12 Best Bubble Teas in Edinburgh Giving Us That Sugar High
When I’m wandering Edinburgh’s cobblestones with greasy fingers from my favourite street foods, the only proper follow-up beverage is a cold cup of bubble tea. It’s my reset button between snack stops and the perfect excuse to keep walking.
The bubble tea scene of Edinburgh has quietly exploded, serving everything from classic milk teas to wild, chewy creations. So here’s your no-nonsense guide to the city’s best spots for slurping, sipping, and satisfying some post-street food snacking.
Golden Tea
– Media from goldenteaedinburgh
Address: Candle Maker, 44
Contact: +441312205000
Hours:
Monday to Friday, noon–9 PM
Saturday to Sunday, noon–9.30 PM
Price: £
Golden Tea sits just off Candle Maker Row, and I always end up here after wandering around the National Museum of Scotland longer than I intended. It’s small, cosy, and the kind of place you can hear tapioca pearls being shaken like a promise.
Their Barbie-inspired tea pulled me in out of pure curiosity, and it turned out surprisingly good! Fun without being a sugary chaos, the flavours here are bold, the atmosphere is calm, and it’s easily one of the most consistent bubble tea stops in the Old Town.
| Pro-tip: Go in the early afternoon. This tiny shop fills fast, and the signature drinks often sell out quickly. |
Maycheelin Bubble Tea
– Media from maycheelin
Address: 3-5 Lister Square
Contact: +44 131 629 1797
Hours: Tuesday to Sunday, noon–3 PM, 5–9 PM
Price: £
Maycheelin Bubble Tea has been around since 2014, and honestly, it shows. They pour tea like people who’ve seen every bubble tea trend come and go.
I always end up at the Quartermile branch after a long walk mostly because it’s dangerously convenient. Plus, their menu is stacked with everything from proper classic milk teas to fresh fruit blends that taste like actual fruit, not syrup pretending.
| Pro-tip: You can order your drink less sweet here! The teas are flavourful enough to stand on their own. |
Fun Tea
– Media from mister.mo_h
Address: 57 South Bridge
Contact: +44 1224 011755
Hours:
Sunday to Thursday, 11 AM–10 PM
Friday to Saturday, 11 AM–10.30 PM
Price: £
Fun Tea on South Bridge has become my go-to when I need something comforting but can’t decide what that something is. Their staff always greets me like I’ve been away too long, which somehow makes my drink taste even better.
Their brown sugar milk tea hits that perfect sweet-but-not-sickly spot, especially when you tweak the sugar level just right. It’s the kind of place where you pop in for one cup, and immediately wonder why you don’t come more often.
| Pro-tip: Ask for warm pearls with your drink. They make the brown sugar milk tea taste even better! |
Rainbow Bubble Tea
– Media from rainbowbubbletea
Address: Waverley Market, Waverley Bridge
Contact: +447711027938
Hours:
Monday to Thursday, 11 AM–7 PM
Friday, 11 AM–8 PM
Saturday, 10 AM–8 PM
Sunday, 10 AM–7 PM
Price: £
Whenever I’m rushing between errands near Waverley Market, Rainbow Bubble Tea becomes my parched throat saviour, especially when I want a proper drink other than plain water.
It’s fast, affordable, and always exactly where I need it to be. Their custom toppings make it easy to build a drink you’ll crave again later. I especially love ordering the Tropical Twist with its refreshing mango and passion fruit iced tea base!
| Pro-tip: Grab your drink before peak train times (4 to 6.30 PM), as the queue doubles fast when commuters pile in. |
Hi Tea
– Media from hiteaedinburgh
Address: 33 South Bridge
Contact: +441312262888
Hours: Daily, 11 AM–10 PM
Price: £
I go to Hi Tea when I want to sit down with my beverage instead of power walking through town. The space is calm enough that my bubble tea lasts longer than five minutes for once.
Their brown sugar milk tea is surprisingly balanced. It’s sweet but not the kind that makes me regret my decisions. It’s the perfect stop when you want bubble tea and a moment to breathe.
| Pro-tip: Grab a seat by the window; it’s the quietest spot that’s perfect for slow sips. |
Bubble Snap
– Media from bubblesnap_edinburgh
Address: 91 St. Leonard’s Street
Contact: +441312027880
Hours:
Saturday to Tuesday, 11.30 AM–9.30 PM
Wednesday to Friday, 3–9.30 PM
Price: £
Sometimes, I crave my bubble tea with a taste somewhere closer to Hong Kong than Edinburgh. During those times, I head over to Bubble Snap for their milk tea that has a properly strong, silky kick that makes me forget the time.
