Dobra Tea Room
(24 reviews)80 Church St, Burlington, VT 05401, USA 802-951-2424 Website Suggest Changes
Recent reviews
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Paige Halsey Warren
I love this place and try to stop in whenever I’m in town. A word for the wise, however: don’t expect a quick pop in.
The wait time to be seated can be very long and you can’t expect an accurate estimated wait time. I love that I don’t feel rushed while enjoying my time inside but sometimes the unexpectedly long wait (especially outside during cold weather) can be frustrating.
Plan accordingly so a pleasant expectation isn’t spoiled by freezing weather.
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Whitney
Excellent service, prep, and teas. A little bit crowded and dark, but I liked the candlelight, and the layout makes it seem bigger than it is. There are little alcoves here and there for those who prefer to sit together with a bit more privacy. A little something for everyone. Excellent selection of teas, each prepared perfectly. I bought some Da Hong Pao and was told how to make it like they did, very helpful. The menu is lengthy but is helpful when you want to try something new because it explains what the tea is all about. They really know their tea.
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Stefanie
This place sets the bar for tearooms! It is the best one I have ever been to! Beautiful Oriental decor inside, astounding selection of teas and delicious variety of light exotic food. The service is exceptional - everyone here really knows what they're doing and strives to serve each individual tea the way it was meant to be served. They also sell beautiful teaware. The only downside is that it can be a bit expensive depending on your budget, but it's totally worth it.
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Rambler
Dobra is the first place I visit whenever I make a trip home to VT. The tea selection is pretty astounding, the service is friendly and knowledgeable, and the atmosphere relaxed. This is the spot to go if you want to have a good conversation with someone, if you want to discover new flavors on a budget, or if you just want to curl up and chill or get some work done.
The menu can be a little overwhelming the first time you go, so don't be afraid to ask for recommendations. I didn't drink tea at all until the first time I went to Dobra, and now I love it, thanks in large part to my informal education from the folks there. Also, ask about their tea tastings/classes. These events are a ton of fun, and a great way to get introduced to the varieties of tea (the drink) that all come from tea (the plant).
Regarding speed of service: Please take into consideration that Dobra employees steep each pot of loose leaf tea individually, careful to use the temperature of water and the time steeping that will best bring out the flavor of that particular tea. They're not trying to turn over customers the same way that, say, Starbucks does. I have sat at a table for hours with just a pot of tea (which can be resteeped several times) and maybe a small snack, and never felt rushed, so I'm happy to sometimes wait a few extra minutes for the tea to arrive.
In short: Dobra's pretty fantastic. Give it a try, give yourself a treat, and discover some new flavors from all over the world.
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Joseph
Tea like you would never expect to find in small-town Vermont! I grew up in Burlington and never fully appreciated dobra until moving to New York. Their menu reads like a book, the atmosphere is soft and cheerful, and the tea is prepared with a passion like an artist's. They also serve several original blended and chilled teas!
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AMW
I can't wait to get back to Burlington so that I can visit Dobra again. I LOVE this tea room. The tea is excellent, service excellent. Lovely presentation. You can buy teas and teacups and pots there. You can sit quietly, relax and chat with friends. I hope to soon move to Burlington and will be a steady customer of Dobra then. Rudeboyrg is just being rude for the sake of being rude. He apparently gets his kicks from being rude no matter how many lies he has to tell. Maybe he will grow up some day.
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rudeboyrg
This place is just horrid. I tried going there once after much contemplation. I couldn't be inside for more than 2 minutes. The aroma is awful. The place smells of hippy sweet and quite frankly, this is nothing more than an over-hyped nonsensical hippy hang out. Its dark and you can barely see anything either. If I wanted to be surrounded by dirty, skanky, greasy hippies who think they can 'relate' to something when they really know nothing, I could just walk around Burlington for free instead of having to pay for some nasty tea from Dobra. Stay away unless you're a hippy in which case you'll feel right at home.
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C.
I LOVE DOBRA!!!
