Best Boba in Studio City: Bubble Tea Near CBS Studios, Ventura Blvd, and Cahuenga Pass
Studio City's own boba scene is limited. For the best nearby, It's Boba Time is 15 minutes north in Burbank and Koreatown is 25 to 30 minutes south via the Cahuenga Pass. Every shop below personally visited by Justin Sather, zero sponsorships.
The Honest Guide to Boba in Studio City
Studio City sits at the southern edge of the San Fernando Valley, bordered by North Hollywood to the east, Burbank to the north, and the Santa Monica Mountains to the south via the Cahuenga Pass and Laurel Canyon. Ventura Blvd runs through the heart of Studio City as one of the longest commercial strips in the Valley, and Tujunga Ave is a dense village-style dining and coffee corridor. CBS Studio Center at 4024 Radford Ave is the neighborhood's most significant commercial anchor, with a large entertainment industry daytime population that makes Studio City one of the most restaurant-dense neighborhoods in the Valley.
Dedicated boba, however, is limited in Studio City. Ventura Blvd and Tujunga Ave are strong for coffee, brunch, and dinner, but bubble tea has not established a foothold in Studio City the way it has in Koreatown, Westwood, or the SGV. For Studio City residents and CBS studio workers, the two most practical boba options are Burbank (15 minutes north via Lankershim Blvd or the 170 freeway, with It's Boba Time on Magnolia Blvd as the closest dedicated shop) and Koreatown (25 to 30 minutes south via the Cahuenga Pass to the 101 to the 110, the best boba neighborhood in Los Angeles).
Studio City's location at the mouth of the Cahuenga Pass is its most useful asset for boba. The pass is a direct, fast route south to Hollywood and then to Koreatown, making the Valley-to-Koreatown trip significantly more accessible from Studio City than from Glendale or the western Valley. For residents who want the full Los Angeles boba experience, the 25 to 30 minute Koreatown run via Cahuenga is shorter than many Studio City residents expect.
The Best Boba Near Studio City, Ranked
Every shop personally visited. Ranked by overall quality, value, and accessibility from Studio City.
It's Boba Time
Burbank, Magnolia Blvd (15 min north via Lankershim or 170 freeway)
The nearest dedicated boba shop to Studio City and the most practical first stop for Ventura Blvd residents and CBS studio workers. It's Boba Time is the original Los Angeles boba chain, founded in 1999, with a Burbank location on Magnolia Blvd that is 15 minutes north via Lankershim Blvd or 10 minutes via the 170 freeway. Not the most elevated boba in LA, but dependable: consistent pearls, a solid taro base, and pricing under $7 for most drinks. The Classic Taro Milk Tea is the essential order. The Magnolia Blvd Media District location is in the heart of Burbank's studio corridor, making it a natural lunch or after-work stop for Studio City entertainment industry workers.
Full Review →
Mixue
Hollywood Blvd (15 to 20 min south via Cahuenga Pass)
The world's largest boba chain by outlet count (42,000+ locations globally) opened its first US location at 6922 Hollywood Blvd, across from TCL Chinese Theatre, in December 2025. From Studio City, it is 15 to 20 minutes south via Cahuenga Blvd through the Cahuenga Pass, which drops directly onto Cahuenga Blvd in Hollywood. Mixue's most distinctive feature is its price: everything starts at $3.99, making it the most affordable boba in Los Angeles. The Lemon Tea is the global signature. For Studio City residents heading to Hollywood, Mixue is a natural stop before or after any Hollywood errand or outing.
Full Review →
Tiger Sugar
Koreatown (25 to 30 min south via Cahuenga or Laurel Canyon to 101/110)
The best brown sugar boba in Los Angeles and worth the 25 to 30 minute drive from Studio City when the occasion calls for it. Tiger Sugar uses Okinawa black sugar rather than caramel syrup, cooks pearls fresh in small batches every four hours, and makes the cream mousse in-house. No equivalent in Studio City, Burbank, or anywhere in the Valley. The most direct route from Studio City is Cahuenga Blvd south to the 101 east, then the 110 south to Olympic Blvd in Koreatown. The Laurel Canyon route south to Santa Monica Blvd east to Vermont is slower but avoids the freeway entirely. Worth the trip for any serious boba visit.
