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Boston Tea Stop
Categories: Food Coffee & Tea Food Juice Bars & Smoothies Coffee & Tea, Juice Bars & Smoothies [Edit]
54 JFK StCambridge, MA 02138
Neighborhood: Harvard Square
(617) 945-0017
- Nearest Transit:
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Jfk St @ Eliot St (66)
16 Eliot St (86)
Jfk St @ Eliot St (66, 86)
- Hours:
Mon-Sun 12:30 pm - 11:30 pm
- Price Range:
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$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- No
- Parking:
- Street
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- Free
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- No
227 reviews for Boston Tea Stop
Review Highlights
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"Will go back to enjoy the mochi ice-cream." In 45 reviews -
"My kids love it too, even the Boba." In 137 reviews -
"All in all - great place for Harvard Square." In 36 reviews
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227 reviews in English
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Review from Ileana S.
4/8/2012
I tried a few spots in Boston for bubble tea and this one is most definitely the best. The mix is not powdery. The balls are made to perfection. And there's nothing like puncturing your large straw into the tight plastic top.
This spot is limited for seating. I highly recommend walking towards Memorial Drive, taking a seat near the water and watching the water and the various water activities.Listed in: Boba Boba Boba
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Review from Camille R.
Somerville, MA
3/28/2012 1 Check-in Here
It's dark inside and smells like pine-sol. Not something I want to smell anytime, let alone somewhere I'm eating/drinking. The place doesn't even look complete, like it's still under construction. It has a very uninviting feel to it.
And I've had a lot of bubble teas in my time and know exactly how I like it. I got my usual. It was made within seconds and came to me as a milk tea with ice. I said I'd like mine as a 'slush' as some places call it and she replied that they were "out of the slush version" of my drink. What does that mean? Throw the damn thing in a blender and give it back to me! I was confused and walked out the door without saying anything.
On a postive note, I actually didn't mind so much that she lied to me because my drink wasn't too sweet, which I liked. But you won't see me here until they get rid of that godawful smell, some lighting, and a slushy machine or whatever the hell she was talking about.
Oh yeah, and get a cc machine. -
Review from Stacey H.
Manhattan, NY
3/12/2012
- They only accept *CASH*
- Their bubble teas taste watered down/bland
- They have great mochi ice cream selections. I recommend either Red Bean or Green Tea flavor.
- Crammed Space. Packed most of time. Seating depends on your luck.
- Fast service
- Board games and magazines to play around with if you are sitting on a table. (But there are only about 4 small tables which are always occupied...)
I have had much better teas for sure. However, this is the only place that I know so far where they serve mochi ice cream a la carte (you can find them in most Asian markets). Also, they are a bit pricey for their quantity/size. I can get a box full of them in markets for 5 dollars. -
Review from Eunice E.
5/4/2012 1 Check-in Here
I've never sat inside, as there is limited seating, but it's always bustling with people, so that's good for the business. It's tasty bubble tea (hard to mess up, really), but they only accept cash, which is a little annoying, since sometimes the boba craving strikes... and it's only rarely that I carry actual bills around. I've never been overwhelmed with the service, but it's solid. I'm glad there's a place to grab boba in the Square... convenient. I'm a bit more partial to Lollicup myself, but sometimes schlepping all the way to Super 88 seems like more trouble than it's worth. This is a good alternative.
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Review from Mistral M.
Boston, MA
4/30/2012
Best bubble tea in Boston, hands down.
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Review from Josephine L.
Boston, MA
1/26/2012
Boston doesn't have very many bubble tea spots to begin with and it's rarer still to find one that offers a whole lot of variety. Tea Stop is a decent place to get your boba fix. I especially like that they offer lychee jelly as a substitute. I'm not a big fan of the original tapioca pearls, but I LOVE lychee jelly.
The passion fruit flavor is good, and so is the taro milk. There are a few tables inside for you to sit but be warned--no restrooms. -
Review from Alan W.
Boston, MA
3/7/2012 2 Check-ins Here
I have only tried their drinks once and it wasn't really my thing. The drink was too bland and I like my drinks fruity and sweet. Even so, they have AWESOME mochi ice cream! That is usually what I come here for.
My favorite? The raspberry white chocolate and Chocolate coconut! Another plus is that they have games (connect 4, cards, etc)! Great place to just hang with a couple of friends. -
Review from Tiffany L.
San Jose, CA
1/12/2012 1 Check-in Here
I must be spoiled with all the good stuff in the Bay Area.