Excellent teas, food, and service. A wide variety of teas from all over the world, excellent Daily Chocolate, ethnic inspired food, delcious desserts, and the option to take home tea in bulk. The tea preparation is perfect every time- I highly recommend the specialty teas Memories of Prague, Chai, and Masala. Also have a great selection of iced tea drinks in summer! Highly recommend- best tea room I have ever visited!!
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Justin DK
I love to slip down to dobra inbetween classes and whenever i have an extra hour or so and need to relax. They are wonderful, helpful and friendly. They know there teas and what will fit your mood/desire. I love the backrooms and the oolong selection. I do wish they would stay open in the night for tea/hookah because the demand is there.
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Don Holly
This is a tea lover's tea house. The teas are the best that you can hope for, both in terms of selection variety and the care in which they are imported, stored and served. The staff generally express a passion for tea as well as welcoming and professional manner. It is a little eccentric in all the right ways, but I have found it to be acceptable to even the most conservative guests. The variety of seating areas helps make everyone comfortable in that they have a choice of how engaged they get, all the way to some Japanese style draped tables that offer either spiritual or romantic settings. Obviously, highly recommended.
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Michael Chaucer
this place is amazing. i come here at least twice a week, weather or not i acutally buy tea, i ALWAYS have a great time. its a place that i can either relax and sooth my body and soul, or invite some friends and have a fun tea drinking get-together. this is a must-expirience, both for tourists and locals. it is a great way to unwind.
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Claude Steinberg
My wife and I were visiting Vermont and went here for an energy boost between skiing and seeing a concert at the Flynn in Burlington. They have tea paraphenalia from around the world and books describing their tea travels. The sipping area and staff are subdued and tasteful, not full of 'cheer' as the review questions suggest a tea room should be, but this is what you'd expect of a Bohemian outfit complete with real Bohemians from Bohemia. We often drink herb teas but usually not flavored regular teas, so we tried Czech chocolate tea more for the cultural immersion experience than any expectation of enjoying it. Big surprise: it was way better than a mocha latté. We also tried sipping yerba matté from a gourd (the traditional way) and learned that it stays just as strong infusion after infusion. We also tried one of their exquisite flowery green teas with aromas you usually only expect from Adagio's oolongs. Adagio and Peets have better prices for bulk packages, but Dobra offers something you won't find elsewhere, Huang Shan Mao Feng, a fabulous green you can let sit for 15 minutes that won't get bitter. Many's the time at work I've forgotten to take the tea out of the pot and had to dilute or more often dump a put of green tea, and sometimes I've just wanted it strong. Usually one has to steep it for 1 minute, pour off the bitter water, boil a second pot, and then brew for another 10 minutes to get the strong taste. Who has time for that at work? You won't have that problem with this tea from Dobra.
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Payton
The best tea house I have ever encountered, and I make it a priority to visit everywhere that sells quality tea. I echo my fellow reviewers' opinions about quality and atmosphere. It's only the six-hour drive from Boston that keeps me from being a regular (but I still order from them!).
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Ann
I loved the Czech tea, the cheap prices, the cool but not intimidating atmosphere, and had to be restrained from joining people young enough to be my kids sitting aroung the hookah outside. Nothing to match it for atmosphere in NY (home) or Washington, DC.
Go, stay a while. You'll love it.
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Rae
I spend hours a day nestled in a window seat at Dobra, reading great literature and drinking exquisite teas. This ritual has quickly become the joy of my days. The atmosphere is relaxing and stimulating--the perfect place for deep concentration, deep thought, meaningful and/or frivilous conversation. The devoteas are always available to recomend the perfect tea or teach you more about your favorites. Dobra is truely a gem in a town that is seemingly famous for its unique establishments.
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Kaylee
I am a regular of this tea shop, often going in 3-4 times a week, and there is a reason. The atmosphere is warm and comfortable, the staff is friendly and helpful, and the teas are excellent. I feel very lucky that Dobra Tea opened their first US shop 15 minutes from where I live.