The Tea Garden
(11 reviews)2601 Hennepin Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55408, USA 612-377-1700 Suggest Changes
Specializing in bubble tea, tapioca pearls, traditional tea, tea lattes, shakes and coolers with tapioca pearls.
Recent reviews
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Lily
The tea garden is not at all about tea. It's about ambience.
They have bubble teas (chillers), and that's what most people get: sweet, colorful, and cold. It's the college-bound teenager's grown-up ICEE. Sometimes, that's just what you want, and these guys have the widest range of flavors in the city. None of them really of tea in them, but again, that's not been the point.
They do have some loose leaf tea, but none of it is worth writing home about.
You come to the Tea Garden to hang out with your friends, read The Onion and listen to music. It's the under-21 crowd's version of bar hopping, only there's nowhere to hop to.
Fun and awesome if you're under the age of 20. A place to see and be seen. A little bit awkward and uncomfortable if you've got a high-school diploma under your belt.
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Kristy
I have been going to the Tea Garden, both in Minneapolis and in St. Paul, for years now. I'm more impressed with the Minneapolis location because it is much more roomy and is usually a little less busy. The atmosphere is very trendy and the crowd usually consists of mostly college students. The food is largely vegan/vegetarian (which I really appreciate!) but usually doesn't look like the most appetizing thing you could order. I have friends who love their food, but I have never tried it myself.
This Teahouse can be whatever you want it to be. I usually drag my non-tea-loving friends with me and they order 'tea coolers' or 'tea shakes' which are basically similar to starbucks/caribou coolers. They taste fantastic, and are great for people who are looking for that kind of thing. If you add 'bubbles' (a.k.a. tapioca pearls) to the tea shakes/coolers and you have one awesome cup of amazing-ness!
However, if you want to make your experience more focused on authentic tea, they definitely offer a great place to do that as well. The first time I went to the Minneapolis Tea Garden, I ordered Royal Tea with pearls and it tasted incredible! It was very sweet and didn't really resemble real tea, but it was enough to bring me back to try their 'real' tea. Now when I go, I order off the loose-leaf menu and they have some great loose-leaf teas! I typically will ask the employees what their favorite loose-leaf is on the menu and I order whatever they recommend. So far, I have never been disappointed.
The only negatives I see about this place are: (1) The fact that they store their loose-leafs in glass containers and (2) the crowd is usually very trendy and young, which doesn't bother me but I could understand other people might prefer an older or more professional crowd.
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A.P.
I use to work at the number tea room in illinois. I don't think the tea graden is the type of tea room I am use to. It reminds me of a place called Bubble Tea in Carbondale Illinois. I like the coolers and ice Teas but sadly I know it has been done better. I like to think they are more like a tea bar. There is not wait staf for the table. Inside you order at the counters and then sit where ever you want. The food you would find here is much like the food you will find a Starbucks (Don't expect a food menu).
WARNING: Teas are stored in glass jars. Sun light will quickly dry out any flavors to the tea. I advise the owner to change the way they store their teas so that the flavors last longer.
Also hot teas are served with the tea leaves in it. If you tea sits longer then the seeping time they will become bitter for the first pot and watered down for you hot water refill. Try asking for an extra cup to put your infuser in so that you can enjoy your second pot the same way as your frist pot.
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Towanda
I have been to the Hennepin and St Paul locations numerous times over the last few years. I have seen both places virtually void of clients and stacked to the walls. Either way, both places have provided consistently good service and quality product -- when I see a long line ahead of me, I see it as a chance to review the menu and design a new flavor combination to try. Hey, these drinks are made to order, customized to your specifications and served with a smile. Its a feel good place and TOTALLY worth the wait!
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Stephanie
I had an awful customer service experience at the one in St Paul and contacted the owner who said some coupons would be sent and the issue would be discussed with staff. I still have not received any coupons. I think the customer service standards stem from the owner which seem to be lacking.
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Laura
As the previous review said the customer service was awful at one point. It appears they have hired new staff that are MUCH MUCH nicer, and do not make you feel like a burden like previous staff. The variety of bubble tea is pretty decent, but I would love to see fresh fruit bubble teas.
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Emily
I like the Tea Garden and its offerings; however, the customer service at times has been lacking. Last time I felt completely ignored by the staff. I was standing in plain view for several minutes--waiting first to place my order then the same thing waiting for my drink to get ready. I don't mind waiting but not when the reason for the long wait is staff chatting or choosing to do other things rather than make a drink or take an order.
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Andrea
Ever since coming back from college in St. Louis, where the Loop alone has two bubble tea stores, I have been trying to find a place that sells bubble tea. This is the place! There are so many variteties, and the environment is so relaxing and pretty, with a small waterfall that greets you as you walk in the door. Friendly staff, comfy couches, it's the perfect hangout. I love it!
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Cal Bryant
Great atmosphere, amazing service, better tea than I get at home in England. The Tea Garden's just the best place I've found on this planet to date.