Top Up

4.2 (384 reviews)

ModerateBubble Tea, Juice Bars & Smoothies

Closed • 12:00 pm - 7:45 PM

Updated over 3 months ago

Add Review

Call

Directions

Order Top Up Takeout or Delivery

Order Takeout or Delivery

Top Up Photos

Top Up - two cold drinks in plastic cups - Bubble Tea Near Me - Alameda, California

Top Up - Inside where you order - there's a kiosk or you can walk up - Bubble Tea Near Me - Alameda, California

Top Up - There's 2 self-ordering kiosks at the counter. - Bubble Tea Near Me - Alameda, California

+735

Top Up - Inside - Bubble Tea Near Me - Alameda, California

Top Up Popular Drinks

21 Photos18 Reviews

22 Photos16 Reviews

11 Photos17 Reviews

You might also consider

Recommended Reviews - Top Up

Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.

Start your review...

Browse more easily on the app

Reviews With Photos

Glenda B.

I was craving some tea so stopped by this shop since it was close by. Tons of parking in this little shopping center. Went on a Thursday afternoon and not busy at all. Ordered popcorn chicken ($7.95) and mango tango fruit tea ($6.75+.65 for boba). There's seating inside and some tables outside. It's not the cutest shop but tea isn't bad. It's not the best or somewhere I'd go out of my way to go - I felt even though I got 50% sugar the tea flavor itself was a bit weak, almost watery. Like other reviews the snack part was good or more why people would come here and I see that. (TBH I think the popcorn chicken at Boba Binge is better if you can go over to china town in Oakland.) Overall, decent. Curious to come back to try other teas or snacks.

Jordan Aaron C.

A Local Favorite for Boba and Hot Snacks (5/5 Stars) As a local to Alameda, this is my go-to spot for boba and delicious hot snacks. Everything on their menu is tasty and reasonably priced. I especially love their special teas; they have an endless list of refreshing combinations. Their popcorn chicken is the best on the island of Alameda--I can never visit without ordering it. It's a great place to hang out with a friend, catch up, and enjoy some amazing snacks. It's a great spot to hangout with a friend to catch up and enjoy some amazing snacks.

Lily L.

Rating: 3.5 We ordered the Tropical Breeze (not pictured) and a Strawberry Milk Tea with added strawberry jelly. The Tropical Breeze, which features honeydew and pineapple, is a good option if you enjoy sweet and tart flavors. The Strawberry Milk Tea tastes like a classic milk tea mixed with strawberry puree. The drinks can be hit or miss; some days they are great and other days not as much. The shop itself is cute, with tables and seating available. There is usually music playing, making it a nice place to relax or hang out. Based on my visits, I would rate the place around a 3 to 3.5. The drinks can be inconsistent, and while the service is courteous, it is not exceptional. When they first opened, this was one of the few boba spots in Alameda. Although there are now many more choices, it remains one of my regular options when I am craving boba in the area.

Red Velvet and Bacon Cheese Fries (already took a bite because it's so yummy)

Vivian L.

Top Up has been one of my go-to boba spots in Alameda for a long time. There's just something about that place! I often get fruit drinks from there because almost all of them come with toppings. The drink my sibling and I always get is the Mango Tango, with 50% sweet and boba (I recommend!). I went there again today and I felt like it was finally time for a review. I got a Red Velvet drink with honey boba and it was good. My cousin dropped one of our drinks right outside, and staff was kind of enough to remake the drink for free. I also am obsessed with their hot season fries and their bacon cheese fries, which have this seasoning that I can't find anywhere else. Overall, Top Up has been consistent with their drinks! There have been times where I had to wait more than 10-15 minutes for drinks when it gets busy (from high schoolers), but I'm always happy with what I order from here! :)

James D.

This might be the worst boba place in Alameda. The shop was dirty, there was basically no customer service, and it took 20 minutes to make two drinks even though it wasn't busy. Unfortunately, the drinks themselves were also subpar and not worth the wait. I wouldn't come back.

Trinh P.

Honeydew milk tea 8/10 Jasmine milks tea 5/10 very light jasmine taste and watered down. Panda milk tea 9/10 The place isn't well lit at night. Plenty of parking as other establishment surrounding the shop is closed after and certain time. Located next to a market. Order at the kiosk. No one greets you. They will call your number on the left hand side of the counter. Didnt love the honey boba here. Would come back if I am in the area and want to avoid street parking off Park an Webster street boba shops.

Ratha C.

We were a large group of 8. Service was quick. Not the best boba or flavors but good options and ambiance.

Amy T.

The food and drinks are okay here, but at least it's affordable for NorCal prices. The popcorn chicken was just alright; I wouldn't order it again. I tried the golden lemonade, and it was on the sweeter side. Maybe I would come back to try different menu items if I were in the area.

Vi T.

Stopped in for a drink and snack. Their wall menu doesn't seem to have all items available compared to the 2 self-ordering kiosks they have at their counter. I recommend you order from there so you can see photos of all the drinks and snacks they make. Drink prices range from $5.75 and up. I tried the sweet potato milk tea drink and added the fried tofu snack. I enjoyed both of them, but realized after I ordered that the drink didn't come with boba. I think toppings are about $0.65 extra.

Maruko X.

Ambiance: the boba tea place is located in a plaza not far from the waterfront, shared parking lot and restroom with the rest of merchants Service: very patient and friendly with specific requests Drink: numerous items on the menu with most popular selections Brown Sugar Milk Tea - *** add boba, very light taste Price: each drink costs about $6, convenient contactless payment

Peter C.

