Gathers Tea Bar

Ive tried their matcha drinks which are excellent. The mango one is definitely very sweet so if you don't like it too sweet I'd get the strawberry matcha which is more on the tarty side. I did get the cream matcha which is also probably why it's on the sweeter side. I ordered both the mango and strawberry matcha creams, haven't tried the lattes yet but according to the description they provide the cream is sweeter and smoother than the latte which is made with milk. I will have to try it as a latte if I ever return. Overall, the matcha itself is smooth and earthy and I was impressed with the flavor. I am a matcha connoisseur and have tried many brands but this one is excellent! I even bought their tin containers twice! I get the premium one for $27 bc I loved it so much and now I make my matcha at home with it! So good! I also tried the Hojicha with black sesame and I wasn't a fan. I love sesame but couldn't taste the Hojicha at all which was disappointing and I felt like I wasted my money on it. So I don't recommend. I also tried their strawberry sparkling yuzu drink for the summer it's a seasonal one and it was good but it didn't taste like yuzu more like sprite or 7up so that was a bummer as well since I know how yuzu tastes bc I've had it before for other Asian inspired drinks. Although it was refreshing from the sparkling beverage I was disappointed that it didn't actually taste like yuzu and more like soda. So I also wouldn't recommend. This place is also known for their boba which I did not find extraordinary. Yes it was soft and not rubbery and had a nice chewy texture but I've also had boba at other tea shops/cafes that is just as good. So nothing different about this boba. There is always a crazy long line for this place which makes it very annoying to visit, the place is always congested. While I do appreciate they hand whisk every cup by hand, I would appreciate a shorter wait time more. It takes a while to get your drink bc of the insanely long lines which is why I don't come here often. If they hire more people and expand their location to a bigger space that would be great for keeping customers.

This was recommended to me so of course I had to try it! I got the seasonal special of citrus and mango refresher, it was so unique and good, especially on a warm day! I also got to try an ube drink that was super sweet and good too. The prices are fair for most of the places around, especially being so close to campus. The place was packed but made it easy to order on their tablets. The drinks came out pretty quickly too. It was easy to walk around the neighborhood and campus. Great menu options too!

I recently visited Gathers Tea Bar and was thoroughly impressed. The ambiance is warm and inviting, making it a great spot to relax or catch up with friends. Their selection of teas is extensive, and the staff is knowledgeable and friendly, always ready to recommend something new. I tried their mango matcha, and it was perfectly balanced—not too sweet, just the right amount of creaminess. My sister had the strawberry matcha and it was just as amazing. It was pretty busy on the weekend when I went, but the cozy seating and modern decor still made for an enjoyable experience. Highly recommend this gem in the West Loop for tea enthusiasts.

I stopped by Gathers Tea in Chicago today and tried the Strawberry Matcha Latte — and let me just say, it was delicious. 🍓🍵 The matcha was smooth, the strawberry purée added the perfect hint of sweetness, and the overall vibe of the shop was calm and welcoming. What really made the experience special was the customer service. One of the employees went above and beyond to make sure I had a great first visit. They were so kind, took time to explain the menu, offered amazing recommendations, and made me feel genuinely valued. From the drink to the service, everything about Gathers was top-tier. I’ll definitely be back to try more! 💚

I’ve been here a few times already and each time was great. It’s pricey for sure but you can tell they use higher quality ingredients. Personally I think 24oz is a little too much so I recommend the smaller size. The place is always packed but somehow they get drinks out quickly no matter what so don’t let a line dissuade you from going!

I loved the strawberry cream Matcha if you like really sweet stuff, you will definitely love it. However, my friend got the sparkling water with mango in it. It wasn’t that good but they have a lot of good options. She just didn’t know what to order.😭

Cute small tea cafe. Got the mango matcha with cream with 50% and it was perfect. Glad I did not keep it at 100% cause it was still sweet. Also got the ube taro as well . Now that was definitely overly too sweet for my taste. Good for as a dessert type of thing. The kiosk was easy to navigate as well and probably took about 5 minutes until our order was ready which was not bad at all. The cafe was also decorated so cute. Would come back and try other drinks especially the matcha ones

No complaints. You walk in, order on a tablet, and don’t have to interact with anyone except to pickup your drink. The iced matcha was perfect, I’d recommend going half sweet if you like a slightly less sweet beverage. They use a high quality matcha, and you really get a thick, creamy beverage.

