West China Tea House

West China Tea House is a true gem in Austin's bustling food and beverage scene, offering a unique and deeply intentional experience that stands in stark contrast to the city's many coffee shops and bars. This isn't just a place to grab a quick drink; it's a destination for slowing down, connecting with others, and exploring the rich, complex world of Chinese tea. The ambiance is a major part of the appeal. Stepping inside feels like entering a different world—a tranquil, cozy space designed for communal gatherings. The setting encourages conversation and shared experience, whether you're with friends or sitting at one of the tables with strangers.

This place is very special, a gem amongst gems in Austin. An authentic Chinese tea house here in Texas, wonderful people with great service. Definitely would recommend for meeting friends casually over a cup of tea. Unique, alcohol free drinking culture; what more could you want

Absolutely love the tea house! So-Han the owner and his team are so knowledgeable on all things tea, and everyone is very welcoming. The tea itself is incredible, directly sourced from tea farms in China, and every tea has a story. Love love love the new location and the community built around this beautiful tea house! There is truly nothing like this place in the country. Definitely a must see if you’re in Austin!

They mentioned they're moving locations when we stopped in for the first time the other day. The vibe was great and will be sad to see them have to leave the current spot, but I'm looking forward to seeing the new place. Teas were amazing, the service was friendly and welcoming, and I think it makes a great date place if you both are into teas! Picked up a jasmine tea that was recommended to me by one of the staff as a personal favorite, and it made for a really good cold brew. It's nice knowing that all of the tea is imported from local places in China, and I learned a lot just in the first visit. Definitely going back to try out some other teas!

What an interesting tea house! I'm an avid tea drinker, and I've never really found a viable option to try new teas since most places focus on the typical kind. This is beyond a tea house, it's a community. The setting is very relaxing and social for those looking to have more mellow interactions. Besides them having the best selection of tea I've seen in Austin, they were able to provide knowledgeable suggestions based on our preferred flavor profiles. We were also able to ask questions about the histories of the different types we tried. Highly recommend the group tasting so you can meet others with the shared interests :)

Nut allergies beware!...just kidding, tea has no nuts. Stellar service and experience with Nick today with our party of six. We did the private tea tasting and were able to select four teas to have a Gongfu Cha experience over 2 hours and 15 minutes. The experience means that the tea is steeped quickly around 10 times, and you sample the tea at different levels of steeping to identify how the flavors mature. So we got around 30-40 small cups of tea over that course of time. ($20/hr/person = $270 for our group) Nick was great conversation during our time, along with sharing his wealth of tea knowledge. I'm not sure if it's something I would do often due to the cost, but the offering is fantastic and they do other styles like self service and a "brewer's choice" tea bar that are more affordable.

My wife and I came by after enjoying a Japanese tea tasting just over a month ago elsewhere and constantly driving by this place. Happy we did. We sat at the bar and enjoyed around 4-5 pots of different teas served to everyone sitting around. Our server educated us on all the things happening while taking questions and obviously enjoying his parr in it all. We left with some tea coin samples and another tea set to supplement our own stock. My wife is a Sommelier, so her pleasure speaks volume for the tasting experience. Great service, beautiful atmosphere, nice vibe with the music, great tea. 5 stars.

It’s an experience! Wow! If you want to just relax with a friend and do something new, this is the place. It’s great little tea house that keeps close to tradition. The staff was very friendly to new coming and had patience with my annoying kids ❤️. The staff was very knowledgeable about teas and were able to walk me through what I was drinking and it’s make up! It’s hard to find things to do as adults at night that aren’t too fixated on drinking. This is a great place for those who don’t want to drink or want to do something on their lunch break. Sit at a table with strangers and share a cup of tea. 我爱喝茶

