prlonged encounter may have started my first visit off on the wrong foot. I love that they have plentiful seating and outlets for a focused work/study session. I think besides my interactions, the staff seem courteous and attentive (greet when entering, parting thank yous). I think there's potential - perhaps when boba is still available 2 hours before closing! read more

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Feels like unless you know what Happy Lemon is, one would get the impression this store is somewhat of a lonely shop. I'm all for satisfying my milk tea cravings when I'm in the area, but this location could use some improvement in terms of ambiance. The interior feels 'sterile' with not much decor enticing customers. The signs outside are somewhat helpful to indicate what the shop is selling. Once you're inside, there is a self service kiosk if you do have the desire to interact with a human. Once an order is placed on the kiosk, someone behind the counter will be preparing the drink and setting it out when it is ready. There is potential for this to be just as busy as the busy Blue Bottle coffee shop further down the street. Appears the concept is more of a grab and go. There are tables and chairs for anyone who does want to sit down and hangout. read more

Definitely prefer this location over Mr. Green Bubbles and Tea on Piedmont. I always get my favorite drink mango matcha. We tried their strawberry black tea this time too. We like the solid strawberry chunks they add so no toppings needed. The drinks came out very fast so good service. Overall ambiance could be better. The interior feels empty when it's not. I'm not sure how to really put it, but it feels like there is nothing much going on here. read more

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Overall decent! It was my first time going to a Happy Lemon. Was feeling boba so stopped in cause it was convenient, right near Fenton's creamery in Piedmont. I was feeling matcha so seeing the Mango Matcha Smoothie was my obvious choice (plus seeing matcha with mango is an interesting combo I've never tried, AND it's a smoothie versus liquid tea). Smoothies are only available in one size (large - for $6.50) and added boba (+.75). No sugar or ice adjustments can be made on the drink. The service was fast and friendly. The drink was pretty good and not overly sweet; I just thought there'd be more mango flavor overall. The drink has tiny little chopped or puréed mango chunks at the bottom but I feel even with adding the boba the drink was missing something. Consistency was a little icy but got smoother the more I drank it. Definitely want to go back to try some of the other drink options read more

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The best place to have your drinks and waffle. My all time favorite is the mango matcha with mango boba. Super yummy. The register and server was awesome and very informative. They've always made me feel comfortable and not rushing to order. The ambiance is superb and clean. read more

The drinks are good when certain employees make them. Sometimes the salted cheese foam is very runny, and the green tea will taste over steeped. For the smoothies they are either perfect or under blended. It is unfortunate that they are not consistent because when the drinks are made correctly they are amazing. read more

I just here for the frozen lemonade slushee It's amazing - the right amount of tart . I definitely recommend without the tapioca balls (eeeew) read more

A pretty good boba spot on Piedmont. I ordered the Passionfruit Green Tea and it tasted great. The Passionfruit was refreshing and just what I needed on a sunny day. When I ordered the cashier was friendly and nice. As for the space, the cafe is spacious and clean, with a good amount of tables and chairs. Not sure if the place has wifi though, as I didn't stay long and I didn't see any of the customer with laptops. But the place is pretty quiet, so I think it could be a good work/study spot. Over all, a good experience and I will be back to try more of their drinks. read more

Welcome to Oakland! This is the first happy lemon chain that opened up in Oakland. There's one other chain in Alameda that's closest to Oakland, where I frequent. I'm so ecstatic that it opened up in oakland on Piedmont ave right next to Fenton's. It's a great location as well, you can easily park on the street or in the neighborhood streets. This is the first weekend of grand opening, I saw the event on FB that it is doing BOGO free promo this Saturday and Sunday only. I came on a Sunday and the line was not too bad. I was the third person in line to order. This location is very large compared to the Alameda location. Inside, there are a bunch of seatings, on the long stools or the seatings with the tables. The bathroom is gender neutral and fairly large and clean. There's also a self service iPad towards the side of the cafe for those who has social anxiety or don't want ppl interactions. Since all happy lemon menus are the same, I went with my usual order. WHAT I ORDERED Hot green milk tea, no sugar (FREE) Hot boba milk tea, 50% sugar (FREE) S2 dragon fruit lychee juice salted cream 50% sugar 20% ice (this location offers this drink adjustments, I was told at another location that this drink is preset, no adjustments) L D5 boba milk tea w puff cream Our total came out to be $12 during the promotional weekend. For 4 boba drinks $12, that's a steal!! You cannot find this value at any other boba cafes. Our drinks came out fairly quickly as well, I probably waited at most 5min. Very swift and efficient process!! read more

