Zen Tara Tea Shop

It has been awhile now since I saw my review and just noticed that the owner had commented on it.
I must say you really did try to make it sound like I had anything to do with how horrible your store was to me.
First off I am not some stupid, rude or demanding person in any regard. As I own a local shop I am more then aware of how you act represents not only you, but all those around you.
Next same person sold me the bags each time, 3 times in a row, it wasn’t a 1 time thing and how dare you lie and say I was told it was a 1 time exception. If that were the case why the hell would I have gone back 2 more times trying to do the same thing.
Then you try to put blame on my employee and «not knowing what they were asking for.» I actually think this is hilarious. The employee you speak about was ½ thai ½ japanese. He was the one who was helping me all week testing out our recipe as we were both highly addicted to the thai tea from tara thai on our street. He not only knew what he was looking for in EVERY SINGLE regard, he was the one who had me go to you in the first place.
What sealed the deal on your response here was your salmon comment. Your attempt to make me feel stupid here was not only moronic, but showed you cannot fathom the concept of an analogy.
YOU ARE A TEA SHOP. You sell loose tea as well as brewed tea, I asked to buy bulk of what you sell. As with all your teas, you can purchase a personal size to enjoy then/​to go, then if you find it you like it, you may purchase more of the same. There was no way I was supposed to know that thai tea is the 1 and only tea you don’t sell in bulk. That is also such an odd thing as the bags of thai tea I bought even had a neon sticker on the bag with a hand written $ 6.95 price tag so again, you contradict yourself left and right.
Now on to the salmon comment directly. You said its like walking into a restaurant that makes salmon dishes and asking for raw salmon to go. That’s another moronic thought. If you were to make a direct analogy to my experience it would be as such. It was as if I were to go into a seafood market, that cooked /​sold different types of seafood, so that when you find one you like, you may purchase it by the pound.
Your story changed every time you got cornered. I called in an attempt to rectify a situation in which I thought was just a few parties getting confused about a product that turned into a blame game and he/​she said.
I can only imagine what caused you to close down, although since my only real bad experience was with the employees I won’t start to guess.
FYI, when you respond publicly as a business owner the FIRST thing it says is to attempt to contact the person directly, and if you MUST comment to the public, make sure to keep it respectable ect… FAIL

Unfortunately, they are going to close soon. One of my favorite places, but they are having difficulties because of the nearby construction and the depressed economy. Too bad.
The e-​mail I got from them hints at a possible re-​opening in the future. I sincerely hope I read this correctly.

Sadly, Zen Tara will be closing May 26. Go and enjoy it while you still can!

I like coming to this cute little tea shop! They have a great selection of loose tea leaves to choose from. They also serve drinks (hot chocolate, bubble tea, tea, etc) and pastries. It is a minute away from Bethesda Row so this place does not get too crowded or loud so it is a nice place to sit down and relax. Also, free wi-​fi!
On this trip, I ordered the chocoholic’s choice hot chocolate and a pineapple custard bun. The hot chocolate was basic, but good nonetheless. Next time I’ll try the Mexican hot chocolate or bubble tea. They do not make their own pastries. I’m not sure where they get it from. The pineapple bun was pretty good and fresh, but a little smaller than the ones from Asian bakeries. They warmed it up so the custard kind of oozes out.
I am not a tea aficionado, but I do like to drink green tea occasionally. They have monthly tea tastings in their back room. The owner is friendly and helpful in tea selection. I bought two different selections of organic green tea. The male employee, on the other hand, acts like he is too pretty to be making you tea. He looks like he belongs at Abercrombie & Fitch instead.

A quaint little tea shop… Their selection of tea is really good. You can come in and shop for teas. They have a «great wall» (haha) of tea when you first walk in… various kinds of dried tea leaves. If you’re in a white tea/​fruity mood, try the Asian Pear & Spice White Tea. :) The Fortune Dragon Green Tea Blend is a green tea with some citrus-​y flavors. And if you’re looking for a black tea, my favorite is the Pu-​erh & Blood Orange: Red Tiger Blend.
I actually like coming here to sit for a long period of time and study. It’s quiet, sunny (nice glass window) and they provide free wifi. For about 3 – 5 dollars, you can enjoy a pot of tea, with unlimited refills (water). If you’re feeling adventurous, try a snack, though I have to say the food isn’t the best. I had a ham and cheese croissant that was a little too dry for my taste (maybe it’s been sitting out for too long?). The seating area is somewhat cramped and the tables are a bit small if you want to squeeze more than one person at a table… but overall, if you’re looking for a quiet solo studying/​working place or a cute simple date place, this is the place to go! Very good tea :)

