I am totally in love with this place. My sister and I, with our little babies in tow, visited for the first time today and not only is the place itself warm and cozy, but the people -- both the owners and other guests -- were *so* charming and wonderful. When they saw us trying to get in with our giant strollers, they ran over to open the door and move chairs out of the way, they all came over to say hi to the babies, another guest gave us tiny delicious cheesecakes she's made (presumably for some group hangout happening there at the same time), and the owners were absolutely lovely. We don't know a ton about tea, and he picked a lovely one for us. Totally a place to sit, relax, and try one of what looks like hundreds of tea options. If you know anything about tea, I suspect they can talk to you the way sommeliers talk to my husband about wine. Thank you for being so wonderful! We are just practicing getting out of the house and this was a perfect place for us! read more

There was a time, probably in the aughts, when the biggest thing in mixology was telling your bartending your favorite flavor profiles and allowing them to surprise you with a drink. Sophie's is like that, but for tea. I explained that I like genmaicha, roasted oolongs, lapsang suchong and the proprietor offered me two choices and I picked Cinnabar. And what a good choice it was! I've never had a tea like this and I loved it. Sophie's is an excellent spot for a tea lover to enjoy a cup. read more

Where all the locals love to go.... I fell in love right away with this place: the smell of High Quality Teas from all over the world, is so divine; the woman who is brewing your tea was raised in a tea shop in China....the lovely owner greets you and he explains exactly about the tea, and the vibe dates back to exquisite tea shops in Asia! except somehow it landed in Oakland. Well worth a long drive to get here. THANK YOU some one who has travelled far and wide, all over Asia, and works there too! I so appreciate this place. read more

Good tea and education.. it smell soooo amazing inside.. everything is fresh and tasty.. I never know what to get because there are sooooooooo many options.. I never had had any thing bad or I didn't like. You are in good hands when you walk in the door.. it's a vibe ..you can tell the owners love what they do and are very passionate about their business.. they just want to make sure you got what u came for.. the first time I came in just to take a look.. the second time I left with two cups of tea.. definitely try this place if your a tea lover.. I'm looking forward to coming back and learning more read more

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This place is a magical hidden den of tea bliss. They have hundreds of teas, literally hundreds of them, all single source - no blends. They have red tea, white tea, green tea, black tea, and yellow tea, which I've never even heard of before. They also have a long list of Wu Long teas. The owner told me that he hosts online, guided tastings every Saturday morning, which started during the pandemic and continue today. You can purchase tea via their virtual store, and then show up for the tasting with a steaming mug of tea in hand. The store itself is cute and lends itself to hours of sitting and sipping: The shelves are lined with hundreds of tea pots, there are comfortable chairs, a bunch of tables, and it is a peaceful place to sit. Highly recommend for all of your tea needs, and good company on any gray afternoon. read more

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Love this place. It's magical. They have really fun, rare and unique teas. The owners are soo knowledgeable.

Confession, I'm a Tea-Maker. I came to Sophie's about 4-5 years ago for market research and fell in love. This is my absolute favorite tea place. The Owners Xiaobei Wei and John Brown are both very delightful people. I love how they developed relationships with the different tea farmer's in China over the years. All their teas are very high quality. Wei and Brown are customer service oriented and from the very beginning remember my name and Wei always remembers the last tea I ordered. If I'm in the mood for something different, I'll describe what I want, and both Brown or Wei will recommend the right tea. The ambience is perfect, the location is beautifully decorated and the music is lovely, very soothing. I've gone there to work, have tea with friends, and I would definitely go there to read. I've always had a great experience at Sophie's Cuppa Tea and I always recommend them. read more

Sophie's Cuppa Tea - Dragonwell Green Tea - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Oakland, California

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This is a must-try tea shop for local tea enthusiasts! The couple that owns the shop are extremely friendly and happy to engage with their patrons. Sophie's is a beautiful tea oasis in a corner of Montclair. read more

These people really know tea. They brew all their tea perfectly every single time. The weekend tea lectures were always educational and delightful. This place is a must try for tea lovers! read more

