Being a masculine, man's man kind of guy, I tend to drink my tea with milk and bubbles. Now, I know what you're thinking: "Aaron, tapioca is pure starch, extracted from the root of the plant species Manihot esculenta, native to the Amazon. How do you expect to drink that stuff and not get fat?" Simple. I walk while drinking it.* You too can enjoy the miracle of the tasty oolong milk tea, the touristy caramel boba tea, or my personal favorite Taro milk tea -- all from right here in Manhattan Valley at Tea Magic. The tea itself, especially the Taro, is excellent. The boba/bubbles are usually great, although I had one experience where they were very squishy and effeminate. You already know how I feel about masculine tea, so effeminate bubbles are simply unacceptable. I've heard that they make a mean frozen yogurt as well. This could be your chance to shed the chains of corporate New York and get the fuck out of Pinkberry once and for all!! Freedom!! Enjoy Tea Magic, conveniently located in between Duane Reade and Chase, across from the Starbucks. *Walking may or may not balance out your caloric consumption of bubbles and/or milk tea read more

Great bubble tea spot! Unlike most places they have popping bubbles which are my favorite type and can be a challenge to find in other spots. Fair price for the size. read more

Tea Magic - Passion fruit tea with passion fruit popping bubbles! - Coffee & Tea Near Me - New York, New York

Living by Columbia, we have a serious drought when it comes to good Asian eateries in the neighborhood. I walked by Tea Magic one day to scout out their prices ($3-4... super high compared to decent boba places back home in suburban L.A., which offer boba milk teas for as little as $0.89 a pop, but fairly priced for Manhattan), and was shocked to see that they sold Taiwanese breads and pastries alongside their drinks! Now, at this point, it had been almost 6 months since I'd had my fill of Asian bread, since I've not the time to journey down to Chinatown, so my excitement was probably a bit exaggerated. I picked up 4 of the buns... 2 of the taro and 2 of the red bean, and walked home with a smile on my chinky face. The red bean bread was disappointing, to say the least. Dry and lacking in taste, it's something I definitely will not get again. On the other hand, the taro bun was surprisingly satisfactory. It was nothing compared to my beloved 85C back home in sunny Irvine, but it was decently moist and acceptably soft -- a sufficient fix to hold me over until my return to soCal next month. Over all, Tea Magic doesn't compare to the Taiwanese bakeries in sunny soCal, but it definitely does the job if you're on the UWS and need to satisfy that craving for Asian bread. Another review to follow if and when I try their drinks. read more

The service is kinda shoddy. It's either you have someone that barley speaks English, or someone that speaks English that doesn't know how to use the machine. not greeted-- COME ON YOU CAN ONLY DO THAT IN ASIAN AREAS! Anyways, the menu has a dense selection of typical bubble milk teas, but then it gets a tad bit more intricate with "rose milk tea", which is a pretty obscure flavor ifyou ask me. They have two sizes, and the service is pretty prompt. The teas are pretty good, but nothing really special. It's never been like. OMG THIS PLACE IS SO GEWWWWWWWWWWWD COMING BACK LATER TODAY. It's ok, and it's the only boba place within miles(or train rides as new yorkers say). There's a good amount of space to sit, and it's pretty clean. You can order some random foods/ simple eats!) so come here if 1. you want boba cause nothing else is around 2. be prepared for medicore engrish speakers 3. just to hang with your friends. read more