I must admit I’m not a huge connoisseur of tea or anything, but if I were this would be the place I would frequent. The wall at the entry to this quaint little shop is lined with various dried tea leaves in small clear containers so you can smell what you would like to drink. They literally have hundreds, so be prepared for diversity. If you order a pot, they give you a small tea timer so you know when to remove the leaves which I think is cool. They provide free WiFi (yes!) so it’s a great place to study as well. The store is full of tea equipment and bags of tea leaves to go and I saw many frequenters come in to buy stuff in bulk and go.
Great place, the tea was awesome, the staff very knowledgeable and friendly. If you’re a tea fan, check it out.

The best selection of teas in the DC area – much better than the local «Teaism» chain.
But ohhh man. Don’t leave before trying the bubble tea. Forget that powdery mix those posers are trying to pass as «tea», Zen Tara uses fresh ingredients to make their cups of tapioca and joy. I got the peach bubble tea and it tasted like sunshine. Just thinking about the icy beverage made of natural ingredients makes me smile uncontrollably. So good that I probably shouldn’t have tried it. I no longer can settle for the powder mixes that every other shop offers. Zen Tara, why do you do this to me?

Definitely a cute spot to take a first date or a lady friend. They are very friendly, service is pretty good. They flip a timer for you so the tea steeps at the table. They give you a tray with cups, the pot, a small plate to place the tea bags when done, and whatever pastries you get. Obviously I checked in on Unilocal to get one free small nut tossies. The pastry are super small bite size but free is free.
I didn’t try to get a refill of hot water for my pot of tea so I’m not sure if they do that. They do serve bubble tea but I wasn’t in the mood to try it. I will be back to see how it tastes.
Parking is definitely hard to find, but on the weekends you can park at the capitol one bank for free.

Much to my dentist’s dismay, I’m an avid tea drinker. I wouldn’t say I was a tealeaf sensei but I’d like to think that I know my way around a oolong and darjeeling. Yes, tea has it’s benefits but tea shouldn’t be consumed solely for its benefits (perceived and substantiated), it should be taken in as a calming, enjoyable experience — free from high-​pressure sales tactics and over-​promising on products *sideeyes Teavana*.
This place really understands that calming moment quietly relaxing with a cup of tea, providing a small but welcoming atmosphere to do so in. I decided to try out the coconut oolong and posted myself by the window watching the world go by between sips. Yes it is small, but it’s comfortable, zen, relaxing, has GREAT tea and free wifi! If you love tea or just want to support a nice local business, please give them a try :)

I’ve been craving bubble tea for the longest time, and this is the closest place that sells it (DC is lacking in this niche apparently). I stopped by during a break at work, and it was very empty to the point that I wondered whether they were open or not. Once inside, I looked at the menu and noticed that there are only like 5 bubble tea options, none of which are the traditional milk tea with bubbles. I wasn’t feeling like Thai tea, so I got a matcha green tea smoothie with bubbles. I saw them mix some matcha powder in the back, milk, and ice cubes, then blend and add the tapioca balls. Simple enough, yet when it rung up, it was over $ 5 for a small size which threw me off guard (I should’ve calculated yes).
My coworker tried a bit, wrinkled his nose, and told me that he thought it was terrible. I didn’t think it was that bad — it was mediocre, but not worth the price of the drink. They should lower their prices so that it isn’t cost prohibitive and also introduce more options.

Three and a half stars. Basic, cute-​for-​what-​it-​is café specializing in teas to stock at home, or drink to go. Handful of small tables within, and ledges outside. Lovely soy candles in four different scents, on-​the-​go canisters, and cute knickknacks along the walls by the back office. My pork bun was popped briefly in the microwave to heat up, and tucked into a small paper bag. More onion and a thinner sauce than typical, but overall a reasonably tasty pastry sized as a conservative snack (perhaps ¾ the size of average Asian bakery goods). Default ordering size is small. They asked my general sugar/​milk preferences and hit the mark, though from what I overheard, they take more specific requirements. Bubbles were admirably consistent: texturally even throughout, right amount of chew at all temperatures, no chemical-​y aftertaste. With no plastic minimum, I’ll be back for a large Ceylon black tea sometime. #CautiouslyHappyFuzzyAsianFeelings

