Where to Find Great Coffee, Tea and Craft Beer in Pearland
From sweet to full-bodied, there are plenty of sources for superior chilled sipping in Pearland. Pictured here are bubble teas from Ding Tea. Courtesy photo.
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Pearland has something for everyone when it comes to liquid refreshment. With gourmet coffee, playful bubble tea and specialty craft beers, it’s fun to discover local sips that reflect the area’s unique culture and diversity. Whether you’re in the mood for something hot, iced, sweet or bold, here are a few must-try spots sure to quench your thirst. Visit the Pearland Convention and Visitors Bureau website, Visit Pearland, for more delicious ideas!
Bubble Tea in Pearland
The sensation of bubble tea — also known as boba, boba milk tea or tapioca pearl — is alive and well in Pearland, where several shops offer the refreshing treat. Though the exact inventor of the drink is up for debate, food historians agree that the tea originated in the 1980s in Taiwan. Modern adaptations offer a diversity of flavor profiles and textures. Other cultures have adopted bubble tea, too, making it a true adventure for the taste buds. Take a tea tour through town with these must-try spots, and find more at the Visit Pearland website.
Bambu, 11625 Broadway: This California-based Vietnamese tea shop offers traditional sweet beverages, or chè, along with coffee and tea. Create your own combination, or choose from popular selections, such as the Bambu Special with fresh coconut, pandan jelly, longan, basil seed and coconut water; Taro with boba (tapioca) and traditional Iced Cà Phê Sữa Đá (Vietnamese coffee) with coffee jellies.
Ding Tea, 3422 Business Center Drive: Visit the Pearland location of this Taiwanese chain for an assortment of hot and cold drinks in a range of flavors. Choose from tea lattes, milk teas in 27 flavors such as Red Guava Green, Strawberry Matcha and Honey Black, flavored teas in 27 flavors such as apple green, grapefruit honey and kumquat, 22 slushes such as Flavored Creamsicle, pineapple, and jasmine boba milk tea and fresh aloe vera juices. There is also yakult, which is a Japanese sweetened probiotic drink, yogurt and small bites like popcorn chicken and boba ice cream. Currently, orders are available for to-go and pickup, or delivery through GrubHub and UberEats. Order in the shop, online via the Clover app, or through the link on social media. Call 281-741-8710 for more information.
Kung Fu Tea, 11200 Broadway: This internationally-popular shop has a variety of hot, cold and blended selections. The menu is broken down into categories: milk tea, including Coconut Milk Tea; punch (freshly squeezed lemonade mixed with freshly-brewed teas flavored with fruits such as mango or grapefruit), Milk Cap topped with a thick layer of creamy, lightly salted milk, Classic such as Longan Jujube Tea, Slush such as strawberry or Oreo, and Milk Strike, which is made with lactose-free Lactaid milk for customers sensitive to dairy. There are seasonal specials, too. Customize all beverages with toppings such as a variety of popping bubbles, pudding, red bean and tapioca. You can even purchase a digital drink gift card to send to friends and family.
ShareTea, 10904 Memorial Hermann Drive: The parent location of this bubble tea shop opened in Taipei, Taiwan in 1992 and has grown to over 400 locations worldwide. The Pearland outpost serves the same beloved menu of hot and iced tea-based drinks. Look for fruit, milk, signature, brewed and ice-blended options such as Kiwi Fruit Tea with aiyu jelly, mango and passion fruit tea, Okinawa Pearl Milk Tea, Mango Mojito (non-alcoholic) and Strawberry Ice Blended with Lychee Jelly & Ice Cream. Guests can customize the ice and sweetness levels, and add a variety of toppings.
Craft Beer in Pearland
BAKFISH Brewing Company, 1231 Broadway: Kick back with a brew and a bite at Pearland’s original craft brewer. BAKFISH boasts a spacious tap room and covered patio filled with games, which makes it an ideal place to bring the whole family (dogs are welcome, too) or catch up with friends. The menu is ale-heavy, but stouts and IPAs are also represented. There’s even a hard seltzer flavored with passionfruit and guava. They have Texas-inspired names that are creative and playful such as Defying Gravity, Cheap Sunglasses, Swim Shady and All Y’all.
