Kaleisia Tea Lounge
(58 reviews)1441 E Fletcher Ave, Tampa, FL 33612, USA 813-977-8266 Website Suggest Changes
Kaleisia Tea Lounge is a casual tea lounge where you can expect to have a cup of tea just the way you like it.
There are over 150 teas to choose from and always a tea specialist to answer your tea questions.
Recent reviews
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Ily Tonjes
One of my favorite places to grab tea. Favorites are Rain Drop and Sunburst. I'd been going to Kaleisia for over a decade (close to two now). While I don't live in the area anymore, it will always hold a special place in my heart.
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Tea Tigress
Reasonably priced tea, friendly staff, quiet study spot (popular with USF students).
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Mocha Cocoa
Love it!!!! They come up with new tea very often. Their tea is great and the staff is friendly
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Yresim
They have a huge tea selection, and they do a great job preparing it the way you request.
I do wish they had more food options and more seating. But I suppose that's out of the question based on their location. Also, the pricing for the tea pots seemed very high to me, and I honestly wonder if they ever sell them.
This is a cafe. If you go there expecting that, you wil be pleased. If you go there expecting more, you wil be disappointed.
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Jeanne and Linda
Went to the Chinese Tea Ceremony--absolutely wonderful!! Food was fantastic, Kim is such a great teacher--everything was spotless and the presentation was amazing! Have bought loose tea here for years, but the new space is a lovely respite!! thank you , jeanne c.
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Raissa
It's very hard to find any asian tea stores in FL. I was excited to have found this while vacationing in Tampa. They have a surprisingly large and great quality selection, a decent array of tea accessories, and they even had Matcha and Matcha accessories. The service was great and knowledgeable. I didn't get to eat lunch there, but was surprise at their yummy variety of lunch an tea making methods (smoothies, hot, iced). They even had some pretty cool classes, an assortment of books and board games and a calendar of events. I wish Jacksonville had this! Thanks for a great experience.
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Tara
Knowledgeable and friendly staff, amazing selection of delicious teas, exotic smoothies (made with real fruit!), great music, community events... Kaleisia has it all! You're greeted as soon as you open the door. The staff will help you select your tea based on just a few questions. The vegan menu selection is so tasty, you don't even know it's vegan! (Pumpkin Soup is the key to enlightenment, in case you were curious.) Less expensive than any other coffee or tea shop in the area, Kaleisia delivers on so many different levels that it can't be duplicated! You'll find tea-lovers knitting on Thursday nights, discussing books once a month, playing board games, playing music... this is truly a special place, and not to be missed by locals or out-of-towners alike!
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Annie
These guys knew my 'usual' drink after I had ordered it about 3 times! Every drink is 'fully customizable' as they say - no extra charge for a drop of milk or extra sweetener. Having tried at least 3 other teahouses in Tampa who serve boba, I can say with certainty that Kaleisia has the best boba around. The food offerings are all vegan, but you'd never know it from the superb taste. Try the pumpkin soup with rice! Kaleisia hosts many events, such as a very young, hip knitting circle every thursday night, and a book club that meets once a month. Check out their monthly calendar for a heads up on benefit events like the annual 'Gifts of Love' in March. The staff take extreme measures to make sure that they carry the absolute best teas and merchandise. One of the owners explained that they will try the same tea from different suppliers until the find the most flavorful variety. My favorite is the Jasmine Pearl green tea, brewed strong, lightly sweetened, with a touch of soy milk and boba. Be aware that it is such a calm and happy place with such wonderful tea and staff, and a warm community of tea lovers, you may go there and never wish to leave. I visit about probably 3 times per week. Don't miss it!
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mia
this place gets it right every time i go - the staff are very knowledgeable and eager to educate visitors about tea. they have often recommended something to me when i am unsure of what i want and i am always pleasantly surprised. the food is great too - which is why i always bring out-of-town guests here. the best part, to me. is that you can smell all of the teas on their 'tea wall', which allows you to get a better idea of what you would like. i can't recommend this place highly enough! i'm in NYC for the summer and there is no place like kaleisia here - i miss it!
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Josh Batson
Great selection of teas and great staff. So much better than crapbucks for usf students looking for a pick me up.
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flippinkittin
From the second you walk in you know that this place is differant. There is a wall of teas where you can smell them till you find what you want. They always ask your name and remember it! When I go in, even if it has been a few months they know what I will get. They also have a 'buy 8 get one free'
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Lyle
I've been going to Kaleisia for over a year now. The staff make it a point to know your name, and if you get the same each time, your order before you even ask. I get my thai tea a special way and they know it every time.