My roommate and I, having just relocated from LA, have been on the lookout for bubble tea shops ever since we arrived. To our dismay, mine more so since I’ve already wasted good money on Teaism’s nasty bubble tea, there’s just no good bubble tea/​pearls to be found in DC thus far! Zen Tara fares slightly better in that the drinks themselves tast good. Alas, the boba is still lacking the essential springy chewiness that makes LA’s Half & Half so good!
I ordered a thai iced tea. Very yummy, especially if you like your thai tea sweet. My roommate ordered a matcha green tea smoothie. Fun fact: soy milk can be subbed at no extra charge! Additional plus: the matcha’s actually super good. Nice and sweet, it’s got a satisfying matcha flavor. I loved it.
Final deal maker: the place tries to be sustainable and eco-​friendly. The space is clean, the server was so nice, and I would have loved to spend a few hours doing work there (lots of outlets!). If you’re around downtown/​Bethesda Ave, give this place a try!

On my way to see a movie at the nearby theater, I saw this fantastic little tea shop and had to stop in to check it out. Inside, I found a huge selection of high quality teas of every type and flavor.
I asked if they had any rose-​flavored teas and the woman behind the desk listed the teas which had rose (about 3 flavors contained it). I ordered the jasmine rose green tea, and it was ah-​MAZ-​ing. It was so good I had trouble focusing on anything else but the delicious scent and taste of this tea while drinking it.
My boyfriend, who was with me, wasn’t going to order anything at first but he tasted my rose tea and was taken aback by how good it was, so he decided to order a cup of matcha to go (since we were on our way to the movie).
The woman behind the desk looked at him, kind of twitched, and said, «One cup of matcha, to go.» I could see the thoughts going through her head: «Matcha tea?! You want the highest grade ceremonial tea from Japan backed by centuries of history in a paper cup? Don’t you realize that this is a tea with an entire ritual associated with its preparation, served to noblemen of only the highest court? This is a tea that deserves to be savored, not gulped down like a pedestrian cup of Lipton!»
Of course, she said none of that. But from the look on her face, you can tell that it PHYSICALLY PAINED HER to deliver this ancient Japanese tea in a cheap to go cup.
Now that’s what I want out of a tea shop. The teas are the best available quality, brewed at the correct temperatures, steeped for the correct duration, and the place is run by people who have a genuine passion for tea that boarders on the fanatical.

Lovely find in Bethesda to catch up with friends while sipping on some tea or coffee.
Zen Tara Tea shop offers a wide selection of teas as well as coffee, bubble teas, pastries, sandwiches, and other snacks. The place is pretty cozy (some tables squished together and a counter lining the window), but very warm and welcoming. On my way to the restroom in the back I noticed that they have a tasting & blending room for small groups and monthly events. I like the fact that you can order tea online as well.
I decided on a cup of the green tea, which of course they had several of. The nice man explained the difference between each green tea (and let me smell them as well), which made my decision easy. Although I love drinking tea, I never quite know how long to keep the tea bag in there. So, I love the little hour glass that comes with your tea setup. Once it’s empty, I knew that my tea was ready. Hooray!
Great find. I’ll definitely be back for more tea (and to try out their food as well).

Bethesda is hardly a hot-​bed of independent cafes, and Zen Tara Tea is an oasis in a sea of chain stores. The shop itself is, as the name promises, very zen — lovely tables (even if they are close together), friendly staff, and a huge selection of tea. It looked like they also have a good selection of baked goods (and the sign on the front door said they stock Divvies products — which are gluten free). The staff is knowledgeable, so if you’re looking for a green tea recommendation, someone will absolutely help you.
My only gripe is the abundance of laptop users — I think it’s very generous that Zen offers free wifi for its customers — but it makes me sad that so many customers think this means that a $ 2 cup of tea entitles them to sit all day, especially when other customers are looking for tables. I was reminded me of those signs Teaism Penn Quarter places on its tables — reminding customers that when the store is crowded, they should make an effort to share their tables and to be respectful of their fellow customers who need a place to sit.

Reliably good bubble tea here– the teas are brewed fresh and the bubbles are the perfect consistency every time.
The staff are friendly. There’s free wi-​fi. And tasty pastries. (Can get some of them for free if you check-​in on foursquare and have a large drink.)
This is it folks, the perfect bubble tea.

If you find yourself in Bethesda and are looking for a relaxing spot to decompress then Zen Tara is the place. You just may be stressed trying to find parking in this part of Bethesda on a Saturday afternoon. Be patient :) A soothing cup of tea awaits you!
It’s small and the tables are a bit close to each other, but the patrons are respectful and it is easy to have a quiet conversation with your companion. It has a nice atmosphere, but not overly Zen-​filled as in a hippie/​New Age vibe kind of way.
You must come here if you are a tea drinker because Zen Tara uses only loose leaf teas from a massive list on the blackboard behind the counter. Being a fan of strong black teas I chose Assam. I like tea that turns dark the moment the boiling water hits it. The presentation is nice and the little timers are cute, but I really prefer a three minute steeping over the one minute timer they provide. Prices will vary depending on the tea leaves you choose.

