At Best of the City, we believe in the power of local businesses. That’s why we ask our readers to nominate and vote for their favorites every year. Our readers have spoken and chosen the top iced tea in Manhattan. Find out who they picked and why they’re the best.
2024: Manhattan Voted Gong Cha Best Iced Tea!
Gong Cha
75 W 38th St
(212) 398-2716 – gongchausa.com
Gong Cha on 38th Street has the best iced tea in New York City. There are so many varieties to choose from, but all are made from premium qality tea leaves and ingredients that provide optimum, refreshing flavor that you’ll enjoy whether on a hot summer day or inside on a cold winter night. The menu here is quite extensive and includes an array of milk foam teas such as green, black, and oolong, but there is a whole list of creative teas you can enjoy, too. These include honey green tea, and green tea in a variety of fruit flavors, and if you want to indulge your sweet tooth, consider the caramel chocolate flavor. It’s absolutely delicious!
2023: Manhattan Voted Kettl Tea Best Iced Tea!
Kettl Tea
348 Bowery
(646) 590-0479 – kettl.co
Founded in 2010 by Zach Mangan, Kettl Tea seeks to bring fresh iced tea to its customers, something Mangan felt the U.S. tea market was missing after spending a month in Japan. Kettl Tea does just that, as its ingredients are shipped directly from Kettl Tea’s Japanese location. It offers matcha, loose tea, tea bags, and chocolates and other sweets. Its iced tea is no different from its original goal of fresh tea, with Kettl’s website stating that too many iced teas are full of sugar and preservatives — Kettl has curated a list of ingredients and recipes for the best iced green teas, and they also sell a cold brew bottler and shaker to help you make that superior product. Check them out today!
2022: Manhattan Voted Blank Slate Coffee + Kitchen Best Iced Tea!
Blank Slate Coffee + Kitchen
121 Madison Ave #3
(646) 707-0256 – blankslatetea.com
So many iced tea shops and so little time! With the number of iced tea shops seeming to grow at an exponential rate, it can be overwhelming trying to figure out which one is the best! This year, choosing Blank Slate Coffee + Kitchen, with its high quality and wide variety of tea options, was a no brainer! Come try their Boba tea, or whatever else your taste buds desire — and maybe bring your coworkers one too, it’ll make you a hit around the office.
2021: Manhattan Voted Ippodo Tea Best Iced Tea!
Ippodo Tea
125 East 39th Street
(212) 370-0609 – ippodotea.com
Ippodo Tea in NYC, which opened in 2013, is the company’s first store based outside of Japan. Devoted exclusively to all varieties of green tea, the store uses staff from Japan to introduce customers to the allure of fine Japanese green tea. Ippodo sells some of the highest-quality green tea around and prides itself on allowing customers to ask a range of questions about green tea, from how it’s produced and prepared to the myriad health benefits. The to-go menu features a wide variety of iced and hot matcha green teas and lattes including sweetened and unsweetened matchas, leaf teas such as Sencha and Gyokuro in addition to thin and thick matchas. Get your healthy green tea fix at Ippodo Tea!
2020: Manhattan Voted Rabbit Rabbit Tea Best Iced Tea!
Rabbit Rabbit Tea
110-112 E 23rd St
(646) 596-7759 – www.rabbitrabbit-tea.com
So many iced tea shops and so little time! With the number of iced tea shops seeming to grow at an exponential rate, it can be overwhelming trying to figure out which one is the best! This year, choosing Rabbit Rabbit Tea, with its quirky packaging and wide variety of tea options, was a no brainer! Come try their Boba tea at their Flatiron location and don’t forget to take a pic of your gorgeous drink to post on Instagram afterwards!
