Best tea shops in San Fransisco

I’m going there on Monday (as it’s a school holiday). I’ve already decided on David’s Tea and Lupicia on Market.

Is there anything else close by I should check out? Preferably somewhere I can get sample sizes. And rooibos.

22 Replies

I’d check out Imperial Tea

http://www.imperialtea.com/category_s/1875.htm

Dinosara said

Awesome, they have Berkeley location too, which is where I will be spending most of my time!

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Samovar Tea Lounge in Yerba Buena Gardens is worth checking out. I’m pretty sure they don’t do sample sizes, and I don’t think they have much (or perhaps any) rooibos, but they have some great teas. If you’re able to actually have tea there, I’d highly recommend doing so – it’s a beautiful location, and they have really good food (and desserts!) in addition to a nice selection of teas.

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This is great. I’ll be there in July and plan on visiting tea shops then. Please keep the suggestions coming.

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Bonnie said

Isn’t Red Blossom there too?

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Claire said

Yes Red Blossom is here too! And Samovar does carry at least one rooibos blend that I know of.

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Visit Leland Tea! You can create a custom blend – http://www.lelandtea.com/

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Dustin said

I remember seeing a place in China Town that was a tea shop when I worked in North Beach, but I can’t remember what it was called. Google searching…
http://www.redblossomtea.com/
https://vitaltealeaf.net/

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Dustin said

The Japanese Tea Garden is worth a visit if you are into tea and visiting SF. The grounds are gorgeous! http://www.japaneseteagardensf.com/

I’m not going to be near Golden Gate Park. Wish I could, I love it there.

Dustin said

The tea selection is pretty limited if you are going on a shopping expedition, but the tradition and history of it is where the value is IMO.
Oh, that would actually be pretty cool… a guided tea shopping expedition! Complete with shuttle van service!

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Dinosara said

Love that this thread just popped up… I am going to the Bay Area for a week on Tuesday and will have a day in SF next weekend. Anyone have suggestions of places for teaware, especially in Chinatown?

Dustin said

I think Grant street is the heart of Chinatown and where most of the stores are. A lot of the stores sell a little bit of everything. I’m sure if you just took a stroll down there and popped into a few you would find a plethora of options! Sorry I can’t be more specific, but I never paid attention to any of the names of the shops. Oh, and the dim sum is to die for!

Dinosara said

Thanks for the tip… it’s great to know where most of those types of shops will be.

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Lupicia!

It’s on my shopping list. They have some rooibos I want to try.

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