I got the CocoTaro smoothie & it was too good. The slushiness comes just like the picture I saw before going. My only issue, they do NOT close at 8:00PM, they close at 7:45PM. Online orders stops around 7:40PM. Lol, just say they close at 7:00PM Not a big deal but update your hours to reflect when you stop serving since you want to leave work soooo bad. read more

Top Up - CocoTaro Smoothie - Bubble Tea Near Me - Alameda, California

My GoTo tea place.. I door dash or come in.. drinks are consistent and never let me down.. I have a few favorites but like to try something new.. the decor is amazing and recently they have added a contact free ordering.. which was easy to use..also try the pot stickers u won't be disappointed.. read more

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I've been coming to top up since high school and they never seem to disappoint. The staff is always so nice and fast. They are also very clean and have a cute grass wall to take photos of your boba! What I order: - cocotaro If you're a huge taro fan then this drink is going to be your new obsession! It was just the perfect amount of sweetness. The taro and coconut balanced each other out and was not overpowering each other. It's so refreshing to have especially on a hot day. I would definitely recommend you try this drink if you ever visit top up! read more

Top Up - Bloody Sand Tea & Cocotaro Smoothie - Bubble Tea Near Me - Alameda, California

The first time I stopped by this Boba place I did not see that they had food so I waited to post my review until I got my hands on their popcorn chicken. And I'm glad I did! Their tea was already near the top of the list for good milk tea, but the popcorn chicken and fried tofu makes this place a five star. Some points of improvement for them. Make the food menu in a more obvious place, I missed it last time. They should also consider increasing the interior lighting, as the atmosphere is a bit grey. Their more exotic drinks were also pretty great! My friend had nothing but good things to say about their Hawaiian Sunset drink, just make sure to decrease the sweetness level if you don't have too big a sweet tooth. Go here for fresh boba, and well seasoned food. Next on the menu to try: Tater Tots. read more

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

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Quick history, before this was TopUp, it used to be another boba shop and before that, it was a yogurt/ice cream shop. And it's been AWHILE since I've stopped in Alameda. Found that this was a new bubble tea place (at least for me) and also I've been really good and haven't had a drink in almost 2 weeks, I gotta spoil myself today. I got the pink kiss (75% sweet minus the strawberry jelly) - it was an overall pretty good drink. Not too sweet, good balance of tea and strawberry flavor and it didn't leave a weird taste in my mouth like some other drinks do when it's high in syrup and other unhealthy things. The inside is small, cozy and lots of natural lighting. They have a few tables, lots of board games and a grass backdrop for you grammers ;) read more

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Pretty good boba stop! I usually get the hawaiian sunset my go to! Super refreshing and taste good every time I get it! I would definitely recommend you trying. read more

I was in the area and decided to try this place, the drinks were okay. The thai tea was bland even though it had 100% sugar and the boba was not good, it tasted dull and had no flavor. My drink St. Patrick (apple and kiwi juice) would have been good without the aloe but it wasn't an option. I give them props for having flavors i've never heard of but wouldn't come back because the boba is not good. read more

Top Up - St.Patrick Tea - Bubble Tea Near Me - Alameda, California

While I waited and watched multiple people come in and get their order. My number was never called. Several people were serviced before me. This place has poor customer service I will never come back here again read more

Yay! Can't believe I found a yummy boba place in Alameda that I will be coming back to when I'm in the area!! I decided to stop by Top Up after searching for boba places nearby after an Elite Week Perk. It is located in a plaza with other shops but it did seem a little sketchy at night around 7:30pm. There is plenty of parking available though! There were seriously way too many drinks for me to choose from and so many I wanted to try! After quickly looking through reviews and pics to see what was popular, I decided to go with Kawaii and my sister ordered the Lychee Breeze. And OMG I was blown away!! This is coming from someone who never orders fruit tea, rarely, or if I do, my SO orders and I will just try some. Kawaii is an oolong tea infused with citrus flavor topped with red dragon juice and kiwi bursting boba, per their description. I don't know why but that night it was exactly what I was craving and it was soooo refreshing!! I also never order bursting boba so I was surprised that I liked this kiwi flavor! Also it's such a pretty drink and perfect for IG!! Honestly I would just order this drink again and again! Lychee Breeze was just okay in my opinion but my sister enjoyed it! It was just a typical lychee drink with some chia seeds and lychee jelly. Don't get me wrong, I love lychee drinks but this just seemed pretty regular compared to the drink I got! Anyways I will most definitely be back to try their other drinks or just get Kawaii again! So glad I stumbled upon this place and hope to be back soon!! read more

