Blue Willow Teaspot

AMAZING, quaint, quiet, authentic tea house🫖🍵☕️ This place is the real deal. Open 8 years (as of ‘25) the owner apparently travels throughout Asia each year exploring new teas and forming bonds with farmer-suppliers. Wow. Who does that? Vibe is cozy and special. Tea cup price is same as Starbucks venti latte ($7)..worth it because most teas are served clear, w/o milk, but because they’re so sophisticated that allows you to taste so many flavors in the layered profile teas actually have. (I’m a morning Pg Tips with Oatly kind of girl ;) It’s like a wine bar but aromatic teas. They have milks and sugar if you want, but most won’t once you take a sip😉 What a sweet little special place🥰🏡🧡✨

This place is a charming spot that truly captures the essence of a cozy tea experience. During my recent visit, I had the pleasure of trying the oolong tea flight, which was a delightful journey through various oolong flavors. Each tea was distinct, showcasing the rich, complex profiles that oolong is known for. I also enjoyed a cup of Summer Down tea, which was refreshing and light. Its floral notes and subtleat fist but the bold flavor came towards the bottom of the cup. Overall, a fantastic place to unwind and explore a variety of teas.

Bamboo lies splintered, Hope wrapped in plastic deceit. Taste? Like empty fog. — Don’t order their $12 chashoku online. It arrived in a cheap plastic envelope and looks like it cost 2 cents to make in a factory. The back side is uneven throughout and is already splintering inside the bag. Honestly, it looks worse than the scoops you get in basic matcha kits on Amazon. The matcha was also tasteless and heavily marked up for what it is.

I really really liked this place. They celebrate and respect tea. 🫖 every tea is carefully prepared as it must be. they have a great and large selection of different teas in great quality. The place exudes a sense of calmness. Perfect for a break and me-time or a chat with a good friend.

Went to this chill spot with a few friends without reservations on a Saturday afternoon! We got our own little room and great recommendations for teas. The tea descriptions on the menu matched their actual taste. If you’re going with a group, order pots of tea which you can get multiple rounds of tea from. We order Liu Bao Puer, Duck sh!t oolong, Black Phoenix black tea and herbal mint tea. Forgot to take photos of the other teas. Would go again if we’re in the area. Also, feels like a good date spot! Quite a lot of free road side parking, no troubles there.

Seating is pretty uncomfortable but the whole tea experience was so lovely it nearly made up for it, I had a tasting flight and a sweet potato muffin and both were excellent.

My friend and I went to hang out for the first time ever here! The tea was great, and we ordered a lot of it. Given the amount that a flight gives you, (with re-steeping the leaves to their maximum), the price is super reasonable, cheap even, considering how much a full cup of the teas we got costed. We also got our own cups of tea and it was less than $45. I had to change the reservation time because I was running late due to traveling 3 hours to the Bay, and it was super easy. If we had a question, we’d just go up and ask and it was chill. And then when we finished we just went up and paid, which is pretty common at small businesses. Overall, it was a great experience and the shop is super cute.

Highlights are the pastries from Oakland's Bake Sum. The tea options are plentiful and taste pretty good but unfortunately the whole experience is soured by the horrible service. Super inattentive but worse: extremely condescending and seem bothered by any questions. I thought it was perhaps the server we had the first time but the second time with a different server was basically the same. They have a nice selection teacups and whatnot and have to-go options so perhaps that is the better choice for next time.

This is a lovely, cozy spot with a large selections of teas. I had the hojicha latte with oatmilk. It was nutty and lightly sweet. I also saw some tea flights come out that I may need to come back out to try another time.

A beautiful, hidden-away cafe serving a variety of loose-leaf teas and a limited amount of pastries. Blue Willow Teaspot is a must-try for tea lovers; they offer an enormous variety of green, white, black/red, and herbal teas, along with matcha and some chai lattes. The staff are friendly, interior is absolutely stunning. The prices are a bit steep but the ambience and quality help justify the costs. My friend and I stopped by around 4pm on a Monday for a quick catch-up. He tried the Blood Orange blend (per the website, a "fruit tisane containing dried orange peel, hibiscus petals and rose hips") and I tried the Lunar Winter green tea (notes of smoke, red-bean paste). We both got 1 cup each so we didn't get to actually brew the tea ourselves or try their tea pots, etc. The teas were good but each cup cost ~$7 each, which I feel is a bit much considering each cup is about 8 oz. Perhaps the pot is better value? We also wish we could have sat indoors but all of the tables were occupied so we had to sit outside in the cold, meaning our teas got cold quickly. I wish they had a bit more seating outside and had some portable warmers, especially since fall/winter is coming. I also wish they had a few more pastries on hand and/or some snacks on the menu! I maybe saw 2 total pastries at the front so I was a little disappointed since I wanted something to pair with my tea.

