Whale Tea

I placed a mobile order for one milk tea and came in to pick it up. The store was empty, and three…read moreemployees were behind the counter. The door has a bell, so they should have known a customer walked in, but no one greeted me or acknowledged me. They seemed to be looking at their phones or watching something. I called out a few times at the pick-up area, but no one responded until I walked to the front and faced them directly. This showed a lack of professionalism and customer service. I hope the store takes this seriously and improves the staff's work attitude.

I've always bought from this place and I loved it but today I got a big brown sugar milk tea for my…read moremom and halfway through her drink she sipped up a big fly from her drink

Nov. 2024

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Matcha red bean milk hot

Joyu Tea & Coffee

4.5(131 reviews)

3.2 mi

I love Joyu. Their Avocado and mango joyu are my favorite . The place is amazing, cute amd cozy.read more

We walked in and was welcomed when we came in and the drinks were amazing! I will be back! thank…read moreyou!!

Dining area

Seating

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Berry Violet Aura

Tapioca Go

4.9(29 reviews)

2.4 mi

Had a really good experience at Tapioca Go! The service was quick and efficient, and the woman…read moreworking was very nice. I believe she was working by herself when I visited, and she still managed to get everything out quickly. The shop was very clean, and I liked that they had so many different options to choose from, including a good variety of drinks and dessert options. They also have some nice ways to save, like signing up for their rewards program, and I believe they offer military and student discounts as well. Overall, everything was good, the service was fast, and there were plenty of options to choose from. I would definitely recommend giving Tapioca Go a try!

Tapioca Go has officially become my go-to bubble tea spot! My favorite drink is the Taro Milk Green…read moreTea, and it's surprisingly hard to find because most bubble tea places only offer regular taro milk tea. Ever since all of the Kung Fu Tea locations in the 757 area closed, I've been searching for a replacement, and this is the only place I've found that serves taro milk green tea. It tastes just like the one I used to get from Kung Fu Tea, which made me so happy! As the name suggests, it's more of a order-and-go shop. They have two self-order kiosks if you want to order yourself, or you can order directly at the register. The staff has always been friendly whenever I've visited. The shop itself is small, but that's expected for a order-and-go concept. They do have a few benches where you can sit while you wait for your order, which is a nice touch. If you're looking for great bubble tea especially if you're a fan of taro milk green tea I definitely recommend giving Tapioca Go a try!

Ordering at Kiosk

Peach green tea

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Original cream puff & Matcha cream puff

Yo Mama

4.2(179 reviews)

1.4 mi

Just want to shoutout their frozen yogurt cakes! I really…read morewanted to support a local business for my birthday this year, but I wanted to get a cake under $30, especially because I only celebrated with my family. After some online searching, I found out Yo Mama has cakes! I've enjoyed ice cream cakes in the past, and I've enjoyed Yo Mama's frozen yogurt in the past, so I decided to give it a try! At the time of writing (3/2024), their frozen yogurt cakes are $25, and it came out to $27.88 with tax. You can pick two flavors to be layers on the cake. The flavor options they had available were taro, cake batter, vanilla, chocolate, coconut, mango, pineapple, and strawberry. They also told me I could pick either brownie pieces or pound cake for the middle of the cake and pirouline crumbs, sprinkles, Oreo crumbs, and mochi for the top of the cake. I opted for a mango and taro cake (I love both of those flavors), and told them they can choose what they think is best for the rest of the cake. Looking back, I kinda wish I requested for taro for the top layer because I love the color purple, but it's all good! It was absolutely delicious, and my family very much enjoyed it as well! Already thinking about getting a cake here again :)

Much better than expected. Everything was so fresh!!! The family really enjoyed the treat, but…read moreservice was somewhat lacking. Surface parking is plentiful and nearby their door. The cares was clear of debris. The set up is pretty cool with a lot of wall decor and a comfy couch. Several fro yo flavors to choose from that's self serve. I decided on cake batter. They offer two size cups. Then comes the fun part, picking out your toppings. Everything you can imagine is on the bar. Candy, fruit, brownies it's all fresh too! Then top it off with a syrup Checkout is weighed and that determines your price. Three cups can $20+ including tax. They do not have a tipping option which was refreshing to not have that awkward moment at checkout. They also offer Boba tea. When leaving I wanted to thank the woman, but she was no where to be found. Only one staff was working, but she did great and even saw her cleaning. 4.5, rounding down.

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Joyu Tea & Coffee

4.7(30 reviews)

3.5 mi

I got a ube mocha cream large ($7.5) and it came out in about 6 mins. The drink was just right at…read more50% sweetness. I liked the Ube flavor and it paired well with the coffee. Staff were very friendly. Overall a very solid spot to get boba.