Flavor and selection is nearly half of the many boba places I've frequented. But no matter, the key is doing the tea and boba right. Ordered the usual original milk tea with pearls to assess all asian tea shops. Tea was watered down. Boba consistency a little harder than it should be.
The plus is that this place is open late(r) and packed with board games. Good place to hang out with group of friends.
If this place continues to reel in 4 stars, I'm starting my own shop out here. -
Review from Ernie F.
San Leandro, CA
Updated - 11/19/2011 13 Check-ins Here
I've been slowly accumulating my stars here, which means I've been coming back every now and then. The drinks continue to be good-- they maintain a good consistency in terms of flavor and boba texture. A current new fave is their Lychee Milk Tea w/ Boba (they use Jasmine as the base)- yum!
I'll give bump them to 5-stars for being able to beat the local competition easily, having good drinks, and being overall quick and efficient. CASH ONLY.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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10/17/2011
RATING: 4 stars (solid boba place)
DRINK: Milk Tea Boba ($3.20 pre-tax)
TIME: 2PM, Monday
QUICK… Read more »
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Review from Mitch W.
10/18/2011 2 photos
After walking around the Harvard area, we saw people walking out of this shop with boba drinks. We are from Los Angeles and there are a few really good boba drink places there, so we decided to give Boston Tea Stop a try.
The boba balls are soft and chewy (not overcooked which makes them mushy), but not slightly sweet like places in Cali. I think the sweetness puts the boba balls on a higher level. The boba milk tea (@ $3.30) that we tried was good, but tasted less like tea and more like milk, so overall it was good, but not great. If I lived in the area and didn't know any better, then this would be good, but I know and have tasted better.
If I'm in the area again, I would give another drink a try.
Xie Xie!! -
Review from Allison R.
Somerville, MA
10/5/2011 3 Check-ins Here
This isn't a great review, but it's #500 for me. It will go down in history as such, and for that, Boston Tea Stop, you should be grateful. (Why isn't "grateful" spelled "greatful" anyway? That's never made sense to me. But, I digress.)
Boston Tea Stop is located in Harvard Square above Planet Records. I love me some boba with my vinyl (that almost sounds naughty), so I like to combine visits to these two fine establishments when I can.
Also noteworthy is that BTS is cash only. That can bum me out, since I'm a proud proponent of buying everything on credit.
They have a lot of tea flavors, and the option to have them with milk over ice ("milk tea"), blended without milk ("slush"), and blended with milk ("snow). I feel like a freakin' Maine redneck in a Starbucks for the first time (I worked there for 7 years, so I'm allowed to say that) trying to order at this place. I NEVER get it right. But each time, I leave with a cup of bubble tea goodness, served with a smile.
So, there you have it folks. I love bubble tea a whole lot, and I have a sorta crush on BTS.
Woot! 500 reviews in the proverbial can. Yelp, I freakin' love you. Cheers to 500 more!
xoxo,
allison rListed in: BUBBLES
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Review from Melanie T.
Manhattan, NY
3/9/2012
I love the bubble tea and the mochi here. The tapioca is the perfect consistency, springy, chewy, not too firm and not too soft. I got the strawberry milk, which was a bit bizarre since it was tea and strawberry flavoring at the same time. But it was good. The strawberry was slightly tangy, the milk made the whole thing creamy, and the flavor of the tea was subtle but there. The green tea mochi is amazing. The green tea is slightly bitter, and the flavor comes through very well. The ice cream is creamy and the outer wrapping is slightly chewy, just as good mochi should be. Love it.
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Review from Cassie C.
Sunnyvale, CA
10/20/2011
Very disappointed in this place! with all the rave reviews I expected it to taste AMAZING. I drink bubble tea almost every other day, (on a bad week, only once), and I was flabbergasted by the lack in taste in my thai tea. My friend also complained that her tea tasted like water (lychee, I think).
I agree with Elizabeth...Boston must have some horrible boba places if this was rated so highly.
NEXT. -
Review from Chris S.
Manhattan, NY
12/6/2011
Take it from a guy who spent 18 years in Taiwan.
First of all, the tea here is not bad. But at the same time, there's really not that much to rave about. There are a few major essentials to a great bubble tea (=boba, I use the two terms interchangeably though they are technically different):
+ tea flavor - an ideal bubble tea's tea has a bite to it, it's an aftertaste that shows off the aroma of the tea leaves. i would give 3/5 at Boston Tea Stop.
