Rick P.

I'm giving them only three stars because they come up just short of anything else: First, let's start with the good: As the name suggests, Teasim has really good tea (and coffee). It has good beer too! Likewise, the food options are interesting, and for the most part, yummy. Now for the bad: Having dined there many times in the past, I took my friend there last night, and I was disappointed. 1) They got the order wrong. She ordered sweet potato fries--none were ever put on the ticket. 2) She ordered her hamburger medium rare. It was closer to medium well. 3) The wine wasn't anything to write home about. 4) After ordering a second glass (I guess it wasn't terrible), there was a lot of discussion amongst the manager and bar staff, and some clarification questions for us, before finally bringing the drink. So .... the Teasism folks are reading, here is how it is supposed to work: A) Tell you what--I'll give you the order slip for free. We could have probably asked for fries afterward, but there was a lot of stuff already ... so, anyway... B) At this stage of the game, you can't be two temperatures off on meat. In the words of Mr. Mackay, "burning food is bad, mmmk?" C) Get some better wine. I know two wine reps if you need some help. You've nailed all the other beverages perfectly, so why not be all As with the wine too? D) For the love of the game, don't involve me with the details. Just bring me what I order and shut up! "Did you already pay for your last drinks?" Umm, how do you not know the answer to this? There were three people in the whole restaurant last night. Anyway, I introduced a new person to the restaurant last night, and the restaurant, in my opinion, let her down. Will I come back? Sure. I mean, where the hell else am I going to be able to order okonomyaki? But I'd sure love it if I weren't embarrassed bringing new folks there.
(3)
Ashley C.

Great location, awesome for done I or take out! I have never had a bad dish there!
(5)
Zeeshawn C.

Ordered a classic Chai and was thoroughly impressed. Nice atmosphere. Plenty of room. Bonus: they're accommodating to reserve space to host events.
(5)
Sarah M.

Their Roasted Thai Chicken Salad is a personal favorite, only served at this location. For desert, try the adventurous ginger scones or carrot cake scones. Both offer a quite unique, nontraditional take on the classic scone - and pair excellently with the rich and mildly spicy Teaism Chai. For breakfast, try the Okonomiyaki. This thick heavy cabbage pancake is layered in two different thick, rich sauces and paired with a generous cut of bacon. It will leave you incredibly full, and ready to start your day. Teaism has a slightly nontraditional service model: order your tea at the front, then proceed to the back to collect it. While there, remember to check out the bar menu - as it includes items not listed on the main menu up front!
(5)
Debie W.

Really good, interesting food. The best place we ate at in a long weekend in Alexandria. Much better than the more traditional restaurants that cost twice or three times as much. Calm relaxing decor. Friendly staff.
(5)
Adverts U.

I've been going to Teaism for years and thought I'd write a review. I really enjoy the food and their overall approach. Teaism serves Asian inspired healthful food while taking a mindful approach to the space and cost. You order at the counter and pick up your food yourself from the kitchen area. It's not full service and I like having that option at an eatery like Teaism because otherwise it would be a much pricier restaurant. Food is very good, with solid vegetarian options, delicious desserts, space is clean and very pleasant to spend time in, service is friendly.
(5)
Marisa G.

Best place for a lot of things- get some work done, grab a bite to eat on the way home, meet a friend for some tea, or a cocktail! Amazing chai and delicious, inventive food selections!
(5)
Mary B.

Love this place! The food that I've tried is consistent, delicious, and maybe a wee bit over-priced. I'm a lacto-ovo vegetarian, and adore the cilantro eggs on the breakfast menu! The scrambled eggs are chock full of fresh ginger, jalapenos and cilantro, and come accompanied by always-fresh, whole wheat pita points and honeydew mellon slices. For lunch, I highly recommend the okonomoyaki (cabbage pancake). Miso soup is also good. When I've tried other choices, I've been a bit disappointed (salmon bento box was a bit greasy & "fishy", soups were tough to eat as the noodles were so thick and long). If nothing else, try the salty oat cookies. O.M.G. The owners are very nice, btw, and the morning cashier (who takes your order) is extremely nice.
(4)
Jamie A.

Delicious! My husband and I came here on the recommendation of a stranger and we weren't disappointed. Not your typical greasy, nasty, American breakfast, for sure. If you are open to and enjoy trying new foods, this is the place to be! The cabbage pancakes? Outstanding! Fresh brewed tea and ice teas galore. The mint iced tea has real mint leaves in it. Everything is super fresh. I'd take a picture but it's all gone! We will definitely be back!
(5)
Bryan P.

above average vegetarian offerings. the new kale salad with hemp dressing is a standout.
(4)
Emily L.

Love this place - highly recommend the salmon ochazuke, which has a pretty authentic Japanese taste. Usually a dish prepared at home and not sold at restaurants. Okonomiyaki (japanese pancake with veggies and meat or shrimp) also tastes pretty spot-on. The bento boxes are also good. Atmosphere is also really nice/unique - super cute and comfy seating arrangements and really relaxing vibe. Great tea collection but was actually disappointed with the salty oat cookies.
(4)
Cathy H.

I have mixed feelings about this establishment. I went, for the first time, last Friday with one other couple for dinner. Upon entering, you will need to place your food order at the cash register and then seat yourself, which is similar to Nando's Peri Peri's operation. Per an employee's recommendation, our party ordered fried calamari, three panko-fried catfish entrees, and udon noodle soup with chicken. For drinks, we chose the Japanese sweet green tea (iced) and sake. We proceeded to sit ourselves and chatted. Ten minutes later, we realized we still had no drinks. Well, apparently we're supposed to wait at the bar and bring our own drinks to the table. The problem I have with this is the bar is at the back of the restaurant, while the register is right by the front door, so if no one told you anything, you'd assume food and drinks would be brought to your table (Nando's operation). I was told the other Teaisms have better layouts, so there isn't as much confusion. The japanese sweet green tea tea, which is raved about on Yelp, was just...sweet. I could not taste any of the matcha in it, just lots of sugar. As for the food, I greatly enjoyed the fried calamari, which came with "Vietnamese herb salad", steamed vegetables, and garlic-ginger sauce for dippage. Vietnamese people don't eat spring mix with vinaigrette, but back to the calamari -- it was perfectly fried and absolutely delectable when dipped into the sauce. My gripe, however, is the quantity. Usually when you order calamari, it will be a full plate of squid. Here, you will receive a plate of 1/3 squid, 1/3 spring mix, and 1/3 steamed veggies. I could've done without the vegetables. The catfish entree consisted of the panko-fried fish, ponzu sauce, carrot-daikon salad, sauteed spinach, and brown rice. The fish was overly breaded and overly fried, so the exterior was too crunchy. Moreover, the spinach was heavily salted and the carrot-daikon salad, which you would assume to be pickled since this is its usual format, was bland and needed ponzu sauce to save it. My boyfriend's udon noodle soup, which came with chicken cubes and spinach, was nothing to write home about. The broth was oily and without depth. The reason I have mixed feelings about this place is despite having mediocre savory options, this place delivers on the sweet front. The jasmine creme brulee was absolutely phenomenal -- creme brulee with its glorious hard caramel topping, but with deep jasmine tea flavor. AMAZING. This dessert is not to be shared. Now, on to the famous salty oat cookie. It is delicious beyond belief and definitely lives up to the hype. It's dense, chewy, chunky, salty, and sweet. The DCist has posted a copycat recipe online, so I will get crackin' on it soon! And, if that fails, I will return to Teaism.
(3)
Christopher C.

I dont understand why people LOVE this place. The food was OK i ordered a Saigon Sub with ground chicken that came out cold. People love the ambiance and the Wifi but it isnt that special. I only liked the salted oatmeal cookie that are 3 bucks (Very good but over priced).
(3)
Allison P.

Let me start by saying I love Teaism in Penn Quarter and Dupont - have enjoyed dinner and tea numerous times there - but this was a completely different and quite awful experience. It was completely empty on Friday night around 8pm. Asked for suggestions from the employee and she had vague answers that were more of a "well, if I had to get something, I'd get..." She mentioned the Okonomiayaki with chicken so I ordered that as well as the fried calamari and a bubble tea. The bubble tea sat at the bar for about 10 minutes as they were preparing my food but I didn't notice it. And since when do they use very thin, almost shaved ice, for bubble tea? It was horrible! It was half-melted and kept coming up in the straw. Never had that experience at either of the other shops. Now the food... the calamari had about an inch of breading; the veggies served were cold and soggy; and the salad was just unappetizing. Maybe I just don't like Okonomiyaki (although I am not a picky eater at all) but something about it made me feel sick after a few bites. It just tasted off and I left more than three quarters of the plate untouched. What bothers me the most is that two employees were standing fairly close by yet never came to the table to ask what was wrong. I left very disappointed and will not return to this location again.
(1)
Alice B.

I hosted a baby shower for a small group here on a Sunday afternoon. The setting was really perfect for this kind of event, as was the delicious, flower-covered chocolate mousse cake. It was easy to reserve and order the cake ahead of time and pay over the phone, and everyone at the restaurant was very helpful. It is also handy that it is right next to a parking garage.
(5)
Tamara N.