Been a fan of Joyu since their first branch opened…read more When I got my blood drawn at the lab I was pleasantly suprised to see they had a branch at Independence, just my luck! I ordered the Tiramisu Phin Coffee which was so good and hit the spot. I was unfortunately disappointed at the Bulgogi Egg Melt Croissant as it did not have as much meat as I would have expected. It was still pretty tasty but wished it had a good ratio between egg and bulgogi. Service was great; I was their first customer and the person helping me recommended me the drink so I was happy with their suggestion. The place is smaller than their other branches but still has the aesthetic that I know Joyu to have.

Menu screens

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Ninja Tea

4.4(128 reviews)

1.2 mi

My girls are absolutely thrilled about Ninja Tea so they can grab a delicious boba tea and even…read morehappier that it's connected to their all-time favorite noodle place, Kappo Nara. It's basically a two-for-one win for them. The tea shop itself is inviting and the staff at both locations are genuinely friendly and personable. Every visit feels welcoming, not rushed. The girls loved their drinks (the flavors are spot-on and not overly sweet), and they've already asked to go back several times. In fact, they've been back a couple times just this month! If you're looking for a tasty drink, warm service, and the bonus of amazing noodles right next door, this spot is definitely worth a stop.

They have really good green tea and popping boba but we also love love their brown sugar fresh milk…read morewith the tapioca brown sugar pearls, my son loves it too and he's almost 4 .

Bob Tea

Menu (March 2026)

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Matcha Milk Tea & Mango Green Tea

Jelly Ball

3.7(102 reviews)

4.3 mi

I was at the mall and decided to check out this spot, and I'm glad I did! They have a huge menu…read moreranging from boba to smoothies, energy drinks, and more. I went with a classic specialty drink: brown sugar marble milk with boba, and it did not disappoint. The staff, especially the friendly woman who made my drink, made the experience even better. She let me take my time exploring the menu without any rush, which I really appreciated. Once I got my drink, I enjoyed it at one of the tables in front of the shop. Great drinks, welcoming service, and a relaxed spot to enjoy your boba! If you're at the mall, check it out!

Boba Tea is one of my favorite drinks so my daughter and I treated ourselves to some Coffee Boba at…read moreJelly Ball. The prices were very reasonable and the drinks were made pretty quickly. The lady making the drinks even asked if we wanted a small slit in the lid to help assist with adding the straw and I thought that was very helpful! I love how bright and decorated their shop is as well! The drinks were wonderful and the coffee was delicious. It wasn't overly sweet and tasted as if it were freshly brewed. The boba/tapioca pearls were also very good. I love the chewy texture and it paired so well with the coffee! Jelly Ball offers an array of hot and cold drinks and even has slushies and smoothies so I plan on trying something different every time I go lol!

Brown sugar marble milk with boba

Mango Slushy

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Coffee Boba (16 oz)

Heitang milk tea

4.8(9 reviews)

2.4 mi

Ordered boba and siopao for my daughter as an after school treat. Both the drink were really good…read more I didn't realize they offered food at all. I also didn't realize that they rent out the area for parties/events.

This is a newer business in the area. They're next to the Laundromat in the Pleasant Valley…read moreshopping center. When i walked in the owner greeted me and told me about the menu. They have less options than some other boba places, but i was able to find something i would drink . I got the chocolate slushie. I wanted oreo but this was the closest option. It was creamy and satisfying. I do wish it was a bigger size drink option. They don't sell any type of food or appetizers. Its a cute little shop with plenty of seating and games to play at each table. It was clean inside with a chill vibe. The owner was very sweet and easy to talk to. There was no one there when i went. So it was pretty quite inside... I will return to try other things on the menu. Check them out!!!!

Banana Milk Tea

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Recommend this hidden gem. There are a lot of different flavors of milk tea. I ordered durian milk tea and pineapple milk tea.

Ocean Grill & Seafood Buffet

3.9(89 reviews)

2.3 mi

This cost me $21.62 pre-tax, then $24.21 pre-tip to $29.00 post-tip (with Receipt)…read more This Restaurant is good They have the food that I like to eat and that's all that matters to me. They gotta do more soups though, or stuff like Chinese soup noodles but they probably take too long to make.