Last year, the food menu expanded and now includes gourmet sandwiches such as Bacon Grilled Cheese and traditional Avocado Toast. There are often food trucks onsite, too. Call 281-993-8658 for more information, and check social media for current specials and events such as taproom yoga and food/beer pairings.
Vallensons’ Brewing Company, 4081 Rice Drier Road: Husband and wife Valle and Lori Kauniste opened their family- and dog-friendly nanobrewery in May 2017. It is open Fridays through Sundays and serves a variety of beer, wine and cider.
Valle was inspired to open his own brewery by his travels while in the military. His beer sampling during those years inspired home brewing which, in turn, led to larger-scale production. His Estonian roots show up in the Estonian Raw Ale, but the three flagship selections are named in honor of Pearland. The Settler’s Oatmeal Stout is a 2019 US Open Championship Gold Medalist and is named for the city’s original settlers, while the local historic 1900s train station inspired The Depot Pale Ale and The Advocate Amber Ale is a nod to Pearland’s first newspaper. At any given time, there are 15-20 different beers on tap from heavy porters to Farmhouse Saison, Pink sour, Peanut Butter Blonde, Lemongrass Ginger Wheat and even a “tea” series, which is beer brewed with tea — wild! Enjoy Vallensons’ beers in the backyard or patio, or order 32-ounce crowlers and growlers to go.
There’s food to enjoy, too. The brewery partnered with food truck Texasiana, which sells a rotating menu of fried and blackened fish, chicken, sandwiches and more. It is open during all hours when the brewery is open to the public. Check the brewery’s website and social media for what’s on tap, including tours, special events and more.
Coffee in Pearland
Pearland Coffee Roasters, 4106 West Broadway: This intimate local spot is perfect for catching up with a pal, or working remotely or studying thanks to free WiFi. The warm and cheerful dining room, as well as the inviting back patio, offer a lovely respite throughout the day.
The shop opened in 2010 and serves exclusively house-roasted coffee beans. Find an assortment of whole beans to go such as Black Star Blend, Costa Rica Sonora and KORA Kenya Peaberry along with all the tools needed to prepare a supreme cup of coffee at home. There are kettles, scales, grinders, mugs, tumblers and more — plus knowledgeable staff to help you select the best product for your budget and brewing goals.
Look for the seasonal coffee blends, too, such as Open Fire with notes of cinnamon, nutmeg, pecan and cream or Sweater Weather reminiscent of black currant, Concord grape, citrus, clove and candied ginger. For immediate sustenance, try daily drip coffees, traditional espresso drinks and teas; complement it all with tasty bites from Kraftsman Bakery, which are delivered fresh daily.
PJ’s Coffee, 12640 Broadway: This outpost of the New Orleans classic retains the same qualities of the 1978 original location. Find a wide selection of flavor profiles and single-origin small-batch roasted beans such as French roast, hazelnut, Carnival Blend, and English toffee. Fill your cup year-round with standards such as hot coffee, Vienna Creme (PJ’s cold brew coffee, milk and sweetness blended until frothy), or assorted espresso-based drinks like the Americano and mocha cappuccino.
Cool off on hot days with a decadent blended Chai Velvet Ice or Mocha Granita, which satisfy the sweet tooth and caffeine cravings. Don’t miss seasonal selections, such as the king cake-inspired drink menu during Mardi Gras season, featuring three vanilla-cinnamon spiked drinks and a coconut mocha special, plus slices of rich cake. There are also teas, hot chocolate, and fruit smoothies. If you’re starting the year on a healthy kick, most beverages can be made with less sugar and fat-free milk, as applicable, by requesting the “Eat Fit” criteria when placing your order.
The Visit Pearland news blog is updated regularly — often once or twice a week — so be sure to bookmark the website link and check back frequently for the latest food news! You can also check out the Pearland Convention & Visitors Bureau on social media for the latest updates. Follow on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
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