Ugh! I used to love this place so much. Now the receipt has a message printed at the bottom about their new endeavor to host baby showers. What used to be a calm, awesome relax place with great tea is now filled with shrieking baby parties. A woman with a shrill voice announcing some game of Diaper Bingo. Babies yelling. Adults yelling. In order to go pick up your food, you have to walk right through the "Reserved" baby gauntlet party area, everyone looks at you like you are intruding on them, and then, more shrieking. I cannot even. I will be avoiding this location on weekends at the very least.
(2)
Kat N.

Such a cute restaurant! Lots of vegan options and a so many different flavors of tea! Wish there was one in Vegas lol :)
(4)
Donna D.

Went for breakfast recently and the food was yummy! Everything we ordered was good, well prepared, and good portion sizes! The teas are also fab. The atmosphere could be a little more vibrant and exciting, but I get the whole zen thing. I just wish they had more of an atmosphere for their bar- I'd totally hang out there more!
(4)
Drew S.

This is an example of a place that this area desperately needs more of, good, healthy food that is not a gigantic rip off. We've come here before, mostly for breakfast and I am honestly surprised how much I enjoy it each time. My wife raves about the chicken sausage and Japanese cabbage pancake. For dinner I had the salmon bento box and the wife ordered off their bar menu with the lettuce tacos and lamb potstickers. I had no problem with the salmon and what it came with, but my wife found the tacos difficult to eat since you can't really pick them up. The lab was alright, but would probably pass next time. I hope this place is doing well, the space is beautiful inside but we were one of the only few inside for dinner. I would just really like to see this concept of eating catch on around here because I think there's a vast untapped resource for it.
(4)
Kelly N Z R.

I love Teaism's vegetarian and vegan options! I've been nursing my Tempeh Scramble all day-- it's been breakfast, lunch, and dinner-- and I'm not tired of it yet. It seemed expensive, especially for breakfast, but it really was enough for at least two regular-sized meals. I had the Japanese Sweet Tea (it's matcha), which was PERFECT. This location has a fairly large seating area that was totally empty at 8 in the morning. Bonus was I got to sit here and enjoy good food and drink while I waited for TJoe's (across the driveway) to open! I didn't like having to go to the back to pick up my to-go order-- I would have ordered another Sweet Tea when my food arrived had there been someone with a register in the back. Didn't order anything else this time, but looking forward to trying other dishes and maybe a cocktail! They look gooooood.
(5)
Cloud S.

The bf wanted to do dinner and a movie, but late, and the order of the night was to find light, healthy, and fast fare. I mentioned Teaism and he started trying to figure out the timing of going in and out of DC, so I mentioned the Alexandria location, and he was sold. Now I'd be surprised if this doesn't become part of the regular rotation of restaurants for friends and family events. I had the seitan, kale, broccoli, and walnuts, which was AWESOME! I'm excited to try the veggie okonomiyaki next time--it's rare to find a place with more than one vegetarian entree I actually like. He ordered the coconut rice pudding and let me have a taste. I don't share his passion for rice pudding (weird, right?), but this was a solid go-to.
(5)
Jennifer S.

I very much appreciate Teaism because they cater to my busy lifestyle as a health/fitness business owner and a gluten/dairy free eater. Parking is never an issue, the menu is thoughtful, and the staff has shown me nothing but professionalism.
(5)
Michael S.

My wife and I would occasionally stop in for tea and scones. Maybe it's just me but I think their prices went up and it seems a bit ridiculous to be charged 10.00 for two cups of tea and two small scones that appeared to be downsized for what we normally would be served.
(3)
Melanie K.

I've loved Teaism for years, but only during visit to old town location did I realize that it is TOTALLY NOT KID FRIENDLY. No high chairs, no changing table, and no kids menu items ( tho we were fine offering our young child fare from the menu - more the lack of high hair and changing table for baby that did us in). Wish more of the food was served hot. Cold salmon, cold sautÃ©ed greens, cold veggie sides. It's winter! At least the salty oatmeal cookies are a reliable standby.
(3)
Peter K.

I came here hoping to find someplace other than my usual Starbucks to work for a couple of hours but I discovered it's just not that kind of a place. I guess that's not necessarily a bad thing. This place is a restaurant but it also has an area in the front that feels more casual and is more suited for people just wanting tea and a pastry. It is called Teaism but it's primarily focused on Asian teas, as you can imagine from the food menu. I think they offer a traditional Englsh-style afternoon tea but it would just feel out of place because everything else is Asian themed. I didn't see any Asian people working here when I came here. I don't trust Asian restaurants that don't have any Asian employees. I got a pot of tea and a scone. They actually gave me 2 scones for the price of one. Not sure if they always do that but I appreciated it. The pot of black tea I got was not steeped as strongly as I ideally like but that's ok -- everyone has their own preferences. In the end, I think Teaism is an interesting concept but the whole Asian-themed restaurant run by non-Asians thing bothers me. There are lots of Anglophiles living in Old Town. I think Teaism would do much better if they focused on English tea culture instead of Asian.
(3)
S Christine S.

Kegan is always such a pleasure when I come to Teaism. He literally let's us smell every tea in the building. LoL He is very knowledgeable of the teas and very friendly. An older lady helped me purchase the correct tea strainer to fit in my mugs at home, I plan to use it daily! I always have tea after dinner at Zentu, I'm gonna try breakfast one of these days. Thank you for the beautiful teas and warm, friendly service :)
(5)
Tiffany B.

I always visit the Teaism on 8th and D... I was elated to find out that there is now one in old town! Which is much closer to me! The have street parking... as well a parking garage (which is right next to trader joe's..) The people here are pretty friendly and helpful... The bartender there really didn't acknowledge me... so that's a minus one star... but the food is great! It's fresh... and prepared when you order it... not to mention is not a bad price at all! I'll def be back!
(4)
Lori C.

Teaism is very cool but the food is also really good. It has a great outdoor patio where I can get a pot of tea and something to eat and read to my hearts delight. The other morning I ordered the oatmeal and it was so delicious. The music selection they have been playing adds a great deal to the ambience. I let the manager know because if I can feel relaxed, well fed and happy and I always certain to return.
(4)
Raz T.

I wish this place came with instructions. I realize I should probably ask how things work, but then again if you have to ask how things work at a restaurant, then they're probably doing things wrong. It's not a sit-down restaurant, in the the sense that you order at the counter on one side of the restaurant. Then you pick up your food all the way at the totally other end of the restaurant. There are real plates and silverware, but I don't notice a "station" like you see at Panera or something, where you leave your stuff. Do I leave it at the table? Am I supposed to tip? What is going on? I never really thought "you're doing it wrong" applied to going out to eat, but apparently it applies at Teaism. I never have any idea what I'm doing or what the deal is. I will say the food is quite good - fresh tasting, healthy/healthier feeling, with some creative combinations that you might not imagine go together. But the mango lassi is a damn shame, and it's obvious that they're watering it down in a very big way to stretch it out. Mango lassi is not supposed to contain ice crystals. IT'S A LASSI NOT A SMOOTHIE. If you're craving a mango lassi, and if you're the type that gets cravings for mango lassi in the first place, this will leave you downright angry. Were it not snowing and raining at the same time when I walked out (mango lassi to go), I would have returned it. I don't think I've ever sent anything back at any restaurant ever in my life, but I would have returned that mango lassi. It was so very bad. ! I don't know how I can spell it out more clearly than that, so yeah, don't waste your time, money and and hopes here if you've got a lassi itch. If you like mango-flavored crushed ice however, go for it. Food: 5 Drinks: 0 Ambiance: 4 Sense of understanding what is going on: 2
(3)
Josh F.

Incredibly excited that Teaism has finally made it to Old Town. Family from out of town was visiting the DC area, and we found ourselves in Old Town looking for lunch. I wasn't familiar with the local options, but doing a quick yelp search revealed that just recently one of my favorite DC spots had opened a location on St. Asaph..... ....and boy is this a good one! Twice as large and much more elegantly laid out than the Dupont Circle version, Teaism boasts a very large restaurant. The front of the restaurant, where you eat, features large tables and cloth-covered box seats. (Almost tatami room style) The back has a decent sized bar and an open kitchen where you can watch the cheerful Teaism folks put together whatever healthy, eco-friendly and inventive dishes they are featuring at the time. Everything here is delicious. I tried 3-4 different meals, from the chicken salad (with lightly spiced flatbread) and the shrimp noodle salad. (Nice dressing, very light with a sweet tang that kicks the back of the teeth) We also ordered the Okonomyiaki (which im sure I just butchered the spelling of) and I could not have been more thrilled. A traditionally pizza-like japanese dish, it's very easy to screw up and make a fishy/soupy/mayonaisey mess; Teaism's variant crackled with cabbage, sweet wasabi, and grilled chicken. Dynamite, 5 star dish....apparently they are known for it, as well. Service staff was VERY friendly. Can't wait to be back, ASAP.
(5)
Sarah S.

