RareTea

194

900

63138

6 years ago

RareTea is located in the Laurelwood Shopping Center in San Mateo. I learned via Instagram that this shop was having its Sof Opening. I hadn't been to RareTea in awhile, so I decided to seek it out. The place is near the College of San Mateo. When I got there, there was a group ahead of me. This gave me time to study the menu and look over the interior. The staff thanked me for waiting. I selected a Grapefruit Green Tea with Aloe Vera and a Strawberry Palmer (Iced Tea), the latter suggested by the staff member. My drinks were ready in a few minutes. The staff member thanked me for my patience. The drinks were refreshing and flavorful -- definitely worth the wait. I would absolutely visit again if I were in the area. read more

RareTea - RareTea in San Mateo - Bubble Tea Near Me - San Mateo, California

RareTea - Menu - Bubble Tea Near Me - San Mateo, California

RareTea - Ways to order - Bubble Tea Near Me - San Mateo, California

RareTea - Social Distancing - Bubble Tea Near Me - San Mateo, California

RareTea - Sign - Bubble Tea Near Me - San Mateo, California

RareTea - Inside - Bubble Tea Near Me - San Mateo, California

RareTea - View outside - Bubble Tea Near Me - San Mateo, California

RareTea - Interior - Bubble Tea Near Me - San Mateo, California

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Tiffany D.

Elite 26 All-Star

3307

3002

11359

5 years ago

Jasmine milk tea with grass jelly, was refreshing! They offer other fillings and a wide variety of teas to choose from! Popcorn chicken and other small bites for the win! Fast, options on ice levels and sugar servings are available, and readily shaken up drink. read more

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Kalvin S.

2 years ago

I really am not a big fan of paying $6-7+ for a drink, so I rarely go out to get a boba for myself. My daughters love getting it so I may take a sip of theirs as a daddy tax. RareTea is one of the better deals around, where you can get a 24 ounce drink for $6. I was pleasantly surprised by their boba as it is soft and warm and fresh. The teas are flavorful and delicious. I'm not planning on making this a habit, but RareTea would be my stop when I have a hankering! read more

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Cal C.

160

417

3 years ago

Tried the roasted oolong milk tea a few weeks ago. It was alright, not much tea flavor but also wasn't too sweet so I liked that. My drink was ready before the estimated time and I just grabbed it from the pickup window - easy/no frills. read more

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Christine F.

491

337

4 years ago

Went back and got a different boba drink and some popcorn chicken. The chicken was hot but not as crispy as other popcorn chicken I've had before. I'll pass on this the next time I come back. I'll likely only come back for their boba. The Thai tea drink was good, but I wish it had a stronger Thai tea flavor. The boba was nice and chewy though! read more

RareTea - Thai Tea Ice Blend - Bubble Tea Near Me - San Mateo, California

RareTea - Popcorn Chicken - Bubble Tea Near Me - San Mateo, California

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Addie i.

3 years ago

Came here because I had time to kill in the area, got no sugar Jasmine milk tea with boba. Service was great. The milk tea was very good, could taste the delicious green tea flavor. The boba was given to me warm and got nicely chewy as it cooled. It was just that there was a lot of sweet syrup on the boba, and I wasn't in the mood for a sweet tea. A little sweet, but I would go back if I was in the area. If I went again, maybe I'd get Thai tea, because I think it is more suited to the sweetness of the syrup. Or I could consider getting the Jasmine milk tea without boba. read more

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Andrea B.

563

1332

2308

5 years ago

If your looking for a unique flavored tea, this would be your place. Ordered a milk tea with four season tea, oat milk, and boba. The four season tea has a very unique bitter taste and the boba was perfectly prepared. Customer service was great and prices are very reasonable. You can order in advance or order at the counter. read more

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Yvonne K.

Elite 24

246

119

1318

5 years ago

Rarest fruit teas in the Bay Area! Absolutely loved their peach and passion fruit green teas because they tasted like real fruit! Can't say the same for the milk teas. I've only tried their jasmine and Okinawa milk teas and both tasted milky and lacked tea flavor. I ordered both my fruit and milk teas at 50% sweet which was perfect sweetness for fruit teas but I felt like the milk teas could've been sweeter. Boba was nice and cooked to perfection I prefer using their online ordering system to place an order ahead of time. To the left of the cashier are two windows for online and in store pickups read more

RareTea - Passion fruit green tea - Bubble Tea Near Me - San Mateo, California

RareTea - Jasmine green milk tea w/ boba - Bubble Tea Near Me - San Mateo, California

RareTea - Okinawa milk tea & peach green tea - Bubble Tea Near Me - San Mateo, California

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Eric W.