I made a request to have little bags made up that would contain 3-4 tea coins to give as gifts at my son and daughter -in-law's wedding tea ceremony. The #25 bags arrived to my expectations. They were so pretty and will be perfect to thank our guests with. I hope everyone who receives them feels respected, appreciated and loved for coming. Thank you to all who were involved in this order. I am very appreciative. Many thanks! Omaha, Nebraska

Nut allergies beware!...just kidding, tea has no nuts. Stellar service and experience with Nick today with our party of six. We did the private tea tasting and were able to select four teas to have a Gongfu Cha experience over 2 hours and 15 minutes. The experience means that the tea is steeped quickly around 10 times, and you sample the tea at different levels of steeping to identify how the flavors mature. So we got around 30-40 small cups of tea over that course of time. ($20/hr/person = $270 for our group) Nick was great conversation during our time, along with sharing his wealth of tea knowledge. I'm not sure if it's something I would do often due to the cost, but the offering is fantastic and they do other styles like self service and a "brewer's choice" tea bar that are more affordable. Parking can get a bit difficult as their lot is pretty small off the feeder road. Look for the "Tea here" sign!

This is a nice place to learn about tea in a casual and inviting place. The staff are always friendly and chill, and I always have a good interaction with other customers. There's an option for communal seating or private seating at your own table. I've sat at the communal bar/counter both times I've been. You share a few pots of tea and can sometimes request certain types of tea to be served. I recommend this place to anyone looking to try something new! Pro tip: slow down well before you think you need to turn b/c the driveway blends in. The parking lot is on the smaller side, but I've never had issues finding a spot.

A very interesting experience. My friends and I went to the tea bar which was really fun to learn about different teas and try them in a traditional method. Our "bartender" was very knowledgeable and very chill, it was really fun overall.

My wife and I came by after enjoying a Japanese tea tasting just over a month ago elsewhere and constantly driving by this place. Happy we did. We sat at the bar and enjoyed around 4-5 pots of different teas served to everyone sitting around. Our server educated us on all the things happening while taking questions and obviously enjoying his parr in it all. We left with some tea coin samples and another tea set to supplement our own stock. My wife is a Sommelier, so her pleasure speaks volume for the tasting experience. Great service, beautiful atmosphere, nice vibe with the music, great tea. 5 stars.

This is a very cute place! I came in around 2 PM on a random Tuesday afternoon by myself when I was in the area, and I dropped in on a tea session going on for a small group of UT students. Even though it was just me, the tea master who was pouring (Leland) had me pull up a chair and join. It's $5 per person per pot of tea, and each time a pot is brewed, they give you a little bit at a time in your cup and go around the table, then brew more from that batch until the teapot is empty. I didn't stay long since it was my first time but I had a lovely Pu-er tea, and got to sample a long steep plum white tea that was my favorite of the two. The place doesn't look big from outside but it's the size of a small house inside so it's a good space! There's a small area out back with a bench too where you can have tea if you'd like. They have lots of traditional Chinese tea options on the menu, so there's something for everyone. All the staff were very friendly, and the vibe was chill, and the company was good. I had a lovely time, Im sure I'll go back with some friends at some point

A whole new experience for me! Wow!!! I had no clue about the tea house culture and rituals! It was an experience, fun and gratifying! The best with no doubt about was our tea master! Super charming, animated, friendly, happy, funny and knowledgeable! This super upbeat guy will make you smile and lift your spirit no matter what. In the tea house you sit around a table drinking tea and chatting, meeting new people or just sharing with your group in a magical, spiritual ambiance! No matter what happens there you feel renovated and want to be back! Just try it!

i love THIS TEA house. I came to this tea house. Struggling to find a similar tea house in Houston made me realize what a true gem this place is. The teas, the education, the atmosphere i just love. This is a true gonfu tea place.

Nice unique place to hang out. It's a shared and private table concept. We went there as party of 4 and opted for shared table. The setup of table was traditional Chinese and very interesting. Bummer they kept us moving here and there which was pretty unprofessional. They did have good knowledge about teas and how it works. Liked the experience and recommend for the people who like teas.

