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17 reviews for Shaktea
17 reviews in English
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Review from Farees K.
5/21/2012
Passion can polarize.
I am a loose leaf tea drinker, but didn't seek this place out, I only sought refuge from the rain. I don't normally like tea houses as in America they tend to be focused on the sale rather than the tea.
This place is different, the owners are passionate about tea and the experience they are trying to impart. With this kind of passion and care you are guaranteed a good cup of tea and if you are on the same page as the staff a wonderful experience. I had a few pots of tea and the scones, all of which were great. The owner was nice enough to spend over an hour talking about tea and even demonstrating to me how make a good cup of Maccha.
With this kind of passion you can't please everyone, I would look at you funny as well if you asked for milk and sugar in some of the subtler loose leaf teas. If they wanted to please everyone it wouldn't be the shop they have now and for that I am grateful.
Give them a try, it seems you will love it or hate it. I love it. -
Review from Isabelle G.
Vancouver, BC
Updated - 5/7/2012
After lunch at the Templeton, followed by some record browsing, I decided to treat my date to tea for two at Shaktea on 3702 Main Street. I find it hard to give a positive endorsement to this place as their customer service is horrendous. I only continue to come to this establishment 'cause they have the best tea selection in the city (looking for other alternatives in the area).
We did have their macarons with tea. Each was $2 and 1" in diameter. Each flavour was packed with strong flavour and the filling was creamy. I could tell, however, that these were frozen and then thawed as the top rather than being flaky was soft.
Don't bother trying to find out the flavour selection as the waitress was clueless and didn't know the selections nor did she bother to find out. In fact her body language made it clear that we were being an inconvenience to her by finding out the macaron selection for us.Listed in: Favorite Places on Main to…
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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2/20/2011
Atmosphere: Cozy, very urban-like, small with character, however, the seats themselves can be… Read more »
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Review from Jessica D.
Vancouver, BC
I've been coming here since Shaktea opened, over six years ago. I am an avid tea drinker, and have tried most of the other tea houses in the city. Shaktea is by far my favourite. The tea selection has been growing over the years, and now includes multiple varieties of black, green, white, rooibos, honeybush, and oolong teas. I find the ambiance relaxing and welcoming.
It's true that the owners are very serious about their teahouse- working on your computer and talking on your phone are actively discouraged. So if you're looking for a place to study for two hours, this isn't your spot. I think that is part of the charm though- you're here to enjoy the moment, tea and all! -
Review from E C.
Vancouver, BC
5/13/2012
Excellent place for afternoon tea and more reasonable in price than Urban Tea Merchant. The scones with fresh jam and cream were very good. Cucumber open face sandwiches with walnuts very good. Selection of teas is pretty good and owner is knowlegable about teas. The place looks a bit too antique.
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Review from Vivian W.
Vancouver, BC
12/30/2010
It pains me to write this but I seriously think this place should not be in business - only because they've given off an impression that they certainly do not want to be in the first place.
I have no problem with their selections of tea, cookies, food and other goodies. Most of it is geared towards the awful service. There's always the owner/manager who speaks with a super condescending tone and as if every request to purchase anything is a bothersome chore for her (oh the irony). I'll quote two examples:
My favourite blend of loose leaf tea is found at Shak Tea so I went with a friend to purchase 100g. It's not cheap since the total came to about $12. That's fine since the flavourful tea is totally worth it. When I asked the staff behind the counter to see if she could help divide it up to give my a friend a small portion of the tea I purchased to sample, she looked as if I requested for free gold bouillon in their reserve. Whatever, that's fine. I asked for a small paper bag instead for my friend's portion, and that request also was returned with a negative stony response. Are you kidding? Other local tea stores I've been to would be glad to have that done and also probably just threw in a free sample for my friend.