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What do you do when you spend a day in Alameda and you rarely go to Alameda? Find the best boba spot in town obviously! I had heard great things about Top Up and was delighted to find that it lived up to the hype. Why? Service as great, menu is diverse with unique offerings, and their drinks are delicious! Our server was super patient with me as I took my time to decide and helped answer some of my drink questions. In the end, I ended up going for their Cocotaro Smoothie with added aloe vera (I don' think I've seen that on a menu before) and it was absolutely delicious and so smooth. It really possessed the perfect balance of coconut and taro! My husband got the Strawberry Milk Icy, which was like a straight up delectable dessert. Be sure to check-in on Yelp for a free drink topping ;) Free parking right out front. read more

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My favorite boba on the island! My go to is their house special #1 - it's milk tea with boba and coffee jelly. I go almond milk with no sugar - so good! read more

So good. Reasonably priced. This seems to be a popular restaurant but the service is fairly quick. They have so many drinks to choose from. Impressive menu. read more

Top Up - Blended caramel milk tea. Hella good! (Excuse my work glove) - Bubble Tea Near Me - Alameda, California

I thought I would be disappointed after realizing that I had ordered something with grape flavoring, but I was pleasantly surprised. The Hawaiian Sunset is described as a "Oolong tea infused with Pineapple Mix, paired with rainbow jelly" but the purple layer on top smelled like grape candy which I don't typically care for. I'm not sure if it was the type of syrup they used or the combination with pineapple, but it was very tasty! I can't wait to come back and try their other drinks! read more

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Since March 2021 I have patronized Top Up more than 20 times either with my sons or by myself. I have noticed a few changes from the portion sizes being reduced to the popcorn chicken tasting less like chicken and more gooey like (see screenshots). Because I really like their boba I attempted to treat myself today. Well the app didn't work and there was a noticed saying my "items wouldn't be ready until 2108" so then I went inside (see screenshot). I was then told I couldn't use the remaining balance on my app for my purchase so I had to use my card. Then I was told I needed to pay a fee to use my card since my purchase wasn't over $7. I decided not to purchase and left. edited: Since experiencing the disappointments with my popcorn chicken on more than one occasion and my experiences today I have reduced my score to a 3 out of 5. read more

Top Up - smaller portion size than before of Popcorn Chicken before I started eating any - Bubble Tea Near Me - Alameda, California

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Had wintermelon milk tea (a rare fav) and it was delish. Owner and barista were great.

Good selection of drinks and add-ons make this a solid milk tea/boba option in alameda. Plenty of parking and fast, helpful service. But the touch screen ordering was just a bummer. I get they are reducing face to face interactions, but the last thing I wanna do is touch a screen these days. And the user interface means you need to know what they mean by the toppings you would like to add. Just regular boba is "honey boba" vs the other boba options. And then you pay as well from the same screen. A little pandemic overkill, personally. Other than that, drinks turn around quickly and are well made and yummy. read more

Went to Top Up because of the 5 star reviews. There were so many beautiful and creative drinks! I couldnt decide which one to get! I ended up getting a Lychee slushy with Lychee Jelly and Boba. And my boyfriend got the Taro smoothie. The taro was different. It was really good! We weren't sure if it had real taro chunks in it! But it was amazing!!! read more

