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The tea is really good and they also sell Mochi Donuts. They were on the sweet side but they tasted good. The service was nice and they had quite a long line out the front. For one of the matches that included foam, they pour the drink right in front of you, which is cool. For ambiance the noise is medium and there are a few small tables and chairs, they are mostly like bar tables though.
I walked into the store and there was only one person ahead of me, so I thought, "Great, this should be quick." Instead, she proceeded to ask about practically every item on the menu--"What is hojicha?" "What's this?" "What's that?"--while the employee happily answered every question. Meanwhile, a line was forming behind me. I patiently waited and even tried giving her the eye to hint that she might want to wrap things up, but she continued. She also brought her dog into the store, and nothing was said. Then the person behind me brought her dog in too. I finally interrupted and asked if I could place my order. She then said she arrived before me. The counter guy just stood there! Well, guess what? They lost a customer. I understand asking a few questions, but monopolizing the counter while other customers are waiting is incredibly inconsiderate. The employee should have recognized the growing line and either called for additional help or politely told her he needed to assist other customers. Since I already knew exactly what I wanted, they could have taken my order and started making it while he continued helping her. My recommendations: provide informational sheets explaining the drinks for customers unfamiliar with the menu, and consider iPad/digital ordering and an order-ahead option. These would allow customers to learn about the drinks and place their orders without holding up everyone else. Also, train employees about customer service. And don't allow dogs inside.
There is so much to be said about this wonderful and intimate cafe. I went for the first time this Monday and craved it every day since so obviously I had to return to try all the daily specials. It's hard to put into words how special this place is. The cafe drinks are out of this world and really made each day better when I went. The cookie butter was what hooked me, and I fell in LOVE with the raspberry cloud. Besides the amazing products served here something that awed me is how they bring out the drinks on a tray instead of handing it over the counter. This gesture makes each visit feel special. They also update their customer base via instagram throughout the day about what's in stock and I've found this to be very helpful. I really want to try the smoked salmon beignets so I will keep checking for those updates every weekend. The team here has completely nailed it and I am actually addicted. I can't wait to bring everyone I love here.
overall: I like the creativity of their drinks so if I'm in the area I'll def be back to try their other drinks. ube matcha cream top (4/5): I think individually the components were good but when i drank it all together the ube overpowered the matcha. raspberry espresso cloud (3.5/5): Im not a big fan of sour things and coffee that has a sour taste to it so I personally didn't like this combo very much. I couldn't tell if the sourness was coming from the raspberry cream top or the coffee but it kind of tasted like it was coming from both together. apple jasmine mochi donut (4/5): I liked their mochi donuts but it is on the sweeter end. service: we went on a saturday around opening and they already had a line out the door. i think we were in line for around 30-45 minutes. but once we ordered we did get our drinks in a decent time. i like how they do offer free cold bottled water and umbrellas. seating: there is some table and bar seating available inside and some tables outside as well bathroom: one bathroom available and it is kept pretty clean. parking: super easy parking in a big parking lot for the plaza they are located in.
Worth the hype! Came around a Saturday afternoon (3pm) and did not have to wait long. However most of the tables were taken. Parking was super easy to find. I LOVE how much cream they put in the matcha einspanner. The texture and taste of the cream really makes this a good drink. Ceremonial matcha was delicious and umami as always.
Such a great spot! The cream top drinks are some of the best, and the mochi donuts are a MUST TRY, fresh and unique. Everything was so good, and I'll definitely be coming back!
TRY THEIR MOCHI DONUTS, even if you don't like donuts! Trust me. They're so moist and soft and always taste fresh. The wait was an hour long to order & get our drinks on a Saturday morning; if there's a way to order ahead I highly recommend it. We tried their black sesame coffee and the flavor was delicious and not grainy at all like some black sesame drinks. Only complaint is the coffee flavor was not strong (order an extra shot if you like strong coffee). Would definitely come back and try their Vietnamese coffee and get some more donuts!