Had to find out what the hype was around Yelp's best boba and best matcha in Chicago (separate years I think). I'm inclined to agree, but with low sample size and competition isn't too crazy. Convenient location near campus and easy to access. Inside is a bit tight with seating and it gets somewhat packed, but outside is nice to walk. Two tablets to order on makes the process pretty efficient. I typically don't get boba in matcha but I figured it was a chance to do a 2-for-1 taste test for both the boba and matcha. Pretty pricey spot though, around $10 average for large drinks. Black Sesame Matcha Latte w/ Golden Boba - at first, I was disappointed and thought they didn't whisk the matcha well. Then I realized it was black sesame powder and that's impossible to grind down. Matcha was actually really smooth and had good grassy undertones. The black sesame and golden boba combo tasted like tangyuan (glutinous rice balls) which was cool. Golden boba always has a better bounce so the pearls here had the best texture I've had in Chicago but they could have more flavor, as they were pretty bland.

I came to Gathers Tea because of all the great reviews -- but unfortunately, I left really disappointed. We ordered 3 drinks in total. I decided to try their Mango Matcha Latte, since they're known for their matcha. That drink was excellent. Definitely a 5-star drink. However, everything else about my visit was the reason I can't give more than 1 star. I also ordered the Brown Sugar Assam Black Milk Tea with extra toppings (grass jelly, custard pudding, and tapioca -- an extra $1.75). The toppings were chopped way too finely, which ruined it for me, and the tea itself was bitter. I had to go back and ask for more sweetener just to make it drinkable. But the worst part was the Passion Fruit Tea with lychee jelly. It was extremely bitter and undrinkable. When I went back to the counter -- already trying to be polite since I'd just asked for help with the milk tea -- I mentioned that the passion fruit tea was way too bitter and asked if it could be replaced with something else. The staff told me no, they couldn't do that. I tossed out the drink and left. I've been to many boba shops, and while I rarely ever have to ask for a remake, it's usually standard for shops to offer a replacement if a drink is undrinkable. Not here. Overall, very disappointed in both the drinks and the customer service. Unfortunately, I won't be coming back.

The teas and matchas are high quality. It appears most of the drinks are made to order and fresh as well. The aesthetic of this place is great too. The only downside is how crowded it does get. Despite being pretty crowded, the line moves along fairly quickly!

Literally the best matcha I've had. I got the Mango Matcha Latte because I wanted go taste the Matcha. This was actually so amazing and lived up to hype. I can't speak for other flavors because that is the only thing I had. The inside is cute and warm but I wish they were more like a cafe with real sitting. The service was quick for them usually being so busy. I got my order in like than 8 minutes.

As soon as you walk in, you place your order using a kiosk. This place is located right next to the university campus so be weary as it can get super busy! There are a few street parking spots in front of the business as well as in the surrounding neighborhoods. I love their hojicha. It is so delicious and has the perfect amount of sweetness!!

Ok I'm a believer. Gathers Tea Bar makes delicious matcha that's smooth, robust, and not too sweet. Located close to UIC with a casual ten minute stroll, it's an easy pit stop for students and matcha lovers alike. The inside is simple, with electronic ordering tablets at the front and a bustling line of drink makers in the back. My mango matcha boasted of real mango puree, creamy oat milk, and smooth decadent matcha. I opted for the smaller size and immediately regretted it when I took my first sip. The ginormous 24oz is the way to go. Sweetness levels range from 50% to 100%, and oat milk is an extra $0.50. My 50% was perfect with the sweetened mango puree, but if I had just ordered a regular matcha latte, I'd probably opt for 70% sweet. They also offer a variety of Hojicha drinks, which looked delightful. My biggest regret before leaving Chicago was not making my way back here. It'll be a definite pit stop on my next visit.

Love the extensive menu, easy and quick to order. Really yummy drinks. The golden boba tastes really good, loved the Hong Kong style--the milky taste is really strong but a light ice shake evens it out really well.

I've had more Gathers than I'd like to admit and I've followed them since their early days. They're a true testament to dedication and craft in the intersection of tea tradition and boba to set the standard in Chicago over the years and easily competes with the best outside of Illinois. One of very few tea shops in all my travels that brew exceptionally so the tea is strong and present--even in flavored and milk-based drinks. They're also one of few places I trust with high quality matcha. My go-to's: hojicha mt, earl grey mt, matcha mango, osmanthus [any fruit] oolong, genmaicha mt They tend to run sweet so I'm almost always 0%-25% sweet unless it's a flavored drink where you just gotta tank it!

