Valley Brook Tea

Valley Brook Tea has an extensive selection of teas to choose from, whether you like floral, fruity or toasty teas. I had the Huang Guan Yin, which has a lovely fragrance and a flavor quite like roasted barley. The cafe itself is pretty, and a nice spot to sit for a couple of hours with a book or to enjoy the company of a friend. Minus one star because I found the price to be quite steep, at $6.99 for a cup. So, definitely not a daily cup of tea kind of place.

After watching the luner New Year event, we dropped by this tea shop, and we ordered the Lou Gui, the Dragon Beard and the pineapple cookie. Their tea smells very nice and fragrant and tastes really good. The cookie was good and had the right amount to pair well with the tea as we did not want a meal as with some shops. The staff was very friendly and explained about the type of teas they have well. So making a selection was much easier that way. We are curious about other pastries and teas so will comeback when in the area.

Good selection of classic Chinese teas, pleasant decor and very comfortable seating. The price is a bit high and the washroom tricky to find. Nice place to relax and polite staff.

Delicious tea and cookies. We tried white tea and chiled black tea. Also, the pineapple cookie was exceptional. Love it.

Good selection of teas, I had the white peony with honey and really loved it. Nice spot, too. I didn’t care for the red bean pastry. Would return for tea!

Chinese tea house located in a hotel. The owner staff are very welcoming and take the rime to explain the tea options and experience. We took a cup of oolong tea, which tasted good and relaxed us. We also took their pineapple cookies, which were original and reminded me of the good luck cookies in china. Nice place to drink a good chinese tea.

BEAUTIFUL! Valley brook tea has a gorgeous, relaxing environment, and kind staff. They charged my phone for me, and sanitized the table. They helped recommend a tea and treat to my taste! If you are looking for a GO-TO cafe, I would come here. Yes, it's a teensy bit pricey, but the tea & treats are authentic. I personally reccomend the pineapple pastry! Best smelling tea I have ever had.

Such a lovely tea house located in DuPont Circle! Friends and I were all impressed by the quality of the tea and tea wares. It was a memorable private tea party! The price is reasonable, the owner is nice and professional. Looking forward to go back for the tea class on Fridays. Strongly recommend👍

A tea place that appeared very Chinese. It is embedded under a hotel that has been there a while, but this cafe is new. A wide variety of tea options were available, but even ordering the most basic one yielded an impressive result. My iced tea constituted a full carafe of complex flavor to be poured over the accompanying ice. This was refreshing on a hot day. They had a set of pastry options, and I sampled a little taro-based one. It was the kind of delicate flavor that a kid who wants sugar wouldn't go for, but if you like taro you could appreciate. Tea and little pastries is pretty much what they offer, and the quality of what I got was high. I'm more of a white tea person, but really exploring the whole variety of teas available would be a worthwhile endeavor.

A small but cute cafe with a relaxing feel located inside a hotel. They have lots of tea bags and tea ware for purchase too! Dragon well - 3/5 not bitter and has a nice green tea flavor like when I went to other specialty tea shops. However, this one was a much hotter than most green teas I've had and felt watered down. Huang guan yin - 1/5 it said medium roasted but it was overwhelmingly roasted tasting to me. Scent of longan - 3/5 it does have a naturally lightly sweet after taste and was very smooth. Still felt a bit watered down Melon tea snack - 4/5 perfect with tea! The snack is very dry but pairs well. Very soft and crumbles as you bite, great melon taste and fragrance that's sweet but not too sweet!

This location was somewhat hard to find because it's hidden next to a hotel, however, I really liked how it looked inside! The tea I got was a white peony tea, super refreshing *ask for agave for extra sweetness*. Great place to study/read, but no outlets to plug in laptop! Will be coming back.

Random location for a delicious Chinese tea cafe. But you're blessed if you find it / come here! Teas are delicious and brewed to perfection. The pastries are excellent, in particular the pineapple cakes. Ambiance is informal / casual - not a spot for high tea. Man behind the counter was friendly and patiently explained what all was on the menu. We ordered to go so didn't stick around. But, I'd come back for the drink and food any day.

