Zensation Tea House

This place is just WOW! A amazing tea house with wonderful collection of teas and unique style of serving and presenting each teas. The service is really good with very polite and humble people serving you with a smile and also with lots of information and knowledge about the teas. To fill your stomach with the soothing teas they also have delicious dumplings. Must try the chilli oil you won't regret it. Just a suggestion to the visitors while going through the menu to decide the teas to order you can also check on the shelves for the various teas they have on offer and then choose. Great peaceful ambience with complementary background music.

Milky Oolong is AMAZING. Treat yourself. Also, it can be pick and choose dumpling servings, not the usual 8-12 of the same per steamer.

The Boba milk tea here is really good they use frozen tea for the ice cubes so its not watery and the owner is super nice!

Best tea and dim sum place I have ever been:) almost too good to tell others. Will definitely come back next time!

This is one of my favorite places to eat in Sydney. This beautiful family owned teahouse is full of character that can only be achieved by many years of love and dedication which makes for a special experience. I enjoy eating the tasty dumplings accompanied by delicious tea served in the one of their many beautiful teapots. It's easy to take your time and relax in this shop. They have an impressive collection of records and the people who work here are an absolute delight. Don't forget to try the amazing chilli oil. I can't live without it now!

Stepping into this charming tea house makes you forget where you actually are, the service is friendly and attentive and the food and tea is delicious. Would recommend.

One of the most amazing places in the town. Totally impressed by the hospitality and exceptional service. Very calm, quite and a peaceful place with an extraordinary varieties of tea.

We haven't tried the tea but the dimsums and noodle were delicious. Customer service was top, and the owners were very friendly. Poodle was cute and friendly! We are going back for the tea next time.

My favourite tea house in the world. Fresh and delightful tea and food. The staff is super friendly. I recommend this place to everyone!

Amazing night. Went for tea tasting. Great food and staff. Learnt so much and had great night. Thankyou

There are places which are 5/5 and there are places which are just phenomenal. This is one of them. We did the tea appreciation and went on a journey of tradition, tastes and scents. Raymond and the team are truly passionate about what they do and it shines. Had a wonderful afternoon and can't wait to be back again.

One of my favourite Sydney treasures. This place transports you. You don't just taste tea, you gain a mindset and an authentic cultural experience.

Why? If the legendary Uncle Iroh from "Avatar: The Last Airbender" was real, this would be the tea shop of his dreams. From customer service to quality of tea leaves to the tea ware itself, Zensation Tea House channels Uncle Iroh's love of good tea with a generous heart and warm welcome. This place would do him proud. I can imagine Zuko and Aang playing a game of checkers in the corner booth while I read/ write/ draw at Zensation Tea House.

If you're unfamiliar with Uncle Iroh, don't worry, I'll explain. (Also, do yourself a favour and watch "Avatar: The Last Airbender").:)

Raymond and his wife, Ada, have owned Zensation Tea House for 17 years. Originally based in Surry Hills, Zensation moved to Waterloo 2 years ago. Raymond's heritage is Hong Kongese, and he has lived in Australia since the 70's. They both love sharing their knowledge of tea and tea culture. And their knowledge is matched with excellent customer service and a welcome to ALL- whoever they are and wherever they are on their tea journey.

It's rare to find any owner-operated business in Sydney, and Raymond and Ada are there every day (except Monday) to greet customers. Their loyal dog, Goldie, is a wonderful mascot.

This means the quality of service is personalised, with the highest attention to detail. Meticulous standards in presentation, food and products.

Raymond travels extensively every year to source artisinal teas from China, Taiwan and Japan. From Uji-cha to Fukuoka Gyokuro (Japanese teas) to the old Pu'er trees in Yunnan, Longjin sourced from Zhejiang province (Chinese teas) or high-mountain Taiwanese tea, Raymond knows his tea intimately and he shares his knowledge generously.

The tea-ware is exceptional. From Yi Xing pottery to glass tea pots, ceramic gai wans to celadon cups, milky Oolongs, floral hibiscus or red tea, they cater to every tea-lover's need with an affable attitude and a reasonable price that makes you feel at home. The displays are beautiful in the tranquil surroundings.

Highly recommend their "Tea Appreciation" tea tasting night. Regardless of your knowledge of tea, you'll love their delicious authentic dumplings (loved the variety), calligraphy demonstration, tea ceremony and sparkling conversation. It makes for an educational and fun night. You gain a cultural experience. Assistant, Alicia, was also very helpful and thoughtful. My partner who knows very little about tea asked lots of questions and was converted!

But despite the insight and knowledge, there is no snobbery here. I especially loved that ALL questions are welcomed, and their unaffected love for sharing tea make them the best host/hostess. It's like being in a cosy retreat where everyone is made to feel at ease. Just be yourself - relax, explore and enjoy.

The atmosphere of Zensation Tea House is another drawcard. The interior design is also by Raymond. A clean yet cosy treasure trove of tea, there are dark rose-wood tables and chairs, embroidered cushions, elegant stools, cafe chairs and wooden tables - an ecclectic mix with comfortable nooks to sip your tea or read a book. Natural wood, paintings, bamboo screens and crafted ceramics create separate areas for respite. Lanterns and lamps glow in the evening, and incense calms you as you listen to one of Raymond's extensive vinyl collection.

From the mood of the place to the staff to the products, this place is truly transformative.

It's like a secret garden where tea blooms.

Zensation Tea House is a much needed place in Sydney to unwind and reset. I adore tea, and I wish I had discovered this place sooner, but I'm so glad that it exists. I learn so much. I walk out feeling like my mind is clearer and my heart is lighter.

As Uncle Iroh would say "Sharing tea with a fascinating stranger is one of life's true delights" and Raymond and Ada are the best people to embody this with warmth and grace.

Chinese classical design, tranquility, very clean, they have boutique various kinds of tea from mainland China, Taiwan and Japan. Service are friendly and effective.

Lovely experience, friendly staff and relaxing atmosphere - could stay there all day! The dumplings are so good and the tea is delicious and a great experience. Oh and that chili mix was really good. I'll be back!

Had a lovely birthday, relaxing all afternoon with tea and dumplings with hubby. It was a welcome break after 2 months of lockdown. The owners are very kind and we learned a lot from the tea ceremony. The music and atmosphere makes you feel like you are in another world. The food is great and the tea is high quality.

Absolutely lovely shop, beautiful music, amazing staff, and of course great food and tea. An absolute must if you want to be surrounded in a sublime environment.

Amazing staff, amazing ambience! The tea was wonderful (puer tea does go brilliantly with dumplings, thanks for the suggestion), and Goldie was adorable. Will definitely come bac. ^^~

Nice and cozy place with friendly staff, relaxing music and authentically served tea. Will be back again!

Just great. If you are going for the degustation you are getting a priceless experience. Seriously the money are nothing for what you are experiencing. The owner's tea ceremony is a thing of beauty, heart warming.

Excellent tea shop in Waterloo! All dim sum and food is extremely delicious! Must try the hand made bobble mike tea, they even made the ice with tea, that way even if it melted the taste won’t be different. That how you tell if a restaurant have heart to make your food.