I returned recently just before Christmas to buy more of the same blend as a Christmas gift to some friends. I was going to buy a large quantity and then re-package it myself. I knew getting them to give me 10 labels (which had the name of the store, blend, ingredients, brewing instructions) was going to be hard but I gave it a shot anyway, explaining my idea. But the look I got from the owner with the dreadlocks was so icy I quickly shut up. "No, we don't do that here. And if you really wanted the labels, we'd have to charge you". Sigh. Just ring up my purchase and get me the hell out. I noticed there were business cards on the counter, I (mistakenly) asked again if I could take 10 of those BUSINESS CARDS, so I could refer my friends to their BUSINESS. And to no one's surprise, another cold, irritable stare and "Sorry you can't take those".
Seriously? I can't take your business cards? What is the purpose then of printing them? I think any customer is entitled to take, literally, as many as he/she wants to. So, to Shak Tea I say: reserve your business cards, labels, and any dreams of getting more people to come into your store. Because it's not going to happen at the rate you're going.
I recommend Granville Island Tea Company, David's Tea, Murchie's, and Urban Tea Merchant instead, places that are willing to take business! -
Review from Emily S.
Vancouver, BC
12/30/2010
I am hesistant to write this review because I 1) have only been once, 2) want to give it four stars for the tea service, but 3) ultimately might not return, so three stars it is.
I found service very friendly and helpful at first, and I really just wanted a cozy seat and a tea so that I could have an hour's worth of reading time for myself. Towards the end of the visit, I just felt like a big inconvenience for them, and because I no longer felt welcome I just paid and left, no tip.
So I guess the moral of my short story is:
If you're going there to socialize, this is a good place to do it (only bring 1 other person because the majority of their tables are 2 seaters), and if they're not busy you'll have a great experience. However, if you come alone, know that your experience may not be the same as mine, but I don't see this place as a reader-(and definitely not laptop-) friendly cafe. -
Review from Malloreigh M.
Vancouver, BC
1/11/2011 2 Check-ins Here
The tea is, in fact, incredible, but the atmosphere can be a bit oppressive and the service varies from okay to absolutely dismal. It's not that the employees (and owner) don't know what they're talking about - they certainly do - but they are not very nice, not very accommodating, and seem to rush people out. I go in there and feel like they're suspicious of me, as if they are sussing me out to find out if I am a dreaded coffee lover or something.
Worst experience we ever had was with the woman with the dreads, who was - there is no other word - hostile to us.
Still, I really like the tea, so I continue to go back, but I kind of don't want to. I feel so unwelcome there.Listed in: Coffee & Tea
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Review from Marc D.
Vancouver, BC
6/14/2009
* Lovely selection of teas and very friendly knowledgeable service *
Wandered in looking for some tea and was pleasantly surprised by the HUGE selection they offer. There must be at least 50 different loose teas to select from. They offer to prepare the tea hot or iced and when there are two of you they make a bigger pot for a slightly lower price.
The staff was very friendly, offering tastes of 3 different teas, and recommending and answering questions about the rest of their selections.
We ordered the mango black tea and were impressed with how they handle the preparation. They steep each tea to the perfect level behind the counter based upon the type of tea and then transfer it to a pot for your table which they put over a small candle to keep it hot. So the first cup tastes just as good as the last - without it getting overly steeped like it does at many other tea rooms.
Tea service comes with complimentary little ginger cookies - a very nice touch.
There was a live harpist playing as well, which added a nice touch to an already pleasant atmosphere. Yes, a LIVE harpist! Cool!
Took a look at the desserts and they looked fabulous as well. A really nice selection of tarts, in particular. But did not sample them today. I overheard that they have their own pastry chef in-house that makes all the desserts. It shows.
I really like this spot, and will definitely return!Listed in: Dentists' Dreams in Vancouver
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Review from Renee C.
7/11/2009
Really nice staff. Very friendly.
A great pink chair in the corner....very comfy and artsy feel to the place. A selection up at the front of 3 teas to try, all of which I liked.
My favorite part...coconut chai. Tastes like great chai but with a nose of coconut. Drinking it was like partaking in a ceremony. Seriously, try it. -
Review from Brett C.