Super cute tea shop and a great way to spend a rainy, cold Saturday morning. They kindly helped me select a tea based on my flavor preference which made everything easier. I also ordered the taro pastry which was a bit dry for me but went well with the tea. Valley Brook Tea is a great place to get some warm tea and catch up with a friend. The decor was very inviting and the table we sat had a beautiful cover!

I've been a fan of Valley Brook Tea since they started their annual Lunar New Year gift bags! Valley Brook Tea is a Chinese tea store located inside of The Ven Hotel in Dupont Circle. I finally got to visit their new storefront. I enjoyed drinking the Scent of Longan Black Tea, Qi Lan Oolong Tea, Da Hong Pao Oolong Tea, and Lapsang Souchong (Smoky) Black Tea and snacking on tea pastry cookies included Egg Yolk Pastry, Red Bean Pastry, Mung Bean Pastry, Zao Pastry, Moon Cake with Pineapple Filling, Pineapple Cookie, and Taro Pastry. I can't wait to return to try their other White Teas, Green Teas, Oolong Teas, and Black Teas.

This is not your typical gongcha or taiwanese bubble tea place. This is for tea aficionados. Valley Brook Tea serves up both hot and cold teas. That's it though. There's no non dairy creamer or boba. It reminds me a little bit of coffee bean and tea leaf except that they don't have coffee either. What drew us in was the little seating area outside. It's nicely shaded and casual. We ordered some iced teas because it was a warm day and my dad picked out a little red bean pastry to snack on. The service was friendly and quick. There are also little things you can buy inside like tea pits and tea cups. They also have loose leaf tea for sale. This was a perfect stop for an afternoon snack on our way back to downtown from The Phillips collection.

Great tea, nice selection of cold and hot, friendly service, and relaxing atmosphere. It was also very clean, which I appreciate.

Such a wonderful place to sit and read, study, or work in dupont. Free wifi and clean bathrooms. They have a great authentic selection of hot and iced teas and some snacks/pastries as well, including Asian treats such as pineapple cookies and egg tarts but also muffins, bagels, croissants, etc. Lots of natural light and decent amount of seating upstairs!

Beautiful tea room with an excellent assortment of teas. Our host, Yu Han, crafted our hot White Peony tea and chilled Dragon Beard tea with perfect balance and care. We also treated ourselves to pineapple moon cake and a red bean pastry and bought some tea bags to take home. I have been following Valley Brook Tea on social media since an unfortunate incident went viral during the pandemic. They always have interesting and educational videos. The shop itself also carries a wonderful selection of tea service items. I'm very glad I finally had a chance to visit in person. Go if you have the chance.

Pleasant, low-key tea cafe. Great place to decompress just off the busier DuPont Circle blvds. They take their tea seriously while maintaining a welcoming ambiance.

I will certainly be back to Valley Brook Tea! Wonderful Chinese tea and pastries can be found here. I was running through the area last week and needed a quick snack to keep me going, and picked up a pineapple and taro pastry for myself, and a couple other pastries for a friend. I was so happy with the pastries-- they were truly delicious, and the ambiance and service that I received were top of the line as well. I highly recommend Valley Brook tea to anyone in the Dupont Circle area who is a tea or pastry lover, or who knows one!  Quality: The quality of the pastries was high here-- not overly sweet, but not sacrificing on flavor either! I believe that they use their own tea leaves for their drinks-- while I did not grab a drink myself, in ordering the pastries I overheard a few people raving about the drinks that they had purchased, and I am tempted to come back soon and try for myself!  Service: The folks behind the counter were smiley and kind- eager to help and quick in their transactions in a way that indicated efficiency and care. I got the sense that they would be happy to help me with any question, and immediately felt welcome and comfortable.  Seating: There is some outdoor patio seating, as well as room inside, making this a nice and relaxing place to stop and catch your breath as you enjoy some delicious tea.  Location: Located right in Dupont Circle, off of P Street, this is a very convenient location right in the thick of things. Probably easiest to access on foot-- also within walking distance of Georgetown's east village, and the west end. A great and walkable spot if you are in the area and mood for some delicious tea and pastries.  No cons to speak of here-- reasonable prices, friendly service, and great treats-- I highly recommend and will be back myself.