As tea lovers, my companion and I had wanted to try Blue Willow Teaspot for the longest time! From the second we stepped in, a feeling of calmness came over me and I enjoyed the hours spent sipping on their tea. The interior somewhat reminded me of a Japanese tea house. You feel zen surrounded by the plants, tea-inspired decor, and wooden furniture. There are several tables to sit, work, study, and chat at. WiFi is available and it's a popular spot for workers. Depending on the day and time, reservations or time limits may be necessary. I will say that the service wasn't the best. It took 30 minutes for our tea to come out. The worker messed up on our order and gave it to us regardless which was nice, but still. This is a desirable spot for tea lovers. The menu is expansive with various tea types and tea grades. I was overwhelmed by the options so went with familiarity--Hojicha Latte with Oat Milk and Chai Latte with Oat Milk for us both. You could taste the strong flavor of both teas. It wasn't traditional nor the best I've had but still good. We also shared a pastry--it was fine but a bit drier and cold. Other diners had tea pots which looked super cute so maybe next time I'll go for that. For those seeking a relaxing or calming atmosphere to work or talk, Blue Willow Teaspot is charming and tucked in Northwest Berkeley off Tenth Street. There's free street parking around the area. With how close it is to my home, I'd come back for another work day!

These people know their teas! I love tea. I collect tea. If you like tea and know very little about it please start here. You'll learn how to steep with the proper temperatures and timings. Now that can be a small challenge but that is only part of a tea flight. You can get a simple cup and a snack. You can schedule a full tea ceremony, too! Blue Willow Teaspot makes for a lovely "third place."

Today I stopped by Blue Willow Teaspot on the way from Three Stone Hearth to Huey's to pick up my laundry. I found parking in the same little lot I did before and walked over to the shop. There were two young women working behind the counter and one of them helped me. I didn't ask her name but she was very nice. I saw a couple of the pretzel goat cheese pastries. I asked if they were baked there and she said no, that they were baked by Firebrand Bakery, so that answers that. I love Firebrand's baked goods, but this may be my favorite. I bought both. She started to put one on a plate and I said I was taking them to go. She teasingly replied that they tasted better there and I told her I was running errands, so she gave them to me in individual bags, offering me a handle bag which I declined. It was a lovely interaction and I will be back, although not as soon as I was this time.

My girls and I had been meaning to check out Blue Willow Tea Spot for a while, and we finally made it this week. As soon as you step inside, you're greeted by a calming atmosphere filled with Zen vibes, aromatherapy, and soothing music. The staff was incredibly courteous, taking the time to walk us through the different teas they offer. We decided on the Duck Sh!t tea (don't worry, there's no actual "sh!t" in it!) and the roasted green tea. I especially loved the roasted green tea--it had a sweet, oaky flavor that really stood out. They also have a small selection of pastries, and my friend chose a salted chocolate chip cookie, which was fresh, soft, and delicious. I'll definitely be returning for the chill, relaxing vibes, and next time, I'll bring a book to enjoy with my tea.

A hidden gem of Berkeley! I've been here for tea flights as well as just to pick up matcha/hojicha lattes. My one warning is that drinks usually take longer to get than expected (think: 30 minutes for an iced matcha latte, even when the store isn't very busy), but if you're open to being patient and matching the calm vibe of the shop, you won't be disappointed. If you are a tea-aficionado, you must go!

I was excited to finally try this teaspot after hearing many high praises from friends about it. Upon arriving on this warm day, I was surprised by how many tea options there were. I honestly felt a little overwhelmed. I went for one of the non-custom tea flight before I realized there was an option to customize it. We decided to get the oolong one (bc I love itt). The server took us to an open table and said to wait 20 mins. It seemed kind of long but then we noticed some folks who ordered after us got their drinks. Something wasn't right.. 25 mins later I asked about our order and our original cashier was surprised our order wasn't delivered to us yet. They must have missed it. We had to wait another 10-15 mins for our tea. Just tea... After 40ish mins we finally get our tea and went through the whole flight. I appreciate they have extra boilers around the room to help you refill your tea. Pros: - Wide variety of teas - Refill stations - Clean bathroom - Free filtered water + cups (self-serve) - Great places to work from Cons: - Service. It wasn't horrible but I didn't like that we had to wait 40 mins for our tea to come out. It was not the best first experience but I'd likely come again if I was in the area.

