What's the difference between popping boba and tapioca pearls?

Tapioca pearls (in our Milk Teas) are soft, chewy spheres made from cassava starch — cooked until tender, they absorb the flavour of the tea. Popping boba (in our Fruit Teas) are smaller gel pearls with a burst of flavoured juice inside — one bite and they pop. Most people love tapioca for the chewiness and popping boba for the flavour burst.

Are Shakes bubble teas vegan?

All six of our Fruit Teas are naturally vegan — made with syrup, green tea and popping boba, no dairy. Our Milk Teas use a creamer which contains dairy, but you can ask staff for the dairy-free creamer option. Specials vary — check the listing or ask at the counter.

Do you do brown sugar bubble tea?

Yes — Brown Sugar Bliss is one of our Specials. Caramelised brown sugar creates those famous tiger stripes inside the cup, paired with chewy brown sugar tapioca pearls and milk tea. It's one of the richest boba drinks we make.

What is taro and what does it taste like?

Taro is a root vegetable native to South and East Asia. When processed into powder it produces a naturally purple colour and a mildly sweet, nutty, vanilla-like flavour. It's one of the most distinctive tastes in bubble tea and consistently one of our best-sellers. If you've never tried it, start with the Taro Milk Tea (regular size) — it's a gentle, creamy introduction.

How much does bubble tea cost at Shakes?

Milk Teas and Fruit Teas start from £4.50 for a regular (16oz) or £5.50 for a large (22oz). Our Specials — including Brown Sugar Bliss, Strawberries & Cream and Biscoff Bliss — are £5.50 regular or £6.25 large. Order for delivery via Uber Eats, Just Eat or Deliveroo, or visit us at 2A Pelham Road, Gravesend — open daily 12pm–10pm.

Shakes · Gravesend

Bubble Tea in Gravesend

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⚠ Allergen notice: Shared kitchen — we cannot guarantee any item is free from allergens. Please ask staff before ordering if you have a serious allergy.

Why our bubble tea hits different

Shaken Fresh to Order

Every bubble tea is shaken in our Pelham Road kitchen. No pre-mixed batches, no corners cut. Milk teas are finished with real tapioca pearls; fruit teas get popping boba that bursts in your mouth.

Six Naturally Vegan Options

All six Fruit Teas — Strawberry, Passion Fruit, Mango, Lychee, Green Apple and Peach — are made with syrup, green tea and popping boba. No dairy anywhere. Just honest, flavourful fruit tea.

20 Drinks to Discover

Eight classic Milk Teas, six zingy Fruit Teas, six indulgent Specials. Brown Sugar Bliss with its famous tiger stripes. Strawberries & Cream for the creamy crowd. Nutty Pistachio for the adventurous.

The one to try first

Strawberries & Cream

Strawberries and Cream bubble tea at Shakes Gravesend

Specials · £5.50 regular

Wimbledon vibes, all year round

Fresh cream swirled with strawberry popping boba and chewy tapioca pearls. A British classic reimagined as a bubble tea — creamy, fruity, and impossible to resist. One of our most-ordered specials.

The Full Range

All 20 bubble teas

Milk Teas

Made with Creamer, finished with Tapioca Pearls. Available with a dairy-free creamer to make it fully Vegan.

Fruit Teas

Made with Syrup, served with Popping Boba. Add Sparkling Water for that fizz.

Specials

Crafted with signature toppings — extras not recommended on these.

Tap any drink to see details · order via delivery

How we make yours

01
Pick your base
Creamy Milk Tea or zingy Fruit Tea — or go straight to the Specials if you want something showstopping. Eight milk teas, six fruit teas, six specials.
02
Choose your boba
Milk teas come with chewy tapioca pearls. Fruit teas come with popping boba that bursts with flavour. Specials are pre-configured for the best experience — we know what works.
03
Shaken fresh
Every cup is shaken to order in our Pelham Road kitchen. No pre-mixed batches. No shortcuts. Sealed with a film lid, ready in minutes.

Bubble Tea FAQ

What's the difference between popping boba and tapioca pearls?: Tapioca pearls (in our Milk Teas) are soft, chewy spheres made from cassava starch — cooked until tender, they absorb the flavour of the tea. Popping boba (in our Fruit Teas) are smaller gel pearls with a burst of flavoured juice inside — one bite and they pop. Most people love tapioca for the chewiness and popping boba for the flavour burst.
Are Shakes bubble teas vegan?: All six of our Fruit Teas are naturally vegan — made with syrup, green tea and popping boba, no dairy. Our Milk Teas use a creamer which contains dairy, but you can ask staff for the dairy-free creamer option. Specials vary — check the listing or ask at the counter.
Do you do brown sugar bubble tea?: Yes — Brown Sugar Bliss is one of our Specials. Caramelised brown sugar creates those famous tiger stripes inside the cup, paired with chewy brown sugar tapioca pearls and milk tea. It's one of the richest boba drinks we make.
What is taro and what does it taste like?: Taro is a root vegetable native to South and East Asia. When processed into powder it produces a naturally purple colour and a mildly sweet, nutty, vanilla-like flavour. It's one of the most distinctive tastes in bubble tea and consistently one of our best-sellers. If you've never tried it, start with the Taro Milk Tea (regular size) — it's a gentle, creamy introduction.
How much does bubble tea cost at Shakes?: Milk Teas and Fruit Teas start from £4.50 for a regular (16oz) or £5.50 for a large (22oz). Our Specials — including Brown Sugar Bliss, Strawberries & Cream and Biscoff Bliss — are £5.50 regular or £6.25 large. Order for delivery via Uber Eats, Just Eat or Deliveroo, or visit us at 2A Pelham Road, Gravesend — open daily 12pm–10pm.

⚠ Shared kitchen — we cannot guarantee any item is free from allergens. Please ask staff before ordering if you have a serious allergy.

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