Drove by this super cute Asian tea house. It has delicious pastries and a huge selection of teas. It is attached to a hotel and there are plenty of seating. Must come by and check it out!!

Unique, high quality tea house. I love black teas and usually get them flavored. Not necessary here. Didn't even need sweetener. Owner is knowledgeable on teas. Upstairs seating. Downstairs and outdoor also with a few chair/tables to enjoy. They make their own tea and have tasting packs. Local gem.

One of those rare instances where 5 stars seems woefully insufficient. This place is outstanding, featuring a wonderful selection of teas, an extremely friendly and knowledgeable owner, and a relaxing environment. You can drink your tea using a beautiful tea set, and on Sundays the owner hosts a tea tasting where he shares teas and stories with customers. There are also an array of snacks - I enjoyed the pineapple cakes. Tea and tea-related products are for sale. If you love tea and want to learn more about it, this is the place for you.

Great place not just to pick up tea but also to get educated on tea. The first time I visited I was able to speak to the manager and he provided me with lots of information about the different types of Tuesday carry and information about tea in general. I actually ordered several bags of tea here for for Christmas gifts. This place is definitely worth a try for avid tea drinkers.

Amazing amazing amazing! Our host was knowledgeable and amazing. He took us through the history of the teas it made me think about my wine tastings but even BETTER! I'm walking away learning so much about tea and culture. Visit visit visit! The environment is beautiful and the service is phenomenal. I coming back again!

A perfect place to study! This cute tea shop is moderately quiet with plenty of study space upstairs and outside, with plenty of outlets available. They have pastries (like the chocolate chip loaf cake) as well as a variety of hot and chilled teas. The c5 white peony chilled tea was light and refreshing and perfect for summer. Location wise, it's super close to the DuPont metro station and close to other shops. I'd definitely come back again!

I won't say I'm a tea aficionado or anything, but I can tell when I'm drinking some good quality tea. This place has good quality tea. I had the Jasmine green tea (iced), and I enjoyed it completely. It wasn't bitter or anything, so I felt zero need to add any kind of sweetener. The taste was smooth and light. I also had one of their small pastries, the red bean one, and it was good too, a nice accompaniment to the tea. It was also very quiet in the shop, so it was perfect for me since I wanted to do work. The current location is a small area apart from the hotel, but it's temporary since they're renovating. I wish them the best and hope they continue to have this great quality for the same good price! I'll be back to try the herbal teas soon.

Cute little place with ample seating upstairs. Also it's of authentic tea ware. Great for hanging out with friends

Delicious tea in a nice shop. The tea tasting was educational and fun! I plan to come back and work from home one of these days.

Was recommended by a friend to check this tea shop out in DC. The store owners are so kind and helpful whether it was picking out the teas or looking at all the different tea sets and items they had to sell. We tried some of the chilled teas and it is so fragrant and refreshing, highly recommend. I had one of the oolong flavors. They have some outdoor tables as well as a nice upstairs area where a good amount of people were peacefully doing work as they sipped some tea. A great study or working spot to also grab some tea. I'm happy to have visited and am excited to continue supporting nice local businesses such as this one!

First things first, my wife and I walked by this place while trying to waste time waiting on brunch with a friend. When I walked it, the first thing I said was "this place looks awfully familiar." Well yeah it did; it was on the news because a staff member was being harassed by a guy with severe mental health. Now that we got that out of the way...I'm so upset I never visited this place before! It touched my heart to see little tea pots that were made by the owner's family. I loved the fun facts about tea regions, etc. I honestly forgot what tea I ordered but it was good nevertheless. We also ordered the lemon loaf (cake) and it was really good. We noticed they had a second level and decided to stay and enjoy the view by the window. (It's very rare you get to people watch now in a pandemic but this was very rewarding!) The owner told us that his landlord was requiring back taxes now and they may be facing the possibility of closing. If you've made it this far in my review please go support them! Overall, this place has reasonably priced organic tea, family handcrafted gifts, and an owner that really cares about the history of tea and reclaiming it's heritage.