695

613

1610

6 years ago

I just happened to be in this part of town a few days ago, and since I had not made it to this area for awhile, I decided to check out what's new in the milk tea scene. Lo and behold, when I searched on this here trusty app, RareTea is what appeared with the highest score. I heard all about the other branches in the East Bay before, but never had the chance to visit. I had always been intrigued, so might as well give it a shot! The location in the non-descript, non-Asian strip mall high up in a secluded residential neighborhood in the hills is somewhat interesting. The majority of the countless pearl tea cafés in the San Mateo area are all dotted around the downtown district, so this is the last place where I'd expect to find a boba shop. However, with all the competition down there, it is hard to differentiate from the pack. In addition, I suppose the ownership is aiming for a different level of clientele, so this could very well work to their benefit. The shop itself is easy to find, as it is in a corner, and parking should be a breeze, at least during the lockdown. The staff is all very young, and although not super friendly or chatty, is quite helpful and patient. To keep things simple, whenever trying a new place, I always stick to the basics. I decided to give the plain honey milk tea a try, with full sweetness (I only get full sweetness when it's honey), and no ice. Wow! Color me impressed! I was somewhat expecting it to be halfway decent, but instead, I was absolutely blown away! The flavor is rather strong, and the consistency is more on the creamy side, just how I like it. I can safely say it is one of the better milk teas I have gulped down of late. If I ever make it back to this neck of the woods again in the near future, I will absolutely stop by RareTea, and completely skip over all of the also rans downtown. I am also much more compelled to fork over my hard earned cash to the branches closer to home (and without toll) in the East Bay as well. read more

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Meghan P.

3266

1179

6 years ago

Due to COVID, I've only had RareTea through DoorDash so far but it's one of my current favorite boba spots (and I LOVE boba)! My husband is slightly less boba-obsessed and also loves it! Some of the reasons I love RareTea so much: - usually nice cups and straws -- their cups were different and leaky the last time I ordered but I expect that was a one time thing - so many customization options including oat milk (my fave!) and tons of flavor options - fruit teas are so delicious -- mango passion is one of my favorites - my husband loves the flavored pudding as one of his toppings A friend who lives 10 minutes away wasn't seeing RareTea in her DoorDash app so I ordered her two drinks as a treat with our order and dropped them off at her house. She's also a huge boba fan and also loved them! I'm excited to check out this spot in-person post-COVID too! read more

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Virginia S.

2 years ago

My favorite Bobba tea place to date. Why? Their Jasmine Green milk tea, 25% sweetness, low ice, with Bobba, and salted cheese (snow cream) is the best. And I've tried many places. The secret ingredient for me is the perfect blend of their salted cheese. Most places serve watered down salted cheese. This place has yummy salted cheese. Can you tell it's all about the salted cheese for me? read more

RareTea - Jasmine Green milk tea with salted cheese and Bobba. - Bubble Tea Near Me - San Mateo, California

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Pamela K.

291

449

550

6 years ago

Easily in my top 10 list of best bobas out there. Strawberry Palmer and Mango Mango (with sea salt crema) are my top two picks if you're ready for a boba that will fill you up like a meal would. So good and you just can't stop! Protip: Do not add crema to the Watermelon Palmer. You'd think creamy watermelon (tea) would taste good. It doesn't. The popcorn chicken could use a few more seconds in the fryer and some more pepper salt seasoning -- but that doesn't stop RareTea from being a 5 star bubble shop. Properly staffed, friendly service, knockout drinks and perfectly sweetened and chewy boba. Nailed it, RareTea! read more

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Danielle C.

Elite 26 All-Star

633

3801

1690

6 years ago

I ordered RareTea recently via delivery and thought my drink was ok. I got the black milk tea with 30% sugar and boba. The 30% sugar was still really really sweet. They didn't have anything lower than that besides 0% though (I do want some sweetness). I would say this is almost equivalent to some other shops' 50% sugar. I had a hard time finishing my boba drink because of its sweetness. The drink is also a bit on the milky side if that's your thing! The tapioca (boba) is not bad though. Very plentiful and pretty chewy enough for me. Not sure if I'd order this drink again. I might try some other stuff though. read more

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Mia S.

208

934

254

6 years ago

So I've been to rare tea a lot now and I was never pleased with their drinks. I tried their watermelon Palmer which was meh, regular milk tea, sea foam green tea, and they were all whatever or sub par. I just kept coming bc they're close by, but if I could help it, I would always go somewhere else. I come in today bc I didn't want to drive down the hill, and all my drinks were awesome! I ordered a jasmine milk tea and my kids got a passionfruit blended drink (no caffeine, bc why would I want to make my life hell). Maybe they've tasted what they make and realized it was meh, so now everything is great! Wait, I don't want to say that since I only tried these two that were great! All in all tho, I do want to say that if they keep this up, they will have a regular out of me. People here are nice, and if you order online you just pick it up at the window. Super convenient. read more

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Michelle M.

248

2492

989

6 years ago

Had to try this new boba place in the peninsula. It's located close to the San Mateo Jr. College up on the 92 Hwy, off the Hillsdale exit. Nestled in the busy Laurelwood Shopping Center. Sadly this place opened during the pandemic and they've adapted to the safety COVID rules. Prices are very reasonable. I was extremely pleased with my Okinawa Milk Tea, 80% sweet, with boba. My husband ordered the High Mountain Tea with Creama, he too was really happy with his drink. They have this super fancy tea machine. It looks equivalent to a fancy coffee machine. You just have to see it for yourself. ;^) I agree with other Yelpers, that I don't have to drive super far to buy quality boba. Cheers to this new business and may the word get out and you are successful. I plan to go back and sample more items from their menu. read more

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Prerana C.