The service is horrible. No one in the place and had to wait over 20 minutes for a boba. When asked oh we have to make it in the back.

Karen Y.

I ordered a cocotaro smoothie with boba 25% sweetness and it was the perfect treat on a hot day. The service was quick and friendly. The ambiance is a typical boba shop. Lots of supplies were near the tables but it was still clean.

Linda G.

Quali-TEA drinks across the board! My go to is a classic milk tea with lychee fruit bits - which I practically INHALE. I also tried their coconut smoothie and taro milk tea which was also DELICIOUS. It was super creamy and flavorful, especially at the first sip. The place is small but does have seating. It's in a parking lot so it makes going in and out easy. The service was also fast and friendly. Can't wait to visit again!

Jasmine Milk Tea with boba in a glass bottle

See all

jessica p.

126

5 years ago

Tried this place once and became hooked. Their Roasted Oolong Tea with Salted Cheese if my favorite thing on the menu. Inexpensive and some of the best boba I ever had. Definitely a must when visiting g Oakland! read more

Top Up - Bubble Tea Near Me - Alameda, California

Helpful 1

Thanks 0

Love this 2

Oh no 0

Marisa H.

135

4 years ago

Bomb spicy cheesy fries we get it every time! Popcorn chicken is good too. The drinks are always perfect.

Helpful 1

Thanks 0

Love this 2

Oh no 0

random t.

5 years ago

Try the popcorn chicken here absolutely yummy. I also tried the spicy fries really good eats here. Good food and drinks for great prices!!! I come here for great service and great timing. Good snacks!!!! read more

Helpful 0

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

H N.

361

2 years ago

It's in a plaza. Had some juice thing, I forgot. Was waiting for my laundry to get done. Not memorable, but not bad either.

Helpful 0

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Monic R.

Elite 25

298

466

953

5 years ago

Kind service and yummy fresh fruit drinks! All the basics (adjustable sweetness, ice, boba add ins) as well as cute little touches (chia seeds, mango cut in the shape of stars). Super fast service! read more

Top Up - Mango - Bubble Tea Near Me - Alameda, California

See all

Helpful 1

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Claire J.

Elite 26

199

1115

7 years ago

We were in the area and found this place closest to us after dinner. We walked in and the inside smelled like used oil which kinda turned me off. I sucked it up since I wanted boba, lol. Husband got the Sea salt Thai tea and oolong milk tea with grass jelly. They were good. Hung out here for a bit to play games as it was date night. Quiet place. read more

Helpful 0

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Lisbeth C.

3 years ago

My new fav boba place and I am a boba head! Their mango slush with coconut milk, mango chunks, egg pudding and boba is A-1 !! My daughter got the strawberry milk tea and that was delicious as well! Highly recommended! read more

Helpful 0

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Roxanne A.

221

7 years ago

What can I say? This place is just so awesome! Their fruit teas are my favorite and the cheesy bacon tots and fries! So good! We are here almost every day lol and the staff is super nice! :) See you all soon! read more

See all

Helpful 1

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Victor G.

Elite 26 All-Star

1674

18578

10164

8 years ago

Top Up was Yummy Yogurt, T-MIx, Tea Delight before. infrastructure same. purple themed decor, 4ish tables. no signs where ordering starts. Top Up seems a mix of Tea Top and Bambu without the finesse/qualtity of either. offerings: fruity teas, milk teas, cheesy cream, refreshments drink: cheesy cream jasmine green tea(4, 24 oz) -covering not plastic film ala taiwanese tea places, open flap lid ala Happy Lemon. *maybe should be drank, not sipped. -lots of cheesy, salted cream. frutose aftertaste. little ice. -tea taste faint. drips: -some patrons/staff spoke vietnamese. 2 bags take out -fruit tea similiar to fruit offerings of Bambu, prepare for excess sugar. -adequate parking though lot is small. still better than park st. -slight improvement needed to clarify menu, ordering proceedures.. no food noticed, not all menu items posted are available read more

Helpful 27

Thanks 0

Love this 17

Oh no 0

Krystina C.

Elite 24

364

243

248

5 years ago

Great unique drinks for a reasonable price. I got the Peachy, Rose Garden, and Brown Sugar Milk Tea. All 3 were delicious. read more

Top Up - Peachy Tea , Rose Garden Tea , Brown Sugar Milk Tea - Bubble Tea Near Me - Alameda, California

Helpful 0

Thanks 0

Love this 1

Oh no 0

Juan Carlos B.

177

5 years ago

Love this place: great service, better boba. I'm a fan of the more refreshing fruit teas but they are all to die for. A must try if in Alameda. read more

Top Up - Kawaii - Bubble Tea Near Me - Alameda, California

Helpful 0

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Guest U.

356

1146

7 years ago

Dropped by just this past weekend. I've been going here on and off for a while. The serve is friendly and the drinks are decently made. There are a few big chain boba places in Alameda, but we seem to gravitate to this place when we are in the area. read more

Top Up - Yep, it's as good as it looks. - Bubble Tea Near Me - Alameda, California

Helpful 0

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Denise R.

