Follow the pointer signs along atmospheric Šemberova St. through the wide arched entrance of Olomouc's newest temple of tea.The first of Wabi's three rooms has a simple ring of chairs around a low table and sparse Japanese calligraphy on the walls behind. To the right is a den reserved for the hubbling and bubbling of shisha pipes and to the left is the main barrel-vaulted room filled with the wood and warmth of preloved furniture, oriental carpets and richly patterned upholstery.
There's a small raised platform in one corner; remove your shoes if you'd like to sit up there. The rest of the seating is at scattered chairs and tables of various style and squeakiness. If you were a cat on a cold night you'd probably choose the (obligatory) sewing-machine table over by the radiator.Wabi offers more than a hundred teas from across the world divided by geography and grade, and at the rear are the specialties and snacks. For a sweet spicy tea, try the Data Masala (Yogi). Most of the pots are big enough to share between two people, and like most teahouses they're happy for you to linger as long as you like.
Wabi Teahouse is a great place on a chilly evening if you're not ready to go home but are not in the mood for another noisy pub.