5 years ago

The worst popcorn chicken I have ever had. I don't know if you guys always do this or just this time you decided to fry the chicken 352847 times. The chicken is so hard, rubbery and chewy ended up with a bad jaw. Please prepare the orders fresh and not re-fry whatever leftovers you've got else, just straight up don't take the order. read more

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Veronica L.

Elite 21

248

535

472

6 years ago

How exciting! Finally this plaza has a boba place! Great addition to the neighborhood. Highly needed. Ordered online super easy - let's u pick ice amount, hot vs cold, sweetness, extras, and type of milk. Order was ready for pick up in a short time. Delicious and satisfying. Husband and I picked up the Hokkaido and Okinawa teas and both were great. read more

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Stephanie C.

539

1142

4 years ago

A boba shop in this strip mall was long overdue, and it's arguably the best one in all of San Mateo. My go-to is the taro slush or passionfruit, but all their items are good, including the fried stuff. I recommend ordering ahead via Yelp - they are severely understaffed. read more

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Prerana C.

6 years ago

Great tea, perfect blend of flavours and a lot of options to choose from. From left: Okinawa Milk Tea, Taro Milk Tea, Okinawa, Fruit Tea, Brown Sugar Tea, Matcha Green Tea, Thai Tea Ice Blend read more

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Beck P.

196

117

6 years ago

So excited to see a boba shop open closer to home! I got the Crema tea with black tea and the Hokkaido w/boba. Both were solid. The Hokkaido had a really nice toffee finish. I'm excited to come back and try the other flavors. Planning to urban hike tomorrow and reward myself with Rare tea boba. You can order via walk-up, their website, or via 3rd party delivery services. Their walk-up doesn't show all their menu options but their website does! read more

RareTea - Half drunk crema tea. Forgot to take a photo before enjoying it - Bubble Tea Near Me - San Mateo, California

RareTea - Store front, pickup area - Bubble Tea Near Me - San Mateo, California

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Sandy G.

3 years ago

Love Rare Tea, its popcorn chicken and various milk drinks! Plus the location is so perfect by not having to drive downtown to get my popcorn chicken fix! Fast friendly service with ample parking to boot! Forget driving downtown and cater to this great place instead! Highly recommend read more

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Sophia W.

114

342

1022

6 years ago

We got their mango green tea crema and mango milk tea. It taste like mango pudding! Definitely recommend it if you want a mango pudding in a liquid form. read more

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Judy W.

190

3 years ago

There is no indoor seating yet so we ordered at the window. The person who took our order was nice, and gave me suggestions. The food came out within probably 10 to 15 mins for 2 drinks & 2 snacks. We ordered popcorn chicken & waffle fries. The fries were soggy & super salty. The popcorn chicken was better but it was also a bit Salty for our taste. Both mango & preach drink was ok, but it wasn't like good good for us to come back. read more

RareTea - Peach & mango drink Waffle fries & popcorn chicken - Bubble Tea Near Me - San Mateo, California

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shuqi w.

4 years ago

one of my fav boba places taking into consideration of their price especially STRAWBERRY PLUSH is my all time favorite. Boba is also always chewy as they keep it warm read more

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Jennifer C.

3 years ago

Great service and beverage. Option for those who can't have dairy, I ordered a Mango mango ice blend. It's a very refreshing drink. Also comes in a plastic reusable cup. Paid 5.50. read more

RareTea - Mango mango ice blend yummmm - Bubble Tea Near Me - San Mateo, California

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Michelle W.

2 years ago

They no longer serve the Yakult drinks or almond jello that made this place unique among all the other boba places in the peninsula.

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Linda Q.

2 years ago

Like the way they prepare their drinks. Have gone there two times and would go back again.

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Abby R.

508

3 years ago

Friendly employees and amazing tea!! This is my new favorite in the area. I highly recommend coming here. Thanks, RareTea!

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Ana M.

143

219

411

4 years ago

Amazing place ! I am new to this Tea world but I have to say this place is amazing. I still wouldn't know what to recommend as I am trying new things of the menu but so far so good. read more

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Angela T.

121

117

3 years ago

This place is close to my office. There are not too many Boba places in the Belmont area. The staff there was nice. I ordered the Mango Mango Smoothie with Lychee Jelly. It was very good. I wish they have a frequent buyer program as I will come here often. read more

RareTea - Mango Mango with Lychee Jelly, half sweet. - Bubble Tea Near Me - San Mateo, California

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Jimmy C.

167

5 years ago

The milk tea was good however the chicken and pot stickers were gross and burned. They obviously didn't change the deep fryer oil. I'll attach the pics. Chicken didn't have any seasoning either. Really doesn't seem like any place can survive this great location. Sad. read more

RareTea - This was a pot sticker... I think. Very gross and burned tasting. - Bubble Tea Near Me - San Mateo, California

RareTea - Crispy chicken was under seasoned and burned. Old oil. - Bubble Tea Near Me - San Mateo, California

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Lawrencr L.

