Most searches for caffeine free tea Miami end in an online shop selling sampler boxes, which is fine if you want to brew at home but not much help late in the evening when you just want a warm cup somewhere comfortable. specialTEA has been Miami's Original Tea Lounge on Coral Way since 2009, and the caffeine free end of our loose leaf list is where a lot of evening orders land. Here's what's on it, how to order it, and how to make a night of it.
What caffeine free tea in Miami looks like at specialTEA
Our tea list runs past 60 varieties of premium loose leaf, sourced from gardens around the world and brewed from whole leaf, never bags. Most of it is true tea from the tea plant (black, green, white and oolong), and all of that carries some caffeine. The herbal side of the list is different, and that's where you want to look.
South African rooibos is the one regulars reach for first. It isn't technically tea at all, since it comes from a different plant, and it's naturally caffeine free. It brews up reddish and naturally sweet, and it takes milk well, so it works for people who usually drink their tea creamy.
Egyptian chamomile is the softer option. It's floral, gentle and also caffeine free, and it's the cup people tend to order when they've already had their coffee for the day and want to wind down rather than gear up.
Beyond those two, there are more herbals on the list, and the selection moves around, so the easiest move is to ask at the counter what's caffeine free that day. The team will walk you through it without turning it into a lecture. You can also scan the live menu before you come in.
The caffeinated teas to skip after dark
It helps to know what to avoid, too, because some of the most popular drinks on our menu do have caffeine. Black tea, chai and matcha all carry it. That means the Indian spiced chai, the matcha lattes and the London fog are better saved for earlier in the day if you're sensitive.
The same goes for the bold stuff. Lapsang Souchong is one of the more distinctive teas we pour in Miami, smoky enough that it feels like a campfire in a cup, but it's a black tea. Second flush Darjeeling and Earl Grey are in the same camp. They're great with an afternoon study session, but once it's dark out, rooibos is probably the friendlier choice.
Boba and bubble tea are a little trickier, because most flavors start from a tea base. The menu does say you can build your own boba with any tea, so if you want tapioca pearls late at night without the extra caffeine, asking for it on a rooibos base is a fair request. Just say so when you order.
Iced, frozen, or in a hot pot
Miami doesn't always feel like hot tea weather, and that's okay. Every tea on the list can be ordered as a hot pot or as an iced tea, so a tall iced rooibos on the patio is a completely reasonable way to cool off after class.
If you want something more like dessert, the frozen side of the menu is worth a look. Our frozen drinks and smoothies are vegan-friendly, with no added sugar and non-GMO ingredients, and there's a whole set of coffee-free frozen cremes for people who want something cold and creamy without espresso in it. Pair any of it with one of the vegan cookies, baked fresh daily in six flavors, and you've got a pretty good night going.
A tea lounge that's still open when you want it
The whole point of caffeine free tea is drinking it late, and that's where a lot of tea houses in Miami fall short, since plenty of them close in the afternoon. We're open Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 11:00 PM, Saturday from 11:00 AM to 11:00 PM, and Sunday from 11:00 AM to 8:00 PM. That's open until 11 PM six days a week.
That makes the lounge an easy evening spot. FIU students come in to finish a paper over a pot of rooibos, friends grab a board game from the library and lose track of time, and people who just need a quiet corner set up on the patio. The WiFi is free, with no password and no time limit, and our WiFi and study guide covers the best seats for getting work done.
If you'd rather drink it at home, you can order ahead for pickup on Toast, or get delivery through Uber Eats and DoorDash.
specialTEA Lounge & Cafe is at 10766 SW 24th St (Coral Way) in the Columbia Shopping Plaza, about two minutes from FIU, with free parking right out front. Check the visit page for directions, then come by for a late pot of rooibos. Come for the tea, stay for the vibes.
Visit specialTEA Lounge
Stop by specialTEA Lounge on Coral Way for specialty teas, boba, matcha, and fresh-baked treats. Miami's original tea lounge since 2009.