Fresno, California is more than just a town of over half a million people. It is in the heart of the central valley, one of the world’s largest producers of agriculture. It is the home of California State University, Fresno, and a popular stop for tourists heading up to Yosemite.
More than that, it is the home of many wonderful, locally owned coffee and tea shops. Whether you are new to the area or a traveler looking for an early morning caffeine fix before that trek into the nearby Sierras, these local establishments are sure to satisfy your caffeine needs.
- 1920 Tea Club: 732 W Bullard Ave, Fresno, California 93704
- Collect Coffee Bar (EIC pick): 3142 E Campus Pointe Dr, Fresno, California 93710
- Taipei 101: 6702 N Cedar Ave #103, Fresno, California 93710
- Kuppa Joy: All Over The Central Valley
- Teazers World Tea Market: All Over The Central Valley
Located on the corner of Barstow and Palm Avenues, 1920 tea club is open until one am on most nights, giving anyone ample time to get their tea fix. Offering a variety of snacks, deserts, and teas this tea shop is a great place to unwind in the evening.
It is also a great place to refuel for those college students attempting to revive themselves for a late night session, or those coming home from that hike to Half Dome. The Iced Hazelnut milk tea is a great early evening or late night treat.
Shareca, our EIC for the CSU, Fresno Odyssey community, selected Collect Coffee Bar. It is steps away from CSU, Fresno at Campus Pointe, located on Chestnut Avenue. She suggested the Iced mochas, which give a strong yet sweet flavor to the early morning routine.
There is also a hot caramel cream drink, a sweet alternative to non-coffee drinkers. Collect Coffee Bar is also off the 168 freeway, which heads into China Peak Ski Resort and Shaver Lake in the Sierra National Forest. It is the perfect place to get a coffee fix before class or before heading to the ski slopes.
Located in the southeast corner of Cedar and Herndon Avenues in north Fresno, Taipei 101 is a five minute drive from CSU, Fresno, and nearby hotels, offering a haven for local and non-local bubble tea enthusiasts. Many varieties of tea are offered here, along with the option to add boba (or black tapioca pearls) to their drinks.
Their House black milk tea is a great start for beginners not accustomed to Asian milk teas. They also offer sandwiches, snacks, and desserts to compliment any tea you order. The option of “dining-in” or sitting down and ordering your drink and food with a server is another reason to stop by Taipei 101.
Originally located in the neighboring town of Clovis, Kuppa Joy has expanded to Fresno’s vibrant tower district. Their almond joy coffee drinks are a favorite, with the just the right amount of sweetness and coffee flavor to satisfy any coffee drinker. They also offer pour over coffee that differs each day for traditional coffee drinkers. Their “Lavender Honey Joy,” which is a lavender tea drink mixed with honey is a great alternative for non-coffee drinkers.
With multiple locations throughout Fresno, Teazers has definitely been a hit amongst locals since its original opening in 2003. The atmosphere inside any Teazers shop is one filled with zen and serenity, along with comfortable chairs, tables, and Eastern-influenced portraits.
The teas offered range from a pot of traditional tea for two, to delicious milk teas such as their Chocolate Chimp Chai. The Iced Brazilian coconut tea, infused with Yerba matte tea, is a great start to anyone’s morning. If you want a truly unique drink, they also offer specials that differ weekly and are not on the regular menu.
