Bubble tea—aka boba—is that sweet, iconic drink from Taiwan that started taking over the world in the 80s. The base is usually green or black tea, mixed with milk and fruit syrups. But the real MVP? The “bubbles“: black tapioca pearls with that chewy, addictive texture that makes every sip an experience.
Lately, the boba craze in Milan has been absolutely popping off. Even though the major Italo-Chinese chain Frankly recently shuttered all six of their locations (RIP 🕊️), the city is still packed with high-quality spots to get your fix. Some are homegrown gems, while others are heavy hitters straight from Taiwan and China, bringing authentic recipes and immaculate vibes.
Here’s the rundown of the best spots to grab a cup.
Laankee Hong Kong Milk Tea
Via Paolo Sarpi 2, Milano
Zona Sarpi, Google Map
https://www.instagram.com/laankee_bubbletea
Started low-key in the side streets of Sarpi, this spot leveled up to a prime central location and the hype is real. Aside from their iconic Hong Kong-style milk tea (which seriously slaps), you have to try their bubble waffles/egg waffles. Total afternoon tea combo.
The Alley
Via Paolo Sarpi 6, Milano
Zona Sarpi, Google Map
https://www.instagram.com/thealley.italy
A Taiwanese OG founded in 2013 with over 440 locations worldwide. They serve a massive range of bubble tea and fruit teas.
In Milan, they’re running two spots: the historic one in Chinatown and a brand new aesthetic location on Via Torino, just steps from the Duomo.
CoCo Bubble Tea
Via Paolo Sarpi 10, Milano
Zona Sarpi, Google Map
https://www.coco-tea.com/
Established in Taiwan in ’97, CoCo is a global giant with over 5,000 stores.
Their 3 Brothers Milk Tea is a certified classic: milk tea loaded with three toppings—tapioca pearls, pudding, and grass jelly. Also, keep an eye out for their seasonal cups; they’re usually limited edition and very ‘gram-worthy.
Mocano – Fruit & Bubble Tea
Via Paolo Sarpi 17, Milano
Zona Sarpi, Google Map
https://mocanobubbletea.it/
A modern spot focusing on fresh fruit teas. The best part? It has three floors and plenty of seating, which is a rare find for boba shops. It’s the perfect hangout spot to chill with the squad.
Second Location: Corso Buenos Aires 1, Porta Venezia area.
Chabaidao
Via Paolo Sarpi 13, Milano
Zona Sarpi, Google Map
https://www.chabaidao.com/
Also known as ChaPanda, this is one of China’s top-tier bubble tea chains. Founded in Chengdu in 2008, they now have over 8,000 stores.
Since dropping in Milan, the hype has been instant—especially among Chinese students who know what’s good. A total go-to.
QQTea Taiwan
Via Paolo Sarpi 47, Milano
Zona Sarpi, Google Map
https://www.instagram.com/qqtea_taiwan
A historic Milanese staple that locals swear by, with a second spot in Porta Venezia.
The name “QQ” is Taiwanese slang for that perfectly chewy, bouncy texture of tapioca pearls. Like the name suggests, the texture here hits different.
This selection reflects CTM’s opinion. Do you agree? Share your thoughts or suggest a spot — we’d love to hear from you!
We’ll keep this list updated if any places closes, if the quality flops, or if we discover a new hidden gem.