Chinese Tea Houses
Gongfu service, yixing clay, and tea lists that run from jasmine green to aged pu-erh. These houses put the leaf first — expect tasting-style pours and staff who can talk terroir.
5 tea rooms
Ten Yen Tea & Wellness
$$Asiatown / Alief · Houston
One of Houston's rare traditional tea import shops on Bellaire Boulevard in Asiatown — no flavored teas or boba, just quality imported Chinese teas and tea wares. An in-house herbalist is available to consult on health issues, and the shop offers tastings of its premium loose-leaf selection.
The Cultured Cup
$$North Dallas / Midway Hollow area · Farmers Branch
A destination tea shop and tasting room operating for over two decades, carrying more than 100 teas including Mariage Frères of Paris plus roughly 50 coffees. Proprietor Kyle Stewart performs gong fu cha, the traditional Chinese tea ceremony, and the shop hosts Saturday open tastings and private tea-tasting experiences. Also stocks drinkware and gourmet items, with curbside pickup available.
Water Drop Teahouse
$Richardson
A serene vegetarian teahouse operated by IBPS Dallas, the Fo Guang Shan Buddhist temple in Richardson. Hot tea is served by the teapot with Chinese tea, fruit tea, and lotus tea on the menu alongside vegetarian dishes, and proceeds support the temple. Hours are limited (weekend lunch service); call ahead to confirm before visiting.
Water Drop Teahouse
$Stafford
A serene vegetarian teahouse inside the Fo Guang Shan Chung Mei Buddhist Temple near Sugar Land, overlooking a Chan garden. Guests sip specialty fruit, lavender, and herbal teas alongside vegetarian noodle soups, rice dishes, and pot-stickers in a quiet, meditative setting; proceeds support the temple. Dinner banquets for groups of six or more are available with reservations.
West China Tea House
$$East Austin · Austin
East Austin tea house from West China Tea Company, importing artisan and farm-direct Chinese teas served in the traditional gong fu cha style. Guests can sit for tea service, take classes, and shop loose-leaf teas and teaware from the company's direct-import catalog. Open into the late evening most nights as an alcohol-free gathering space.