6 years ago

Food: 4.5 Decor: 4.5 Service: 5 Decided to go in and try the new boba shop around the block located in Laurelwood plaza near CSM. Ordered an okinawa milk tea and strawberry plush and both drinks were both really good. The cashier was super nice and very accommodating while I took a minute to make my order. Because of Covid, they opened up the space in the store to accommodate space between customers and have a beautiful teapresso machine in the front with many different kinds of teapressos. This place is definitely unique and conveniently close to my neighborhood. I'm sure this will be the new spot once CSM opens up again to hang out! read more

RareTea - Front of store/menu - Bubble Tea Near Me - San Mateo, California

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William R.

3 years ago

Rare Tea serves great tea and boba. Awesome service and cozy location. Their tea is light in general as compared to heavy with milk.

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Vernicky H.

155

4 years ago

This is by far the best boba place that I have ever been to. I almost didn't come and that would have been such a loss. The boba was hot, fresh, gooey and so tasty not overly sweet like a lot of other places and the Taro was spot on they even serve you through the window. Can you even imagine, I couldn't. best boba ever! read more

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Melissa T.

Elite 23

177

318

124

5 years ago

I've been twice and have had a fruit tea and a milk tea. Both teas were very tasty, but the boba is really terrible. I figured that perhaps the boba was bad on my first visit because I came before closing, but I went again mid-day and the boba was just as bad. The pearls are very over-cooked, so they are mushy and there is no rubbery bite to them. However, the good drinks make up for the boba. Now I know to skip the pearls and stick to the jellies, as those are decent here. read more

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Ching-Pei H.

5 years ago

I really wanted to like this place due to its proximity to work...but twice now I've ordered drinks and they're tasteless. Taro was clearly powdered and didn't have any flavor. It was purple water. Black tea has no tea flavor and the boba are neither sweet nor chewy. Bummer. read more

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Lanita L.

5 years ago

Luv the ice cream options! We drive out of our way to get this tea. Their Thai Tea is so creamy and perfect sweetness, and my family loves the boba. They are also super kind and remember us every time we order through Yelp read more

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Charmaine L.

Elite 21

366

711

4917

6 years ago

Quality tea and convenient to order and pick up. Very easy to hop on their site and order online, usually ready under 15 minutes and you can just pick up at the window without any contact. Love the honey milk tea, java milk tea, and the cocoa milk tea. The caramel pudding has a deep and rich caramel taste that makes it like a decadent dessert. We've also tried the peach black tea with grass jelly and the passion fruit yakult. All great. So glad that they opened in the time of COVID to bring more joy to the world. read more

RareTea - Honey milk tea with pudding. Peach black tea with grass jelly. Coffee milk tea with pudding. Cocoa milk tea with boba. - Bubble Tea Near Me - San Mateo, California

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Yvonne Y.

No answers yet. Be the first to answer.

420

965

6 years ago

Super excited for a new boba place, but their drinks are a bit disappointing. Got 3 different drinks (Okinawa, Hokkaido, and Taro) and they are all just ok. Boba is a lot tougher than expected. It's certainly not soft and chewy as other yelpers described. As for their tea, there is a hint of bitterness in it. Even though we order 100% sweetness for all, kids still don't care for the bitterness in their Hokkaido drinks. Hope it's just an off day for them. We might give them another try next time. read more

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Page 2 of 5

1330 W Hillsdale Blvd
San Mateo, CA 94403
Directions
(650) 389-6625
Call Now
Order Takeout or Delivery
Start Order
Visit Website
http://rareteasm.square.site

Full menu

Hours

What time does RareTea open?

RareTea opens at 12:00 PM on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

What time does RareTea close?

RareTea closes at 8:00 PM on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Mon-Sun 12:00 PM - 8:00 PM

Payment methods

Does RareTea take credit cards?

Yes, RareTea takes credit cards.

Food & Alcohol

Does RareTea have catering options?

No, RareTea does not have catering options.

Indoor Amenities

Does RareTea allow dogs?

Yes, RareTea allows dogs.

Outdoor Amenities

Does RareTea have parking?

Yes, RareTea has parking options. Private Lot Parking

Other Amenities

Is RareTea wheelchair accessible?

Yes, RareTea is wheelchair accessible.

Does RareTea have free WiFi?

Yes, RareTea has free WiFi.

More Info

Health Score

Ask the Community - RareTea

Is there a frequent user card here?

What are the store hours?

Tuesday-Sunday: 12-8 pm

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3.3 mi

I was eating next door on a Sunday afternoon and saw lots of people going in and coming out with…read moredelicious looking matcha drinks. I watched their reactions when taking the first sip, it was a lot of head nodding and thumbs upping to their friends so I felt like I had to go in and try for myself. Went in and ordered an earl gray matcha and my partner ordered a passion mango tea w boba. The matcha & the passion fruit was so good! The boba was chewy and sweet. I would definitely recommend coming and trying! I really wanted to try their strawberry matcha but I'm always so skeptical (I have trust issues w bad strawb matchas) but the earl gray was good, so maybe I'll try next visit. The interior was nice, menu was straight forward on the wall and on the check out table -- only thing is the description of the drinks weren't shown on the menus until you're on the self check out kiosk. I was curious about the sunny side up matcha thinking it was made with real egg yolk (which I thought kinda weird?) but the kiosk said that it was mango. You didn't really talk to staff at all & the drinks came out pretty fast! Would come back again.