Delicious drinks and baked goods! Friendly and very sufficient staff! Kin Bakeshop has become my must visit and the main place I look forward to whenever we make a trip to Santa Barbara. Their drinks are addictedly delicious! I have tried several different ones from espresso, latte, to matcha and non-caffeinated drinks. Each one has been consistently great. 2 stars Due to their popularity, there's always almost a line out the door. However, if you follow them on IG, they do post update stories throughout the day about quantity status and how long the wait would be. They're pretty efficient, so even with a long line, I've never waited more than 20-30mins. 1 star The store is not meant for a sit down and hang out or study spot, but big enough to fit a good number of customers waiting around for drinks. 1 star They don't offer latte art or even hot drink, but ALL of their cold drinks and baked good are more than enough to make up for that! 1 star Really wish they'll start expanding soon. Central Coast can really use a great Asian coffee/bakery. As for now, I'll just have to drive down to Santa Barbara once or twice a month to get my Kin fix! This is the breakdown of my rating for coffee shops: Quality of coffee/drinks/food: up to 2 stars Consistently offer latte art: 1 Star Atmosphere: 1 Star Customer service: 1 Star
There was a line out the door, so we knew we were in the right place! But the line moved pretty quickly, so it wasn't too bad. I wanted to come here because of their unique Asian flavored drinks and desserts. The shop itself has a minimal, clean aesthetic. The menu is projected on the back wall, and there is some bench seating and small chairs/tables (we saw people using them as either). The Ssuk (Mugwort) drink on the menu caught my eye, so I had to try that! We also got one of their specials for the day, the Earl Grey Matcha Cream Top. Both were yummy and not too sweet! For desserts, I tried the Pandan Mochi Muffin and the Calamansi Meringue Pie Mochi Donut. Between the two, I enjoyed the mochi donut more! I love that they have weekly specials of their drinks and desserts that change weekly, so there's always something fun and new to try!
Updated review now that I've tried their mochi donuts and I'm here to report that they're the best I've ever had! I was able to get to Kin in the morning and they had all of their sweets available so of course I had to splurge and try multiple ones. Their coco Jasmine marscapone was a surprise standout. It was incredible! Their Dubai banana was also really yummy. And finally, who doesn't love chocolate cherry anything? I love how they're all really fresh tasting and not overly sweet. I also tried their strawberry rose matcha and it was amazing! My husband got the pistachio cream topped espresso and he really enjoyed it. Service was quick despite the already out the door line.
I love this place. Top 3 in California, seriously. The cup is TINY... but it is SO GOOD. Matcha comes with oat milk default. Cream top is the best I've ever had. Matcha can be a BIT powdery, I would say it's a little inconsistent considering I went multiple days in a row... but it was fantastic no matter what. The pastry was very yummy, but would pass on it. Similar to a malasada in Hawaii.
As someone visiting from OC who has very high matcha standards, I was so impressed by this cafe in Santa Barbara. We got the matcha einspanner and latte einspanner, both of which were very high quality and delicious. We also got their brûlée donut (not pictured), which tasted so good too. We came on a weekend and waited around 30 minutes, but it was very much worth the wait. The workers were so kind and helpful with their recommendations. It is very aesthetic inside but does get cramped, so I wouldn't recommend studying here. Will definitely come back whenever I'm back in SB!!
I was fortunate enough to be in town during their sunset soirée where they featured in an exclusive, upscale menu where they crafted mocktails, as well as their usual Matcha drinks and refreshers. They had a live DJ playing throughout the night while others mixed in, mingled outside and inside the shop. I was so happy I was able to catch it right after a wedding and I look forward to going to many more.
We visited Kin Bakeshop around 10:45 am on a Sunday fully expecting a long wait, but were pleasantly surprised to find only a short line. From getting in line to receiving our entire order, it took about 15 minutes total. Parking is easy with a large plaza lot, although seating inside can be tougher. It was completely full when we arrived, but we got lucky and snagged a table as someone was leaving. We ordered the Osmanthus Matcha Cream, Hojicha Black Sesame, Pandan Coconut Matcha, Vietnamese Coffee, Cinnamon Sugar Mochi Donut, and Buko Pie Mochi Donut. They also served us complimentary barley tea when ordering. Everything was delicious and absolutely lived up to the hype! The Osmanthus Matcha Cream was easily the biggest surprise and highlight for us. It was creamy while somehow still tasting light and refreshing, and we've honestly never had anything quite like it. It's made in limited quantities and sold out just a few minutes after we ordered, so I'd definitely recommend getting it early if it's available. The Hojicha Black Sesame was another standout. I've tried this combination at a few other cafes, but Kin does it better than any version I've had. Both flavors came through really well without either overpowering the other. The Pandan Coconut Matcha was also great, although I've had similar drinks at quite a few cafes throughout California, so it was harder for this one to stand out as much. The Vietnamese Coffee was solid too, but a little sweet for my preference. Personally, I think their tea-based drinks are much more memorable. Their mochi donuts were incredible too and easily some of the best I've had. Both were SO soft with that slightly bouncy mochi texture. I especially loved the Cinnamon Sugar Mochi Donut because it genuinely tasted like a churro in mochi donut form. Service was amazing throughout our visit, and I also love that the menu is projected onto the wall and updated as items sell out. Overall, Kin Bakeshop absolutely lived up to the hype for me. There are already so many other things I want to try, and I'm definitely looking forward to coming back! read more