This is the best, and the only, bubble tea in the area. It does not have competition, which very much increases its appeal. I always get the lychee green tea with bubbles, but back during the summer lychee shortage crisis (ok perhaps it was only a crisis to people like me who have lychee green tea addictions) I tried the passionfruit a few times. It was ok...a little too sweet for me. The bubbles here are awesome. They are sweet, plump, chewy, not hard. Sometimes they are smaller than normal, but they're almost always a good, large-ish size. The cost is pretty average for anywhere above Houston st.-I think it's just under $4 for the small. They have a punch card here, too, but I don't think you actually get a free bubble tea with it once you've collected all the punches. It's only like $3 off, which I find ridiculous. The store is very bright, and has plenty of seating for bubble tea indulgers. They also have some food, most of which is from East Dumpling down on 106th. They mark the prices way, way up on that stuff though. Just walk your lazy ass down 6 blocks and get it there yourself, and it will be warm and fresh (and cheaper). I haven't tried any of the puddings, but they look good, though I swear it is always the exact same ones in the case every time I go. Note: If you are planning to shop at Liberty House next door after picking up your bubble tea, they will yell at you to put the bubble tea down at the front of the store. I have made this mistake, so from now on if I plan to shop there I will get my bubble tea AFTER shopping. Am I the only one who enjoys slurping bubble tea while I shop? Constructive criticism: Wish they would have the sealed tops that Quickly uses, because it is much less spill-proof that way! read more

Good bubble tea option on the UWS. I've never seen so many "topping" choices, which included tapioca, green jelly, red bean, and pudding. We got our tea fast. Pre-made food, such as dumplings and curries, are also available. read more

All powdered teas. I got the oolong milk tea, and you can see the powder floating around in the tea. There are black dots floating around in the tea. It's also naturally sweet, so when I ordered no sugar no ice, there was actually sugar in it already. Prices are super high for a drink that's just water and powder, $4.08 for a small. Don't come here. read more

After a long, refreshing late night walk through Central Park all the way from 59th street, I decided to see if there were any affordable places open to get something to snack on. With my good ol' pal, Yelperson, Tea Magic proved to be my destination of choice. I ended up purchasing the honeydew slush. It tasted like those Japanese Melona pops (which I absolutely LOVE) in slush form. Obviously it was fantastic. It was milk based in case anyone was wondering. I know I prefer milk based powder slushes to tea based syrup slushes. The tapioca was probably the smallest that I've ever had. But that's fine by me. It was flavoured very well and was the perfect consistency. I also had a great amount in the cup. I hate being skimped on tapioca. Don't do that to me. Just don't. My small honeydew slush came to $5.17 (on the menu, the base price is $4.00 and tapioca is $.50 extra then there's tax, I guess. Lame.) spending $5.17 on a small bubble tea slush is pretty extreme for me. Especially when my usual bubble tea spot is 1. More conveniently located 2. It's small slush is bigger than Tea Magic's small slush. 3. Costs $4.85. I know that's not a huge difference and most people wouldn't care but I do. When you're often on a dollar pizza for dinner budget, those things matter. Anyways, too bad this place is out of the way of literally everything I do. Well, besides walk through all of Central Park. I guess I could do that more often, it wouldn't hurt. But having this bubble tea as my goal and desire will make me just run to the nearest train station 1/4 of the way there. It's that good. I haven't tried any other bubble teas or their snacks / food or frozen yogurt. I wouldn't doubt that they would be good but I won't know until I try. But if you ARE in the area, and love bubble tea...heck even if you haven't tried it before, you MUST try theirs here. So good. read more

My favorite place to get boba in New York!!! Their redesign is also so beautiful and functional with lots of outlets.

Cafe East = Tea Magic now. Some of the tastiest bubble tea I've had. Tthe oolong milk tea with black bobas was recommended and it was not too sweet or overwhelming. The tea was also really cold; there were ice cubes in the cup (which i usually don't feel bubble tea has). Very clean decor - well lit and modern feeling. The menu includes Green Mountain brand coffee (one of my faves), boba tea, froyo, refrigerated Asian meals like dumplings, curry on rice, and Asian cakes/breads. The tea was $3.50. I would go again (esp to try the Asian cakes). read more

Tea Magic is a modest yet solid boba tea shop next to Columbia University. The tapioca bubbles are cooked al dente for 90% of the times I was here. They cook the bubbles in honey, which is the traditional Taiwanese secret recipe of the yummy bubbles. You can order the drinks customized to your liking: No/a little bit/with ice and sugar, cold/hot. The price is expensive compare to Chinatown and Flushing. Watch out when ordering a Large because it actually comes in a big soup container!! Oh well, guess everything really is bigger America. They also sell traditional Taiwanese snacks like tea eggs, dumplings, fish ball soup, etc. I highly recommend the tea eggs. read more

