Blue Willow Teaspot

Mohammed Alhajri 2 months ago

The tea and atmosphere were great, and the place is beautiful. However, we didn’t feel welcomed. We were taking a few photos because we loved the decor, but one staff member kept following us and asking what we were photographing, which made us uncomfortable. Later, my brother accidentally closed the communal room door, and she immediately came in to tell us to keep it open. She also warned us not to touch the decorations, even though we hadn’t touched anything. Unfortunately, the experience was disappointing because we felt like we were being watched instead of welcomed.

Emily Ra 5 months ago

This is my new favorite teahouse. You know it's legit when there's a bookshelf, awesome music, friendly staff and great lighting. The Sakura mochi was amazing and we shared a pot of shou that tealuminated us in all the right ways. Great prices, great packaging, a one of a kind vibe. I'll most definitely be coming back to explore more varieties of tea. Black Phoenix on Ice this Summer sounds like just the thing!

Ryan Burns 8 months ago

BW is the friendliest, loveliest place to sit and enjoy a tasty drink in Berkeley. Their tea is so consistently delicious and the staff is so knowledgeable and welcoming. Everyone who works here has been so warm and generous in creating a space that truly feels like a community hub that brings the best of all the colorful sides of life that the bay has to offer. I’ve spent hours talking with strangers at the bar about art and poetry and life, and I’ve spent hours reading and writing in peaceful solitude. Blue willow is truly an escape from the stress of daily life. Their wide range of teas is a testament to the very intentional curation and selection of really special cakes and leaves from around the world. Their in house blends and herbal options are also a treat. But nothing beats their hojicha latte on a cloudy day. The acupressure + tea tasting I did there in the fall was one of the sweetest little moments of last year. Pairing a grounding puerh with a lesson on acupressure points related to the lungs and grief, giving me a chance to tune into my body and mind in a safe, educating space. I’m so grateful that such a beautiful place like this exists and is thriving so well, co

Jenny Xu 9 months ago

This was such a fun find in Berkeley! We came after wanting to try something different that didn't involve alcohol and tea sounded perfect. Good: - The private room was really good! We got out own private spot for about an hour and thirty minutes - The service was great - we had our own tea steeper and had enough tea for the entire time - Loved the duck s*** tea and the dragon tea and puerh tea, super tasty and we even tried mixing it a lot - The place is so cute! Very relaxing Bad: - Gets super busy, so make a reservation ahead of time! Overall, really enjoyed having the time to sit and relax and be present with me and my boyfriend!

Gary Cole 11 months ago

Superb Japanese tea house experience in the heart of Berkeley with caring people and clean, artfully decorated premises. Just learned about this establishment today due to recommendation from Artis Coffee (top notch roastery) and hit the mother lode. Aly, the exceptionally kind and engaged owner took care of us personally while Niko served the beverages with authentic courtesy and care. The establishment is bright and airy, with several intimate spaces creatively designed for Zen like relaxation which encourages one to linger. I’ve never observed a broader selection of quality teas, however, Aly and Niko helped us efficiently navigate choices to match our taste profile. You can even order a flight to sample several teas and from there decide what to purchase for taking home (Blood Orange super tasty). In addition to tea, Blue Willow offers high quality pastries and Japanese cookies as well as tea preparation and serving ware. Happened to hit their 9 year anniversary which elevated the experience. This establishment which exudes pride of ownership throughout fit us to a ‘tea’ and we can’t wait to return. Bravo Aly!