Okonomiyaki was decent but stingy. Throw some more cabbage in there! It wasn't as firm as it should have been either. Made much better okonomiyaki at home.
(2)
John E.

Says they're open till 10 pm on Sunday, but that's crap. Went by today at 9:30 and doors were locked even though the sign on the door says they're open till 10pm!
(1)
John F.

Yeah, salty oat cookies have arrived in Old Town! Teaism has brought amazing teas and Asian-inspired food to Alexandria. For those familiar with their Washington, DC locations, you'll find most of the same items. We ordered at the front counter and found a couple of comfy cushions up front near the windows to wait for our food and watch the flow of shoppers heading to Trader Joe's. Our food was ready in a couple of minutes and I retrieved it from the back counter (where all the food and drinks come out). The Saigon Sub was my favorite. The ground chicken had a great flavor with a bit of a kick. The carrot-daikon pickle kicked it up a notch or two more. And it came with Sweet Potato Fries! The Roasted Thai Chicken Salad was huge! It was dressed with a tangy vinaigrette. I'm a sucker for pickles, so we got a side of Spicy Cucumber Salad. The extra order of Sweet Potato Fries was the first thing to disappear! Of course, no trip to any Teaism is complete without a Salty Oat Cookie. Or two! I've had (way too many) Salty Oats in the past so I just had to try the Chunky Chocolate Pecan Salty Oat. it did not disappoint!! I can't wait to go back to try the breakfast menu. I'm not sure what some of the items are but I'm sure they'll be awesome. Teaism is a great addition to Old Town.
(5)
D S.

I LOVE the chicken bento box at the Teaism in Penn Quarter. I was so disappointed to be served cold, grilled chicken in the bento box at the Alexandria location. Not a good menu; difficult to find something that you REALLY want to eat.
(1)
Richard D.

The last time i was here we had too much food, which was excellent, so there was no room for dessert. It may get dangerous that this place is next to Trader Joe's.. So this time I true the Jasmine Creme Brulee. It was very tasty, smooth and to die for. The jasmine wasn't overpowering and just the right amount of hint. Also had the Morocco Mint tea, love having free refills. Look forward to coming back again.
(5)
Sophie U.

I never really know how I feel about the Teaism chain. I'm actually not even sure why I was so excited when I learned that this location was set to open... and I never thought that I'd order a Vietnamese hoagie from any establishment other than a Vietnamese one. And so I bit into the sandwich and was not all that surprised to find that it was neither toasted nor actually good. "Ground chicken" should have kept me away from this atrocity but it didn't. The whole thing was dry. Bland and dry. And ground meat has no place in a sandwich unless it's ground beef in a patty melt; I have this thing against my sandwich falling apart slowly as I'm eating it. In typical Sophie fashion I finished the sandwich because, while it was no masterpiece, it was edible and not so severely gross that it would have warranted such a waste of money. Teaism isn't cheap, you know. Fast forward to another day when I can't figure out what to eat for lunch. Out of nowhere I'm hit with a strange craving for Teaism's Vietnamese hoagie and so down the street I go. And I order. And I wait. And then I eat it at my desk and I think, "Yep, I don't know why I did this again." Meh, three stars.
(3)
HanaDC T.

I love this place. it is so clean. It has Asian touch to it. It is never crowded. I always get OKONOMIYAKI (Japanese pan cake). It is not like the one I get in Japan. But it is still tasty. The problem of this place is service. People who are working here are so unfriendly. I guess that is the reason why this place is never crowded.
(4)
Beth F.

I love this place. Great for vegetarians. Great for afternoon tea. Great for brunch and lunch. Sadly, it's never been crowded, so I worry about its viability. Pretty good for kids, although they don't have changing tables or high chairs. They validate parking. Also, salty oats. Yum.
(4)
Danny M.

Their tea is great and the place is really quaint. The food is alright but unfortunately there's no wifi. I would certainly find myself doing work here and ordering multiple pots if only I could have internet access
(4)
Sasha W.

4 star because of the restaurant ambience, if I was rating the food it would be a 3-3.5 star. The food itself is not that impressive but tasty still, would have preferred bigger portion for the price (will elaborate below) The location itself is wonderful, very spacious, and not crowded at all. So it is a great place to catch up with friends for as long as you want. I had the Salmon Bento Box, the Anxi Oolong tea, the Jasmine Cream Brulee, and the Salt Oat Cookie Salmon Bento Box - usually it is served cooked but cold, but I found out that if you request it, it can be served warm! a pretty small piece of salmon, but cooked well and nice sauce. The cucumeber, carrots, and rice were so so Anxi Oolong - not blown away, could have been better since it IS a tea house Jasime Cream Brulee - so delicious. nice hint of jasmine flavor. wish it was a little less sweet Salt Oat Cookie - these are supposedly famous, it is one big cookie, but after tasting not sure what the hype is about
(4)
Taheerah B.

A nice variety of teas... Damn good chai...calming atmosphere... I AM IN LOVE WITH THIS PLACE!
(5)
Sarah I.

I wasn't sure about Teaism because it never looked like there were many people inside around dinnertime, but I think that's because the place is enormous. We stopped in for dinner after getting a flyer in the mail, and ordered the Vegetarian Naan Sandwich, Palak Paneer, and a couple pots of tea. Delicious all around -- would get it again. (And they have ketchup for the fries at the counter.) Going to save room for dessert next time.
(4)
Vincent S.

A diehard conspiracy theorist, I've always thought the Boston Tea Party was staged by British imperialists. I can well imagine the Brits taking one look at all those shipping crates of Earl Grey, one look at the ocean, glancing at each other and saying, "I bet we can steep that!" But if it was indeed an act of protest, it may have been inspired by something akin to the outrageous price of tea at Teaism. Five bucks and some change got a cutesy little pot of Oolong that I'd estimate at no more than 12 ounces. By the time it gets to you, the leaves are long gone, so there's no topping it off with hot water, even though any good oolong can take a second and sometimes a third steeping. It's not just overpriced, it's wasteful. Arrived thirsty. Left thirsty. Might as well have thrown my money in the harbor.
(2)
Cheryl B.

Expensive and no changing table in the bathroom, not stroller friendly either.
(1)
Jennifer H.

This Teaism is sooooo much more spacious than the one around Penn Quarter. I feel like I can breathe here! with that said, the whole "order your food at the entrance," but "pick up your food at the back of the restaurant" was really strange. To be honest, the dishes here have never looked appetizing to me. I don't know what it is. It's kind of like a fushiony Japanese thing going on and I just like plain ol' Japanese. What I DO love here is 1) Salted Oat Cookie (or the chocochip/nut version) and 2) the Teaism Chai. OH MY... a happy day includes these two items. Granted you will have consumed enough calories to skip a meal... but you will be happy :)
(4)
Mike S.

While most have experienced the greatness that is Teaism (salty oat cookies, excellent brunch, and of course the tea) at one location or another, this one stands out primarily because of the bar in the back. Tucked way in the back, near the food pick-up spot, is a bar well stocked with it's own delicious food menu (after 4pm) and a unique and ever changing cocktail menu. If you can't find something on the cocktail menu that you want to try - talk to Carl, one of the nicest bartenders I've ever met, and he will create something original sure to please. They are using fresh ingredients, homemade syrups, and a great variety of booze to try and win you over...I don't think you'll be disappointed!
(4)
Aleksandra S.

The Japanese cabbage pancakes are just outstanding. I must, however, place us on a 'reality check' alert. I just paid $16 for a cabbage pancake with 5 shrimps, together with a cookie. My recommendation is to either expand the portions or to decrease the price. How much does cabbage costs in the middle of the growing season, after all? I will be hungry again in two hours, but will be unlikely to satiate my hunger at Teaism again. Got to watch the budget.
(2)
Sonya I.

Took a girlfriend for tea for her birthday. Not the afternoon tea experience we were expecting. The wait at the desk was very long and I had to ask the cashier to explain the concept. When we went to pick up our tea, I asked the lady at the counter how would we tell which flavor was which. Her response - removed the lid from one of the two pots, stuck her nose in and said "this is the lavendar." I was appalled that she would stick her nose in my tea and then be so nonchalent about it. I would not recommend this location. Starbucks in a paper cup would have been better.
(2)
Deborah H.

I really love this place! Nice tea selection and wonderful variety of food choices for both vegetarians and omnivores. I enjoy the weekend brunch, dinner, and afternoon tea (they offer both an English and Asian option). So wonderful to have a Teaism in Alexandria!
(5)
Coolest C.

We went on a weekday in the afternoon, so it wasn't very crowded at all. The ambiance is nice and calm, I particularly enjoyed the seating area by the window with the floor cushions. It's not in the more popular area of Old Town like King St., so I'm not sure how much foot traffic it gets, but seems like a good place for those living in the general area.
(4)
Ingrid K.

Love the ample seating and vibe. Excellent food and teas, as always. I just wish they had my favorite Curried Chicken Salad that they have at their other establishments.
(5)
Imo M.