Toronto, ON
3/23/2010 1 photo
My impression of this place started off badly. I ordered their caramel tea and pulled out my Visa to pay. I was then informed their was a $5 minimum for credit card purchases. Now I am okay with a place having a $2 or $3 minimum, but a $5 minimum is REALLY annoying when nearly everything on the menu (i.e. tea) is less than the credit card minimum. At that point you might as well not take credit cards because it feels like a form of extortion to almost force me to buy another thing from the menu instead of making sure they have their costs covered (this is why I voted that they don't accept credit cards).
But luckily the tea was very good.
What was not so lucky was how I felt my girlfriend and I were pestered about not leaving our tea pots over the candle flame they come with. I can understand telling our table once, but telling my girlfriend and I separately that we need to remove the tea pots once the tea is gone feels like I am an untrusted customer who can't follow directions. If they truly have problems with this they should probably consider dropping the candles and get better insulated tea pots.
But as I said, the tea was very good, which is the saving grace of this review. Otherwise they would have been knocked a lot more for the customer service dings they have against them. -
Review from Anita T.
Toronto, ON
1/15/2011
From the first time I sipped their coconut chai, it was love. The creamy, smooth, yet spicy chai was exactly what any rainy Vancouver day would have called for.
And the ambience was perfect... cozy and welcoming - I didn't want to leave! So I didn't. That's right. I ordered myself a toasted brie toast - it was toasted to perfection and served with scrumptious fruit preserves.
I have to admit I have been thinking about their coconut chai ever since, and keep plotting on ways to (a) go there WAY more often and (b) make my own coconut chai. Wish me luck! -
Review from Heidi H.
Vancouver, BC
3/12/2009
I went in for some tea and left with so much more.
Lately I have had a thing for jasmine pearl tea. During a little stroll along Main Street, I stopped in this cute little tea shop in hopes of finding some to take home.
After taking a walk around the store, I was directed to taste some of the sample teas they had brewing... a warming peppermint infused tea, a citrus early gray and another one that I didn't try. They were delicious and warming on this freakish Vancouver day (sun on minute, hail and snow the next). I mentioned to the woman that I was interested jasmine pearl green tea. She pulled some off the shelf and let me experience its wonderful scent. I was ready at that moment to buy some and run home to make it.
But that is when the real learning began. They walked me through the process of the best way to prepare each of the teas I wanted, how to store them, and left me feeling much more enlightened about my soon to be purchase.
I left smiling, content and excited to test out my new learning and new tea. I would encourage anyone to stop by, try some tea and learn something new about this delightful beverage. If you have the time, sit, bring friends and have a chat. I think they are open until 10pm most nights.
So go - relax with a cup full of tea and learn something new. -
Review from James E.
4/9/2009
Shak-Tea reminded me of a local teahouse in my Seattle neighborhood, only ours has nowhere near the welcoming feminine energy in this store. Leaving Main Street as we walked through the door, there's an instant feeling of calm. Tea aromas float through the air and your chest feels grateful for taking a breath.
The staff, quite friendly, prepared a tea service for two with finesse. The little ginger snaps were an unexpected treat and paired nicely with our tea. Coffee is overrated, in my opinion, and taking an afternoon break with a cup of tea is both physically and mentally healing. -
Review from Hipster C.
Vancouver, BC
8/3/2010
I've been feeling the need lately to have my Star*uck addiction beaten out of me . . . aka Linda Blair in the Exorcist. Overpriced corporate coffee, bad for the soul! Indie, local tea house aka Shak Tea - soothing for the soul!
I was greeted by a warm and friendly hello by the proprietor/barrista - a good and welcomed start. Too many times corporate zombie employees just don't give a hoot or a holler. Then I was invited to sample the 3 teas - all delicious (roobois, earl grey and a very earthy and rich Barley tea, yum!)
I love lattes and decided to order the Matcha latte. I took a seat on the pink chair by the window and the barrista came by a bit later with my mug/bowl of latte and 2 mini gingersnap cookies. The cookies were tasty, but the tea was AMAZING - you could taste the quality of the Matcha, it had no lingering bitterness to it - I didn't even need to add sugar to my latte. The barrista knew her tea steeping techniques too and we even had a lovely chat about how to make a really good lavender latte.
