I'm not really a matcha person but I LOVE ube and Thai tea, so naturally OMO has been on my list to…read moretry for a longgg time. TLDR: it's worth it. Food & drink: (5/5) I got the ube s'more float and my partner got the Thai tea with cream. The float consists of Thai tea on the bottom, ube and tea soft serve on top, and ube marshmallow around the rim. It was my first time ever having OMO and my first time having ube and Thai tea together so I was very intrigued. Needless to say, they made a very good combo. I would describe the flavor as kind of earthy from the tea and custard-like from the ube. The marshmallow was pleasant for the first couple bites but by the end was a little too sweet. I got a sip of my partner's drink and it was also very good, though I can't say that I prefer it over a regular Thai tea without the additional cream. I'm hoping to come back to try the kaya toast and ube hot chocolate. Service: (5/5) We came in a rush at about 7:40pm because we were scared of a potential last call but they actually accepted orders until the very last minute. It's a very small store with only a front counter and one kiosk, and you wait in a line outside. It's definitely a different system compared to most places but they make great use out of their space. There was one worker very efficiently guiding the line and several others behind the counter, making drinks pretty fast.

My mate recommended I visit OMO Thai Tea as one of the go to spots in Bellevue…read more I came here with high expectations, especially based on the Yelp reviews. Unfortunately I found this place just to be OK for me... Perhaps OMO was bit a hyped up for me or maybe I didn't get the right thing... hard to say. The venue is a tiny hole in the wall in the corner of a residential apartment complex. Street parking is your only option. Order form the kiosk and the little kitchen window will call out you number. They are fast and efficient. There is some eccentric limited seating outside in the front of store. More decorative than practical. #Overhyped Treat: OMO Dessert (IN STORE ONLY): ~ Ube S'mores Thai Tea Float - 3/5 While this looked brilliant, I fear it was just OK for me; definitely the case of looks better than it tastes. The presentation was absolutely brilliant! However I thought the taste fell short of the visual delight. The Ube S'mores was more like a light Ube foam instead of Marshmallow Ube S'mores. I didn't think the the Thai Tea or Ube flavor was impactful, I felt both flavors were muted and fairly light. I'll try this place again and order a few items just to be sure... but I won't have high expectations. I do wish to them well and hope they continue to thrive...

Pretty solid tea place in Bellevue. Tried their signature jasmine milk drink and it was exactly…read morewhat I wanted on a cloudy afternoon in Seattle - light, floral, not sugary, and the milk feels fresh instead of heavy. I like that the tea aroma actually stays after a few sips, doesn't turn into plain sweet milk. Staff were chill, quick with the order, and the whole vibe felt relaxed.

Seattle-Area Boba Shop Review #116…read more I haven't visited Molly Tea since the Grand Opening, but I saw the boba shop recently added brown sugar boba as a topping and I had to give it a revisit. Not to mention that I also wanted to do a direct comparison between the Premium Jasmine here and at UG tea. The result? Molly comes out on top by a large margin, although UG is much cheaper. Molly gives a smaller portion size (16oz vs large 22oz) and yet costs more then UG. Premium Jasmine Milk Tea, 50% Sweet, Less Ice w/ Boba ($7.98) - The milk tea is thick, luscious almost like cream with fragrant, rounded flowery notes. The jasmine flavor is deep, filling the olfactory glands and taste buds with a rich fragrance, which finishes into a nutty and earthy barley-like essence. In comparison, UG Tea offers a thinner drink that offers a good but flatter jasmine flavor, then laces it with a somewhat overbrewed tannic tea quality. Still good in comparison with most boba shops, but noticeably worse than Molly. Unfortunately the boba isn't great - I can see why they didn't have it as an option before. While very sweet and minerally from the brown sugar soak, the texture is a too soft. Decent bounce, but the boba compresses too easily on the tongue. The pearls are also not uniform spheres, instead having rough crags all along the exterior. Milk Tea Rating: 5/5 Boba Rating: 3.5/5 I'm still leaving Molly as a 5*, but if this had been my first experience I probably would have set it as 4* given the subpar boba quality. They still have top tier milk tea though! One last thing - this place is still really busy. I expected things to die down since it's been open for a year now. Nope, on my Sunday afternoon visit, it still took over 20 minutes between the line and waiting for my drink.