5 years ago

My 8 year old daughter always asks me to take her to this place because they're the only boba place in town that has a wide variety of toppings such as strawberry heart jelly, blueberry heart jelly, and mango star jelly. This is also the only place that offers the most kid friendly (non-caffeinated) drinks that aren't just slushies/smoothies. They have a menu of different kinds of lemonades, which are actually made with fresh squeezed lemons. Because of that though, you can't change the sweetness level so I just get it with full ice to dilute the sugar a bit. Her favorite is the Golden Lemonade which is infused with mango and pineapple. For myself, I like this place for their wide variety of fruit teas. They are so refreshing. My favorite, so far, is the Tropical Breeze which is real honeydew bits mixed with pineapple tea. I should venture out and try a new one each time I go but I somehow always end up ordering that one. I knocked off one star because although they have delicious fruit teas, I found that their milk teas aren't that great. I've ordered a milk tea on three separate occasions and thought that the actual tea flavor was really weak. My husband likes milk tea, but usually ends up just getting a smoothie from here. Luckily this place has enough fruit teas on the menu to make me not even feel like I'm missing out on their milk teas. They have a loyalty system where you can give them your phone number to earn a free drink after so many visits. Once in a while I'll get a promo email from them for a free topping. They also offer that as a yelp check-in too. I haven't had to use it though since most of their drinks already come with toppings. This place also has a shared parking lot, so I'm always able to park right in front. read more

Helpful 0

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Helen V.

8 years ago

Love Love Love I like to drink milk tea but due to pregnancy, I can not drink caffeinated tea and when I top up, I was introduced tea without caffeine, milk tea and cheesy cream and crytal boba very tasty. The service here is very friendly, fun and fast. After drinking, I bought a glass to take home. I think if anyone can not drink tea with caffeine, you can choose the same drink as me. Top up has really good smoothies. My husband also tried avocado. It is very tasty, medium fat and smooth. Thank you for making us feel very excited. We will take this back and come back here many times. read more

Top Up - Hawaiian sunset and smoothie avocado so good - Bubble Tea Near Me - Alameda, California

See all

Helpful 0

Thanks 0

Love this 1

Oh no 0

Cathy W.

345

4 years ago

This is my first visit, I like the choices for the tea and the smoothies. I had a watermelon smoothie really good. My honey had the strawberry banana one. We also had the popcorn chicken and seasoned fries. I enjoyed every bite. I'm looking forward to my next visit. I'm going to have the mango pineapple smoothie next time. read more

Helpful 0

Thanks 0

Love this 1

Oh no 0

Stacey T.

Elite 21

168

137

269

8 years ago

Not sure HOW this place got a four star rating but the drink I got tasted like syrup rather than what its supposed to be... Ordered the Hawaiian Sunset as it looked so IG worthy from all the photos, and indeed it was IG worthy but that was all it was. The drink is suppose to have oolong tea infused with pineapple mix along with kumquat, all I could ever taste was syrup water. I even asked for it to be 75% sugar level and it was still sweet af... read more

Helpful 1

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Hoa G.

Elite 26

386

736

8 years ago

Top Up is our go to place to get milk tea/fruit teas. We come here about almost every week on Wednesday. We have tried all of their fruit teas already and they are delicious!! We highly recommend this place to all our friends. I love that they have snacks now as well! Their seasoned hot fries are amazing!! Thanks Top Up for amazing drinks and great hospitality! read more

Helpful 0

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Vicky H.

8 years ago

This has to be my new favorite tea shop in the area. Love the interior + their drinks. I tried strawberry and peach tea last time I was there. They were both delicious. My next item to try would be cheese milktea. Keep up the good works. read more

Top Up - Such a cute place to hang out and have refreshing cup of tea. I love their peach tea with fresh slice of peach. Definitely coming back. - Bubble Tea Near Me - Alameda, California

Helpful 1

Thanks 0

Love this 1

Oh no 0

Liona L.

Elite 24

308

163

137

6 years ago

COVID-19 Order (through Uber Eats): They were super quick to finish up my order and have it ready for my driver! I ordered three drinks and they were all ready in less than 10 minutes. Panda milk tea (5/5): Their milk tea is solid at this location, it's not too watery and it doesn't taste super artificial. You can't go wrong with the classic black milk tea here, and their pearls are cooked perfectly. Rosee garden (4/5): It definitely tastes more like lychee than rose, and I think that's due to the jellies. I recommend lowering your sugar level by 25% for this drink. Tropical breeze (4/5): Their fruit teas taste like the actual fruit and not overly artificial. I was super surprised by how much this tasted like an actual cantaloupe. Comes with lots of jellies, super worth. Solid boba place on the West end of Alameda (definitely beats Sharetea a million times). read more

Helpful 2

Thanks 0

Love this 2

Oh no 0

Katy N.

100

5 years ago

From an 8 year old expert: I think Top Up boba gives good amounts but you should share with family because they have big cups. I suggest a variety of sizes but what they have now is good for me. read more

Top Up - Strawberry banana shake - Bubble Tea Near Me - Alameda, California

Helpful 0

Thanks 0

Love this 1

Oh no 0

Midnight G.

2 years ago

My favorite pop corn chicken. Great atmosphere and very fast. Also has amazing boba and the workers are nice! I always choose this place over anywhere else and I definitely recommend!! read more

Helpful 0

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 1

Kevin W.

Elite 24

341

491

184

6 years ago

Love the decor and drinks! They have glass bottles for $1.50 with San Francisco printed on it. Really cute. Drinks were really well made with real fruits as well. Only thing that wasn't great was the location. Otherwise this place serves good boba. read more

Top Up - Glass bottles ! San Francisco and Paris - Bubble Tea Near Me - Alameda, California

Helpful 2

Thanks 0

Love this 2

Oh no 0

C C.

3 years ago

Top Up Tea is amazing and my favorite place to get boba. I would say I have tried at least half of the menu and have never had a tea that I did not like. Today I tried the Peach-O-Berry and Wintermelon and both were delightful. It comes with jelly and I also added in boba. The Kauai, Hawaii, and passion fruit are also my go to drinks. I usually add in honey boba or aloe with my drinks. The boba is the perfect consistency and never to mushy. The staff is very pleasant and kind and when my orders have special requests, they always accommodate and make sure my drink is exactly how it was requested. Please try Top-Up! You'll love it too. read more

Helpful 0

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Jocelyn L.