Tea Magic is a bubble tea joint in the upper west side, and like most places in NYC, the shop is tiny and there's limited seating. Since it was a cold and wet day outside, I opted for the hot black milk tea with boba. The drink itself was really well balanced, but when you add boba to hot drinks, they tend to melt and shrink in size, which is what happened to mine. Overall pretty decent bubble tea if you need a drink while you're in the Upper West side. [78 of 100] read more

The bubble tea wasn't mindblowing, but it wasn't terrible either. I like that you can get your teas cold or hot with boba. Since it was cold out, I decided to go with the hot milk tea with boba. It was ok, but I guess I would have preferred my tea to be more pungent in its milk tea form. They have a decent selection, but I like to think that a boba shop's milk tea should be a good indicator of how the rest of their drinks will turn out. In this case, it was passable. Location-wise, it's definitely convenient for the Columbia area. If I attended the school, I'd be in here everyday, simply because of its locale. read more

Any real bubble tea connoisseur would know that Tea Magic is okay. Whenever I have craving and cannot afford the time to go to Chinatown, I'll come here but I usually try to hold off until the next time I go to Chinatown. They have a huge variety of drinks, foods, and snacks. I usually get the taro milk tea with bubbles but the other drinks are pretty decent too. The dumplings are CRAZY expensive. Don't get them here. Go to M2M and make your own dumplings or make a trip to Chinatown. Of course, the bubble tea is really pricey (~$3.50 for a medium) but I suppose since we're in the Upper West Side, it is expected. They have a card where if you buy any 10 drinks, you either get $3.00 off of your 11th drink. It used to be a free medium bubble tea but I guess since they're jacking up the prices, they're discounting your drink instead. I'm only giving it 4 stars because 1) they have soy milk options 2) its convenience to campus 3) their extended hours and 4) the fact that its better than Cafe East in Lerner Hall. read more

Very average bubble tea. It's a little pricey too, and the credit card minimum is SO annoying. I'm usually right below, so I often have to have to buy other people's and have them venmo me. I would recommend the slushes, rather than the teas. The teas aren't really worth the price, but the slushes (like lychee) are pretty unique and you can't really get them at Cafe East (which I personally like a little better) read more

Had the Oolong milk tea cold w/ bubbles. Great, basic bubble tea without too many frills. Really friendly help. I'd recommend most as a fun grab and good alternative to morning Joe. read more

Tea Magic - Inside at 11pm - Coffee & Tea Near Me - New York, New York

My initial reaction: "WAIT WHAT BUBBLE TEA UPPER WEST SIDE I WANT NOW" ...Then I saw the prices, and cried a little bit to myself. Maybe I was just accustomed to the prices in Chinatown, but then again - it's the Upper West Side. So I went for it anyway, and as of today, I've been there three times (only because I was in the area) and haven't been disappointed...with my drink, that is. I love their bubble tea. However, the service could be more, I guess, lively. They always seem so bummed out and grumpy, in my opinion. Oh! A friend told me that their bubble tea is the only thing worth ordering. I can't say I agree because bubble tea has always been the only thing I've gotten from Tea Magic. read more

My drink: green milk tea with green tea jelly, half sugar. The teas are pretty great. Tea-y and milk-y. My only gripe is that it's too sweet (but maybe I'm getting old). The pearls, not so great. Luckily they do other toppings pretty well, like jellies (green tea is where it's at) and pudding (also amazing). If you'd looking for a place to chill, just be aware that it can get pretty crowded, especially in the afternoon when school gets out. P.S. look at the size chart before ordering a large. read more