I visited Third Culture Coffee to pick up a drink before visiting a friend nearby. On a weekday…read moremorning, there were only a couple of people inside working and otherwise relaxing in this larger but cozy space. The baristas are pretty efficient and soon I was sipping on my drink. French Drinking Chocolate ($6.80) - This drink consists of melted, thick, luscious chocolate. It gives a sweetened, rich chocolate flavor and is even thicker than syrup in texture. It barely flows at all. I love the chocolate spheres placed on top that are like rice crisps giving a bit of texture. Unfortunately they also clog up the opening in the lid! (4/5) I don't drink much coffee, nor hang out at cafes much, but Third Culture Coffee seems to be a nice place to relax in.

I know, I know . . . came here and didn't try the coffee. Fail! I got a spinach pastry instead and…read moreit was very good! Fluffy bread with a good amount of spinach! Love the fact that there is validated parking underneath with high tech license plate sensors so that you don't have to dig out your license info! It was pretty crowded in there with a lot of people sitting and working on their laptops so it may be hard to grab a seat or meet people here for a coffee date. There is a park nearby for you to sit and sip and people watch though!

Extremely kind and helpful staff, the best banana bread you've ever had in your life and a very…read moreclean bathroom

I was in the area for a doctor's appointment and needed a quick coffee fix. When a spot popped up…read moreon Yelp with some great photos, I figured I'd give it a try. Parking ended up being a bit of a walk, which had me second-guessing the decision at first--but I'm glad I stuck with it. The moment I walked in, the space felt thoughtfully designed. The flow of the café is one of the best I've experienced--open, comfortable, and easy to navigate. As soon as the door opened, the barista greeted me right away. The counter is positioned close enough that you don't feel awkward hovering like in some cafés where the bar feels miles away. It immediately felt welcoming. I visited on a weekend during a slower period, but since the café sits right next to a college, I can imagine the line spilling out the door during peak hours. At quieter times though, the layout works well--there's enough space for a couple people to wait without crowding the entrance. I ordered a cortado and an almond croissant. The croissant came warmed, and the texture was spot on: fluffy, layered, and not overly greasy. The almond filling had a really nice balance--nutty with just enough sweetness and a hint of salt to round it out. I was told the pastries are made in-house, and it definitely shows. It tasted like something made with care. The cortado itself was solid--pretty classic, nothing overly fancy. One thoughtful touch I appreciated was that it came with sparkling water, which was great for cleansing the palate. The space itself is fairly spacious and works well if you want a quiet moment to sip your coffee. That said, most of the seating is high stools, so it doesn't really feel like the type of place to settle in and study for hours. Overall, I really enjoyed the atmosphere, service, and quality of the food. The one thing that caught me off guard was the price of the croissant at $6.50. It tasted great and I understand prices in this area tend to run higher, especially for house-made pastries--but it's a bit outside what I'd usually spend. So while I definitely think it's good, it might not become a regular stop for me simply due to location and budget. Still, a great find and a pleasant surprise during a routine coffee run. Staff & Service: Environment: Food & Beverage:

MERCURYS COFFEE @ BELLEVUE…read more Parking is conveniently available right out front, making it easy to stop by whether you're grabbing a quick coffee or staying awhile. This is the largest Mercury's Coffee location in Washington. I've been to the Kirkland location, which is drive-thru only, but this café offers a completely different experience. A fun fact is that Mercury's headquarters is located right next door to this location. One of my favorite things is that many of their pastries are made fresh in-house, and you can actually watch the staff preparing them. Their croissants are always a great choice, and I also highly recommend their breakfast sandwiches. They even serve pizza if you're looking for something more filling. When it comes to drinks, Mercury's has some of my favorite organic coffee beverages. The Caramel Macchiato is my go-to and one of the best drinks on the menu. The café has plenty of indoor and outdoor seating, making it a great place to meet up with friends, study, or get some work done. It's easily twice the size of the Redmond or Kirkland locations, so it feels much more spacious and comfortable. The staff are always friendly, the atmosphere is warm and inviting, and the overall experience is consistently excellent. If you're in Bellevue and looking for a great local coffee shop with delicious food, fresh pastries, and plenty of space to relax, I would definitely recommend stopping by this Mercury's location.

Very disappointing experience…read more I stopped by around 4:00 p.m. with only 2-3 people in line, but two employees spent about 10 minutes chatting with a customer instead of helping those waiting. When it was finally my turn, I ordered one coffee, but although my card was charged, my order was never entered into the system. After waiting 10 minutes while several customers who ordered after me received their drinks, I went back to ask about it. Instead of apologizing, the cashier was rude and argumentative. I asked for a refund since I had to leave, but they accidentally charged my card a second time instead. Eventually, another employee tried to process the refund and told me to check my card in a couple of days. This isn't about $6--it's about poor customer service, lack of training, and no accountability. Mercury Coffee used to be much better. I hope management addresses these issues.

