Buena Vida Tea Bar & Garden

Tea Houses in Santa Monica, California

4.9 (108)

CategoryTea Houses · Event venue, Restaurant
Address726 Montana Ave, Santa Monica, CA 90403
AreaSanta Monica, California
Phone(424) 268-4138
Google rating 4.9 (108)

Hours

MondayClosed
Tuesday11 am–3 pm
Wednesday11 am–3 pm
Thursday11 am–3 pm
Friday11 am–3 pm
Saturday11 am–4 pm
Sunday11 am–4 pm

About Buena Vida Tea Bar & Garden

A collection of the world’s best loose leaf teas served in an enchanted garden.

Buena Vida Tea Bar & Garden is a tea house in Santa Monica, California. It is listed at 726 Montana Ave, Santa Monica, CA 90403, which places it among the local businesses of Santa Monica that residents and visitors turn to when they need this kind of service close by. Besides its main category, the business also describes itself as event venue, restaurant, so it may cover more than the name suggests.

Hours at these spots often run into the evening, later than a typical coffee shop, and many stay open on weekends when demand is highest in Santa Monica. Seasonal and limited-time drink or dessert flavors are common, so a shop's current menu can differ from what is posted online; checking recent photos or calling ahead helps. Some locations in California are dessert-only with no seating, meant for takeout, while others have cafe-style seating for staying a while. Straws for bubble tea are typically wide to accommodate the toppings, and are provided automatically unless you ask for a regular one. Loyalty apps and stamp cards are common at chain locations, and ordering ahead through an app can shorten a wait considerably at busy locations during peak after-school and after-dinner hours.

Hours are published for 6 days a week. The most common schedule is 11 am–3 pm. Note that it does not open on Monday. Hours in the United States do change around federal holidays and long weekends, so a quick call before a special trip is sensible. The listed phone number is (424) 268-4138. Many businesses also reply to text messages on the same number if it is a cell phone. Its website is buenavidatea.com, where you may find menus, price lists or booking options.

Customers rate it 4.9 out of 5 on Google across 108 reviews, placing it among the better-regarded tea houses in Santa Monica.

Santa Monica is in California, on the West Coast, where the climate ranges from foggy coast to hot inland valleys, wildfire season can affect air quality in late summer, and traffic is the main thing to plan around. Getting around Santa Monica is easiest by car; street parking is metered in busy downtown areas, and most suburban businesses have their own lot. Ride-share apps such as Uber and Lyft operate across California's larger cities, and public transit varies from extensive to minimal.

See the other tea houses in Santa Monica listed below to compare ratings, hours and locations before you decide. If you own or manage Buena Vida Tea Bar & Garden, you can claim this listing to correct details, add photos and a description, and receive a verified badge. Everyone else can help by leaving an honest review on Google after a visit.

Is this your business? Claim this listing to update details, add photos and get a verified badge; every verified claim gives $1 to charity. Want more customers? Feature it at the top of tea houses in Santa Monica.

Latest Google reviews

The 5 most recent reviews shown on Google Maps. Reviews belong to their authors; read all of them on Google.

Lindsey Wendt 2 weeks ago

I have found my new favorite gem!! The ambience, food and entire experience were exactly what I wanted! The mixed berry jam is made in house and was out of this world!! The servings were generous, and made me incredibly happy! It's also a woman owned business, which felt even better than heading to the peninsula or other chain options in the area. She has a gluten free menu available if you call ahead. The brownie which was gluten free is going to be my new favorite treat on special occasions. The black tea with rose and cardamom was everything!!!

Joella r 3 months ago

We passed by and saw tea pots in the window and decided to walk in and. What a Amazing place. Little shop upfront and little tea garden one the back. That fact that got French press latte and sweets to go and tasty mix tea bag . I will be back for afternoon tea and more delicious savory and sweet treats.

Mary Ann Wettler 4 months ago

What a delightful spot. The lady in charge was so warm and gracious. Their service was spot on and the scones, empanadas and tea were delicious. The garden was a great respite from the street noise. Will definitely return. Thank you for your gracious service.

Artist ByTheSea 5 months ago

I’m so perplexed by the great reviews here and hopefully we just went on a bad day because 5-star was not our experience at all. We were a party of three on a Sunday afternoon. My two friends arrived first and were told they could not be seated unless they ordered at least one high tea, so they did. At $65, the high tea seemed wildly overpriced for what you get in both presentation, atmosphere, and taste. I noticed another reviewer mentioned the baked goods are very dry and I have to agree although there was a very gooey, fudge brownie served but, to me, nothing tasted fresh or house-made. My friends said the sandwiches were fine, and they saved the vegan empanada for me, which I liked a lot. Since I joined my friends about 10 minutes after they arrived and after seeing their high tea, I decided to just order a matcha latte. The average price was $7.50 with a typical $1.00 upcharge for oat milk, which I passed on. It came to the table in a cute small glass pitcher but it was only half-filled, and the foam was very sloppy, bubbly and unappealing. (See photo.) Isn’t this the café that charges $65 for high tea and this is how you serve a latte? At least give me decent foam, maybe a

Torshy 6 months ago

This place is one of my favorites. A beautiful hole in the wall tea shop with wonderful atmosphere, service, and food. The empanadas are a must. They have chicken, vegetarian, and beef. I had the chicken and it was delicious. They have a great and diverse tea selection. What makes this place stand out is the incredible service. The owner is super sweet and warm. You feel as if you are stepping into a home with this level of hospitality and friendliness. I love this place it’s a true gem and everyone should check it out if you’re in the neighborhood.

All reviews on Google ↗

Frequently asked questions

Where is Buena Vida Tea Bar & Garden located?

Buena Vida Tea Bar & Garden is at 726 Montana Ave, Santa Monica, CA 90403, in Santa Monica, California. Use the “Open in Google Maps” button on this page for directions.

What kind of business is Buena Vida Tea Bar & Garden?

Buena Vida Tea Bar & Garden is listed as a tea house and is also tagged on Google as event venue, restaurant.

What are the hours of Buena Vida Tea Bar & Garden?

Published hours are Monday: Closed; Tuesday: 11 am–3 pm; Wednesday: 11 am–3 pm; Thursday: 11 am–3 pm; Friday: 11 am–3 pm; Saturday: 11 am–4 pm; Sunday: 11 am–4 pm. It is closed on Monday. Hours can change on holidays, so call before a special trip.

Is Buena Vida Tea Bar & Garden open on Sunday?

Yes, on Sunday it is open 11 am–4 pm.

What is the phone number of Buena Vida Tea Bar & Garden?

You can call Buena Vida Tea Bar & Garden at (424) 268-4138.

How is Buena Vida Tea Bar & Garden rated on Google?

Buena Vida Tea Bar & Garden has a Google rating of 4.9 out of 5 from 108 reviews.

Does Buena Vida Tea Bar & Garden have a website?

Yes, the website of Buena Vida Tea Bar & Garden is buenavidatea.com (linked on this page).

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