Forest Tea Bar is a newer cafe in Berkeley and the new home of the matcha pop-up Three Tea Bowls. I've been here multiple times since the soft opening, and it's quickly become a spot I can see myself coming back to. I've tried the Uji matcha latte ($6.95) and genmaicha latte ($6.75). The Uji matcha latte was grassy, but still smooth and strong. I think I would've liked just a little more depth and richness, but it's still a drink I'd happily order again. I also tried the genmaicha latte, which was less sweet than the Uji matcha. I really liked how the toasted, nutty flavor of the genmaicha balanced the sweetness, though I thought it slightly overpowered the matcha. You can really taste the quality and care that goes into their drinks. I definitely want to try their black sesame matcha next! The cafe has a calm, minimalist aesthetic with limited seating, including a high table where you can watch the drinks being made. They use oat milk by default, although there isn't currently an option to substitute whole milk. There's a small parking lot, with additional street parking available in the surrounding residential area. Overall, I've really enjoyed my visits here and think Forest Tea Bar is a great addition to Berkeley's matcha scene. Definitely worth checking out if you like more tea-forward drinks! read more

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Forest Tea Bar opened a year ago on the bottom corner of Aquatic Apartments a year ago. Signage on window is hard to see on a drive by. Look for tables at corner of Shattuck & Carlton St. Line 5 deep stretched to door. Ordering done on kiosk near counter. No menus seen nearby. Minimal seating inside & several tables outside. Took 5ish minutes to order. 6ish minutes for drinks to arrive. 4 associates behind counter. 1st time seeing offerings: matcha lattes, tea on ice, non caffeinated drinks, Japanese pastries, merch...just choose one I was vaguely familiar with. Sips: organic black sesame matcha latte (7.95) hot with oat milk. Didn't customized sweetness. Did I click " honey"? -black sesame seed flava robust along with sweetness. Oat milk aided smoothness. No bitterness with subtle matcha essence. -genmaicha maybe a better choice as it's less sweet. *single matcha cultivar drink $15. Other matcha varieties also available. 4ish stars Worthy! Service/quality/quantity: good/reasonable. Street parking. Parking spaces available onsite but didn't see it. read more

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One of the best matcha spots I've tried! You can really taste the difference here! the matcha is authentic and properly whisked, with a smooth, rich flavor that's noticeably better than many other matcha shops. The staff and founders are genuinely friendly, welcoming, and passionate about what they do. The space is another highlight: zen, calm, and relaxing, without the hectic feel you get at a lot of trendy cafés. Great matcha, great people, and a great atmosphere. Definitely a place I'll come back to. Highly recommend! read more

Forest Tea Bar - Tea Rooms Near Me - Berkeley, California

Just writing a quick share for this shop- I love hojicha tea and have been trying hojicha from different shops. I ordered a hot hojicha latte here and really liked it- creamy and fragrant, and not overpowering. The barista helped me adjust the sweetener level. The shop vibe was also very cute-wish it had more tables and open space. Although small, it is well decorated -honoring the Japanese tea culture and giving the cafe room a calm atmosphere. Hope to come back! read more

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Date: 7/9/2026 Forest Tea Bar located in Berkeley is one of the best matcha place in the Bay Area! Visited with a friend and with two kids together, and the seating can fit four person and two strollers. Organic Rose Matcha Latte $7.5 I got the combination of rose and matcha latte, with a mix of organic rose buds and Uji matcha, lightly sweetened and blended with plant based milk for a fragrant latte. The floral notes and the taste of the matcha was great together. Uji Matcha Latte $6.95 My friend got the classic Uji Matcha, shaded 25 days, whisked with plant based milk for a perfectly smooth and balanced latte. A classic one to order. read more

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This place is very lovely. Super chill, zen. They even have a little water fountain on the side, super tranquil, love it! The macha is made fresh, the store is air conditioned (because who can drink macha in this heat!?). Great spot to get your drink, chill a bit and recover. read more