I would not recommend this place. There's no staff to attend guests even with reservation. We reserved the private room, no one came to attend. After one hour, we purchased at the cashier and had to wait for our turn. Tea was good, but there was not pastries to purchase. This is not the tea experience you want to have. Please don't accept reservations if you don't have staff.

Food: 4.5/5 Service/Wait: 3/5 Price/Value: 4/5 Atmosphere/Uniqueness: 5/5 TL;DR: The atmosphere and vibe is perfect for studying and relaxing. It is not too loud and there are a lot of different seating options. The staff I experienced was a bit standoffish and rude, especially when asked about their recommendations. They also took a while to set up my tea flight. Pour some sugar on me tea flight: 5/5; This is really fun to drink and allows you to try 3 different teas in one sitting. There are specific instructions on how long to brew the tea and all the flavors were yummy. This tea flight comes with Jasmine Pearls, Wuliang Beauty and Black Rose. My favorite was the Jasmine Pearls. There are a lot of drink options that are aesthetically pleasing. There are a few food options to enjoy along with your drink. I would return to try different drink options.

Brief Summary: - Parking is scarce, but you might be able to find it around some of the grocery store area - Various tea types to choose from - Walk-ins are available and reservation might be needed for special seats - Tables, chairs, and bar seats inside to sit and enjoy tea - After finished drinking your tea, there is a cubby on top of the bookshelves, where you can bus the used dishes in We arrived here a couple minutes after the store had opened, and there was a line. The reason for the line was due to guests figuring out which tea to drink because there were so many options. We were also one of the guests, who were deciding on which teas to drink and what type to drink it with. The menu has two sides and separated into tea types (black, white, green, red) and the grade. The price of the grade was on the second page, 3 types in all. Once that is figured out, it was more of "which one should we try? There are so many?" The staff informed us that one teapot can serve between 2-3 people, so we decided to have one teapot and a glass of iced tea. For the iced tea, specific tea leaves are brewed (she mentioned that the iced teas are made from black tea). This day, the iced tea was red dragon, so we chose this because the walk here was warm. They also serve pastries from local bakeries, and we were hungry. In the list we got two pastries, both from a bakery shop called Bake Sum: a small black sesame mochi muffin and the okonomiyaki danish. The staff asked whether we made some reservations, and we told them that we didn't. We proceeded with a set of short reservation like questions (whether we will stay for 1, 1.5, or 2 hours) and we told them the shortest at 1 hour. We then were guided to our seats with the plate of the pastries we chose. There were tables and chairs, and there was also a beautiful lounging area. We requested to sit on the lounging area with the cute round cushions. The tea came by a few minutes later of relaxed chats with the family. The shop's environment and the ambience is fantastic. It is very relaxing. The teas were very delicious. I was amazed on how hot the tea stayed warm throughout our tea session. Hot steam as still rising from ours cups to the last fill. We picked the bourbon vanilla tea for the hot teapot option, and then we got today's red dragon for the daily iced-tea option. Also adding compliments to the pastries. The okonomiyaki dashi was absolutely amazing. What genius created this danish? (we later learned it was from a bakery called Bake Sum). It is the most creative idea and really amazing version of okonomiyaki I have ever tasted. Later, upon leaving and ordering some teas to take home, they have mentioned that the okonomiyaki danish is served on the weekends. I am so lucky to have tried it, now along with discovered a wonderful place to enjoy tea I will also visit the bakery in the future

This is a quiet, serene cafe that serves a variety of great teas. Although the tea itself could be bought for much cheaper in bulk, the experience and ability to try different varieties easily is what you're paying for. Your tea is served in a cute tea set with perfectly hot water available throughout the cafe. It's definitely a must try for tea lovers. I will certainly be back.

I booked the tasting room for my birthday (weeks in advance). The service was really really bad. They barely checked on us, maybe once at the beginning, other than that we had to go up and ask if we needed anything. It also seemed like they were understaffed because it took forever for us to get our tea. We arrived at 11am and didn't get the tea until 12:30pm. And you are technically only guaranteed the tasting room for 2 hours. The tea pots are also super small so not good for sharing with a group of six (which is how big the tasting room is). It was super involved bc we had to keep heating water and pouring it into the tiny pots every time we wanted a few sips of tea. It was disappointing bc it felt like the staff didn't really care to help at all or make the experience positive for a birthday party. They may be understaffed which is partially a reason for this. The tea itself did taste good and the place is nicely decorated.