+ boba texture - i've been here numerous times and the boba is always consistently too hard. it's really a minor gripe since i think this aspect is more person-specific, but i would also give this a 3/5.
+ sweetness - this can be controlled by the patron, but i think even when i asked them to hold the sugar, it still comes out too sweet. 3/5.
Basically, every aspect is just very mediocre, and the high price for a drink pushes it a star down to 2/5.
I recommend Infusion Tea across the river on the edge of Brighton. They make really awesome bubble teas.
Props for being a convenient hangout spot and it's proximity to Harvard Square though - I think that's why I kept coming back here with friends even though I've never been here alone. -
Review from Natalia H.
San Jose, CA
10/28/2011
First thing I did after arriving Boston was to get my Mochi Ice Cream. WOW! It was reallllllllly delicious! I got the chocolate strawberry mochi ice cream and man, I wished I got more than just 1! I should've got one of each flavor!!!
I also got the taro milk tea. No good. Just stick to the Mochi Ice Cream. Seriously. -
Review from Elizabeth S.
Pomona, CA
10/19/2011 1 Check-in Here
Wow, Boston must have really bad boba places if this place got this rating. Either that or this place is one of very few boba places and this is the best they have.
Maybe because I'm from Cali where boba must be good to stay in business and am used to good boba. The boba was really hard and not fresh tasting at all. And the milktea tasted very watered down. If one isn't as good, the other should make up for it, but no. The boba and the milktea it came it was not tasty at all.
However, we did try a few of the mochi ice cream here. It was the only thing that salvaged the experience and time spent to come here. Loved the mango mochi. -
Review from Cassy H.
For someone who absolutely adores milk tea with boba, this place will do the job and satisfy for your boba craving. However, don't compare this place to authentic boba joints that you find in Taiwan. Actually, nothing in America will compare.
Moving on..... It's a small joint, so don't expect to find lots of seating. In fact, be prepared to take it to go. Also, be prepared to pay via cash.
As for the boba, I usually go for the traditional, classic milk tea with boba. How was it? The milk tea is pretty good, but doesn't taste like brewed tea, more like powered milk tea. The tapioca is alright, not super hard, but could be chewier. -
Review from Emmanuel S.
Cambridge, MA
2/15/2012
Authentic bubble tea!!
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Review from Amy C.
Brooklyn, NY
6/19/2011
Oh, Boston Tea Stop. How I love and yearn for you. I haven't found a bubble tea spot in New York that remotely compares to you. Cue Adele's "Someone Like You." Tear.
I remember making late night runs to BTS at 9pm as I furiously needed a sugar fix to propel me into late night paper writing sessions. I haven't found a place that can give me a Mango Snow (a slushy concoction) with lychee jelly. It was so perfect with a burrito from Felipe's. Clearly, college was a very rough time.
Gripes: Went back with college friends over reunion weekend and it was evident to me that the staff is a lot younger. They were stank and they were rude. Also, cash only and no bathroom. -
Review from Ty P.
Los Angeles, CA
10/24/2011
I guess I shouldn't have high expectations when it comes to boba in Boston, but wanted to give it a try.
I ordered the Jasmine Green Milk tea and it was a bit disappointing. The milk tea was not sweet enough and the boba didn't have any flavor.
Also the place had a very strong Pinsol smell. Yeah, I understand it's important to keep the place clean, but man, the smell was so strong that it have me a headache.
Would I try this place again? prabably not. -
Review from Champion S.
ALLSTON, MA
11/3/2011
I have been going here for about six years consistently.
The quality of their drinks can sometimes vary upon who is servicing behind their counter. Especially the slush or smoothies. Sometimes there will be too much powder or they will be blended way to much, which makes for a very milky or watery beverage.
But overall, I don't feel bad spending $3.75 on a black tea or slush. Very enjoyable drinks.
Decor is always kept nice as well. Sometimes the chairs and tables will wobble, but it gives a small stop like this character.
The Mochi is always unreal too. Especially, the seasonal ones.
It is a bummer when they only have two or three flavors to choose from.
I don't know if it is a lapse in orders or what, but the demand is always there, so I feel the products should always be there as well.
Four stars for this reason: I have never felt like a regular. It is almost as iff it is my first time there every time I walk-in. I feel like the counter staff won't try to do more than necessary when it comes to their guests. No, "Hey, nice to see you again." Just a "What can I get for you?"