Finally made it after talking about it for soo long and I can say their matcha drinks are definitely one of the best in the city. I can actually have a milky but also matcha-forward drink...and not watered down... Definitely coming back to try other drinks!

The pull of Gather is that you can get beautiful and unique flavorings. They are beautiful, for those that want that Instagram picture, but they also taste amazing. I had never gotten a sesame seed Boba before so I was very interested to try a more savory drink. It packed a punch that I was not expecting. It is definitely an acquired taste. I liked the sesame seeds in the drink. It gave it a great texture. I did not add any tapioca boba or jelly. I thought that it wasn't needed. My husband had the Thai tea with lychee jelly. He absolutely loved it. It was not a very sweet Thai tea flavor, so the jelly added a nice little burst of flavor. Lastly, we tried the strawberry Matcha latte. I added two different types of jellies, one lychee and another that I cannot remember. I will say that the strawberry in the drink is actually a jam/jelly and there are pieces of strawberry in the drink so added toppings, jellies or boba are not necessary. It was very sweet. The strawberry really overpowered the Matcha in this drink. So if you're wanting a more Matcha flavor, I would suggest a different drink.The Strawberry Macha was the drink I saw ordered the most while there. I think it is probably their most popular (again, probably for presentation of the drink. It is very beautiful/instagram-ablilty). I would be interested to try the Matcha latte by itself. It was very crowded. I would definitely take a drink to go instead of sitting there because it was a small space and very loud because of the crowd. The prices were actually comparable for what we got. There was a sign saying they would not change the level of ice in a drink. And if you did get no ice, the amount of liquid not change. All three of our drinks had the perfect amount of ice. I did not feel like it was too much ice. We got a lot of drink out of our orders. If I'm ever in Chicago again, I will definitely come here again.

This place is so good! Had high expectations based on other reviews and this place definitely lived up to the hype. Tried two drinks: * Hong kong style milk tea (50% sweet) - Very strong tea taste with the perfect level of sweetness and creaminess. I think this is the best hong kong style milk tea I've had anywhere. I prefer my drinks not too sweet and 50% was just right for me (maybe even slightly on the sweeter end). The condensed milk flavor blended in seamlessly with the tea. * Iced matcha latte (non sweet) - Strong high-quality matcha taste! I got 0% sweetness because I wanted to truly taste the matcha and this delivered. Not grainy at all and the matcha color was also very rich. Would love to go back and try their other drinks next time I'm in Chicago! Unable to comment on service as I ordered through DoorDash but I loved how their drinks were sealed and also had a plastic lid for double protection, especially for delivery!

As we gathered.... And all sure gathered here! I do not recall a boba spot this busy unless it some special event. It's Sunday around noon 1:30pm and it's crowded. There's a line to order, ppl waiting for their orders and those just sitting to enjoy their orders. My daughter wanted to come here as they boasted their matcha and we want to see if it lives up to it AND... it surely did. Her drink was sooo good matcha definitely above par to most stops. My Jasmine tea drink was also soo good. I would love another one but we are not staying near here. Tea was fresh and very flavorful. Shop is clean and aesthetically pleasing. You can buy their matcha and even some mech they have. Great location as it's by a university and also little Italy.

I think I may have just found my newest obsession. I ordered the matcha latte with oat milk and 75% sweetness, and it was perfection. Matcha was creamy and not overly earthy. The oat milk was a great balance to add grain and nuttiness to your latte to wash out any earthiness while still being able to enjoy the tea taste. They also have incredible seasonable flavors to fit the time of the year - I can never decide which one I want! Not sure if it was just the time of day I went, but it was packed.. also I wouldn't be surprised if it was always this packed because it is located by UIC, and seems to be the hot spot for everyone. I didn't feel like I waited too long for my drink even though there were tons of people ahead of us. This is def a chill place to go with your friends if you want to try something different in little Italy !

Located in the UIC area. They have the best bubble tea in Chicago! I come out of my way to get drinks from here. In the front of the store, they have 3 tablet kiosks of where you can place your order. All of the staff are dedicated to making your delicious drink. The drinks are made fresh! Wait time is usually abiut 5 minutes, even when the store is full. Their signature boba is golden boba & it has the perfect chewy- yet tender texture. I typically order their Genmaicha, a nutty brown rice green tea. They do use non-dairy creamer (but it has a milk derivative, so it is not vegan). You can customize tour drinks by selecting different milks, sugar level, and ice levels.

