Boba Tea! The Complete Guide to Greater Milwaukee

Bubble tea has taken Milwaukee by storm, with over 30 dedicated shops and restaurants now serving the beloved Taiwanese drink across the metro area. This comprehensive guide maps every boba destination from Kenosha to Ozaukee County, highlighting family-friendly spots, new 2024-2025 openings, and hidden gems at Asian grocers. Whether you're introducing kids to their first taro milk tea or hunting for authentic cheese foam, you'll find your perfect spot below.

The Milwaukee boba scene has experienced remarkable growth, with eight new dedicated shops opening since January 2024 alone. Local entrepreneurs—from Marquette students to immigrant families—have driven this expansion, while national chains like Kung Fu Tea have finally arrived. Most shops cluster in Milwaukee's East Side and the western suburbs, though significant gaps remain in Washington County and parts of Ozaukee County.

Milwaukee's East Side leads boba boom

The East Side corridor along Farwell Avenue has emerged as Milwaukee's bubble tea heartland, offering the highest concentration of dedicated shops within walking distance.

Elite Boba MKE at 1956 N. Farwell Ave. stands as a local favorite, originally expanding from its Madison flagship in January 2023. The shop serves 60 different drink varieties including their signature Honey Red Bean Milk Tea and crowd-pleasing Ancient Brown Sugar Bubble Milk Tea. Prices run $4.99-$7, and they offer cheese foam toppings—still relatively rare in the Milwaukee market. Hours are 11am-8pm weekdays with extended weekend hours.

Just up the street, Tsaocaa at 2224 N. Farwell Ave. pairs boba with what many consider Milwaukee's best Korean fried chicken. Their espresso-style brewing machine produces exceptionally fresh loose-leaf tea, and the bright, modern space accommodates medium-sized groups comfortably. The Brown Sugar Milk Tea with Bubble ($7.25) showcases their quality, while kids gravitate toward the Hong Kong Egg Waffles. Open daily noon-9pm.

Taichi Bubble Tea arrived in July 2024 at 2028 E. North Ave., bringing a full ramen menu alongside boba. This Rochester, NY-based chain offers a lofted mezzanine seating area and outdoor balcony seating in summer. Their dairy-free powdered milk tea base works well for lactose-intolerant customers, and soy, almond, and oat milk substitutions are available. Open daily 11am-9:30pm.

The newest East Side addition, SereniTea Lounge on Downer Avenue (2569 N. Downer Ave.), opened January 2025 with an upscale twist—boba cocktails like the T-Pain (a taro painkiller twist) alongside traditional fruit and milk teas. Daytime hours cater to families while evenings transform the space into a lounge atmosphere. Thursday through Saturday they stay open until midnight.

Downtown and the Brewery District offer food hall convenience

Craft Boba opened in early 2025 inside the 3rd Street Market Hall at 275 W. Wisconsin Ave., making it ideal for families who want variety. Husband-wife team Zaw Naing Win and Khin Sabei Win serve fruit teas, milk teas, and smoothies ($6-8) while dozens of other food vendors surround them. The food hall setting means parking validation at The Avenue MKE and endless options for picky eaters.

Xankia at 222 W. Wells St. combines Vietnamese comfort food—pho, banh mi, spring rolls—with a solid boba selection at $6.50 per drink. This family-run business has operated for over a decade and recently expanded with a full bar for parents seeking cocktails. Closed Sundays.

In the Brewery District, Bon Bon Boba Tea at 1259 N. 10th St. opened March 2024 after the owners built their following at local farmers markets. Their Dalgona series—featuring the internet-famous whipped coffee technique in coffee, matcha, chocolate, and brown sugar versions—sets them apart. Regular drinks run $6-7, and they're planning a West Allis location.

The South Side

Vida Boba Cafe at 812 W. Layton Ave. earns its reputation as Milwaukee's most family-friendly boba destination. The Palestinian-American owners designed the space with kids in mind: caffeine-free options, an Instagram-worthy photo wall, customizable sweetness levels, and a dedicated parking lot. Their unique Horchata Boba offers something you won't find elsewhere in the metro. Mochi pancakes and lavender lemon macarons round out the menu. Hours extend to 10pm on weekends for after-dinner treats.

Bay View welcomed Mochinut at 2144 S. Kinnickinnic Ave. in December 2024, combining bubble tea with Korean corn dogs and rotating mochi donut flavors like Raspberry Funnel Cake and Champagne Pocky. The pink-tiled, Instagram-ready space draws families with kids who want the full Korean street food experience alongside their boba.

TMTea Boba is coming to 3174 S. 27th St. in fall 2025, owned by Azwan and Farida Ahmad from Myanmar. This will fill a notable gap along the 27th Street corridor currently underserved for dedicated boba.