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The ginger matcha was ethereal. Loved the strong ginger flavor! I am a dairy milk girlie so I was initially disappointed that they only have non dairy options but i actually think that their default oat milk is the right way to go The black sesame matcha was less good in my mind relative to the ginger matcha. Black sesame didn't seem to add much but that could just be a personal preference - maybe I like black sesame with espresso more It's a small place but has nice indoor and outdoor seating options. Friendly staff! Metered parking right outside read more

Forest Tea Bar - Black sesame matcha - Tea Rooms Near Me - Berkeley, California

The ambiance is on point. I could relax here with a book. Appears to be dog-friendly with outside seating and no issues entering and ordering with a dog. Ordered the Black Sesame Matcha Latte with oat milk (no additional cost) at the self service kiosk. No line so my drink was ready in 2 mins. The matcha was slightly grainy and a slight bitter after taste. I'm glad I got the black sesame as I'm not sure if I would have liked this matcha without another flavor due to the bitterness. The black sesame is sweetened. The flavor is rich and nutty. I was worried the black sesame would be too intense for the matcha, however, it balanced the texture as black sesame was thick and velvety. The drink had a matcha earthiness with a pleasant nutty finish. I would still come back to try the other flavors as Ginger and rose both sound interesting. read more

Forest Tea Bar - Black Sesame Matcha Latte - Tea Rooms Near Me - Berkeley, California

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I'm slowly making my way through all of the new matcha cafes in Berkeley. But I fear I might pause because Forest Tea Bar has my heart! First off, the vibes are so zen, even if it's extremely busy! I came with my friend, both of us Japanese. It was a nice change of pace being in a cafe like this. It's common in Japan for cafes to be more western, so she was shocked that this cafe was more minimalistic, Asian-inspired, haha. There's bar seating plus indoor and outdoor tables. Most customers are Cal students studying or working, and seats can be limited. Communal seating is communal, and there's seating outside too. The service was great! We sat at the bar so we could watch what was happening. We loved how sweet one of the workers who helped us was. Kind service, and they put time and care into making each drink. Wait times can vary, but it's so worth it! I love any Japanese tea--matcha, hojicha, I'm all there! But I especially loved how they have genmaicha. I got the Genmaicha Latte with Oat Milk. It was perfect, subtle sweetness and roast, and a nice earthy matcha blend. I'd get it again. My friend enjoyed her Hojicha Latte, and they were kind enough to accommodate her request and give us Hojicha Tea as well! Everything was great quality and delicious. Forest Tea Bar is a wonderful cafe in Berkeley to get a matcha or other tea drink. Find them off Shattuck Ave. with street and metered parking around. Looking forward to coming back again and again! read more

Forest Tea Bar - Genmaicha Latte (Oat Milk), Hojicha Tea - Tea Rooms Near Me - Berkeley, California

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On the left is the Organic Matcha with Sesame and on the left the Hojicha with Sesame. both delicious! Good location - easy to find parking Staff is friendly and warm. I can see they care and put a lot of effort into every drink they make. Ambiance is warm too - enough seating to maybe sit 15-20 people (including the bar seating) Will be back here soon to take my friends visiting east bay read more

Forest Tea Bar - On the left is the Organic Matcha with Sesame and on the left the Hojicha with Sesame. both delicious! - Tea Rooms Near Me - Berkeley, California

Omg this is undoubtedly the best matcha café I have tried yet in the Bay Area, and I don't say this lightly! This place is the definition of a matcha bar with its friendly staff, emphasis on product quality, and inviting third space environment to relax in and linger at the small tables along the wraparound window seat to enjoy the drinks. I first tried the black sesame matcha, one of my fave drinks of all time, as it combines two of my most favorite flavors. It was executed perfectly, and I liked it so well that I went back for round two and got the black sesame hojicha, which was just as good. I'm so impressed by this place, and it's really elevated my matcha standards. read more

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Forest Tea Bar is my favorite matcha and hojicha spot in the Bay Area. The quality of their drinks is superb and I love how cute the little cafe is. You can see how meticulous the matcha baristas are when making the drinks and it truly comes out with each sip. While the black sesame matcha latte is popular, I prefer the regular matcha and hojicha lattes. Even on the weekend, it is easy to find street parking in the neighborhoods. read more