Full Review →Happy Lemon
Koreatown (25 to 30 min south via Cahuenga or Laurel Canyon)
The chain that introduced cheese foam to Los Angeles, with a Koreatown location 25 to 30 minutes south of Studio City via the Cahuenga Pass. Happy Lemon's Rock Salt and Cheese Oolong is still the defining cheese foam boba in LA: cold oolong tea base with savory-sweet cheese foam balanced by salt. SGV locations in Alhambra and Arcadia are accessible via the 134 east from Burbank, but for Studio City residents, the Koreatown location via Cahuenga to the 101 to the 110 is the most direct route. Pairing Happy Lemon with Tiger Sugar on a single Koreatown trip covers the two must-visit boba stops for Valley residents.
Full Review →Machi Machi
Koreatown (25 to 30 min south via Cahuenga or Laurel Canyon)
The only boba shop in Los Angeles built entirely around cheese foam as its brand identity. While Happy Lemon introduced cheese foam to LA, Machi Machi in Koreatown made it the entire concept: every drink on the menu is designed around the cheese foam topping. The Earl Grey with Cheese Foam is the essential order. Located in Koreatown, the same 25 to 30 minute drive south from Studio City as Tiger Sugar and Happy Lemon. Combining all three on a single Koreatown run is the most efficient way to experience what makes the Koreatown boba corridor the best in Los Angeles.
Full Review →Gong Cha
Multiple LA locations accessible from Studio City
One of the world's largest boba chains (2,000+ locations in 20+ countries) with locations accessible from Studio City across the greater LA network. Gong Cha's differentiator is its High Mountain Oolong base, which gives standard milk tea drinks more complexity than most competitors. The Brown Sugar Milk Tea with Pearl is the most ordered drink. For a Studio City resident who wants reliable chain boba without the longer drive to Koreatown, a Gong Cha accessible from the 101 or Ventura corridor is the practical choice.
Full Review →More Worth Visiting Near Studio City
Additional shops worth the drive from Studio City when the occasion calls for it.
Kung Fu Tea
Multiple LA locations
One of the most accessible affordable chain boba options in the LA network. The Kung Fu Milk Tea is well-balanced and priced at $5 to $7. Read the full review.
Full Review →Feng Cha
Multiple LA locations
Brown Sugar Milk Tea and Oolong Milk Tea with Cheese Foam are the essential orders. One of the highest-volume boba search keywords in LA. Read the full review.
Full Review →CoCo Fresh Tea & Juice
Multiple LA locations
The world's largest boba chain by outlet count (4,000+ locations), with the unique Avocado Smoothie Milk Tea. Affordable at $4.50 to $7. Read the full review.
Full Review →Yi Fang Taiwan Fruit Tea
Sawtelle/Fairfax (15 to 20 min west via Laurel Canyon to Santa Monica Blvd)
Real fresh fruit rather than syrup. Pineapple Green Tea and Taiwan Lemon Green Tea are the standout orders. The best real-fruit boba in western LA. Read the full review.
Full Review →Boba Guys
West LA / Rideback Ranch (25 to 35 min west)
Premium organic-ingredient boba. Strawberry Matcha, Earl Grey, and Horchata are the standout drinks. The highest ingredient quality of any chain in LA. Read the full review.
Full Review →Sunright Tea Studio
Pasadena (30 to 40 min east via 134 from Glendale/Burbank)
Built around Sun Moon Lake black tea from Taiwan. The best tea-forward boba accessible from the Valley via the 134 east. Read the full review.
