Bubble tea used to be a treat — a specialty drink you get during a trip to Chinatown. Pop the thick straw into the seal, take a sip, and then enjoy the little chewy blobs of tapioca that slide into your mouth with the silky milk tea. Nowadays bubble tea shops are quickly opening up in town. For those who haven’t got a chance to try it, below is a comprehensive guide to this increasingly popular drink. Keep reading to find out where to get bubble tea in Hoboken + Jersey City.
{Photo credit: @gongchatea}
How Bubble Tea Came to Be
There are competing stories on the origin of bubble tea. But the building blocks of this popular drink have long been rooted in Taiwanese cuisine. Milk tea has traditionally been served in tea houses around Taipei at all times during the day, and those gelatinous tapioca balls are often added to local desserts to enhance the texture. Bubble tea in its current form was invented in the 1980s, as the story goes, when a tea shop owner poured tapioca balls into milk tea on a whim. The drink immediately became a hit in Taiwan, and soon bubble tea shops began to pop up everywhere around East Asia. Over the years, it became increasingly available around cosmopolitan areas on the East and West Coasts of America.
Bubble Tea Today
In recent years, following the explosive urban developments in mainland China, there has been a revived “bubble tea” fervor among a new generation of consumers, with their disposable income and fast-evolving taste. Tea shop proprietors cater to this trend by adding bold twists to the old-fashioned recipes, traditionally made only of black/green tea, condensed milk, and tapioca balls, by inventing exotic flavors {think lychee oolong tea and more} and developing easy-to-customize menus. Recently, the influx of Chinese millennials studying and working abroad has brought the bubble tea craze to North America. Bubble tea shops, many of which are run by aspiring young immigrants, are quickly opening up in Hoboken and Jersey City, and older franchise businesses are also actively updating their menus to meet the changing tastes.
See More: Keming: A Sichuan Restaurant in Uptown Hoboken
When walking into one of the brightly lit, cheerfully decorated tea shops, it’s easy to be dazzled by the countless choices on the menu. But the shop owners will make a concerted effort to guide customers through the ordering process, which can be a lot of fun. Select a base for the drink {classic milk tea, espresso, or fruit tea}, then pick a topping {the chewy tapioca balls, or the smooth aloe jelly, or the grainy, slightly buttery red beans, and more}. Additionally, bubble tea drinkers can choose their preferred sweetness {regular, half, or none}, whether the drink comes hot or iced, and the choice to add milk foam on top.
For those who haven’t tried it yet, it might take a few sips to fully appreciate the gelatinous texture of the tapioca balls, the pearl-shaped “bubble” made from cassava starch and brown sugar. They are chewy, smooth, and lightly sweet. Once you get familiar with it, bubble tea can be addictive. all about the combination —the creaminess of the aromatic tea, the chewy texture of the tapioca balls, and the mere fun of popping the straw into the seal and catching the tapioca balls with it. Try it and you’ll love it.
Where to Get Bubble Tea Locally
Now on to the important bit — where to get bubble tea locally. Below are a few places in Hoboken + Jersey City where you can snag a refreshingly milky drink for yourself.
Read More: Pho Nomenon Noodle + Grill: Savory Vietnamese Food in Hoboken
Hoboken
Vivi Bubble Tea {117 Washington Street}
{Photo credit: @vivibubbleteanj}
This is a long-standing East Coast bubble tea franchise offering a variety of bubble tea and classic Taiwanese street snacks. If you are a milk lover, get their hearty milk drinks {called “Moo” or “Latte” on the menu} made from lactose-free milk.
Kung Fu Tea {536 Washington Street}
{Photo credit: @kungfuteanj}
This is probably Hoboken’s oldest bubble tea shop. It has an all-inclusive menu offering every flavor you can think of for bubble tea. Also check it out for seasonal flavors or special Asian snacks, such as milky egg waffles.
Gong Cha {527 Washington Street}
This is a nice addition to Hoboken’s tea shops. People love it for its milk foam tops, and the creamy, rich, slightly cheesy froth balances well with the sweet tea base {plus, it will leave a nice “mustache” on your face}.
Jersey City
CoCo Fresh Tea + Juice {420 Grand Street}
{Photo credit: @cocoteausa}
This is one of the oldest East Coast franchises that has been popular among Asian students and young professionals for years. They offer some of the most traditional milk tea and fruit tea options. No fancy flavors, but it’s hard to go wrong with the classics.