Visited The Ocean Grill & Seafood on a Thursday evening after seeing so much hype on social media…read more The service was solid, and the staff kept everything running pretty smoothly the whole night. They've got both booths and regular tables, which is nice depending on what kind of seating you like. Nothing fancy about the ambiance a typical buffet restaurant decor. The cold seafood section looked really full and well stocked, even though I didn't personally try any of it. I ended up getting a hibachi plate with noodles, shrimp, broccoli, mushrooms, and a mix of veggies. They actually had a pretty good selection for the hibachi grill, which I liked. As for the buffet overall, it honestly didn't quite live up to the social media hype for me. There were definitely tons of options and a lot of variety, but I'm more of a quality over quantity person. I also didn't try any of buffet items. Now my daughter had the complete opposite experience. She loved it! She was really into the sushi selection and tried several buffet items. She already said she'd definitely want to come back. A couple things to know before you go: they charge a surcharge if you pay with a card, and they also charge for food waste, so don't overload your plate as you may be charged for food waste. Overall, would I rush back? Probably not. But if I'm nearby and in the mood for a decent Chinese buffet with lots of choices, I'd come back again.

This is one of several views of the food available. Photo taken December 25, 2025.

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Meat area

T'mochi

4.5(26 reviews)

4.3 mi

Great experience visiting T'mochi. It wasn't busy on a Monday night and they have two self service…read moreorder kiosks which makes ordering super convenient and fast. The ambiance is nice and a good amount of seating. The wall with the logo adds a unique and eye catching touch to the place. Ordered a half mozzarella half beef corndog and the cheese was so melty and delicious with the side of spicy mayo. Also tried the brown sugar mochi donut that had such a sweet glaze and was perfect. Not pictured but I had the Honeydew boba milk tea and was slightly disappointed that it tasted a little watered down but still good overall. I've had the fruit teas in the past and like those even more than the milk tea. Overall, great experience and will be definitely be returning.

5 star experience here at T'Mochi! We wanted a fun drink on…read moreour way home so we stopped in to T'Mochi to check them out. There were so many drink options! & The staff here is so sweet, they'll answer any questions you have with a smile! I got the Taro bubble tea and my man got the strawberry lemonade. We also got some mochi donuts. I got the pistachio flavor and my bf got the churro flavor. My bubble tea was so good! Really well made and not too sweet at all, just like I like it. The boba was perfectly chewy, too. I tried my boyfriend's lemonade and omg! It was so tart and sweet and absolutely delicious! The cup was very cute too. I love the heart adornment! We put this place as number one after we drank our drinks. After dinner we had our donuts and it was so good. I questioned if my boyfriend even tasted his lol. It was gone so fast. The pistachio one was really good too. I didn't want a super sweet donut and this one hit the mark. Just sweet enough with pistachio crumbles on top. As I said, this place is number one. We will definitely be back because this is my favorite location to get a fun drink now! We also definitely want to try some of the other foods, like the Korean hot dogs and waffle fries!

Hot cheetos half and half Korean Corn Dog

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20 oz. Pineapple Lemonade with strawberry jelly

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Byron T.

Elite 25

746

187

1530

3 years ago

Whale Tea is a welcome bubble tea outpost, despite its minor kinks. Service was speedy thanks to a quiet atmosphere, and the boba themselves were a highlight: perfectly cooked, pleasantly warm at the bottom of the cup, and offering that satisfyingly springy bite. However, the milk tea fell short. Even at 50% sugar, it was way too sweet, drowning out the tea flavor. This might suit those with an extreme sweet tooth, but if you appreciate a more balanced sip, you might want to adjust your sugar level next time or explore Whale Tea's bolder flavors to let the tea notes shine through. Overall, Whale Tea earns a solid 4 stars. It's a convenient option for boba cravings, especially for its attentive service and perfectly cooked boba. But for those seeking a nuanced tea experience, keep those sugar levels in check or be prepared to branch out on the menu. There's potential here, and I'm curious to see how Whale Tea navigates the balance between sweetness and tea flavor in the future. I hope this expanded review provides a more nuanced picture of your Whale Tea experience! read more

Amy Y.

1 year ago

My son and I absolutely love coming to Whale Tea! This has become our go to spot for the delicious boba right after our taekwondo lessons. It's such a cute place and the staff are always super nice! As for the boba tea, it never dispapoints. read more

Lila Y.

1 year ago

Drinks were great!!! We've become regulars and we absolutely love it!! Thank you again for the Cinnamonroll plushie!! :)) The place is also calm and inviting along with the staff!! read more

Lev M.

2 years ago

great customer service and good drinks and options. pleasant looking place. A lot of space for the whole family.

E'Lexus A.

2 years ago

The ambience is very peaceful and the drinks were great. met there for a study sessio and will go back soon

Jaden G.

