Boba Tea in Atlanta, GA: Where to Go and What to Know

Boba tea has taken Atlanta by storm, from Buford Highway to Midtown food halls and college hangouts. Whether you call it boba, bubble tea, or milk tea, you’ll find plenty of spots in and around Atlanta, GA to match your taste, budget, and schedule.

This guide focuses on how to enjoy boba tea specifically in Atlanta—where to go, what to try, how to order, and local tips that make navigating the city’s boba scene easier.

What Is Boba Tea, and How Does It Work in Atlanta?

Boba tea is usually a tea-based drink (black, green, oolong, or herbal) that can be:

• Milk-based (classic milk tea, Thai tea, taro milk tea)
• Fruit-based (mango green tea, passionfruit oolong, strawberry tea)
• Blended or slush-style (smoothie-like)

It’s most commonly served with chewy tapioca pearls, but in Atlanta shops you’ll also see:

• Popping boba (fruit juice-filled spheres)
• Jelly toppings (lychee, coconut, coffee jelly)
• Pudding, foam, or cream caps

In Atlanta, boba tea is often:

• A casual hangout drink after a meal on Buford Highway
• A study companion near Georgia Tech, Georgia State, Emory, or Georgia Tech’s Technology Square
• A dessert stop in food halls like Ponce City Market or Krog Street Market
• A quick treat at mall food courts in places like Cumberland Mall or Perimeter Mall

Most shops in the city let you customize:

• Sweetness level (often 0%, 25%, 50%, 75%, 100% or “extra sweet”)
• Ice level
• Tea base and toppings

Key Boba Tea Areas in Atlanta, GA

You can find boba scattered across the metro, but some clusters stand out.

1. Buford Highway (Doraville / Chamblee / Brookhaven)

Buford Highway is Atlanta’s most famous corridor for Asian food and drinks, including boba.

Common experiences here:

• Authentic-style tea shops run alongside Taiwanese, Chinese, Korean, and Vietnamese restaurants
• Menus that include traditional flavors like oolong milk tea, roasted tea, and less-sweet options
• Many shops within a short drive, making it easy to “boba hop” after dinner

If you’re new to boba and want the widest variety in one area, Buford Highway is usually the first place locals suggest.

2. Midtown, Downtown, and Georgia Tech Area

Closer to central Atlanta, you’ll find boba tea near:

• Georgia Tech campus (Midtown / Tech Square)
• Georgia State University (Downtown)
• Major office buildings and residential towers in Midtown

What to expect:

• Shops that stay open later to serve students and office workers
• More modern or trendy interiors—good places to study, read, or work on a laptop
• Drinks that range from classic milk teas to Instagram-ready specialty drinks

If you’re staying in a Midtown hotel or working in a Downtown office, you’re usually within a short walk or ride of several boba options.

3. Decatur, Emory, and Eastside Neighborhoods

Around Decatur, Emory University, and neighborhoods like East Atlanta and Kirkwood, boba is often found:

• Inside or near Asian restaurants and dessert cafes
• In college-adjacent strips with coffee and frozen yogurt

These spots may not always be large chains; some are smaller, more local-feeling cafes that serve boba alongside pastries, shaved ice, or light bites.

4. Perimeter, Cumberland, and OTP Hubs

Outside the Perimeter (OTP) and near big shopping areas—such as:

• Perimeter Center (Dunwoody / Sandy Springs)
• Cumberland / The Battery Atlanta (near Truist Park)
• Gwinnett County areas like Duluth and Suwanee (a short drive from city limits but worth mentioning for serious boba fans)

You’ll commonly find boba:

• In mall food courts
• In plazas anchored by large supermarkets or big-box stores
• Close to movie theaters and entertainment complexes

These are convenient if you live or work outside central Atlanta or are visiting shopping destinations.

How to Order Boba Tea in Atlanta (If You’re New)

Most Atlanta boba shops use similar ordering steps. Here’s a simple walk-through you’ll see at many locations.

Step 1: Choose Your Base Drink

Common categories:

• Classic milk teas: black milk tea, jasmine green milk tea, oolong milk tea
• Flavored milk teas: taro, Thai tea, honeydew, matcha
• Fruit teas: mango green tea, passionfruit oolong, peach black tea
• Blended drinks: smoothies or slushes with fruit and milk

If you’re unsure, classic black milk tea with boba or jasmine green milk tea with boba is a solid starting point.

Step 2: Pick Your Sweetness Level

Many Atlanta shops let you pick:

• 0% – no added sugar (tea taste is stronger)
• 25% – lightly sweet
• 50% – moderately sweet
• 75% – sweet
• 100% – very sweet

If you’re used to sweet drinks (like regular sweet tea or soda), 50% or 75% is usually a comfortable starting choice in Atlanta.

Step 3: Decide Ice Amount

Standard options:

• Normal ice – default
• Less ice – slightly more drink, colder for less time
• No ice – more room for tea, less diluted

For Atlanta’s hot and humid summers, many people choose normal or less ice depending on how long they plan to sip.