This was a really nice place to unwind and forget about the time. We were able to try a variety or tea, from pu'er to oolong. With the right tea server you can get many different conversations. Philosophical, linguistic, history, and geography. You can go as a party or by yourself. I had fun sitting at the bar and you end up meeting new people as they sit down and get up between steeps. The more the merrier as you can try more of an assortment of tea. I really learned a lot of how to enjoy and drink tea, but am by no means an expert. I really want to get my own tea set and learn how to serve a nice brew with friends. The sticky rice tea was my favorite.

First time here! Came with a friend and we got to enjoy a variety of tea. You can choose to have your own table ($20) or sit at the tea bar with strangers ($5 per pot), which is what we did. We spent about 1.5 hours there enjoying good conversations and tea . My favorite type of tea is usually Pu'er/bolay, which was the first tea they served You can buy teas, teacups there too! The herbs smell very good and I love the vibes.

If you haven't been here, GO!! This was one of the most interesting and memorable places I've been in Austin! The staff was amazing! The vibe and decor is beautiful! The tea is out of this world. Every one is so welcome. I don't live here and I thought I knew tea until this experience and there were others who had been members. Everyone just enjoyed each others company! To get the full experience I recommend the community pour I believe it is called and to get to know different people and teas! Also block 2-3 hours because it is easy to spend all day here! Would absolutely come back!!!1000/10

Okay, why have I never heard of this gem?!? We LOVE this place and will definitely go again. It is so quintessential austin. They have a community tea table where you basically get to have tea with random people. It's such a great way to meet people in the community and other tea lovers. You also have the option of doing tea with just yourself and a guest, but I highly recommend going for the community table because it is so much fun. They have really cute tea cups and all of the decor is very much Asian inspired. We will definitely come here again and bring our friends as well!

Was in the mood to experience something new and different in Austin, in search for some Zen and landed at this place which met my expectation. Chose the tea bar tasting, sat next to random Austinites that I had wonderful conversations with, learned about tea and tea etiquette. Great experience! Will try private tasting for the next go around.

It was my first time at West China Tea House today, and it did not disappoint! I am a huge tea lover, and being able to hear all the details about the history of each tea, their caffeine content, flavor profiles and preparation techniques was incredible. I signed up for their 'Babies and Tea' offering and it was such a lovely and hard to find program. Having the chance to bring my little one while also having some informative and fun conversation about teas with the owners was the best way to spend a chilly and rainy morning. Even my one year old loved the tea she had in her own personal silicone cup! I cannot wait to return (with or without my toddler) to sample and purchase some more of their wonderful teas.

Full disclosure - I'm not really into tea. My mom was visiting and she is - so we went and I have to say it was a very interesting experience! Even if you're not a tea enthusiast, this is such a unique experience, it is worthwhile!

Great service! Came here with my family to try it out and it was amazing! The host was great and explained everything. He also explained the purpose of everything that is used. Will come back!

We tried an oolong tea and big black Buddha. Both were great with specific aromas that were appeasing to the palate. I always enjoy the authentic nature of tea shops like this. It's not Chinatown, but you'll sure to be pleased with an afternoon tea.

Amazing service and great tea. Very interesting place and a fun way to try new tea and meet new people!

Took my gf on a date here! The vibe was awesome and the staff were super nice! We learned a lot about Tea and its brewing methods. For sure coming back!

Was in search of tea on a late Saturday afternoon.. went to a couple &called a couple more... no one open or I had to order it. Sohan took pity on us & was VERY gracious & opened for us even though he's remodeling. He's VERY knowledgeable about the tea we were interested in (pu-ehr) This will be a GREAT place to meet friends & enjoy/ learn about tea. He has a tea tasting that I'll be back to try.... he is very conscientious about covid so he'll take good care! Will DEFINITELY be back! Thank you, Sohan!

