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Forest Tea Bar

4.4 (134 reviews)
Closed • 11:00 am - 4:30 pm

Forest Tea Bar Photos

FOREST TEA BAR ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Moderate noise
Dogs allowed

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Recommended Reviews - Forest Tea Bar

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Seating outside
Victor G.

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.

matcha pour
Eleanor C.

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!

Joyce S.

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!

Michelle H.

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.

Black sesame matcha
Jeanie N.

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

Diego B.

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.

Genmaicha Latte (Oat Milk), Hojicha Tea
Kyra K.

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!

Black Sesame Matcha Latte
Jessica H.

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.

Jack R.

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.

decor
Jade L.

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.

Arlo T.

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.

Surge C.

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.

On the left is the Organic Matcha with Sesame and on the left the Hojicha with Sesame.  both delicious!
Wesley L.

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

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Ask the Community - Forest Tea Bar

Have they started selling their hojicha tea and powders yet?

All I know is that they only sell Hojicha drinks, not tea leaves and powders in bags.

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Asha Tea House - Roasted Oolong Milk Tea (1/5)

Asha Tea House

4.1(1.7k reviews)
0.8 mi•Downtown Berkeley
•$$

at this point I have tried most of the Matcha places in downtown and this is the only one I have…read moregone back to multiple times. The Matcha is always a beautiful bright green color with a large depth of flavor. both the hot matcha and strawberry iced matter matcha are my favorite depending on the weather. Also they have adorable tea and California enamel Pins for sale at reasonable prices. I can get my morning cane and birthday present shopping done on the same day.

I moved to Berkeley about a month ago, and Asha quickly became one of my go-to spots for matcha. I…read morelove the vibe and decor of the cafe, the baristas have always been sweet and friendly, and the menu has a great selection. I especially appreciate that they have genmaicha, which can be harder to find. Their version has a distinct roasted tea flavor that doesn't taste watered down, which I love. Their strawberry matcha is also delicious, with a fresher, juicier strawberry flavor than a lot of other spots. I would honestly give this location 5 stars based on the drinks and regular barista interactions alone, but my last experience was really off-putting. I noticed that people often study there with laptops, so I came in with mine and brought a small lunch from Oori down the street to make a morning out of it. I've done this before without issue, but this time, a woman with crazy eyes who seemed to have a higher role came out and very abruptly scolded me, saying, "You CAN'T eat outside food here," while aggressively pointing toward the door as if I needed to leave immediately. I completely understand having a no-outside-food policy, and I would have had no problem following it if it had been communicated respectfully. But the way she approached me felt unnecessarily harsh and honestly pretty upsetting. I apologized right away, packed everything up in a panic, and left. After processing it, I realized how inappropriate the interaction felt for something that could have been addressed with a simple, polite reminder. Overall, Asha has great matcha, a cute space, and friendly baristas, but that experience really left a bad taste in my mouth. Just a heads up: the drinks are good, but you may want to be careful about bringing outside food in, because the policy might be enforced in a pretty unpleasant way.

Photos
Asha Tea House - Cold matcha

Cold matcha

Asha Tea House - Soft serve: matcha and hojicha swirl

Soft serve: matcha and hojicha swirl

Asha Tea House - Hojicha Latte @lesminaddio

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Third Culture Bakery - Berkeley - jouraku ceremonial latte (10/2026)

Third Culture Bakery - Berkeley

4.3(1.2k reviews)
1.4 mi•West Berkeley
•$$

Omg, such great ideas for selling mochi donuts and drinks! Such a perfect combo!!…read more This place has been on my list to try, so when I was in Berkeley yesterday, I had to stop by! I got the Strawberry Lychee Roasted Matcha Latte (Hojicha) and the Ube Coconut Butter Mochi Donut As I've been more into hojicha lately, I had to try the strawberry and lychee flavor! It was perfectly balanced and not overly sweet. I loved it! The donut was so chewy and delicious, and the Ube flavor on top was amazing. I also love that it's an open kitchen, so you can actually see them making everything fresh. It smells SO good when you walk in! Definitely add this place to your list if you're around the area! FYI, there's no designated parking lot, but there's plenty of street parking around. There's also no seating inside. Hopefully they open more locations around the Peninsula because this combo is too good! PLEASE!

Maybe back in the day, Third Culture's matcha was considered novel, innovative, and really good…read more But compared to all the new matcha spots popping up, I honestly don't think their drinks hold up anymore. Especially at the price point, you expect a more premium drink. The matcha was gritty and tasted mostly like milk, with just an essence of whatever flavor it was paired with. For the price, I was expecting something much more flavorful and refined. The donuts were fine, but nothing particularly special or memorable. Overall, I just don't think the drinks or donuts justify the price compared to what's available now.