My friend Bob told me about this place and boy was he right. Bei is so awsome and so wonderful, helped me out with any questions I had about the different teas they offered. Finally I decided on the Green Tower, I was so impressed with the warm feeling this tea gives you. I felt healthy and fancy at the same time. It gave me great start to my day. Thanks again Bei, ill be back to look more at the pots they have. They look super cute and can't wait to buy my own. read more

The owners were very knowledgeable and friendly. I enjoyed listening to the history and processes of their tea. We got three cups of tea. The most memorable one I tasted was Iron Goddess light. The flavors hit my tastebuds and were strangely interesting. Slightly sweet which reminds me of caramel in a way. The Iron Goddess roasted is different from the light. My weird tastebuds makes me think of a freshly baked muffin when I taste the roasted one heheh. This place had soooo many options to choose from so it was very hard. Some of their decorations are so cute it brings a smile to my face. read more

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I'm definitely a tea over coffee girl. I've had this place bookmarked for months but never made it over since they close earlier than other cafes. We were walking around Montclair and debating on getting Peet's when I noticed the tea sign a few doors down. I was so excited when I realized it was Sophie's. Now, this place is not your typical tea cafe. There's comfortable sitting chairs with small round tables everywhere, in addition to the counter with bar stools if you're there to work. It's a little more like a big living room than a cafe. The tea menu is extensive. I'm talking at least 100 varieties. (Or maybe I read that in another review.) But there ARE two chalkboards full of their selections, broken down by gold, black, green, white tea and etc. I ended up with a Golden Osmanthus Oolong and ooooh wee was it good. No milk or honey or sugar, nope...not that kind of place. Just the way I like it. Nothing but good quality, steeped properly tea. They had snacks too, including vegan donuts at the counter that looked suspiciously like Pepple's donuts. (I'd recognize my favorite blueberry donut anywhere!) They also have Tara's organic ice cream for those who enjoy a dairy splurge. I can't wait to go back and try more teas! read more

I love coming here for a cup of tea! The owners are super nice! And if you cannot decide on what kind of tea, they can definitely help you. It's all loose leaf which is how tea should be consumed... without the microplastics from tea bags... Sorry for that tidbit! My kids have been very much into saving the ocean and turtles lately... I went in one afternoon for ice tea. But I wasn't sure what I wanted. She asked me questions: Did you eat lunch yet? No! How are you feeling? My joints have been acting. What flavors are you craving? May be something fruity. Then she told me, Enduring Happiness. It's a Wu Long Tea. It's good for the gut. Especially if you haven't eaten yet. Full of antioxidants! Then as the tea seeped, she walked me around the store and told me about the photos on the wall. They have a tea farm in China, where they go and cultivate. So, a couple months out of the year, I forgot when she said, they go and harvest the crops and bring them back to the shop. They also have a great selection of pastries. Many gluten free. read more

Sophie's Cuppa Tea - Iced Enduring Happiness! Great afternoon red tea that's good for your tummy. - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Oakland, California

Came here based on the great reviews and was not disappointed. We walkedina and was warmly greeted by staff. There was so many choices that we asked for help, we were asked what we liked and she helped us pickout out teas. The teas were so delicious and the seating was comfortable. The staff, single source tea and selection is what stand out at this family run tea house. Highly recommend. read more

Sophie's Cuppa Tea - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Oakland, California

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If you're a tea fanatic and looking for more Asian flavors, this is the spot! Even if you're just exploring, this is a great place with a variety of unique teas from China! Be prepared my tea addicts, the menu is extensive and it's so exciting to see so many different selections. Ask John, the owner, for any recommendations! He suggested many teas to me and they were all wonderful. My favorite of his suggestions is the Crimson Needle...or actly golden billow....both are must trys. I really love how much effort they put into their tea shop. John and his wife personally goes to China each year to select and bring back tea leaves for people to enioy. They have a network of farmers! Knowing how passionate the owners are about their tea truly makes you appreciate your cup a little more and it made my entire experience more pleasant and heart warming. I guess people can consider their teas a bit pricy but I think it's worth it especially considering all the behind-the-scene work the owners go the extra mile themselves. It's quite a large fill even for a small, and the cup itself is adorable btw. But wow, the tea is fragrant, distinct and the flavors and color are beautiful. Can't wait to be back to try more! read more