I love Tea Magic! I think they have the best bubble tea, at least in Manhattan. I have yet to venture over to Queens, which I am assuming should have much better bubble tea, but I live in Manhattan so the trek to Queens is a bit of a deterrence. And I've tried a few places in Chinatown but still prefer Tea Magic's bubble tea. They have a wide selection of flavors. At first I clung on to the black milk tea because that was what I grew up with but I've since tried several of the other flavors and taro is my new favorite. I also really like the taro slush. I've had taro at a couple other places where there's this strange after taste. Tea Magic's is perfectly sweet (maybe too sweet for some, but not for me) and the flavor lasts with no bad after taste at all. I think what I like most about their bubble tea is that their bubbles are so soft and chewy and they stay that way. I don't like when the bubbles are hard or when they start out chewy but after being in the cold beverage for too long, they get hard. Food wise, they've got a great deal on instant noodles.. I think it's around $3 plus choice of spam, hot dog, or tea egg. And they have yummy dumplings from their restaurant East Dumpling House on 106 & Broadway. I love their spicy pork & chives. They also carry an assortment of cookies and buns. I wish they would open another one closer to me. It's actually quicker for me to get to Chinatown but would rather make my way up here for bubble tea. read more

Affordable, and yummy. There was nothing notable about this place. It's clean, quaint, and has free wi-fi. Just a nice spot to chill, relax, and enjoy some "me time". My only gripe with this place is they gave me waaaaay to many boba (bubbles).. To be honest that's not a big deal, just personal taste. Oh and beware, the large at this place is like drinking from a bucket, only partake if you're really thirsty. read more

Tea Magic - Coconut, and Taro bubble tea.. - Coffee & Tea Near Me - New York, New York

So much fun! Don't expect any nutritional value to what you purchase. However, the dried teas don't have any added ingredients and the flower based ones in particular (I know, I know) are particularly superb. The bubble tea (boba) is actually pretty great. Sometimes they have little bean cakes and such which are also quite amazing. 4 tables to seat up to 3 comfortably on each, a great window perch seat if you can get it! read more

The worst bubble tea I've ever had in NYC. The black tea tastes weird and the bubbles are not real boba. Also I have to agree with others that the cashier is very rude and arrogant and apparently he doesn't care how customers think about him. Won't visit again. read more

Definitely one of my favorite bubble tea places. They have every flavor and toping I could want, and they're all delicious. Taro with pudding and light ice is the best flavor, with plain black as a close second. The sweeter ones (like vanilla, chocolate, caramel) are a little sweet for my taste, but still very good. The only flavor I wouldn't recommend is the hazelnut. It tastes a lot like nuts and not like nutella as you might expect -- get chocolate if that's what you're looking for. There's also cake, pork buns, and other snacks, all of which are quite good but a bit on the expensive side. The one kind of annoying thing is that there's a $5 credit card minimum, and the small is less tan $5. If you don't want a medium and you don't have cash, pay together with a friend or you'll have to get something else as well. read more

This place is good for when you're in the neighborhood and craving bubble tea, but it's not the best out there. I've come a few times and have tried the taro and hazelnut bubble teas. The taro was a bit disappointing- it had a weird, gritty texture I couldn't quite get past. The hazelnut was much better. Order that one! The shop itself is snug and usually full of Columbia kids unwinding after class. It can get a little rowdy and disorganized but it's never unbearable. Overall, a cute spot for boba when ya need it! read more

I would love to love Tea Magic, but yeah... This place could do sooo much better. Yes, a rare sighting to see in UWS a bubble tea place. And it's off the 1. I'm not complaining but the service and quality ugh. I read the reviews before coming so I had an expectation of service and yeah. They seemed very cold. It felt like I could not ask, "What's your favorite drink? What do you like?" Maybe I caught them off their off days.. Once.. Twice.. Thrice.. And yes the infamous large is HUGE. My friend accidentally ordered a large and it came out to like $6 with bubbles. Everyone coming into the store would stare at her drink and whisper "omg that's a large." Try it if you dare. Personally, I just can't do that. If it was better quality tapioca then maybe, but it was just basic. I got a medium lychee green tea with tapioca and yeah eh it wasn't that great. I'd rather travel farther down and pay for better quality bubble tea at Vivi's or Coco's or Kung fus. read more