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Emma W. convinced me to go here with her photo of Top Up's Cocotaro and my oh my did the photos live up to the flavor! Parking was easy as it's located in a plaza with plenty of spots. They keep their door opened for proper air flow and everyone inside has masks. Their menu is huge and pricing is fair since all their drinks are large! There was no line when I went on a Sunday afternoon and you can order online prior if you want as well. Cocotaro Smoothie ($5.95) - This was super tasty. The coconut and taro flavor was equal and it wasn't too sweet. I loved how creamy the texture was and their grass jelly was a great topping to addd! Hawaiian Sunset ($5) - They aren't kidding when they call these a refresher! I love how subtle the citrus flavor is and how fun it is to mix the drink to change the colors! The jellies were nice and chewy as well. Be sure to check in so that you can add a free topping to your beverage! read more

Top Up - Cocotaro + Hawaiian - Bubble Tea Near Me - Alameda, California

Visited this spot today for a quick boba run with the family! Service: The worker was prompt and smooth while taking our order. Wait: about 10 minutes for my party's order (about 7 drinks and 2 orders of cheesy tots) Drinks: Pink Dragon Tea (3/5) - I asked for 50% sweetness and light ice. Although I lightly tasted the dragon fruit, both the tea and fruit flavors felt diluted and bland. I wish the worker would have mentioned that there wouldn't be any tea flavor or sweetness with my adjustments. I should have gotten it 100% sweet :( Ruby Passion Tea (5/5) - Standard 100% sweet and regular Ice, which was ABSOLUTELY PERFECT! I most definitely drink this again! Overall, I would say this place doesn't overly sweeten their drinks. I've visited this place once in April 2019 and ordered the Kawaii which was perfect with its regular sweetness and ice. Yes, I would come back to try more drinks if I'm ever in the area again. Top Up, I WILL BE BACK FOR MORE! Note: there's a cute little photo floral backdrop for your boba drinks! read more

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Another boba place in Alameda? This place was a wondering surprise and away from the busy Park St area. They are in a little plaza that a good amount of parking. Service: I've always gotten great service here. The cashier are patient and friendly. They give great smiles and conversation. Drinks: Their fruit teas are amazing. My favorite one has been their watermelon one. But honestly I haven't had "bad" fruit tea. Their milk tea are standard and will hit the spot. But I'll admit nothing too special about them. Overall: Definitely worth giving them a try! read more

I've gone here a few times and love it! It's walking distance from my house so it's fun to swing by on a dog walk. The interior is really cute and inviting. Chairs are put away right now but it would be a nice place to hang out with friends post-pandemic. Their menu is really large so prepare to read through to find what you are craving! I'm a purist and always get milk tea with boba, but I'm curious about some of their fun experimental drinks. You can purchase a cute glass bottle with a lid to carry home. Last I was there, the options are Italy, Paris, and SF. I'm not sure if you get a bit of a discount if you bring it back for a 'top up' (hehe). The boba is nice and chewy and I really like that they have sweetness level options. Def recommended! :) read more

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

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Cute little Boba shop! My coworker and I came here yesterday before a meeting because were both tired and craving bubble tea and some good food! It's a pretty standard milk tea menu -- although they don't have many dairy alternative options because most of the drinks are pre-made. T4 on the other hand, can use non diary for all their beverages. Along with a dairy free Jasmine tea, I also ordered the popcorn chicken and regular seasoned fries. The service was fast enough and the wait time wasn't super long -- with tip, it was $18 for not a whole lot of food or options, unfortunately. I enjoyed the food, but the tea was meh. I was pretty bummed they didn't have dairy-free options for all their menu items. Edit: in response to the business owner, the employee unfortunately informed me that only two of your milk tea items were dairy-free. Thanks for the additional info though! It'll be nice to have that info on hand if we go back. read more

Haha i finished mine before I took a pic. Had hoise special 3 and my husband had salted cheese thai tea. Salted cheese thai tea is the bomb! House speacial 3 is good too. Their pop corn chicken tasted sooo good too and cheaper than other milk tea place. read more

Top Up - Bubble Tea Near Me - Alameda, California

Good Matcha Uji Tea! They only have Soy Milk as a NON Dairy Milk. I prefer Almond and Coconut. I don't add sugar in my drinks, sugar is bad and has lots of side effects for the body. Over all, I am happy and absolutely #Chefjo Approve. Not sure what else I can try on their non dairy teas LOL. Uncles there suggestions for you boba addicts! #chefjo #foodenthusiast #vlogger #ilovematcha read more