Babo Teahouse {10 River Drive South}
{Photo credit: @baboteahouse}
This is an independent bubble tea shop with an expansive drink menu. Go for their “cold signature flavors” that combine creative, refreshing fruit smoothie with chewy tapioca bubbles. They also have a decent-sized menu offering Asian-influenced quick bites and fast-casual meals.
Caffe Bene X Nima Milk Tea {564 Washington Boulevard}
{Photo credit: @cafebene_np}
This is a relatively new addition to the Jersey City Asian food scene. The young, passionate proprietor/owner opened the shop driven by her obsession with tea. A must-try is their rich, creamy, slightly malty taro milk tea. Or get their refreshing fruit tea if you want something a bit lighter.
Cafe Pilipino {530 Newark Avenue}
{Photo credit: @cafepilipino}
This is a no-frills Filipino eatery offering tropical fruit-infused bubble teas. There are also other Filipino delicacies on the menu, such as crispy fish or peanut-based meat stews, a rare find in this area.
Have you tried bubble tea from one of these places? What was your favorite flavor? Let us know in the comments!
New Businesses Opening in Hoboken + Jersey City in 2025
These past few years, Hoboken and Jersey City have been the hub for new spots. Restaurants, boutiques, dessert shops, fitness studios, and more have made their way to our community. This year, even more businesses have announced plans to open in the area. Read on for a list of businesses coming to Hoboken + Jersey City in 2025, and some new spots that have opened recently.
Hoboken
Abercrombie + Fitch | 237 Washington Street
Locals have been abuzz about an Abercrombie + Fitch coming to Hoboken. We were able to uncover the rumors by chatting with local real estate agent Bobby Antonicello Jr. who helped broker the deal. Abercrombie + Fitch will be coming to the former Arthur’s Tavern location on 237 Washington Street in Hoboken.
Read More: Is Whole Foods Coming to Hoboken?
Apollo Bagels | TBD
Rumors have been swirling that NYC-based Apollo Bagels is making its New Jersey debut in the Mile Square. HG reached out to the Apollo team, and while a location is still being kept under wraps, the team shared that they will provide more information as it becomes available. The bagel shop is known for its plain, everything, sesame bagels, plus bagel sandwiches, smoked salmon, whitefish, and other spreads.
Baby Girl Speakeasy | 938 Washington Street
Anthony David’s, located at 953 Bloomfield Street in Hoboken, was recently approved to renovate an old tattoo parlor into an upscale bar — located directly next to the restaurant at 938 Washington Street. The speakeasy-style bar will tentatively be called “Baby Girl” and have two levels. One part of the bar will be at ground level, and the other part will be in the basement. We have reached out for more details.
Barry’s Bootcamp | 119 River Street
On Thursday, August 8th, 2024, Barry’s Bootcamp announced on Instagram that it’s opening a Hoboken location. A source close to the developer on the project shared with The Hoboken Girl this September that Barry’s new Hoboken outpost will be located in the former Jos A. Bank storefront at 119 River Street, Suite A. More details to unfold in 2025.
Café la Canna | 159 14th Street
Photo Credit: @_noadar_
While details remain slim, signage for Café la Canna appeared earlier this year at 159 14th Street. The space was formerly home to V Spot Nail Spa, a nail salon that closed in August 2022.
Cuban Pete’s | 518 Washington Street
Cuban Pete’s, a BYOB Cuban restaurant in Montclair, New Jersey, is moving into the former Charrito’s space at 518 Washington Street in Hoboken. No official opening date has been released but more details are anticipated to unfold in the new year.
Green Pear Cafe | 93 Grand Street
Two Hoboken firefighters and friends are coming together to reopen Hoboken’s Green Pear Cafe on 93 Grand Street. While much of the space will remain the same, the new owners plan to elevate the menu to encompass Italian deli fare. While the official opening date is TBD, locals can look for updates in early 2025.
Ivory Baking Co. | 404 14th Street
Photo Credit: @christian__becker
Signage spotted by locals signaled a new opening in the works for Ivory Baking Co. The Custom bakeshop will primarily have custom orders and pre-order menu items — including cakes, cookies, and seasonal desserts. Official opening dates are TBD.
Julietta Gelato Cafe | 423 Washington Street
in October, the Julietta Gelato Cafe team shared with The Hoboken Girl that it plans to open its Hoboken shop by the end of 2024. With the new year approaching, we are excited to see the traditional Italian gelato cafe set down in Mile Square City in 2025.
