The Pizitz Food Hall ThirsTea Cafe — Boba smoothie from Thirstea at The Pizitz. (Sabrina Palmer / Bham Now)

Boba tea, or bubble tea, is a Taiwanese tea drink known for its signature burst-in-your-mouth tapioca pearls. Boba creations come in all shapes and sizes, from fruity smoothies to creamy milk teas.

Looking for your next boba fix? Check out these seven cafes and restaurants serving boba around the Birmingham area.

This guide was originally created in October 2020 and was last updated in June 2024.

1. Saigon Noodle House | Highway 280

Saigon Noodle House is one of my favorite restaurants, but it took me way too long to find out they also serve milk tea and fruit tea with boba. Recently, they’ve added four new flavors of tea: watermelon, raspberry, winter melon and peach.

Location: 4606 US-280 #108, Birmingham, AL 35242
Hours: Sunday-Thursday 11AM-8PM | Friday-Saturday 11AM-9PM

2. ThirsTea Cafe | Inverness Plaza

ThirsTea's Pumpkin Patch milk tea and passionfruit tea — Pumpkin Patch with boba and passionfruit with tutti frutti boba. (Cheyenne Trujillo / Bham Now)

With locations in downtown Birmingham, Inverness and Helena, this boba shop is a local favorite. At this cafe, you can customize your drink to your desired sweetness level and select from nine unique boba flavors.

ThirsTea Inverness: 170 Inverness Plaza, Birmingham, AL 35242
Hours: Monday-Thursday 11AM-8PM | Friday-Saturday 11AM-9PM | Sunday Noon-8PM

3. Lickin’ Good Donuts | Pelham

me Get your boba fix at these 7 cafes + restaurants around the Birmingham area — Lickin’ Good Donuts’ new location on Pelham Parkway. (Grace Howard / Bham Now)

Earlier this year, Lickin’ Good Donuts brought fun and creative donuts to Pelham—but did you know they also serve boba? Stop by for a sweet treat and a tasty milk tea or smoothie.

Location: 2128 Pelham Pkwy, Pelham, AL 35124
Hours: 5AM-2PM Monday-Saturday, 6AM-1PM Sunday

4. Kokee Tea | The Galleria

Inside of Kokee Tea shop — Kokee Tea at The Galleria. (Cheyenne Trujillo / Bham Now)

Located on the second level of The Galleria, this boba spot calls itself “a hug in a cup.” With creative boba drinks like Oreo milk tea and dragonfruit rose tea, they have a flavor for everyone.

Location: 2000 Galleria Cir, Birmingham, AL 35244
Hours: Monday-Thursday 11AM-7PM | Friday-Saturday 11AM-8PM | Sunday Noon-6PM

5. Pho Sizzle | Trussville

bba Get your boba fix at these 7 cafes + restaurants around the Birmingham area — The perfect summer refresher. (Sharron Swain / Bham Now)

In addition to serving pho and other Vietnamese dishes, Pho Sizzle is also a local favorite stop for boba. Their menu offers a variety of bubble tea, milk tea and smoothies.

Location: 5880 Trussville Crossing Blvd #100, Birmingham, AL 35235
Hours: Tuesday-Sunday 11AM-9PM

6. Teaspoon | The Summit

Founded in 2015 in California, Teaspoon is a modern bubble tea café known for its unique spin on classic boba tea. Combining fresh flavors with traditional recipes, Teaspoon’s menu features a variety of flavors like lychee, passion fruit and jasmine.

Location: 325 Summit Blvd, Birmingham, AL 35243
Hours: Daily 11AM-9PM

7. Hometown Supermarket | Homewood

Birmingham, Alabama, ethnic food, Green Springs Highway — A gem on Green Springs. (Bham Now)

Inside this international grocery store on Green Springs, there are tons of things to explore. In addition to Mr. Chen’s Chinese restaurant and a variety of international candy and produce, Hometown Supermarket has its own boba shop.