Who doesn't love Gathers! Tucked in University Village by UIC campus/UIC medical district (my old stomping ground) on Taylor street. Plentiful street parking in front of the shop. Super crazy busy no matter what time or day. They seriously blew up. I really enjoy their unique flavors that you won't be able to get any other boba shop. Hack: if you can do online order, DO IT! Cause it gets crazy crazy busy and so crowded to the point where you run out of standing space.

The mango matcha cream was soooo good!!! Also had a sip of my friend's matcha latte and it was perfect. No clumps, well mixed, and strong matcha flavor. I do recommend adjusting the sweetness level to the lowest as drinks were still sweet at lowest sweetness level.

YUM! I thoroughly enjoyed my drink. I got a mango cream matcha and instantly wished i got the bigger size. it was so good and grateful i tried something new because i was tempted to get the thai tea lol 10 out of 10 i'd go back. also loved the convenient ordering service and our drinks were prepared pretty quickly.

Hands down, got me hooked and wanting to come back for more! Currently in love with the mango matcha creme! Maybe obsessed! This place can get packed but you will understand once you are there and try one of their drinks! There's kiosks to order your drinks and it's a nice friendly space. Looking forward to the next time I am back again.

Hands down, this is by far the best matcha I've had in Chicago, and I can't recommend it enough! I got the mango matcha and my friend got the strawberry matcha, and we were both completely blown away. The flavors were perfectly balanced.. not too earthy, just the right amount of sweetness, and super refreshing. If you haven't tried Gathers Tea Bar yet, this is your sign. GO NOW. Seriously, don't wait. Whether you're a matcha lover or just curious, this place will completely change the way you think about matcha. Amazing flavor, smooth texture, and just the perfect combination of fruity and earthy notes. My friend that came with me didn't think he would like matcha. Now he's gone back multiple times since. HE LOVES IT! Trust me, after reading this, you're going to want to go and you won't regret it. It's THAT good.

I heard about this gem of a spot on Tiktok, so I had to try it while I was visiting Chicago. I got here around Thursday at 12pm and there was a line! The interior was clean and cute. I got the strawberry matcha cream with 75% sweetness. Let me just say this is the BEST strawberry matcha I've ever had. The matcha was vibrant and smooth and there was just enough strawberry flavor! It was a bit sweet for me at 75% sweetness and I would've enjoyed it even more at half sweetness. If I ever come back to Chicago, I'll definitely be back and get multiple drinks.

Worth all the hype and then some! A coworker and I stopped by Gathers for matcha and it is a must try for authentic matcha, straight from Kyoto. We tried multiple drinks including strawberry matcha cream, mango matcha cream, matcha and kinako cream, rose matcha latte, and brown sugar matcha. All drinks were served iced and looked like a work of art! My number 1 was the mango matcha cream. A layer of mango is at the bottom of the cup, then cream, and then the matcha. Mixed together, it was sooo yummy and refreshing. I'm not even the biggest mango fan, but the flavors complimented the matcha perfectly. My second favorite was the rose. Again, not a huge fan of rose, but paired with the matcha it was so delicious and gave a light, candy flavor to the drink. I can't wait to come back and try some of the bobas!

Got the hojicha with sesame. Customizable sweetness levels. Mucho options for customization. Tea: Assam Black, Jasmine Green, Peach Oolong, Osmanthus Oolong. Fruity: Lychee, Mango, Passion Fruit, Peach, Strawberry (Directly Sourced Japanese Matcha) Lattes: Regular / Black Sesame / Brown Sugar / Rose / Strawberry Ditto on the Hojicha Lattes. Add "milk" to your tea to obtain milk tea. Specialities: House Chai / Hong-Kong Style / Thai Tea / Banana Milk / Ube Taro Monster / Mango Matcha (Latte / Cream) / Strawberry Matcha Cream / Lattes with Kinako Cream (kinako is a type of roasted soybean flour). If I was a college student in Chicago, I'd also come here to get a boba fix. The menu itself has quite a bit of variety, so it'll take several visits to work your way through all their offerings. I estimated waiting between 5-10 minutes after placing my order. The interior has a nice design. Since the place is popular, it can be a bit loud, so listen carefully for when they call your name at the pickup counter. Along the walls and the front window is some counter seating. They also sell some merch, like hoodies, if you're into that kind of stuff.