So decided to stop by this highly rated tea place on a Sunday. Inside was cute, zen-like with plants, traditional and modern tea pots, cups, etc. You start off ordering your tea in line. Looks like they were fully booked for indoor seating so we decided to try outdoors. We also asked if any indoor tables opened, that we can be transferred inside. Our group of 3 ordered 3 separate teas - kamairicha (best one), red oolong and a gaba (low caffeine but meh). The teas took a while to come out and it was pretty cold outside so the initial experience wasn't great. The tea got cold once it came out and we had to keep going inside for refills. Luckily, about 30 min in, we were transferred inside since a reservation did not show up and we shared the large private room with another group. We found out there are unlimited hot water pots accessible - that would've been good to know when we were freezing outside. None of the staff told us and we kept going in asking for them to refill our tea, which took forever. It seemed we had to figure things out on our own. We weren't really feeling the staff's vibe- they were nice enough but hints of impatience, boredom, nonchalance would come out in their brusqueness and lack of checking in. We didn't feel as welcome. The teas were high quality and the ambiance is nice but it goes to show that service and staff play a huge part in the experience.

In the labyrinthine landscape of Berkeley's caffeinated establishments, a tea leaf falls softly, quietly making its mark. Welcome to Blue Willow Teaspot, an enclave that successfully defies categorization, flourishing as a crossbreed of a Japanese tea house, a botanical garden, and a hipster café. It is a paean to tea culture, meticulously curated yet remarkably unpretentious. Here, where eastern traditions are honored --it is met by a Western sensibility without compromising the depth of either. It's an environment where tatami-like floor seating coexists with modern counter spaces and well-appointed duet tables. Each seating arrangement is an invitation to a unique experience, whether you're steeping into mindfulness alone or sharing a brew with companions. The warmth and excellence of this establishment hinges on the stalwart team that keeps it humming. Reya, Corinne, Niko, Shafari, Ali,, Bill and more (I haven't learned everyone's name - yet!) and their tribe of tea stewards exude a level of expertise that elevates a simple infusion to an art form. One cannot overstate the care, from the sourcing of tea leaves to the act of pouring, that is poured into every cup. While my visits have largely been solitary affairs, the space expands effortlessly to include social circles, even intimate tête-à-têtes. And though reservations may be prudent for weekend visits, the venue's welcoming aura leaves no one at the threshold. In a city where coffee shops abound but seldom enchant, Blue Willow Teaspot manifests as an urban oasis where tea is not merely a beverage but a medium for community building. As I pen this review, I am enveloped in a sense of gratitude. Thank you, Blue Willow, for steeping Oakland in a culture of tea and togetherness that transcends boundaries. If the essence of a good tea house is to serve as a sanctuary from the chaos outside its doors, Blue Willow Teaspot has succeeded with understated elegance. The question isn't whether you should go, but rather, why you haven't been yet!

Such a fun experience during Valentine's Day! I did a reservation for the Tatami room to surprise my boyfriend and we absolutely loved it! The service went above and beyond by offering us water for our kettle whenever we needed it, explaining the process of brewing tea, and also recommending their personal favorites. I absolutely loved the staff and the welcoming attitude they had towards us. Their friendliness added to the relaxing and chill atmosphere. There was soft chattering among the customers and everyone here was either working on their laptops or catching up with friends. We had the First Flush Hojicha and it was quite delicious. Such an epic discovery and I can't wait to come back!

I love studying here. the atmosphere is perfect for studying and the spot has a lovely herbal tea smell. the place is pretty cozy and it has limited seating on chairs. they have some floor seating which is nice but not recommended for long studying periods. I love coming here to try out new teas! they have delicious pastries too.

Don't want to sound rude right off the bat, but let's just say it wasn't the best experience that I'd usually write about in my 5 star reviews, but extra star bump cause, you know, pandemic. I was checking out a rental property nearby and saw that this spot was within a block. My preferences morphed over winter where my go-to drink became tea rather than coffee so this was perfect as there are certainly less specialty tea shops than coffee cafes around here. So I excitedly trot in to find a group of 5 browsing the merchandise and another couple taking their time ordering. Okay, no problem, let me use the restroom. So I return to see that now we moved on the first person of the five. Still no problem, I'll wait. Behind me a group of 3 comes in and the staff greets them unlike my experience. She even hands them a menu (literally skipping me who clearly didn't have one). Only after 10 minutes of waiting for the group to each purchase their own bags of tea do I get my first greeting. Not the most pleasant way to begin but oh well, it's what it is. So I ask for the daily ice tea (they had two available for the day) and ask if it will be okay with milk. Certainly, they say, and so they add a splash of oatmilk which was good. My second minor point of contention was how much ice went in my tea. They started with a relatively full cup (ok, not great but I see this a lot in most drink bars) but I could not really understand why someone would pour out perfectly good tea just to top it off with more ice? The tea itself was cold and so was the Oatly, nothing was melting as far as I can tell!? By the way, this was around sunset in January so it isn't very warm. So I walk out with a full cup of ice with tea. However, my Charcoal Roast Oolong itself with oatmilk was very creamy and just perfectly (subtly) sweet. Delish!