Mile Square Cafe | 746 Park Avenue
Per an application to the City of Hoboken Planning Board, a new cafe called Mile Square Cafe is heading to 746 Park Avenue in Hoboken. We have reached out to the team listed on the planning board application and will share any further updates for 2025.
Pariwaar Delights | 616 Washington Street
Pariwaar Delights, which currently resides at 827 Newark Avenue in Jersey City, will open up a second location in Hoboken in the former Mikie Squared space at 616 Washington Street as signage was spotted by a local HG reader. While there is no mention of a second location on Pariwaar Delights’ website or Instagram, we have reached out to the restaurant for further details.
Snack Bar | 520 Adams Street
Photo Credit: Bill Schmitt
Bill and Maren Schmitt, the owners of Schmitty’s and Otok Bakery in Hoboken are creating a new experience for Hoboken residents called Snack Bar. Snack Bar will be a family-friendly space where multi-generational groups can spend time together, enjoying food and drink, and even host parties. More details to come in 2025.
Strand Salon Studios | 35 15th Street
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35 15th Street is soon to be the home of Strand Salon Studios, which is a salon suite enterprise headquartered in New Jersey. This will be the chain’s sixth location, with two more on the way. Official opening dates are TBD.
Stretch Lab | 770 Jackson Street
Stretch Lab provides one-on-one assisted stretches and has over 900 licensed locations around the world. The chain has signage up at 770 Jackson Street in Hoboken and the website says “coming soon.” More details coming in 2025.
Sweetgreen | 218 Washington Street
Popular salad chain Sweetgreen will be making its Hoboken debut in 2025. Back in November 2024, the Historic Preservation Committee meeting agenda revealed an application for Sweetgreen at 218 Washington Street. The application included notes of changes to signage, general repairs/restoration, and other general architectural plans. The space at 218 Washington Street was formerly home to DryBar which closed back in early 2024. The official opening date is TBD.
Urban Market | 1425 Washington Street
Brooklyn-based shop Dumbo Market is officially coming to Hoboken at 1425 Washington Street, under the name Hoboken Market. Construction started at the massive space near the Hudson Tea House on Tuesday, January 23rd, 2024 and signage is officially up. As of October 30th, 2024, the market is making even more moves towards opening as some food is stocked. The official opening date is TBD.
Van Leeuwen | 537 Washington Street
Van Leeuwen shared on its website that the shop plans to open a location at 537 Washington Street in Hoboken at the former Glosslab location. Van Leeuwen has two other locations in New Jersey including a brand new location in Jersey City. The Jersey City storefront opened this summer at 347 Grove Street, and there’s also another outpost at the American Dream Mall in East Rutherford.
Jersey City
Adventure Park | 273 16th Street
Photo Credit: Mary Christian
Adventure Park, an indoor children’s recreational facility, is under construction on the bottom floor of Soho Lofts in Jersey City. Adventure Park will be a roughly 10,000 to 12,000-square-foot project, which can hold up to 600 people at a time. The team is hoping for an early January 2025 opening.
Cangiano’s | 615 Pavonia Street + 316 15th Street
Jersey City favorite Cangiano’s is planning to expand in 2025. With two new locations opening at 615 Pavonia Street + 316 15th Street in Jersey City, locals can get their fixes closer to home. The new locations are planned to open during the first quarter of 2025.
Cheech’s Bagels | 176 Erie Street
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Cheech’s Bagels announced via Instagram that it will be “coming soon” to 176 Erie Street in Jersey City. The announcement came on a particular day: National Bagel Day, January 15th, 2024. That same day, SILVERMAN Real Estate Group also announced on its Instagram that a lease was signed between Cheech’s Bagels and Swift + Co. Cheech’s shared on December 9th, 2024 that they are “working on orders now” as locals anticipate an official opening date. We now know that Cheech's Bagels is set to open in March 2025.
Cheeky’s Sandwiches | 89 Monitor Street
A Southern-style eatery is making its way to Jersey City in 2025. Cheeky’s Sandwiches is a new sandwich shop serving up New Orleans-style eats — including its signature fried chicken biscuits, shrimp + oyster po boys, short rib sandwiches on challah bread, vegetarian foccacia, and other dishes. Cheeky’s is also on track to open two storefronts in NYC at the Essex Street Market and in the Lower East Side soon.
Crumbl Cookies | 318 Grove Street
National cookie brand Crumbl Cookies is making its way to Jersey City. Signage has been up for several months now as locals get excited. While all signs point to “coming soon” we anticipate more details will unfold in 2025.