West Allis

Three standout shops make West Allis worth the trip from anywhere in the metro.

BAMBU at 10708 W. Oklahoma Ave. specializes in Vietnamese Chè—the original dessert drink that inspired boba—alongside 25+ tea varieties. Their Taro Coconut Smoothie and fresh pandan waffles draw loyal customers, and the shop excels at dairy-free and vegan options. The franchise maintains strict ingredient standards with fresh Thai young coconuts and house-made jellies. Open daily 11am-8pm.

Uni Uni Tea at 11082 W. National Ave. offers an authentic Asian boba experience with self-ordering kiosks featuring photos—perfect for kids deciding between 20+ options. Their crème brûlée milk tea and crystal boba have developed devoted followings. Note they're closed Wednesdays.

Pan-Asia Supermarket opened their in-store boba café in July 2025 at 6910 W. Greenfield Ave. Wisconsin's largest Asian supermarket (36,000 square feet) now includes 10+ boba flavors alongside fresh sushi, hot prepared foods, and a bakery. Families can grab boba while shopping for ingredients to make their own at home.

Wauwatosa and Brookfield

Mochi Ring at 7488 W. State St. in Wauwatosa combines three kid favorites: bubble tea, Korean corn dogs (with panko, french fry, or ramen noodle coatings), and chewy mochi donuts. The concept creates a one-stop destination for families wanting Asian street food variety. Open daily 11am-8pm.

Bubblelicious inside Mayfair Mall's food court (2500 N. Mayfair Rd.) was founded by two Milwaukee women at the Waukesha Farmers' Market in 2016. Their signature Tiger Teas—infused with house-made Tiger Brown Sugar—have expanded to 10+ locations nationwide. They brew with 100% loose tea leaves and make tapioca pearls from scratch.

Sherpa's Global Bistro at 15375 W. Bluemound Rd. in Brookfield opened in 2023/2024, combining Hong Kong and Singapore influences. Their Japanese Honey Toast pairs beautifully with an Ancient Brown Sugar Boba, and the beautifully decorated interior encourages families to linger. Open 8am-7pm daily—earlier than most boba shops.

Waukesha County

Idyllic Bubble Tea opened November 2024 in downtown Waukesha at 802 N. Grand Ave., filling a significant gap in the county. The shop offers a dedicated kids menu, six different milk substitutions at no extra charge (including oat and almond milk), and a "reuse your cup = $1 off" sustainability program. Seasonal drinks like Pumpkin Matcha rotate regularly. Closed Mondays.

Bubble Tea Bar brought West Coast-style boba to downtown Menomonee Falls in February 2024 at N88W16739 Main St. Owner Lana Voden also operates a boba vending machine at Mequon Public Market (6300 W. Mequon Road)—currently the only boba option in Mequon. The main shop offers 30+ flavor combinations with cheese foam and sweet foam toppings. Note: grab-and-go only with no indoor seating.

Divino Gelato Café in downtown Waukesha (227 W. Main St.) offers a unique gelato-based bubble tea option alongside their USA Today-recognized artisan gelato. This family-owned business since 2003 also operates locations in Brookfield, Wauwatosa, and Racine.

North Shore

The North Shore communities face the most significant boba gap in the metro. SereniTea at Bayshore (5675 N. Bayshore Dr., Suite P117, Glendale) remains the only dedicated boba shop serving Shorewood, Whitefish Bay, Fox Point, and surrounding communities. Their Tiger milk tea (brown sugar swirled) photographs beautifully, and board games are available for families. Validated parking at Bayshore. Hours are approximately 10am-8pm Monday-Saturday.

New Fortune Asian Cuisine in downtown Cedarburg (W62N547 Washington Ave.) occasionally serves bubble tea alongside their award-winning Chinese-Cambodian-Thai menu. Call ahead to confirm boba availability. The restaurant was voted #1 Chinese by Milwaukee Journal Sentinel and offers an extensive gluten-free menu.

Residents of Mequon, Grafton, and Port Washington should note Bubble Tea Bar's vending machine at Mequon Public Market or plan trips to the Glendale or Farwell Avenue corridors.

Southern suburbs

Bubblelicious at Southridge Mall (5300 S. 76th St., Greendale) mirrors the Mayfair location with identical Tiger Teas and 100% loose-leaf brewing. The mall location works well for combining family shopping with treats, though busy days can deplete boba supplies.

Boba Street at 4555 W. Forest Home Ave. in Greenfield serves boba alongside food items including notable crepes. Hours are 11am-8pm Tuesday-Sunday (closed Monday).