554

8 years ago

The atmosphere is calming, it would be a nice place to order a drink with some snacks and come to study. We ordered the house special milk tea #3, a C1, Kawaii, and a red velvet. All the drinks look so pretty and taste great. read more

Helpful 0

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Digital R.

4 years ago

The place inside is amazing, the selection is great, and the drinks and food is DELICIOUS. 10/10 would come again! :)

Helpful 1

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Susan N.

Elite 12

287

4 years ago

Picked up a refreshing Strawberry Blast consisting of strawberry sparkling water paired with strawberry jelly. Enjoyed my drink at Crown Beach while watching the antics of extreme kite surfers (with the San Francisco skyline as a perfect backdrop). A perfect summer day in Alameda! read more

Helpful 0

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Jennifer G.

6 years ago

Cute place!they have games,many choices of teas to choose from.I love that they had popping boba!its my favorite so I had to add it to my mango tea.They have the sweetness percentage option as well as ice.I tried out their chicken dumplings,not bad taste like any regular chicken dumpling. read more

Top Up - Chicken dumplings - Bubble Tea Near Me - Alameda, California

Top Up - Mango tango I think?lol - Bubble Tea Near Me - Alameda, California

See all

Helpful 1

Thanks 0

Love this 1

Oh no 0

Angeli A.

Elite 22

147

244

4 years ago

this was my second time at top up and i ordered the honeydew milk tea and unfortunately they were out of boba which was a bummer but i'm not going to let that change my review. i got the blueberry hearts instead and i left happy! the honeydew was a nice amount of sweetness (at 50%) and my friend couldn't get enough of my drink as well. unfortunately i didn't get the chance to try any food but i want to in the future! i look forward to coming back a third time read more

Top Up - Honeydew Milk Tea - Bubble Tea Near Me - Alameda, California

Helpful 1

Thanks 0

Love this 1

Oh no 0

Hanh H.

6 years ago

I really enjoyed washing down their popcorn chicken with their new black sugar milk tea. The tea really comes through and is not overwhelm with the milk flavor. The drink doesn't leave that nasty film on your teeth. read more

Helpful 1

Thanks 0

Love this 1

Oh no 0

L T.

6 years ago

2nd time ordering here and we are not impressed. The first time we ordered the taro and avocado smoothies it was near closing time, so we thought maybe they just rushed our order. We decided to give the place another try so we ordered the same smoothies. Boy were we disappointed again because the smoothies were icy and very, very, very bland! One positive thing about the smoothies is their generous portion size. read more

Helpful 0

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Allison W.

Elite 23

144

6 years ago

The gals working had great customer service! Their online ordering was fast! The boba could have been a bit softer as this was on the harder/chewy side. read more

Helpful 0

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Natalia T.

995

6 years ago

Call or order on the stop to get your boba fix while still following the Shelter in Place recommendations. Super friendly staff! read more

See all

Helpful 0

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Nam L.

182

8 years ago

Service took a while cause there was only one guy working the whole everything, from taking order to making the drink gosh where was everyone else? Once he finally got to me ordering was fast and efficient, he was really friendly too! Although ordering took long the drinks came out vERy fast so yay! Store is a little small with not a lot of seating but it's really clean and it wouldn't hurt for me to come and do some work here. If I'm ever around and craving boba you bet I'll come here cause everywhere else isn't a boba shop and all the boba places are near park and I'm not about to walk all the way to park cause after burning all the calories to get there I'll feel wayyyyy to healthy to get boba. read more

Helpful 0

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Ben Bei W.

4 years ago

Good flavors and toppings. Freshly made fresh flavors. I really like the Tropical breeze with rainbow jelly

Helpful 0

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Jocelyn H.

129

5 years ago

See those little grey marks? This is how they posted changed prices on the window. Menu inside seems up to date. Also the milk tea series drinks do not automatically come with the toppings listed in the menu. It's an extra add-on. They should probably just take down the menus posted outside. Also I'm guessing they don't open at midnight but just a hunch! read more

Top Up - Hours - Bubble Tea Near Me - Alameda, California

Top Up - Menu - Bubble Tea Near Me - Alameda, California

See all

Helpful 0

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Ian W.

5 years ago

Top up is a beautiful place that holds a lot of merit to me, personally. It's the first place I took the woman who eventually became my wife. We did end up getting divorced later, but it's the thought that counts. I still remember that day. It was 7pm on a Friday (thanks to their amazing business hours, which are so accommodating to people of different schedules). She who will not be named was a very picky eater, but luckily thanks to Top-up's diverse menu selection she was able to find something that would come close to sating her carnal desires. I love their teas :) (Pictured below is a picture of their Uji Matcha lattes a friend and I got on January 1st to celebrate my on-going divorce proceedings) read more

Top Up - Uji Matcha Lattes - Bubble Tea Near Me - Alameda, California

Helpful 0

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Shirley D.

366

5 years ago

This would have been a 4 star review but felt that customer service and communication of ingredients were lacking. We ordered a brown sugar milk tea and a Hawaiian sunset. The Hawaiian sunset was good. However the brown sugar milk tea was not what we expected. That is one of our go-to drinks at every boba place. Everywhere that we go, it is brown sugar added to the classic milk tea, which is made of black tea. We went back after drinking the tea thinking we were given the wrong drink, as it tasted nothing like brown sugar and nothing like black milk tea. Very unexpectedly, we were told that it is typically made of jasmine tea... ultimately, we left disappointed and did not feel that we were adequately communicated with from the outset (no ingredients listed on the website or menu indicating type of tea) or recompensed after communicating to employees that the drink did not meet our (reasonable, I'd say) expectations. read more

Helpful 1

Thanks 0

Love this 1

Oh no 0

Josh A.