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Finally, I can see the forest through the trees! This place makes your drink one at a time with care and precision. My friend got the Black sesame with match and it was the perfect balance of sesame to matcha. Not too sweet, with a fresh matcha undertone. My drinks, the Suzuki sparkler which is basically Yuzu with sparkling water was refreshing in this Berkeley heat, and my second drink, the Cashew nut macha made with homemade cashew milk was very satisfying. The Japanese look and feel of this intimate store made it feel like we were transported into a small Japanese café. Really enjoyed our drinks and the ambiance. A great addition so close to UC Berkeley. read more

Forest Tea Bar - Tea Rooms Near Me - Berkeley, California

I am not a matcha person so much, but my friend is. So we're going off her opinions. The service was good, the people greeted us. We had to order off a kiosk. We got 2 drinks and a treat. She didnt like it, but I did. Honestly, it tasted like matcha. LOL I'm not bougie about it. The place is pretty small, but hella charming. Limited parking as well. read more

Forest Tea Bar - Tea Rooms Near Me - Berkeley, California

Forest Tea Bar is so cute and delish!! I really wish they were closer to me, but glad I was visiting a friend to be able to check them out. The vibes are very calm and it's aesthetically, a nice place to hang out. Very reminiscent of a cute cafe in Japan. I appreciated how dog friendly they were and it was nice to sit and enjoy such a yummy matcha without feeling rushed. The matcha is creamy and just the right amount of bitter! I got the black sesame matcha so the black sesame gave it a good amount of sweetness without tasting overly sweet. Highly recommend! read more

One of the best Matcha I've had outside of Japan. I ordered the uji Matcha latte. The sweetness was perfect and it tasted very clean. I also tried my friends rose Matcha latte and black sesame Matcha latte, which were both delicious. Black sesame Matcha latte was probably the sweetest out of all. The rose latte was also really good. The rose aroma was strong, but it did not have that sticky after taste that a lot of the rose syrup have. It's a small café, but there are 3 to 4 tables with seats available as well as barstools at the bar. Parking is street parking, but it was not too difficult to find. If you're looking for a high-quality Matcha, this place is a must try. read more

Forest Tea Bar - Black sesame on the left and uji matcha latte on the right - Tea Rooms Near Me - Berkeley, California

This place is not located in a forest, but if it was I'm going INNNNNN. I was really excited to try this place after seeing a few new matcha places open in Berkeley. They have their own mini parking lot, but other than that you do have to bank on street parking. As for the inside, you definitely get both that cozy and relaxing vibe from the interior. But, it was also modern or upscale due to how updated everything was from the lighting and chairs. Forest was giving minimalistic baddie! I felt like I was about to drink some boujee matcha right when I walked in. You order at a kiosk and the drink options are pretty standard at moderate price points ($7). Card only! Besides matcha lattes, they also had Hojicha and Usucha (just the matcha). It was cool to see they had a black sesame matcha and rice tea matcha (both options you can get sweetened). I opted for the sweetened brown rice tea matcha and loved the taste profile! The matcha was strong and more on the earthy side. It balanced really well with the rice tea flavor in my opinion that it was more so refreshing than milky. #needthatmatchapowder #immabuyatin Would love to come back and try another drink! Drinks also came relatively quick ~5 minutes. Smooth service overall. read more

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We wanted to get a refreshing drink and this place was nearby. We ordered the hojicha black sesame, Uji matcha latte, and the hojicha latte. The drinks were all pretty good and they came out quick. Ordering is simple as you just use the qiosk to order. Try it out if you like. :) read more

Forest Tea Bar - Tea Rooms Near Me - Berkeley, California

What is up with some of the low ratings lol. They're open 11-6 Friday-Sunday. Soft launch...so there's gonna be a wait, because it's...good? If this place was awful there would be zero wait time. If you want a group setting go to Starbucks? Lord bless some of these people. Yes, it's pricey. Im sure you've spent money on dumber things without antioxidants. I love the convenience, it's right next to the gym. Quality control is immaculate, I've ordered from here over 25 times and it's been consistently fantastic. The space is clean and quiet. The staff is excellent, 10 stars for them. The decor is bright and clean, and the drinks are tasty, with black sesame matcha being my favorite. read more