Don’t Tell Liv | 138 Newark Avenue
Oliva’s Market located at 138 Newark Avenue is expanding to the second floor of the building to open Don’t Tell Live, a speakeasy-style bar. While we caught a sneak peek of the interior on Instagram, further opening details are yet to be announced.
Eggs Up | 270 Johnston Avenue
While we do not know much about Eggs Up just yet, the new breakfast cafe will be situated at 270 Johnston Street. The new spot will be located in the Bergen-Lafayette neighborhood at the Atlas residential building. While Eggs Up’s website is up and running, we are still awaiting further announcements.
Equinox | 20 Columbus Drive, Jersey City + Hoboken (TBD)
On August 28th, 2024 a source close to the Harborside 4 project shared exclusively with The Hoboken Girl that Equinox will be located in the new Harborside 4 complex, located at 20 Columbus Drive in Downtown Jersey City. Rumors about the Hoboken location are still swirling and will share once we know more.
GTK | 295 Johnston Avenue
Photo Credit: @sayheysocial
After closing their original location at 356 Varick Street in Jersey City, GTK aka “go to kitchen” opened a location in Hoboken at 1014 Washington Street. At the same time, the team announced plans for another location at the 295J apartment building in Jersey City, located at 295 Johnston Avenue in the Bergen-Lafayette neighborhood coming soon.
Hashi Market | 75 Park Lane South
Hashi Market, a Japanese market based in NYC is crossing the Hudson River to open up its first New Jersey location soon. The market will be located at 75 Park Lane South, inside the Park + Shore Development, and signage has already been spotted in the windows as locals await more information.
Maxwell Alley | 12 Coles Street
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Mark Censits, founder and president of CoolVines, is set to open a new farm-to-table restaurant called Maxwell Alley in early 2025. The endeavor will be a trendy dining spot with world-class food, weekend brunch, coffee creations, and a full bar service six days a week. The new restaurant will take over the former Gringo’s location at 12 Coles Street in Jersey City.
The Medicine Woman | 660-684 Tonnelle Avenue
Rapper and actor Ice-T is teaming up with The Medicine Woman co-owner, Charis Burrett, to open up a cannabis dispensary in Jersey City. The official opening date is yet to be released though in January of 2024, The Medicine Woman was “approved by the state Cannabis Regulatory Commission (CRC) Wednesday,” January 17th, to sell recreational cannabis, per NJ.com.
Millburn Deli | 101 Hudson Street
Essex County staple, Millburn Deli is expanding to Jersey City in 2025. The local sandwich shop will be setting down roots at 101 Hudson Street in Jersey City in the Exchange Place neighborhood. A source shared with HG that the deli hopes to open in the spring.
MilkShake Factory | 175 Newark Avenue
MilkShake Factory, a handspun milkshake, and homemade ice cream chain is set to take over the old Milk + Cream Cereal Bar location at 175 Newark Avenue in Jersey City. Signage spotted by locals on Reddit has locals excited about the Pittsburgh-based chain setting up for its new home in Jersey City.
Mochi Dough + Bober Tea | 66 Monitor Street
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A new doughnut and bubble tea shop will be coming to 66 Monitor Street in 2025. Mochi Dough will serve up premium Japanese rice flour doughnuts, called mochi dough, as well as bubble tea. Some of the doughnut flavors on the menu include taro, black sesame, and funnel cake. The website and Instagram say that the store is coming soon.
MOJO Coffee | TBD
MOJO Coffee, a beloved Hudson County staple, has plans to expand to Downtown Jersey City, near the Grove Street PATH station, in early 2025. This coffee spot, which first opened in 2020, has locations in Hoboken at 230 Willow Avenue and 801 Bloomfield Street. The team behind MOJO shared with HG that they are "excited to add to the JC community." Patrons should expect the menu of this new spot to consist of coffee, pastries, and specialty drinks, as well as additional food options made in-house.
New Brewery from Schmitty’s Team | 1415 Adams Street
A vacant lot at 1415 Adams Street in Uptown Hoboken doesn’t look like much now, but owner Bill Schmitt has big plans for the space. He and his wife Maren are co-owners of Schmitty’s Bar and Otok Bakery and now have their sights set on building a brewery. Official opening dates are TBD as the details unfold.