Inconsistent spot. My first visit was on 6/3, and I ordered the matcha einspanner--it was honestly…read moreone of the worst matchas I've had. I later found out they closed that same day due to some kind of sewage/health inspection issue, so I decided to give them another chance after they reopened, especially since friends recommended their other locations. My visits since then have definitely been better. My go-to is now the Double Matcha at 50% sweet. It has a strong matcha flavor, is creamy, and is really good when made right. I definitely won't be getting the matcha einspanner again though. The biggest issue is consistency. Not every visit tastes the same, but when it's good, it's good. The shop also sometimes has a noticeable bathroom/cleaning chemical smell, which isn't the most pleasant when you're sitting inside.

Black Sesame Matcha Einspanner (oatmilk, 50% sweetness)

Hojicha Einspanner

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Sunny Side Up Matcha

Anton

4.4(54 reviews)

2.3 mi

I've come to this place on many occasions and I have to say it never disappoints. Anton stands out…read morewith its Crepe cakes but the other desserts are delicious too. When you walk in, there is always someone there to greet you and inform you of the new crepe cakes available and what they have in stock. So far, I've tried the Hokkaido Milk Crepe Cake, the Matcha Crepe Cake, Tiramisu Crepe Cake, the Pistachio Crepe Cake, the matcha tart and the mango panna cotta. My favorites are the Hokkaido Milk Crepe Cake and the Pistachio Crepe Cake. All of the cakes are not too sweet and have great balance. It's so good that you don't even realize that it's done. If you're feeling adventurous, give the Panna Cotta a try. It won't disappoint! Overall, one of the best crepe cakes I've had on the West Coast.

This was my first time trying this cake shop. Layered cakes like these seem to be getting more and…read moremore popular in the U.S. I've tried Lady M before, and I felt that most of their flavors, except for the green tea one, were a bit on the sweet side. The two cakes I ordered here were actually quite light and not overly sweet, and the flavors were also pretty unique. They also offer special seasonal flavors for certain holidays, which is a nice touch. Overall, I think it's a pretty good place to try! 第一次嘗試這家蛋糕店，這種分層式的蛋糕感覺在美國越來越多，我之前吃過Lady M，感覺他們除了綠茶以外，口味都偏甜。這家的蛋糕其實我點的這兩款都挺清淡的，口味也很特殊，加上在某些特定的節日，店家還會推出應景的不同口味蛋糕，感覺挺不錯的。

2 SLICES - HOKKAIDO MILK (back) AND HOJICHA MILLE CREPE SLICE (front) SET

Collage. IG: mikaelekeni

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Holiday Chocolate Crepe Cake - 3/5

Molly Tea

4.7(640 reviews)

2.3 mi

Small tea shop in downtown San Mateo, but easy to get to with plenty of nearby parking. Depending…read moreon the time of day, there can be long lines. My kids are big into Molly Tea as they feel their teas are more authentic and flavorful, along with their natural ingredients. I would tend to agree - Molly Tea offers a diverse menu featuring signature jasmine milk teas, specialty milk teas, fruit and floral infusions, brown sugar drinks, and non-dairy options, all customizable for sugar and ice levels. In summary, you can order pretty much anything the way YOU like it. My go-to's are the jasmine-infused milk teas, which is what Molly Tea is renowned for, especially the classic (jasmine milk tea). Lots of tea and boba tea places to choose from in the DT SM area, but you can't go wrong with Molly Tea (provided the lines are not too long when you visit!)

I had to have tried the "wrong" drink because it was honestly disgusting. My experience was…read morelackluster. I had the pistachio jasmine coco and i usually like all, but that combination did not work for me. I actually had no issues with the staff as they were great. Clean place and fairly quick. Now the customers... literally are the reason I would not go back unless someone paid for my drink to try something new. There was a decent line and everyone was tightly packed like sardines. I'm an extremely patient person (clearly enough to check out popular places like so) but it gets to a point where I am wondering if you want to be IN MY SKIN? Give space, you won't lose your line! After ordering, I happened to sit outside since the shop is tiny and the people who ordered before me happened to wait in front me-- blabbing. Blabbing about their jobs, salary, tech, tech, tech, obnoxiously loud. Almost as if they wanted others to know the internships and job they scored. Whatever-- but THE AUDACITY to make sly comments about the workers and laugh about how they weren't tipping them because they get paid to do that. I'm not one to pocket watch, but right after you brag about the money you make? Enough for me not to come back as that is not a welcoming environment I care to be a part of.