Forest Tea Bar - Black sesame matcha - Tea Rooms Near Me - Berkeley, California

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The matcha quality was good and we really enjoyed our drinks. It was a nice clean place. Staff were nice. Took one star off for the long wait. We waited 40 mins for 3 drinks. They were also very small. We wished there were options to get a bigger size. We tried the uji matcha, organic matcha latte unsweetened and the black sesame matcha latte. Black sesame one was had a nice nutty flavor that balanced well with the matcha. read more

Forest Tea Bar - Tea Rooms Near Me - Berkeley, California

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It was my first time trying the matcha here, and I loved it. The flavor was smooth and creamy, with a wonderfully calming feel, and the whole experience was elevated by the serene, zen atmosphere. Also tried the mini rainbow cake with matcha flavor inside, it was very pretty and of course it was a great match. The gentle sound of water trickling in the corner made the space feel even more peaceful. On top of that, the service was genuinely kind and attentive. read more

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This place is clean, simple, and has good service and good drinks. The Forest Tea Bar is near Bellissima Day Spa on Shattuck Ave. We come here a lot when we have time for sweet tea. read more

This place is truly unique - serene, calming, and beautifully minimalist. I tried the matcha and the hojicha, both of which tasted incredibly pure and well-prepared. Ordering is done on a tablet, and they make everything right in front of you at the bar before handing it off on the side. The seating area is cozy and peaceful, making it a great spot to slow down, relax, and enjoy your drink. A really lovely atmosphere overall. read more

Forest Tea Bar - Matcha latte - Tea Rooms Near Me - Berkeley, California

Was excited to try this new matcha spot that opened a few months ago! There is a small parking lot in front but not a lot of spaces available so be prepared to circle a bit during peak hours. When you enter, there is a kiosk in front to order from. I will say when we came in, there was no sense of acknowledgement - one person was in conversation with folks at the bar (seemed like they knew each other) while the other person was at the front making drinks. It would have been helpful to talk through options, recommendations, etc. We ended up going with their iced Uji Matcha and hot black sesame hojicha latte. It was a fun experience to watch them prepare your drinks, especially as they measure everything to a tee. The atmosphere in general was quite calming and you could tell they were focused on the ritual of preparing drinks and giving a folks a place to slow down. I very much enjoyed my latte, it was wonderfully warming on a cold day. The matcha tasted very high quality and earthy. The pricing vs quantity is definitely on the higher end but you can taste the quality in the ingredients (our 2 drinks came out to $16 without tip). Overall, would come back to try other drinks! read more

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Be mindful of the hours right now - they're basically only open on weekends! My friend and I came before opening on a Saturday and there was already a line. We waited about 20 minutes for our drinks. They prepare the matcha right in front of you, and the employees were really kind in helping me get a good picture of my matcha. The Rose Matcha is an absolute must-try! It's not overly floral or artificial, and it's the perfect level of sweetness. The Black Sesame matcha also has a great nutty flavor, but it was a bit too grainy for me. This cafe does get pretty busy, but the interior has a nice monochrome theme and a lot of seating you can sit at while waiting for your drink. Overall, they have fantastic quality of matcha and getting to see the baristas prepare your drinks reflect how much care goes into each order. read more

Forest Tea Bar - Black Sesame Matcha, Rose Matcha - Tea Rooms Near Me - Berkeley, California

Decided to treat myself and try this place my friend recommended. I decided to just try a regular Uji matcha latte with oat milk. It was quite creamy and not powdery which was good. I will say the sweetness was a little lacking, so if you like your matcha a little more "pure" you'd probably enjoy this more. I'd be willing to try it again and maybe just ask for more sweetness, but that's just me. Nice little chill spot though. read more

Forest Tea Bar - Uji matcha latte - Tea Rooms Near Me - Berkeley, California

One of the stronger matcha spots in the Bay imo! Oat milk is a default which is always nice to hear. The interior was zen and the staff puts care into making the drinks. I really enjoyed my matcha latte. I also tried the black sesame matcha latte, which although was tasty, I felt that the black sesame was overpowering. Will be back! read more

