I’ve selected ten of my favourite tea spots around the world - some smaller, some bigger, but all independently minded, created with purpose and a careful attention to detail.

1. Postcard Teas, London (UK)

Photo: Postcard Teas

One of the places that inspired me to embark on my tea journey whilst I was a lawyer. Tim D’offay was truly a pioneer in bringing “provenance” to the table and still remains one of the most influential tea figures in the UK today with his knowledge in tea culture, history, ceramics. postcardteas.com

Address: 9 Dering Street, New Bond Street, London, W1S 1AG
Opening Hours: Monday to Saturday: 12:00 PM to 6:30 PM
Closed on Sunday

 

2. Sakurai, Tokyo (JP)

Photo: Sakurai Japanese Tea Experience

Shinya Sakurai’s tea creations defied my perception of tea, whilst Shinichiro Ogata’s meditative designs opened my teas to the possibilities of capturing traditional Asian essences in contemporary designs. sakurai-tea.jp

Address: 5-6-23 Minami Aoyama, 5th Floor of The Spiral Building, Minato, Tokyo, 107-0062
Opening Hours: Monday to Friday: 11:00 AM to 11:00 PM
Saturday and Sunday: 11:00 AM to 8:00 PM

 

3. Tea House Assam, Kyoto(JP)

Photo: hankei500.kyoto-np.jp

Found this place randomly whilst strolling along the Philosopher’s path one day in Kyoto. The owner has curated a beautiful collection of mostly Indian and Sri Lankan black teas and serves them meticulously in English tea sets and paired with killer homemade pastries. teahouseassam

Address: 53 Shishigatani Kamimiyanomaecho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, Japan
Opening Hours: Monday to Wednesday, Friday to Sunday: 1:00 PM to 5:00 PMThursday: Closed

 

4. Ippodo, Kyoto (JP)

Photo: Ippodo

A bustling Kyoto institution with a tea boutique offering all manners of Japanese teas and a teahouse at the back. ippodotea.com

Address: 52 Tokiwagi-cho, Teramachi-dori, Nijo agaru, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto 604-0915, Japan
Opening Hours: Daily 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM

 

5. yam'Tcha, Paris (FR)

Photo: guide.michelin.com

It’s not easy to find a restaurant which takes tea pairing seriously, and Yum T’Cha, a French fine dining restaurant with a nod to Chinese cuisine, is such a place where each course is paired thoughtfully with a tea brewed live and on demand. Round the corner from the main restaurant is a smaller casual teahouse serving their famous cheese Bao and teas (you can even get a pretty damn good Hong Kong style milk tea!). yamtcha.com

Address: 121 Rue Saint-Honoré, 75001 Paris, France

 

6. Ogata, Paris (FR)

Photo: Ogata Paris

Breathtakingly beautiful teahouse set against three floors where tea drinking on any seat offered throughout the space is made to look like a picture from a magazine.shop.ogata.com

Address: 16 rue Debelleyme, Paris, 75003, France
Tea Salon (Sabō) Opening Hours : Wednesday to Sunday, 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM

 

7. Jioufen Teahouse, Taipei (TW)

Photo: Jioufen Teahouse

Traditional Chinese teahouse located in the hill station of Jioufen overlooking the coast of the East China sea. Here where water is boiled at the table on charcoal fire and wiling away the day over pumpkin seeds and a book is encouraged. jioufeng-teahouse.com.tw

Address: 142 Jishan St, Ruifang District, New Taipei, 224, Taiwan
Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday: 11:00 AM to 8:00 PM

 

8. Xiaoman Tea Experience, Taipei (TW)

Photo: Xiaoman Tea Experience

A true master, Xiaoman singlehandedly defines the study of beauty through tea in Taiwan and now in Kyoto with her by-appointment-only teahouse in Taipei.  @xiaoman_taipei

Address: No.39, Ln. 16, Taishun St., Da’an Dist., Taipei City, 10648, Taiwan
Opening Hours: Tuesday to Sunday: 12:00 PM to 6:00 PM
Monday: Closed

 

9. OMOT, Seoul (KR)

Photo: OMOT

OMOT (오므오트) is a serene tea sanctuary in Seoul, South Korea. Renowned for its dedication to exquisite teas, OMOT offers a peaceful respite from city life, curated with a selection of premium teas in an inviting ambiance. omot-omot.com

 

10. Plantation Tea Bar, Hong Kong 

Plantation Tea Bar is a unique and inviting tea bar located in Sai Wan, Hong Kong. Founded by Nana Chan, the tea bar offers a modern twist on traditional tea culture, featuring high-quality single-origin teas sourced from small family farms across Asia. The ambiance is cozy and sophisticated, making it an ideal spot for tea enthusiasts and those looking to explore the rich world of tea. plantation.hk

Address: 18 Po Tuck Street, Sai Wan, Hong Kong
Opening Hours: Thursday to Sunday: 12:00 PM to 10:00 PM
Monday-Wednesday: Closed