Full Review →Boba by Area Near Studio City
Ventura Blvd and Tujunga Ave (Studio City core)
Ventura Blvd is Studio City's main commercial street, running east-west through the neighborhood with restaurants, coffee shops, boutiques, and entertainment-adjacent businesses. Tujunga Ave, running north-south between Moorpark St and Ventura Blvd, is a walkable village strip with independent cafes and dining. Both corridors are strong for coffee and food but currently have no dedicated boba shop. Chain options like Gong Cha and Kung Fu Tea have locations accessible from the broader Valley corridor but not on Ventura Blvd itself as of 2026.
CBS Studio Center and Radford Ave
CBS Studio Center at 4024 Radford Ave is one of Studio City's primary employment anchors, home to major productions and a large entertainment industry workforce. The surrounding Radford Ave and Moorpark Blvd area has restaurants and coffee shops catering to studio workers but no dedicated boba shop. The nearest practical boba for a CBS studio lunch break is It's Boba Time in Burbank, about 15 minutes north via Lankershim Blvd. Via surface streets: Radford Ave north to Moorpark St east to Lankershim Blvd north through North Hollywood and into Burbank.
Cahuenga Pass (south, Studio City to Hollywood)
The Cahuenga Pass connects Studio City to Hollywood, with Cahuenga Blvd running south through the pass and becoming Hollywood's main north-south artery. This is the fastest surface-street route between Studio City and Hollywood, and it also provides access to the 101 freeway at multiple on-ramps. The drive from the Studio City end of Cahuenga Pass to Mixue on Hollywood Blvd is approximately 15 to 20 minutes depending on traffic at the Hollywood Blvd intersection. The same route, continued south on the 101 to the 110, reaches Koreatown in 25 to 30 minutes total.
Burbank (15 min north via Lankershim Blvd or 170 freeway)
Burbank is directly adjacent to Studio City, with Lankershim Blvd running north from the Studio City/North Hollywood border directly through North Hollywood and into Burbank. The It's Boba Time on Magnolia Blvd in Burbank is approximately 15 minutes from Studio City via Lankershim Blvd north, or 10 minutes via the 170 freeway north to Magnolia Blvd. Burbank's Media District on Magnolia Blvd is also where Warner Bros., Disney Studios, and NBC have major facilities, making the area a natural combined destination for entertainment industry workers commuting from Studio City. Read the Best Boba Burbank guide for the full breakdown.
North Hollywood (east, 10 min via Lankershim or Cahuenga)
North Hollywood borders Studio City to the east along Cahuenga Blvd and Lankershim Blvd. The NoHo Arts District on Lankershim Blvd is 10 minutes east of Studio City. Like Studio City, North Hollywood has limited dedicated boba, though chain options are accessible in the broader area. The 170 freeway connects both neighborhoods to Burbank and via the 134 to the Pasadena/SGV corridor. Read the Best Boba North Hollywood guide for what is available in the adjacent NoHo corridor.
Koreatown (25 to 30 min south via Cahuenga Pass to 101/110)
Koreatown is the best boba neighborhood in Los Angeles and 25 to 30 minutes south of Studio City via the Cahuenga Pass. The fastest route is Cahuenga Blvd south through the pass to the 101 east (or the 170 south to the 101), then the 110 south to Olympic Blvd in Koreatown. Tiger Sugar, Happy Lemon, and Machi Machi are all within a compact stretch on or near Olympic Blvd between Vermont and Western Ave. The Cahuenga Pass makes the Studio City to Koreatown drive faster than the equivalent trip from Glendale or the western Valley, and Koreatown has no match anywhere in the San Fernando Valley for boba quality and density. Read the Best Boba Koreatown guide for the full 30+ shop breakdown.
Studio City Boba FAQ
What is the best boba in Studio City?
Studio City's own boba scene is limited. The neighborhood is better known for its restaurant and coffee culture on Ventura Blvd and Tujunga Ave than for bubble tea. The best nearby options are It's Boba Time on Magnolia Blvd in Burbank, about 15 minutes north via Lankershim Blvd or the 170 freeway, and Mixue on Hollywood Blvd, about 15 to 20 minutes south via the Cahuenga Pass. For the full Los Angeles boba experience, Koreatown is 25 to 30 minutes south via Cahuenga Blvd to the 101 to the 110, with Tiger Sugar, Happy Lemon, and Machi Machi all accessible in a single stop.
