I've had a lot of boba in my life, and I would say La Tea definitely leans a little less traditional compared to more authentic spots. That said, there's one drink here that truly pops off -- and it's what keeps me coming back. The Uji Matcha Latte with tapioca and red bean (half sugar) is my go-to order, and it's delicious. Perfect balance of earthy matcha, chewy boba, and just the right amount of sweetness from the red bean. Honestly, I like it even better than some matcha drinks I've had in Seattle! I think that drink is better than the random drinks I've tried at Teamo which is next door. The last time I stopped by, we were heading out on a road trip, and I ordered a small -- but heads up, the bottle is a teddy bear shape, which while super cute, isn't the most convenient if you're trying to fit it in a car cupholder. Still tasty though! Overall, I'd rate their boba quality around 3 stars -- but that matcha drink alone is a solid 5 stars in my book. Plenty of seating inside (the space is surprisingly big) and a few games at the front if you're hanging out for a bit. Tip: Stick to the matcha drinks if you're a fan -- they do them really well here! read more

La Tea - Uji Matcha Latte with red bean and tapioca - Bubble Tea Near Me - Iowa City, Iowa

La Tea and Teamo are right next to each other. I wanted to go to Teamo, but due to the Pride Festival, the line was much longer at Teamo. Being an impatient gremlin, I went to La Tea instead. I love Jasmine Milk Tea; that is my go to everywhere I go. I'm always trying to find the next best Jasmine Milk Tea place for my tastes. Let me tell you, this place is not it. There was a reason that Teamo's line was much longer then La Tea. My tea did not taste like Jasmine at all. I was with my best friend and her mom. This was her mom's first boba experience, so she thought it was great. My bestie doesn't go out of her way to drink boba or milk tea, so she thought it was fine too. Basically, if you're a noob when it comes to milk tea, it'll taste good to you. read more

La Tea - a person holding a plastic cup with a drink in it - Bubble Tea Near Me - Iowa City, Iowa

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Nice people good drinks Good time every time We go to Iowa city i get Taro i have to try something new read more

So if you're into fresh teas, this place probs isn't your place. TLDR: Overall, I found this place to be super expensive ($9 for large with 2 toppings) and way too sweet. Keep reading for more deets TEA: I got the peach tea 50% sweet with boba and red beans, and felt that it was INSANELY sweet. Also the peach flavor is a syrup I think, which took over the tea flavor completely. She also told me they have NO other fresh teas besides the flavored ones - so no green, oolong, etc I guess, which sucks if you're actually into tea... $6 for Large BOBA: The boba texture was nice and I think had a nice taste (honestly hard to tell bc the sweet peach flavor was so overpowering). +$0.75 for each topping PACKAGING: I rly like the cup. It's cute and reusable IMO! I like that it's narrow to fit into cup holders and I'll be reusing this at the gym STOREFRONT: this place is HUGE. The front part is completely empty, probs due to COVID? But the back part has seating which is open to guests. Seems like a fun area to chill/bring kids. I liked the murals they have. There is also some random things they sell (like sparkly necklaces and trinkets) that aren't my style. read more

La Tea - Storefront starting from the counter. There's lots of space before you even get to the counter tho! - Bubble Tea Near Me - Iowa City, Iowa

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La Tea is pretty standard as far as bubble tea places go. I ordered a honeydew milk tea which cost $5.25 for a medium and $5.75 for a large. You can customize your tapioca bubbles if you desire. It tasted exactly as I would have expected. I was pleased, intend to return, and will try a slush next time. The girl working the cash register was patient, kind, and helpful. She both answered my questions and provided recommendations. The location itself is plain. The walls are a bright blue but have hardly an decorations. Seating is abundant and comfortable- suitable for large groups. I personally think their location is too big for their operation, but I suppose that means you'll always have seating if you walk in. read more

La Tea - Honeydew Milk Tea - Bubble Tea Near Me - Iowa City, Iowa

SO BAD Customers services. Don't come and spend money here!! Dirty , they did not get new drink when they dropped lemon .... Then still put them back in my drink, So terrible read more