Panaderya Salvaje | 9 Erie Street
Panaderya Salvaje is a new bakery coming soon to 9 Erie Street in Downtown Jersey City. The bakery items are inspired by flavors from the Philippines and already look absolutely mouth-watering thanks to some sneak peeks on social media. While locals await an official opening date, Panaderya Salvaje can be followed on Instagram.
Paris Baguette | 570 Washington Street
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Paris Baguette, a famed bakery, coffee, and lunch chain, will be setting up shop soon in Jersey City. Signage has been spotted at 570 Washington Boulevard in a Newport office building. A source close to the project shared with the Hoboken Girl that this franchise also plans to open in Journal Square. Paris Baguette also recently opened a location in Hoboken at 1000 Maxwell Lane. The official opening date has yet to be announced.
Paulus Hook Brick Oven Pizza | 134 Chestnut Avenue
Earlier this fall, signage was spotted by an HG reader in the former Speedy’s location indicating that Paulus Hook Brick Oven Pizza could be making a Jersey City comeback. The pizzeria closed at its original 84½ Morris Street location back in 2020, but now, there’s “coming soon” signage at 134 Chestnut Avenue, per a HG reader.
Root + Nectar JC | 201 Monticello Avenue
Root + Nectar Cafe is making its way to Jersey City’s Bergen-Lafayette neighborhood in January 2025. The vegan and vegetarian-friendly eatery will have fresh juices and organic ingredients sourced from local farms in the tri-state area.
Shang Gong Chu | 319 Warren Street
Colorful signage that says "Shang Gong Chu Coming Soon" has been spotted by locals at 319 Warren Street in Jersey City. The space was formerly occupied by restaurant, Teppan but is now under construction for Shang Gong Chu's pending entrance.
Soláz | 70 Town Square Place
Photo Credit: Courtesy of LeFrak
Soláz is a full-service, modern Mediterranean restaurant with a menu curated by celebrity chef David Burke. The restaurant will have indoor and outdoor seating, a full bar, and even golf simulator suites. The restaurant just recently announced on Instagram that its official opening is slated for spring 2025.
Spots That Recently Opened
B Bagels | 367 Grove Street, Jersey City
In early 2024, B Bagels took to Instagram to announce that behind-the-scenes work was underway to prepare for the opening. After much anticipation from locals, the bagel shop officially opened in January 2025.
Beach Bum Tanning | 602 Washington Street, Hoboken
Beach Bum Tanning is one of many beauty businesses entering the Mile Square in 2025. The new location officially opened on Thursday, January 23rd, 2025.
The Cafe at Journal Squared | 595 Pavonia Avenue, Jersey City
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Almost Home General Store shared on its website that “We're working on an exciting new cafe in Jersey City, NJ” earlier this year. Per Jersey Digs, an application was submitted to Jersey City’s Alcoholic Beverage Control Board for a liquor license for Almost Home JC LLC at 595 Pavonia Avenue. Now, The Cafe at Journal Squared is now open in Chilltown as of January 2024. Almost Home also opened up a coffee cart in Jersey City’s Hudson House Lofts in 2023.
Cafexico | 515 4th Street, Hoboken
New signage at 515 4th Street in 2024 indicated the opening of Cafexico. The coffee shop was originally set to open back in June 2024, and officially opened in early January 2025. The spot serves coffee drinks in a cafe-style setting, and the interior space has a light and airy vibe with lots of natural light.
Neroli Boutique | 630 Washington Street, Hoboken
Photo Credit: Neroli Boutique
Neroli Boutique located at 630 Washington Street in Hoboken announced via Instagram on December 17th, 2024 that its doors were officially open and ready to welcome customers with open arms. Stating “The Wait is Over! We’re excited to announce the opening of Neroli – your new destination for elegant and timeless fashion.”
OliJon’s Thrift Store | 138 Park Avenue, Hoboken
On Saturday, December 7th, 2024 OliJon’s Thrift Store officially opened its doors on 138 Park Avenue in Hoboken. The store is stacked from floor to ceiling with affordable finds. The entire store is curated, and organized for easy shopping with prices mostly ranging from $2-$100.
See More: New Businesses Coming to Montclair + Essex County in 2025
Trós Greek Street Food | 686 Bergen Avenue, Jersey City
Trós, formerly known as Plaka Souvlaki, opened its third location on December 5th, 2024 at 686 Bergen Avenue in Jersey City. In addition to the new Jersey City location, Trós also has storefronts in Hoboken, 62 Newark Street, and Harrison, 811 Frank E Rodgers Boulevard South.