The staff always chats with me like I’m a regular (even during my first time!), which has honestly kept me coming back. So if you want bubble tea with real character, this is the place to hit.
| Pro-tip: Try the Hong Kong-style milk tea with less ice; the flavour shines even more. |
Top Tea
Address: 1 E Preston Street
Contact: +441316670323
Hours: Daily (except Tuesday), noon–8.30 PM
Price: £
Top Tea on East Preston Street is the spot I duck into whenever I’m craving something classic without the fuss. Their drinks taste like the bubble tea I grew up on: comforting, simple, and reliably good.
The service is quick and warm, the kind that makes a casual stop feel like a small treat. I’m especially hooked on the lime green tea with cute strawberry jelly stars!
| Pro-tip: Go here if you want traditional bubble tea flavours done right. The classic milk tea is their strength, and it’s consistently good! |
Jan’s Bubbles
– Media from jans_bubble
Address: 3 Merchiston Place
Hours:
Saturday to Thursday, 11.30 AM–6 PM
Friday, 11.30 AM–5.30 PM
Price: £
Jan’s Bubbles on Merchiston Place feels like one of those hidden neighbourhood gems you stumble into once and immediately add to your routine. The place has a friendly, lived-in charm that makes grabbing a cup feel almost homely.
Their flavours are straightforward but done really well, which explains their impressive following. For instance, the tapioca balls in their creamy sugar milk tea are cooked perfectly!
| Pro-tip: Try their seasonal specials, like the summertime honeydew milk tea with mango coconut jelly topped with cream; they’re often simple twists but surprisingly good. |
CUPP Bubble Tea
– Media from cuppbubbletea
Address: 112 Lothian Road
Contact: +447777908590
Hours:
Monday to Thursday, 9 AM–11 PM
Friday, 9 AM–midnight
Saturday, 10 AM–midnight
Sunday, 10 AM–11 PM
Price: £
CUPP on Lothian Road is where I end up whenever I want something modern but non-fussy after a long walk through the city centre. The clean, bright setup makes it an easy grab-and-go stop without slowing me down.
Their menu covers all the usual favourites but with that slightly polished touch. My fave here is the unparalleled pistachio-chocolate boba taro. If you like bubble tea that leans contemporary without trying too hard, give this place a try.
| Pro-tip: Go for the oat milk; their dairy-free options taste surprisingly smooth. |
Bubblify Bubble Tea
– Media from bubblify_bubble_tea
Address: 130 Dundee Street
Hours: Daily, 1 PM – 8 PM
Price: £
Bubblify has become my little refuge on cold Edinburgh afternoons when bubble tea and warmth sound equally necessary. Their warm teas and hot chocolates feel like a cosy upgrade you didn’t know you needed.
It’s one of those spots you can count on, especially with their consistent 1 to 8 PM openings. If you like your bubble tea comforting instead of icy, this place is worth checking out.
| Pro-tip: Pair a warm tea with their hot chocolate topping combo for the ultimate cold-day treat! |
Cafe Kawaii
– Media from cutebutdeadlynailco.edinburgh
Address: 6 London Road
Contact: [email protected]
Hours: Daily, 11 AM–5 PM
Price: £
Cafe Kawaii is true to its name. It always feels like I’m stepping into someone’s well-loved passion project, and I can taste the care in every cup.
The little ear-shaped lids and cute stickers always make me smile even before I take a sip. Another bonus: the owner can happily tweak drinks and proudly uses her own homemade strawberry and apricot preserves!
| Pro-tip: Keep the adorable cups! They make great pen holders or desk decor. |
Hey Luck Bubble Tea
– Media from heyluck_uk
Address: 72 S Clerk Street
Contact: +441312731707
Hours: Daily, noon–10 PM
Price: £
My friend and I tried Hey Luck Bubble Tea for the first time, and we immediately knew we’d be going back there often. I ordered a really good matcha drink, while she tried a strawberry-mochi one that tasted more like a dessert than a beverage.
Their menu is stacked with choices, and the alternative milk options make it a delight even for the lactose-intolerant.
| Pro-tip: To understand why people flock to this place, try any drink with mochi in it. |