The only thing that has held me together during this pandemic is the promise of a hot beverage every morning, afternoon and night. Most recently I've been a coffee gal but after working with owner Yunhan Zhang at a recent Yelp event and literally being BLOWN*AWAY by his deep passion, and knowledge of traditional Chinese teas I knew that I had to try it for myself. Due to COVID, I was unable to go to the shop but after placing an order of their tea selection sampler online (and a beautiful Bodhi leaf to help strain!), I immediately received confirmation from the owner that it was being shipped out for delivery! Trying out the different teas every night have given my husband and I so much joy. We take notes on our favorites and I meticulously write down what I want to order again. It's amazing how pleasurable sipping tea can be and tasting all the different types of flavors is a true experience. In a busy world where I have a hard time even remembering my own name, a sip of oolong tea is pure relaxation. Valley Brook Tea is Chinese-owned, family-owned and not only do they own the shop but they are the producer and manufacturer as well. Their connection with the growers right down to the point-of-sale is impressive. I highly recommend taking one of their free online tea classes or even reading the blog, getting to know the background information on tea makes the whole sipping experience more enjoyable. I'm also finished with my box so I can't wait to order again soon!

Found a gem today! I got the pistachio rose croissant and Da Hong Pao tea. (Note: teas here are unsweetened for those who may be expecting something like boba tea). Pistachio Rose Croissant: Not too sweet and can taste and smell the pistachio and rose -- the flavors complimented each other well and did not overpower each other. The custard inside was a nice surprise; not overly sweet and definitely refreshing! Da Hong Pao: I am so happy I found an authentic tea shop in DC!! Each cup is made to order and with loose-leaf tea. You can definitely taste the roasted earthiness of the Da Hong Pao. The ambiance within the shop is also great -- nice and relaxing. A great place to do some work.

Amazing tea shop passionately serving authentic Chinese tea in DC. Valley Brook Tea does something most tea shops/cafe in the District fail to do--focus on the leaves and brewing process to create the most perfect tea experience. You won't find any floral or fruit blends or lattes. Instead, each tea on the menu is sourced from their family farms in China and are specially curated, unique, and flavorful. The owner Yunhan is very passionate about tea and very informative if you need any help or are interested in any part of the tea process. Besides made to order tea, there is a variety of teaware and loose leaf for sale. There is also plenty of seating available on their second floor.

My brother was visiting from out of town and wanted to stop into Valley Brook because he wanted a very specific smoky tea that he was "sure they probably wouldn't have." We walked into the shop, chatted with the owner, and within SECONDS, that very-hard-to-find-tea was in my brother's hands, both the smoky and non-smoky versions (the Lapsang Souchong, for those who might be curious). We had some brewed to enjoy in-house, and I am so glad we did since we got to see their process (filtered through a leaf that they sell there too). The upstairs space is beautiful, airy and full of light - I can totally see myself spending hours here getting some work done. The transformation of the space is pretty remarkable with attention to the small details, like the imported tables. I was particularly impressed with the customer service. The owner Han took his time to explain the shop's concept to us (they have their own tea farms) and even checked in on us once we were seated upstairs. For my tea lovers, I highly recommend stopping by for some authentic tea!

A delightful mid day respite spot. We enjoyed the feel of the shop and the Convenience as it was right down the block from our hotel. My in laws, who are tea lovers, gave it high marks. My palate for tea isn't quite as refined but I still enjoyed the experience. Watching the tea being brewed in the pour over style was very cool!