We had such a great experience there! They have a huge selection of teas and are knowledgeable about the history and culture behind all of them. We received instruction on how to brew the different teas we had chosen in our own private tea room. It was relaxing and joyful and delicious. What a great activity to do with friends who love tea! I'll definitely be checking out their communiTEA nights where they brew free teas for you to try what they offer!

Became aware of the establishment by way of multiple educational/entertaining YOUTUBE videos by the proprietor. I haven't done much travel outside California during the pandemic, but I have been able to learn how to prepare oolong with the Gong Fu Cha method. As a show of thanks, I ordered several teas from the shop. I was able to read about the tea varietals from both the tea house web site as well as other sources. The tea arrived by mail in well-sealed packets. Everything was fresh and a small surprise sample was added to the order. The tea master is very knowledgeable of the teas and has a formidable understanding of the science behind tea making. He also seems to have a first hand working knowledge of the country and estates in which the products are grown. If you are in the market for some high-end oolong tea I would strongly recommend this shop!

We are very lucky to have this place in the heart of Austin. West China Tea are importers of farm-direct Chinese tea and artisan tea. The owner So Han is an extremely knowledgeable and friendly guide. I have loved all the teas he and Yao Yao have suggested. Yao Yao leads the tea specialist programs they offer. I highly recommend this place to anyone wanting some top-shelf tea, or wants to book to have an authentic in-house tea ceremony. ~Shad Chancey at JustAnotherTeaBlog.com

Phenominal service. The owner totally hooked it up, taught us about tea, and my partner even bought a tea set. Totally epic date night idea!

This was our first tea house experience so we didn't know what to expect. It was very awkward when we walked in- we told the hostess that it was our first time and all she said was "follow me".... And took us down a small dark hallway (that kind of looked like we were in someone's house) and opened a door to a group of about 10 people who were drinking tea and talking. She said loudly "we have more friends!". And then sat us. We were very confused. But after all of that- it turned out to be a wonderful experience and we will definitely be back. The tea was amazing. The owner and the staff were super nice. And we loved learning from other people and being immersed in a different culture. The place could definitely use some upgrade- the chairs weren't matching and the folding chairs were extremely uncomfortable. The back bathroom was used for storage and was not a nice experience to be in. But if you can get past all of that and truly just be immersed in the experience, it is wonderful.

Hidden gem beside the I35. You might just miss it if you drive fast. Yes it is a small parking lot, but the treasure of tea is worth it. The tea are mainly from China. They sell wide varieties of it. You can different tea at the counter for $5.00 dollars a pot. Or ten dollars a pot when you sot at your own table.l They are very knowledgeable with their tea. The selection is wide. They have accessories for tea and much more. I recommened this place for anyone that want to try some quality Chinese tea.

Not exactly what I was expecting at all. Definitely where the earthy and very very chill people go and they were extremely nice. Pros: Good tea and they know what they're talking about. So if you're going solely for the tea, by all means, come back. The service was also pretty great - they're very attentive to you. Cons: Do not go during a time when they host their yoga classes - so check their schedule ahead of time...you won't find parking. It's smaller than you think and pretty quiet so if you're planing to study there, it's welcomed, but it just feels weird and empty. There's no food there. I think I expected pastries or something of the like. Overall, it's just a bad location. It's on the pricier side for a pot and so even with a friend, you'll probably only end up getting one pot...sad.

Super cute spot if you're interested in checking out Gong Fu style tea! My husband and I had never participated before and it was so fun to ask questions and chat with the other people who came to sit at the tea bar. It's $5 per person per tea leaf. Each gets steeped multiple times so you can taste how the tea changes over each steeping. We tried 4 types of tea over 2 hours: green, white, red, and oolong ($20 per person). Definitely will be back to try some other teas in the future!