Stop by before your Trader Joe's run and have a chai or a full meal. The menu is great -- some changes from the other locations, which adds variety. Yummy cabbage pancakes, and curry chicken salad. A new old favorite!
(5)
Michael V.

We've been going to Teaism for dinner since they opened in Alexandria, and have not been disappointed. The Okonomiyaki and Grass Fed Beef Burger are favorites. Save room for a Salty Oat Cookie.
(4)
Carolyn S.

Tea is wonderful. So many unique options! Food is delicious. Had the Vegetable Korma (a vegetarian curry dish) - so flavorful! - and naan bread with chutney - a perfect side. Love the atmosphere. One of my favorite spots!
(5)
Karen W.

The manager brought me to TEARS!!! Please don't go to Teaism if you have food allergies! The kitchen staff is not informed, and management is totally insensitivity. I ASKED for a Gluten Free menu, DISCUSSED IT w the counter person (who takes your order) ordered the eggs & turkey sausage breakfast (which notes that it is GF if modified by leaving off the bread). And we discussed w him the GF TEAs, as well.....My order came w bread, contaminating the other foods on the plate. When I asked for a new order, the manager said it was my fault because I didn't specifically say LEAVE THE BREAD OFF. He then lectured me, in length, on taking responsibility for my diet, and added that many on the staff don't even know what gluten is. It was AWFUL! When he brought my plate, we discovered that the ginger muffins I was in the process of buttering were also NOT gluten free (my mistake, the were VEGAN, though). I thought the person who took my order and brought me the GF menu SHOULD HAVE ALERTED ME , rather than let me pay for them. Since I'd requested the GF TEA, at the same time, if it wasn't clear him that this was a GF thing, then my only comment is that these people should not be in food service. The manager should not be in ANY "hospitality" related industry.....I was in tears! We had to box our food and leave! I didn't even eat my 'take away' because I'd lost total confidence. The poor waiter person DID apologize, but the manager did not, until I told him that was all I really expected! He brought me "the only GF desert we have in the restaurant" as a sort of condolence, I suppose, but I was afraid to eat that, either.... That was $34 to have a very bad experience, indeed! Too bad! I've eaten at Teaism before, and returned because I thought it was a classy, sophisticated place where special food needs would be understood and respected. UNFORTUNATELY NOT
(1)
Haroon M.

Picked up Strong Assam tea with milk to taste. Extremely friendly & helpful staff @ cashier & in serving area. Will be back again. Bit pricy for my taste.
(4)
Luana B.

So happy Teaism is now in Old Town. I'm in there once a month,at least. Love the tea, food and ambiance.
(5)
Free T.

I will not go back. I've been there twice. The first time I went with my family. The food was okay, but not outstanding. My family has dietary concerns (vegan gluten free etc) and I had heard this is a good place. At best, the food was edible. On my second trip there, I was more than disappointed. i had a chai on my first visit that was good. My second visit, the chai was not sweet and disgusting. The people behind the bar did not speak English very well and did not understand my complaint about the chai and seemed reluctant to rectify the situation in any way. While my chai was being fixed I saw a cook wipe her for head with her gloved hand and rip open a package with her teeth. Then I saw another cook actually blow on a plate that was about to go to another patron. I should have known better than to eat the food they had given me. After finally having my chai sweetened, I sat down to my meal. I had palak paneer and it was DISGUSTING. They did not offer to replace my meal or give me my money back. The manager said they make a large batch daily of the palak paneer and it was probably old. I had not finished it because it was so gross. The cheese was spongy and the spinach definitely was way over done. I actually got sick later that evening. I am quite sure it was from the dish not being kept at safe temperatures over the hours it sat in the "large batch" they had made that day. There are MANY far better restaurants in old town that offer menus for people with dietary concerns and are probably a significantly lower risk for food borne illness.
(1)
Bruja B.

I order the muesli and the french toast and it was delicious, I do't like Chai tea but I took my chances and it was the best Chai I've ever have in my life. It was too expensive but I think the money is worth it.
(5)
Megan T.

I've ordered the Thai Chicken Curry, Hot Pot Chicken Meatball Soup and Salmon Bento box. The food has been consistently fresh and flavorful and I'd recommend all three of those dishes. The dining area is quite large with sections (it kind of reminds me of an upscale Asian dining hall). Sit in the place that fits your mood...pillows on the ground, cocktail tables, regular tables and a large outdoor patio. I've never had a hard time finding seating. Service is prompt and dishes were enjoyable. I'll keep coming back!
(4)
Bernadette H.

Shame on you Teaism! I will not patronize a restaurant that dishonestly rips off another business! Tonight my husband and I came to dine for our first time. When I presented my parking ticket for validation PRIOR to ordering, I was told that the tickets had run out and to validate it at Trader Joe's. That is stealing! Both companies pay different amounts for parking and just because you want to keep your costs down it should not be at the expense of another business. This is especially dishonest because the Alexandria Planning Commission granted your business a reduction in the required number of parking spaces your business should have provided to it's patrons. oldtownalexandria.patch.â€¦ We anticipate never patronizing your restaurant, and will tell all of our friends not to as well. Pay your fair share!
(1)
Virginia C.

This place is fantastic for having tea and catching up with friends. Great tea selection, of course. The food, however, is overrated.
(4)
Phuong O.

You order up front, seat yourself, they call your order number and you pick it up, reminds me of Chipotle in a way. It's new and clean for now so that's a plus, guess we will have to see in a couple of months. The food is ok, the majority of it is asian food from bento boxes to soups. They have all sorts of tea as well. I would say it's an ok place, it's also next to Trader Joe so that's a plus.
(3)
Steve U.

Don't be fooled by the decor. The restaurant is overpriced, the food is well below average, and the service is... rare. A similar dining experience can be had at an airport.
(1)
Joshua P.

I enjoy the Star of Africa rooibos tea...
(4)
James F.

Be careful... Turns out the veggie bento is different than the Penn Quarter location. I *guess* I understand that that is somewhat of a good thing (variety and all), but it is at a minimum a little confusing. And the Alexandria veggie bento is not vegan. I found out kinda too late, and wasn't too impressed that the staff didn't offer to make me something else. But also wasn't impressed that they couldn't make a croquette without eggs. It ain't that hard. You can use a vegan mayo (you can easily make your own), Also kinda sad they can't make a vegan miso soup. Also not that hard. Actually a little easier if you *don't* have to add the fish sauce.
(2)
Maggie B.

Delicious fresh choices - great lunch place, and believe it or not, breakfast, too! It has outdoor seating, as well as a beautiful inside seating area. Staff was so helpful with picking up our food - my friend ordered catfish, which takes a few extra minutes. So a staff member offered to wait for it and bring it outdoors to us. Only thing they are missing is a Facebook page!
(4)
Agave B.

BEWARE OF BARTENDER! The Strawberry Vanilla Mojito recipe is no mojito at all. The bartender knew it too. I watched carefully as she taste-tested my drink, which was fine because she pulled the straw out & discarded it. However, she allowed another coworker to sniff it and yet another to take a sip from it. YES, mouth on straw, he sipped it. Released mouth from straw and remaining drink exited straw and back into glass. Oh, how they laughed about it. She replaced his straw & proceeded to her angry confrontational customer, ME! I spoke to the manager who didn't bother apologizing. In fact, he said nothing to me. We walked back to the bar; he said something to her. She produced another drink (just a half second splash of rum & TOO much 43) which was more reminiscent of children's cough syrup than any true fruity, hint of mint, splash of club soda Mojito. I should've been refunded my $8.50. Teaism, please remove this awful drink and/or your (former stay-at-home mom) bartender. She is dishonest & really belongs at home if she can't make an honest living in the American workplace. "Sorry. It's been a rough day," she said as she handed me a cleaner drink.
(1)
Claire L.

We chose Teaism at 9:20 on a Friday morning because the Starbucks around the corner was jammed. It definitely has a calmer, less crowded feel. Ordering is a little complicated -- no menu or drink board, just tiny print menus at the front -- and the service was very slow. We waited almost ten minutes for our teas and two cookies (we were the only people waiting in the restaurant), finally went to investigate, and discovered that no one was making the tea. By the time they were made, we were running up against our appointment time and had to take it to go. But before we left we discovered we'd been given the wrong desserts. My take - the food and tea were great, but they don't outweigh the poor service and long wait time.
(2)
Del R.

Stopped in with my daughter after a run to Trader Joe's. Teaism downtown is a decent lunch place and reasonable in price by downtown standards, so we thought we'd give the Alexandria outpost a try. Didn't realize that they HATE KIDS there. No highchairs, no boosters, just stares when you ask. This place has been open for several years-- its not like they haven't come in yet. Who knows, maybe they think kids will cut down on their bar business. On top of that, the food was marginal, and the service attitudinal. No thank you.
(1)
Dewey P.

Currently through end of September '13 Capital Bikeshare members can present your keyfob and receive 20% off everything on the menu, including happy hour drink prices. Happy hour is 4-6:30pm. I recommend the strawberry, vanilla, mint, rum cocktail at $5.75 with the discount.
(4)
Darren M.