Sometimes the tables are full with single people on laptops, other times you could be the only one there. The couches are so comfortable :). It can get a little loud there sometimes with the music, blenders, and people chatting, but it is still a nice place to do some studying or take a break during the day.
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Jackie
Kaleisia is the best place in Tampa to relax. I have been a faithful customer for over a year. I just took my boyfriend (an avid coffee drinker) there, and Kaleisia's atmosphere and qulaity converted him. He hates going to over-comercialized places like starbucks now. Kaleisia is a little piece of heaven in the busy city of Tampa.
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Tammy
I was looking forward to trying this tea lounge, I found a place with no ambience - every table was taken by a single person glaring into a laptop. It was hot and smelled like old fish. Took tea to go - tea was very good. Staff was not overly friendly and wasn't knowledgable about tea we asked about.
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MikeK
I often go to Kaleisia during my lunch break. The food is good. There is a wide selection of teas, and I've bought a few varieties for work and home. The atmosphere is relaxed and calming. The staff is knowledgeable and helpful. I've purchased a few pieces of 'tea ware'; the electric tea kettle I use almost daily. I take friends there, and I recommend it to coworkers.
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Wei
I have been one of the biggest fan of Kaleisia since the time they opened. I walked into the shop entirely by accident while I was on the phone, and I am so glad I did. Serendipity, is the word I am looking for. I love their tea selections, I have tried them all and I am always impressed by the quality of my perfect cup of tea... consistently. This tea shop is clean, inviting, and friendly. The overall atmosphere is just awesome. I am a busy professional in town and I always find solace at this tea lounge. If you come to Kaleisia, I will probably see you there... I'll be the one sitting in front of my laptop computer, or reading a book and drinking away at my absolutely fabulous 'Almond Walnut Green Tea'...iced. Kaleisia has such a great connection with the community, you can expect to find open mic nights, live music, tea tastings, seminars, etc. Oh, I was shocked to read some of the negative comments on this forum! Bad service, Asian Starbucks, bad boba! Wow, I can assure anyone reading my review that I would have to say 'no! no! and a no!' to those negative feedbacks. take it from a veteran that has been there pretty much from day one, that this tea shop is absolutely the best! (yes, I have tried other tea rooms in Tampa, and New York). I have been very happy with their customer service, tea knowledge, and attention to detail. I remain till this day and the next, one of Kaleisia Tea Lounge's biggest loyal customer/fan.
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Francis
i'm not fond of this place, but if you are a preppy girl/boy who enjoys things because its fad, then this place is for you...in my opinion this is the asian starbucks...except the dont have awesome vanilla bean fraps....
as for the boba...not the best but if you like your tapioca pearls hard...then by all means go for it...
i've heard they have a great selection of loose tea...good for them
if you would like to have the best boba in tampa IMO go check out Got Tea or Ice Q...
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Michelle and Erinn
Wow, there are some bitter people who've commented and I have no idea what their problem is. The moment I step into Kaleisia I feel happy. The smell is calming and cool. The atmosphere is calming. I'm not vegetarian or vegan and I've still enjoyed several cookies and entrees. We've brought several people here and everyone has raved about it and wanted to go back.
I look forward to seeing Kim and Lan each time I go. They make sure to learn everyone's name and usually remember what we've liked in the past. If we're looking to try something new they're great at narrowing down what we're in the mood for that day.
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tiffany
I wanted to try this place but my experience the first time will make me reconsider ever going back. The place seem at a glance very nice but the service seem to clear the way to rating this place in a negative feedback. The young lady behind the counter is more incline to express she is the owner rather than caring about customer service. i heard more about her personal relationship than the product she was selling. Maybe if she read this she might not loss another customer in the future. I also wanted to add i rather have my hot tea before it cooled down. If i wanted ice tea i would of ordered it the first time around.
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Mary H.
What a shining star! Kaleisia serves the best tea I've ever had, hands down. The owners make every effort to serve fresh, delicious, unique teas. I love the 'wall of tea' that allows you to touch and smell the teas you are choosing from. Kim and Lan demonstrate superior knowledge of the different types of tea and the correct preparation methods for each. Also, their smoothies are incredibly fresh and delicious! They are so tasty with added bobas. In response to Robin's comment...bobas actually take anywhere from 1/2 hour to 1 hour to prepare because they must be boiled. They are very hard to store because they are basically tapioca. Overnight storage is not possible.
Kaleisia's location is so central to all the University students...the atmosphere is perfect for studying, meeting new people, bringing friends, etc.
Two thumbs up!!