I am so thrilled about a new tea place in dc. I'm a big tea enthusiast and I love trying different tea houses in the area. Due to covid, I didn't get to visit until recently. I had a really positive experience overall! The owners are from China and are really knowledgeable about tea. The ambiance inside is beautiful - bright and airy. And they have a collection of dainty tea wares on display/for sale. I tried one of their iced teas and I will say I was impressed. The flavor was light and refreshing - perfect for a summer day. I also had some of their tea desserts and those were delicious as well. Specifically had the pineapple cake, which is a traditional Chinese dessert. I can't wait to come back and try a few more teas. The only restraint is that I am quite sensitive to caffeine and it seems like all of their blends are caffeinated.

Nice addition to the local tea scene. Location is great. Inside, it's calm and quiet, with tasteful decor. There is also a selection of imported teaware and decorative accessories that is an attractive mix of traditional and modern design. The tea was quite good, and the owners were happy to talk about it at length. They have talked about having tea classes in the future too, so check out their site/blog for more info, and stay tuned!

Update: Employees wear masks and gloves ________ What a great new tea experience in DuPont Circle. Valley Brook Tea is family owned and operated. They serve black tea, white tea, oolong, and green tea. The interior is quiet and cozy. The tea itself is tasty. I love that they use bodhi leaves as the filter(you can buy your own). Tips: go upstairs to read the board and try the sweet potato cheesecake.

Whenever I can support a small business over Starbucks, I always will! This place definitely earned my business too. The owner, Yunhan, was so welcoming and patient as we scanned their many tea options. They have a bunch of hot tea options, as well as a chilled tea menu. It was a hot day, so we went with chilled. Both ordered the white peony with honey. Delicious. Perfectly floral with a hint of sweetness. I also saw they sell some small bites and handcrafted tea cups and pots. Definitely stop by if you're in the area and try some of their delicious and refreshing tea.

Cafe style tea house, tea tastes great cold and hot, yummy pastries and Chinese tea snacks, and simple and wide seatings on the second floor. My favorite is the Cold White Peony (comes with honey). Great for the summer heat.

Valley Brook Tea takes its tea very seriously. Tea: they are so careful with the tea, and you can tell! Nothing is oversteeped or understeeped. The few teas I've had have all been very precise and delicious, complex. Pastries: I was able to get a taro pastry here! I was shocked that they had them available. I haven't seen them outside of Los Angeles! Pastries: they have some unique pastries here, including taro Space: it's airy but warm and inviting! Lots of seating -- outside, downstairs, and very ample seating upstairs.

Stopped into this lovely little place this morning! The owners have done such a nice job with the space- it felt more dark and cramped as a Starbucks, but feels light, bright, and airy inside. The owner was very knowledgeable and friendly, and gave great tea recommendations. I had initially wanted an herbal blend, and it didn't look like they had any on the menu, but there was still a wide variety to choose from. I followed his recommendation and tried the chilled Dragon Blend, which was a lightly sweet black tea that I really enjoyed. You can tell that the tea is high-quality. There are also lots of tea accoutrements for sale in the shop, including some beautiful cups, saucers, and teapots, and other items like jewelry and cute figurines of the Chinese zodiac animals. The owner told us that all of the items were curated by his family, and you can tell that a lot of care went into selecting the right items. Unfortunately I couldn't stay for long, but there was also a really nice sitting area upstairs. This is a great addition to the neighborhood and I'm looking forward to going back and trying more teas!

A little dose of happiness. I am slowly exploring different tea on the menu. So far, one of the black tea, B1 turns out to be my favorite. It has weights and volumes. Beautiful aroma. It lingers a long-lasting aftertaste. Their Oolong wasn't my liking but my friend loved it. After all, it's all subjective.

