All of the prices listed in this article are from Snackpass or in-person April 2026 menus.
Nothing screams UC Berkeley more than its iconic campus architecture, blue and gold colors and Oski, who cheers students on in every shape and form. But in the past several years, there has been a new landmark icon that defines Telegraph Avenue: boba shops. With the rise in the drink’s popularity around campus, there has been an influx of boba spots to choose from. However, the drink is costly and, if indulged in frequently, becomes an expensive luxury. After trying and exploring various options around campus, here is my list of personal boba faves that are budget-friendly and flavorful:
TP Tea
Conveniently located right down Telegraph Avenue, TP Tea offers a variety of different drinks with their prices ranging anywhere from $4.75 to $7.50. As for boba, it charges 75 cents to add it to any drink. Its classic boba milk tea, which includes the additional pearls, is priced at $6.50. TP Tea is great for anyone who wants a quality drink but doesn’t want to fully break the bank to do so.
Heytea
Located on Shattuck Avenue, Heytea is perfect for an afternoon pick-me-up if you have a class in the Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive, Li Ka Shing or Mulford Hall. While the typical drinks are on the pricer side, if you have a love for the classic tea flavor or adventurous taste buds, Heytea is worth the visit. HeyTea offers its Jasmine tea at $3.99 and does frequent BOGOs. In order to know about its BOGOs, check Heytea’s Instagram or its app. Its tea taste is extremely high-quality, and if you’re looking for an excuse to test out your taste buds and hang out with a friend, waiting in the BOGO lines is a promising adventure. Adding boba to its drinks costs 99 cents, putting it on the pricer side. However, Heytea is great if you’re looking to splurge and get points for its BOGO offerings.
Chicha San Chen
Similar to Heytea, Chicha San Chen is typically very pricey. Located on Bancroft Way, Chicha San Chen is known for its iconic flavor and cups that come with a handle. Unfortunately, the teas are usually priced anywhere from $7 to $10, but looking for BOGOs makes trying the drinks worth it, especially on a budget. To check for upcoming deals, be sure to check out its Instagram at @chichasanchen.norcal.
Sharetea
It’s hard to miss the Sharetea located on Telegraph Avenue. Conveniently located and cost-effective, Sharetea has a few options that are budget-friendly and tasty. Its teas cost as low as $5.50 and can go up to $7.95. To add boba to any of its drinks is a $1 charge, making the drink customizable in price. This location rates high in location convenience, but there are likely better boba deals to be found near campus.
Sheng Kee Bakery
Sheng Kee Bakery on Telegraph Avenue also serves teas and boba drinks at an extremely affordable price. Its milk teas range anywhere from $4.25 to $5.25, and its drink add-ons are all free. These add-ons include boba, egg pudding, grass jelly, lychee jelly and more. Furthermore, it has a consistent deal that prices two large drinks for $8.50. Sheng Kee rates high in affordability and convenience, but the drinks’ flavor may be a bit underwhelming.
Cafe Think – Ladle and Leaf
If you haven’t made the trek up to the Haas School of Business recently, you should know that Cafe Think recently got a makeover. The cafe now serves Ladle and Leaf meals and makes its coffee with Equator Coffees’ beans. Importantly, it now also serves boba at a $6 price point. It is worth a try if you’re ever on that part of campus and craving a fun drink.
Yifang
Our last stop on our Berkeley boba world tour is Yifang. Located on Bancroft Way, Yifang offers a variety of drinks, ranging from fruit tea to brown sugar boba. Its most cost-effective drink is the Brown Sugar Pearl Latte, which already includes boba pearls, priced at $6.75. Adding boba to the drinks costs an extra dollar, but the store offers several drinks at the $6 price point that are equally as good with or without boba. Like TP Tea, Yifang wins points for its convenience and high-quality taste.
Overall, there are many boba places around Berkeley. If you’re a fan of the drink, there is definitely no shortage of trying new versions of your favorite tea. As for myself, my personal recommendation for the best boba on a budget would be TP Tea. While Sheng Kee and Cafe Think take the cake for a low price point, there is no substitute for a good tea and boba flavor at a reasonable price.