Tea lovers often ask me where to go for tea in my home town, Sydney, so here is Teashirts’ (by no means definitive) guide to Sydney venues that serve quality leaf.

Teahouses

These are venues with sit-in service where tea is the primary focus.

Ms.Cattea Tea Bar
Shop 17, 1-21 Darlinghurst Road, Potts Point

With a degree in tea science and a master of tea ceremony, Cathy Zhang is one of the most educated tea proprietors in Australia. This tea bar in the heart of Potts Point specialises in Chinese tea, including seasonal and rare types, but you can also get your matcha fix, single estate Indian tea and blends, including herbal tisanes, plus tea-based cocktails and mocktails.

Service is at-table (staff offer re-brews with fresh hot water), or there’s a small selection to take away. Specialty tastings are fully hosted. Also look out for special events and workshops to further your tea knowledge.

MY Tea House
Shop 4-5, 129-133 Military Road, Neutral Bay

Expect to be invited to the tea table whether you’re there to buy or browse. Book ahead for special tea journeys, from beginners tastings to pu’er events. Raymond Mao is an expert at balancing the brews so that you avoid becoming tea drunk and instead achieve equilibrium. There’s also a big range of Chinese tea and teaware for sale in the retail section.

Service is fully hosted. You pay a rate based on time and then per tea chosen.

Rushi Teahouse
Shop 1s, 29 Albert Avenue, Chatswood

Away from the main shopping district of Chatswood, this teahouse is an oasis of calm, thanks to its beautiful origin story. Owner Cianna, who is Buddhist, wanted a place to host people who could write sutras but thought such a large space might not work for a single niche purpose. This teahouse complements the sutra-writing perfectly. Choose from a selection of specialty Chinese and Taiwanese tea.

Service can be semi-hosted (staff bring brewed tea to you periodically) or self-hosted (you have your own private room and gongfu set).

Tea Angle
88 Addison Road, Marrickville

Dawn Liang and Matt Tran from Tea Angle started their brand on the strength of their aromatic dancongs and have since branched out into yancha (rock oolongs) and pu’er. This small studio is open on weekends or by appointment and is focused on pure specialty Chinese tea.

Taste to buy, or book in for a fully hosted tasting session. Also keep an eye out for special events.

Tea Journal
Shop 44, 436 Victoria Road, Chatswood

Tea Journal boasts a curated menu of Chinese tea, some from the proprietor Sunny’s family plantation, as well as a handful of tea blends. While just steps away from the hub of Chatswood, the peaceful venue is well-suited to taking time for tea. Try their specialty chiffon cakes, too.

Service is at-table (staff offer re-brews with fresh hot water), or there’s a selection available for takeaway.

Topo’Tea
D6 Sussex Centre, 401 Sussex Street, Sydney

Shane Shu has taken Topotea from a market stall to a Chinatown institution with two venues inside the Sussex Centre: the original basement space, where you can drink and shop, and the level one room, for workshops and special events. Topotea offers popular Chinese and Taiwanese teas as well as rarer estate teas and an outstanding range of teaware.

Service can be semi-hosted (staff bring brewed tea to you periodically) or self-hosted (you’re given your own gongfu set). Taste-to-buy sessions are fully hosted at the front table.

Zensation
Shop 82, 792 Bourke St, Waterloo

Raymond Leung a longstanding member of the Chinese diaspora here in Sydney and his previous experience in restaurant fit-outs and visual design have culminated in this inner south venue where Chinese, Taiwanese and Japanese tea is served alongside a selection of Asian bites, from dumplings to noodles and sticky rice parcels. Plenty of teaware on offer too.

Service is at-table (staff offer re-brews with fresh hot water). Look out for special events, including degustations.

Not teahouses – coming soon

Specialty tea retailers – coming soon