by Mary L.

One of the most unique tea places I've ever been to. Everytime I'm in Charlottesville, I try to go. There are many nooks and crannies each themed and decorated differently. It's really cool. There is a little japanese  style area where you drink sitting on the ground and in another area you'll have benches and tons of drapery and pillows. There is also a great deck out back which I recommend on a good day. There are hundreds of teas from China to Morocco to try. I always just close my eyes and point to something on the menu and it normally never fails to satisfy. If you're looking to get lunch here, they have a great tuna sandwhich although I think it's seasonal. The owner is beyond nice and he's obviously a traveler. Everytime I've gone there, we've always been able to pull him aside and get him to tell us about some of his travels. It's a really warm and cozy place. If you ever find yourself in downtown Charlottesville, be sure to stop here.

by Kara M.

haven't been to this place in a while, but whenver I was there I kind of felt like I was on an acid trip. the place was decorated in bright colors but dimly lit. the menu was very vegetarian friendly and the tea was great. overall a unique and great experience though

by Tolga E.

This a very trippy tea shop that you might come to expect from the Berkeley-esque atmosphere you can sometime find in Charlottesville. They've brew all their numerous teas fresh for you, have a number of chai-based drinks, and offer hookah to those who like it. It's an odd, upstairs space, which you can imagine is quite cozy if you're in a caffeine-and-tobacco induced haze. It's worth checking out while you're here.

by Terrence A.

If you're looking Califormia but feeling Minnesota this is your place. Very nouveau-Bohemian-hippy. Decent food and a superb selection of teas.I actually really dig the decor - think Indian hashish den mixed with a Mother Nature vibe. Sort of...Anyway - tough day at the office? Get away at lunch and hide in this little hole-in-the-wall with a pot of great tea and a hookah. Nothing says "screw the Man" like a hookah.

by Phil H.

This place seems to have changed ownership since I was a student in 2006.  The sign on the front is less artsy, the name appears to have lost the "Twisted Branch" prefix, the lunch specials are more expensive ($6.50 instead of $5) with smaller portions (the salad used to be like twice as big), the staff seem less... subversive, and it looks like they've opened a location in Staunton.  Is Tea Bazaar selling out?  Maybe but it's still a winner in my book.  I would have given the old Tea Bazaar four stars based on the lunch salad alone.  We're talking mixed greens, tomato, red onion, cucumber, candied walnuts, feta, spices, pear slices, and toasted herb-and-oil brushed pita bread.  Do yourself a favor and go order this salad - they serve the specials until 2pm.  I've also had the mezza platter which is an assortment of Mediterranian things - decent.As for tea, I'm no connoisseur but I've been pleased with the selections I've tried, especially the dessert teas.  At $5 a pot (which serves 2 comfortably and 3 if you don't need much), it's a pretty good deal.  The chai is too mild for my taste but I like mine super spicy and sweet and I haven't found a place yet that's as good as home made.Atmosphere-wise, this place is hard to beat.  I think it tries a little too hard to be hip with religious icons and such adorning the walls but I like the intimate lighting and variety of seating options - comfy couches, low tables with kneeling mats, regular tables, high tables with stools, and benches outside on the deck.  It's a nice place to chat with friends or bring your date after dining at the downtown mall - maybe she'll think you're cool.

by lady p.

A wonderful little hole-in-the-wall tea house, full of private, cozy tables, pillows and draperies. THE perfect little hidy-hole for a rendezvous to inspire intimacy without hitting the target over the head with roses and champagne. Nice tea menu, light vegetarian fare. The goat cheese/nuts/dried fruit plate is nice.

by David D.

A hit or miss experience, this place has been slowly raising their hookah prices since I started coming in 2002. The clientele are varied--from bleeding heart budding hipsters and goths to prepsters. Unfortunately, the lovely scents of tobacco and tea is muddled with a dose of pretension--more so than in the early days. The music is very much hit-or-miss and can go from violent industrial rock to new wave and then ambient electronica in course of an hour. This bipolar music mentality often betrays the seemingly soothing act of sipping tea and catching up with old friends.

by Nicole C.