Step 4: Add Toppings

Popular toppings in Atlanta include:

• Tapioca pearls (boba) – chewy, slightly sweet
• Popping boba – fruit juice-filled, bursts when you bite
• Jelly – coffee jelly, lychee jelly, rainbow jelly
• Pudding – soft, custard-like
• Foam / cream caps – salty or sweet cream on top

Most shops charge a small extra fee per topping, and a typical drink includes one topping.

Common Boba Tea Styles You’ll See in Atlanta

Atlanta’s boba menus often mix traditional Taiwanese drinks with local and seasonal twists.

Classic Options

• Black Milk Tea with Boba – balanced, tea-forward, mildly creamy
• Jasmine Green Milk Tea – floral and lighter
• Oolong Milk Tea – roasted, deeper flavor
• Thai Tea with Boba – strong tea with rich, orange-colored sweetness

Fruit-Focused Drinks

• Mango Green Tea
• Passionfruit Oolong Tea
• Strawberry Black Tea
• Lychee Green Tea

These are often non-dairy or can be made that way if you prefer.

Creamy and Dessert-Like Drinks

• Taro Milk Tea – purple, nutty and sweet
• Matcha Latte with Boba – earthy matcha plus milk
• Brown Sugar Boba-style drinks – typically featuring caramelized syrup and fresh milk

These can be quite rich and are often treated more like dessert drinks by Atlanta locals.

What to Expect to Pay for Boba Tea in Atlanta, GA

Prices vary by neighborhood, cup size, and toppings, but you’ll often see:

Downtown, Midtown, and food halls can be on the higher end, while certain Buford Highway or suburban spots may be slightly lower or offer combo deals with snacks or desserts.

Dietary and Ingredient Considerations

Atlanta’s boba shops see a wide range of customers, and many offer custom options, but it’s important to ask directly at each shop since recipes vary.

Dairy vs. Non-Dairy

• Some milk teas use dairy milk, while others use powdered creamers or non-dairy milks.
• If you avoid dairy or certain ingredients, ask whether the drink can be made with:
  • Oat milk
  • Almond milk
  • Soy milk
  • Another available option

Not every shop in Atlanta has all alternatives, but several in Midtown, Decatur, and college-heavy areas do.

Sugar and Sweetness

If you are trying to limit sugar:

• Request low or no added sugar (0% or 25% sweetness if available)
• Choose teas without syrups or sweet foams
• Consider plain tea with boba or fruit tea with minimal syrup

Caffeine

Most boba teas contain tea and thus some level of caffeine. If you are sensitive to caffeine, ask for:

• Herbal or caffeine-free options, if the shop offers them
• Fruit slushes or smoothies made without tea

When Boba Tea Fits into Atlanta Life

Boba has slipped naturally into many parts of daily life in Atlanta:

• After-dinner treat along Buford Highway, in Duluth, or in Midtown
• Study drink for students at Georgia Tech, Georgia State, Emory, and nearby colleges
• Non-alcoholic social option before or after visiting places like Ponce City Market, Krog Street Market, or The Battery Atlanta
• Quick refreshment on hot days while exploring areas like Piedmont Park, the BeltLine, or Downtown attractions

If you’re planning a day out, it’s easy to add a boba stop near:

• Museums (High Museum of Art, Center for Civil and Human Rights)
• Stadiums and arenas (State Farm Arena, Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Truist Park)
• Shopping districts (Atlantic Station, Lenox Square, Perimeter Mall)

Practical Tips for Enjoying Boba Tea in Atlanta

• Check hours before you go. Some shops open later in the morning but stay open late at night, especially around college areas.
• Parking can vary. Buford Highway and suburban plazas usually have plenty of parking; Midtown and Downtown may rely on garages, street parking, or walking from MARTA.
• Expect lines at peak times. Friday and Saturday evenings, or after major events, boba spots near popular districts can get busy.
• Customize gradually. If you’re new, start with a standard sweetness and ice level, then adjust on future visits.
• Ask staff for recommendations. Many Atlanta baristas are used to first-time boba drinkers and can suggest drinks based on what you already like (coffee, sweet tea, fruit juice, etc.).

How to Find Boba Tea Near You in Atlanta

To quickly locate boba around your current spot in Atlanta, try:

• Searching maps for terms like “boba tea”, “bubble tea”, or “milk tea” plus your neighborhood (e.g., “boba tea Midtown Atlanta,” “boba tea Buford Highway”)
• Checking near universities, malls, and major retail centers, which often cluster multiple shops in walking distance
• Looking inside Asian supermarkets or mixed-use plazas around Doraville, Chamblee, Duluth, and other north metro areas

If you live here, you’ll likely find a “go-to” neighborhood boba shop; if you’re visiting, focusing on Buford Highway, Midtown, or major shopping areas will give you the broadest range of options with minimal travel.