Pistachio Jasmine Coconut

Premium Jasmine Milk Tea

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Jasmine milk is very tasty, recommend will come back next time

Urban Ritual

4.2(697 reviews)

2.3 mi

This time we got some fruit teas and they were so good not overly sweet, and you can actually taste…read morethe tea (which I love). My friend got a fruit tea, and I tried the Toffee Matcha... omg, so thick, creamy, and just really satisfying. Service was also super sweet, the cashier guy was really friendly and helpful, which made the whole experience even better. Simple, solid, and always hits. Will definitely keep coming back

I went in on a workday after work and it wasn't busy, my wife and I shared a mango sticky rice…read moredrink, and we didn't really like it. It felt literally like rice milk and mango juice, very underwhelming. It could have been my fault for not reading the description but I assumed it would have more components to it. In a world with Molly tea and chi cha San Chen I feel like this drink does not meet expectations...

Entryway

Menu and coffee

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Specialty drinks menu

Little Late Bird

4.2(97 reviews)

3.0 mi

Recently discovered this place and today I was with my baby who fallen asleep in the car. I ordered…read moreonline but I couldn't park or figure out how to pick up my order. I stopped in front of their coffee shop and run back forth saying that my baby is sleeping, let me know when it is ready. So the cook bought my sandwich to the car even though I didn't ask for that. Awwww as postpartum mama who did not have her breakfast and coffee at 11am, I was so touched by their excellent service! Coffee was so smooth and my sandwich like my grandma did - so yummy! They just earned forever customer! :-)

I've been here a number of times, they're located in a business complex, but they're also open on…read morethe weekends so we pop in here and there for coffee or a snack. We've tried a good number of things on the menu and the main thing for me is that even though the prices are not steep, the food portions are quite small. Even the bagels are not standard-sized bagels, they're smaller and feel more like a mini bagel. Whenever I order any rice dish, I'm never full. Taste is average at best across everything I've tried. So even though it's not expensive, it doesn't feel quite worth it. The drinks are good, I've enjoyed most of what I've tried. The space is pretty big and open, good for working or hanging out and the staff is usually friendly. The only time I've had a negative experience with service was with the owner or manager (not sure), she was a bit rude and stand-offish.

Environment

Bulgogi Sandwich & Flat White (oat milk)

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Banana latte, lavender latte and Nutella croffle

Goodthing Coffee

4.1(317 reviews)

3.3 mi

I came last week and ordered an espresso. I love how they served it neatly in this wooden tray…read morealong with a small glass of sparkling water to cleanse the palate. It's the proper way and I appreciate it because most coffee shops do not offer the sparkling water with espressos. We need to bring this practice back! I like this location and will definitely come back again!

My sister-in-law suggested a matcha 'dessert' after lunch one afternoon. She and her girls know the…read morebest coffee, matcha and sweets places around. I had never even heard of Goodthing Coffee until she mentioned it. She recommended the Urban Angel so I followed her lead and ordered the same. The menu didn't provide much detail on what exactly the drinks consisted of so be sure to ask if you have any allergies. The Urban Angel arrived with crushed pistachios sprinkled on top of some creamy sweet concoction. We were given spoons to eat up the top before sipping the matcha underneath. The drink was delectable but a bit rich and heavy. It was good, would've been better if I wasn't so full from lunch. I also don't know if I'd regularly pay $9.50 for a drink.

Inside Seating

Single Origin To Go

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Back patio.

Cafe Kazka

4.2(155 reviews)

3.2 mi

cafe kazka is such a hidden gem in foster city! my friend and I came to check it out for lunch…read moreafter hearing it was a hong kong-style cafe, and were not disappointed at all. first, the cafe is so cute and also spotless- I could've stayed all day just reading or doing work. there was lots of outdoor seating overlooking the water which was so nice! I got an iced HK style coffee + milk tea which I've never had before but was so delicious. I'd definitely come back to try the other fruity drinks too! we ordered the tom yum noodles, preserved vegetables & pork noodle soup, salt & pepper fries, and the HK style french toast with peanut butter. the french toast was our favorite- it was fluffy and chewy and was just like the HK classic. the noodle dishes were both so hearty and flavorful too, and the portions were a good size. it did take a bit long for everything to come out, but it did seem like there was only one person working and she was very kind and accommodating when we had questions about our order. we didn't mind at all, especially sitting outside and enjoying the view! overall, I'll for sure be back for the drinks and to try some other HK style street food.

This was my first time trying Cafe Kazka, and unfortunately, I was very disappointed. The…read morerestaurant seemed seriously understaffed and very disorganized. I ordered the lemongrass pork jaw rice. There were only about six pieces of meat, and the lemongrass was chopped into very tiny pieces and mixed into the sauce. The problem was that the lemongrass was extremely tough, almost like small pieces of tree branches, and impossible to chew. I had to spit them out, but because they were chopped so finely and mixed throughout the sauce and meat, it was very difficult to eat. If this is how they prepare the dish, they should reconsider the way they cook and serve lemongrass dishes--or consider removing this dish from the menu. I also waited about 30 minutes for my food. After such a long wait, I expected the food to at least arrive hot, but it was already cold. It seemed like the food had been sitting in the kitchen for a while because there weren't enough staff to bring it out to customers. The table service and cleanliness were also disappointing. There were no staff available to clean the tables, and I actually saw customers moving previous customers' dirty plates to one side and wiping the table themselves. Our table was also extremely sticky. The restaurant really needs to review its food delivery process. Instead of having staff run around the dining area trying to find the right table number, they could simply have customers pick up their food using an order number. This would probably make the process much faster and more organized. Overall, the food was just so-so, the service was slow, and the whole restaurant felt very unorganized. Unfortunately, I will not be coming back.

