Forest Tea Bar has been popping up on my insta so when I happened to be near downtown Berkeley, I decided to pop into their soft opening! I echo what everyone has said so far - the wait is definitely much higher than ideal, probably took around 45 min to get my one drink. Just set your expectations about the wait time while they're figuring out operations. The latte itself was soooo delicious! I ordered a genmaicha matcha latte, a combo that I'd never had before but it worked so well. I chose oat milk and raw honey as the sweetener. The genmaicha really stood out in the aftertaste while the matcha was how I like it, very strong. Would definitely come back to try some of their other drinks, though probably after they've worked out their kinks. read more

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

this was an amazing experience, they make the Matcha right in front of you and have a beautiful set up of the Matcha. It looks like a Matcha spa over here. I definitely suggest that you go. We got the rose Matcha and the rose soda and it was absolutely amazing. It was such a cozy vibe in there, and the Matcha was so high-quality. Also, you can tell that the staff really love what they do because they put a lot of love into making the Matcha and I really loved that about this place. read more

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

Came to visit during their soft opening on a late Friday afternoon and was pleasantly impressed by the aesthetics and beauty of the cafe itself. This is definitely a nice and cozy spot where people can come to study and do work. The place itself is not too big, with limited tables and seating. What we ordered: * Genmaicha Matcha Latte * Hojicha Latte The default milk is oat milk which is really nice for people that are lactose intolerant, but they also offer a cashew milk option (that was sold out at the time). They also had three sweetener options and I opted for the raw honey on the matcha and the organic cane sugar on the other. First impressions, the wait took a little over an hour for 2 drinks. I ordered at 3:42pm and got my drinks at 4:51pm after the original estimated time was 4:07pm. They had a tablet on the side to track the status of your order, but due to the long wait times and big crowd... it took longer than anticipated and the estimated wait time was not accurate anymore. The ordering system is through snackpass so hopefully they'll open up orders in advance down the line. However, I can't fully fault them for the long wait since they handwhisked each drink and there's only two baristas working to make each drink. In terms of authenticity, the drinks reminds me of matcha drinks I had in Japan! It wasn't very sweet, so if you tend to like sweeter drinks then this place isn't for you. The flavor profile of the matcha is more on the nutty slightly bitter side. Personally, I liked the Hojicha more than the matcha, but most likely would not come back. read more

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

Delicious, not too sweet, not overpriced, and no up-charge for plant-based milk make Forest Tea Bar a winner. Good bike racks right out front as well. read more

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

See all

I wanted to like Forest Tea Bar so badly. It's been a while since I've been so excited to try a matcha cafe but this was a pretty big disappointment. It wasn't bad but definitely overhyped. We got here at 5:30 on a Sunday, half an hour before closing. There were three people in front of us so we got our drinks quickly. The matcha was grainy and weak despite the bold colors from photos. The black sesame matcha was just black sesame milk. The hojicha was good though, smooth and nutty! I really appreciated how the baseline milk is oat. Fantastic bar service and the experience and ambiance are definitely great. read more

See all

AMAZING so delicious all the drinks use plant based milks too and it's super cool to watch them make the drinks. The drinks come out fast and it's a nice little store. I got the black sesame matcha read more

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

the ambiance when you walk in is very chill and zen. you order at a screen and wait for your name to be called. i got the uji matcha which was a solid basic matcha. the matcha taste wasn't super strong but wasn't too weak either. i saw they have house made cashew milk and would be interested in trying that next. the texture of the matcha when i drank it did feel like there was a powdery feeling in my mouth afterwards. i personally do not like black sesame but my friend liked this drink so id reccomend it if you're into that. read more

Forest Tea Bar - uji and black sesame matcha latte - Tea Rooms Near Me - Berkeley, California

I heard this place recently opened, so I had to try it and it did not disappoint. I will definitely come back! I got a Genmaicha matcha latte and the matcha was pretty strong and really good. It did take a little while to get our drinks since they make them one by one, but the barista was clearly passionate about her craft and genuinely seemed to enjoy making them. One thing to note is that they don't offer whole milk; all their drinks are made with oat or cashew milk. read more

