TeaLeafs

I have been going to Tea leafs since it was in Amherst. Their location is Williamsville is amazing– so many gift ideas and many great teas and tea products to choose from. When you are tea obsessed like me– this is the place to go!

At Tealeafs you feel at home. Syd, the owner is usually there and she is so open to questions, suggestions and is so sweet. The tea is superb. We have been going there for a while and have never been disappointed. My favorites: blue mango green tea, long island strawberry green tea and fig formosia. You will find great quality and amazing flavored tea here.

My experience at tea leafs was great. The aroma of the teas were amazing and the assistance I received was awesome. I purchased a variety of teas t o send to my son who lives in Paris… He will lv it!!!’ :-)

I am a tea lover. I buy tea from all over the world and I have gotten a bit spoiled by having tasted some of the best teas available. Tea Leafs not only compares but often supersedes the highest quality tea available anywhere in the world. I would normally give advice regarding which tea to try or which to avoid but in this case any tea is excellent and of superior quality. Just go and enjoy the experience.

TeaLeafs is a great place to get loose leaf tea without a high pressure sales environment. When you come in, you’re able to smell each of the teas in individual containers just for sniffing– which means the tea your actual drink comes from is fresher than someplace like teavana that is constantly opening their bulk containers for people to sniff. Also, not needing a sales rep to show you each tea means that you are not pressures into buying anything you aren’t psyched about. I’m in love with Syd, the owner, she’s so helpful and sweet. Their rewards program is very generous, so for a tea lover like me, I wind up getting a free ounce about every other visit.
The one thing I would prefer is that teas not be flavored as often– I love teas that get their flavor from items naturally in the tea– freeze dried raspberries instead of raspberry flavoring, for example. But it’s still high quality tea with lots of organic and fair trade options. And there is always something fun and gourmet to try.

I’ve always been an avid tea drinker, on the lookout for decent loose leaf tea at a fair price. I used to go to Teavana all the time because it was the only place I knew of with a pretty wide selection, but I never felt good about buying tea from them because they always seemed to convince me to buy more than I could handle, and that’s just a waste! I discovered TeaLeafs on one of my infamous bike rides down Main street last fall, and let me just say I was SO glad I did. The owner is so incredibly nice; she doesn’t pressure you at all, is willing to answer any and all questions you throw her way — and she even mentioned remembering me when I’d brought my cousin to the shop, even though it’d been months since I had been able to go there! As for the tea itself, she has a variety of loose leaf and bagged teas. The loose leaf teas are displayed up against the back wall, and across from that counter are little sample tins that you can examine and smell yourself. Very convenient! Prices vary depending on the types of tea, of course, but it’s all a pretty fair price for some delicious teas. At the counter near the front and center of the shop there’s the boxed teas, which I intend on checking out a little more during my next visit. She’s also got very nice tea pots and dozens of other tea accessories. Most definitely my favorite place to buy tea, and I can’t wait until it gets warmer so I can start going there more often!

As other reviewers mentioned, if you’re a tea drinker you must go here! The owner, Syd, and all of the employees are extremely friendly and knowledgeable. They have a wall of tins where you can smell every kind of tea they have, as well as 2 different samples of tea out each day to try. They also offer brewed tea to go for around $ 3 a cup. This is by far my favorite place to go for tea.
Every 8 ounces of tea you buy you even get one free! My favorite? Maple Sugar.

So, this is my second time in the store (I normally like to give a place a couple of chances before I comment), and I can certainly say that the first time was enough. This most recent time I walked in and was just sampling from the tea wall, when the owner approached and asked if I wanted an apple with some bourbon-​infused honey… I nixed the apple but did take the honey (can’t say no to my whiskey-​based awesome-​sauces). Anyway, my dreams are now haunted along with my regular activities; I can hear it calling me to go back and buy it. At any rate, the tea is beyond top notch with an unparalleled selection of deliciousness, and fairly priced to kick. Where certain over-​priced, under-​satisfying, Starbucks subsidiaries would claim to be a tea haven, I can declare without much contest this is the real Tea Nirvana – get it?