Recently moved to Bellevue from Seattle and of course was desperate to find a new brunch spot with…read moreallergen-friendly options, and WOW. Bellden Cafe has it all, we've already gone several times I'm obsessed with the ube mochi waffle, it is soooo delicious (not too sweet, incredible texture and flavor). Their matcha is also lovely, I got matcha with rose syrup both times I went (so immaculate). I've turned into a bit of a matcha snob, so always looking for some good options and they hit the spot. The service is incredible, literally the people working there are the nicest people everrrr. Even on a super busy weekend morning, they were so accommodating, so friendly and even remembered us from just one visit! Really fantastic team, they really make the whole experience even MORE lovely. And the interior is jussssst so gorg!!! The decor is immaculate, there's lots of space (even when it was crowded), would be a perfect place to work from during the week, even their outdoor tables were very clean and cutie. Absolutely love, this has become a new staple of ours since moving to the east side! brunch girlies rise!!!

Bellden Cafe isn't a place where I'd normally eat a meal at, but we were only a bit peckish and in…read morethe middle of playing a board game. After being recommended Bellden Cafe by a foodie friend for a quick meal, we headed over to get some takeout to eat during the game. Mr. Brioche ($11) - This sandwich starts with a rich toasted brioche bun, which is then slathered with some creamy and fatty aioli. A soft and tender, spiced breakfast patty is placed on top, charred just a tad to give some browning and develop flavor. Some eggs, cooked on the flat top in a circular mold which makes it perfectly conform to the size of the bun, is carefully placed on top of the meat, and then finally some swiss cheese cements the sweet vegetal microgreens atop. The bun is voluminous, especially noteworthy in height. The interior ingredients only reaches perhaps 1/3 the height of the bun, making it appear that the sandwich will be dry. But that's an impression soon deemed to be false, as there's more than enough moisture from the aioli and melted cheese to smooth things over. (4/5) I don't normally associate cafes, particularly ones that seem to lean more towards the drink side of things, to also serve good food. But overall, I came out pleasantly surprised at the quality of the food I ate. Bathrooms - Single unisex room.

Cafe Joy in Bellevue is a cute, eclectic café with fun, slightly random decor like a sheep, Target…read moredog, and Legos. Their specialty drinks are the highlight, with unique options like a sweet corn latte. We tried the coconut and black sesame lattes. Both had strong coffee flavor and leaned a bit bitter, but still good. The strawberry croffle was delicious, and the ham and cheese piadina was solid. Service was quick. Parking is a bit annoying with mostly street options. Overall, a good spot to try something different, but not quite a go to for me.

I recently stopped by Cafe Joy and tried their mango matcha, and it was honestly such a pleasant…read moresurprise. The drink leaned more toward a matcha mango milk tea, which I loved. had that creamy, smooth matcha base with a subtle sweetness from the mango. What really stood out were the small chunks of real mango in the drink. They had a soft, almost jelly-like texture but were actually fresh fruit, which made it feel more refreshing and less artificial compared to typical fruit add-ins. It added a nice burst of flavor and texture in every sip.

CHICHA San Chen delivers a premium tea experience, but it comes with a premium price tag! It's…read morebasically $10 for a drink, and they only offer one size, which is the smaller size of a usual tea place's volume. BUT they are remarkably consistent, with perfectly chewy pearls and high quality teas. So, even though I'm paying a lot, I know it's going to be good. I got the Dong Ding Oolong with cream, perfect sweet and less ice with boba. The Dong Ding oolong is a high mountain oolong with a strong malty, nutty, roasty taste. It perfectly complements the cream. I prefer cream as opposed to milk since I think the cream gives the drink a thicker, more velvety mouthfeel if you mix it into the tea, plus before mixing you can sip on the cream and the tea separately, so it's like you can enjoy two drinks in one cup!

As a tea AND bubble tea lover, this place is incredible! The drink options are limitless and very…read morecustomizable, plus absolutely delicious. Incredibly high quality bubble tea. The team is absolutely lovely, it was my first time there and I had some questions/confusion and they were literally so patient, so kind and definitely pointed me in the right direction! As a Libra, decisions are hard ok luckily, you really can't go wrong with anything here. They even offer you free samples of their daily tea! They were pretty busy for a weeknight and yet we didn't wait long at all. Beautiful decor, very unique, relaxing and artistic. Definitely gives quality tea absolutely crushed it on the aesthetic front 10/10 gorgeous Sadly deducting a star because I got a very long black hair in my drink and I have very short blonde hair, so it was a bit unsettling and the drinks are quite expensive, so didn't super love that!