Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    Tapioca Express

    3.5 (310 reviews)
    Closed 9:00 am - 11:00 pm
    Updated 1 month ago

    Tapioca Express Photos

    You might also consider

    Recommended Reviews - Tapioca Express

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    Coffee boba
    Miguel C.

    Food is unique and tasty. Great find on UC San Diego's campus. I need more time to review the menu next time.

    Peach Italian soda and an Almond slush
    Trevor T.

    Really good drinks. Ordered a peach Italian soda and wife had an Almond slush. Feels like the perfect place to hang out with a language learning group or if you want to play some board games with buddies. Very chill vibe in here. I tried to pay with cash and they were like "just use your card. It's easier." Fine by me! Next to Leucadia pizza which is my jam!

    combo #9

    See all

    2 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Alan H.

    Alan H.

    Thank you very much for your review. It is very much appreciated!

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Alan H.

    Alan H.

    Thank you very much for your review. It is very much appreciated!

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 month ago

    Best (and only) milk tea on campus. Decent Thai tea, popcorn chicken is a filling enough meal

    Business owner information

    Photo of Alan H.

    Alan H.

    Thank you very much for your review. It is very much appreciated!

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    29 days ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Alan H.

    Alan H.

    Thank you for your review. It is very much appreciated!

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    I work on campus and Tap Ex is my go to for a pick me up treat! So glad we have this vendor here!

    Business owner information

    Photo of Alan H.

    Alan H.

    Thank you very much for your review. It is very much appreciated!

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    10 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Alan H.

    Alan H.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Alan H.

    Alan H.

    Thank you very much for your review. It is very much appreciated!

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    11 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Ally W.

    Ally W.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Alan H.

    Alan H.

    Thank you very much for your review. It is very much appreciated!

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    I love the thai tea, I used all my triton cash on it and the popcorn chicken is so bussin. I reccomend that order exactly!

    Business owner information

    Photo of Alan H.

    Alan H.

    Thank you very much for your review. It is very much appreciated!

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Mango green tea is solid and fried tofu w basil and extra salt and pepper is a must try

    Business owner information

    Photo of Alan H.

    Alan H.

    Thank you very much for your review. It is very much appreciated!

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 1

    2 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Alan H.

    Alan H.

    Thank you very much for your review. It is very much appreciated!

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Since it is on campus it's really convenient and accessible. The food and drinks are very yummy!

    Business owner information

    Photo of Alan H.

    Alan H.

    Thank you very much for your review. It is very much appreciated!

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Food is really good, service is amazing, ambiance is nice. Golden bricks is my favorite food. I love everything here #TRITONS

    Business owner information

    Photo of Alan H.

    Alan H.

    Thank you very much for your review. It is very much appreciated!

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Alan H.

    Alan H.

    Thank you very much for your review. It is very much appreciated!

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Alan H.

    Alan H.

    Thank you very much for your review. It is very much appreciated!

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    I'll miss this place when I graduate. Great staff, fun deals, and great area to meet friends.

    Business owner information

    Photo of Alan H.

    Alan H.

    Thank you very much for your review. It is very much appreciated!

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 month ago

    This place is really yum service is good and it smells so good. 10/10 experience. Ambiance nice.

    Business owner information

    Photo of Alan H.

    Alan H.

    Thank you for your review. It is very much appreciated!

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 month ago

    Their fried tofu is amazing 10/10! They also have decent rice plates and drinks. The owner is very nice as well!

    Business owner information

    Photo of Alan H.

    Alan H.

    Thank you for your review. It is very much appreciated!

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 month ago

    Yummy drinks and fried snacks ! All the workers are also very kind and helpful. Chill place to get a sweet / salty treats

    Business owner information

    Photo of Alan H.

    Alan H.

    Thank you for your review. It is very much appreciated!

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 month ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Alan H.

    Alan H.

    Thank you for your review. It is very much appreciated!

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 month ago

    Yayy tapex is so yummy one of the better spots on campus because theyre pretty fast and reliable

    Business owner information

    Photo of Alan H.

    Alan H.

    Thank you very much for your review. It is very much appreciated!

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Alan H.

    Alan H.

    Thank you very much for your review. It is very much appreciated!

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of kel
    0
    1
    0

    2 months ago

    Very refreshing boba drinks and yummy popcorn chicken that you can buy with triton cash.

    Business owner information

    Photo of Alan H.

    Alan H.

    Thank you very much for your review. It is very much appreciated!

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Drinks are cheap and affordable to us students. Very nice drink for finals and to study!

    Business owner information

    Photo of Alan H.

    Alan H.

    Thank you very much for your review. It is very much appreciated!

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    My favorite spot on campus! The food and drinks here are sooo yummy!! Would def recommend the beef short rib combo with green tea.

    Business owner information

    Photo of Alan H.

