Top 5: Bubble tea places near the university

I love to enjoy a sweet or fruity bubble tea from somewhere close to the university. Whether it is a warm day or a rainy day, I immediately crave bubble tea. If you are ever feeling exhausted after a long day — it is such a refreshing drink that can make you feel better instantly. But, since the list of bubble tea places around the U of A is endless, it can be tough to know where to look.

Well, if you’re like me and need a refreshing bubble tea on a hot summer day, look no further! These are my top 5 bubble tea places in the university and Whyte Avenue area.

1. Coco Fresh Tea and Juice

Coco Fresh Tea and Juice is my favourite place to go, considering how close it is to campus and the quality of the bubble tea. They carry a wide range of drinks, catering to both the classic brown sugar lovers with their brown sugar series, and to the fruit lovers when they introduce various seasonal flavours. Some seasonal flavours include winter melon during the winter and mango during the summer. 

The price range for Coco is quite reasonable too. Each drink ranges between $6 and $9, depending on the customizations. Coco also wins another point from me, as they cater to people with lactose intolerance or a milk protein allergy.

2. Mytea

I can say that without a shadow of a doubt, this is my go-to recommendation if you are in the mood for a walk and also want a cool, refreshing drink. This place is a hidden gem on Whyte Ave. Yes, I am aware that it is considerably far from campus! Trust me, it is worth the walk or a bus ride.

Since it is a family-owned business, they can make you drinks that aren’t on the menu. When I try a place for the first time, I always get brown sugar milk tea as a standard. Mytea did not have that on their menu, but I asked and they made it for me anyways. They also have some fun combinations of flavours and drinks for people who are feeling adventurous. An example is their Orenilla, which is an Oreo bubble tea with lychee jelly and tapioca pearls — seems adventurous to me. The price range is on the affordable end as well, with most drinks being between $5 to $7 with customizations. 

3. Teapsy 

Teapsy is not my go-to or favourite, but I still think because of the location it is very convenient for students. The closest location is at either SUB or HUB mall and no one can argue as to how convenient and accessible that is.

Teapsy does have a variety of flavours to choose from, as well. They also have multiple giveaways and they partner with the university. This is to encourage students to take a relaxing break with a refreshing drink to relieve their stress. Over the years, they have given out stickers. They also occasionally give out free drinks to students and potentially get them to try new flavours and get their reactions. Who doesn’t want a free drink? 

4. Heeretea

This place is known for its very interesting flavours, ranging from rose tea to Ovaltine. It is a place that caters to a wide variety of palettes. While their location is not as close as the others, they are still very close to the university. This store has the most options to choose from compared to the others on this list, which is definitely a bonus! 

However, it is on the more expensive side. The bubble tea cups themselves are very high quality, so it is understandable why most of their drinks are more than $7 each. They also have a lot of promotional activities, and team up with K-pop fans. So if you’re a K-pop fan and a lover of bubble tea, this is the place for you!

5. Quickly 

Quickly has the healthiest bubble tea options out of the five. Even though it isn’t my favourite place to go to, the convenience is undeniable. It is only a couple of bus stops away from campus.

But the reason why it is part of my top 5 is because of their summer deal. They have daily specials where they have a single flavour that is sold at a cheaper price. Trust me, it is very affordable! Apart from that, they also have some fun snacks, ranging from hot dogs to popcorn chicken as well.