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

cute new cafe in berkeley! the drinks all looked great but the matcha taste wasn't too strong. we got the genmaicha latte and it just tasted like toasted rice instead of matcha. not sure if it's just because they're soft opening but we waited a pretty long time for one drink. the interior is super aesthetic and cute though! read more

See all

I was super excited to finally try the forest tea bar given all the hype and fans. I drove an hour to get here and was really disappointed to find many of the menu were sold out by 2p on Friday afternoon. I really wanted to try the tofu ice cream but no luck, and same with some other drinks. I ended up trying the rose matcha latte and it was just ok. I couldn't taste the matcha, though it did mask the oat milk base thankfully. Be aware they do not have non plant based milk options! So you're stuck with oat or cashew milk, both of which mask the matcha flavor for me. The drinks were beautifully made and my friend loved her black sesame matcha drink. In the future, I may just stick with matcha only if I visit again. There was plenty of paid street parking and there is both inside/outside seating. It is self service - order via kiosk as the employees are busy making the drinks. The store was decorated nicely and it felt pretty zen inside. read more

See all

One of my new favorite matcha spots in the east bay. Got the hojicha latte and rose matcha latte and both were delicious and perfectly sweet. The rose matcha latte was the standout! The fresh rosie flavor blended so well with the smooth and strong matcha, so good!! My only complaint would be the default oat milk and no option for regular milk, but the drinks were yummy anyway :) read more

Great drinks and nice place to work. They have seats inside and some outdoors. Service is always excellent and they have an open bar like area where you can watch them make your drinks. Decor is minimal and tastefully done. When I first came here, I didn't even realize it was a retail spot. The store front is obscure and so you may walk past it or not notice while driving by. read more

Long wait - 20 minutes. But you can't rush the quality of craft that they deliver. The resulting matcha is delicious and well-made. I wish the sugar that they put at the bottom mixed better throughout the drink. Other than that, the matcha latte I had was one of the best I've had in the Bay Area. I would go back again but only if there's no wait. read more

Unbelievable service and ceremonial matcha. Such welcoming people and really relaxing and cheerful environment!!

the flavor is amazing and i love the sesame with it! everything is hand crafted which is a great touch but for a saturday afternoon, we did wait 80 mins so be prepared for that it gets crowded with the long wait read more

Forest Tea Bar - uji matcha latte + black sesame matcha latte - Tea Rooms Near Me - Berkeley, California

i think this place is new and when i came, it was packed. the place is not that big and you need to order through kiosk. ambiance is ok. have to be patient to wait, it is matcha. very excited once got my order but i will say taste is just ok. the blue lotus tea is almost tasteless for me, just feel like drinking hot water but the presentation is great... read more

See all

Found this place while visiting family in Oakland. I had no idea it was a soft opening. They only sell matcha and they do it with the bamboo whisk. The matcha was very good and they have syrups you don't see anywhere else, like my favorite, the black sesame. It's very quiet inside with plenty of seating. read more

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

See all

Heading to South Berkeley after getting off at Ashby BART station and walking six tiny blocks; that would've been tough, especially when getting back home late. Once I head over to where many people hang out, that's when it got tougher with a very long wait. Since Forest Tea Bar in Shattuck Ave opens every Friday to Sunday, many people had to wait in line to get their online order. At least I got to have some free time watching vibrant folks chat and drink matcha tea even if I have to wait for almost one full hour. The smell of hojicha flavor was permeating throughout the atmosphere while the mist humidifier eased us when coming inside. Waiting for almost an hour made me a bit tense than trying to relax, but patience is more rewarding when getting the matcha drink I purchased. After all, everyone else were waiting to receive their order. The moment the clock reaches 6 pm, one of the matcha baristas have to shut down the online order; well that took one of them to respond after few minutes. So far, I only see two to three baristas working on making ceremonial grade matcha tea drinks. Any barista was taking turns whisking matcha while the other pouring coconut milk or black sesame. With many different bamboo whisks and ceramic bowls with spouts, I believe hand whisk matcha drinks are way better than frothy ones. Contactless payment and just as expensive, I had with me a straight-up iced sugarless sparkling matcha followed up with matcha cashew ice cream! Might come back one day for a matcha bowl that is more than bold and umami. read more