Was studying at the Chicago library nearby, and saw everyone with matcha lattes from this place. Did some research online, and then discovered that it was from Gathers. Got the mango matcha latte. It was a lot heavier than I thought it would be, but I understand the hype. The matcha flavor was strong, didn't taste too much like milk. The interior was new and super crowded. Would come back again and try the black sesame matcha.

Great jasmine tea, I like the sea salt cold foam too, it's fun! Good Thai iced tea tooooo. Good vibes, not a ton of seating though, good takeout too

Heard this place had good matcha! I'm a sucker for mango anything and this hit the spot! Could still taste the quality Japanese matcha and the actual mango purée at the bottom. Perfect summer drink. Pretty small place but service was good and the place was busy. Cute decor and photo spots.

I was craving matcha and my doctor recommended this place. I looked up the yelp reviews and decided to give it a try. I was stuck between the mango matcha cream and the mango passionfruit tea. I also had a question about the difference between the matcha cream and the matcha latte (in the cream the matcha is in the cream making it sweeter vs in the latte it is dropped in like espresso shots). I asked one of the ladies who worked there and she recommended the mango matcha cream. It was the best decision. The drink was delicious (and expensive at $10). It was a treat that I wasn't mad that I splurged on. I got it with oat milk, 100% sweetness, and with tapioca balls (which they called golden boba). Another yelp review had recommended getting the large size and I should have listened. I got the regular and I regretted not going larger. I got light ice in mine since I had a long drive and didn't want to dilute my drink when it melted. The only way to make ice modifications is to ask the barista AFTER you put in an order. Don't love that. I also don't love that all orders are done at the self serve kiosks. I had questions since it was my first time and I had to go to the pickup counter. Service was fast. I came during a lull around 1:30 on a Thursday but as soon as I put my order in, an influx of people came into the store. There's street parking but I was able to find a spot out front. Highly recommend. Will be back!

I've been to Gathers Tea Bar twice now. I live in LA but spend half my time in Chicago. I have to say, good matcha was missing in Chicago so I was so excited to hear everyone raving about Gathers on social media! The space is pretty small with some bench seating. The first time, I came I ordered a matcha latte (50% sweet), strawberry matcha latte (50% sweet), banana foster milk and a sesame hojicha latte (50% sweet). I thoroughly enjoyed everything and felt the sweetness level at 50% was good for me. I got the banana foster milk for my friend who loves banana milk and she said it was delicious! I believe they use a different matcha in the strawberry matcha vs the matcha latte. The quality is better for the matcha latte. It's grassier, slightly more bitter, just a stronger matcha flavor which I like. The 2nd time I came here, I got the matcha latte with an extra scoop of matcha (unsweetened) and a strawberry matcha latte (50% sweet) with an extra scoop of matcha. This is now my new favorite way to get the strawberry matcha latte! It was so delicious. Perfect sweetness and perfect balance of the matcha! The strawberry bits were heavenly. The strawberry matcha gave me good steady energy without the jitters or feeling anxious. I only had a sip of the matcha latte and let me tell you! It really slaps you in the face haha that extra scoop is no joke! It was delicious, but I think next time, I'll keep it at the reg amount of matcha. I do have one wish which is for Gathers to have more milk alternatives. Maybe just one more, either soy or almond would be appreciated! Right now they only have the option of whole milk or oat, which I don't really drink either. Other than that, I would highly recommend Gathers!

Gathers is perfection...far and away the best boba you can find in Chicago, and as far as I can tell the best you'll find in the Midwest. It's truly as good as bubble tea gets. The teas are flavorful and strong (in a good way), while the tapioca pearls are perfectly chewy and sweet. It's obvious how much time and effort they put into sourcing their tea leaves, tapioca, and all their ingredients. I've been to Gathers about a million times and everything on the menu is excellent. The fruit teas are great but I generally prefer milk teas so here are some of my personal favorites: - jasmine milk tea - earl grey milk tea - peach oolong milk tea - longan honey jasmine milk tea - roasted oolong milk tea - Hong Kong style milk tea - Thai milk tea You can adjust the sugar for most of the drinks but some of them have more limited adjustment options on account of the how the drinks are made (e.g., Thai and Hong Kong milk tea). You can also adjust the ice, though may need to order with a person instead of the kiosk to do so. Everyone who works there is super friendly and accommodating to make sure you leave happy. Given it's a popular destination, there may be a crowd depending on when you go but I promise it's worth the wait! Enjoy!