Photos
Third Culture Bakery - Berkeley - Strawberry lychee roasted matcha latte

Strawberry lychee roasted matcha latte

Third Culture Bakery - Berkeley - Strawberry Lychee Matcha Latte, matcha einspanner (06/2025)

Strawberry Lychee Matcha Latte, matcha einspanner (06/2025)

Third Culture Bakery - Berkeley - Pandan Mochi Donut

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elaichi co. - Rose Gingersnap cookie was the best of the three

elaichi co.

4.3(269 reviews)
0.6 mi•Downtown Berkeley
•$$

I want to inject every single item on this menu into my veins and live on that forever and ever. If…read moreyou are visiting downtown Berkeley, you need to stop in. I've visited elaichi twice since in the area already and I plan on going back again. My first visit was on a Monday morning with a friend. I ordered the Banana Chai Einspanner (chai with banana sea salt cold foam) with oat milk and the Aloo Tiki Paratha Roll (potato fritter with cilantro chutney, red onion and garlic yogurt). My friend ordered a hot latte and the Paratha Quiche (tomato, red onion, Serrano and cilantro). We also shared a piece of Pistachio Cake. The Banana Chai Einspanner is simply the best drink I have ever had in my entire life. I am truly not kidding. It is so decadent, smooth, spicy, fresh. This is the best drink to grace this plant. My friend was really happy with her latte as well. I wouldn't say it strikes the "classic chai" chord, as this is incredibly sweet, so if you're looking for that, I would select a more basic option on the menu. It's also worth noting, the Banana Chai is a seasonal option for the summer. As for the food, everything was delicious. The Pistachio Cake was moist and had such great flavor. The crusts on both of our savory dishes were so flaky! I visited again on a Tuesday morning (yes the next day) and ordered the Banana Chai Einspanner once again and the quiche. Both were as delicious as the first time around. And the product isn't it all. The staff at elaichi are incredibly friendly. Even when the shop was busy on the Monday morning, we were taken care of with respect and care. I can tell the staff also have good relationships with those in the community. The atmosphere of elaichi is also lovely. There is plenty of seating inside and outside and a raised countertop for folks who want to work but stand up. This is a must visit!!!

Food - 3 Service - 3…read moreValue - 2 I ordered Matcha Latte with Soy Milk from here a few months ago based on the reviews on Yelp...and I'm not quite sure what the hype is all about. The place is popular as evidenced by the line to order, but I felt it was expensive for what I got and it was only marginally better than a Starbucks matcha latte in my opinion. I would not come back again.

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elaichi co. - Kadak Chai

Kadak Chai

elaichi co. - Outside

Outside

elaichi co. - Pumpkin spice latte

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Pumpkin spice latte

Chicha San Chen - Bubble Volcano and High Mountain Tea w/cream & boba

Chicha San Chen

4.6(324 reviews)
0.6 mi•Telegraph Ave
•$$

This is one of my favorite boba shops when I am around Berkeley. I think it is pretty fresh and…read moreauthentic compared to some shops that tend to be watery. I got myself a peach oolong tea with mousse. It was a bit tart maybe because it wasn't peach season but the mousse made it sweeter and creamier. I still liked it very much. I went with some friends who wanted the collaboration drinks. Surprisingly, they were able to get the character they wanted. The shop was decorated for Halloween. I shocked myself knocking into one of the skeleton decorations.

I've been to enough tea shops that the memories of them start to meld together. However, I had a…read moretrip to Chicha today and it is one I'll remember. After ordering at kiosks, it took about 20 minutes for our drinks. Good things come to those who wait! We ordered: Bubble Milk Tea, light sweetness, less ice Dong Ding Milk Tea, perfect sweetness, less ice Both teas had really good tea flavor. Bubble Milk Tea being more of a traditional black tea and Dong Ding being closer to a green tea. The Bubble Milk Tea had more cream, not sure if this was on purpose. For sweetness, light sweetness was good for me with boba. Perfect sweetness would be good without boba. Overall, the tea was fantastic. 90th+ percentile, but also on the pricier side. Each tea comes with a disposable cup carrier. The space is also really nice place to hang out - modern, spacious, and with a couple of interesting tea-related things to look at including a running video of tea harvesting and processing. As we were looking around, we noticed they have free tea tastings, but reservations look like they book out at least a few days in advance. Really impressed with this shop and will make a point to visit next time we're in the area.

Photos
Chicha San Chen - Main counter

Main counter

Chicha San Chen - Busy any time. Lots of nice table configurations

Busy any time. Lots of nice table configurations

Chicha San Chen - HH signage

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HH signage

Forest Tea Bar - tea - Updated November 2026

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