Bubble tea, also known as boba, has exploded in popularity in the last few years. In Montreal, Nos Thés and Presotea were the firsts in the city; however in recent years, many new boba shops have popped up across the city.

This drink, originating from Taiwan, can be served in many forms, but tend to have 2 bases: either milk teas (which can also be served hot), or fruit teas. A third option is smoothies with pearls (or other toppings).

As with anything else, you get what you pay for. Cheaper boba shops such as Chatime uses powder to make their drinks – you will see jars of yellow, green, red powder on their shelves for each fruit flavouring), while higher quality shops will use real ingredients: brewing their own tea, using real milk instead of powder, fruit pulp or concentrates, adding exotic garnishes such as dried edible flowers, etc.

ORDERING

Most if not all places, will allow you to choose the sugar level as well as ice level. (With the exception of some specialty drinks.)

ADD-ON'S

Classic black tapioca: made from cassava, the ideal boba is soft, chewy. 

Jelly pearls: chewy fruit-flavoured pearls.

Popping pearls: sweet burst of fruit-flavoured juice once you pop the pearl

Flavoured jellies: slightly chewy, sweet and artificially-flavoured such as lychee, mango, rainbow, and others

Grass jelly: a black jelly cut into chunks, generally has a slightly sweet flavour
‍

Best for chilling out with your friends – 

Many Boba shops actually has little to no seating and is take-out only, so its a good idea to check before you go.

1. (tie) Nos Thés

The original go-to place for tapioca, and also outshines others in many ways: best ambiance, relaxed atmosphere, stylish decor; they use real ingredients and have an extensive menu. A one-hour limit on seating, as it’s quite central and premium compared to other places.

‍

1. (tie) OCHA

A funky joint on St. Catherine offering both bubble teas and unusual donut flavour – for sugar addicts this must be the go-to place.

Their decor and ambiance is top-tier and the best I have seen, and they have a wide selection of drinks. This place was absolutely hopping with young students and their friends. Definitely worth checking out if you're on St. Catherine, although it is a smaller space, so you may or may not be able to land a spot.

2. L2 Lounge (Chinatown)

A popular go-to spot for teens and youngsters, as they have a huge seating area and their pricing is more mid-range (a small boba starts at $5). Less posh  – its a bit dark in there, and furnishing are basic, but if your focus is on having a good time and hanging out with your posse, this is our pick.

3. Presotea

In some of their locations they have decent seating (on Saint Catherines near Guy Concordia, Place des Arts locations are sizeable; one of their two Chinatown locations has a smaller seating area) . This is also one of Montreal’s biggest chains.

Best for: Large selection of drinks with real ingredients – 

1. Nos Thés

I was very impressed with the size of their menu, as well as quality. My favourite drink there: honey jasmine green tea with sea salt mousse. I always order the large and have it there (not to-go) because you get more for the same price. Anything you cannot finish (because it comes in a gorgeous glass mug) can be takeout.

2. (tie) Shuyi thé au Bubbles

I find Shuyi’s drink combo to be more adventurous than others. Two of my favourite is the Yakult (Japanese yogurt) grapefruit, and the Strawberry green tea with Fig Jam. Yes, they use real yoghurt.

2. (tie) YiFang

YiFang (Chinatown) has a large seating area as well as free wifi. YiFang uses real yakult, and cane sugar juice, milk (not powder), and some of their drinks such as the Cane sugar Passionfruit tea, and the YiFang Fruit tea, comes with passionfruit seeds.

3. Presotea

Presotea’s specialty is the mango smoothie drinks, which is extremely popular; long line-ups can often be seen in their Chinatown location. During the summer they also had a grapefruit-series drink, which uses real grapefruit pulp. Loved it!

Best for: Discovering culinary treasures & curiosities

1. Chicha SanChen: Michelin-level rated Bubble tea

SanChen opened up in Sept 2024, and its seen its share of customers lining up out the door in this extremely chic spot, where staff uses top of the line equipment such as modern tea brewing machines, glass beakers and so on while preparing the drink. (yes, you want glass beakers because I have seen workers put scalding hot water into plastic inserts elsewhere)

SanChen is a Taiwanese chain that has literally won awards for their offerings. From Mtl Blog:

...all six of its tea varieties have won Superior Taste Awards from the prestigious International Taste Institute (ITI), which is judged by an association of Michelin-starred chefs and sommeliers.

My personal favourite is the peach tea with mousse. Just keep in mind that this joint has the smallest tea menu of all; if you are looking for variety, it is best to choose from the previous list.

2. OCHA

The bubble teas here seem to be of good quality featuring Japanese teas (matcha, Hojicha, Hojichacanno, strawberry match latte); also interesting is their vast selection of artisanal donut flavours made in-house, this place is an interesting addition to St. Catherines. A sample of their donut flavours: ube (purple yam), mango lemon, nutella, matcha.

3. Thé Perlé Banh Mi

I must mention this gem on St. Denis; although only two of their drinks uses real fruit pulp and toppings, those two drinks were very unique and tasty: Framboise Rosé (real edible flowers, yes I tasted it and it was gorgeous) and Passioné (with passionfruit pulp). The bonus mention is that their service is excellent, and they serve up a good Banh mí as well.

Bubble Tea Shops that serve (good) Food

Not restaurants that also serve (powdered) bubble tea, but bubble tea shops that serve food:

1. YiFang

In the adjoining space is a place for Szechuan spicy fish – so, basically this space has everything that I, as well as the typical Chinese, are addicted to. YiFang's offerings are similar to Shuyi in terms of having a wide variety of teas, and a sizable use of real ingredients, and good taste.

2. Thé Perlé Banh Mi

Delicious banh mi. Excellent service. 

3. Nos Thés

Nos Thés offers authentic Taiwanese cuisine that is on par with one's expectations for this type of café – modern, good ambiance and decent prices. Classic Taiwanese dishes such as 滷肉飯 (marinated pork, cabbage on rice) and 鹽酥雞 (popcorn chicken)

A Final Word (Bubble tea BOGO hack)

Presotea and Uber's BOGO

As of writing, with Uber one, on many days Presotea locations will offer a buy one get one free for certain teas such as the passionfruit green tea.

Tea of the Day (various)

Places such as Shuyi Tealicious, and OCHA offers their Tea of the Day for $5.