Cool new addition to the neighborhood! This is a family run business with a great story and good selection of teas and pastries (cheesecake was delicious). The owners are super knowledgeable in their teas and are excited to share their knowledge. We very much enjoyed our conversation with them! To be frank - At first, I was disappointed that there weren't any herbal teas, however the owner explained caffeine in teas to me and found me a perfect option for the evening. Delicious! In terms of the ambiance, the decor is super cute and there are plenty of seats upstairs and downstairs (WiFi is available). They also have a few cute tea sets and loose teas that they sell downstairs. Hate to do this - but if you are comparing to teaism - the service and seating area/options are much better

This place has a really good vibe for when you need to get work done/study. I've come here a few times and always get an iced tea and bring it upstairs. The tables mostly have plugs which is great! It can get a bit busy at certain times but overall a good place to work and relax

We've been waiting for Valley Brook Tea to open since they first installed their "coming soon" sign. They did a great job transforming the space from coffee shop to tea shop. It's a great place to linger w friends or read a book! And after my first cup of their tea, I know I'll be back. I didn't know black tea could be so smooth! Welcome to the neighborhood!!

Super friendly service. Clean shop and a relaxing environment. I was walking looking for a shady spot to take a call and got really excited to find a tea shop. The selection is great and really authentic -just focused on the simplicity of a really great cup of tea without added flavors or fillers. I got the golden peony iced tea - it has a nice smooth oolong flavor. Perfectly brewed to accommodate the melting ice as the flavor remains strong through the whole drink. This place is a treasure and I'm already making plans to come back.

This place is super pretty and well decorated. There are many different options for tea and they all come in nice blue and white mugs. Perfect place to go to get some work done and the tea comes out pretty quick.

I moved out of Dupont Circle right when this shop opened, but recently had the opportunity to return and try some teas. I've heard great things and wanted to support a small Chinese-owned business. If you are a tea lover I highly recommend! Right when walking in, you can tell that everything is authentic and prepared with care. The owner and staff are knowledgeable and happy to recommend or help you select a tea based on your preferences. They're also knowledgeable about the history and background of the tea - take some time to chat if you like knowing where your food and drink comes from! The decor hasn't changed much from the old Starbucks space, but that just means that big round table is still there and there's nice outdoor seating. I definitely recommend you stop by for a hot cup of tea and to browse and learn about the leaves.

Very authentic Chinese tea house, the tea they have was so good and refreshing, and the location was also perfect

Amazing tea, yummy pastries, and a great vibe for reading, writing, or just chatting with friends. My boyfriend and I come to Valley Brook Tea early on Saturdays to get in our weekly reading (so we can pretend we're smart) and there is no place we would rather do it. The owner and staff are kind, and incredibly knowledgable about tea. If you want tea and you want to know about tea, this is the best place in the city to go to.

Nice covid friendly social distancing environment. The staff is very nice and they explain the Tea when you walk in and they do have outdoor seating as well. It was very relaxing to go here and have some really good tea. They also have an upstairs where you can read and work on your laptop.

Please check this place out, they just opened three days ago! Extremely friendly and helpful staff, all family owned business. The tea is good with solid classics if you enjoy oolong, black, green, or white, as well as a few things you might not have tried. Be sure to ask for "for here" teaware if you are planning on staying, as it's a lovely experience over the to go cups. Beautiful upstairs space to read or get some work done. I overheard several people saying "Oh, this tea is delicious!" And "This is the best tea I've ever had!", so hopefully those are glowing enough reviews to give this place a try.

Fantastic tea, very relaxing place. The quality of their selections are phenomenal - my favorites are the different varieties of oolong. I've never had such fragrant tea.

My friend introduced me to Valley Brook Tea, and it's such a cozy and soothing tea shop with a lovely selection of quality teas from Fujian, China. The owner is great as well, and we had a nice conversation with him. It's a great place to hang out and chat, or grab a seat and work.

Came in here today for a yummy Golden Peony tea. Again, the service was excellent and the cafe was as clean as they come. I chatted with the staff who shared that they have faced a fair amount of discrimination in recent weeks-- mostly from the coronavirus-- where customers will open the door, see Chinese faces greeting them, and then close the door. Please stop assuming all Asian people have the virus! Just drink your delicious tea and relax!