Cozy up this fall with chai, oolong, high tea and creative blends from standout tea spots across Los Angeles

As temperatures begin to drop and the city embraces the fall season, what better way to start the morning or wind down after a long day than with a steaming cup of tea? Full of antioxidants and vitamins, tea offers endless long-term health benefits. But in a city that runs on coffee, good quality tea shops are often hard to find. An extensive search ended with these eight shops, all serving up the very best available to enjoy in-shop or from the comfort of your own home.

This might not be a dedicated tea house, but the chai is worth the trip. This Indian-American fusion restaurant is serving up Darjeeling tea imported from India, steeped with cardamom seeds and fresh ginger. Combined with whole milk to finish it off, this rich beverage is the crown jewel of the menu, though the modern Indian cuisine is also worth a visit. 

Founder Mayra Vazquez is bringing a taste of the “good life,” the english translation of buena vida, to Santa Monica.This beachside oasis has some of the best hand shaken iced teas in the area, but the beauty lies in their outdoor garden patio that serves high tea starting as early as 10 a.m. Take an afternoon to relax on their patio or, if you’re in a rush, their high tea service is available for takeout.

Farmers Markets

Are you new to the world of tea and not sure where to begin? Try stopping by your local farmers market to search for new blends. Farmers who set up shop would love to take the time to walk you through their individual blends and give you suggestions based on your individual taste. Maybe you could even try a sample or two.

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Coffee house meets tea room meets yoga studio at this new spot located in the heart of Venice. Inara is all about a daily ritual with their elevated approach to wellness. Stop by their ground-floor shop to try an adaptogenic latte, available with or without espresso, crafted from herbs and mushrooms to help regulate stress. Take a trip upstairs to try out one of their yoga classes to complete your own daily ritual.

Looking for wellness blends? Look no further than L.A. Homefarm. The elevated farm-to-table store crafts blends to support everything from heart health to menopause. If you were a fan of Wild Terra, a tea shop in Highland Park that has since closed down, you can find blends crafted by their founder, Danielle, at this farm-to-table store. L.A. Homefarm founder, Lauri Kranz, wants to make wellness a part of your everyday routine. Her favorite blend at the moment is their headache blend, best enjoyed just before bed.

This Oakland-born shop may be known for its rich house-ground spices, but customers shouldn’t overlook their vibrant tea selections. Each blend is handcrafted with a mix of traditional teas and unusual savory spice ingredients to ensure a flavor you can’t get anywhere else. If you’re still holding on to the last gasps of summer, try their citrus hibiscus twist tea, crafted with Omani lime to give the blend a lemony kick. If you’re welcoming the cooler breezes of fall, brew a cup of their chai masala, made caffeine-free for everyone to enjoy. Check out their website for unique recipes starring their homemade tea blends.

This ain’t your grandma’s tea house, at least that’s what owner Chad Webber says. This rock n’ roll-inspired tea house started in the back of a 1975 Dodge Van at the height of the pandemic in 2020. Now with a brick-and-mortar storefront, Webber is crafting oat milk-based tea lattes, or plain tea drinks, with funky rock names for the people of Redondo Beach. Try the Raspberry Beret for a little boost of caffeine topped with a strawberry foam or the Heart Shaped Box for a caffeine-free delight.

Silk & Jade is bringing only the best Oolong tea straight from Taiwan to their storefront in Eagle Rock. Certified tea master Lily, mother of co-founder Joe, helps to carefully select oolong blends from boutique farms in Taiwan that harvest tea leaves by hand. For any tea enthusiasts, their Art of Tea tasting class is perfect for immersing yourself in the world of oolong, blending heritage and craft with each session led by a tea master or apprentice.