The folks at Dobra really know their teas and how to brew them. That’s the primary reason I love to go there. There’s also a very nice variety with some good (albeit a bit expensive) foodstuffs to treat yourself to. The baklava left a bit to be desired but it was better than most when you’re not at a Greek festival or making it yourself. It’s dark there and there are a couple areas beaded off with cushions to sit on. My personal preference when with a couple people. Hard to come by, though, pretty busy and others like those areas as well. I think the majority of clientele are college kids but they’re the quieter types, discussing homework, ideas, poetry. The only thing I really don’t like about the place is how crowded and tiny it is… but the tea experience itself is worth cramming myself into the tiny spots. Thank goodness I’m small…

Dobra was the first tea room I ever visited and I almost immediately fell in love. It is often busy but is worth the wait. There are many tables to sit at, but if you’re lucky you’ll find one of the four raised booths with floor seating available. These booths provide privacy and intimacy in an otherwise crowded tea room. When you are being seated—you can request a seat if you see it free—you’ll be given Dobra’s amazing menu and a bell.

The bell is for calling someone over to help you order. Dobra’s menu has, in my memory, at least 100 teas to choose from, and the menu provides ample guidance for the novice: such as explaining the differences between tea types (e.g., green and white). My favorite tea at Dobra is their Moroccan Mint. The menu also has several options for eating including meals (like their pita plates and a lentil dhal soup with rice) and desserts (I highly recommend trying the daifukumochi). There are many vegan and vegetarian options available which are clearly marked.

The atmosphere at Dobra is characterized by dim lighting, eclectic but soothing music, and a relaxed but helpful staff. There is also a large selection of books patrons are able to read. At Dobra they will never rush you out the door (this is also why it stays so busy I think) and you can feel free to settle in for an entire afternoon and evening if that is your wish. For the college student (there will be many of them here) or businessperson the free internet (and ample outlets) can be a great boon. Dobra will frequently provide you with a tea warmer for your tea so you will have a warm pot for hours.

When you have made your selection you call someone over with the bell to make your order, and you are welcome to ask to keep the menu and bell if you think you will add to your order later. When you have finished you simply get up and attend the service counter in the connected shop. They will likely ask you to confirm what you ordered. This shop is a recent addition that is used to showcase their teaware products and to store their ample tea supply.

All in all, Dobra provides a great selection, great preparation, and a great atmosphere.

This is a wonderful place to have tea! My friend and I went on a busy day, so it was a bit before we were seated. However, once we were, the service was very prompt, and the food delicious. We shared a pot of Green Anemone tea, which is kind of like a blooming tea without the flowers. It tasted like a very light, perfect green tea. It was served in a glass teapot so we could watch it open as it steeped, and we had two little stone cups to pour it into.

We also had one raw chocolate cherry/ goji berry truffle apiece. They were simply fabulous. It was the perfect kind of snack to have with tea.

We left there feeling so much more relaxed and at peace with ourselves. Dobra has an excellent atmosphere, a really chill staff who really know what they’re doing, and the prices are very reasonable. We will be returning soon!

So we came into this place after an afternoon of shopping around town and had to wait a little.This just furthered my interest even more. Once we were seated, we got little menus and a bell. The bell was for us to use when we were ready to order, so we didn’t get that “can I take your order” rushed feeling. We were able to leisurely look at the menu and take our time. And time was needed, it was such a detailed menu that provided such rich information. I liked how there was an introduction in the beginning, so that even someone new to tea could feel welcome in this place. I loved the descriptions for the tea, they were also quite detailed and made the decision process easy and hard, because there was so much to choose from.

The staff were friendly and very knowledgeable in tea. I found them super relax, which added to that relaxing ambiance. There was no sign of stress in this place. So with my family we tried three different teas.

I tired the Hojicha, which is a fire-roasted green tea that has a different color and flavor than other Japanese green teas.So I thought it was a great tea that was served, in what I think was a Houhin ( A traditional style of small Japanese teapot in Chinese-style porcelain with a built-in leaf strainer. Suitable for personal infusion of almost any sort of tea.) I loved the smoky, almost roasty smell that this tea had. It was interesting to have such a different smell to associate with tea. The taste was light, lighter than I expected.

My sister had an interesting black tea: Hong Mu Dan, which was quite pleasing to the eye. It looked particularly good and enchanting. I tried a few sips of this tea an it was quite tasty, I would order this one perhaps if I revisited Dobra tea.

Lastly, my parents shared a pot of Rooibos, which came in a cute red teapot and matching mini red cups.

All in all, I was very much impressed by this tea place and would for sure return to Burlington to enjoy some good tea. If you are in and around Burlington Vermont, I highly recommend you to check this place out.