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A very cute cafe in Berkeley, specialising in matcha! it has a really chill atmosphere inside, and the decor is very photo-worthy. i ordered the sparkling yuzu because i am not the biggest fan of matcha, and it was delicious. the yuzu was definitely remarkable, and my sister, who ordered the hojicha, claims it was her favorite hojicha she has ever had. we waited about 6 minutes for our drinks, so service was pretty fast. i overall enjoyed it and it is definitely a place to catch up with friends, study, or even get a quick drink. read more

Forest Tea Bar - Hojicha Latte + Sparkling Yuzu - Tea Rooms Near Me - Berkeley, California

If you're looking for a matcha spot that stay fairly true to its root, look no further than Forest Tea Bar. The drinks focus on the tea itself and the umami flavor that you get from it. The 3 drinks we tried were all great in its own flavor. More earthy and umami, less sweet. I went on an off early afternoon so the wait wasn't too bad, although I was expecting a long line. The barista takes time to make each cup of drink so you will end up needing to wait a little but the patience is worth it. read more

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Stopped in for the soft opening and the space is soothing in that light‑wood, tea‑house way. Staff were kind and focused even with a steady line, walking drinks over and explaining the menu without rushing. I ordered a latte (ticket #137) and watched them do careful pours over ice and matcha, plus a pretty cast‑iron teapot setup at the counter. Prices looked fair for the category, with houjicha and genmaicha lattes around $6.95. Little touches are thoughtful: candy tray by the menus, tiny white vase on a clear slab, and a clean kiosk flow that texts your receipt and shows a QR. They're also listing nerikiri sweets, which were already sold out by the time I got to the screen, so that's a good sign for demand. PS does soft opening mean the door will be locked you must wait for someone to exit in hopes of getting in? read more

Forest Tea Bar - Deco - Tea Rooms Near Me - Berkeley, California

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Great matcha, worth the money! Good value for price point. Just wish they had a non dairy option other than oat without up charge. Almond or dairy milk would be better. Good quality and nice ambiance inside. Not a huge space but enough for a small hang read more

Forest Tea Bar - Tea Rooms Near Me - Berkeley, California

This place feels like a little reset button for life Minimal, calm, and aesthetic without trying too hard. Every flower arrangement and tiny detail feels super intentional The owner is also incredibly sweet -- always smiling and genuinely welcoming, which makes the whole space feel warm instead of intimidating You can tell she's serious about tea and matcha culture Everything is thoughtfully done, from the ingredients to the tools they use. The matcha was smooth and fragrant, the black sesame drink was insanely rich and the barley tea smelled like comfort in a cup Honestly the kind of spot where you go in for tea and accidentally heal your entire mood Perfect place to slow down for an afternoon read more

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Small, high-quality matcha tea bar with a super simple aesthetic. This place was absolutely phenomenal! They whisk everything by hand--none of that premade matcha sitting in a pitcher. You can taste the effort (and maybe the arm workout too). I think there are only about three staff members making drinks at a time, so if you come during peak hours... yeah, you will be waiting. Patience is part of the menu. If you're not about that waiting life, I highly recommend coming on a weekday before the rush. Trust me, your future self will thank you. Also--no bathrooms and no parking, so plan accordingly. Street parking is your only option, so may the odds be ever in your favor. Overall, I would definitely come back... even if it means circling the block a few times first. read more

Forest Tea Bar - Forgot what I ordered... _ - Tea Rooms Near Me - Berkeley, California

TLDR: My new favorite matcha place in the Bay!!! Unique menu offerings + quality drinks = happy me :-) The matcha here is top notch, but beyond that what really impressed me was the creative menu options. I've never seen rose matcha anywhere else. The quality of the drinks were also really good - you can taste the matcha as well as the additional flavor - they must've experimented a lot because the flavors meld together really well imo! It's super busy here though - we had it wait a while for our drinks esp since every drink is hand whisked. The place is really cute - great for catching up with friends, but not so much working here. read more