    Alan H.

    Thank you very much for your review. It is very much appreciated!

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    love the Thai tea:)) i also recently found out they have mini boba, it makes me feel #skinty

    Business owner information

    Photo of Alan H.

    Alan H.

    Thank you very much for your review. It is very much appreciated!

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Wow this place is amazing! Karis and Andrew and Chloe and Audrey and Kylie are such amazing workers!

    Business owner information

    Photo of Alan H.

    Alan H.

    Thank you very much for your review. It is very much appreciated!

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Alan H.

    Alan H.

    Thank you very much for your review. It is very much appreciated!

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    2 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Alan H.

    Alan H.

    Thank you very much for your review. It is very much appreciated!

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Alan H.

    Alan H.

    Thank you very much for your review. It is very much appreciated!

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Their thai tea is really good with their boba! The orders come out pretty quick too. They have lots of sitting areas too.

    Business owner information

    Photo of Alan H.

    Alan H.

    Thank you very much for your review. It is very much appreciated!

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    I really enjoy the Thai tea with boba. It is very refreshing especially on warm days.

    Business owner information

    Photo of Alan H.

    Alan H.

    Thank you very much for your review. It is very much appreciated!

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Alan H.

    Alan H.

    Thank you very much for your review. It is very much appreciated!

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    The fruit teas are really good and def worth it! Service is really quick and meals are priced well, esp the popcorn chicken!!

    Business owner information

    Photo of Alan H.

    Alan H.

    Thank you very much for your review. It is very much appreciated!

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Alan H.

    Alan H.

    Thank you very much for your review. It is very much appreciated!

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Alan H.

    Alan H.

    Thank you very much for your review. It is very much appreciated!

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Great food for studying! Staff is always nice and helpful! Tapex runs with friends are the best!

    Business owner information

    Photo of Alan H.

    Alan H.

    Thank you very much for your review. It is very much appreciated!

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    So convenient to have a boba and snacks right on campus!drinks are always made to satisfaction every time

    Business owner information

    Photo of Alan H.

    Alan H.

    Thank you very much for your review. It is very much appreciated!

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    The best price center restaurant! Serves awesome food especially the grilled chicken and pork buns!

    Business owner information

    Photo of Alan H.

    Alan H.

    Thank you very much for your review. It is very much appreciated!

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    Page 1 of 8

    Ask the Community - Tapioca Express

    Are there non dairy options like almond milk?

    Most of our Milk Teas are actually made with a non-dairy creamer. For the drinks that do contain… 

    Do you accept apple pay?

    They do! They take Samsung Pay as well.

    Do they accept gift cards or gift certificates?

    Yes, we accept Tapioca Express gift certificates. They're in $5 denominations.

    Do they allow you to bring your reusable cups for boba tea?

    Hi Grace, Yes, you are welcomed to bring your own reusable cup.… 

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

    You might also consider

    Arteazen Handcrafted Tea

    Arteazen Handcrafted Tea

    3.9
    (237 reviews)
    1.9 mi
    $$
    Locally owned & operated
    Free WiFi

    What we ordered | Rose milk tea…read more Taste | strong rose flavor and had some rose petals in the drink Service | drinks came out fast Parking | plaza Notes | order through kiosk

    We stopped in one evening for some after dinner drinks. Liquid dessert so to speak. Have to be…read moretruthful - wasn't a good experience. Started off good though. Lots of parking. In a plaza that appeared to be slow or dead leaving lots of space. I parked almost in front - just off to the side. Walk in and it's order at a kiosk. I get automation as it's something I do, I've done and will do as times change. However, I had questions and ended up just ordering something else as there was no human interaction to answer me. Place is deceivingly small - there are a bunch of seating - I wouldn't go in with a large group but definitely places to sit, chat or work on your laptop (saw several students? hammering away on their laptop keyboard). Not sure, but maybe they also offer WIFI.? Drinks seems watered down in my opinion. And I've ordered the same drinks at other locations and either the ingredients were off or it was prepared differently that didn't quite align to my expectations and taste. However, place was busy so maybe it's just how it's served as business was steady and I saw a few order the same as what I got. Don't live in the area so highly unlikely that there will be a return visit.

