Also known as bubble tea, boba emerged from Taiwanese milk-tea culture in the 1980s, quickly spread all over Asia, and in the last decade, exploded in popularity throughout the United States. Fun fact: the word “boba” comes from the Mandarin slang for “large breasts.”
Beyond the fun of reciting the word, who doesn’t love piercing the plastic film of a freshly prepared boba with a giant straw and sucking up those chewy tapioca pearls?
In the Texas cities, boba shops keep popping up and thriving. Some are outposts of Asian chains, while others are mom-and-pop outfits. With its sizable Asian population and ever-evolving culinary scene, the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex is home to a number of high-quality, innovative boba shops. This list of 10 is a solid starting point.
Hyphen Space
Billed as a co-working space, photo studio, and boba shop in one, Hyphen Space offers walls adorned with the works of local artists, lively events like matcha-making workshops, and chewy tapioca pearls made from scratch. The business model allows customers to choose among “passes.” An $8 pass includes one hour of time in the shop and one drink, whereas a $25 day pass affords each customer two complementary drinks, a pastry, and snacks. Available add-ons include more drinks and pastries, as well as time extensions. 4100 Commerce St. #6, Dallas, hyphenspace.co
Haus of Boba
This charming store out in Sachse offers boba and standard toppings, alongside Labubu toppings, too. For the uninitiated, Labubus are the fuzzy big-eyed dolls from Hong Kong that have been making recent headlines. At Haus of Boba, toppings are crafted to look like them. The Labubu jelly garnish is so big, it fills the entire top of the drink and hangs over the lip of the cup. The snack menu here includes bao buns and bahn mi. 4325 Miles Rd. Ste. 108, Sachse, hausofboba.net
Lazi Cow
This brand had four shops in California before a Frisco resident, a cousin of the owner, opened an outpost in 2024 on Eldorado Parkway. A charming spot to grab a boba and play table shuffleboard, Lazi Cow is family-friendly and welcoming of customers of all ages. The little cow stools and the cow murals on the wall make for an inviting backdrop, and with its Build-Your-Own-Boba section, the menu appeals to kids and adults alike. 4800 Eldorado Pkwy. Ste. 200, Frisco, lazicowtexas.square.site
Sip & Chill
This Fort Worth boba shop slings more than 50 flavors and a long list of toppings. Customers can choose among regular tapioca pearls, crystal pearls that are clear-colored and jelly-like, and popping boba, which are pearls filled with fruit juice flavors that burst when squeezed. Those that are not in a boba mood might gravitate to the dessert menu, which includes the option to customize a dessert by selecting ice creams, fruits, juices, and toppings. 2700 Western Center Blvd. #124, Fort Worth, sipandchill.net
Shot Tea Boba Bar
At this boozy boba bar in Far North Dallas, customers can choose among virgin bobas, spiked bobas, and an array of coffee drinks and liquors. With options like the Lychee Surprise, crafted with vodka, lemongrass, sparkling soda, and lychee jelly; and the Taro Refresher, made with rum and crystal boba, Shot Tea pulls in a late-night crowd. DJs play every weekend and add to the atmosphere. 18110 Midway Rd., Apt. 164, Dallas
Craft Boba Tea
At the three Dallas locations of this popular boba house, customers can expect the cleanest ingredients and no artificial additives. Drinks are sweetened with pure cane sugar, bases are brewed with loose tea leaves, and the menu offers plenty of vegan options. Tapioca is made fresh daily on-site. The Upper Greenville and Trinity Groves locations sell smoothies, too. Multiple locations, craftbobatea.com
Panda Tea
From the stencil art on the walls and “To Tea or Not to Tea” sign to the comfortable white tufted banquettes, this tea shop on Greenville is a charming place to duck into for a boba and conversation with friends. Try the torched brown sugar topping or any of the teas layered with crème de sea salt. The menu also includes eight ramen options. 5521 Greenville Ave. #108, Dallas
Feng Cha
A large international chain from Taiwan with more than 1,000 stores worldwide, it’s hard not to mention Feng Cha because so many boba-lovers in Dallas name it as their favorite. Loyalists go crazy for the five milk-foam topping flavors: cheese, matcha, sea salt, taro, and tiramisu. Customers can customize their drinks by choosing among three ice levels and four sweetness levels, as well as deciding whether or not they want caffeine. Multiple locations, fengchausa.com
Boba + Donuts
Pair your boba with donuts or kolaches at this Frisco shop, where donuts aren’t just an accompaniment; they’re a garnish. Order your boba with a donut on top, and you’ll see that the hole makes a perfect, satisfying ring around the jumbo straw. Fun and colorful flavors include a bright green kiwi slushy with popping boba resting at the bottom. 2552 Stonebrook Pkwy. A625, Frisco
Tea Daddy
With three locations around the Metroplex, this boba and cake shop serves some of the most beautiful desserts in town, constructed with geometric shapes, gold flakes, and color palettes that pop. Try the brown sugar milk boba, made with brown sugar-flavored tapioca pearls, and pair it with an Oreo or Mango Mousse. Multiple locations