Free WiFi (get PW from cashier) No restroom Cash only Five small tables that seat 2-3 people each Nicely lit! $4.15 for medium sized regular boba milk tea which was the perfect amount of sweet Steamed bun $2.25 read more

Absolutely LOVE this place. They're quick and make the best bubble tea, hands down! They cater to you by altering things such as the amount of bubbles you prefer in your tea (hot or cold), sweetness and they give you the option to add other things you may want as well. The bubble tea is not chalky which I've found that to be an issue in other places I've been to. I've been a happy customer for over 3 years and they've continued to be the best in my opinion. read more

I'm from the Bay Area. I am a self-proclaimed pearl milk tea nut. I like my tea strong, and I do not like it too sweet. I'm very particular about my tea and boba. That being said, this place is alright. 2.5-3 stars, I'd say. They do have a giant thing for large, though. Anyway, I got a regular pearl milk tea, with half sugar and half ice. The tea is alright.... boba is not too bad. It wasn't too sweet and I didn't have so much ice but that's only because I asked for it. So, get half sugar unless you want some super sugary tea solution. If you want real boba, go to Gong Cha. read more

One word: boba. The boba here is a pretty safe bet. I have yet to try the large size, but it's an extra wide cup so that's good. I consider myself a pretty competent person, but I have trouble punching the straw through the plastic sometimes. This isn't a criticism of Tea Magic, but I want to warn you in advance. The place usually isn't packed, and has a fairly pleasant atmosphere. However, it's small and the acoustics aren't the best. They do play an eclectic mix of old pop music that may give you some nostalgia. I'm typing this review using wifi they provide (ask for the wifi password). If you are looking for a regular boba spot, this one has punch cards here: after 10 drinks you get a free small one. read more

Let me start off by saying that, with a lack of other nearby options, this place will suffice. It may not be the greatest boba I've ever had, but it works. They have a variety of options available. You can get yours made with milk tea, black tea or green tea, or as a slushie (for those who are lactose intolerant). They have a $5 minimum for credit cards and a frequent buyer/ reward card. There is also this awkward area to stand around and wait for your drinks. read more

I ordered two bubble teas from here but they didn't send any straws. After calling them to ask if they may send straws they told me they can't send me any. For those unfamiliar with what bubble tea cups look like, the way the cup is sealed requires you to punture the top with a straw to even get to the drink itself. After the first call where they told me they couldn't send me the straws, when i called them again i was sent straight to an unset voicemail which makes me think they blocked my number. I had to contact the delivery app separately to get my straws. I am never ordering/drinking from this place again read more

My first Yelp review, for the well deserved Tea Magic. I was searching for a bubble tea place in Upper West Side and this is the only one that seemed to have good reviews. Thank God for Yelp... Or I would've never found it. It was worth taking the train up two stops! I got the hazelnut milk tapioca tea and it was Ah-MAZING! ! Definitely visiting again to try more flavors. The girl at the counter was helpful. She helped me decide between almond or hazelnut milk tea. Pros: easily accessible from the 1 train, super fast, yummylicious, nice service Cons: only one... It's pretty small. I wish it had more seating, and a better ambience so I could sit and study with all the great tea at my service. read more

Ahhhh, Bubble Tea. How you have grown on me. Though shocked and disgusted by you the first time I experienced you at an Asian supermarket in Boston five years ago, the feeling of black blobs of jelly bouncing down my throat is an experience I look forward to. The selection of flavors, sizes, and other options is quite impressive. They have your typical milk and fruit teas, served in both small and large sizes, with or without the boba. They serve coffee, cocoa, soda, juice, and water. They have dumplings and other pre-made food items in addition, along with a frozen yogurt machine with a toppings bar. (Competing with PinkBerry across the street? Perhaps...) It is clean and bright, though the music playing in the background is a little too loud. There is seating for about 10 - 12 people in there, depending on how you squeeze yourselves in. P.S.: A dog escaped from the counter when I was there once. One of the cashiers quickly shoved it with her foot back behind the counter and closed the door with a shifty, "Nobody saw ANYTHING! Got it?!" look on her face. HiLARious. read more