The thing that stood out to me the most was the absolutely terrible parking. The area is so narrow that Guan Yin resorted to attaching a mirror on a tree near the entrance so that you won't bump into something while trying to back out and leave. The parking spaces are narrow, and I had to back out several times and re-park so that I didn't scrape the cars next to the parking space I wanted. If you want to save yourself a headache, then park at the nearby in-and-out burger and walk to Guan Yin. Guan Yin Teahouse is literally a house. The interior is cozy, and they have Chinese decorations, and tea on sale. The people inside are friendly, and it's fairly quiet. I attended one of their tea tasting events, and I was met with unexpectedness. I didn't realize one of their yoga events was taking place the night I went, so the serenity that supposedly comes with tea tasting was shattered as I listened to obnoxious music and watched people are me stretching. The tea sure was hyped up. The workers were really trying to push to exotify the purple tea they had available, and claimed that purple tea was better for you than the more common green, white, and black tea. I smelled bs as they made those claims. Purple tea is just a genetic mutation of black tea, and there's no conclusive studies proving that purple tea is necessarily better. Just that purple tea contains an antioxidant that changes its color to purple. I would not pay a premium for some tea that's marketed as exotic.

Very interesting and educational space! It's a little awkward if you've never been before, but they walk you through everything. The tea was amazing!

What a disappointment! We had a gift card for a 'free' pot of tea. So we thought we would go and ck this place out; hoping to find a special tea house we could continue to visit. When we got there, the guy kinda panikced that we had a 'free' card, and then sat us a table with a bunch of strangers and said they were about to make a new pot. Felt like we were being put at the 'heres the spot for the cheap deal' table. We then sat and were eventually served a few sips of tasteless tea from a person who did not share ANY knowledge about the tea.. Nothing. There was no real spirit of sharing or engagement at all. We sat with strangers, drank a few sips of tasteless tea; served by a girl who didnt seem to care much about anything- certainly wasnt trying to inform us about the Tea. Its was really a very heartless experience. And when we went to leave we found out that our "free pot of tea card" was good for only one person, and we had to pay $5 for the 2nd person. OK!? thats just slimy business. All total the both of us might have had 8 tablespoons of tasteless cheap tea - combined.... but they counted that as 2 pots of Tea? Really!? What a disappointment. Felt like a cheap tourist trap trick - not any kind of cool heart-full Austin Vibe you would expect. It wasnt friendly or even respectful. We will never go back.

chrysanthemum tea time it was so comfortable here you get a private tea room . me and a friend talked for an hiur to some tea and it definitely a great time. thank you (:

I remember I came here a few years ago and it was so odd! If you are "alternative," and like to drink tea, you may enjoy the vibe here.

Attended a Miyazaki showing of Princess Mononoke as my first time visiting this tea house. For $10, you are able to come and watch the movie and drink as much tea as you would like. From what I gathered, not only is this a regular and recurring event, but they have events this awesome all the time! This was an incredibly relaxed event, with provided cushions for floor seating and the tea was served in the back of the room and on both sides of the room as well, so no matter where you were seated the tea was rather accessible. I will say that the cushions are a bit thin, so you either need several of them or you should bring your own if you'd like a bit more padding. Basically, this was just a super chill opportunity to watch a great film and drink tea, so if that's something you enjoy, I highly recommend checking this place and it's events out! I do wish there had been more of a variety in teas being served, but for the cost, I'm not complaining! Cool place, great vibes, neat events, and delicious tea! Definitely sounds like my kind of place!! The only complaint I really have on this place is the limited parking, so if you're planning to come to an event, plan ahead and arrive early! Oh, and if you're looking to come to an event, check out their FB Page to find info on timing, cost, etc.

There is nothing about the well designed website, logo, or sign that fits the entrance of this place. It's a squat apartment-complex-office equipped with that insane asylum feel I get from a lot of late 70's early 80's era buildings. But its been my experience in life: when the wrapper sucks what's inside had damn well better be amazing or its not going to survive. I sat with Chris and the tea was wonderful as much as the learning experience was exciting, but that's not the point. It was nice to sit and talk with someone who is deeply kind. It made me wish the best for him and the business so much so that when faced with writing a review I wanted to do what I know works in getting attention to a business: say the place is overrated. But I can't lie. Except in the star-rating that is. 4/5 stars because 4/5 stars catches peoples attention. (In my heart its 5/5).