Top Up - Outside Look! Digging the name, to the moon lol - Bubble Tea Near Me - Alameda, California

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Nickel and Diming for boba! We stopped by today a second time after visiting Top Up this past weekend and really liking their drinks. This time we bought five drinks (3 via app, 2 in person), including one taro milk tea for our 6 year old daughter. When we received the taro drink we were surprised to see that they didn't include any boba. Our six-year-old daughter was really disappointed. We went back to the store and asked whether they could include some boba, but they said we didn't include boba in our original order so we'd need to pay an extra $0.50. Since we used a credit card for our initial order we didn't have cash readily on hand (we were also below the credit card minimum otherwise they would charge a fee) so we spent minutes fumbling around our bike bag looking for spare change, which was a bit awkward for all parties involved. We finally found some cash and paid them. Then they took our already open drink and finally gave my daughter some boba. Needless to say, we were disappointed with the experience, especially since we bought five drinks and also gave them a 15% tip. Also, after looking more closely at the menu on the window outside the store, it shows the drink with the boba is $0.25 more; not sure why they charged us an additional $0.50 instead. To be fair, the drinks are pretty good... the customer service is just a few bobas short. read more

Top Up - Bubble Tea Near Me - Alameda, California

Sorry for the crappy picture of the half-finished drink, but 7/10 experience! It was about a twenty minute wait, but we did order a significant amount of food. We got two teas- green Thai milk tea and roasted oolong milk tea. Both were great! We got 50% sugar and 25% sugar respectively and they were both delicious. The boba was nice and qq without being hard. The popcorn chicken was really good and the crunchy bits were notably light and crisp. The tofu was good if a bit bland (with the chilli sauce and chilli powder it's just fine) and the egg rolls were the perfect texture on the outside (the inside was a bit starchy). I took one star off because they need new signs (they crossed off all the prices but not opaquely) and their sign says they're open from 12am-8pm... read more

Top Up - Green Thai Milk Tea - Bubble Tea Near Me - Alameda, California

Been a loyal customer for a couple of years (2020), hot seasoned tots seasoning has been changed, taste more like a Cheeto dust instead of the korean snow powder they used to use, drinks are still good, don't come here for the food read more

This place does fruit teas right -- every fruit tea I've tried here has been bomb. I've been going to Top Up for months now, but am writing this review now because I'm blown away by how awarding their service is despite the current COVID-19 situation. I always also inhale my drinks before I can take a photo of them. I hope they're able to stay open :) I love how innovative their drinks are and would hate to see them go. I've been to Top Up so often (before COVID-19; please stay at home) I'm sure the employees recognize me. There are instances where I've gone multiple days in a row, and the man at the counter will smile and say, "Back again?" A little embarrassing on my part but goes to show how committed I am to this boba place. I refuse to go anywhere else for fruit tea. They offer such a wide variety of drinks you can get a different drink every time you go. Many of their milk-based drinks can be made with soy milk for NO CHARGE!! I'm lactose intolerant so I always go for a fruit tea or Thai Tea made with soy milk. Soy milk-based drinks are made to order and can take a few extra minutes to prepare, but the fact they even offer diary alternatives for free is amazing and the wait is barely noticeable. Their fruit teas are so fresh and tasty. Many of them feature real fruit purée, slices, or fruit bits, definitely elevating their drinks. For example, their Lychee Bomb Tea has bits of lychee that give the drink some texture and added sweetness. Their fruit teas are pretty sweet, so I usually order 0% sweet. I haven't seen similar fruit tea combos in other boba shops, so I'd say the fruit tea recipes here are pretty unique. You can add as many toppings as you'd like and I find the toppings here to be less expensive compared to other boba places. They also offer a bunch of toppings so you never really get bored. I've tried their Taro milk tea, which wasn't the best, but that doesn't take away from how much I appreciate this store. Their fruit teas are the real winners!! Things I love: - Super friendly staff - Rewards/stamp card available - Usually no line - Bomb fruit tea - Dairy alternatives for no charge - Lots of tables and seating - Board games available to play - If you order by phone, they'll wait until you get to the store to place ice in the drinks; that way, the drinks won't get warm and/or diluted Things to consider: - Their milk based drinks good, but not as stellar as their fruit teas! I especially love their Thai tea -- it's just that the fruit teas are what make this place unique read more