Dobra has such a relaxing atmosphere, I could spend fifteen minutes there and leave completely relaxed and destressed. And their tea pots and cups are so charming! That aside, they have a phenomenal tea selection. The genmaicha is my favorite, with a really full and slightly bitter flavor.
To top it off, the employees at Dobra are some of the most kind and helpful people. They answer any and all questions about types and flavors, and each pot of tea comes with the [waiter, tea bearer?]‘s instructions on how long to steep the specific type of tea you’ve chosen.
Overall, a great experience. In fact, I think Dobra was a big push when deciding to move to the area. Recommended!

The folks at Dobra really know their teas and how to brew them. That’s the primary reason I love to go there. There’s also a very nice variety with some good (albeit a bit expensive) foodstuffs to treat yourself to. The baklava left a bit to be desired but it was better than most when you’re not at a Greek festival or making it yourself. It’s dark there and there are a couple areas beaded off with cushions to sit on. My personal preference when with a couple people. Hard to come by, though, pretty busy and others like those areas as well. I think the majority of clientele are college kids but they’re the quieter types, discussing homework, ideas, poetry. The only thing I really don’t like about the place is how crowded and tiny it is… but the tea experience itself is worth cramming myself into the tiny spots. Thank goodness I’m small…

I couldn’t be prouder to call Dobra my hometown tea room! The staff are friendly and extraordinarily knowledgeable, the atmosphere is perfect, the food is delicious [albeit overpriced] but the tea… the tea is where Dobra really shines!

Some of my favorite teas from Dobra include their Russian Caravan, Memories of Prague, and Rooibos… but really, I love all of it! Their green teas are truly amazing- you can really tell that the people who work there love what they do and know a lot about it. Dobra is one of those places that you can never quite go to often enough- some of my fondest memories involve sitting in Dobra watching the snow fall outside while I’ve got a steaming pot of green tea and a friend across the table! It’s a great place to try expensive and/or otherwise cost-prohibitive teas- I tried really amazing pu-erh there and loved it! Five stars because I love this place- can you tell?

My husband, daughter and I went there a few weeks ago. I did not find it snobby at all. The teas where beautifully prepared. What a pleasure to see gluten-free pastries! Their Halvah is wonderful and the staff is very knowledgeable. We’ll go there whenever we find ourselved in the Church St. area.

As far as the States go, and smaller cities to boot, Dobra takes the cake. I’ve only been twice, but the experience has always been superb. You might consider the prices a bit high, but you pay for what you get. Or, you pay for the treatment you and your tea get. Sure, other places might be 2$ for a pot, but they use scalding water and bring you a pot with leaves in it already, you’ll never be able to get the appropriate brew time. At Dobra, all that is taken care of for you. Brew temp, brew time. Even though we should expect this from all tea houses, Dobra stands out from the rest as a rare treat.

I waited a long time for a tea house in Burlington. I have been a patron from day one. The tea selection is excellent and teas are prepared and presented well. I enjoy the ambiance – subdued lighting, sensual incense aromas and great music.

They also offer nice, light snacks. I often get a hummus plate with veggies or pita dahab plate with veggies, feta and olives. The locally prepared pastries are excellent, too.

The floor seating “rooms” are wonderful and offer a nice way to drift away with a friend or two. I highly recommend soothing the spirit and cultivating friendships over a cup at Dobra!

I’ve gone here a few times with my brother and when visiting Burlington; sadly due to lines I could get in one or two of these times. But the few chances I’ve had in there? The teas were excellent.

Once upon a time, my review would be 5 stars. But the atmosphere has changed since the new owner took control a few years ago. The calm, relaxed atmosphere has changed to become elitist and snobby. It’s a shame there’s nothing else like it in the Burlington area, because I’d recommend that instead. Get an electric kettle, buy some loose leaf tea, and stay at home.

It’s truly a blessing to having Dobra in my hometown of Burlington, VT! While it is officially a chain (but with only two other locations, in Wisconsin and the Czech Republic), the atmosphere is original and relaxing and the teas are of very good quality. The staff is very knowledgeable and helpful, always willing to recommend teas or discuss brewing techniques.

My personal favorite on the Dobra menu is their Yamacha, a roasted high-mountain sencha that is unlike any tea I’ve ever had before. Paired with a delicious mezze plate (dolma, red pepper hummus and curried couscous with pita), it makes for a perfect relaxing day out.

My hometown tea room and shop. I’ve had everything on the menu at least once. love the atmosphere, love the music. I’m friends with everyone that works there, so it’s my home away from home away from home.