Our standard of excellence

The Leaf Awards

A small number of tea houses each year earn a Leaf rating. One leaf is very good; three leaves marks a destination worth a special journey.

A very good tea house in its category — worth a stop.

Excellent tea house — worth a detour.

Exceptional — worth a special journey.

Destination Worth Traveling For

A tea experience so singular it justifies the journey on its own.

ChiayiAlishanPremium

Shizhuo High Mountain Estate

At 1,400 meters in the Alishan range, this family estate grows and roasts high mountain oolong. Tastings come with sweeping views over a sea of clouds.

Editor-visited

MountainScenicEstate

Best Traditional Experience

The finest expression of classic Taiwanese tea culture and ritual.

Temporarily closed

TaipeiDa'anPremium

Wistaria Tea House

A protected historic residence turned salon, Wistaria has hosted Taiwan's writers and dissidents since the 1980s. Tatami rooms, aged oolong, and slow afternoons under the namesake wisteria vines.

Editor-visited

HistoricLiteraryQuiet

Best Modern Experience

Contemporary tea spaces redefining how Taiwan drinks tea.

TaipeiWanhuaModerate

Eighty-Eightea Rinbansyo

Set inside a restored Japanese-era wooden temple lodge beside Ximen, Eighty-Eightea pairs single-origin Taiwanese teas with seasonal wagashi in a serene, minimalist space.

Editor-visitedBeginner-friendly

MinimalistRestored HeritageSerene

Best Tea Education

Where curious travelers learn the craft from true masters.

NantouLuguModerate

Lugu Dong Ding Tea House

The birthplace of Dong Ding oolong. This Lugu institution specializes in the traditional charcoal-roasted style, with cupping sessions led by competition-winning roasters.

Editor-visited

TraditionalRoasteryEducational

Best Scenic Experience

Tea with a view — terraces, mountains, and seas of cloud.

New TaipeiPinglinBudget-friendly

Pinglin Baozhong Cooperative

In the misty hills of Pinglin — the heart of Baozhong country — this grower cooperative offers farm tastings, processing demos, and the lightest, most floral oolong in Taiwan.

Editor-visited

FarmScenicEducational

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