This place is great. Everytime I go in the staff is so nice and helpful. I am a very inquisitive person and like to ask lots of questions and they never seem to mind. To add to that the prices are way better than Teavana and they always have a few samples to try.

Here I sit, smack in the center of the Polar Vortex, protected only by four walls of my home and a thermostat that is generously (in my mind) set at 60 degrees Fahrenheit. It’s funny how a nice cup of hot tea (or perhaps a big bowl of ice cream) can transform you to another place. At this moment I imagine myself sitting seaside somewhere warm and sunny as I sip on my mug of Green Hot Cinnamon tea that I purchased at TeaLeafs yesterday.
If you are a tea lover you MUST go to TeaLeafs! And if you aren’t, a visit here just might change your mind. It is truly a boutique for tea. In fact, this lovely little shop boasts over 210 varieties of loose leaf tea that are sold by the ounce. Anything and everything «tea» is sold here — tea pots, mugs, usual boxed teas, infusers, clocks, biscuits, honeys, sugars, etc. Everything is of the highest quality.
The absolute best thing about this shop is its owner, Syd. She is one of the most delightful business owners that I have ever encountered. She is both passionate and extremely knowledgeable about the products she offers. Choosing from the extensive wall of teas can be a little overwhelming, but Syd has it down to a science. She will guide (and ‘sniff’) you through the process. Fail proof.
So far I have purchased Herbal Peppermint, Organic Herbal Ginger, Coconut Truffle, Green Hot Cinnamon, and Jasmine with Flowers. All have been delightful and I look forward to trying many more.
Each day she has two different brewed teas at the counter for sampling. These flavors are always posted on the store’s website and Facebook page.
Do yourself a favor and stop in for a visit. You will certainly have an uplifting experience at TeaLeafs!
** Closed on Sunday

This is the greatest local boutique-​y place I’ve been to! Love the tea. Love the store. Love the owner! Five stars!
I came here just before Christmas to pick up two-​$ 25 gift packages. The owner, Syd, is incredibly helpful, knowledgeable and enthusiastic. She helped me put together two of the nicest gift packages. They were a hit at the secret Santa gift exchange I attended!
If you’re a tea lover, you MUST come here. Ask Syd anything –she will point you in the right direction and give you advice on trying new flavors.

This is a beautiful place and the owner is warm and welcoming and she REALLY knows her stuff. There is an ENTIRE WALL of tea… you know… the loose variety… not the stuff in bags from the supermarket that I usually drink.
Upon entering I was warmly greeted and offered a cup of tea (nice!) from a choice of two samples that day. And those samples were described to me in detail (flavor, origin, caffeine content). And, there were different sugars and honeys to add, if I wanted. Great touch.
Syd, the owner, is present, but not overly so. And, she is extremely passionate and knowledgeable about her product. She asked about flavors I liked (citrus, floral, spice…) and was able to make great suggestions. And, there is everything in this store to compliment your tea purchase… teapots and cups and strainers… and it is displayed beautifully. WONDERFUL! Just wonderful!

LOVE this place… and I only just like tea!
This is what I love about Tea Leafs: Syd. She’s great. She’s relaxed, she knows her product, and she doesn’t give off that weird patchouli vibe that so often accompanies tea stores. She’s just your above average, super friendly, would-​totally-​have-​drinks-​with-​her-​on-​Friday-​night kind of gal who knows and loves her product.
The store itself is clean and airy, and looks very inviting when you walk in.
My favorite thing, because I’m a sucker for this kind of thing, was that the pumpkin spice tea had tiny pumpkin and leaf candies in it (think seasonal sprinkles). This is an adorable touch and a testament of the thoughtfulness that goes into the store.
I will absolutely be returning to Tea Leafs, both for myself and to make what I think could be some really thoughtful gift baskets for people. And to be frank I would love to see some of their stuff pop up in local restaurants to accompany dishes!