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Saw this "Hot & New" spot trending on Yelp. Shared parking lot with Paganos Hardware, Neptune Cuts + more. Nicely decorated, hip space with board games & complimentary water. Fiance got the Lychee Bomb with 25% sugar while I got the Mango Tango with 50% sugar. You can adjust the sweetness but I didn't see an option for ice levels like they have at other places. The fruit teas are $4.75 each. So the lychee drink actually had more flavor than the mango one. The fiance thinks it's because the jelly is from those canned lychee products with high syrup content. The Mango drink was light, had a bit of a tea taste but kinda bland. Service was okay. Probably won't be returning. read more

Hands-down my new favorite boba place. If you're a fan of cheese foam milk tea; THIS IS YOUR SPOT!! They hook it up with the salty cheese foam here (like a third of the cup!) It tastes great with the fruit teas. I tried both the strawberry and mango. Both came with fruit puree on the bottom~ no extra toppings needed. If you like cheese cake in tea form; you'll love this! Comes on the sweeter side, adjust to 70% if you like it sweet and 30% if not. Besides the fruit teas, you can try it with black, green, oolong. We tried black tea which I would have liked a stronger tea flavor. Bonuses: +Cute inflatable drink holders and grass wall for you to take aesthetic pics +Board games +Wi-fi +Free parking lot Negatives -Was told I couldn't combine stamp cards (forgot it in my other car) most places will allow combining.. seeing I paid for the drinks regardless of whether I had my card at the time. -25 cent fee to use card on purchases less than $7. read more

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They handle foods and drinks without gloves or without washing their hands after using their phones. Dipped their unwashed bare hands in the ice box. read more

Inside is very clean and has really cute photo spots. Staff is extremely nice and attentive. I got : Red velvet, pink dragon, Kawaii, Hawaiian sunset, and bacon cheese fries Every drink was very refreshing and fruity! My favorite was the pink dragon! My absolute favorite part of this place is the reusable glass bottles! They are very nice quality and only $1.50 upgrade! I love the sketch aesthetic on the bottle designs. The bacon cheese fries aren't your normal bacon and cheese on fries. They season them with spices and it's insanely good! This place is 1000/10. Highly highly recommend! read more

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So I decided to give this place a chance and try their boba. Usually I have bad luck trying new places cause most of the time I end up not liking it lol! But upon arriving to the store, I was already intrigued with all the spooky Halloween decorations, they really know how to be festive! The girl behind the register was super nice and was really busy since it was only her working but she helped me in a timely manner. She was so nice about me asking about the drinks and was really patient! I ordered the jasmine milk tea with strawberry heart jelly and my boyfriend got the house special 2 without boba (just jelly) and OMG!!! It was so good! You get to choose your level of ice and sweetness and the drinks were both so creamy. If you love jasmine you're going to LOVE the jasmine milk tea. I kinda wish the jelly was a little more on the harder/chewier side but that's not a big deal really!! Their fruit teas look so delicious I'm going to have to come here next time!! I would definitely recommend this place to anyone who's near alameda, it's a close one with happy lemon lol! read more

Top Up - Milk Tea House Special #2 and Jasmine Green Milk Tea - Bubble Tea Near Me - Alameda, California