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Thomas
This place serves alot of loose leaf tea. If that's what you want, then it's great. I like the bubble teas and smoothies myself. They seem to only do a limited amount of them. And yes, they have run out of boba in the past. The staff is kind of pushy sometimes and they want you to order what they love and want you to have, rather than what I really want! Leave me alone. I know what I like.
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Robin
It was nice to discover this tea room in Tampa. I fell in love with Bubble tea in NYC. Although the variety of tea is exceptional, there were several times I've been there that they've ran out of BOBA. Is it that difficult to store? I really don't understand. Plus, I really wish they would open earlier. That way people could pick up a cup on the way to work.
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Julie and Matt
My roommate and I both went to the tea tasting on 10/28 found it to be an excellent event. During tasting there was a workshop on why loose leaf compared to bag tea. Found it highly informative. The people that work there are very nice, friendly and helpful. They remember what we last bought, our dislikes and likes. That atmosphere if very warm and comforting. Give it five stars; hope that this teahouse is a huge success. Recommend it to anyone, and look forward to the next tea tasting.
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Julie
New to tea experience. Don't feel that I can comment expertly on quality of teas but I have liked what I have bought, which is much better than grocery store tea. Like the fact that can smell and taste the tea before buying. The people that work there are very helpful and patient. Appreciate that being a new tea drinker.
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Mike
My wife and I are quickly becoming 'regulars' at Kaleisia, and love the atmosphere, the people, and of course the tea! I read Eleanor's review with some some disappointment, as I know her experience is a very unique one. By the second time my wife and I visited Kaleisia, one of the co-owners, Lan, recognized us, and knew our names. We just visited today (our 5th visit), and Lan knew what we liked to drink! While Eleanor points out that is is not reasonable to expect a shop owner to recognize and know every customer, both Lan and Kim do go out of their way to attempt just that. It is a two-way street, though, and if you do want an extra personal touch, you as a customer have to take at least a little initiative. Stop by the counter, say hello, introduce yourself, and strike up a conversation about what you want to drink. I guarantee Kim and Lan will know your name the next time you visit, and would probably even know what you like! I highly recoomend Kaleisia to anyone, and I am already planning to bring friends in for the next tea tasting on oct. 29th!
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Mary
I happened to stop in for an iced tea to go after picking up my daughter's books for USF the last tea tasting Saturday. The tea tasting is a wonderful idea. I bought several teas that I am very happy with. I was very impressed with how friendly, helpful and knowledgeable the young ladies were. The shop appeared to be very clean and simple. (Simplicity is a good thing.) The following Saturday, I had to return one of the books, so I took advantage of being right there to go in again. This time, I had my nephew with me. They may not have remembered my name, but they did remember me from the previous week. With so many people in and out, I was pleasantly surprised they remembered me at all. They helped my nephew find something he would like, and, of course, I bought more tea. The only complaint I have is that I live in Valrico, so it's a ways to go unless I have to be out that way. However, I will be there this Saturday for the next tea tasting. And, of course, to try another smoothie (and probably buy more tea.) The avocado was fantastic.
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Rhonda
Very nice tea selection. Homemade baked goods were excellent; as was the all-vegan lunch they recently started serving. My girlfriend & I enjoyed our visit & plan to return. The China Fruit tea is so good; I dropped in for a pot of it last week when I was in the area. Would recommend you give it a try, even if you prefer British style tearooms.
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Susan
I found Kaleisia by accident (I was at a filling station across the street, looking around, trying to forget the exhorbitant price I was paying for petrol...) and I saw the word 'TEA' on a window. I live for tea, so I postponed grocery shopping to stop for a cuppa. I was thrilled with the selection and moreso with the service; the young lady who recommended an iced rooibos / green blend ('just a little sweet') really knew her stuff! I pride myself in knowing a thing or two about the brew myself, but I felt like an awestruck amateur as I opened the sampling cannisters (clever idea!) and sniffed while waiting for my tea (all of 4 minutes, which wasn't nearly enough time for me to finish sniffing all the teas). The shoppe itself was clean and sparce, with room to grow, and the baked goods looked wonderful (with cookies as big as saucers!). I've been hoping for a tea shoppe to sprout up between work and home; I finally have one, and I already consider myself a regular. And this ain't no Starbucks, neither -- Kaleisia's is one of a kind.