Say WHAAAT?! How stinkin' adorable is this place! Cannot believe that I didn't discover this tea room sooner! My stepsister and I were looking for a place to catch up after having a delightful brunch at La Note. Since she was on a no alcohol cleanse, we decided to look for a spot to have tea. After a brief Yelp search, Blue Willow Teaspot popped up. I noticed that I had it bookmarked and we headed down to check it out. Blue Willow is tucked away in Northwest Berkeley and comes with so much charm. I would have never known that this little place was hiding out in this part of town. The ambience is stellar! You walk into a cute tea bar setup with shelves of different teas on display and beautiful tea sets that are for sale. Their tea sets were so damn cute! I could have purchased them all! But, I really have to get my tea game up to make that kind of investment. We were greeted by the super sweet barista who helped us decide what kind of tea that we should drink. I went with the Rooibos Capetown herbal tea and my stepsister had their Jasmine Silver Noodle white tea. We sat ourselves in their back dining area and our barista delivered our tea pots and gave us instructions on how to pour and brew our teas. Both teas were loose leaf and served in different tea kettles, so it was nice for her to come by and show us how to use them. I'm no tea connoisseur, so having tea in tea rooms is a new discovery for me. I've been getting more into tea and I feel like this is a great place to explore a bunch of different tea options. The Rooibos Capetown tea was super fruity and soothing. My sister really enjoyed her Jasmine Silver Noodle tea as well. They provided us each with a pretty large pot which gave us about 4 to 5 cups of tea. I love the décor and setup of their dining room! They have tables spread out and large windows that let in the natural light. Lots of pretty plants that give off a relaxed garden feeling. They even have a traditional tea room where you can sit on the floor and cozy up while enjoying your tea. This room is by reservation only though. It's semi-private as it has a opening that overlooks the rest of the tea room. They also have a larger room that can be used and reserved for larger parties. When we first arrived around 11:00 am, we were the only party there and had the entire dining room to ourselves. However, this place was poppin' around 1:00 pm! We ended up hanging out until after 2:00 pm. It was just fun to catch up in a relaxing environment like Blue Willow. I'm so excited to come back to this tea room! I've already told a few friends about it and we are planning to visit again real soon. Blue Willow is such a Berkeley gem! If you're lover of tea or are getting into the tea phenomenon like myself, Blue Willow Teaspot is the perfect spot for you.

Blue willow is a place that was recommended by a friend in Berkeley and I had been meaning to try for a while. The inside of the teaspot is beautiful and Japanese themed with wooden seats and a podium with a ceremonial tea set up where you can sit on the ground cross-legged with pillows. The staff was welcoming and there was barely any wait. We were able to choose a custom tea flight from their menu of tea selections and curate it to our liking which was lovely. All of the teas are loose-leaf teas and they have an electric kettle that you can refill the tea with. Our tea flight consisted of the Black Honey, Black Phoenix, and Menghan teas, all of which were strong-noted and earthy. I also decided to order the chai with date syrup, and while is was very different from regular chai and not at all similar to authentic indian chai it was creamy and sweet with nice muted flavors and sweetness from the date syrup. If you are going however, I definitely recommend forgoing the chai and sticking with their loose-leaf teas! Blue willow is a great place for cozy vibes, and warm tea - especially on a rainy day!

The tea here is phenomenal; however, navigating the menu can be confusing for first-timers. Upon receiving our tea, the server did explain the different types of teapots and their steeping times, which was helpful. Nevertheless, I initially found it perplexing until observing others with additional water kettles, realizing we were meant to have extra water for our tea. This clarification made the server's instructions clearer in retrospect. Regarding the service, my interactions with the staff varied. I only had one positive interaction among those I encountered. For instance, when I needed napkins and approached the counter, the worker seemed preoccupied with an order. While I understand the demands of a busy environment, a brief acknowledgment of my presence or inquiry about my needs would have been appreciated instead of waiting a good couple of minutes for napkins which were clearly right next to them.