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This happy lemon location is pretty good. The staff are all friendly and patient. The boba is a nice texture, and the service is quick.

Delicious even if we were wish there were more non dairy options. Watch for yummy new menu items. They're a staple for boba in the Bay for a reason read more

I am glad there's a Happy Lemon on Piedmont Ave.! The place is very clean and spacious. I came here on the Wednesday afternoon and there was no line. The staff were super friendly and service was fast. I ordered my drinks from the kiosk and was able to get my drinks very quickly. My usual go-to at Happy Lemon is their oolong tea with salted cream with crystal boba (25% sweetness and no ice). The drink came out perfect, just how I wanted it. read more

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Delicious fresh lemon and honey I ordered mango Yakut so delicious Waffles not too sweet love it. Good service. read more

Happy Lemon - G3. Mango Yakult Smoothie - Bubble Tea Near Me - Piedmont, California

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Clean and brand spanking new! Always loved the salted cheese foam in my green tea! Grand opening this weekend with the buy 1 get 1 promo. I'll be hitting this place up as it is close to work! read more

Happy Lemon - Bubble Tea Near Me - Piedmont, California

Ordered cheese foam with jasmine green tea. The tea was really bitter, and cheese foam was watery. Standards not to par with the other happy lemons, hopefully they fix this read more

I used to make fun of people who go to Starbuck's to start every day off with some ridiculous coffee milkshake. But then I discovered Happy Lemon's Yakult Lemon drink. I could drink this every day. YUM! read more

It was a horrible experience! The menu was misleading and service is poor. The Taro cream puff milk tea doesn't even have milk in it and it tastes like sugar on top of sugar. Even if I requested it to be 30% sweetness, they seem to ignore instructions. I've had the same drink at another location and the tea flavored was more prominent. So i approached them nicely and ask if it could be remade, they said "we have different recipes here, and you will need to pay for the remake." :( worst boba shop ever! read more

I saw they had a self service kiosk to order. I was trying to find the mango matcha on their menu but couldn't. I asked the employee for help and she said I can order with her. She was super friendly and helpful. read more

I am glad they opened a location closer to home as I previously went to the site on Shattuck Ave where the parking is awful. Parking on a Saturday evening was decent, with plenty of spots within a reasonable walking distance. This area is also really nice to walk around so not the worst thing if you choose to park far. There is a decent amount of seating inside the store and the staff were friendly. We chose the Mango Matcha and Black Milk Tea, which were yummy and flavorful. Overall, the boba is soft, sweet, and not overly chewy. Definitely recommend trying! read more

I recently got the D5 and i'm not sure why but it made me wanna throw up soooo bad and made my head hurt :( i really wanted to like it but maybe it was too sweet? I also feel like staff should interact more. def prefer green bubble over this one since there are no food options but bubble waffles. the bubble waffles are also too crispy for my liking. will skip this place from now on! read more

Love the drinks here. service is great! My orders always taste better when I order in person. 4 stars because whenever I order from doordash or postmates they always get my orders wrong!!! read more

I absolutely love the D5 drink! I went there with my classmate and sat on the stools by the window. It was nice and roomy for big study groups as well. Pretty quick service. read more

The best boba spot IMO. There's a wide variety of flavors and options without being overwhelming. Folks behind the counter are patient (I have indecisive kids) and helpful. read more

Really clean and friendly service.. but some menu items aren't available. The tarp cream and taro balls aren't available. Other than that drinks are really good read more

very solid, every time i go. it does feel like my adjustments to the sugar aren't making any change, but still tastes good regardless.