The hojicha with kinako cream was the perfect combination of roasty tea and creaminess, without being too sweet. Kinako, the roasted soybean flour, adds a nutty sweetness that blends beautifully with the tea. It's a winter time limited drink, so I definitely recommend trying if you're a hojicha fan and enjoy Japanese flavor. The shop's interior is cozy, providing a welcoming atmosphere. Service is quick and staff is friendly.

Very nice matcha drinks! We got the matcha mango lattes and sesame lattes, both were delicious- creamy and fruity on the bottom and refreshing matcha on top!

Gathers Tea Bar is all the hype right now so I was excited to give it a try! It was easy to find parking nearby. The storefront itself is small and there isn't much room to sit given the amount of people that were there ordering on a Sunday afternoon. The line moved quickly though and the service was fast! We orders the strawberry matcha and the brown sugar tea. The brown sugar tea was just okay, and the strawberry matcha was more strawberry tasting than matcha. The strawberries were fresh through which I appreciated! For the price and the quality, I wouldn't go back, only to try something else if I was in the area.

The inside was clean and very modern. I used the iPad to order my drink which was quick and very user friendly. My drink was ready in about 5mins total. I enjoyed the strawberry sauce at the bottom which had chunks of real and jellied strawberries. I did not enjoy this drink. I even swirled it around to mix it but it was too strong for me. Next time I'll ask for more milk or something because the Matcha was overpowering for me.

Best matcha I've had in Chicago BY FAR and I've had quite a few. My fav is the strawberry matcha, but what I really love about this place is no matter what flavor you get the matcha taste is still sooo pronounced and creamy. They sell individual tins as well which is super nice (but they've been sold out recently due to the hype)! Despite the crowds though service is usually very quick but seating is generally hard to find

A review update: I came back here twice for the hojicha - it's just incredible. The line can get really long but it's truly worth the wait - I have yet to find a better or even decent hojicha elsewhere.

I have been coming to Gathers since their old location. I'm finally writing my review. I came here a few days ago looking for a sweet pick me up! I brought my two friends with me so they can try it out. Interior: nice and bright. They have counter space with seats along the window and wall. There's also a bench on the side near the drink pick up. I would say that this boba place is more of a "to-go" and not a sit down and chat type of place. However, the design and space felt modern and clean. Service: This place would be perfect for introverts who don't want to interact with others. They have two screens for easy ordering. This made it quick and efficient for the customers. Drinks: I ordered the Ube Monster as I've been seeing it a lot on social media. My friends ordered the Assam Milk tea with boba and Jasmine Green Milk Tea with boba. For the ube monster, you truly need a sweet tooth to handle this drink. I was caught off guard but after drinking it some more... it grew on me. The boba texture was sweet and chewy according to my friend. My friends said they would come back and try another drink! This means that they enjoyed their drink.

the matcha flavor is really strong!! great bitterness that shines through the sweet mango syrup. they use real mango chunks and the syrup is great, a bit too sweet however

Top favorite place! I love the cream collection. The mango matcha cream and their matcha powder are my must-go-to! They tend to be pretty busy these days

This is the best boba spot in Chicago! Located in the Little Italy neighborhood. They offer a unique variety of teas and matcha drinks. I wish I had more time in Chicago so I could come back again. I had their jasmine milk tea and would say that it was a high quality drink! Boba is cooked and sweetened well too. Cute interior with some counter seating. Clean restroom too

Came to this place to try out their drinks. I got the seasonal mango matcha and sesame. The drink isn't bath would like it to offer other types of milk instead oat milk. Street parking. They accept credit card. The drink comes out pretty quick. The menu is big so I would come back to try other drinks.

Went on a Saturday afternoon with a couple friends and it was busy! The line never seemed to end, but we got to order and got our drinks pretty quickly for how many people were there. My friend and I couldn't decide on a fruit tea or milk tea so we ended up getting two. I got the mango matcha cream and it was absolutely delicious. The brown sugar milk tea was also very good. There's seating along the periphery of the store and many people were standing in the middle waiting for their drinks and heading out. Overall great atmosphere with good music playing and delicious drinks.