Is there boba on Ventura Blvd in Studio City?
Ventura Blvd in Studio City has an excellent restaurant and coffee corridor but no dedicated boba shop as of 2026. The strip is strong for dining options like Aroma Coffee, Jon & Vinny's, and numerous independent restaurants, but bubble tea has not established itself on Ventura Blvd in Studio City the way it has in Koreatown, Westwood, or the SGV. Chain options are accessible from the broader Studio City area, but residents looking for dedicated boba will need to drive: Burbank is 15 minutes north via Lankershim Blvd, Hollywood is 15 to 20 minutes south via Cahuenga Pass.
Is there boba near CBS Studio Center in Studio City?
CBS Studio Center at 4024 Radford Ave in Studio City does not have a dedicated boba shop within immediate walking distance. The studio lot and surrounding Radford/Moorpark Blvd area has restaurants and coffee options but no bubble tea chains nearby. The most practical boba stop for CBS studio workers is It's Boba Time in Burbank, about 15 minutes north on Lankershim Blvd, or Mixue on Hollywood Blvd, 15 to 20 minutes south via the Cahuenga Pass. For a dedicated boba trip during lunch, the Burbank direction is faster with less traffic than the Hollywood direction on a typical weekday.
How far is Studio City from Koreatown for boba?
Studio City is roughly 12 to 15 miles from Koreatown, about 25 to 35 minutes by car depending on traffic and route. The most direct route for boba is Cahuenga Blvd south through the Cahuenga Pass, which connects to Cahuenga Blvd in Hollywood, then continuing south on Highland Ave or taking the 101 east to the 110 south to Olympic Blvd. Laurel Canyon Blvd south to Santa Monica Blvd is a scenic alternative that adds a few minutes but avoids the 101 freeway entirely. Tiger Sugar, Happy Lemon, and Machi Machi are all on or near Olympic Blvd in Koreatown between Vermont and Western Ave.
What boba is open late near Studio City?
Late-night boba near Studio City is limited. Koreatown is the best answer for late-night options, with Happy Lemon and Gong Cha staying open until 10 or 11 PM on weekdays and midnight on weekends. Mixue on Hollywood Blvd tends to keep later hours given the Hollywood tourist foot traffic and is about 15 minutes south via Cahuenga Pass. For a late-night Studio City boba run, the Hollywood direction (via Cahuenga) or the Koreatown direction (via Cahuenga to the 101 to the 110) are the two practical routes. Always confirm current hours directly with the shop before a late-night visit.
How far is Studio City from Burbank for boba?
Studio City and Burbank are adjacent neighborhoods separated by Ventura Blvd and the I-134/170 freeway interchange. The It's Boba Time on Magnolia Blvd in Burbank is approximately 15 minutes from Studio City via Lankershim Blvd north from Ventura Blvd, or 10 minutes via the 170 freeway north to Magnolia Blvd. This makes It's Boba Time the most accessible dedicated boba shop for Studio City residents. The Burbank Media District along Magnolia Blvd also has strong lunch and dinner options, making the It's Boba Time trip a natural add-on to a Burbank outing.
More LA Boba Guides
Best Boba in Burbank →
It's Boba Time on Magnolia Blvd is 15 minutes north via Lankershim Blvd. The complete guide for Burbank, Warner Bros, Disney Studios, and the Media District.
Best Boba in North Hollywood →
North Hollywood borders Studio City to the east. The guide for the NoHo Arts District, Universal Studios Hollywood, and the Valley's eastern corridor.
Best Boba in Sherman Oaks →
Sherman Oaks is 5 to 10 minutes west on Ventura Blvd. The guide for the western Valley corridor toward the 405 and the Sawtelle and West LA boba options.