Top 5 Bubble Tea Near Times Square, NY

1) Bibble & Sip

Our Review of Bibble & Sip in Times Square, NY

On my visit to this bubble tea hotspot, I was absolutely enchanted by its vibe. One can clearly see the parallelism to an Asian Dominique Ansel bakery, with the assortment of cute bakery items that looked more like art than food. The level of attention to detail and the adorable decor stand as a testament to the care and craft that has been injected into the place, truly creating a unique and captivating aesthetic. As far as taste is concerned, this place is right up there with the best bubble tea joints around.

As a special treat, you simply can’t go wrong with the Lychee Piggy, an option that I found both delightful and distinctive. It stands alone in the fantastic array of beverages this place has to offer, particularly amidst their great seasonal drink items. Make sure to keep an eagle eye on the tiny menus by the cash register, lest you miss out on these one-of-a-kind beverages!

While the ambience and taste are top-notch, be prepared to dole out a bit more cash than your average bubble tea joint. But in my opinion, it’s worth every penny. The unique experience and superb bubble tea combined make for a memorable visit.

In all, this bubble tea location is more than just a place to grab a drink – it’s an experience, and one that I happily give an 8.5 out of 10. It’s a little pricey, sure. But believe me when I say the charm of this place and the originality of their bubble tea options more than justify it. Give it a try and prepare to be charmed!

2) Grace Street

Our Review of Grace Street in Times Square, NY

In the very heart of Ktown, you’ll find a gem that has managed to set the benchmark for dessert spots, none other than Grace Street. Always abuzz with activity, any passerby would easily spot a line waiting out onto the street, a testament to the quality of their offerings. However, I assure you, don’t let the sight of the queue deter you. It moves along at quite a reasonable speed, and before you know it, you’re at the threshold of this dessert haven.

Venturing inside on a Saturday afternoon, it’s easy to see why this location is bookmarked by many, locals and tourists alike. Grace Street truly stands out with its palette of unique desserts and bingsus. The range is impressive, and each dessert is crafted with a unique spin, solidifying their consequential status in the growing dessert scene of New York.

What really resonates with me from my visit to Grace Street is not just the delightful bubble tea – though it is worth mentioning, but also their casual and inviting atmosphere. It’s a place where you can truly relax, enjoy a good conversation, and savor their delicious treats. Their churro waffles, particularly caught my attention – they were impeccably prepared and had a truly soulful taste.

The only downside was wishing for more stomach space as I was spoilt for choice with the plethora of options. An array of items still lies unexplored, waiting to satisfy any sweet tooth. A return trip is definitely in the books, for bubble tea and more.

Put simply, Grace Street is a must-visit. Their mix of crowd-pleasing favorites, unique offerings, and cozy atmosphere, all offset by reasonable waiting times, make it my top pick when it comes to dessert and bubble tea places in Ktown.

3) The Alley

Our Review of The Alley in Times Square, NY

Visiting the bubble tea spot in Flushing was a delightful experience. One particular standout is the brown sugar creme brûlée milk tea that I happened to taste. If you cherish milk tea, this will be your choicest drink. The symmetry between the lavish and garnish-infused tea, and the splendidly textured tapioca balls, produced a beverage that was outstandingly well-rounded, and not overly sweet – this to me was a satisfying discovery.

The location in itself left a lasting impression on me. Considerably well-placed and highly-accessible, making it a breeze for tea lovers in and around Flushing to quench their thirst with some extraordinary bubble tea – adding a sense of convenience that elevates the whole experience.

For anyone who’s venturing into this brand for the first time like I did, the uniqueness of this location becomes even more significant. As a rare find in the East Coast, it goes above and beyond to offer an amazing bubble tea experience, that starts from the ambience and aesthetics of the store right down to the final sip of the drink it serves. They’ve managed to create a harmonious blend of aesthetics and taste that will leave even the most discerning bubble tea enthusiasts quite satisfied.

In sum, it’s the texture of their tapioca, the balance in sweetness, the convenience of their location, and the impressive aesthetics of the store culminate into a bubble tea experience that’s uniquely theirs. Add all of this to the exotic and appealing range of beverages they offer, and you’ve got yourself a must-visit destination. Hoping to revisit soon!

4) Xing Fu Tang

Our Review of Xing Fu Tang in Times Square, NY

Upon stepping into this bustling bubble tea locale, one immediately senses the effervescence in the air. As is expected with popular spots like these, the line is often packed to the entrance, yet it moves with an impressive speed and efficiency. However, it seems worth mentioning that despite the many hands rustling together these delightful beverages, there appears to be an inconsistent fluctuation in the quality of service and end product. This is not a minor thing to overlook in an area as competitive as the bubble tea market.

When it comes to the drinks themselves, their taro milk tea is an absolute delight. The concoction tastes remarkably of authentic taro. The taro lingering in the bottom of the cup was grand, complemented by a generous serving of taro bubbles, merging into a tantalizing symphony of taste. It’s gloriously smooth and carries its distinctive real taro flavour with pride.

Their boba pearls need a special mention here because they hit just the right spot! They are not only soft but also come in the perfect amount, invigorating every sip with their delightful chewiness. Various bubble tea shops tend to get this wrong, either by making it too soft or too hard, or by losing balance in quantity, but this place certainly does not disappoint in this regard.

However, it would seem that there had been a slip in quality recently. One can’t help but feel that more attention should be paid to maintaining consistency in their amazing tea offerings. Despite all its commendable aspects, it’s the faltering quality that sends a bitter note in an otherwise sweet symphony.

In a nutshell, this locale is definitely one that boasts a bustling vibe and enchanting beverages, particularly in the form of their taro milk tea and boba pearls. The consistent crowds are testament to their charm. However, they would do well to ensure that they maintain their quality in the face of the predictable influx of customers.

5) Gong Cha

Our Review of Gong Cha in Times Square, NY

Upon my recent visit to this particular bubble tea spot I have to commend them on their indoor seating arrangement. The availability of tables and chairs along with a comfortable air quality makes for a cozy ambience, much to my satisfaction. It’s a perfect spot for meetings, catch-ups or simply enjoying your alone time along with a refreshing cup of bubble tea.

Talking about the variety in their menu, I happened to try their recently introduced pineapple flavours; I opted for the piña colada one. The congruity of the pineapple essence with the classic creaminess of piña colada left behind a delightful tropical dance on my taste buds. It not only provided a cooling respite to the hot day, but also it offered a little reminiscence of that alluring beach vacation we all dream about.

Sticking to their reputation, the consistency in the quality of their drinks is much apparent even at this location in Manhattan. This branch showed no deviation from the taste and quality that we are accustomed to from other branches that I visited. I have to mention the crowd too; there was not an overwhelming swarm of customers. The place was fairly busy for a Friday afternoon, but not to the extent of discomfort.

To sum it up, this bubble tea spot has done justice to its popularity with a good quality of bubble teas, comfortable atmosphere and consistency across different locations. A solid four-star recommendation from my side!