Inside

Duck breast rice

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Fried fish siu mai

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Tamaya A.

107

578

3 years ago

Loved loved loved the drink I got, Mango green tea! Usually I get this drink and most places butcher it. But this one was just so perfect! I wish this was closer to home as we were just visiting. Pieces seem a bit cheaper than most places. And this location has a variety of snacks! There is another rare tea near me, but it seems they have some different items from each other. I could be wrong but both locations are great so far! read more

Anthony J.

4 years ago

The boba tea here is made with fresh fruits, giving it a truly authentic flavor that's hard to find elsewhere. The prices are also very reasonable, especially compared to some of the other boba tea shops in the area. Rare Tea has a great selection of drinks and toppings to choose from, and their commitment to using high-quality ingredients really shines through in every sip. read more

Frank D.

1 year ago

RareTea is a fantastic neighborhood boba spot with great food, excellent service, and a welcoming ambience. The drinks are well-crafted with quality ingredients, and the staff is always friendly and efficient. Whether you're stopping by for a quick treat or hanging out for a while, it's a solid choice for boba lovers. read more

Michele G.

4 years ago

One of the few Boba tea places that accepts cash! Thank you for making great tasting tea, allowing for customers to pay with cash and having reasonable prices! Will definitely return!! read more

Arzam J.

5 years ago

Tea was good. A little pricey. $6.75 for waffle fries. But really nice guy. I prefer to support small businesses anyway.

Maddie Y.

4 years ago

Literally i want to glug glug all the boba

RareTea - bubbletea - Updated September 2026

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Tea Hut

4.1

(218 reviews)

We were running some errands in the peninsula and I needed my boba fix. I remember having a good…read moreexperience with Tea Hut SF years ago (before I became Yelp Elite), and saw that San Carlos had a location as well. The shop itself is small, and there is only one ordering kiosk. There are no bathrooms available, but the singular staff member told me that I could use the bathrooms at Peet's next door. There's not much in terms of ambiance, as it seems that it's expected you take your drink to go. I went with the jasmine matcha. I liked that there was an option for oat milk without any surcharge. Even though there was only one worker, my drink was made quickly. However, it was also the middle of the day on a weekday, so I was one of only two patrons. I'm not sure what matcha they use at Tea Hut, but I liked the flavor, and the jasmine tea was nice and florally too. Overall it was a well-balanced drink and quite refreshing for the unseasonably warm March day. I will be back to try other drinks if I'm ever in the area again.

I got the 24oz Creme brûlée with boba (4.5/5 stars) for $8. It was good, and I'd get it again, but…read moreit was a bit overpriced for the size in my opinion, and a lot of their options were non-boba flavors I wasn't interested in, like cheese foam or coconut pudding. I think I'd probably do Boba Guys if/when I'm in San Carlos again. Staff was kind and service was fast at 7:15pm on a weeknight, the restaurant seemed clean and modern although not the nicest.

Happy Lemon

3.5

(265 reviews)

This is my go-to boba spot in San Mateo/Foster City! I…read moreencourage yall to try the cheese foam! I know it sounds weird but it gives an interesting tang to your normal boba. I find their flavor to be richer and less "watered down" than other boba shops. Service is always quick here :) [this review was made in connection with a Toast promotion]

We ordered the boba milk tea & the boba milk tea puff with less sweetness, but it still felt very…read moresweet. Service was fine, there was only two people working at the time and they were doing their best. Our stomach unfortunately started hurting afterwards and not sure if it was from the milk. Dont be discouraged reading this review, maybe just get something different. There's only a few tables inside if you wanted to sit and chill there. There's a large free parking lot too.

Sharetea

3.7

(124 reviews)

Today August 10th at 3:55 p.m. is the third time that this boba shop has been out of boba when I…read morehave visited. I just don't understand that if this is the main thing that they sell that they are out of it. Although I think the drinks are decent it's just mind boggling that they run out of boba or don't know how to manage and prepare for running low. There are so many other boba places in San Mateo that if you want to take your chances go here, otherwise I would recommend going somewhere else.

Cute shop by the theatre! Has a large menu lots of good choices - I got the mango passion fruit tea…read moreand it hit the spot on the hot summer day! The drink was ready in under 5 mins very impressed.