I haven't been to the Twisted Branch in over two years and I noticed comments about management changes, which is unfortunate because this was such a great and unique spot on the downtown mall.  Twisted Branch embodied C'ville because it had the perfect irony that this town seems to have: something found in a highly commercial prepped out area but so convinced of its own unique counter-culture that somehow it just balances itself out.  Oh, and it's hippie; very hippie.  But then, it's Charlottesville.  The seating can be fill up fast, but if you get a good couch or even something on the patio, you can park yourself there with a few friends, get some tea or hookah and have a psychedelic good time.  I'm sad to hear that some of the unique and artsy things are gone, because this was a fun place to hang out.

by cassie t.

One of the first places I ever went to in Charlottesville was the Twisted Branch Tea Bazaar.  It was so awesome back in the day (i.e. four years ago), but since then has changed ownership and shifted furniture and changed food specials.  Still however, to comment on the current state of the Tea Bazaar I would still give it a high rating for being a great place to come and chill.  Going here during lunch hours on a weekday is one of the most relaxing things you can do on the downtown mall.  The lunch specials have gone up in price ($6.50) but they are still a great deal!  The mezza platter has dates, hummus, pita, cashews, olives, cheese, and stuffed grape leaves, and the sandwiches come with big salads that have delicious candied walnuts and golden raisins on top.  Even with the new seating arrangements (and the loss of the big huge comfy couch area! : ( ) you can enjoy fun low tables to sit on near the front, an awesome outdoor porch in the back, and if you're lucky that private table that's in the nook spot. You can also get hookahs here that are fun to smoke with a bunch of friends and the teas are good ($5-6 a pot).They still have shows there which is awesome, since all the venues in Cville are closing!! So, overall, even though it used to be better, the Tea House is still a really great place to eat and hang out.

by Kate S.

I have mixed reviews about the Twisted Branch Tea Bazaar*, but I'm going to give it 5 stars because I think it's an experience everyone should have at least once. I love this place, but I hate it too. Let me explain.You walk up the stairs to enter a dimly lit room full of exotic decorations with a hint of smoke in the air. Pick up one of their big menus and try to get one of the low tables towards the front (especially if you're planning to get a hookah and want the full experience, sitting on a pillow on the floor with your shoes off), or try to nab the best seat in the house, the little alcove shrouded with a beaded curtain towards the back. I think they got rid of the plush couches piled with colorful pillows in recent years, but that was always the third best location. For a secret rendezvous, meet up in the very back, down the hall and past the bathrooms, beside the back porch.I almost always went just for a pot of tea. They have a great selection of Chinese and Japanese teas; blacks, greens, whites, pue-erhs, oolongs, rooibos, herbals; hot and cold. Ask your server if you're feeling overwhelmed--they know their teas, and they can give you recommendations or answer any questions you might have. They're often out of teas though, so when you're ready to order, make sure you have a couple of back-up choices. Make it a point to try something new every time!The tea comes in cute little pots with small cups, each set unique. Their teaware seems to be a collection of sets gathered over the years, rather than a big set purchased for the sole purpose of opening a tea house. This, and the punk-ish cooks and servers in the open kitchen area, makes it feel like you're just visiting a friend at their home.I've only eaten here once, for lunch, and they have a good selection of healthy vegetarian food. I had some delicious hummus with herb-y pita and fresh crunchy vegetables.The Twisted Branch has character, no doubt about it. And now I'll explain the negatives. There is a certain atmosphere here that always, without fail, gives me a headache. Maybe it's the sickly sweet-smelling smoke emanating from the flavored-tobacco filled hookahs. But most likely it's the loud discordant music that is either playing over the speakers, or even louder, by the live punk band at the front. I've no problem with loud music, but the combination is too much. I once sat crammed in a stiff wooden chair, with my legs all twisted under the table, while a large red-bearded man playing a trumpet/accordion/drum contraption paraded back and forth past me. Each time he took a step, his leg caused a mallet to pound the drum he was wearing on his back, and this mallet literally nearly pounded my ear every time he passed. This was not a nice experience.When you go into the Tea Bazaar, you feel cool. You feel like you've entered some alternative world, and it's the kind of place you'd like to think you belong in. You're unique, fascinating, creative, and intellectual. You feel like you should be talking about the existence of God and pondering the meaning of life... ...or you could just go to catch up with friends. During the week is your best bet for a quiet cup of tea because the live performances are usually on weekends. Quiet times are nice for a casual conversation, or, even better, a silent game of backgammon or chess. (You may need to use coins or other doodads to fill in the missing pieces.) Oh, and last thing: the bathrooms may not appear to be the cleanest or nicest, but every time I've been there, they always have the best smelling soap. I think it's handmade, or something. In any case, after slurping down cup after cup of tea, use the bathroom...and wash your hands!* This review is based on my experience of the place between 2003-2007, so apologies if things have changed with new management!

