Dobra Tea — Restaurant in Burlington

I used to love this place since I started going upon moving to the area in 2020, but have unfortunately had multiple consecutive bad visits this year. The tea is delicious, I love the huge selection, detailed descriptions, and that they have sourcing information. The interior is pleasant, nicely decorated, has plants, and there's even a more traditional floor seating area toward the back with cushions.

What's ruined it for me is the owner, who I've watched become increasingly rude to her employees and curt even with customers (myself included). The first few times it happened I figured she was having a bad day, but it appears to be an ongoing pattern. I've seen her repeatedly scold an employee who mixed up a tea order beyond what was reasonable, even as my party and the other tried to calm the situation by not making a big deal out of things. I couldn't help but feel awkward at how inconsiderately the employee was being treated. On another, similar occasion, she insisted on taking back the customer's tea (who had been content with what they had) and angrily tossed it in the waste, only to steep another.

If someone seems they might forget to remove their shoes for the back section, she doesn't say "please take off your shoes if you're going in there!" or even "don't forget to take off your shoes!" - she simply yells "SHOES!". She seems to be trying to curate a calm, traditional and upscale tea house vibe, and yet when I'm sitting there in the corner and keep hearing the owner yelling rudely at customers and staff alike, I can't help but feel disturbed and annoyed on their behalf. The worst was when I once brought a guest here, saying it was my favorite place and I thought so highly of it, only to, of course, have the owner yell "DOOR!" when they failed to close it quickly enough and, of course "SHOES!".

Admittedly, if you really care about high quality tea, there's really no other option remotely close to here that's comparable. I just can't bring myself to keep coming when it's begun to seem even the initial "are you here for take out or to sit in?" is spoken in a hostile tone. Don't you want customers? Why does it seem like you're angry at everyone who comes into your shop? I miss when there were other workers here who would treat those around them with respect, but it seems the owner works every shift now, unfortunately, so I'll be taking a break from...

If you're at all worried at how the Dobrá you know and love has survived their move, let me be among the first to tell you that they have absolutely crushed their move with elegance and aplomb.

Their to-go bubble tea is amazing. Morning Light has a special place in my heart but Dobrá is here for those of us with that fondness for teas that aren't too sweet, with bitter floral notes and gorgeous tender bubbles.

For those of you familiar to Dobrá's previous location and wanting to know more about how it has changed - or not:

Everything you love about the old Dobrá has been carefully picked up and dusted off, every loving memory of your study hangouts, friendly gatherings, celebrations, first dates, anniversaries, has been packed up and moved here. The tables with occasional funny images, the tatami lounge area with the bean bags, the intriguing items affixed to the walls.

However, were this to be a straight up cut-and-paste would be grasping too fixedly to what was and Dobrá has wholly transfigured themselves into what now is. By this I mean that there is not a single thread, leaf, or splinter that has not undergone long consideration. A fine example of this is in the seating - the close, intimate conversations, surrounded by other patrons enjoying tea is still possible. However you can now escape throughout the room into your own private world if you found too much closeness to be oppressive. One can seek the ideal balance of lighting, neighbors, and table height and find a place to suit somewhere for them here, waiting for their arrival.

I can look around this new Dobrá for hours and I can keep seeing wonderful details that bring all that was beloved to their new location and placing it just so, so that it shines and thrives in their new sunny windows or rests sanguine behind their torii gate.

Dobrá has been my refuge ever since I moved here ten years ago, and to be able to see it grow to new heights is an honor and a privilege. Our neighborhood teahouse...

I used to come here a lot seven to five years ago as a high school grad turned UVMer. They've since expanded and the atmosphere here has changed a great deal. What was once quiet and meditative is now a bustle of movement, college kids yammering loudly on phones, laptops and with each other. I used to enjoy the peaceful atmosphere here and trips with friends seemed almost magical. Live music was a -wonderful experience here-. I had the pleasure of visiting on earth day once where they shut off all electricity for an hour and we all sipped tea, listened to live sitar music by candlelight and talked. Now, I feel crammed and rushed, even with the added space. The tea selections are wonderful, as is the ability to purchase them all loose-leaf. Light fare is unique and made with care, but a touch pricey. I have also visited the Dobra in Portland, ME- and I much proffer their larger space there. People can have the privacy of booths, the openness of a sit-down area for those with laptops and those that play games. The staff used to be some of the most knowledgeable and down to earth people (I think there was a man with long hair named Dan(?) he knew everything there was about tea it seemed and was very hospitable. I still feel some of that now, but not as much since the crowd that visits has changed. They have expanded their chilled drink selections...