Drink Me! Tea Room Opens Doors in Tempe

The new plant-based, gluten-free tea shop at 1730 E. Warner Road offers over 45 premium loose-leaf tea varieties.

Updated on Oct. 24, 2026 in Tea

Bold vector editorial illustration of a ceramic teapot and two cups on a table, representing a new plant-based tea shop. — Drink Me! Tea Room recently opened in Tempe, offering a specialized menu of plant-based and gluten-free loose-leaf teas for the local community. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Live Poll

Do you believe shared-space small businesses are a positive addition to your local community?

Since opening on August 28, 2026, Drink Me! Tea Room has provided the Tempe community with a fully vegan, plant-based, and gluten-free beverage menu. The establishment operates within a shared space alongside Fuel Y'all Coffee.

Why it matters

The owners established the tea room as a safe, inclusive environment specifically for individuals with food allergies. By offering exclusively gluten-free and plant-based options, the business fills a niche for diners with specific dietary requirements.

The shop features over 45 premium loose-leaf teas and operates from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday. Some customers travel as far as 45 minutes to visit the location at 1730 E. Warner Road.

The players

Melissa Harlan

Melissa Harlan is an owner of the Drink Me! Tea Room who manages the administrative paperwork for the business.

Fuel Y'all Coffee

Fuel Y'all Coffee is an independent coffee business that shares its physical storefront and trade space with the Drink Me! Tea Room.

Garza

Garza is a co-owner of the Drink Me! Tea Room who contributes creative ideas to the cafe's development and event programming.

The details

Co-owners Melissa Harlan and Garza collaborate by managing administrative tasks and creative ideas while sharing the physical footprint with Fuel Y'all Coffee. The venue serves as a community hub, hosting diverse activities like drag bingo and paint-and-sip gatherings.

Drink Me! Tea Room opened on August 28, 2026.
A Winter Paint & Sip event occurred on November 7, 2026.
Drag Bingo was held on November 12, 2026.
The Winter Wonderland: Holiday Tea Party runs from November 25, 2026 to January 3, 2027.

Culture Shift

The tea room follows the broader market trend of specialized inclusive dining where businesses curate menus specifically for customers with food allergies. This move reflects a societal shift toward prioritizing accessibility and safe culinary environments for patrons with dietary restrictions.

Residents with dietary restrictions can now utilize a local venue dedicated to plant-based and gluten-free requirements. Visitors should note the current Wednesday through Sunday hours when planning their next visit.

The takeaway

Drink Me! Tea Room serves as an example of how shared retail spaces can foster niche business models while catering to specific health-conscious demographics. Customers interested in these community events should check the schedule for seasonal gatherings like the upcoming holiday party.