What a fun experience! You can do tea tasting communally or do your own. I recommend communally as you'll learn a lot and get the best taste out of your tea. The tea we had was amazing, excited to go back and try some more. Was super fun to geek out about tea as well as just enjoy the tea, conversation, and overall experience. Hidden gem in Austin.

Awesome spot. Visited here with my girlfriend and old high school wrestling buddy and the gentleman that owned the place was the most knowledgeable person I've ever talked to about tea. He explained the teas in detail and after an hour it felt like everyone in the room was the warmest of friends. We left with some excellent tea we have been enjoying pretty much every day. I'm in mexico as I write this sipping on some pu-er! Will definitely be going back here again.

Everything was gr8. My friend and I got the best service. Definitely would recommend.

Stopped by on a friend's recommendation. I know very little about tea, but So Han is a wealth of knowledge and is very easy to talk to. The space is cozy and inviting with an impressive variety of teas. I had a wonderful, memorable experience and will be sure to stop by next time I'm in Austin.

Best teahouse in America. The culture here is so inclusive and encouraging. This is the place to get into tea. Great space. Great events. I hang out here like 3 or 4 times a week.

I cannot wait to return to Guan Yin after an excellent first experience. I was seeking a coffee shop atmosphere with more emphasis on tea. Guan Yin is a totally different experience altogether. It is quiet, intimate, and encourages community conversation unlike any coffee/tea shop I've entered. The service is absolutely impeccable - So-Han can share an amazing wealth of knowledge on tea. He spent several years in China and knows his product well. Looking forward to visiting again soon.

Finally had a chance to visit this tea house for an open-mic event. Superb music, wow! And the entire experience of being in the place was perfectly Austiny: social, artsy, easy-going... In addition to being an impressive "tea house," the place seems to draw intelligent, inspired, creative people. One gentleman treated me to several cups of hot tea while we listened to music. Another guy told me the story behind the ritual of tea pouring. Many familiar faces, along with plenty of new friends to meet. I've had the pleasure of knowing two of the three co-owners, and they are solid individuals, passionate about this special co-creation of theirs.

Love the atmosphere! Awesome place to read/study and enjoy different kinds of tea. The owners are amazing people to talk to! Lots of parking spaces. Definitely a great place to spend your evenings alone or with friends. Will visit here again when I come to Austin!

The owner of this newly opened humble establishment, So-han, offers great tea and tea tasting events. They have a great selection of teas and offer different loose leaf teas for sale as well. I strongly recommend the Phoenix Oolong. Prices and service were good but I believe it may vary. Business hours are short and limited but quality is great. If you're looking for an authentic tea experience, this is a hidden gem waiting to be discovered.

Excellent service. Huge selection. This tea is amazing. All of it it from the mountains in china. I always feel like a million bucks when I drink their tea. Feel like I'm walking on air. This tea is super healing.

Instantly fell in love with this place. A coworker invited me to last nights CommuniTEA and I must say, I haven't had that much fun in a while. A cool, laid back atmosphere to kick back and meet some new people while drinking different types of teas. Everyone is very knowledgeable and happy to answer any questions you may have as a newbie.

Amazing space with fantastic traditional teas and gong fu cha ceremonies. So Han (owner) knows his stuff and has created a great community tea space in Austin.

I went to a tea sit here, which they offer daily from 7-10pm. It was a very intimate setting, a few individuals sitting on pillows on the floor around a table discussing whatever comes to mind while a very attentive and pleasant person served varying varieties of tea. It was very enjoyable and I will certainly be returning.

Pretty cool. You get to try tea from all over the world. Crazy people come in there though!!! Haha. Very interesting.