Food/​Cost: (⁴⁄₅) I came here to study after lunch nearby, so I only had a pot of their Genmaicha tea (~$ 5/​pot), but I thought it lovely. Even before I tasted it, the sweet aroma of roasted rice wafted up and gave me a warm hug that left me feeling peaceful and happy — despite the pile of work awaiting me. As this is primarily a tea shop, it makes sense that they would have a good selection of great teas here, and in mixed in great combinations. In addition, as I was here for a couple hours, I saw numerous people order the bubble tea here, so apparently that’s a popular choice. I wish I was hungry because their pastries looked delectable as well. They weren’t that expensive either.
Ambiance: (⁴⁄₅) I came here to study and the environment was very conducive to that purpose. With the Zen-​like, peaceful atmosphere and soft music playing overhead, how can you not be productive? Zen Tara offers free wifi and there are a good number of outlets on the walls and on the large column by the entryway. There are about 10 small, wooden 2-​people tables and 3 tall stools along the counter facing street. However, I don’t recommend Zen Tara for groups larger than four if you’re not here for a tea tasting in the back room; even with just four, you’ll have to push 2 small tables together yourself. Zen Tara doesn’t feature any special décor, but that seemed to work for it as it gave it that small, slightly cluttered, yet clean, and uniquely Japanese feel.
Location: (⁴⁄₅) Zen Tara is located a short 5 minute walk south of the Bethesda metro stop. There’s also a parking lot close by, which is useful for those with cars if you can’t find street parking. it’s located a little bit east of the hustle and bustle of Bethesda Row, but still a short walk away so that shopping, restaurants, and entertainment are all close by. Great area!
Service: (⁴⁄₅) The people here friendly, and are very knowledgable about tea and make great recommendations. Great!
Overall: (⁴⁄₅) Zen Tara Tea Shop is a great place to come to do some reading or studying, or for a quick snack or healthy drink — don’t forget all the benefits of tea — either with a friend or by yourself. I will be back Zen Tara!

I keep coming back to Zen Tara Tea, even though it’s not close to where I live or work.
Zen Tara Tea is personable. You get to know the people that work there, and they care about you. They remember visitors and their tea/​pastry preferences. They truly care about their customers, and take the time to talk to them and get to know them. They are always interacting with the community, whether in person, twitter, facebook, or through newsletters.
All of their tea is organic and they keep on the cutting edge by going to tea expos and visiting countries around the world.
Compared to other tea shops (Teavana, Teaism), this store is by and far the best. The quality of their ingredients is such that you don’t need sugar or milk – the tea stands on it’s own. The prices aren’t that expensive so you go home weeping with a small satchel of tea either. I love their tea tumblers with the bulit in strainer too, I have two and bring one to work with me everyday on my long metro ride from Arlington to Rockville. The tea is *still* hot when I arrive at work.
The best thing about this place (besides the free wi-​fi, and yummy snacks) is their tea tasting events. For around $ 10, you get an hour or hour-​and-​a-​half long themed adventure where you taste five or six teas and then you get to take samples home. I’ve taken part in the April Fool’s Tasting Challenge, South East Asian Tea tasting, Tea as Desserts, Iced Tea Contest, and the Botanical Tea Blending/​Tasting Event. I’ve been here with tea snobs and tea noobs alike, and everyone has enjoyed every event and everything in the store.
They also have sushi, sandwiches, some Chinese dim-​sum dishes, and *bubble tea*. I love their Thai iced coffee and Thai iced tea the best, with tapioca bubbles of course!

This is my favorite place to buy tea in the Bethesda area. Have any friends who are tea lovers? This is the perfect gift shop. They used to sell their tea at the Co-​op across the street and opened a store in late 2009.
I can’t say enough positive things about this place. The owners are super helpful and I love the fact that they offer so many exotic blends AND their tea is ORGANIC/​fair trade. The selection is superb and the atmosphere is relaxing; its’ a great place to catch up with a friend. They even have a special tea room that I’m dying to check out.
I’ve only been there once but I can tell you that I will certainly be back and I highly recommend this place if you are a tea-​lover.
Bonus: Free Wi-​Fi