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Carol Michaels
After reading the review in the Weekly Planet I was really looking forward to a visit to the Tea Lounge. My mother is British and tea has always been a part of my day as far back as I can remember. From the milky sugary cups of my childhood, to the PG Tips and Yorkshire Gold with milk that start my every morning. Tea is my comfort beverage of choice. I am so glad to have found the Tea Lounge which with its friendly and knowledgeable staff will give me the opportunity to sample a variety of quality teas. The Organic Jasmine Green Tea that I sampled today was heavenly scented and brewed perfectly. Next time I will make sure to reserve more time in my day to have a pot of tea. Thank you
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Eleanor
After reading your response to my well-deserved opinion, I felt as though I should give your shop another chance. After visiting your store again, I think that my original opinion was quite valid. Again, I visited on a Saturday afternoon. It was certainly busier than my first visit, so the fact that the service was lacking was more understandable this time. My cup of tea was pallatable, but I felt the service I recieved was comparable to that of starbucks- order, pay, then you're out of their hair. As for your claim that you've maintained a great memory of your customer's orders and preferences, I challenge you to tell me which rooibos tea I ordered when I was in, it was last saturday afternoon, I am in my late forties, have light brown hair, and was wearing a light pink shirt and jeans. I doubt that you can, and that's OK, because it's nearly impossible to remember that type of information about every customer. So in the future, rather than make a claim like that you might want to simply allow a person to have their opinion.
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Christina
My friend and I visited Kaleisia Saturday on a trip from Orlando. We chatted with one of the owners, who was friendly and knowledgeable. She even did a caffeine wash of my tea since I'm expecting, and recommeded some tea rooms in our area. We'll definitely be back next time we're visit Tampa.
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Ryan
My girlfriend and I visited Kaleisia on Saturday evening after I read all of the positive reviews by other users on this site. The tea was delicious and the service was even more so. The atmosphere was inviting and not in the least bit pretentious. I recommend the Moroccan Mint green tea. Crisp, fresh, and undeniably yummy. Can't wait to come back again; you've definitely made two new customers! Thanks again!
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Julian
This place is simply excellent! If you have not tried Kaleisia's then get off the computer right now and give them a try (and if you have a laptop then go ahead and take your computer with you). Sit and relax while enjoying a refreshing smoothie or an exquisite pot of tea, and maybe a pastry or two. It is the perfect place to read a book, use your laptop, or meet with friends in a stress-free setting that will make you forget your 'other' life.
Kaleisia's is unique in their selection of ultra-premium teas and ingredients, and in their attention to detail from the teas to service. Several people that I have talked to have commented on Kim's attentiveness and desire to remember the name of each customer along with their preferences. Both Kim and Lan are always happy to answer any questions and really try hard to satisfy everyone so I have found that they always welcome feedback and take suggestions to heart. Even at busy times I see how they rush to get things done and yet they don't cut any customer short if they have questions concerning different teas or need help finding something from the superb selection.
I have read that one initial impression when walking in to Kaleisia's is that it is a kind of “Starbucks for tea” but while that analogy is useful to contrast the atmosphere with that of a traditional English-style reservations-only tearoom, the comparison otherwise falls short. Kim and Lan really want to show people the beauty of tea, which is reflected in their use of glass teapots, shelves full of tea samples (to view and smell), and detailed knowledge of the origin, harvest, and preparation of every tea. They are not interested in pushing people in and out as fast as possible but rather want people to learn about teas and their health benefits even if that does not result in a purchase.
Whatever you prefer, give it a try and see what you have been missing!
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Jessica
I go to Kaleisia's very often, and I have never been disappointed. Kim and Lan are very friendly and attentive. The tea's are always fresh and delicious. The smoothies are awesome, the thai coconut is the best. I will keep being a customer there not only because of how good the teas are, but also the customer service!!!!
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Morgan
This is the coolest tea and smoothie place I've ever been to. I wish I could take it back to Brooklyn with me. Smoothies are usually pretty boring, but the ones here were unique, beautiful, and delicious. I didn't actually try the tea, but they had tons of varieties and pretty much everything in the place was artfully prepared and presented. The staff was also very nice and helpful. If you never find your way to this place, you'll really be missing out.
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B. Bridges
O_O 'wow' is the only word I can think of for this place. I've never been to a place quite like it! As soon as I walked in, I was greeted like I was an old friend. The staff were very helpful in telling me all about the store and their services and the variety of teas they have for sale. I was amazed that this place existed for 3 MONTHS without my knowledge! I was educated on proper brewing and how tea is a personal experience. I got started on drinking tea about a year ago and this is some of the best tea I have ever had. If you get a chance to go to this place, please go! I gaurantee you'll enjoy it!
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Jesse
This is a great tea lounge. Comfortable and not pretentious in the least. It has a huge selection of fine loose teas ready for infusion or sale. They offer free wi-fi which is great for studying, working or just surfing. The staff is very friendly and learns and uses your name in a way that is very natural and makes you feel like an old friend (not forced like stores that just repeat your name from the charge card). The staff's genuine interest and exhaustive knowledge on tea could keep me entranced for hours while sipping away. If it's hot out, go get a smoothie or a refreshing iced tea at Kaleisia. If it's cold or wet out, go have a pot of your favorite tea and let it relax your tension away while sitting on one of the over-sized couches or seats at Kaleisia. After you're done, I highly recommend getting a second infusion for half price... it's just as good as the first and a terrific deal.