The handroll bento is really good, but the prices are a bit high. Salty oat cookies are an acquired taste but good. I have been going to the downtown teaism for years and was thrilled to find them in Alexandria
(4)
Melissa M.

I did a search for a place to hold a small tapas-style cocktail party baby shower for my sister. To my disappointment, many of the places that contacted required a minimum purchase of $650 for food and drinks with some as high as $850. Since the shower was small, that was just too much. My mom's group usually meets at the Old Towne Teaism so I decided to contact the restaurant. At last, a place that was willing to accommodate our small group without a minimum purchase!!! Tracey, from Teaism's Business and Catering Office, was wonderful! She helped me plan a menu, set aside a space, and made recommendations for keeping the costs down. I can't say enough about how great she was and how great the staff was during the shower. Everything was absolutely excellent and I look forward to hosting other events at that location in the future.
(5)
Asha B.

I have been to Teaism 3 times and have ordered the Lemon Maple Grilled Tempeh Burger every time. The meal itself is usually delicious, though the first time it was very charred on one side, and that side happened to be face-down on the foccacia...as if I wouldn't notice. The place has a nice ambiance with many different options of seating styles, but you go back to the counter and pick up your meal. This evening was my 3rd time to visit Teaism and when I went to pick up my order at the counter, the worker behind the counter who slid me my food was chewing something in his mouth...maybe something off my plate? Who knows, but it was disgusting.
(3)
Katherine T.

The second star is for the fabulous atmosphere. A nice space with lots of seating options. However, the food and drinks are rather terrible. I've been twice, the second time to give it another chance. The first time, the silver needle tea was ok, I've had better but the salty cookie was atrocious. The second time, the granola was burnt but edible. The chai, however, was one of the more horrible things I have ever tasted, the only thing it has in common with Indian chai is that it may have been. Brewed from the sweat of some Indian villager's feet. So, nice people, nice place, but come only for tea in pots - they are the hardest to ruin, so maybe you'll get lucky and it'll taste ok!
(2)
A Z.

Oh Teaism, I want to love you! Your cookies are yummy, the decor is calming ... but you guys can't get an order right. What gives? Why the chaos and disorganized kitchen? Pull it together already.
(4)
Ashley g.

Pretty awesome, but I prefer the one in Penn Quarter, as they have a larger selection in food. The chocolate salty oak cookies and Dragon Well tea are both amazing. This particular Teaism has a great seating arrangement and is very relaxing. A tea, cookie, and meal will cost you anywhere from $12-$16 for one person.
(4)
John P.

I've been a fan of restaurateurs Michelle Brown and Linda Neumann since they opened their first teashop in DuPont Circle in Washington, DC in 1996. They expanded with another near the White House and a third in Penn Quarter. For sixteen years they've provided a mix of fantastic teas and healthy and delicious dishes from Japan, Thailand and India. Order at the counter, get your food quickly and pick a table. Simple and fast yet an elegant refuge from the noisy streets. I just ate at their newest teashop, this one in the north end of Old Town Alexandria, 682 N St Asaph Street, across from Trader Joe's and below the FedEx Kinkos. The menu is slightly different and still delightful. I had the udon noodle soup with shrimp and a fine sencha green tea. It was perfect. There is nothing else like this in Old Town. There are three different seating areas for different moods, cozy cushioned seats, high seats, regular seats and tables and even a bar and a small nook to buy teas and supplies. The place is built out like the food - there is a subtle yet powerful attention to quality, sustainability and health. Teaism is an oasis. To know more you need to know the derivation of the name. "Teaism is a cult founded on the adoration of the beautiful among the sordid facts of everyday existence. It inculcates purity and harmony, the mystery of mutual charity, the romanticism of the social order. It is essentially a worship of the Imperfect, as it is a tender attempt to accomplish something possible in this impossible thing we know as life." From page one of Okakura Kakuzo's "The Classic Book of Tea," first published in 1906. Or simply eat one of their salty oak cookies and your palette will explain the rest.
(5)
Kassie S.

Whoa! Vegan food, AH-MAZING teas (try the cinnamon apricot- I bought some on the spot), bubble tea, salted oatmeal cookies, a small bar in the back, never crowded, cool vibe, friendly workers, what isn't to LOVE? Try the croquettes on the bar menu! When I moved from Old Town, I ate here for lunch and dinner every one of my last three days. I miss you Teaism! (Note- the Dupont Circle location is missing all of the relaxing, spacious atmosphere so unless you like sitting on someone's lap while you eat your soup, go to Old Town!)
(5)
Joe S.

Tremendous food selection and quality, and for the price. Old Town needs more vegetarian-type options and this place delivers like no other. My wife and I will be back, and soon. Everything we had from the soups to mains to desserts to sake were outstanding. And the service was great and appreciate of our business and our enthusiasm for the menu. Healthy and veggie friendly - must visit!
(5)
AgentxAngel X.

my visit was really disappointing. i guess i had high hopes considering the other locations. the food is just really expensive, and it wasn't good. i got the udon soup and it tasted like vinegar. i also had to wait 15 minutes longer than anyone else in my party so they were practically done by the time i got my food. i then got my chai and it was luke warm. i told the staff and they replied, "you wanted that hot?" what?? it's HOT tea, seriously? the only plus was that they have really good diet soda (virgil's zerl real cola), which is the only reason they got two stars. i will not come back unless i am buying loose leaf tea. what a waste of $20 bucks.
(2)
Elizabeth A.

I came to Teaism for lunch today and enjoyed a memorable meal. Asian gazpacho was the perfect choice or a hot and humid DC summer day. Great lunch together with an iced mint tea (redolent of a vacation I took to Tunisia) and a chocolate salty oat cookie (!). Anyone who goes to Teaism must try this cookie. I have it often at the Penn Quarter location, and it never disappoints. The cookie is filled with oats, with a surprise of still-melted, gooey chocolate chunks inside and a sprinkling of sea salt on top. Teaism really has a real winner here. And they even caught onto the sweet and salty flavor combination before it was a foodie trend. My company also very much enjoyed their Thai chicken curry and ginger scones. Ginger scones come with a delicious apricot jam. From previous experiences, the lassis are also delicious. Banana is especially good. My only suggestion (the reason I refrain from giving 5 stars) is regarding the bento boxes. I really miss the Handroll and Salmon Bento boxes from the Penn Quarter and Dupont Circle locations. The Handroll is not on the menu in Alexandria, and the Salmon is, in my opinion, not as good at this location. The other locations include teriyaki salmon, cucumber ginger salad, edamame, and rice with nori and miso topping. Please bring these two bento boxes to the new location! We Alexandria locals love and would come for them often!
(4)
avb v.

Teaism locations in Dupont Circle and PennQuarter have long been favorites when in DC looking for an inexpensive good meal. Now we finally have an outpost in Alexandria, which has long needed a place like this. Yes, it's different. The don't serve coffee, but they have a staggering array of teas. They also serve really good, inexpensive food. You order as you enter and pick up your food at the back, no table service. But the decor is inviting and calming and the prices reflect the self service. The food is Asian-ish, with a wide range of yummy options, and plenty to please vegetarians. The Salty Oat cookies, for those of you not aware, are the best cookies EVER. Other desserts are also good, but the cookies.... Worth a trip.The Old Town location has a real bar, lots of interesting beer choices and a knowledgable bartender to help you choose amongst the offerings. It's early in this restaurants life, so the personnel vary between very attentive and useless, but the helpful type predominate and I think things will settle out as they kick into gear. The location is the main drawback, not likely to draw a lot of foot traffic. But if you live in Alexandria, do yourself a favor and get off that King Street tourist trap. Check out Teaism- and try the Salty Oat cookie with a cup of tea.
(4)
Sanchelle C.

First time here and I wish I took pictures of my meal. My thoughts on the ordering set up: First let me say no one serves you (which really isn't my style). You order at the front then take your order number and receipt to the pick up counter in the back where you then take your high school cafeteria like tray to your selected seat, which is pretty difficult if you ordered many things and are not too coordinated. Lol My thoughts on my first impression: That being said the decor is amazing, from the colored walls to the creative bamboo wood panels and option of booth seating or colorful cloth square stools, it is a great fusion that works. I also enjoyed the atmospheric music (it seemed like a nice date place). The staff is very friendly and helpful and the prices is very good! My thoughts on my food: I ordered the kale chips to snack on (very healthy and great) they were seasoned but not overly seasoned . The curry chicken was AMAZING, the chai tea was great (not too sweet and was recommended by the checkout girl) and I also had the sweet and salty chocolate chip cookie!! Basically everything was great. And delivered pretty quickly! Final thought: I have been here since 6- it is now 9 and I am still here with a friend just having a pretty good time and may get some bubble tea before I leave :). Noone rushes you out which is refreshing! All in all it make a great first impression, I will be back!!!
(4)
C N.

I love there cat fish and Japanese dish. And inside is good too. I love the location, parking is so easy to find and even though you can not find it. It has a parking garage there. And i like the idea about the self order too. I mean you don not have to rush and think what you need before the server came. Just take your time and go front order by yourself. Ilike it
(5)
Nick M.