And what's really exciting is that they will be providing an "English" traditional tea service but with an Asian twist in their finger foods to honour the Asian heritage that is tea is seeped in.
So creative and wonderful, don't you think? I can't wait to try out their Asian fusion tea service.
Likes: Knowledgeable proprietor, artistic decor, creative tea flavours offered, attentive customer service, properly prepared teas
Dislikes: didn't have a brochure about their Tea Service so I could share with friends, desserts didn't have descriptions on them -
Review from Zach B.
Vancouver, BC
1/18/2011
- A good selection of tea.
- Quiet, relaxing environment.
- Slower service, but that lent to the relaxing nature of the teahouse.
- Excellent place to breathe and catch up with a friend. -
Review from Awesta M.
4/13/2010
I really, really, really, disliked this place. The waitress/barista was rude and insulting. She lectured us about everything from how the chairs had to be aligned to how low the water had gotten in our teapots. Don't ask, but also don't bother going there either. And I will never go back.
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Review from J Q.
Vancouver, BC
6/10/2011
I'm a little conflicted in this review. For full transparency, I'm a Chinese girl so I find the whole white hipster tea culture to be absurd. However, as an assimilated immigrant, I embrace change and I can take irony.
I like tea, a lot. Er, but in the asian way of "iron goddess" and "dragon well" and uh, I don't know if there are other popularized translations. Nevertheless, treating shaktea and other white people tea places similar to coffee places (ie: white people drink that has it's own culture), this place isn't bad. And of the few non asian teas I've had there, they do procure some fine flavoured products for the palate. Bottom line, the quality of products are quite high.
I'm not used to western confectionary with tea, even western tea, it just doesn't go well with the tea drinking experience...I suppose unless you put milk in your tea, which some people do. Personally, somehow, oily sweets (which I love) that is baked goods just don't strike me as a good pairing with tea which is enjoyed for it's subtlely in flavour. Chinese tea treats are a bit of a different concept all together which I won't get into, this isn't a Chinese tea house at any rate. Nevertheless, on its own, shaktea's sweets are not too bad and they are kind for serving a few biscuits with your pot.
Obviously, I have a chip on my shoulder that this city adopted it's own version of tea culture rather than what the snob in me prefers. Nevertheless I fully realize I'm not in China and I won't let a cultural objection affect my rating.
The reason why I wouldn't give this place five stars despite their excellent quaity of leaves and courteousness in providing a little amuse-bouche, is, similarly to the other posters, their service. I've never had terrible service mind you, I ordered, there was tea, it came at a good temperature, there was offer of another pot, that sort of thing, all the basic elements are there.
Definitely the attitude I have recieved from the staff have varied, mostly tending towards apathetic and uninterested, once rude and once nice. It's baffling because it's a tea house, and not a busy one. There isn't nothing to do, but there is not so much to do that your customers are invisible or annoyances. Perhaps it's a culture they wish to breed apart from the overly exuberant coffee baristas, but mostly, it's simply annoying. Please change that. If you would like a civilized and enjoyable tea culture to come out of Vancouver, having civilized and courteous staff members is important.
A final general note, different cultures have their own beverage culture and history. What works is a complete experience that is tied together. Bbt is casual and fun, coffee is efficient and energetic, Chinese teahouses are relaxing and (depending on where you are) a bit sophisticated, alcohol is a social lubricant for social occasions. Shaktea is kind of all over the place. It's trying to be chi-chi which is reasonable for it's quality of products and the level of knowledge you need to acquire to understand the products, but it's smack in the middle of hipster-ville main st. It's not a place for the masses (nor should it) because it's not casual, but it's decor belongs to the diy-craft dealy which says it is casual. Shaktea, you're really at odds with yourself. Tie this together, have some better staff, and selfishly, offer up some greater variety of asian teas/ tea snacks because we've been doing this tea dealy a lot longer than you guys.