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Aimee Charbeneau
Once you've been to Kaleisia, you're a customer for life! This is the most beautiful and relaxing shop; tea or otherwise, that I've ever patronized. The shop owners are kind, friendly and beyond helpful- even so far as to learning their customer's names, a trait hard to find elsewhere.
The personalized attention, soothing colors and music all pale in comparison to the outstanding beverages at Kaleisia. The teas are all of the highest quality. From White teas, green teas, oolong teas, black teas, herbals and rooibos (red tea), all of their teas have samples on display to see and smell. The girls are very knowledgeable and are eager to share that knowledge with you, should you ask. The prices of both the loose teas and the infusions are very reasonably priced. Loose teas are priced by the ounce. You can even choose to purchase your loose tea in a decorative (and convenient) canisters that are hand filled before you, with care.
Teas of your choice are brewed by the cup or the pot and are all done with beautiful presentation in crystal clear cups and pot so you can add visual to the enjoyment factors. The also offer tea to go, and if you’re especially rushed, call ahead and it will be ready for you to pick up. My mom and I both took advantage of this recently for a trip to Tennessee. The girls took my 64 oz. container the night before and with one call it was filled and ready for us to take on the trip!
Last but not least are the asian smoothies. A cool drink of heaven in a glass! My personal favorite is the Lychee smoothie with Lychee jellies. Beware! they are highly addictive! ;) They are served up with an extra wide straw so the jellies don’t get stuck, or the tapioca pearls (boba), which are also offered. There are many varieties of fruit smoothies and they are very smooth and sweet all the way through -no watered down taste at the end and no “grit” like you find at most smoothie places. One taste and it was all I could think about!
I recommend the “monkey picked” oolong, which is my personal favorite as is the Genmaicha (popcorn tea) green and the Snowbud white. My mom’s favorites are the soursop black tea (a tropical fruit infused black tea) and Earl Grey (black tea with oil of bergamot).
Once a month on Saturday there is a tea tasting and presentation for those who would like to learn and experiment with new tastes. We were at the first and are looking forward to tomorrow’s.
Thank you, to the lovely ladies of Kaleisia!
See you there...
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Linda Tran and Justin Noh
As you first walk in, you can't help but notice the beautiful smiling faces behind the counters. The ladies that own Kaleisia make it a priority to know each of their customers' names....so it's highly impossible for this tea lounge to ever be impersonal to any of their customers. I love....love....LOVE sipping on the various teas that are offered at Kaleisia. On sweltering hot days, I encourage everyone to try Kaleisia's all natural fruit smoothies. The mango smoothie is impossible to resist! I have never been disappointed with any of the teas, smoothies, and decor. The owners are constantly improving on the tea lounge by openly asking suggestions or opinions from their customers. To be quite frank, I think it's PERFECT just the way it is. As long as the ladies keep brewing tea and showing their wonderful GENUINE smiles...........I will always look forward to my weekly purchases, as I already have.
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Charlie
Great place to buy tea or sit and relax with your own cup of soothing tea. Kaleisia Tea Lounge is an interesting alternative to the big chain stores and the stuffy tea rooms. I was especially impressed with the large variety of tea and the way it is displayed for touching, sampling, smelling and the fact that the sample tea is not the tea you actually purchase. The tea you purchase is untouched and kept behind the counter. The owner-operators are friendly, helpful and very knowledgeable in the area of tea. Hard to find but worth the trip.
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Celina
We love this place! We heard about it through a friend of ours last week and we've been back three times already. I love that you can smell and view the different teas before trying them and that we can do so without having to ask for them. It's a nice, relaxing place to spend some time. I can't wait to go to a tea tasting!
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Stephenie Sasse
Kaleisia is a wonderful place to relax and drink tea, whether you prefer it hot or iced, traditional or boba. The staff is knowledgable and friendly, eager to be of assistance. On one wall there are small cannisters of tea, so you can look at the leaves and smell the different varieties.
Each month there is a tea-tasting where there are a number of teas available to taste ranging from the everyday to the exotic. My husband and I went to the first of these and greatly enjoyed it. They also have the teas they serve available for sale by the ounce.
I am truly hooked on Kaleisia. I love the friendly, relaxed atmosphere, the great teas and treats, and the terrific knowledgeable staff!