Date: 6/1/2018 Time: 6:35 PM 68° Sunny There has been so many name changes at this site. It started out as Yummy Yogurt (ice cream and yogurt) many years ago. Thereafter it was T-Mix, followed by Tea Delight. Now it is called Top Up. There is no telling how long this bubble tea place will last. Since it was a soft opening, the menu was limited to what they had listed on the sandwich board just outside of the business. For $3.00 one had a choice of fruit tea, milk tea or smoothies. After perusing the menu board, I opted for the peachy fruit tea. It was refreshing with bits of fruit flavored jelly, boba and two slices of peach (canned), but a bit too sweet for me. I had to dilute the tea with water. (3.5 stars) Specialties: fruit teas, milk teas, refreshment teas, cheesy cream, smoothies. Extra toppings consist of assorted flavored bobas, jellies, bursting bobas, cheesy cream, sliced peaches. Price ranges from $4.00 to $4.95 for beverages; 50¢ to 95¢ for extra toppings. Service was a tad slow, but I guess that was to be expected with the soft opening occurring. The three employees were friendly and greeted me when I entered the business. I believe there will be improvement in serving the customers. Right now, I am giving Top Up a 3 star rating, pending future visits to try their lychee bomb and taro smoothie. Future visits might also result in upping the rating to a 4 star. Time alone will tell. read more

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This is hands down the BEST boba place on the Island and I live on Park Street where I can walk to at least 5 other boba places. While they are good, I would rather get in the car and drive to the other side of the island for this superior boba!! I think I am slowly but surely working my way through the menu.. My go to for milk tea is Honeydew also the mango and the peach are really good as well. For bob, Red Sand, Mango Tango and Kawaii are all good. read more

Love coming to this place for boba. It always hits the spot! I usually go for their fruity drinks but their milk teas are delicious as well. It's a chill spot, and the service is very fast. read more

Top Up - The kawaii fruit tea with kiwi popping boba and regular boba! - Bubble Tea Near Me - Alameda, California

Great place with great drinks and customizable, it's my Go to when I'm near the area and play cards after class at a nearby card shop. It also has great snacks and atmosphere is awesome and cute too. The workers are also very nice and helpful in suggestions and they are all very nice. I recommend that this spot is a family friendly business and is a good addition to the plaza when not much is around it's an absolute God-send. read more

We ordered two mango smoothies, peach passion smoothie, lychee bomb, two popcorn chicken, bacon cheese tater tots and bacon cheese fries. Loved my lychee bomb! Kids liked to loved their smoothies (depended on which kiddo you asked). The ambiance is meh b/c it's in a strip mall w/ minimal outdoor seating. (Though it's worth noting it's cute inside.) But not going to knock a star off for that because it's not like they promise gorgeous views;) Would go back if we were in the neighborhood again. read more

One of my new go to spots in Alameda! What's nice about Top Up is the parking, there's a huge lot right in front of the store! Additionally, it's super close to the parks and Crab Cove, so if you're looking to grab a drink and go for a walk this place is for you! Ordering is super simple, personally I prefer to just Order Online (check out their website) and then pick up in store. The estimated pick up time is usually pretty accurate! The store itself isn't really anything special especially with COVID measures. They have hand sanitizers and limit the amount of people in store. People are pretty respectful as they wait outside once ordering or waiting for their pick up. Drinks here are pretty good! I definitely recommend the fruit teas, their milk teas are just meh. My favorites here are: 1. Pink Kiss - absolute favorite! I usually get 25 or 50% sweet but if you're worried 50% sweet might be the way to go. The drink is super cute with the heart shaped jellies! 2. Avocado Smoothie - Looks a bit pricey, but avocado smoothies everywhere are kinda expensive. Pretty good, wouldn't say it's out of the world, but it is delicious. 3. Hawaiian Sunset - Not bad! 50% sugar. The drink itself is refreshing and the jellies make the drink look Instagrammable (haha). I can't to come back to try the other ones! If you're having a hard time deciding and want something fruity/refreshing, I definitely say go for the Pink Kiss!! read more

Love this spot. It's one of my favorite boba places in Alameda. I always order the Taro Milk tea with boba or The Classic Milk Tea with boba. During the summer months I'm always getting either the mango or strawberry smoothie with boba. I just placed my order and it was ready in under 2 minutes. During the busier/hotter seasons it gets packed so get ready for a wait. I gotta say the wait is worth it. Cheers! read more

Top Up - Taro Milk Tea with Honey Boba - Bubble Tea Near Me - Alameda, California