This was my first time to Teaism and i am thoroughly impressed! I got food and tea to go but experience was nevertheless perfect. Walked into this place and loved the look, unique decor with bamboo walls and tea pots and barrels of tea on the walls. Very elegant look. I got the Vegetarian Naan Sandwich with Sweet Potato Fries, Hungarian Tea Cake and a Tisanes (Star of Africa). The sandwich was delicious! The goat cheese mixed with the right amount of herbs and spices, definitely did the trick. The tea cake was soft warm and just the right amount of sweetness. The tea was a perfect choice, without any milk or sugar added, it was a bit spicy but very flavorful! The staff was very pleasant and friendly, the girl at the front gave me some great suggestions on what to try, popular items and her favorites. So many choices of different teas! Would love to try them all. I will definitely be back for more and I'm bringing all my friends!
(5)
Balraj B.

The pot of Darjeeling second flush was excellent and the day old strawberry pastry was not bad either. Bought a two once packet of the loose tea for a whopping 15.25 but was not happy with the result at home. May have been packed a while ago and been sitting around some time. Wish they would pack it fresh from the container they display.
(3)
Judith J.

It was OK. I ordered the chicken salad and my hubs ordered the chicken curry. Either was not out of the ordinary and the serving size was good at $12 each. This restaurant is not kid friendly. Sure you can order the fried chicken bento box with rice, but at $12. Little pricey for a kids meal. Also no highchairs available. I wouldn't go out my way to come here and not sure if there would be anything on the menu that would entice me back. Sorry. I really wanted to like this place.
(2)
Jane T.

There's lots of space here! Their tea is okay. Food is average. I have mixed opinions of their foods. Sometimes I like it sometimes I don't, but I like coming here to just hang out and draw sometimes. I like the ambience of this space.
(3)
Pegah Y.

I think I've officially been to every Teaism location in the DC metro area! There are locations in Old Town Alexandria, Dupont Circle, Penn Quarter, and Farragut Square. I recently visited the Old Town Alexandria location and introduced my bf to the awesomeness that is Teaism. As usual, I ordered the salmon bento box and loved it. The one in Old Town has a slight variation in the type of veggies, but it's still delicious! My bf really enjoyed it too. I absolutely loved the taste of the salmon, smothered in light teriyaki ginger sauce with a ball of rice, seaweed, cold broccoli, and carrot slaw. It's absolutely worth it. My bf also got some tea, which he really enjoyed. There's plenty of seating and this place feels very homey and simple. I would love to visit again!
(5)
Amy Lauren S.

We traveled to Alexandria, VA on vacation and Teaism was very close to our hotel, so we had breakfast here. I had the Birchermuesli, which is muesli with yogurt and dried fruits and came highly recommended by the lady at the front who took our order. It didn't disappoint and was a delicious light breakfast for a reasonable price. I really enjoyed it and would order it again. The menu has a good variety of items for breakfast, including many items for vegetarians and healthier choices. We didn't eat dinner or bar food there, but there are tons of vegetarian options on those menus as well. There are also cookies for sale, along with teas and granola, but we didn't try any. The food was definitely 5-star, but the layout of Teaism is a little confusing. You order at the front, and your food comes out at the back of the restaurant, where you go to pick it up (they call out your receipt number). There is no table service. My husband and I initially thought someone would bring our food and drinks out or clean our table. Also, if you need milk for your coffee or water, those are located at the back of the restaurant too (the pick-up counter will give you milk if you ask- I got extra skim milk for my muesli). Along with the confusing layout, they open a little late on the weekends, too late for us to enjoy a breakfast there on Saturday or Sunday when i would have liked to. But on a weekday, it's a great option for breakfast if you're staying in the nearby hotels.
(4)
S M.

I love this restaurant. The food is always flavorful and healthy. The atmosphere is better than any other Teasim locations.. I'm not a coffee drinker so this place is perfect for me!!
(5)
Sunny S.

My friend & I were on our way to Trader Joe's (in the same building complex) and thought we'd grab a quick lunch first. Neither of us had eaten at Teaism before, figuring it was just a tea room. So, so wrong! The Asian fusion is amazingly diverse and varied. I had the South Indian Veg. curry, she had the Thai chicken. Both dishes nailed the flavors of their respective cuisines. I've travelled in both countries so have some flavor memories. Wow! We'll be back to work our way through the menu. The Ginger Limeade was very good, too. Easy parking, counter service, unpretentious decor. Highly recommend!
(4)
Dee B.

Wonderful place for a cup of tea and snack! Having only ever been to the Dupont Teaism, which is tight and crowded and can be quite nosiy, I was pleasantly surprised by this locations' roominess, space and peacefulness. I was amazed that more customers weren't just hanging out and reading or writing, because if I lived nearby, I'd hang out here frequently! My jasmine green tea was fantastic, and I really enjoyed the gluten-free chocolate cake with cinnamon gelato, as well. The set-up is a somewhat confusing, as the person at the register apparently just assumes we've all been there before and know that our number will be called from way in the back, etc. Overall, a really nice place to catch up with a friend or relax with a book.
(4)
Yanji O.

Place is strange, you have to order your food and pay for it before you get it. It's not a fast food place, especially considering the price. Then when the food is ready you have to go get your own food... the tea was not bad but the food was terrible. We completely lost our appetite and asked the manager on duty if it was possible to get our money back, but no they don't do refunds! So she gave us a gift certificate which is just a piece of paper! Never going there ever again.
(1)
Jeffery S.

Fast, fresh, wholesome, tasty, & appropriately priced. I had the Chicken meatball hot pot & morrocan mint tea, both were great. Spacious, bright & tasteful ambiance, perfect for lunch.
(5)
Tiffany E.

Highly recommend Teaism Old Town as a venue for celebrations! We just held a baby shower here for my sister and Linda was great to work with. She worked with the chef to create a menu that fit our needs. The staff were pleasant and helpful and quickly resolved an issue with a missing food item the day of the event. The space is open, bright, clean and easy to decorate. Linda communicated with me throughout the planning process and provided me with all the information I needed from pictures of the space with measurements to parking details that I could share with out of town guests. Prices were very reasonable and there was no charge to use the space-just the cost of food and drinks.
(5)
Amy C.

I stopped by here a while ago and was very disappointed with my experience. A friend I was with had bought Starbucks prior to meeting and I mentioned I wants to have brunch here before heading out. As soon as we came in, the person behind the counter told my friend she was not allowed to have her drink inside. I said that I was planning on ordering and she repeated again that they don't allow people to have Starbucks. Ok... guess it doesn't matter that I was planning on ordering? I got a chai tea to go and it took nearly 15 minutes. So much for that. Most likely won't be back. Sad because I actually really enjoy the downtown location in DC. I'd rather hop on the metro and head out there even though this is around the corner.
(2)
Sarah W.

I met some friends here for dinner last night. I chose the salmon bento box which came with a variety of delicious little tidbits. The portion of salmon was small. I would estimate between 3-4 ounces. Since I was pretty hungy I also ordered the Asian slaw. I thought this would be like the Asian slaw I make at home, with a rice vinegar based sauce. Instead it had a creamy sauce. Not sure what made it Asian, perhaps the cabbage they used. One friend had the veggie bento box and someone else had the Korean beef bbq. The last friend had sweet potato fries. Everyone liked their meals. The tea was really yummy. I had the Mind & Body and my friend had World Peace. Both were delicious. The young man at the front counter was knowledgeable and friendly. You order and pay there. Other than that, we received no service. You pick up your food on a tray when they call your number and if you want a go-box, you help yourself to that too.
(3)
Katie S.

Can't believe it took me so long to try this place! They hands down have the best bubble tea in Old Town. Now is it the best I've ever had in my life? No, not even close. But you're in Virginia, you gotta take what you can find and it's a lot closer than Lily's in Crystal City.
(4)
Ujji B.

My friend and I chose to have a late lunch here after spending the morning at the spa. We arrived around 4pm which provided us ample space to cozy on the backless seats and communal table, which was designed nicely. I really love the interior design which adds a comfort in comfort food. We both ordered Palek Paneer dishes and a ice tea (Moroccan mint). Our orders were fast and the staff were friendly. We loved our meals and were left satisfied. I often hesitant in ordering Indian dishes from non authentic Indian restaurants but also not a fan of heavy spiced foods. They landed this meal, I only suggest a piece of naan as apart of this traditional dish. I'm looking forward to taking loose leaf tea home next time so I can brew.
(5)
Shae S.

