Top 5 Bubble Tea Spots in Shanghai You Must Try in 2025
- Top food grub
- Mar 29
- 3 min read
After spending an unforgettable month in China, I can confidently say: Shanghai’s bubble tea scene is on another level. As a self-proclaimed boba enthusiast, I made it my personal mission to explore the city one tapioca pearl at a time. From trendy flagship stores in bustling malls to tucked-away tea labs on quiet streets, I tasted my way through dozens of bubble tea spots—each one offering its own twist on this beloved drink.
What I found wasn’t just milk tea with pearls—it was a world of creativity and bold flavors. Think chewy mochi buried under a rich, creamy taro swirl. Fresh fruit teas layered with whipped cheese foam. Boba soaked in brown sugar syrup so fragrant it should be bottled. Shanghai isn’t just keeping up with global boba trends; it’s redefining them.
Whether you’re a classic milk tea purist or a daring flavor adventurer, here’s my handpicked list of the absolute best bubble tea spots in Shanghai you must try. Let’s dive into the sips that stole my heart (and a good chunk of my travel budget).
🔗 Click hyperlinked location that takes you to baidu map. You can't use google map in China without vpn, instead use Apple map or Baidu map to navigate your way.
Top1. Ahma handcraft (阿嬷手作）
📍Location: 陆家嘴国金中心商场LG2-56
💲Price：¥28≈ $3.92
⭐ Recommendations: Coconut iceacream tea, Taro mochi milk tea
This place is insanely popular—I had to queue online for around 1.5 hours every time, but it was so worth it. Their drinks sell out fast, so if you go in the evening, there’s a good chance the most popular ones will already be gone. My favorite? The taro mochi milk tea. It's rich, chewy, and unlike anything I’ve tried before—you can only get it in China.
Top 2. Heytea （喜茶）
📍Location: 上海市黄浦区南京东路228号上海新世界大丸百货商场1楼1A-06C
💲Price：¥23≈ $3.22
⭐ Recommendations: Double matcha milk tea, Green grape fruit tea
Heytea is a must-try in China and totally lives up to its hype. The best part? It is half the price you will pay outside China. This place is well-known for pioneering the cheese foam with a slightly salty and whipped cream texture, and fruit tea. If you go to China, you must try their special menu only available in China.
Top3. Charlie Town
#The Best Tiramisu latte
📍Location: 南京西路1515号静安嘉里中心南区B2层飨识里SB2-05 (Find the nearest shop near you)
💲Price：¥30≈ $4.20
⭐ Recommendations: Tiramisu latte， Celon milk tea
Charlie Town is viral in Red Note, blue background with white text of their branding reminds me of the British tea brand. The brand feels more expensive and indeed the most expensive bubble tea I tried in China. Is it worth it? I saw so many chinese excited about this place but it was not my personal favorite so that's why I ranked it as Top3.
Top4. CHAGEE
📍Location: 福佑路234号一层西部203商铺（HAlYANl海烟烟行旁边） (Find the nearest shop near you)
💲Price：¥19≈ $2.66
⭐ Recommendations: Boya tea, Qingshan Qigu tea
CHAGEE felt like the elegant, refined cousin in Shanghai’s boba family. Their store aesthetic is minimalist and sleek, and their drinks reflect that same level of care. I loved their jasmine milk tea—it was aromatic, lightly sweet, and served in a beautiful glass bottle that made the experience feel a little luxe. It’s perfect if you're into authentic tea-forward drinks.
Top5. 1dian dian （1点点）
📍Location: 银城中路501号上海中心大厦B2-6B (Find the nearest shop near you)
💲Price：¥16 ≈ $2.24
⭐ Recommendations: Original milk tea, Milk tea with red bean
1dia dian is a classic for a reason. It’s reliable, customizable, and always hits the spot. I ordered their signature milk tea with less sugar, extra pearls, and no ice—and it was perfectly balanced every time. While it might not be as flashy as newer chains, there's something comforting about knowing exactly what you're getting: solid, satisfying boba.
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