We came here after our walk and it was busy. It's close to UIC and has the best matcha! I came here years ago during undergrad when it was still inside kana and the strawberry matcha is still as good as it was. We also had the creamy ube taro monster and it was sweet and creamy. This is more of a pick up and go and not as many seats but there is seating if you would like to chat with friends or wait for your drinks. The decor and ambiance was amazing. They have three order kiosks which was fast and convenient. The drinks were amazing.

Was a great experience. We went Sunday during noon time and they were packed! The line was long but they moved as quickly as they could. The matcha was delicious. There is street parking but be careful since they are fixing up the road. Overall a very good spot for matcha latte!!

Gather Tea Bar has definitely become my go-to spot whenever I'm in Chicago! They use fresh tea leaves, and their commitment to quality really shows--every sip has a rich, strong flavor that's perfect for tea lovers. Plus, they offer plenty of milk options and let you customize the sweetness, which is a huge bonus for me. You can also ask the bobaristas for no ice and they will happily do it for you. I did this to drink the peach oolon later in the day. They also have a great variety of toppings, and the boba texture was spot-on: soft, chewy, and just the right consistency. The space itself is fantastic--spacious, with lots of comfortable seating, and a modern aesthetic that makes it great for hanging out or even getting some work done. They also carry some really cute merch. If you love tea or boba, Gather Tea Bar is a must-visit. This place will always be on my list when I'm in the city!

From ordering in person and online, the workers haven't let me down. The consistency of their drinks remains top tier in Chicago. I really like the strawberry matcha (not the latte form). If you order the mango matcha, I would say to not get boba with it because they skip out on the mango a bit. Doesn't fully give mango matcha taste.

I came here with my partner to check out the drinks and get her some ceremonial matcha they offer. its a cute shop with limited seating, more geared to takeout orders. They sell Japanese imported matcha but the demand is high, so they don't always have it. They have many matcha making accessories, including these gorgeous pottery matcha bowls. We ended up just getting some drinks since they were out of matcha. I got the banana milk tea with boba pearls. I am a huge banana milk fan but have only had it out of a bottle or can. The freshness of this drink was noticeable, and the banana flavor was vibrant. The boba was soft and tasted like it was just made. This would bring me back here alone. My partner got the matcha latte and she loved her drink too. The matcha was prepared just right. I would love to come back to try more beverages they offer.

Hands down the best boba spot in the city. I've been coming here since they were a counter in Hana sushi and they've kept the quality up ever since. The staff are always super welcoming and know their way through the menu offerings. They keep things fresh with seasonal menu offerings as well having a core menu. In my most recent trip I tried the Ube Monster boba (a new seasonal item). My main complaint with most Ube foods (and drinks) is that they lack enough Ube flavor, this drink does NOT have that problem. The Ube flavor is strong and complimented with come coconut as well. Very worth stopping by and trying this seasonal offering. And of course the core menu is always a hit. This place has a fun, light vibe that makes you want to try something new. I love the decor of their new location and I hope for many more great things for them to come!

While I have not tried many bubble tea places in the city, after I found gathers, I had no reason to because they make their milk tea to perfection. They have a variety of options and flavors of milk, tea, bubble, tea, and iced tea. My favorite milk tea is one that is difficult to find at many shops, but I would highly recommend trying Genmaicha which has a unique rice flavored profile. As usual, it was made to perfection. I sincerely appreciate that the drink sweetness level can be customized, and they are willing to accommodate for less ice. The café itself is a very soothing place to spend time in with simplistic decoration. There are no tables so would caution against anyone trying to get a full day of work done. The employees are always extremely kind and willing to answer any questions or make accommodation. Their drinks are ready pretty quickly, and such an enjoyable treat from the first sip! Now that I found my favorite tea place in the city, I don't feel any need to keep searching at for alternative options. I highly recommend this spot anyone looking for some delicious milk or bubble tea!

My boyfriend and I stopped by on a Saturday, early afternoon and this place was busy!! We decided on the brown sugar mat hand the strawberry matcha. They were both tasty! I wish they offered coffee but I'm okay without it. Next time I will lower the sweetness in the brown sugar matcha.

I went for the first time 4 days ago...I've come 4 days in a row now. I thought it might've been overhyped but NO. Believe the hype! I got the mango cream matcha and the strawberry cream matcha! Both are delicious and just depend on if you prefer mango or strawberry