711

5 years ago

I hate that I have to give this place 3 stars because the drinks are sooooooooo good, but honestly the girl who took my order at the counter was so rude the last time I was here I was forced to leave this review. Most of the workers are nice but the black haired girl with the glasses is enough for me to avoid coming here. If you don't mind people being rude or abrasive then you'll be fine but if I'm giving you my money and being polite I'd hope you'd return the favor. read more

Helpful 2

Thanks 0

Love this 1

Oh no 0

Esther K.

Elite 21

671

1223

493

7 years ago

I'd been growing weary of milk boba drinks and although they offer it here I prefer their refreshing fruit teas. My favorite is the Pink Kiss - green tea with strawberry mix, crunchy chia seeds and heart shaped jelly which totally hits the spot when it's warm out. The first time I'd ever heard of cheese foam milk tea was here. First knee jerk reaction is "What? Ew WTH?" but it has me intrigued to try it at some point, just not today. I've also started noticing the same at some other similar shops in the city. Friendly staff, small and cozy little spot where you might see one or two preoccupied on a laptop. read more

Helpful 1

Thanks 0

Love this 1

Oh no 0

Kim B.

Elite 25

267

144

211

6 years ago

I came here again after less than a week since my initial visit, and they had a plastic film stand in front of the cashier & the cashier was wearing gloves. read more

Helpful 0

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Page 5 of 10

650 Central Ave
Ste G
Alameda, CA 94501
Directions
(510) 671-2653
Call Now
Order Takeout or Delivery
Start Order

Full menu

Hours

What time does Top Up open?

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

What time does Top Up close?

Top Up closes at 7:45 PM on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Mon-Sun 12:00 PM - 7:45 PM

Payment methods

Does Top Up take Bitcoin?

No, Top Up does not take Bitcoin.

Does Top Up take credit cards?

Yes, Top Up takes credit cards.

Food & Alcohol

Does Top Up have catering options?

No, Top Up does not have catering options.

Does Top Up have a drive thru?

No, Top Up does not have a drive thru.

Indoor Amenities

Does Top Up allow dogs?

No, Top Up does not allow dogs.

Outdoor Amenities

Does Top Up have bike parking?

Yes, Top Up has bike parking.

Does Top Up have parking?

Yes, Top Up has parking options. Private Lot Parking, Street Parking

Other Amenities

Is Top Up wheelchair accessible?

Yes, Top Up is wheelchair accessible.

Does Top Up have free WiFi?

Yes, Top Up has free WiFi.

From the Business

Specialties

Fresh fruit tea | Milk Tea | Cheese Tea| Smoothie. Our drinks are made from real fruits and high quality tea leaf.

History

Established in 2018.

From an enthusiatic tea inspirer

Meet the Business Owner: Vincent H.

After years working in food and beverage industry and travelling to Asian country where tea are growth and develop, Having a deep passion on tea to understand the benefits of it , I always wanted to build up a brand in order to provide customer the quality tea drinks not only look good but also taste unique.

Ask the Community - Top Up

If you purchase a glass bottle, is there a bit of a discount for bringing it back to use?

No answers yet. Be the first to answer.

Do you offer milk alternatives? I didn't see anything on your website that allowed a customer to pick a milk preference. I'd love to grab some boba, but can't drink dairy or soy!

We only have soy. Most of our milk tea are dairy free such as Taro milk tea, jasmine milk tea, roasted oolong milk tea, brown sugar milk tea and fruit milk tea.

View question details

What's in the galaxy lemonade?

Hi there, It’s fresh squeezed lemonade, paired with strawberry jelly and topped with Butterfly pea flower juice.

View question details

View All 4 Questions

You might also consider

Main Squeeze

4.1

(129 reviews)

1.9 mi

Service is amazing! I was greeted by an awesome employee who (at my request) made a couple changes…read moreto their greens smoothie (spinach replaced with kale and peach replaced with pineapple). Shy girl so there were no questions asked and the smoothie is muy delicioso. Super fresh ingredients here and nice protein bars. Nice patio. The one star reviews for this place are from a bunch of Karens. Been here many times and they always get it right.

Can you believe I've never had an acai bowl!!?? Was in Alameda with my son & he suggested getting…read moreone. I was hesitant because an acai bowl didn't sound like anything more than a bowl of fruit. I WAS WRONG! This place was the perfect spot to try my first acai bowl. The owner ( I assume he was the owner) came out and talked to me about the acai and guaraná they use. He promised I'd love the final product. Took my first bite and ay, ay, ay! Sooooo good!!!

See all

Mango and Mint

Banh mi is a little pricey but it was very good. What attracted me here was the smoothies. At home…read moremy mom would make similar smoothies using parsley and mint, so I was drawn to that homey aspect. I don't like my smoothies sweet and prefer them grassy or even sour/ bitter. I spoke in Vietnamese to the ladies and workers and they were very sweet; she let me know which smoothie was sweet and which was bitter when I picked it up. The banh mi here is probably one of the best in Alameda. I'm a little sad that I hadn't tried it sooner, as I am let down by most of the banh mi shops in the area. Great place to try and visit. Seating is limited here. Pickup and eat elsewhere is mostly advised.