Great place to get tea service. They have an excellent selection and beautiful space.

Not surprising that this is a business that flags and asks Yelp to remove any negative reviews. Reposting my review - now edited for Yelp censorship. This place epitomizes everything wrong with this area. While large homeless encampments are struggling with daily life (one tent is just across the street), customers here are sipping on $20 pots of tea. The arrogant servers here didn't even apologize to my elderly mother for the flimsy tea vessels that almost burnt her. I had a very bad experience here. Bought more than $300 worth of tea, because my husband saw this place on the New York Times :( Workers were extremely rude and would not change the packaging. We bought 8oz $158 of tea, but they would not split it up for us even though they're not pre-packed. Extremely condescending that their packaging costs $1-2.

Blue Willow is a place we had heard about in Berkeley for some time, so we were pretty interested in checking it out when we were around the area. The inside is very aesthetic, as it feels like a pretty authentic teahouse when you enter it. There are even sections of the cafe with mats for you to sit cross-legged if you want to. The people there were accommodating and we were able to be seated quickly. For the tea, if you are a lover of authentic tea then you will definitely really like this place. Here, you can get a Tea Flight Menu and in this one we got Black Honey, Black Phoenix, and Menghan. They are loose-leaf teas, and they have an electric kettle there that you can use to refill the tea. I enjoyed the teas, and this is a great place to try out a lot of different types of loose-leaf tea flavors. We also got the chai with date syrup, although it's pretty different from regular chai as it has more muted flavors. I think that their loose-leaf teas here are their strong points. Overall, for authentic teas this place is excellent as it has a wide variety of selections and gives a pretty nice overall experience!

Just lovely. I came in for Mother's Day and had the "You Want it Darker" tea tasting. My partner got a chai and we also had a chocolate cookie and a tea cake. All were delicious. I loved the ambiance. We sat indoors at the low table with the poofs. All the teas were divine, my favorite of the three was Minerals. A nice peaceful spot for a pot of tea!

Came here with two tea connoisseurs and got to sit at the little tea house on a Friday evening, by reservation only. We had a flight of teas and I also ordered chai tea. In addition to the teas, we also got the mochi muffin and their tea cake. Both were absolutely DELICIOUS and vegan too! The staff was really friendly and they seemed very knowledgeable about the teas flavors, preparation, and more! Would I come back? Totally, we've been back to Berkeley a few times already, specifically to come to Blue Willow.

I have not tried their pastry this time, but I went with their puerh tea. The fact they have a water heater in nearly every seating area is simply amazing. The tea shop is very calming and gives you the vibe to stay there for a long time. Service is excellent, and the workers are friendly to talk to. I will revisit this place when I revisit Berkeley in the future.

This is a lovely tea spot with an extensive variety of high quality teas. The staff is consistently pleasant, and always willing to share information about the teas and brewing methods.

Blue Willow is hidden away on a corner street with a unique, clean and inviting ambiance. Perfect for working professionals looking for a quiet calm environment or for a nice hangout area with friends. There is no dedicated parking here so you will need to secure a spot on the street. The store staff are very down to earth and happy to help. There are so many choices here for tea tastings. The prices here will not break the bank yet remain high quality enough for the most stringent of connoisseurs. Plenty of packaged teas to go with tea-fare here for your preparation needs. This place can get busy so come here early to secure some house pastries!

Such a lovely space -- tea pot service is a fun stray from the norm and just as many folks were solo on laptops as there were in quiet conversation. Plus, free and easy parking? Some choices are easy.

I wanted to do some tea tasting and Blue Willow gave a great experience! I ordered the 3 tea flight, customed for $25 for the top shelf teas. - Asatyta: Tasted like a light sencha, like a Japanese roasted green tea - Tieguanyin: Really liked this one but i've been into oolong lately. The flavor was bright and light with a touch of sweetness. - Berkeley Brunch: My least favorite. It tasted a little bit bitter than the other ones and not really my flavor profile. I also got the daily iced tea which was a red oolong from Taiwan with a fruity finish. I enjoyed it even though it was cold out. It was really refreshing with a hint of fruity and sweetness. They brought out all the teas in little brewing pots and then cup to pour them in so you don't over steep them. It's meant for several steeps and there's a cute goose neck kettle on the side to do the refills yourself. Overall, they did a good job making the place look like a teahouse. I spent at least 1.5 hours there just enjoying all the teas.

