TOBA is a bubble tea shop at 39 Esk Street in central Invercargill, rated 4.5 on Google from 45 reviews. Customers mention the bubble tea, with well-cooked pearls and a good balance of sweetness, along with the lychee and brown sugar options and the crepes. Reviews are mixed, with one reviewer finding the order took a long time and the staff seemed unorganised.
Bubble tea shops usually let you choose sugar and ice levels, so start with less sugar, since sweetness is hard to undo. Tapioca pearls are best eaten soon after they are cooked, so drink the tea within the hour. At busy times a short wait is normal, so ask how long your order will take.
For Invercargill students and town-centre shoppers who want a sweet drink between errands, TOBA on Esk Street is a quick and easy stop.