This place is hella good! There's a reason why my Vietnamese recommended this spot to me, he claims…read moreits the closest to Saigon banh mi you can find in the bay. We came here on a Saturday late afternoon and there were a handful of folks here ordering/dining in. It's a small spot with limited seating, so its mostly for takeout imo. We got 2 banh mi: one cold cut combo and another for lemongrass chicken. We also got a smoothie to go. The banh mi's are legit, I would order extra pate next time. Love how the banh mi are super thick with tons of meat, veggies, and good amount of pate. The bread is fresh and the portions are generous. Would love to come back here again and try more items and include extra pate per my friend's suggestion. There are only street parking available here. We had no issues finding one close to the spot on a Saturday afternoon.

Photos

Interior Artwork

So full of meat and pate. Yummy!

See all

Combination sandwich

Rush Bowls

Absolutely delicious and fresh. I'm still recalling what I had last time I just remember it being…read moredelicious and enjoyable. High quality, enjoy!

Five stars for Rush Bowls in Oakland. The customer service here is truly top-tier; the staff is…read moreincredibly welcoming and friendly every time I walk in. I want to thank Anaya, Eleanor, and Jonathan --they are all so helpful and and they take great care of their customers. Whenever I want to try something new, there are super patient when I ask a million questions. My favorite bold is the High Tide bowl when I came in today, Lol JP already knew what I wanted to order. If you're ever unsure about what to pick from their huge selection of bowls, the team is always ready with great recommendations. Beyond the food, I love supporting this thriving Black-owned business because of how much they give back to the community through their frequent fundraising and outreach. To top it all off, the atmosphere is great and they always have a fantastic music selection playing. I highly recommend them!

Photos

Another shot. Where they keep the juices.Frozen.

See all

At the mágical place with the magical bowls.

Drink Thicc

4.7

(88 reviews)

3.0 mi

I always heard about the hype of Drink Thicc, and hearing so much about it turned me off to the…read moreidea of trying it.. Thank god I came to my senses and tried it!!! The smoothies are so replenishing and refreshing! Affordable for the ingredients they use, and they have a few different sizes! This is the perfect place to come to after a walk or run around the lake, or any form of exercise or if you're even just craving a sweet treat! The staff is super informative and knowledable as well. They made great recommendations to me, when I told them what I was looking for. Definitely a great place to stop by and they often host events too!

I got the Slim Thicc and unforch wasn't as impressed as I thought I would be. My fruity hankering…read morewas definitely satiated; but the drink itself was not as refreshing as I thought it would be (esp for the price) and not as cold as I expected. The workers were nice and speedy! Super friendly vibes that match the lil walk-up window sitch. There are a few tables outside for folks to sit at but no actual inside to enjoy your smoothie in. Parking is hit or miss in this part of the town. I'll have to come back and give their other smoothies a try! I believe they change up one of their flavors every week.

Photos

Blue Zone

Blue zone + strawberries n cream

See all

Front of the shop

T4 Alameda

T4 always comes through for party trays of snack items! We ordered small party trays of popcorn…read morechicken, half fries/tater tots, and shrimp egg rolls. Food was seasoned just right and crispy. I think the egg rolls have to be cooked a little longer as the inside was a little doughy. Wish there was a little more meat inside the spring rolls though they were still tasty. Everything was a hit at our end of season little league baseball parties and the first food items to be devoured. Service was stellar and the staff were really nice. I was delayed coming to pick up the order and staff offered to reheat the trays for me. We've catered drinks in the past as well and guests loved those too. I can't wait to order party trays in the future. Next time I'll have to take pics of the food before guests dig in! Thanks T4 staff!

Great place! Service is fast, flavors are on point, and there's always something new to try…read more Perfect for a quick boba fix.

Photos

Oreo Milkshake with boba.

See all

Spooky Ube top cream with Jasmine Milk Tea.

Bee Juiced

5.0

(3 reviews)

2.1 mi

This place has really good smoothies and they're refreshing and you can tell that there made simply…read moreI can't recall which drink I had the last time, but I'll definitely be back for more. If you haven't been here yet check them out, I highly recommend.

This spot is a hidden gem; it's open later than Vitality Bowl and Jamba Juice on top of having a…read moresuperior taste. A must try!!

Photos

Simple Sunrise #low calories

Build your own Milkshake

See all

Banana Bluez

Main Squeeze

Highly recommend the maca mama! Otherwise service is great and the Oakland location offers smoothie…read moresizes in 24oz.

I am obsessed with this place. So delicious and service is sweet and efficient :) The Maca Mama is…read moreirresistible but I do love the Essential Green also! The açaí bowls are also delightful - you just can't go wrong here.

Photos

Dessert acai bowl and maca mama smoothie

See all

Planted Table

4.8

(118 reviews)

1.8 mi

This is for the version & price point of Planted Table that existed in 2021/2022. (I stopped…read moreordering from them because my allergies were activated, and I needed to do an elimination diet. When I came back to them a couple years later, the price point had gone up & I was priced out.) The portion sizes were large. I think it was like $12-13/meal. 99% of the dishes were delicious. I was REALLY pleasantly surprised at the flavor & taste. I expected gentrified dishes. It was good! I was also specifically looking for meal delivery that generated less waste. Planter table delivered that. I got cool enough with my driver (and tipped well!) that he brought me a little thank you plant. I loved that I had the same driver each time. It was just a really pleasant experience overall. Nothing bad to say.

