Heytea Opens First UK Lab in Chinatown on Shaftesbury Avenue
A New Tea Destination on Shaftesbury Avenue
Anyone who walks along Shaftesbury Avenue knows how busy it gets. The street links Piccadilly Circus to New Oxford Street and runs past theatres, late-night restaurants and the lanes of Chinatown, so a new food opening here tends to draw attention quickly. From Friday 30 October 2026, that attention will go to Heytea, which is opening its first UK ‘lab’ store at 118-120 Shaftesbury Avenue, W1D 5EP. The site sits in a Victorian-era building on the boundary between Chinatown and Soho, a stretch of the West End where I have watched shopfronts change hands many times over the years. Few new openings here have the scale of this one. The store spans two floors, which gives it room for a tea bar, a bakery and an ice cream counter under one roof. For those of us who live and work nearby, it adds another reason to spend an evening in the area, especially for people who already come to London for its many attractions and who want something different between a show and dinner. It also means one more busy corner of the West End to plan around when the weekend crowds arrive.
Who Is Behind the Lab and Who Stands to Benefit
Heytea is not a newcomer to London. The chain first opened a store in Soho in 2023, and it now runs 18 locations across nine cities. This Chinatown lab is its fifth lab-format store outside China, following sites in New York’s Times Square, Toronto and Bangkok. That history matters for local readers, because it shows a brand that has chosen to build a presence here rather than simply test the market. The lab concept combines three parts: a Tea Lab, a Bake Lab and a Tea Ice Cream counter. Twelve products are new to the UK, and three of them are exclusives built around the British tradition of tea and biscuits. Customers who grew up dunking biscuits into a cup will recognise the idea, even if the execution is far from a builder’s brew. The partnership with BLACKPINK’s Lisa on the Mango Coconut Sticky Rice drink will also appeal to younger visitors. For nearby businesses, a steady flow of visitors can be a welcome boost, particularly for other food and drink operators on the surrounding streets. For Chinatown’s wider food scene, the opening adds another reason for people to explore beyond the usual Gerrard Street favourites.
What Locals Should Know Before the Doors Open
The store opens on Friday 30 October 2026, and given Heytea’s track record, I would expect queues in the first few weeks. If you plan to visit, going on a weekday afternoon or early in the evening will probably mean a shorter wait than a Saturday at peak time. Leicester Square and Piccadilly Circus are both within easy walking distance, so most people will arrive on foot or by Tube. Once inside, try the Rock Oolong Caramel Biscuit tea, which comes topped with a caramel biscuit cloud and biscuit crumbs, or the Caramel Biscuit Croissant Egg Tart, which is a clever take on a bakery classic. Those who prefer something traditional can compare it with Lotus Realm, the Chinese teahouse nearby that brews its tea in its own distinctive style. If you are buying gifts, the merchandise includes ceramic mugs, tote bags and tea, which could make a practical souvenir for friends who visit London. For the latest details, including menus, prices and any opening promotions, check heytea.com before you go. Watch for updates on how the store manages queues in its first month, and keep an eye on local listings for other events happening around the West End that week.
Source: Heytea’s Lab In Chinatown With Biscuit-Inspired UK Exclusives Is Here
Just a short walk from Buckingham Palace, the new Heytea lab on Shaftesbury Avenue offers London’s visitors a fresh take on Chinese tea culture.