Despite that, BTS is definitely my go-to Bubble Tea destination. -
Review from Monique S.
Somerville, MA
8/7/2011 1 Check-in Here
They have a great mango boba slush. They are so generous with the tapioca balls.
It is hot in there, and they do not have AC. -
Review from Suzy H.
Needham, MA
9/18/2011 2 Check-ins Here
So glad there's a boba joint in Boston. I just wish there was more...just like how it's in orange county in cali...but that's just my wishful thinking.
Don't like how they have no bathroom and they have cash only rule but whatever, it's good tea and good boba, for a decent price too so I won't complain too much. -
Review from Tony T.
Boston, MA
8/28/2011
The best place for bubble tea in Boston. I think they actually brew tea, instead of making it from powder, which is what a lot of places do.
Or at least, it was two years ago. My most recent experience involved tea that tasted like tap water. Still, I've got history here, so I'll leave it at five stars till I try again.
Taro milk tea (hot OR cold) is excellent. Try it with half lychee and half bubbles. -
Review from HL K.
Andover, MA
1/20/2012
I love boston tea stop ohhh soo gewd! I always get their milk tea boba... I personally like bobas here the best compared to the other ones in boston or manhattan. But the space is really limited, and there's no bathroom, but I guess it's no biggie. It was a while ago but there was this one worker who acted really mean because I forgot to mention the 'smoothie' part when I wanted a milk tea smoothie instead of the original milk tea.. :'( idk if she still works there. anyways that doesn't stop me from going there whenever i'm around harvard sq.
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Review from sherrie n.
Austin, TX
10/26/2011
We stopped by for some almond milk tea, which was ok. It's a small hole in the wall and has some games but it's not comfy to sit around.
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Review from Teng L.
San Francisco, CA
11/26/2011 1 Check-in Here
Finally found a place with boba in Cambridge. I got the standard and my favorite which is the milk tea with boba. The drink was mild without a lot of sugar or heavy milk flavor, but was well balanced and pretty delicious. The boba was nice and firm too, so it tasted pretty fresh. Too bad their kitchen doesn't serve popcorn chicken, that would make this place perfect.
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Review from Janelle N.
Cambridge, MA
8/9/2011
I used to work in Harvard Square, and I wish I'd come here more often. If I hadn't been so damn poor I might have.
It's got a small, adorable atmosphere. The rose tea I had that one time was legit. Not fake or overly sweet like some, and fun little rose buds at the bottom.
Kind of weird that their main thing is... beverages, and they have plenty of games on some shelves as if you'd wanna stay a while, yet they have no bathroom. Errr. Oh well. Head on over to the rapey restrooms at The Garage, I guess! (God, not gonna lie, I mostly hate Harvard Square.) -
Review from Poppy E.
Somerville, MA
5/18/2011
Words can not describe my addition, adoration, and obsession to their slush bubble tea.
It's sweet, cold, and tasty with- look at that! - little chewy things at the bottom! So good. I'm not a huge fan of paying 3-4 bucks for a drink, but after I got a job and started having money, I got over that.
But seriously, this place is great. Whenever I'm in Harvard, the first thing I do is buy some bubble tea.
Did you know you can mix flavors?! Up to three a cup, I believe. The most recent one I've had has been raspberry, coconut, and mango. Mmmm.
I defiantly recommended this place, though with that said, I haven't ever had bubble tea from anywhere else (or anywhere more authentic). But oh well, this stuff is good!Listed in: Vegan Bites
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Review from Nicole H.
Los Angeles, CA
6/11/2011 3 Check-ins Here
I'm SO GLAD I found this place! If you've ever been in the Los Angeles area, it almost tastes just like Cha for Tea -- a popular boba joint back in California! This place is a bit of home for me and it's pretty tasty.
I got the passion fruit green tea with boba which was really refreshing. They give you a decent amount of boba, but the texture of the boba wasn't amazing.
There aren't that many tables, so unlike back at home you can't really study and chill inside, but it's still great to grab a quick drink for your walk around Harvard Square. -
Review from Ari P.
Bellerose, NY
3/13/2011
Great tapioca, crappy tea.
I could start this review by mentioning somewhere near home where I had the most delicious boba tea ever *hawks up a lung* Ten Ren */hawk* but I won't. All I can say is that of the things on their menu that are offered, Passion Fruit tea should not be as hard on the taste buds as it was. Only by diluting it with water did it taste decent. On a nicer note, their pearls were perfection, Not too chewy, not to hard.