Not a fan. No nondairy alternatives, they were out of avocados to make the Smash, and the "fruit" tea tasted like cleaning agents. Wasn't worth paying over $8. Perhaps the dairy options are tastier and worth it. read more

Very good tea! I got 50% sweet signature milk tea and my friend got jasmine milk tea. Both taste very good. Very nice space as well. I can even compare it to Kungfu tea ! read more

Soooooo good!!! Came here for a gymnastics event and stopped in! Love the cups and variety. Non compare. One of the best I've had.

amazing bubble tea! i've been missing drinking boba tea, and this satisfied my craving. Not only is the packaging cute, but the coffee shop is very cozy as well-- perfect spot to study if we weren't in a pandemic! definitely going to go back to try some more of their drinks! read more

La Tea - Brown Sugar Bubble Tea - Bubble Tea Near Me - Iowa City, Iowa

This place is amazing. Their selection is great. Presentation is beautiful! Never disappointed whenever I get a drink here read more

La Tea - Dirty milk tea with coconut jelly and red beans - Bubble Tea Near Me - Iowa City, Iowa

We got the standard black milk tea, chocolate cake milk tea and Carmel milk tea. The teas all had way to many bubbles as they call them. Flavor was good however. Price is steep for the volume of milk tea even in the large size. The cups are interesting, maybe that is where most of the cost is. It's a nice size area if you want to hang around and chat. Customer service was decent, they answered all questions. 4 stars is for the product quantity to cost ratio. We would try it again. read more

I got the jasmine green tea bubble tea with a salted cheese milk cap. I felt that the drink was a bit too sweet and expensive for what I got (about $7 for the regular size with 1 topping). The seating area looks pretty nice, although I didn't spend any time there. The real reason for my one star review is the fact that when I asked for no ice in my drink, the store attempted to give me a $1 dollar surcharge for this request. For anyone who has ever felt ripped off when receiving a drink that comes over half filled with ice, this store makes it clear that it counts on the ice in the cup contributing to their profit margin. Funny enough, if you order the hot version of the drink, there is no extra surcharge. This is the last time I will be a customer at La Tea. I don't like feeling like a store is just trying to get every last dime they can off of you. I will be taking my business literally next door to TeaMo, where the price is cheaper, and as a perk, you can actually adjust the sweetness of the drink you order! read more

I got the jasmine milk tea and it was so good! My favorite boba I've had in Iowa city. The staff was really nice and welcomed me as soon as I walked through the door! They recommended me flavors and let me pick on my own. Creamy, perfect sweet and the boba balls were cooked perfectly! I'm definitely coming back read more

This place has really nice aesthetics. I really like the packaging of the drinks that they do. No difference in flavor compared to Teamo. Also pricier than Teamo. Definitely try it for the experience. read more

The bottles is what caught my eye and then the quickness of the service is really amazing. The drink was also really delicious read more

La Tea - Brown Sugar Bubble Tea - Bubble Tea Near Me - Iowa City, Iowa

Drinks are good, would get the Signature again, tarp is pretty good, the fruit tea is good a bit too sweet for me, probably would get 50% or 75% sugar next time. read more

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Great bubble tea in downtown Iowa City! Very large space with a classy modern feel. Would be a great place to hang out, perhaps when COVID is better controlled. Bubble tea comes in reusable plastic container. Signature bubble tea had a strong tea flavor, suggesting that the tea is brewed onsite as opposed to using a powder mix. Interestingly, La Tea is adjacent to two other bubble tea stores. Bubble tea war? read more

So dirty , Bad service, Don't spend your money here please ! They charge more money with no ice....Let's try next door bubble tea .

Got the signature tea, pretty tasty especially with the tapioca beads at the bottom. The presentation is nice, they serve the tea in a nice re-usable container. I would say downsides are customer service and cost. I'd go back, but not the best bubble tea place I've been to in terms of overall experience. read more

The service is so terrible. I thought perhaps it was an off day for them but I have been there a few times since and it's not worth it. She threw the straw at me twice today and was sniffing the greek yogurt for the drink I ordered. DO NOT SPEND YOUR MONEY HERE!!! read more