I resubscribed in April after a break during which I went back to pretending I might cook. I get…read moreabout 6-8 meals per week plus lots of extras. I am not vegan but this hits the spot and is the best meal service I have found. The food is still amazing and I'm happy to see the meal options have expanded, there's seasonal produce options and Acme bread, and now they post calorie information. They have family style option to get a bigger portion for those who have a family, or for me, to bring to a pot luck. They also have individual desserts and full size pies/cakes. Seriously - they have everything. They no longer offer wine for those who care. There are some additional pick up options, too, but I stick with Jack London Square on Wednesdays from 11:30-2:00. Pro tip: get the cookie dough!!!!! And the chili. And the breakfast burritos. And the bake at home pizza ........ $20 credit Referral code: QWC3D2MJ

Photos

See all

i Tea

the mango sago is top tier. definitely trying again. so good and refreshing. the mango was fresh…read moreand not very sweet.

Second time experiencing poor service here. I wasn't even frustrated, just shocked. The younger…read morestaff were polite and helpful, but the adult employee had a bad attitude and honestly could learn basic customer service from the kids working there. I ordered two drinks and popcorn chicken to go and wasn't given a detailed receipt. When I came back, I was asked for another receipt I never received, and there was confusion about the $0.10 bag I had already asked for. After an awkward exchange, she finally gave me one but looked clearly annoyed. It's not about the dime , I had already tipped. Service and attitude matter, and this experience makes me think twice about coming back.

Photos

New interior decor...!

TV entertainment

See all

4/29/23 Decor, Happy hour

Happy Lemon

I got the black tea salted cheese with boba. Left and walked about a street away as I drank. The…read moreboba was melted and really mushy. I hateeeee going back to "complain" LOL but it was REALLY BAD. And they didn't even give me that much boba. I went back and asked the cashier (she was not the one who originally made my drink). She completely understood and said maybe it was newer batch of boba that hasn't cooled down. This time I got mango crystal boba. The cashier immediately made my drink. MUCH BETTER! She said sorry and was really nice. The salted cheese tasted a bit off. But honestly maybe it is because I haven't been to happy lemon in a while.

I usually come here all the time because I actually like the drinks, but I've finally had enough…read more 9/10 times the employees here are incredibly rude. They never greet you when you walk in, they don't even look up or make eye contact, and you get zero respect as a customer. To make things way worse, the last time I went, I literally found a piece of plastic inside my salted cheese. That is disgusting and a huge safety issue. Great drinks aren't worth dealing with terrible customer service and literal trash in your food. Save your money and go somewhere else where they actually care about their customers.

Photos

Menu as of 05/20/24 Part 1 of 1

See all

Peak

We've been to Peak Thai several times for dinner, and every single time the food has been so good…read more We usually order a mix of dishes to share, including the spring rolls, roti bread, yellow curry, fried rice, fried chicken, and pad see ew and honestly, everything is consistently flavorful and satisfying. I know they're already popular for brunch (which we still haven't had the chance to try), but I really wish more people knew how good their dinner is too. It definitely deserves more attention as a dinner spot because the food never disappoints.

Parking: Came here after a workout session with my brother and found out it's a hole in the wall…read morerestaurant so parking is on the street and of course you gotta pay the meter. Ambiance: it was nice and cozy, the decor was actually really lovely with. Nice cafe vibe. Service: service was actually really good. The servers were attentive and flexible. Food: tasty and came out fast, had the drunken noodles which were good and whatever ramen dish they had on the same page as drunken noodles. Very flavorless squid so watch out for that. And the sodas I assume is made with club soda and syrup cause that's what their lychee soda tastes like. It's alameda so I knew the menu items were going to be pricey. That's fine. But I had mango sticky rice to go and I gotta say, a small box of rice with half a mango in it for $13? Nah, that was $6 at best.

Photos

Interior

Harvest Moon - Healthy brunch

See all

Roti and curry

Almanac Adventureland

Good selection of food and drinks. We bought alcoholic slushies and went to Scolari's food truck…read more We had hotdogs and fries. We enjoyed it all. The vibrant atmosphere is friendly for individuals, couples, and families. Easy parking across the street. The weather was good. High fences helped keep the wind down. Overall, a fun night out.

A chill vibe all the time. It's currently full blown summer and the Sangria slushy is hitting the…read morespot. Service is always prompt and friendly. No complaints from me.

Photos

Pinball games

Barrel Hall Rental Space

See all

Pinball

Neptune's

My second time here now since it's reopening inside and the breakfast is flawless…read more Thick bacon, fluffy eggs, perfectly done breakfast potatoes, and excellent toast. All other restaurants on the island have this as a standard to meet.

Waited 15 minutes at the to-go window to place an order to-go and was informed they are not taking…read morefood orders to go, only coffee orders at the window. Apparently, the kitchen cannot handle taking orders from customers inside and customers placing food orders to go. But you can go inside and place an order to eat at a table. The inside is small and limited space. Then to top it off the employee at the window was extremely rude about it! Apparently, they put a small sign near the window that today they are not taking orders to go since it is Mother's Day and apparently it's too much for the kitchen!

Photos

Indoors

See all

Breakfast sandwich

Million Spoons

FOOD IS VERY GOOD!! Came for lunch on a weekday and it was pretty packed! Ambiance was great too…read more I ordered chicken and rice which was so good. The rice was very well seasoned and chicken was so tender. LOVE IT!! Service was good, though there was only one person serving so food took quite awhile to come out. But they did offer mango sticky rice on the house which was a sweet gesture! Overall I'd definitely come back again.