The teas were quality and delicious, and I'd love to come back to dine in and read a book. The space seems perfect for some quiet, relaxing alone time. We were just stopping by, but otherwise, I would have opted for the full experience! Bright Eyes $7 (cup) [8.5/10] This was quite a soothing herbal tea. The first notes you get especially through smell are chrysanthemum and goji berries and then you get a pretty strong mint undertone and aftertaste. Jujube was a recognizable base note as well. If you also grew up with dessert soups/hot drinks featuring jujube, goji berries and the like, this will feel like home. Wild Honeysuckle $7 (cup) [9/10] This tea was so calming. It was floral without being in your face. It was also really smooth, which I loved. This was a unique try for me! The pastries looked so good too, so I'll have to try them next time. They feature Asian flavors like black sesame, hojicha, ube... Service: Everyone was really sweet and friendly! They offered to let us smell the teas and guided us in choosing our options. I'd encourage reading about the shop and founder as well. I'm impressed by their dedication to tea and the community.

Some great teas for purchase...HORRIBLE "cafe" experience. PAINFULLY SLOW "service," and the jankiest sound system...a portable Bluetooth speaker, streaming music from an iPad far away, so that the music stutters and cuts out continuously. I pointed this out to one of the staff, who did nothing about it, except "yeah...sorry about that." Oh, and a 20% automatic service charge added to the bill- adds insult to injury.

My friend and I loved this tea house! The intimate ambiance makes it a great date spot. The tea selection is vast, so do a tasting! We liked the Alishan oolong from Taiwan. And unless you're ordering to-go, I would suggest the traditional way of drinking the tea. Totally worth the extra buck. Keep in mind that there is limited seating at this tea house, so you can either make a reservation for a room, or add yourself to the waiting list for the tables that seat two.

Tea was great, service was helpful, and the ambiance was what you'd expect. It was giving tranquil... a nice place to chat or study tastefully

We've now come back to Blue Willow Teaspot several times over, and it most assuredly is a hidden gem for this area! Our first visit I absolutely fell in love with their Bourbon Vanilla tea. While I tend to get it iced because they can put any of their teas on ice - it's mouthwateringly delicious and very close to tasting like cream soda. We've also done tea flights (highly recommended) as we wanted to get a small taste of several different teas we might not have tried otherwise and I ended up really enjoying the Red Dragon with the Honey Black Rose as a close second. I also really like that they have a small seating area out front for those who don't wish to partake inside these days, and the service is always friendly and warm. All in all, Blue Willow Teaspot is one of our new favorites and we'll definitely keep returning for more iced tea!

Got house maple chai, red dragon, and kamairicha tea Kamairicha - not sure how to describe, not like green tea I normally have, maybe this is what other people might describe as "full-bodied"; cool to have a green tea that tastes not the way I would expect just getting green tea at local coffee shop or something Red dragon - this was my favorite of the three, reminded me of a nice black tea House maple chai - strong spice taste (for me), very good Overall, very good teas, feel like the experience of just sitting in the shop is more the highlight though, would be cool to do work here one afternoon

Loved relaxing in this spot and enjoying a "Surprise Tea Flight" with my kid. A definite highlight of the few days we spent in Berkeley. My kid loved his Chai so much we bought some to bring home because we could always use more chai. Parking was easy and the signs gave us a few hours. In theory the pastries should have been good but what we shared was definitely old, however we had it with tea so we adjusted how we are it. Great place for quiet and to study.

What a delightful spot! Everything about this place was great - from the ambience, the decorations, the employees, and the tea! Everything was so well done that my friend and I were thoroughly impressed. The teas were really tasty and you really got your money's worth with how much you could steep them. Plus, you could order flights to taste the various teas they have, which is something I never considered possible with teas. My personal favorite was the sticky rice tea, which really delivered on the flavor. We also had the opportunity to meet and talk with the owner, Ali, who was very kind and helpful. If you like teas or are looking for a nice place to work/hang out, this is a great spot!

Recommend different tea leaves with different temperature water. Lovely modern store with asian decorations. Good for serious tea drinkers. With milk or plain. Food: offers tea with milk or not. NOT A BOBBA shop. Offers some sweets, last time there were mochi donuts. Ambiance: lots of plants and asian decorations. Recommend you sit there and trying tea trio. Lots of hot water kettles for self service. Neighborhood very industrial. Can be hard to dind.