Forest Tea Bar - Ahh! Deep green excellence! - Tea Rooms Near Me - Berkeley, California

The best matcha I've ever had in the east bay. The wait was around 45 mins for me but everyone there was mindful and got their drink and left because it gets very packed. I will totally go back. read more

Forest Tea Bar - Another photo of the menu - Tea Rooms Near Me - Berkeley, California

See all

Had the rose latte that was pretty good, loved the ambiance. We also got both the ceremonial matchas to try, but perhaps it's my untrained palette it didn't feel worth the price. read more

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

Good not great matcha. Once the hype wears off this will be just another matcha spot. Interior is great. read more

Got the hojicha and genmaicha matcha latte both were really good, portions were small and the matcha was a little chaulky. Too bad they ran out of Housemade Milk. I guess ill have to come back and try it another day. Ambiance reminds me of stepping into a cafe in Japan. Tea sourced from Uji, Kyoto, Japan Expect to wait a little as they artisanally whisk the matcha powder per order. Waited around 30 minutes. read more

This place is a gem if you are a matcha lover! They take their craft seriously. I love how they make the matcha in front of you. This place gets super busy because they only open certain days. The place can get crowded inside but there's some sitting space outside as well. My friends and I loved everything we ordered. Uji, Gen, hojicha, black sesame latte. I would say this place has the best matcha thus far. I've had hojicha elsewhere but this one is sooo nutty and delish!!! Make sure to come support them! Returning customer here read more

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

See all

I got a regular matcha latte and a rose matcha latte and the matcha was very astringent, which I wasn't a fan of. It left a dry mouth feel. The cups are small for the price. read more

Got the hojicha, which has good flavor! I enjoyed how rich it was. The matcha was good, although the flavor was not as strong as it was for the hojicha. The store itself is very aesthetic and clean and the staff were all very friendly. read more

See all

Waited for about 10min around 1pm which is pretty ok. The matcha latte was good but wish they had a regular milk option. read more

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

new solid matcha spot in berkeley!! this really reminded me of the lattes i make at home; aka a solid tea : milk : sugar ratio, and a matcha blend that actually tastes good w milk the matcha they use is a quite nutty, sweet, and umami-forward, which ties in really nicely w oat milk (their default milk) they also have wifi and some tables! it's quite small tho, was getting really packed at around 1 pm. overall rly enjoyed :-), will be coming back to try their more fun drinks! read more

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

Some of the best matcha I've had in the bay. I really appreciate the effort put into every single cup and it's aesthetically pleasing watching them whisk by hand. None of the matcha flavor is watered down, the syrups aren't overly sweet or artificially tasting. The atmosphere of the cafe along with how welcoming the baristas are, all contribute to a serene and friendly experience. Great place to unwind from the day to day. read more

Forest Tea Bar - Genmaicha latte and sparkling yuzu - Tea Rooms Near Me - Berkeley, California

My mom, my fiancée, and I stopped in to this place to kill some time. I love matcha so this place looked promising. We walk in and there's just one lady working there, and she's grinning from ear to ear. She looked incredibly happy to be there. I ordered an iced genmaicha latte with cane syrup, my mom ordered a hot hochija, my fiancée ordered the iced matcha rose latte. I tried a sip of each. All were incredible and super unique. The place is clean and has a calm and quiet atmosphere. The lady working there was super friendly and just seemed like she was living out her dream. She put so much care and effort into each drink, whisking by hand all the matcha/hochija. I could go here every day of the week and order a different drink and be more than satisfied each time. I cannot recommend this place enough. Probably the best latte I've ever had--like actually. read more

I went during their opening weekend. Quality matcha! Probably the best matcha I've tried in the Bay Area.