    Photos
    Korean Strawberry Milk
    Korean Strawberry Milk
    Matcha Oreo Brûlée with Boba
    Matcha Oreo Brûlée with Boba
    Black Sugar Boba Latte

    See all

    Black Sugar Boba Latte
    Fruittitude

    Fruittitude

    4.5
    (845 reviews)
    3.3 mi
    $$

    acai bowls are delicious. vibes inside are cool but a little pricey-- still people are niceread more

    Cute stop in La Jolla to get juice, coffee, or healthy breakfast/lunch items. For my first round, I…read moreordered beet juice and a medium hot Mexican decaf coffee. It was a nice ambiance to sit and enjoy your juice and coffee. We ordered quite a bit of items as we were waiting for another member of our party to meet us here. The bathroom is beautifully and nicely decorated but they are super strict about using the bathroom even if you are a customer as they had a bathroom (there is a key you have to ask for) "wanted bandit sign"apparently for vandalizing it....which I understand however When another member of our party came, we went inside and the line was so long we decided to use the bathroom before ordering more, we were in there less than 5 minutes and the owner/manager knocked and knocked, I came out and apologized and asked if she knocked. She did apologize but said other people are waiting. I ordered another juice and was going to order sandwiches and acai bowls but felt like we probably were at cafe more than an hour and out stayed our stay. I understand as a business you have to be strict about the bathroom and that is their policy however if it is a juice/coffee place your customers are bound to use the restroom several times especially if they are continuing to order. Unfortunately, It did turn me away to try the food which I actually was looking forward to as they did offer organic croissant sandwiches. We decided to just choose another place to order food. I'll have to think about returning as we are always in La Jolla for yoga.

    Photos
    Bathroom
    Bathroom
    Fruittitude
    Greenspiration

    See all

    Greenspiration
    Fan-Fan

    Fan-Fan

    4.2
    (72 reviews)
    0.3 mi

    I'm pretty impressed that a restaurant inside the campus can be this delicious and authentic! I'm…read moreso happy for the Chinese students studying here because the food here really satisfies my Chinese stomach. They have a big varieties of Chinese foods including braised pork belly and roasted duck which are my favorites, they also have sweet sour pork and honey shrimps for more American Asian customers. Their drinks are pretty yummy and also reasonable prices. The staffs here are very friendly and the space is very clean, modern and comfortable. They have a large mural there to reflect UCSD campus, very artsy. I definitely recommend here if you are nearby.

    Overview: Authentic food, convenient, busy in waves…read more ---- Build-Your-Own Meal: - Pay $0.89 per ounce of food - Self-service where you grab a tray and put as much or as little food as you want - Variety of tasty authentic Chinese food (including food like sliced pig ear, dim sum, braised pork belly, and more!) Other items: - Watermelon and Kimchi for $2 each - White rice is $1 each and 2 for $1.50 Drinks: - Happy Hour: Monday-Friday, 2:30-5pm, 30% off drinks - Offers milk teas, fruit teas, matcha latte, engergy drink mixes at a reasonable price - Cheapest is Lime Refresher at $3.75 and most expensive is Matcha Latte at $6.50 - Toppings at $0.75 each: boba, crystal boba, aloe, and lychee jelly - Sugar levels are adjustable ---- Ambiance: - Crowds come in waves around lunch, dinner, and when classes get out - Lots of indoor and outdoor seating available - One restroom - Noise level: a bit loud when it gets crowded Other notes: - Service is friendly and fast, student employees - There is a separate drink and food line for people who only want to order a drink - They do NOT accept cash or dining dollars, they take credit card and contactless payments (Apple pay, etc.) ---- Overall: Affordable meals for students, able to control portions and what foods you want, I reccomend coming on off peak times to avoid a long line

    Photos
    Fan-Fan
    Fan-Fan
    Brown Sugar (Left) & Oreo (Right) Boba

    See all

    Brown Sugar (Left) & Oreo (Right) Boba
    La Colombe Coffee Roasters

    La Colombe Coffee Roasters

    4.0
    (327 reviews)
    1.6 mi
    $$

    Awesome place! The coffee and pastries were outstanding! They have this beautiful outdoor patio…read morearea right next to a fountain. I sat there with my friends for hours drinking our coffee and playing cards. The baristas were great and made my coffee in a mug when I asked. The perfect shopping break!

    Honestly it's such a vibe here. Admittedly, I come here just for that. The design of the cafe is…read morejust perfect. The see-through windows, the bar seating along the windows that open up, and the one-way traffic across the cafe...all screams cozy and articulate. I like that they post the menus outside too, in case of long lines, so that you don't flip and freak out when you get to the front and don't know what to order. What I've tried off their menu so far, were Americanos, Lattes, hot and cold. Cold drinks are my default though, you can never go wrong with iced coffee. Their white chocolate is popular, they run out quick, but regular choco does well in a pinch. I absolutely love the part where they give the cup to you at the end of the bar, for adjustments and adding in more milk/sugar. And also to see latte art before closing your cup. I don't know what it is, but that part in aspect allows you to take some time to appreciate coffee in general and then go back to the real world. It's just the little things that matter. Also, the employees are just always super uber nice here. They don't judge you for ordering two cups of coffee in one go, they actually commend the action!

    Photos
    Lattes
    Lattes
    La Colombe Coffee Roasters
    Inside

    See all

    Inside

    Tapioca Express - coffee - Updated July 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...