I'm sad to report that this location is lacking soul. The aesthetic feels very conventional, very vanilla, quite average. Years ago when I worked close to DuPont Circle, I got to experience (and that's what it is, an 'experience') Teaism's original downtown location. It was fun - funky, quirky. Quite memorable. It had miles of personality. Don't get me wrong, this venue is nice and very spacious (something that the DuPont location is definitely not) but it just feels kind of cookie-cutter Asian, slightly corporate even. It may not be fair to compare the two, but something was lacking for me. Everything else is spot-on. The staff member that took my order was delightful. She helped me navigate the menu and even pulled out a special guide with allergy information for each item to make it easier for me to select a gluten-free, dairy-free meal. And boy do they have a plethora of items for those of us on restrictive diets to choose from. It's often hard to find restaurants that offer things that I can eat. I'm often relegated to a salad, which is fine, when I'm in the mood, but not not so here. I had lots of options. I ended up with a salmon and rice soup in a green tea broth. It was absolutely divine. Very filling, super healthy. I topped it off with a hot jasmine pearl tea - I asked the employee who took my order to pick her favorite tea and to surprise me. Her selection didn't disappoint. I had fun with the tea service. It was a beautiful set and really added to my dining experience. They also have a small shop area with a curated selection of tea drinkers tools - strainers, travel mugs, serving sets. Everything is very high quality - this would be a great place to shop for a gift for the tea lover in your life. I thought it was kind of funny that I already owned many of the things they were selling. I'm a bit of a tea freak. I came to meet up with an old friend that I hadn't seen in many years. We visited on a weekday afternoon. It was slow and we stayed for nearly two hours. It was the perfect spot for us to catch up and reminisce. We didn't feel rushed at all. Seeing that I'm in the neighborhood quite often, I'll definitely be back, and heck, maybe I'll even come to like the vibe here.
(4)
Lynn V.

I love this place because of their udon soup and calamari. I wish I could say that about their bubble tea because it's watered down. I usually get japanese sweet green tea and it's not as sweet as before.
(3)
Nick G.

i've been to this one and the one in penn quarter. they are two of my favorite places to eat. great taste, value, music and decor. and they make the food fast. i got the japanese pancake with spinach and mushroom.
(5)
Natasha G.

I've been here so many times, I can't even tell you! I love that the menu has stayed the same to a certain extent, and there are so many items to choose from. I've been to the Penn Quarter location, and this one is certainly better! It is so large and roomy. The dining area is humongous, and there are large windows and a sizable patio area. You won't feel squished in here when you order food either. Highly recommended: okonomiyaki - it is on par with what I've had in Japan; vegetarian naan sandwich - it is very tasty and full of savory flavors; any of the tisanes (hot or cold); chai shake with gelato - very decadent, sweet, and filling! Mediocre: vegetarian bento box - not much flavor/pretty bland; cookies and other desserts - pricey and boring. Skip these: palak paneer - very bland and not authentic; ochazuke - kind of bitter and lacks flavor. One truly obnoxious thing - you REALLY have to pay attention and open your ears to find out when you should get your food. It would be great if they utilized buzzers. If you are nervous about parking, don't fret! There are two garages nearby, and I've always seen street parking available. It's helpful that this place is far from the always-congested King Street. Also, I love that this place is open until 10pm. It's a cool, casual place to hit up with a girlfriend! The quiet setting lends itself to having easy conversation. Bottom line: Of course I'll be back. It's just a matter of time.
(4)
Jey J.

I am in love with the Teaism in DC so when i came across this one while working in Alexandria, I jumped at the chance of it. I tried the okonomiyaki here with shrimp and it was delicious! a little on the oily side but none the less, delicious. i cant wait to come back to get it again. I've tried almost everything on their menu and typically get the bento boxes for lunch. i am glad i tried the okonomiyaki. I also got the red bean mochi but wasn't told that it came with sesame seeds all over it, I am not that much of a fan of that type.
(4)
Timothy W.

Tea was spot on and so I am unable to give Teaism a one star. However, the food... eh...um... So to summarize, probably a good place for tea, skip the food. Atmosphere, clean, staff friendly.
(2)
Randi F.

Teaism, I love you and I am a constant guest at your Penn Quarter location, but why don't you have the Handroll Bento at the Alexandria location? i would eat there every day for lunch. sad face...
(5)
Angela P.

Teaism is one of my favorite lunch spots in DC. I love to stop by and grab a seitan stir-fry or bento box when I can. So, when I met a friend out in Old Town Alexandria, VA for lunch one day, I suggested we check out the newest location of Teaism. Inside, this Teaism was quite different than the ones I frequent downtown. With a wall made of wood and bamboo and another wall painted red, this place had a lot of character. I also appreciated that there was no koi pond keeping the large fish in captivity like they do downtown. The menu is also different than the menu downtown. I ordered the bento box thinking it would be the same, but it was totally different. This bento box had kabocha squash and adzuki bean croquettes that were absolutely delicious. These paired with their awesome brown rice seasoned with sesame seeds was great. The cold sesame spinach, however, was lackluster as were the soy roasted onions. I washed it all down with the lovely Ginger Limeade. For dessert, I had a sesame-covered mochi, which was pretty good, but not spectacular. I guess I'm just not a huge fan of mochi. I came back a few weeks later to order the Lemon Maple Grilled Organic Tempeh Burger thinking this would be better. Eh, it was okay. There were two layers of grilled tempeh with a portobello mushroom on a whole grain foccaccia bread. There were no condiments whatsoever. When I asked about that they said that the mushroom produces so much moisture and flavor that it really isn't needed, but they gave me a cup of Vegenaise anyway. I thought the sandwich was way too big and that the Vegenaise definitely helped, but it was still missing something and I didn't like the bread much at all. The salad that accompanied it was doused in way too much dressing as well. My friend ordered the Kelp Noodles with Spicy Almond Butter and thought they were quite good. I didn't taste them so I can't say one way or the other. Overall, I'm disappointed with this location. I think the menu and food downtown is much better.
(2)
Michelle H.

It's a great location for telecommuting. I had the Assam tea and later on the Udon Soup with shrimp. The Assam tea was very good, and the Udon Soup was okay. I came here for a quiet environment to get some work done, and it definitely served it's purpose. The staff was very friendly, and the internet connection was great.
(4)
Lendsey C.

I'm Lendsey but let me be frank. I don't go to Teaism for the food. It's beautiful---but that's where the good stuff stops. If you want visually pleasing food with no substance and no remote hints of flavor then by all means eat at Teaism. I've tried several items and all have left me wishing I had brought my salt & pepper shaker from home. Customer service is always outstanding. I adore the atmosphere and seating (this is what keeps me coming back). It's great for groups of friends looking to relax without wanting the overpowering coffee smells of Starbucks or the over-crowded seating at Panera. And this is why I give it 3 stars. I love the concept of Teaism but it falls flat every time I'm there. They have free Wi-Fi so you can browse for better places to eat after you leave. Aside from the bland food if you can't get street parking you'll have to park in the attached garage which can get a little expensive if you stay longer than 1 hour. Try the food at your own risk but buy some spices from the Trader Joe's next door beforehand---you'll need it!
(3)
Jack H.

Great food and teas, and incredibly fast service. Come for the eats, stay for the relaxed ambiance.
(5)
Kristen C.

Hosted a baby shower here a couple of weeks ago at the Teaism in Old Town and it was perfect! The front space with the long tables and square poof seats was great for everyone to mingle and relax. Claudia the contact there was a pleasure to work with especially since we had to change the dates several times and went through 3 menus choices (we opted for catering plates over the high/afternoon tea). Now onto the food. We got the beef/chicken platter, salad, cheese platter, veg platter, bread and various desserts (pudding cake, lavender cupcakes and salty oat cookies). All of it was good but let me talk cheese for a moment. You see "cheese platter" and you think squares of mild cheddar. OH BUT THINK AGAIN, there was a wedge of blue cheese literally 5 inches high and across. There were dried apricots and other delicious cheese paring bits. There were like 7 different types of cheeses as well. And then another 6 kind of breads to match it with. These catering platters were what you would make for yourself but someone else makes them and cleans up after your guests! Jackpot. Also obviously, chocolate pudding cake was delicious and I could kick myself for sending the new Mom home with ALL the remaining salty oat cookies. Should have hidden at least 3 in my purse. And I don't live in Alexandria so I'm not totally sure if this is valid but parking is a huge pain in the ass where I am and Teaism is next to a parking garage which was a relief knowing we needed parking for 30ish people.
(5)
JJ V.

5 Freakin Stars!!! Are you kidding me?! This place is the best in Alexandria! Best calamari and real boba tea! I have been here 20 times and by far, this is the best Teaism location in the DC area. I have been to the other two locations and they are not as fast paced (I mean, finally, a restaurant I can chillax). No chatty servers to check up on you every five minutes...just awesome food. I have been here more the 20 times just this year...and I divide my time between Potomac, MD and Charlottesville, VA. I found my hang out...for life!
(5)
Pete A.

Came in just to sit at the bar and grab a drink and a snack. Kind of a weird layout. The bar is swanky and about 80% of the restaurant is swanky, but the other 20% of the restaurant feels like a weird office cafeteria. They had a pretty good selection of drinks and I wanted to try something different. The bartender recommended a drink that had ginger beer and bourbon (can't remember the name of the drink), but it tasted horrible. I should have just stuck with one of the several good beers they had on tap. You have to get a salty oat cookie. It was delicious. I'll stop back for food and review again. From what I could tell, you order up front and pick up your food once they call (ok some lady screamed out names, not the best for the ambiance).
(3)
Alison M.