The matcha latte is super grainy with bad flavor. The flavor profile was just bitter and one dimensional. The bitter is super overpowering and leaves a really unpleasant aftertaste. I normally love a strong matcha and even polarizing flavors like bitter/umami/seaweed etc. this was just bad unfortunately :( read more

Service, ambience and drinks were all exceptional. They have different flavored matcha that you can't get at Starbucks or just any Asian bubble tea place. The experience is really an "art form." read more

I got a genmaicha matcha latte here and I really enjoyed it. I liked that it comes with oat milk already, and the genmaicha added a really nice roasted flavor. It is pretty rare to find placed that serve genmaicha, so I was especially happy with my matcha latte. You order at a kiosk and you wait for your drink to be made. It is only one or two employees hand making the drink, so it did take a while. There is seating inside and outside but it fills up fast. read more

The location can be hard to see from the street as the business sits within a large building structure and signage isn't visible. Parking can also be tough as there are a limited amount of parking spaces just outside the building but street parking is available. Overall the atmosphere was pretty chill and for the most part is a grab and go spot. There is some seating at the small bar area and some bench like seating along the large window areas with small low round tables and stools. Wouldn't describe any of the seating as being comfortable if you are looking to hangout for a while. Orders are placed via a computer kiosk screen. I only focused on the matcha based drinks so can't speak to other offerings. Available flavors were - black sesame, uji (ginger, tumeric), genmaicha (brown rice), rose and hojicha (smoky green tea). I chose an iced black sesame as it was considered to be one of the most popular options. From what I saw there was only one serving size, approximately 8 oz or so. A wee bit small for my liking but hey, this isn't a typical American based coffee/tea spot. My order was ready within 10 or so and I was instructed to stir well before drinking. Overall the matcha flavor and consistency was front and center with hints of black sesame and not too sweet. Would be open to try again but would definitely order the matcha hot as I think this would be a better pairing for me personally. read more

Exquisite flavors and service. Fabulous location and elegant decor. We love the black sesame Matcha - hot.

Not sure I understand all the hype (asides from the fact that it's beautiful to watch the matcha being made). Forest Tea Bar, a pop up known for it's high quality matcha drinks, & run by 3 sisters, is now open. I was expecting a quiet serene place but Sat. afternoon was more like a zoo. As I watched the baristas meticulously brew & pour the matcha drinks, I, like others, was tempted to film the art of making matcha. Nothing had been said to the others, whom had also filmed, but unlike me, they were cute (Asian) girls. I wanted to also do my share in supporting the owners, but 1 employee singled me out saying " ask first ". I feel like this day in age, if you work in a super popular place you should expect to be promoted online, and probably even thank the people doing so... what bothered me even more though, was that the order was not taken by a person.. I ordered through a screen.. and no one said hello when I walked in (I didn't expect that by any means given the volume of people there) however to then tell me I should address them when there has not even been eye contact since I ordered my drink and it's super chaotic & loud in there, I find, is a little much. If my staff acted like that, I would be super upset. Unfortunately, the black sesame I crossed the bay for, was out of stock (and apparently for a few days). I asked the same barista if he knew why it was out.. and he said no. I explained to him that marketing matters and the SFChronicle had done a piece about their black sesame drinks so hint hint, probably not a good idea to sternly scold your clients that are attempting to help you with marketing... 55 minutes later.. my matcha drink was finally ready. I had no problem being patient and waiting longer but this was not 20 min.. frankly it took me longer to wait for the matcha than it did to cross the bridge and make it home during rush hour on a Saturday... it's true that it was super busy but still.. we are not drinking gold. Though the matcha was good, I will not be returning because all of this left a sour taste in my mouth and honestly it was not wow in terms of taste. read more

This matcha place is definitely 5 stars for the quality of matcha. The wait is worth it. Their Asahi was the best I have ever had outside of Japan. A lovely little store nestled in Berkely. read more

Grainy and watery matcha! No matcha taste at all. So grainy that i felt clumps of powder in my throat. Not worth the 7-8 bucks for this drink. read more

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

I've tried them all and this is the best matcha in Berkeley! The matcha latte is perfect as is but if you want a sweet treat the black sesame matcha is amazing read more

I love this place! I've been coming here since they were just a pop up and am so happy they finally have their own storefront! I had their iced matcha today, and it's not too sweet, which I find most places struggle with. Overall, this is the perfect place to slow down for a chill afternoon and delicious drinks. read more

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