If you are looking for a great place to study this midterm season, look no further than Dream About Tea. This authentic Chinese tea café, located across from the Ace Hardware on Davis Street, has plenty to offer, including a quiet zen atmosphere, free Wi-Fi, plenty of seating and most importantly, great tea.
Photo by Bernard Wen
Dream About Tea offers loose leaf tea by the cup, with prices ranging from $3 to $6. The teas are grouped into categories of Dolang, Black, Flavored, Herbal, Green and Iced, with each group consisting of at least eight blends. Manager David Yao says he and his staff are always available to help customers choose from the large selection.
Photo by Bernard Wen
While the abundant options may seem overwhelming at first, if you describe your ideal taste, caffeine level, consistency and flavor to the Dream About Tea staff, they will direct you to your perfect tea. For students, Yao recommends Monkey Picked, a white tea that he claims helps with concentration; Pi Lo Chun ($4.50), a green tea filled with antioxidants; and the classic English breakfast tea ($2.25).
Photo by Bernard Wen
After I described my interest in a mildly caffeinated, lightly flavored green tea, Yao served me Jasmine Green ($2.50). The loose leaves slowly opened in my cup to form a flower, infusing the hot water with intense flavor. The beautiful tea presentation along with the extremely helpful and passionate staff made my experience at Dream About Tea tremendously enjoyable.
Photo by Bernard Wen
The days of being squeezed into tightly packed and noisy coffee shops are over. Instead, grab your books and venture beyond the El tracks to Dream About Tea for an authentic cup of tea and a quiet place to read. Don’t forget to bring your Wildcard because Northwestern students receive a 10% discount and two free refills.
Photo by Bernard Wen
Address: 1011 Davis Street, Evanston
Hours of operation: Mon-Sat: 9am to 5pm