Candy Cloud at 120 W. Town Square Way in Oak Creek offers creative specialty drinks like Butterfly Lavender Lemonade and Mango Dragon Fruit Tea, plus a full ice cream creamery. Great for first-time boba drinkers and families who want options beyond traditional tea-based drinks.

Franklin, Cudahy, South Milwaukee, and Hales Corners currently lack dedicated boba shops—residents typically travel to Southridge, West Allis, or Greenfield.

Racine and Kenosha Counties welcome major additions

Kung Fu Tea opened November 2025 at Pleasant Prairie Premium Outlets (11211 120th Ave.)—the first major national boba chain in Kenosha County. Owner Priyanka Vakkalanka previously drove to Libertyville, IL for her favorite drinks before bringing the brand home. Kung Fu Tea brews fresh every 4-5 hours and offers dairy-free substitutes. Mall hours apply.

Smarty's Sweets & Treats has served Kenosha families for 13+ years, now operating multiple locations. The downtown location (5821 6th Ave. A) rebranded as Smar-Tea's in March 2025 to focus on boba, with Trini's Ice Cream Shoppe—featuring vegan options—operating alongside. Their tender tapioca pearls and patience with children making flavor decisions earn consistent praise. They also operate inside the RecPlex Ice Arena (9900 Terwall Terrace) partnered with award-winning Mr. Wings.

Divino Gelato Café at 245 Main St. in downtown Racine offers their signature gelato-based bubble tea option, perfect for families visiting Frank Lloyd Wright sites or exploring the lakefront.

Mount Pleasant, Caledonia, Burlington, and other Racine County communities currently lack dedicated options.

How shops specialize across the metro

Different shops have carved out reputations for particular styles:

• Brown sugar/tiger milk tea: Bubblelicious (house Tiger Brown Sugar), Elite Boba MKE, Taichi, Tsaocaa

• Cheese foam: Elite Boba MKE, Bubble Tea Bar (Menomonee Falls), Idyllic Bubble Tea

• Taro: BAMBU (fresh paste), SereniTea, Bubblelicious (Milky Taro)

• Vietnamese style: BAMBU (authentic Chè), Xankia

• Fruit teas (dairy-free): Bubblelicious, Idyllic, Vida Boba, SereniTea

• Food pairings: Tsaocaa (Korean fried chicken), Taichi (ramen), Mochi Ring (corn dogs), High Spirits (burgers)

For dairy-free and vegan needs, BAMBU leads with extensive Chè options made without dairy. Taichi's powdered milk tea base is naturally dairy-free. Idyllic offers six milk alternatives at no charge. Trini's next to Smar-Tea's in Kenosha provides vegan ice cream alongside boba.

Pricing and practical information

Most dedicated boba shops price drinks between $5-8 for regular sizes, with toppings adding $0.50-1.50. Mall locations (Bubblelicious) and food hall vendors (Craft Boba) fall in this range. Specialty shops like Sherpa's run slightly higher at $5-9.

Parking considerations: Mall locations offer the easiest parking. Downtown Milwaukee shops (Xankia, Craft Boba) have validated garage parking. East Side Farwell Avenue shops rely on street parking. Suburban locations typically include dedicated lots.

Hours patterns: Most dedicated boba shops open around 11am and close between 7-9pm. BAMBU and several others maintain consistent 11am-8pm schedules. SereniTea Lounge (Downer) extends to midnight Thursday-Saturday. Candy Cloud and some coffee-boba hybrids open earlier around 9am.

Eight shops opened since January 2024

The metro's boba growth shows no signs of slowing:

Shop Location Opened Bon Bon Boba Tea Brewery District March 2024 Bubble Tea Bar Menomonee Falls February 2024 Taichi Bubble Tea East Side July 2024 Idyllic Bubble Tea Downtown Waukesha November 2024 Mochinut Bay View December 2024 Craft Boba 3rd Street Market Hall January 2025 SereniTea Lounge Downer Avenue January 2025 Kung Fu Tea Pleasant Prairie November 2025

Coming soon: TMTea Boba on S. 27th Street (Fall 2025), Bon Bon Boba's planned West Allis expansion

Conclusion

Milwaukee's boba scene has matured significantly, offering options for every family regardless of dietary restrictions, flavor preferences, or geographic location. The East Side Farwell corridor provides the deepest concentration for dedicated exploration, while West Allis surprisingly rivals it in quality and variety. Families in the western suburbs benefit from November 2024's Idyllic opening in Waukesha, and Kenosha County's long wait ended with Kung Fu Tea's arrival at Pleasant Prairie.

The most underserved areas remain Washington County (where Bubble Tea Bar in Menomonee Falls is the closest option) and Ozaukee County north of Glendale (where only the Mequon Public Market vending machine operates). These gaps suggest opportunities for future expansion as Milwaukee's appetite for boba continues growing.