I love tea and I love Asian food so Teaism and I get along. I stopped in on a cool rainy night last week and ordered some warming food. The chicken ramen soup and the dragon tea. The soup was amazing, seriously so good. The broth tasted gingery and the chicken had a ton of flavor like grilled chicken with BBQ sauce. I know that sounds weird, but it was good. The tea was ok, not my fave but I love how there's so many to choose from, that they serve it in a little pot and that you can smell them before hand to choose. So now onto what I don't like about Teaism. Basically, it's only 1 thing, that there is no waiter service. Give me a server and this place would be 5 stars. The problem is that they have a big menu and it's difficult to peruse when you you are standing there at the counter staring at a wall still wearing your coat. Plus, this is a tea house you are suppose to be cozy. Teaism does not give off that cozy vibe at all. Especially when you have to serve yourself with a tray.
(4)
Alexandra B.

After I eat at Teaism, I feel good about what I ate. The ingredients are wholesome, and the dishes are tasty--though sometimes inconsistently prepared. My favorite dish is the Korean BBQ Beef, which is usually very tender (like a pot roast), but the Panko-Breaded Catfish was my first favorite; the Okonomiyaki is generally my friends' go-to; and the Chicken Meatball Hot Pot is great for winter. It also features a pretty Zen environment, but only if they keep up with bussing the tables.
(4)
Michelle M.

I just love this place. I have talked to the owner of Teaism before and I am so happy to see that the Old Town location is doing so well and business seems to be always buzzing. Their curry, veggie naan sandwich and Japanese green tea are some of my favs. Can't forget the mouth-watering cookies either. :-) Love this place for lunch meetings with co-workers.
(5)
Gio V.

Great location. The food at this location is awesome and the staff is very friendly. A perfect place for teleworking as well. Their teas are superb. All the food I've had here has been delicious. I highly recommend the catfish the Korean BBQ beef and their miso soup.
(5)
Suzy D.

I did a search for local restaurants open at 7:45am and Teaism popped up. Well I'll be damned...I didn't even know they served food here! Anyone who frequents TJ's knows this place is right next door. But because it's offset from street level and the Teaisms I'm used to only sell tea and tea-products, I never paid this restaurant any attention. The space is much larger than it looks from the street. There's a huge outdoor seating area with orange tables and neon green chairs and umbrellas, a large dining area sectioned off with bamboo poles, a more open area devoted to high top tables and, of course, a full bar in the back (which has Asian booze, including saki) complete with four draft lines. The breakfast menu isn't that extensive and the prices are a little steep considering it's not some swanky place down on King St., but I gave it a go. $10.75 for sausage and eggs that you order from a counter and pick up in the back by the bar. The chai was the most like actual Indian chai I've had at a mainstream place in the US in that it wasn't a chai latte, it was actual tea that had been brewed with milk and sugar added at the tail end of brewing (vice adding steamed milk and letting you add your own sugar). It was way too gingery for my taste but it was already sweetened like you'll find in the Motherland. The eggs were made with cilantro, jalapeÃ±o and ginger and were great, not overly gingery like the chai. They could have used a lot more / any heat from the peppers; instead it tasted like they had used sweet bell peppers. The chicken sausage was a sizable link served butterflied and was definitely sweet from the apple in it. It was flavored well and served as a nice compliment to the bedazzled eggs. However, it was the naan this dish came with (which isn't written on the menu) that was my favorite element of the breakfast. This wheat naan tasted like it had just come out of the tandoor. So good! Tea from here is great, and there are so many loose leaf varieties that you can make hot or iced at home. If the damned squirrels hadn't ripped out and run off with my jalapeÃ±o plant, I'd use my own fresh ingredients to make these eggs at home to save the $15 I spent on breakfast. Though the tricky part will be getting a tandoor for the bread...
(4)
Damon B.

Teaism is a huge tea shop that is very serene. It is set into a new development in Old Town which shares a parking garage (validated) with Trader Joe's and other big chain stores. The shopping center is nice but is very crowded. We stopped into Teaism to try their bubble tea because they make their own tapioca balls. We both enjoyed our bubble teas but the tapioca was different than what we are accustomed to. I got a regular black tea with milk and my wife got a green tea without milk. The tapioca in both drinks were a bit on the mushy side. And the to-go cups were not very nice. Ironically since we were at a big chain, I expected to get those plastic cups with stereotypical asian cartoons on them, but instead we were rolling in Solo cups. This wouldn't be bad except the tea leaked around the edges of the lids, which didn't fit well at all, and made the drinks needlessly messy. Because I liked the staff and the restaurant seemed like a great place to study or work, I am giving them 4-stars. The tea wasn't the greatest thing in the world, but this is a case in which the efforts of the staff made up for an okay product experience. Even though this is a big chain store, it felt very kischy and fun and I'd recommend it to anyone in Old Town looking for a nice place to relax, and of course if you are interested in some tea.
(4)
Marco P.

I wrote my original review when I was hangry because I thought the burger was not good at all. Since then I've given teaism a few more chances, and they have turned around my opinion. 2nd time got the tacos and a few drinks, third time just had the curry chicken. I enjoyed the food previous two times. Still not the best value, but its good. Just don't get the burger. Save that for shake shack. l'll go again, but I think if they lowered their prices by a few dollars per dish, they would quadruple their business easily, especially from me. I work in the office next door, and have talked about it with many coworkers of various income levels, and almost none of them eat there because of the price. We are poor architects, so what ever I guess. Just a thought. Thanks
(4)
Debbie K.

Excellent lunch- both vegan and veggie entries. Loved all of it and best was the green gazpacho!
(5)
Ideen S.

+ Very nice decor and location - Upon entering, we approached the counter to place an order. A staff member said we could sit anywhere we'd like and someone would come by to take our order. 5-10 minutes passed and no one came by. - Went back to the counte
(2)
Jeff H.

I still can't believe it. I left this place with a smile for many reasons. Customer service: Very friendly. Keegan (not sure if that's spelled correctly) was very knowledgeable of the entrees and products. He makes you feel right at home when you get inside. Convenience: You order at the front, order, and sit wherever you please. When the order is ready, they will call your number. Not loudly either. Entrees: The taste(s) were completely unexpected and that's just the way it should be. We were not expecting a different flavor of the food we ordered, as it was most delicious. The bento box is a great choice if you're feeling adventurous, since it has a variety of things in it. Tempeh burger was odd (in a positive way) because it had a humongous patty-sized mushroom between two actual patties! Tea: Tasteful, smooth, and satisfying. Personal recommendation would be the Japanese sweet green tea. Atmosphere: Quiet, elegant and classy. The place is Japanese-inspired as you will see the cultural touches inside. They even have a little lounge where you can sit on comfortable cube cushions while chatting, using laptop (free wi-fi, just ask), drinking tea etc. Overall, my friend and I were more than satisfied since everything listed above were beyond expectations. If you're looking for a healthy, affordable and calm place to experience, this is the spot at the heart of Old Town, Alexandria.
(5)
Samantha L.

Take this review with a grain of salt because I DESPISE tea! I make myself drink it when I'm sick.. and even then I still hate yet. Yes, I've tried all the tricks.. honey, sugar, milk... I still don't like it. Don't like Sweet Tea, or Iced Tea... the closest I get is a Chai Tea Latte (those I actually enjoy quite a bit!) So, that said, I cannot comment on the tea at Teaism... only the food that I had for dinner one night a few weeks back. I ordered the Hot Pot (Chicken Meatball, rich chicken broth with red miso chicken, meatballs, cabbage, spring onions, enoki mushrooms, and yuzu kosho). My friend got the Catfish (panko fried with ponzu sauce, carrot-daikon salad & Sauteed spinach, served with brown rice.) My soup was good. Very flavorful, a little spicy, and the meatballs were well cooked. My only complaint is that I dint really think through my order before I placed it. It was a rather warm, late-spring/early-summer evening.. and soup maybe wasn't the best choice. That said, It was yummy, and on a cold winter day.. sign me up for another one! I also tasted a bite of the catfish and that was quite good too. That was definitely a better warm-weather menu selection!
(3)
Evan M.

Not as good as the one in DC near metro center, but still a decent option. The food is a little pricy for what you are paying for - especially given that this is a chain. I get the fried chicken bento box. The teas are okay, but they have twice run out of the iced tea selection. Odd....
(3)

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Address : 682 N St Asaph St
Alexandria, VA, 22314
Phone (703) 684-7777
Website https://www.teaism.com/restaurant-details-42.html
Click To Get Directions

Opening Hours

Mon :9:00 am - 9:00pm

Specialities

Takes Reservations : No
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Lunch
Parking : Garage, Street, Validated
Bike Parking : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Trendy
Noise Level : Quiet
Alcohol : Full Bar
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : Free
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : No
Caters : Yes

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Teaism

682 N St Asaph St, Alexandria, VA, 22314

Teaism Menu

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