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Ever since I read about Sophie's Cuppa Tea in the Locavore section, it made me feel like I had to check out that teahouse myself. All I had to do is take the bus heading to Park Blvd., through the Dimond Canyon Park, and into the sweet little Montclair village. Walked to Antioch Ct, and that's where I found the mother load of Chinese teas! Inside: some pleasant customers, very nice owners, then a row of urn filled teas, good amount of very healthy pastries, and a few good selections of Tara's Organic Ice Cream. Tea-standing! But I came all the way here to settle for a cup of tea since I'm a heavy tea drinker. I asked John about which tea is the rarest, and he said "Bliss". In-tea-resting! And it's the closest towards my $20 bill! I sat in a very comfortable seat Bei greeted me to and placed a cup of "Bliss". I was curious to find out if this cup of tea has health benefits just as other unique teas on the blackboard has. I had to drink a whole cup before it gets cold. No need for ice cubes, nor milk, nor sweeteners, nor bubble; just a perfect cup to bring out its full flavor. Tea-rific! Looks like I won't need to go to China for one. I might be coming back to Sophie's Cuppa Tea in the later future. :) read more

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[Pandemic review] I came here a few weeks ago as I'm trying to transition from coffee to tea and wanted to get some good quality green tea. A girl friend suggested this place so here I was on a Sunday afternoon buying tea! I believe the nice man working said they have over 200 kinds of tea. They take their tea very seriously here and the boards around the place are filled with amazing names of tea all around. This might be one of the biggest libraries of tea in the Bay Area. I bought a green tea the nice man recommended and he wrote the instructions on the bag for me. Once I realized how much you get for the price I paid, I realized designer tea is not for me. It IS really nice tea so I won't call it overpriced, just not for me. The dinged stars are due to handling of the pandemic though. While inside, I saw the woman making the tea (maybe this is Sophie?) hold out two cups of tea for the people in front of me to smell. I was shocked. They removed their masks completely to smell the tea which seemed wholly unnecessary. Another woman had removed her mask and was drinking her tea despite the fact indoor dining was still not allowed. Overall, I did not feel Covid-safe here and felt people deserved to know. read more

What a great selection of top-quality teas! As perfect for the tea connoisseur as it is for the person just starting to explore the world of really good tea. read more

What I have never rated this space... 10 stars. Best Chinese teas in AMERICA hands down...IF you do not agree I will buy you an ounce of Dreamscape! read more

Knowledgeable and great service that gave a great recommendation, will be back soon to try more of their 300+ different teas

Wonderful experience! The owners are knowledgeable and VERY welcoming! Tasting a white tea called "Event Horizon" at the moment and it is such a treat! Calming, delicate, but at the same time invigorating. This tea is packed in mandarin-like kinda fruit. Since I can't spend more time here but I'm so curious to try further infusion of this tea. Will definitely come back for more tea in the future! Also, the pastry they have is also really good! read more

I think I found home! For someone who has been a foreigner for so long, it is nice to find a place that identifies me and me to it. If you love teas, this is the place for you. A true teahouse! Do check their calendar because they travel during certain months of the year to visit farms and procure the best teas. Both John and Bei are bilingual (English Chinese) so if you are looking for a tea but only know one name, they can help you locate it. read more

I love that they can answer all your questions. Their passion for their craft is very much evident and they are just very wonderful and sincere in the way they serve their customers. Oh did i mention that they have a wonderful and wide selection of tea that can suit your taste. I love this place read more

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Absolutely phenomenal. I believe this is literally the best tea shop in the country, and I say that very seriously. The owners, John and Xiaobei, remember each tea I've tried over the last few years and make both excellent recommendations and excellent conversation. Michelin rates restaurants three stars if it's "a very special place worth a trip", and I believe Sophie's Cuppa Tea is worth traveling to from wherever you find yourself. read more

I've never had such a beautiful experience! They have to have at least 50 tea options which is astounding. The vibe is wonderful. The owners are so kind. I love how they want to create an experience for their patrons. I was in a rush, so I couldn't sit as long as I wanted but I have friends who are regulars here. Can't wait to make a return visit. They also have organic ice cream and fresh baked pastries, which is awesome. read more