Surprisingly, the best bubble tea I've had in the city. The boba is small, so theirs gets cooked all the way through and isn't nasty and gum ball-ish like a lot of the places in Chinatown. They have legit plastic film lids on the cups, too. Medium is $4.50. They even have a large -- it's like ordering a Big Gulp-sized bubble tea. Lots to choose from, including milk, fruit, jellies, etc. They also do things like dumplings, tea eggs, and froyo. Space is kind of bare and uninviting, and they have lots of bossy signs -- "don't put your hand here!!", "don't talk to the tea maker!!". Rude. read more

Craving for something to drink.. I never expect that there is a bubble tea shop in the neighborhood.. I saw someone holding bubble tea so I yelped "bubble tea".. Tea Magic popped up and it was just right in front of me.. Stepping into the shop.. They have a variety of selections.. So I ordered Coffee Milk tea with no bubbles and no sugar.. With that being said.. I expect my drinks to not be sweet.. when I received my drink.. The first sip.. I had some crunchy bites in the drink.. WTH was that?? I look under it.. and there was a clump of sugar at the bottom.. I thought for a good bubble tea, you were supposed to dissolve the sugar??? I am totally fine if they put a little sugar.. but I am totally not fine with me eating some "raw sugar".. My friend from columbia told me that I have to understand that's the only bubble tea shop around that neighborhood.. and she agreed with me that they make really sweet bubble tea.. My drink wasn't that sweet because I asked for no sugar.. my friend said it's probably their mixture before.. I was upset.. i gave an extra star to their clean shop.. read more

I was highly amused to see that Cafe East had opened another branch right down the street from their main (superior) bubble tea location in Lerner Hall and across the street from Pinkberry. The audacity of launching a half fro-yo place in the midst of the fall is not lost on me nor is the fact that I've already been in a couple times for said fro-yo. I like the "original" flavor though it's a little sweeter than Red Mango or Yolato, but the chocolate yogurt is really special, somehow infusing fro-yo with a delicious fudgy flavor and mouthfeel. Yeah, I expect to be huddled in here in the dead of winter getting my fro-yo fix. read more

Yay boba in the uws! You know a place has legit boba when they have the sealed tops (with hello kitty like cartoons plastered all over them). I got the taro bubble tea which came with plenty of tiny perfectly cooked bubbles- not too chewy, not hard in the middle. Only criticism is that is tastes fake. It tastes like the powder it's made from and is a little overly sweet. But they also sell char siu bao and plenty of other kinds of baos! (veggie, chicken, red bean etc). The convenience of getting my boba fix and a bao is well worth coming. read more

The cashiers are so lifeless here, but it is the only boba in town that is yummy and decently priced. High demand, and limited supply makes this place my go-to boba spot. The struggle. read more

Tea Magic - Zoom in for prices! - Coffee & Tea Near Me - New York, New York

First of all, I agree with the other reviewers that their bubble tea is good. BUT...my friends and I had negative experience overall with this place. We had several instant noodles + Fish ball soup. They were alright but certainly overpriced. Over all, we just feel bad about the way they take advantages of their customers. The staff are very nice...but are all hesitant to do/give anything "extra" for their customers (even for napkins). The fish ball soup is $2.50 and it is a very small cup. Nothing spectacular about the soup but I did like the sesame oil touch. There are 3 fish balls in it. Like I said, the taste is okay but it is overpriced. The noodles with minced pork is also decent. It is still a wee bit overpriced but I would still pay for it if I want that taste. It is without soup and the mince pork is mixed with some ingredients that give a sweet and salty taste. read more

Delicious. Got a milk tea and two fruit teas. All with fruit pop balls. Everyone is very happy with their choices read more

Tea Magic - Coffee & Tea Near Me - New York, New York