Italy’s bubble tea scene has rapidly expanded in recent years, blending Taiwanese-style shops with local cafes. Leading Italian brands like Boba Bar (a domestic bubble-tea chain) have outlets in Rome, Milan, and Florence, and global franchises such as Chatime and Gong Cha are also present. Bubble tea shops range from minimalist modern cafes to cozy student hangouts, often serving classic milk teas, fruity infusions, and creative seasonal blends. Many shops now offer milk alternatives (soy/oat) for vegan customers. Below we highlight top bubble-tea venues by city, including shop name, address, specialties, ambiance, price range, and noteworthy options.
Rome
- Bad Monkey (Via Tuscolana 1108, 00174 Rome) – A popular spot focusing on vibrant fruit-flavored bubble teas and Taiwanese-style snacks. It’s praised for its vivid fruit tastes and homemade toppings to create an authentic Taiwan experience. The youthful, casual shop is decorated with pop-culture art and has a fun, laid-back vibe. Prices are moderate (€4–5), and the menu includes both classic milk teas and fresh fruit infusions.
- Te Amo (Via di Torre Argentina 7, 00186 Rome) – A café near the Pantheon with a broad menu including matcha lattes and tropical fruit teas. Known for warm service and unique features like a customer note wall. It offers oat and soy milk options, making it vegan-friendly.
- Black Sugar Bubble Tea (Via Appia Nuova 204, 00183 Rome) – A trendy shop with inventive flavors like salted cheese foam milk tea and exotic blends such as dragon fruit tea or purple sweet-potato with tapioca. The interior is modern with neon lighting and minimalistic décor.
- Youyou (YoYou) Tea (Via Tuscolana 699b, 00175 Rome) – A favorite for its wide range of milk and fruit teas paired with homemade Asian desserts. Cozy and photo-friendly with mid-range pricing.
Milan
- Frankly Bubble Tea & Coffee (Via Orefici 5, 20123 Milano) – Near the Duomo, this busy shop excels in customization with options for various milk bases and toppings. Signature drinks include cocoa matcha milk tea and frozen ube latte. A takeout-oriented venue with quick service.
- Coll Bubble Tea (C.so di Porta Vittoria 58, 20122 Milano) – A Taiwanese-style cafe using real milk and fresh ingredients. Serves snacks like waffles and takoyaki. Bright, clean ambiance and friendly staff with reasonable pricing.
- Shaker Bubble & Tea Lovers (Via Orefici 1, 20121 Milano) – A Taiwanese-owned franchise offering classic drinks in a neon-lit coffeehouse setting. Known for mango and rose tea blends. Affordable and spacious for evening hangouts.
- Foodie (Via Paolo Sarpi 4, 20154 Milano) – A cozy Asian café in Chinatown offering Japanese street food and bubble tea. Noted for matcha desserts and generous tapioca servings. Casual with friendly staff.
- KAPE (Piazza Simone Bolivar 3, 20131 Milano) – A student favorite known for matcha milk tea with pearls. Warm, minimal decor and personalized service. Offers a loyalty card program.
- Panda Tea (Corso di Porta Ticinese 58, 20123 Milano) – A trendy tea bar offering fruit and milk bubble teas. The shop has a pastel-themed interior and often promotes social media specials.
Florence
- Machi Machi (Piazza dell’Unità Italiana 25, 50123 Firenze) – A Taiwanese chain near Santa Maria Novella station. Famous for seasonal drinks like strawberry jasmine tea and brown sugar pearls. Elegant pastel interior.
- San Tea House (Via de’ Barbadori 21, 50125 Firenze) – Quaint cafe near Ponte Vecchio offering a wide menu of milk and fruit teas, including soy milk options. Calm, minimalist atmosphere.
- Just Tea (Via S. Antonino 18/R, 50123 Firenze) – A compact downtown shop with classic and slushy flavors. Warm lighting and wooden interiors make it Instagrammable.
- Acqua Dolce (Via Faenza 12R, 50123 Firenze) – A dessert-focused cafe known for bubble tea and gelato. Offers brown-sugar and fruit teas alongside Italian-style treats.
Naples
- QIYU Bar (Corso Novara 58, 80143 Napoli) – Possibly Naples’ first bubble tea bar, serving Taiwanese-style milk and fruit teas. Lively and youthful vibe.
- Chiquita Fruit Bar (Via Chiaia 191, 80121 Napoli) – A juice bar offering bubble teas made with fresh fruit juices and popping pearls. Colorful, tropical-themed ambiance.
- Bubble Tea & Poke (Via Toledo 417, 80132 Napoli) – A takeout-style hybrid shop serving both poke bowls and bubble tea. Convenient location on a major shopping street.
- Na’ Polpetta (Via Vittoria Colonna 6, 80121 Napoli) – A meatball-focused eatery that offers bubble tea as a fun drink option. Known for flavors like caramel milk tea with tapioca.
Turin
- Bubble Tea Forest (Via Giuseppe Garibaldi 9, 10122 Torino) – Central shop with dozens of flavor combinations. Decorated with a quirky forest theme and popular for its authenticity.
- Pony Bubble Tea (Via Bruno Buozzi 4 & Corso Palestro 4, Torino) – A playful, pastel-colored chain known for taro milk and mango green tea. Frequent promotions and casual hangout spot.
Bologna
- Latthè (Via Nosadella 13A, 40122 Bologna) – One of Italy’s first dedicated bubble tea cafés. Offers milk teas, fruit teas, and slushies in a corner cafe popular among students.
- ING Boba Tea (Via Nazario Sauro 28/B, 40121 Bologna) – A sleek modern tea bar with quality jasmine and matcha drinks. Highly rated for consistency and tapioca texture.
- Greencaffè & Bubble Tea (Via Ugo Bassi 23C, 40121 Bologna) – A bright cafe near a major market offering bubble tea made with loose-leaf teas and Italian-Asian fusion snacks.
- You Bubble Tea (Via De' Giudei, 6c, 40126 Bologna BO, Italy) – A laid-back neighborhood shop with friendly service and a mix of fruity and milky options.
Major Chains and Tips
- Boba Bar – A domestic Italian chain with outlets in Rome, Milan, and Florence.
- Chatime and Gong Cha – International franchises offering consistent menus across cities.
- Bubbleology – A UK-based chain present in select Italian cities.
Most drinks cost €3–5. Many shops offer sugar/ice customization and non-dairy milk options like oat or soy. Vegan-friendly locations include Te Amo (Rome) and Frankly (Milan).
Sustainability
Eco-friendly practices are not widely advertised among Italian bubble tea shops. A few international chains may promote biodegradable cups, but most venues do not highlight sustainability. If you care about reducing waste, consider bringing your own reusable cup or straw.
Summary
Italy’s bubble tea offerings are diverse, with Rome and Milan leading in both variety and innovation. Florence’s cafes are elegant and often chain-based, while Naples offers creative fruit-based drinks. Turin and Bologna have small, cozy venues popular with students. Each city reflects its own take on the global bubble tea trend, making Italy a surprisingly rich destination for boba lovers.
Let me know if you'd like a printable map or a summarized version by category (e.g., vegan-friendly, Instagram-worthy, traditional Taiwanese).