This isn't your average Tea places. It's not a bubble tea place nor do they offer milk and sugar. This shop have premium high quality imported from China and only have Chinese teas. From white, green, floral, oolong, red and black teas. The teas are brewed per order, and they show you their procedure of how they brew it. yes, they have a different brewing methods for different teas. Apparently all teas shouldn't be brewed alike. If you stay at the bar long enough to watch them brew your tea, they will give you a demonstration of how they brew the tea. First they let you see the dried tea leaves and smell them and then you rinse their brewing container with hot water and swish the tea leaves instead the hot container to release the aroma before they brew them. My favorite one to smell yet is are the floral tea. And the last process of the brewing is smelling the tea after it's been brew from their container. Some people might think it's tedious, but i's fully enjoyed it and each and every time i smelled the tea made me more and more excited. Then when you finally receive the tea to taste, they will warn you that it is hot but you'll try it anyways and realize this isn't just another cup of tea; But that crisp refreshing taste that leaves a sweet taste the back of your throat doesn't have that gritty bitter taste that most teas people drink. The smell of it also helps you relax and sit back, and for while you forget where you are or what you were doing. Also have a snack, their french pastries are to die for. My favorite so far are the savory cheddar and dill scones. This place is clean, friendly, relaxing and a little bit of fun. They will tell you their stories oh how the shop came to be. They will gladly and openly answer any questions you may have for them. They can inform you about the tea you order, how it's processed or is it's even been processed through oxidation or not and how it's cooked if it's cooked. They will little snack for you to enjoy your tea with, mostly french pastries. It's a clean little shop which is quite peaceful, with giant glass windows where you can sit and look out, or sit at mini tables with your friends or at the larger wooden communal table if you have a lot of friends. (Or need lots of space like me for studying.) A little bit of music helps and the warm welcome you get every time you walk into this little shops will put someone at ease. read more

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What a true hidden gem!! Bei and John are truly a testament to dedication and a commitment to excellence. They are carrying for sale and serving up only the finest true varieties of Chinese white, red and black teas. Anyone with a discerning palate and a desire to eat healthy needs to visit this wonderful place. read more

Sophie's Cuppa Tea - Honest , authentic White Tea. - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Oakland, California

Over the weekend of the 10th I ordered the Golden Osmanthus a white tea that was as delicious as it was brightening and awakening from the specifically timed brewing. I decided to go with my boyfriend on his birthday and made the right choice, he chose the Thousand Energies the whole experience was an all around exceptional one, they paid close attention to the ambience air and the seating in the room, and recommended the highest quality teas. And for those wondering, the owner and his wife spent so much time dedicated to sifting through China's finest selection of teas and their process is up to the high standards of American processes, tea is constantly being made up to these high standards and they will even give recommendations based off of theme. The teas, all loose leaf have their own story and the woman behind the counter gave full description of their province and background exceptionally, in eye popping detail. The overall experience was beautiful, a cultural eye opening experience and would absolutely go back again. read more

Wow! What a fabulous hidden gem in the middle of Monclair village. I have been frequenting this tea shop in the last couple of weeks every single day. Each time I'm here, I order a slightly different tea just to see Bei's technique in brewing. She is not only meticulous but very precise. She times every cup of tea specific to the tea varietal coupled with using the proper temperature to extract the perfect amount of minerals and vitamins. The shop has over hundreds of varietals of tea from different parts of China. In addition to the great tea selection, she also has organic ice cream, desserts, and a selection of great vegan salads. The service is impeccable! John and Bei are both recognized and well loved by the patrons. Pricing is steeper than the average cup of tea but then again, the tea being enjoyed is not an average cuppa tea.... Bathrooms are clean and the decor quaint with wall back splashes of varietal beautiful ornate tea pots and tea ceramic containers. If you are a connoisseur of tea or a novice looking to get into tea to learn more, this is a must visit! What a great find. Until next time, Ciao and Bon appetit! read more

