Cape Town, South Africa
Foodie finds: the best bubble tea in Cape Town
Where in Cape Town to get your bubble tea fix
Cape Town has always been a tea-drinking city, but the bubble tea wave has shifted how people sip. What began as a playful Taiwanese invention of tea, milk and chewy tapioca pearls has become a Cape Town favourite. Some spots highlight clean, classic brews, while others push boundaries with rooibos twists, tropical flavours or playful toppings. It’s become part of daily life here: a quick stop with friends, a refreshing break in the middle of the day or a sweet sip to end the evening. Here are the bubble tea spots that we love going back to over and over again for flavour, creativity and atmosphere.
01
Susu Bubble Tea
Walking into Susu Bubble Tea feels like opening a comic book. The colours, the signage, the bubble-popping energy – all designed to spark joy before you even order. Their menu is broad, but it’s the playful side that shines: creamy macchiato-topped teas, icy Susu slushies and fruit-bright blends. Each drink is layered for drama, a kind of edible street art. Students drift in for Instagram moments, parents sneak one mid-errand and friends gather for a sugar rush. There’s no pretension here – just big flavour and a laid-back atmosphere. If bubble tea were a personality, Susu Bubble Tea would be the extrovert who gets everyone dancing. With branches dotted across the city, it’s the sugar-rush vibe of Cape Town youth culture in a cup.
Susu Bubble Tea
De Waterkant
The Old Cape Quarter
72 de Waterkant Street
Cape Town
South Africa
Photography courtesy of Lionel Henshaw Photography
02
South Africa Royal Tea
At the V&A Waterfront, set between fashion stores and restaurants, Royal Tea draws a steady line of locals who know to order the cheese tea. Cheese tea sounds unusual – a layer of salty cream over oolong or jasmine – but it’s what gives the brand its following. Originating in China, Royal Tea brought its franchise to South Africa in 2022, anchoring outlets at Cavendish Square and Riverlands Mall as well. Their teas are sourced from China, Japan and India and brewed on-site with no premix powders. The menu also includes fruit teas like Jasmine Orange and Pineapple Smash alongside the indulgent Oreo Choco Cheese. Order a Royal Green cheese tea, find a seat near the window and take it all in slowly.
South Africa Royal Tea
Victoria & Alfred Waterfront
Cape Town
South Africa
Photography courtesy of South Africa Royal Tea
03
Ben’s Bubble Tea
Ben’s has gone from small pop-up to national chain in just a few years, proving Cape Town’s thirst for good bubble tea runs deep. What keeps us coming back is consistency: the tea is brewed right, the pearls are chewy with just the right bounce and the flavours don’t veer gimmicky. Think taro, matcha, brown sugar milk tea – solid staples that deliver every time. We love the interior design at Ben’s Bubble Tea, especially the Stellenbosch branch. A calming palette of light turquoise, white and warm wood tones complements textures of vertical wood slats and exposed brick. Stylish, minimalist furniture, including a channel-tufted banquette and abundant greenery, is highlighted by warm pendant lighting. It’s a modern and aesthetically pleasing space to enjoy some of the best bubble tea in South Africa.
Ben’s Bubble Tea
Riverside Mall
95 Main Rd
Rondebosch
Cape Town
South Africa
Photography courtesy of Ben’s Bubble Tea
04
Teawsome
At Mojo Market in Sea Point, Teawsome feels perfectly at home. The market is a constant flow of music, craft beer, poké bowls and wandering tourists, but locals know the Teawsome is the place to go. Their angle is customisation. You pick your base – black, green, oolong or rooibos – then decide on sweetness and toppings. Aloe, lychee jelly, popping boba – it’s all laid out for you to mix. Their Crushers (blended taro or matcha) are cult favourites, especially on hot days when the market spills into the street. For Sea Point locals, Teawsome is a weekend spot that is never missed. Grab a tea, find a bench and catch a live set.
Teawsome
Mojo Market
30 Regent Rd
Sea Point
Cape Town
South Africa
Photography courtesy of Teawsome
05
Booba Beautea
In Cape Town, bubble tea has taken on a softer, café-driven personality through Booba Beautea. A flower wall greets you at Booba Beautea and it sets the tone: whimsical, pastel and designed for pause. But locals know it’s more than a backdrop. Behind the aesthetic, the drinks hold their ground. Balanced, well-brewed and popping with flavour. Their menu highlights Taiwanese tea-based drinks. Options include uji matcha, ocean nectar, black tea latte and fruity blends like the Strawberry Lover. Our favourite is the Biscoff Bubble Tea – topped with cream cheese and biscuit crumble. They also serve poké bowls and mochi and pull-through dessert energy with seasonal flavours, creative toppings and an evolving menu.
Booba Beautea
Canal Walk Shopping Centre
21 Century City Dr
Century City
Cape Town
South Africa
Photography courtesy of Booba Beautea
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