Disappointed that we made a trip to visit Friday afternoon and they weren't open. No note, no…read moreinformation. We waited for about half an hour and walked around the area. Even after two hours they were still closed :((

Photos

Front of dining room

Pad Se Ew with shrimp

See all

Interior

Crispian Bakery

great with a nice collection of sweet and savory items. Unfortunately there's no area on premises…read moreto sit down. You might be able to grab a pastry and sit at one of the locations next door.

This was my first time at this particular bakery here in the Alameda and it was after we had a…read moredelicious waffle breakfast!! Perhaps I'm used to the underground mall in New York with all of their decadent pastries in the Chelsea marketplace in New York, but this particular spot in Alameda was supposed to be one of the best pastries here on this cute little island. Perhaps it's just a cute little island aesthetics, but the pastries seemed rather traditional. The Yuzu tart was tasty and had good flavor, it was also around 2 PM on a Sunday, so maybe all the good pastries were gone. Service was great and very helpful, and another large family came in to the pastry shop as we were leaving. Maybe I'll try it next time and see if they have different seasonal pastries.

Photos

See all

Passionfruit Wedding Cake

Why does Yelp recommend reviews?

Hundreds of millions of reviews are posted on Yelp, and our automated recommendation software works in the background to showcase the reviews that it …

26 reviews that are not currently recommended

The reviews below are not factored into the business's overall star rating.

Vivian L.

5 years ago

Glad to say Top Up is my very first review! Stumbled upon this cute place this afternoon and ordered their Lychee Bomb and a strawberry smoothie w/ boba for my niece. Lychee Bomb was super refreshing and I was absolutely happy that it came with chia seeds. Coming from my niece, she gave the smoothie a 10/10 and loved the texture of the boba. Leave it to her to say that she would come here for a smoothie over Jamba Juice lol! I can't wait to come back and try their other drinks - definitely looking forward to trying more of their fruit teas. I saw some people order their snacks, and boy do they smell delicious (I got to try them next time too!) Service was fairly quick and the employees are very nice. We felt very welcomed right as we stepped in. I really like the whole vibe of this place :) Seems quite underrated due to its location since it's in a plaza. Looks like parking here wouldn't be an issue, which I find super important! Great place to get your boba fix. Found one of my new favorite places! read more

Aaron H.

Elite 23

3 years ago

Top Up Tea is a fantastic bubble tea shop that I recommend to anyone in the Oakland/Alameda area. I tried their Choco Taro Smoothie and it was absolutely amazing!!! The combination of chocolate and taro flavors was perfect, creating a sweet and creamy drink that was so satisfying. The smoothie and boba combo is a MUST try for anyone who hasn't yet. In addition to the Choco Taro Smoothie, my wife tried the Creme Brulee Milk Tea, and it was super delicious as well. The creamy and rich flavor of the milk tea was nicely balanced by the caramelized sugar topping, creating a unique and unforgettable taste. Overall, Top Up Tea is a good visit for bubble tea lovers, they have quick and efficient service, and a good drink selection and I can't wait to try more of their amazing drinks in the future. read more

Albert R.

4 years ago

My first time here and I loved it! I'm generally not a big fan of milk tea, but I thoroughly enjoyed my drink and finished the whole cup in one sitting. The interior is clean and spacey, and it'd be a nice place to sit and study for a while as well. I tried Creme Brulee Boba Latte = 5/5 This was a SO GOOD drink! It was creamy & the pearl were fresh, soft & chewy. My drink was served pretty quickly (about 5 minutes) so props to the employees! I'd definitely come back here for other drinks read more

V L.

210

3 years ago

I remember when this place was called Tmix, back then the place was much better since it was ran by the owners and they actually cared about quality. After it got sold things were never the same. The drinks now never have any consistency to it. I usually order the matcha latte and sometimes it either has too much milk or to little milk to where its not enough matcha or to little matcha. This place is good if you come here once and dont expect to be blown away by quality. read more

Liang H.

8 years ago

Good drinks, good music, great atmosphere. I really like coming here to chill and drink some good boba. Also idk why it's not letting me post this maybe cus it's so short-- but anyways yeah! Bring ur friends here for some aesthetic drinks~~~ read more

Daniel A.

8 years ago

This is my favorite tea shop I go here like almost every week. All there drink are soooo good and tasty that I wish to get more. Plus this is the closest tea shop to encinal and I'm happy there one near Since ahs has t4. I wish Top Up to be an amazing tea shop. read more

Amir S.

3 years ago

Good location with free parking. I like ordering the popcorn chicken, garlic fries, and other appetizers as great snacks while walking at Crab Cove Park nearby. Lots of good options to customize, such as fresh tea with fruit and jellies. read more

Hannah C.

8 years ago

Best fries and Tea!! The fries are nice and crispy with the perfect spices. While the tea is creamy, sweet, and the boba is the perfect level of chewy. I will always come again. The ambiance is calm and welcoming. read more

Danielle P.

8 years ago

It's pretty unique from the other tea places I've been to, the fruit teas especially. I like the topping variation with the little mango stars and the strawberry hearts. The aesthetic is nice as well. read more

Kendall G.

8 years ago

A great place to just hangout and relax after a stressful day! It is a little expensive but worth it. I love how they offer a student discount. It is worth the visit!! read more

Susan B.

4 years ago

I love coming here for their Lychee Bomb tea. They always have such fun drink selections with strong flavored tea and their default sweetness is just right for me. read more

Annie L.

123

7 years ago

The staff are friendly and the overall atmosphere is really nice. They have really good drinks and snacks. They have a large variety and they make your food fast. read more

Kathy B.

8 years ago

Love this place~ I've tried their honey dew smoothie. Sweetness level is just fine, not too sweet to make u thirstier ( sweetness can be adjusted to your liking) read more