2 years ago

lovely staff that was very welcoming and the boba was amazing! Also the store was very clean and beautiful

Janfer A.

1 year ago

Great service and great atmosphere, We got served quickly and server was great.definitely recommend!

John Z.

4 years ago

Very good bubble tea shop Everything we ordered was delicious, best bubble tea here！ read more

Abby C.

3 years ago

First time here. will be back!

Whale Tea - bubbletea - Updated September 2026

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4.5

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Quina did it again! Green tea with ginger was perfect. All the staff is so welcoming and…read moreaccommodating. The shop is small and intimate but the service is fast. You can sit and sip or take your drink to go.

Friendly staff, well lit and bright space. So many choices. I picked taro and coconut, no…read moreadditional jelly or bubbles. It was refreshing but didn't have a strong taste of either taro of coconut. Next time I'll try something else.

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4.5

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Is it Whale Tea or Fulan Sweets?…read more Dive into the world of Fulan Sweets, where every dessert is a masterpiece! The Miss Rabbit Mousse Cake, Coconut Mousse, and Strawberry Bear Mousse are not only delicious; they inspire us to embrace life's flavors. They are not just desserts; they're little clouds of joy. Paired with the refreshing Bubbly Passion Fruit Strawberry Fruity Tea, it's an experience that ignites joy! Can we talk about the vibes here? The service was quick, fast, and excellent. They helped me between my indecisiveness. The decor is super cozy and playful--think pastel colors, cute details, and the sweetest displays. It's the perfect spot to chill with friends or treat yourself to something special. I also loved their playlist!

We came for a fun drink after seeing animals on the farm. I opted for something fruity and my man…read morewanted a creamy drink. I got the passionfruit tea with strawberry jelly. He got one of the milk teas. He wished he got his just a bit sweeter but drank it anyway. Mine was perfectly sweet. The jellies were so addictive. I was very happy with my fun drink and we will be back

Ninja Tea

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They have really good green tea and popping boba but we also love love their brown sugar fresh milk…read morewith the tapioca brown sugar pearls, my son loves it too and he's almost 4 .

Tealux Cafe

4.3

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First time ever at Tealux cafe I couldn't couldn't go the original locations in Norfolk because i…read moredon't like to drive there so when i heard they opened it in Virginia Beach i came here and they are clean and nice inside customer service is friendly and helpful. 4 tables and seating to wait. I ordered 2 drinks one is the Luna which has lychee and butterfly pea which I love and comes with the fruit lychee which I also love. The second drink was strawberry with matcha with whole milk both drinks i like. I got the popcorn chicken and got the Korean corn dog mozzarella with potato. the chicken was crispy the korean corndog was tasty. I will come back next time to get other items on the menu

Tealuxe at Kempsville Crossing is such a fun new spot. I'm so glad we checked it out. It recently…read moreopened in the space that used to be Mochi Donut, and it brings a fresh, vibrant energy to the area. The mochi donuts were delicious. Light, airy, and perfectly chewy without being overly dense like some others I've tried. There's a great variety of flavors, so it is hard not to grab a few. Their drink menu is just as impressive. I ordered the mango on-the-go tea and it was super refreshing. My daughter loved the brown sugar boba. They also offer coffee, shakes, and plenty of other options. We tried some of the food items too and everything was so good. The Korean style corn dog with mozzarella was a standout. The cheese stretch was so satisfying. My daughter got the potato corn dog and loved it. They also have bánh mì plus both dessert and savory crepes, so there is something for everyone. The atmosphere is clean and welcoming with great vibes. The staff was friendly, the bathrooms were spotless, and I loved that they have games like Uno and Jenga. It is perfect for hanging out with family and friends. Highly recommend checking this place out. We will definitely be back.

Choi M

4.5

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Amazing customer service. Great place and amazing boba tea! A lot of options to choose from. Will…read morebe back again soon.

I stopped by this place on my vacation down in Virginia Beach and let's just say I'm impressed,…read morethe desserts are so cute, place is clean and the employees are really friendly! Definitely worth going!!!

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Very quiet and relaxing atmosphere. I read a little and had a rice paper roll before heading out…read more The roasted rice milk tea was delicious as was the rice paper roll and combo bahn mi. It was made fairly quick but I'd have been okay with waiting longer because everything was so good. I'll definitely be back for this exact order again soon and maybe up the spice level a bit more.

Wanted something quick and yummy, so a trip to Tealux was in order…read more Haven't been there in a while, so thought it would be a good idea to pop in. Decided on take out because it was so cold inside. Odd because I was in there in November and it was freezing inside then. The street corn was yummy but it didn't have the floss on top like it normally does.

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