April 30th marks National Bubble Tea Day 🧋
Bubble tea, also known as “boba” has popped up all over The Classic Coast. This Taiwanese street drink offers a refreshing alternative to your everyday coffee or tea, with an oddly satisfying spin.
An extra thick straw is supplied for each drink to suck up sweet, flavorful bubbles or pearls that float along the bottom. Local cafes offer house specialties like Toasted Strawberry Tart found at the new Tea on Marlborough, Tokyo Fog at Yagi Noodles, and Pina Colada at Black Goose Cafe.
Combinations of boba vary depending on the milk or iced tea you choose, and whether you choose to customize with sprinkled toppings, floaters, fruity syrups, or extra bubbles. Boba is a surprising and personalized ‘pick me up’ drink crafted to tantalize your tastebuds any time of day.
Interested in a sip? Here are places to find Boba in and around Newport.
Top Spots for Boba
Here are some stops to experience the boba “pop!”
Yagi Noodles
Back to Top of List📍 20 Long Wharf Mall, Newport
Nestled in the heart of Long Wharf Mall, Yagi Noodles is no newcomer to creating good boba. They have an entire bar dedicated to it. Find more than a few milk teas, caffeine-free items like taro or lavender made with brown sugar boba and your choice of milk, or cold brew bases like Vietnamese style and ceremonial grade matcha.
MENU CALLOUT:
Thai Iced Tea: Classic Thai iced tea, sweetened with condensed milk drizzle and evaporated milk.
TEA OPTIONS:
- Assam Black
- Cold Brew
- Blue Flower Earl Grey
- Green
- Thai
- Ceremonial Grade Matcha
- Marsala Thai
EXTRAS:
Brown Sugar Boba, Lychee Jelly, Popping Bubbles: Mango, Strawberry, Peach, Dragonfruit
REFRESHERS:
Find Strawberry, Lavender, Hibiscus, Citrus Sunshine, Cranberry Cheong and Chaider refreshers.

Tea on Marlborough Street
Back to Top of List📍 51 Marlborough Street, Newport
A brainchild from the team at Boru Test Kitchen, newly opened Tea on Marlborough offers a curated tea lounge space to unwind, and a menu of specialty boba you’ll want to order ahead time after time. Those who need a classic coffee fix can find plenty of options too!
MENU CALLOUT:
Peach Blossom: White Peach Tea, Strawberry Compote, Coconut Dairy Free Mascarpone.
TEA OPTIONS:
- Crimson Berry
- Masala Chai
- Golden Oolong
- White Peach
- Matcha
SYRUPS:
Honey Graham Cracker, Carrot Cake, Toasted Macadamia, Banana Bread (gluten-free) & more!
TOPPINGS:
Cream Cheese or Coconut Mascarpone (dairy-free) whip, strawberry compote, caramel drizzle, toasted macadamias and more.
REFRESHERS:
Find hand-squeezed refreshers like Citrus Kick (pineapple, orange, apple, and ginger) and Melon Burst (watermelon, cantaloupe, and honeydew), both mixed with coconut water.
Boba on Bowen's
Back to Top of List📍 14 Bowens Wharf, Newport
Opening May 1 through Halloween, Boba on Bowen’s is a haven for enthusiasts and conveniently centered in Bowen’s Wharf.
A refreshing sip after shopping on the wharf or disembarking from a nearby sail on the water. Here you will find all the boba varieties and unique toppings you are looking for, plus some Italian ice and panini options, if you want to change it up.
MENU CALLOUT:
Boba Lemonade - Blue Wave: Blue raspberry and blue curacao lemonade topped with butterfly pea tea and kiwi boba.
TEA OPTIONS:
- Green Tea: Strawberry, Mango, Peach, Arnold Palmer
- Milk Tea: Brown Sugar, Strawberry Matcha Latte, Taro, Thai
TOPPINGS:
Popping Pearls - Mango, Passion fruit, Strawberry, Green Apple, Kiwi, Lychee Jelly, Brown Sugar Tapioca
FROZEN BOBA:
Mango, Lemon, Strawberry, Watermelon, Blue Hawaiian, Coconut
MENU AVAILABLE ONLINE
Empire Tea and Coffee
Back to Top of List📍 223 William Street, Newport
📍 22 Broadway, Newport
📍 135 JT Connell Highway, Newport
📍 251 Thames Street, Bristol
Find boba at all four Empire Tea & Coffee locations throughout Newport and Bristol. Order as early as 6:00 AM*, and even ahead of time on their app to skip the line. Choose from classic fruity and milk boba options, perfect to pair with a tasty breakfast sandwich or pastry.
*Open schedule and boba options may vary.
MENU CALLOUT:
Taro Bubble Tea: Purple taro tea with popping pearls.
TEA OPTIONS:
- Green
- Mango
- Peach
- Raspberry
- Strawberry
- Milk
- Taro
FRUITY ADD-ONS:
Peach, Mango, Strawberry, Raspberry, Cherry and Lavender
Black Goose Cafe
Back to Top of List📍 2160 Main Road, Tiverton
Take a detour up to Tiverton for picturesque views of the Sakonnet River and bubble tea at Black Goose Cafe. Choose from over ten different specialty boba drinks and milk tea options, iced teas, fruit teas, smoothies, and other frozen drinks to quench your thirst.
MENU CALLOUT:
Wild Tiger Latte: Espresso, black cane syrup, milk and tapioca boba.
TEA OPTIONS:
- Fruit Tea: Passion Fruit, Pineapple, Raspberry Mango, Orange Juice, Mango, Strawberry, Lavender Blueberry
- Milk Tea: Classic, Turbo, Taro, Tiger, Honeydew, Pineapple, Lavender, Almond, Matcha, Super Matcha, Mango, Strawberry
ADD-ONS:
Rainbow Jelly, Strawberry Popping Boba, Pineapple Jam, Oreos, Cold Foam and more!
Bajah's Cat Cafe
Back to Top of List📍 137 Main Road, Tiverton
Boba is an experience within itself, but if you are looking for company, Bajah’s Cat Cafe offers the best of both. Make a reservation for “Bajah’s Villas,” a private cat room available on the weekends, to spend time with adorable, adoptable cats. Then, order from a select menu of kitty-themed coffee and bubble tea drinks. A purr-fect spot to sip and spend time with furry friends.
MENU CALLOUT:
Mystic Kitty: A creamy taro drink paired with sweet blueberry boba for a smooth, dreamy, and slightly fruity sip.
TEA OPTIONS:
- Milk
- Black
- Green
- Taro
ADD-ONS:
Strawberry Boba, Blueberry Boba, and ask about their flavored syrups.
Bee's Knees
Back to Top of List📍 186 County Road, Barrington
Located inside PitaPocket, a Mediterranean casual eatery in the Barrington Shopping Center, Bee’s Knees offers boba customizable to your liking. Find six different types of fruit and milk tea, fun toppings, and other snacks and sandwiches to pair with your bubble tea.
MENU CALLOUT:
Tiramisu Milk Tea: All the flavors you expect in a slice of tiramisu, but in drink form.
TEA OPTIONS:
- Fruit Tea: Mango, Passion Fruit, Strawberry, Lychee, Peach
- Milk Tea: Taro, Thai, Matcha, Honeydew, Brown Sugar
TOPPINGS:
Tapioca, Popping boba, Lychee Jelly, Aloe
REFRESHERS:
Slushies are available as an alternative!
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