Forest Tea Bar - Genmaicha matcha latte Rose matcha latte - Tea Rooms Near Me - Berkeley, California

One of my favorite spots in the bay for a simple iced matcha latte (although they do have tasty and unique combo lattes like the ginger matcha, rose matcha and black sesame matcha)! Once you walk in, you order at the tablet and I like all the customization options they have for the drinks. There is a small amount of seating indoors/outdoors but it can be packed. I've been here multiple times and never leave disappointed, super consistent and high quality! read more

Forest Tea Bar - Uji Matcha Latte (Iced) - Tea Rooms Near Me - Berkeley, California

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What a lovely spot! Forest Tea Bar smells soooo good and looks so clean. The smell of the tea and the warming spotless environment was so wonderful. A lot of good stuff on their menu, but only a few items were available when I went because of reduced staff. Ordered on the screen and waited about 10-15 mins for 5 drinks. My daughter really liked their matcha lattes and appreciated that it was nondairy milk (oat) that they used. They also have cashew milk, but that was unavailable when we were there. Most of the tea latte drinks have customizations, such as hot or cold, oat or cashew milk, unsweetened or not or pay an additional 35 cents for maple sweetener. We didn't get the maple as we got the iced drinks as is with oat, and they were pretty good. Each drink takes some time to make since they do the matcha whisk thing individually for each drink. So satisfying watching them pour that into the cup. I tried the uji matcha, the roasted matcha, and some of the hojicha and they were all good. The sweet was not really sweet at all, which was perfect. Would def get the roasted one again if I make it back here. The hojicha didn't have a sweetener option and the kids didn't really like it, but it was a good hojicha. Each drink was around $7. Love the bar area too, seeing them make the drinks. So authentic! read more

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As excited as I was for this spot to open, I was disappointed to say that I didn't love it. As someone that makes my own matcha lattes at home, I love going out to try a new matcha spot as a treat once in awhile, so I visited Forest Tea Bar twice before my review: The interior is calming and fairly small - A decent place to sit and study at if open, with lots of natural light and overall a very zen atmosphere. There are usually lines to order, and since every drink seemed to be crafted carefully, the store is usually filled with people waiting (a fairly long time) for their drinks. Unfortunately all drinks my friends and I tried were grainy. The matcha flavor was light in general, refreshing, but personally was overshadowed by the oat milk. Sweetness was actually a great level, but again, the graininess wasn't the most pleasant. It's definitely a nice spot to visit if you haven't been already, but there are other spots in the East Bay I prefer for a matcha latte! read more

Forest Tea Bar - Uji Matcha Latte, Genmaicha Matcha Latte - Tea Rooms Near Me - Berkeley, California

OMG so good. One of the best in the area. The matcha here is quality and I can tell the effort put into each drink. Indoor space is clean modern and zen. Service was slow, but that's also due to their care and dedication in crafting each drink. I ordered the roasted rice genmaicha latte and it was so smooth and earthy--none of that grassy taste. I thoroughly enjoyed it! I almost wanted to order a second one LOL. Totally would come again! read more

Forest Tea Bar - Tea Rooms Near Me - Berkeley, California

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Heard about this place from a friend and thought I'd give it a try! The interior is so aesthetic and it seems like a nice place to catch up with friends or get some work done. This place uses oat milk so it's great for those who are lactose. I got the black sesame matcha latte, but the black sesame overpowered the matcha flavor. If I go back, I would probably try the original matcha latte. Perhaps it was a one-off, but it took me a very long time to get my drink. My friend ordered after me and got her drink before me. It got to the point where there was no one in line to order and no one making the drinks that I thought they forgot about my drink. But then, later, it looked like they were training someone on how to make it. read more

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This tiny tea shop is in a grey modern building across from Equinox. The decor is simple and minimalist. They have a few seats and tables. the tables are only for like one or two people. You place your order on the kiosk. I ordered the hojicha latte. It was good, but I tried my brother's hojicha black sesame latte which tasted better. I should have ordered that. My drink tasted earthy and healthy. Parking here is challenging since it's Berkeley. There are meters outside, but not many spots. read more

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