Tpumps

3.9

(413 reviews)

We come here every Tuesday for their free size upgrade promo! Soft, chewy boba and great selection…read moreof fruit flavors for your drink. You have an option to essentially create your own drink - choose your flavors, choose tea, sweetness level, and topping! Line goes by super quick and there isn't much space to wait inside. Sometimes the drinks are hit or miss because we've been trying out new flavors every week. However, you can always ask the staff to make any adjustments if you're unsatisfied. Our favs are: Mango, raspberry, pineapple green milk tea Rose, peach, strawberry green milk tea

The Thai Tea Bobba drink that I ordered as "Normal Sweet" was WAY TOO sweet!!…read more Also, the drink made me sick! I'll never go there again. The drink likely contained sulfite preservatives that I'm allergic to!!!

Boba Guys

4.0

(707 reviews)

Store was BUSY! We found this while looking for Trader Joe's! The girls loved the reviews and were…read moreready! I love that they have a rewards club that I definitely signed up for, so when visiting my friend we can come back! Outdoor pics aren't related to this shop, but it does assist with beauty and ambiance! Such a nice little downtown area The girls loved their boba! The only thing that didn't work, was the text stating the drink was done, came in three hours late... To Boba Guys defense it's a service issue with this entire area!!! Has NOTHING to do with Boba Guys!!!

I love all Boba Guys. This one is located in a great little downtown area of San Carlos which made…read moreit even one small bit better. The strawberry matcha latte is my go-to and it was as great here as it is at all the other locations. If you haven't been, go. If you're near this location, it's an excellent stop.

Bober Tea & Coffee

3.9

(118 reviews)

This is a boba bubble tea spot on the famed restaurant row of San Carlos. Nestled on the south side…read moreof laurel. This place has your typical milk tea and fruit tea selextiona including many latte flavors but the difference is that this place features a plush cup that has a plushi3 at the bottom. Tjis also has mochi donuts. A set of labubus line the xountsr.

Pros: - Easy order kiosk…read more- Spacious - Beautifully decorated - Pistachio cream w/bits was used for the latte (not powder) Cons: - Out of the pineapple item I ordered and had to change to mango - The mango supreme was extremely sweet - No option to adjust ice and sweetness level - Our seats and the table were dirty - For the amount of space they could afford to have a bit more seating - The menus are due for an update (taped over with pricing changes) - The employee was on the phone the entire time while making drinks

Teaspoon

3.4

(242 reviews)

Goooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooolllllllllll --…read moregooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooolllllllllllllllllllllllllll Awesome view, I'd say, awesome drinks, and awesome people - Oliver and Jaime! (I think I got the names right; if not, apologies.) But that's what it's about in the spirit of the Copa Mundial - getting to know people and enjoy the game together. Cheers to more!

Came here for the first time during a visit to Redwood City / Atherton, and I really liked my…read moredrink! I got the Silky Mango boba with regular milk, and it was sooo good. The only thing that would have made it better is fresh mango pieces. I especially liked the honey boba--it tasted fresh and the consistency / chewiness was great. I usually don't finish all the bubbles when I get boba, but these bubbles were so good that I hunted down every last one among all the ice at the bottom. The store itself has some tables available, but we just ended up getting our drinks to go. The ambiance isn't as "cute" as other bubble tea shops, but all in all, I was pleased with my bubble tea!

Kung Fu Tea

4.7

(102 reviews)

I spend wayyyy too much money on boba and Kung Fu Tea is definitely not helping my addiction!…read more I've been to other stores years ago and thought their drinks were just okay, but I'm glad I gave it another shot. We got their passion fruit green tea and Thai iced tea, both 30% sugar and light ice. The Thai iced tea has that nice toasty flavor and is suuuuper easy to drink and their passion fruit is so refreshing. What stands out to me the most is their BOBA!!!!! It has the perfect chew imo and the drink to boba ratio is very balanced. I would just eat a full cup of their boba if I could (I shouldn't). Aside from their yummy drinks, the people working there are always friendly and the store is very clean! Just be aware that parking can be a challenge and that there are no tables and chairs. Total: ~$13-14 for 2 drinks

Very glad we have this place right near our house. Woohoo! My daughter insisted on a 5 star review…read morefor them asap. I saw their banner for bingsu and promised my daughter that for helping me with some errands. When we got in, I saw they only had it available for order after 6 but the staff was kind enough to offer making it for us anyways! Much appreciated as they definitely went out of their way to make our day! The store is a couple benches seating and ordering appears to be kiosk first but staff are happy to help. They have lots of cute trinkets, stuffies for sale and claw machines to play while waiting which was a nice touch. The store feels clean and bright, not stuffy or sticky like many bbt places. As for the bingsu, it was very good!! They packed it up with a pull tab can lid and was still cold when we got home. Loaded with all the toppings- fruit, egg pudding, red bean, herbal jelly, all the Asian dessert yums. Will be back!!

Quickly

3.3

(109 reviews)

Love the mochi waffles and the menu variety! I love coming for that and the spam musubi's.read more

Our go to place for quick drinks and snacks. The staff is very professional, listens to your…read moreorders, is quick and the food arrives hot and ready to eat. They really give their best effort and made you feel warm and comfortable. Well prepared drinks love their taste, sweetness and flavor. Snacks are yummy and filling.

Blue Bottle Coffee - B Street

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