Joy of Chá

You'd expect another overpriced tourist trap on Essex Street, but Joy of Chá delivers surprisingly decent Asian comfort food and bubble tea that doesn't taste like sugary nonsense. The space is small and gets packed with a mix of students, office workers, and the occasional tourist who's stumbled off the Temple Bar trail. The bubble tea selection is extensive and they actually know how to make it properly - the tapioca pearls have that perfect chewy texture and the tea isn't drowning in artificial flavours. Their Asian fusion dishes are solid too, nothing groundbreaking but satisfying when you need something quick and tasty. It's one of the few spots in Temple Bar where locals actually queue up alongside visitors, which tells you everything you need to know.