As my lenten sacrifice continues, I'm still inhibited from anything dairy based, therefore my choice was limited to the non-milk tea teas, as my friend shone her mochi ice cream in my face. Though judging by her taste for them, I will be coming back to sample them.
All things considered, I was kind of pissed to not get a student discount *cough* Quickly */cough* but at least take that money to get rid of the nicks and holes in the wall. -
Review from Kim H.
Peabody, MA
7/1/2011
Big fan. The flavors are nice and the boba is, too. It's less flavorful and less cooked than some other places' I've had but I still like it a lot! Blueberry almond with extra boba forever.
Last time I went they had hired a new girl. My group did not like her attitude at all. She was unfriendly and apathetic. She often smokes right outside the entrance. Not only you are smoking (some people quite dislike it, after all), but you are right in the dang middle of everything. I thought people were supposed to leave the blocked hallway mentality back in high school.
It's kinda expensive for boba, but that's to be expected considering the location.
I knocked off a bit of a star each for: that unfriendly girl, cash-only, the price, and no bathrooms (not so much of a big deal as anything else, though). -
Review from Sukanya S.
Somerville, MA
6/15/2011
Small place with a few tables, smells a little funny inside for some reason.
Decent bobas, it's cash only - sometimes a problem. But, otherwise nice hangout place, location is ideal - just next to Raven Used Books - how neat. -
Review from Ariana Z.
Boston, MA
6/25/2011
This place does not let me down! I love the atmosphere, the bubble tea, the staff, and all the good times we've had there.
The only "bad thing" i have to say about this place is that they only take cash.
It's not a big deal but something you should know before going in.
I must-go if you are in Harvard Square! -
Review from Monica H.
Houston, TX
5/26/2011
This place is okay. I only come here because it's the only place for mochi ice cream (and I guess boba) in Harvard Square. (I'm a little sick of the froyo craze and not always in the mood for ice cream.) I haven't had the boba yet, but if you're looking for amazing mochi ice cream, I would not recommend it here. Although they have plenty of interesting flavors, the mochi is no different than what you would find in the freezer section at any Asian grocery store. However, if you simply want to satisfy a craving, the mochi here will do.
By the way, let the ice cream thaw a bit before you take your first bite. -
Review from Marian M.
Pacifica, CA
6/5/2011
This place is okay..
It takes cash only, so my friend had to cover me. Whenever I go to boba places, I get the same thing: Milk tea with boba. The milk tea was not as sweet as to my liking, and I've definitely had better milk tea elsewhere. The boba was pretty tender. Price-wise, it's ok, definitely cheaper than Lollicup. -
Review from Justin H.
San Francisco, CA
2/28/2011
BTS is my go to for boba in HSquare.
I get jasmine green tea, served hot with no sugar, no milk- it's basically hot tea and oversized tapioca pearls. It usually hits the spot, although sometimes I would like it hotter, or I want more boba or the boba is not cooked all the way (a bit too al dente).
There's a Street Fighter II arcade game for the nostalgic or Connect 4 if you feel like taking a seat and chilling out for a bit. The crowd is young and undergradish (or am I just old?).
They also sell ice cream mochi, but personally I don't consider this to be mochi since it's really only a thin layer of processed rice cake wrapped around flavored ice cream. I want the authentic stuff served from the master hands of an old impatient Japanese lady!
But I'm being too demanding, after all this is Harvard Square, MA, not somewhere in Tokyo. -
Review from Alex S.
Boston, MA
5/8/2011
CASH ONLY. Had to walk to the 7-11 ATM.
Ordered the jasmine green tea sweetened with milk and no sugar. It was really tasty, although I had never experienced this style of tea before.
Cashier was nice.
They put their gift cards in the boba cup and shrink wrap it; nice aspect to the gift. -
Review from ann n.
Charlestown, MA
12/4/2011
Friendly and clean establishment. I ordered my usual thai ice tea with boba. The tea was a little weak and boba pearls seemed smaller.
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Review from Allison V.
Boston, MA
6/9/2011
Not a bad place if you're in the mood for mochi. The bubble tea is average. As with most bubble tea places it is pricey.
The mochi is good and there is a variety. It doesn't beat a pack of mochi from Trader Joe's if you're okay with just Green Tea, Strawberry and Chocolate flavors.
The place is tiny and if you go with too many people it is easy to crowd. But most of the time we just wanted bubble tea or mochi to go.
Cash only is annoying.