by Lillith B.

This was once a great place to get unique tea (the tea itself would give you an experience) however upon visiting again recently the ownership/look and name of the store has changed. And not for the better. There is no more low lighting (bright lights) the tea tastes like they just went down the road to the nearest store (hot water/trash non loose tea) they do not give you enough for 2 people. The new owners/employees spend the night talking to people within their own click (instead of doing their job). The prices have also been jacked up, they also close the store whenever they feel like it instead of abiding by the hours they have set. You can no longer flier's in the hallway, and the employees also made  a comment towards us (since we had yet to leave, when they where closing) about turning on "get the f*ck out" music {since they abruptly changed their hours}. In short if you want over priced hot water and bad service this is the store for you.

by Paul o.

I don't know what happened to this place, but it was not for the better.  Last visit it changed dramatically, from a comfortable setting with knowledgeable staff to a brightly lit venue where the staff had no clue about tea that used to be served there.  They also gave later hours over the phone, but then pretty much ran everyone out with a profane remark and change of music so that they could apparently close earlier.  Please bring back the real "twisted branch"...

by Brendan F.

Back in the day, this place used to be my retreat whenever I felt like blowing off the library scene and getting into some Maharishi shit. They used to have a really extensive menu of teas, ranging from your standard Chinese black teas to some really trippy herb-mate combos that would send me into a headspin. The atmosphere they created in this 2nd floor tea room was something straight out of Buddha's crib and it was always very warm and cozy. The tree sculpture, key chandeliers, old as time couches that are so worn down your ass is basically sitting on a wood bench. It was all good. I haven't been back in several years but I hope things haven't changed too much, it would be a real shame to lose this place to the corporate feeding frenzy that's spreading over the downtown mall lately.

by Jonathan H.

I walked up the creaking stairs and into another world. The sinuous dark wood benches were topped with ageless cushions and steamy tea smells wafted from stoneware pots atop tables made from tree trunks. Light poured in from a skylight and music wafted to my ears like the brew to my nostrils. The Yerba Mate was a delicious blend of mate and other herbs that swirled in our cups and lit our senses. Relaxation ensued with a comfortable energy lent by the tea while the afternoon pleasantly drifted away.

by Ellen R.

This is such a great spot to come and relax. The tea selection is intimidating, but the folks at the counter will hook you up with recommendations if you tell them what you need, and they've always been really sweet. Try the goat-herder platter when you come with a group of friends--you will be nibbling for hours. It is different depending on who is making it that day. I used to see folks smoking hookahs here too. Haven't seen any lately--maybe they still have them? They have a few plug-ins if you want to come study, and there are low tables where you can sit cross legged if that's your thing. I don't come for the shows in the evenings because I prefer the mellow times in the afternoon. If you do turn up in the evening, make your way out the back of the teahouse and get a spot on the patio. If you come at the right time, you can see the chimney swifts plunging down their namesake.Last time I checked, they don't validate parking, but you can always park down on Monticello.Five stars for being such a great break in the day and so wonderfully packed with idiosyncrasies.