My husband is a big fan of "tea time" so I booked a reservation for Father's Day. We were running late and I called and the staff was really accommodating. I had called earlier in the week and they said to make reservations online for the weekend so I did. I asked if children were allowed and they were. Despite all of this, and the tea being pretty good, there were a few things that I think can be improved on. If kids are welcome, having the option of high chairs would be great. I also think that the tea flight should be an option on weekends and if it is not (which we found out at arrival) it should be clearly stated online, over the phone etc. we drove 50 minutes for a cup of tea...wasn't what I expected and was actually disappointed about this. So if you come on the weekend, just know there are no tea flights. I think the vibe is more a hang out with friends, work/study place to be honest. Well now I know, and I'll go elsewhere next time unless I'm just in the mood for a cup of tea!

My family and my bf loved our morning tea experience at Blue Willow Teaspot! Everything-- from the atmosphere, the staff, to the tea-- was exceptional. Like others have mentioned, the wealth of knowledge here was enough to fundamentally change my perception of tea. With the precision that the staff treated each pour, you really can't help admiring the artistry. The Private Tasting Room is spacious + decorated with houseplants and various Japanese tea sets. Note: While it's sectioned off from the main seating area, it's adjacent to the front door and register, the front window is a direct view into the room, and the upper wall is only blocked by glass (not soundproof). Not entirely private, but enough to have your own space. Blue Willow stocks select mochi muffins and donuts from fellow local business, Third Culture Bakery. Albeit tasty, I recommend eating beforehand-- You're really here for the tea, after all. TEA FLIGHT: Three of our four teas were brought out in mini teapots and serving glasses, alongside an electric water boiler. Included were instructions for the brewing time and temperature for each. We tried the Dragonwell, Kyoto Bancha, and Red Dragon (my personal favorite). Since the Japanese Soba Cha could be steeped indefinitely, it was brought out in its own kettle. Sitting with the teas steeping was basically free aromatherapy-- so herbal and relaxing. One huge factor in my appreciation was that they were flexible with our last-minute reservation change from a party of 4 to a party of 5 (the Japanese Tea Room holds 2-4, while the Private Tasting Room holds 4-6). We were lucky that the latter was available during our reservation, in which our hostess was kind enough to seamlessly make the switch. Thank you so much for accommodating us!

I am just starting my tea journey so I am an novice in everywhere possible. When I entered the place was so beautiful! The tea sets on sale are placed against the window and the teas opposite of the bar. It's so open and allows all of this natural sunlight in. Nina was there and helped me get started with a starter kit of sorts. She answered all of my questions and told me about tea sits that they do. The tea room is spaced out with some a couple nook tea tables. Afterwards she offered if we wanted to stay and drink tea. I had to leave so I end up getting a to go. I would like to come back and spend some time here soon. They offer tea flights here.

A beautiful tea room with a wonderful selection of teas. I typically go there to stock up for at home use, and occasionally great a tea to go. They have a nice small room that can be reserved for groups as well. Most of the time I have had success asking for recommendations or information on certain teas. A recent visit I wasn't so lucky with 2 staff shrugging their shoulders and handing me the menu that has some brief descriptions. I stuck with my tried and true favs but if this happens to you ask for someone who can help you. There is always someone there with good knowledge. Enjoy!

After reading several reviews I thought I would post my honest review. I have been here several times and have never had a bad experience. Is the staff always a chipper chipmunk? No. But we all have off days or bad days. However, not once have I experienced rudeness from anyone. I have also learned that people in California are not always the friendliest which is fine by me. I don't like idle chit chat. Being from the south where everyone feels they MUST be friendly to everyone else and we must all talk all of the time, I find California refreshing. Also, the tea is wonderful! Don't give a bad review of an entire place because one person might have had a bad day and wasn't kissing your derrière. I review the place for what it serves and Blue Willow serves numerous, excellent teas!

I love blue Willow. I get all my teas from them and occasionally indulge into creative vibes to get some work done.

I stopped in a few days ago to get a supplement for a Christmas gift and the staff couldn't have been nicer or more helpful. I will definitely be back for tea after the New Year

Extremely nice knowledgeable stuff, very cute atmosphere and their morning blend is my favorite of all times Cons: a bit expensive, but I guess it's just CA

I had a wonderful time catching up with my friend here. Not only do they have an extensive selection of tea but their teas are incredibly delicious! If it's your first time I recommend the tea flight so you can sample them. The best part is that you're able to resteep your tea. I had no idea you could do that so I thought it was incredibly worth it. We spent about 2 hours there hanging out and sipping tea and it was so relaxing. We left incredibly caffeinated but it was worth it! I'll be back again!