Chatime in Chinatown Calgary offers customizable bubble teas so you can make your perfect drink!
This location in Chinatown was the first branch of the popular chain bubble tea shop in Calgary. To be honest, I didn’t know that Chatime was a chain when it first opened around May 2015. I thought it was just another run-of-the-mill bubble tea shop.
Usually, this is a place for hangouts when you’re with Asian people (I’m Asian, and I love bubble tea), or a place to just get your bubble tea fix. I think there’s some sort of attraction between Asians and bubble tea. Or maybe it’s because bubble tea is an Asian creation.
If you’ve ever been to Taiwan (or other chain bubble tea places in Canada) you can adjust the amount of sweetness and ice in your drink, and/or if you want the drink hot or cold. Fortunately at Chatime, you can also modify your drink however you want, and I love this customization option!
I ordered the passionfruit green tea with grass jelly (highly recommended with teas) at 30% sugar and 80% ice. The green tea flavour was prominent and the passionfruit flavour added a nice fruity & sweet touch.
The cafe itself is nice but because it sees a lot of traffic, it can get pretty loud and dirty. Sometimes, the tables have dirt marks on them (as a sign that they’ve not been wiped down), and there may be trash on the floor. It varies every time you go there.
I do like the white tables and high chairs, and the purple walls and minimal decor. It’s a small touch, but sometimes it adds to the atmosphere in the place. Sometimes.
Overall, Chatime is one of the staples for bubble tea/boba/pearl tea in Calgary (Chinatown). If you don’t mind a messy interior, you can get your perfect drink at Chatime!
Recommended? Yes!
COST: Moderate. As with other bubble tea places, the prices are pretty similar. For a large drink, expect to pay around $5 with pearls or grass jelly.
TASTE: Good. The bubble tea at Chatime isn’t my favourite in Calgary, but it gets the job done. The pearls aren’t as chewy as other places, but the tea is really pronounced in the drink.
ACCESSIBILITY: Easy. Chatime is located in the middle of Chinatown Calgary, so it’s quite accessible. From Centre Street station or 1st Street station, it’s about ~10 minutes by foot (or 15 minutes via +15 access).
ATMOSPHERE: Okay. The cafe isn’t as clean as other places, mainly because so many people go in and out frequently. During the evenings, it can get pretty busy and loud at Chatime, so it’s better for casual meetups or if you want to quench your bubble tea thirst.
SERVICE: 7/10. Definitely not the friendliest people out there. The baristas seem frustrated sometimes, and don’t even crack one smile. That said, however, the baristas are pretty quick & efficient when it comes to the drinks.
Chatime (Chinatown Calgary)
Address: 328 Centre Street S, Calgary AB
Phone: (587) 352 – 0710
Hours:
- Monday: 11AM – 10PM
- Tuesday: 11AM – 10PM
- Wednesday: 11AM – 10PM
- Thursday: 11AM – 10PM
- Friday: 11AM – 11PM
- Saturday: 11AM – 11PM
- Sunday: 11AM – 10PM
Website: www.chatime.com
This is not a sponsored post.