I couldn’t love Tea Leafs any more than I do at present. Every time I go in I am greeted with a cozy atmosphere and the friendly owner. I went in not entirely certain what to expect. I like tea, but I’ve always been a bags-from-Wegman’s type of girl. No longer.
There is a wall of tea. A wall. Of tea. More kinds of tea than I even knew existed, and the owner is more than happy to let you open the sample tins and smell each and every one of them. She makes excellent recommendations when you share what you like, and I’ve even converted my coffee-​addicted mom to the hot cinnamon tea.
There are always a couple sample teas out, as well as some of the various other offerings which I am always pushed to try (a multitude of honey, some candy…). I found out about the Winter Honey this way, and it’s amazing.
Usually I wind up coming in after work, just as the shop is closing for the day. Despite this, I’ve never been made to feel rushed, in fact quite the opposite. A few times I’ve actually shown up at the door after it’s already locked, and the owner comes rushing over to unlock it and invite me in.
In a word, this place is charming. I can’t recommend it strongly enough for anyone who is interested in tea (or potential converts).

I’m a coffee-​holic!
Tea was something from my childhood; a kind of warm comfort, like chicken soup is when you’re under the weather. And, other than my favorite Irish Breakfast blend, I saved it for those occasions. Then along came Syd Hoffman.
I had the pleasure of visiting Syd during TeaLeafs’ Grand Opening and since then have had several occasions to visit, shop, bring my family and friends — and explore the world of teas, rooibos, and mate’s (My favorite because it’s so much like coffee). One day, Syd made a promise that she’d break the coffee monkey on my back and make me healthy. And while I can’t give ALL the credit to tea (and I still do love my coffee) she has found in me a fan of teas.
Let’s just say that I don’t vibrate at 4,000 rpm’s anymore and (all coffee aside) I feel MUCH better and much more relaxed.
TeaLeafs is a very relaxing place where you can explore the world of tea, taste and sniff samples, shop for gifts for the tea lovers in your life, and leave all that coffee behind — at least for a little while.
In the last few months I’ve found — and I listen to my friends and family when they tell me — that TeaLeafs assortment is better, their expertise greater and their prices lower than similar competitors. And where you find it to be less expensive elsewhere, it is almost assuredly of lesser quality.
Good luck to you TeaLeafs — and my best to you Syd and company. I may have to feed the coffee monkey once in awhile — but he’s not so much on my back these days.
Cheers! to Chà

If you love tea, you absolutely MUST stop in here to scope out their wall of teas. I was looking for a sampling of teas for my brother for Christmas since he loves green tea. I told the shop attendant that brother doesn’t love citrus flavors and doesn’t usually sweeten his tea either. He recommended several teas that fit the bill and I settled on Green Coconut, Hot Cinnamon, and small flowering Jasmine. All smelled amazing. Can’t wait to try a sip of each! Will be back for myself next time!

This isn’t your regular tea shop. Yes, you will still find a huge assortment of loose leaf teas (over 150 varieties), even equipment to properly steep your tea, but you will also experience a haven of relaxation here. The owner, Syd, is extremely helpful and knowledgable and lays the bold claim that she has tried every single one of the tea’s available. Her passion for tea shows as she was able to help me pick out the best gift bundle for my girlfriend’s birthday by asking me only a few questions.
There are tins on the wall with loose leaf tea that you can sample, aromatize, romanticize and simply enjoy being around. It’s a pretty impressive selection. Not sure what you want? Just tell Syd what you regularly drink and what flavors you enjoy and she’ll suggest something that is sure to blow your mind. Not an exaggeration. I am that in love with this new Tea place.
To top it off, this is probably the best-​kept secret office of all places with free wifi with light classical music playing and individually brewed tea available at around $ 2 per cup. Amazing. Only problem? No bathroom and a few tables. It’s definitely not meant to be a café, but sitting at a table with a cup o’ tea and classical music playing leads to some productive hours.
I highly recommend this place if you’re:
a) looking for a gift
b) are passionate about tea
c) looking for a place to get a nice cup of tea and get some work done
I can’t wait to be back.

I heartily agree with Wayne H.‘s review. I happened upon TeaLeafs Saturday afternoon and came away with two types of rooiboos tea: chocolate mint and pomegranate grape, the latter of which makes a great iced tea. I felt no compulsion to buy anything, but happily stocked up on my own tea stash and two birthday gifts in one fell swoop. Stopping into TeaLeafs was an extremely fun and pleasant experience.