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If you want to drink rare tea sourced from a certain hill or even one specific tree located in a remote area of China..that is fantastic..this is your tea shop. read more

Sophie's tea is amazing! I came here a while ago after having lunch next door. As soon as I walked in, I was greeted by a women behind the counter. The shop was like being in a dream. It was so inviting, and very cozy. There were so many teas to choose from, I couldn't decide. The women behind the counter decided to give me a little backstory about the teas, and her shop, while I was looking at the menu. She took me on an adventure through China, where she climbed mountains to get her tea. What a wonderful adventure it was. I was very delighted in hearing her story. The tea was awesome, and I also had a yummy pastry as well. So good! read more

Plus: it's clean, beautiful, spacious and cool. The people are really nice. Free wifi. Gorgeous orchids on large tables. Refreshing teas. Minus: the tea is not diverse. They're kind of rigid. I like their nice jasmine and green or white teas. But i also would appreciate some chai or black tea with cream in it. I'm not into this limited view of tea. read more

Sophie's Cuppa Tea - Nice big tables with pretty orchids. Refreshing cold tea. - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Oakland, California

3 stars for cute cafe in a good area. Will not be coming back. Paid about $6.50 for some sort of green tea. Tasted and looked like water. Woman working there wouldn't stop talking about herself and wouldn't stop bragging about herself. read more

Sophie's Cuppa Tea - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Oakland, California

Delightful tea shop; incredible owners/operators who make you feel great and are extremely kind people. Top-notch teas, poured with love. Excellent bakery items, both gluten and gluten-free. And most recently, awesome acoustic music on the weekends. I highly, highly recommend stopping by. read more

This is a place for serous Chinese tea aficionados. They have an astounding selection for sale and are very knowledgeable about each choice. The woman who helped us was earnest but her English was very hard to .understand. Unfortunately, we were 3 friends looking to treat ourselves to a cozy cup of tea and a chat. The seating is a mixed bag if uncomfortable choices and the tea we selected cost $8 per cup. For that price, I would have expected a whole pot. read more

Worth a visit. The tea selection can be overwhelming, so take your time when deciding. Be sure to look on all the walls to see all the menus. Bring a laptop, or chat with a friend, and then stroll around Montclair Village. Note that they brew teas in 12 or 16 ounce glasses, which most know as Western style. They don't resteep the leaves, which seems a shame. If Sophie's put electric kettles at each table, I'd like it even more. read more

A wonderful place to spend a few hours. I came here with a new friend and we really both enjoyed our chilled Golden Needle tea (it doesn't come with ice which I believe would just dilute the flavor). Although it was full, it didn't feel crowded and no one minded us lingering. Patrons seem to be really mellow, kind and polite. Tea brings out the best in people! All the pastries have an ingredient list visible and there were lots of gluten-free options. It would be awesome if they carried sugar-free items as well! read more

Definitely a gem! I am very Chinese when it comes to tea, don't tell me green tea is just green tea, there are many kinds of them with all different levels of quality. Years of exposure to good tea made me a very picky tea drinker. I always carry tea back from China just because it's almost impossible to find good place here even in this so diversified Bay Area. I stumbled into Sophie's Cuppa Tea today, and have to write a review about it. The owners of the shop definitely know what they are talking about, and the different teas we tried are definitely top quality, you can just tell from the aroma. They have very good pastries as well, which goes well with tea tasting. I don't come to this area often, but I am definitely making my way back here when I get chance. read more

I wish this tea shop much success. My mama and I just came back from this lovely spot, a fantastic addition to the neighborhood. The owner John is so warm and knowledgeable, a fantastic host. He has had many tea sourcing adventures :D My mama had a cold brew white tea which I will order all to myself next time, and the kicker is that they serve Tara's Organic Ice Cream too! Naturally I had a scoop of their blueberry and lemon, a perfect pairing with the tea assortments. It's an incredibly charming and relaxing place, I look forward to coming back soon :) read more

Walked in here on a whim while exploring Montclair... has a very nice neighborly feel. They have so many tea varieties, and they were kind to offer many recommendations. Pictured: Gold Tip Tea (lightly sweet like honey), and pumpkin chia pudding read more