2 days ago
Searched for matcha joints and this highly-rated venue was tops... and now I know why! There will be a line, always. We got here Friday around 12n and there were a dozen high schoolers (from next door) in line. We got here on Sunday at 9:35am (they opened at 9:30) and there were approximately 20-24 people in line. I asked a woman who was just coming out and she said she got there at 8:45a and was first in line (45 minutes before opening)! We had wine-tasting in Los Olivas to attend so we timed our return for just-before-closing (4pm). We pulled in at 3:57pm and raced to the front door just as the manager was about to hang a "closed" sign up! On both days we ordered the black sesame matcha. These are $7 and only 8 oz but heavenly. They were out of most all food items on Sunday but on Friday I got a couple of their famed mochi donuts ($4). Imagine a donut (as you can see from the picture, they are round but slender with "knobs") but with a chewy mochi-like texture. Between their unique flavor combos and that amazing texture, these are worth the wait (and I generally never eat donuts because of their complete lack of nutritional value)! But that matcha -- they hand-pestle finish all of their matchas! There's a large window (albeit with a thinly weaved curtain drawn) where you can watch the kitchen in action). The black sesame cream is super thick and layered on the bottom first. The drink comes with a long (7 inch) wooden spoon and you are kindly instructed to draw that spoon out slowly and sample the sweet cream coated in matcha, before ultimately stirring the drink thoroughly. The experience along with the very-lightly-sweetened, softly nutty/sesame concoction are divine... and, yes, the whole reason we raced back on our last day in SB to grab one more taste. read more
The tea is really good and they also sell Mochi Donuts. They were on the sweet side but they tasted good. The service was nice and they had quite a long line out the front. For one of the matches that included foam, they pour the drink right in front of you, which is cool. For ambiance the noise is medium and there are a few small tables and chairs, they are mostly like bar tables though. read more
I walked into the store and there was only one person ahead of me, so I thought, "Great, this should be quick." Instead, she proceeded to ask about practically every item on the menu--"What is hojicha?" "What's this?" "What's that?"--while the employee happily answered every question. Meanwhile, a line was forming behind me. I patiently waited and even tried giving her the eye to hint that she might want to wrap things up, but she continued. She also brought her dog into the store, and nothing was said. Then the person behind me brought her dog in too. I finally interrupted and asked if I could place my order. She then said she arrived before me. The counter guy just stood there! Well, guess what? They lost a customer. I understand asking a few questions, but monopolizing the counter while other customers are waiting is incredibly inconsiderate. The employee should have recognized the growing line and either called for additional help or politely told her he needed to assist other customers. Since I already knew exactly what I wanted, they could have taken my order and started making it while he continued helping her. My recommendations: provide informational sheets explaining the drinks for customers unfamiliar with the menu, and consider iPad/digital ordering and an order-ahead option. These would allow customers to learn about the drinks and place their orders without holding up everyone else. Also, train employees about customer service. And don't allow dogs inside. read more
There is so much to be said about this wonderful and intimate cafe. I went for the first time this Monday and craved it every day since so obviously I had to return to try all the daily specials. It's hard to put into words how special this place is. The cafe drinks are out of this world and really made each day better when I went. The cookie butter was what hooked me, and I fell in LOVE with the raspberry cloud. Besides the amazing products served here something that awed me is how they bring out the drinks on a tray instead of handing it over the counter. This gesture makes each visit feel special. They also update their customer base via instagram throughout the day about what's in stock and I've found this to be very helpful. I really want to try the smoked salmon beignets so I will keep checking for those updates every weekend. The team here has completely nailed it and I am actually addicted. I can't wait to bring everyone I love here. read more
overall: I like the creativity of their drinks so if I'm in the area I'll def be back to try their other drinks. ube matcha cream top (4/5): I think individually the components were good but when i drank it all together the ube overpowered the matcha. raspberry espresso cloud (3.5/5): Im not a big fan of sour things and coffee that has a sour taste to it so I personally didn't like this combo very much. I couldn't tell if the sourness was coming from the raspberry cream top or the coffee but it kind of tasted like it was coming from both together. apple jasmine mochi donut (4/5): I liked their mochi donuts but it is on the sweeter end. service: we went on a saturday around opening and they already had a line out the door. i think we were in line for around 30-45 minutes. but once we ordered we did get our drinks in a decent time. i like how they do offer free cold bottled water and umbrellas. seating: there is some table and bar seating available inside and some tables outside as well bathroom: one bathroom available and it is kept pretty clean. parking: super easy parking in a big parking lot for the plaza they are located in. read more
Worth the hype! Came around a Saturday afternoon (3pm) and did not have to wait long. However most of the tables were taken. Parking was super easy to find. I LOVE how much cream they put in the matcha einspanner. The texture and taste of the cream really makes this a good drink. Ceremonial matcha was delicious and umami as always. read more
4 days ago
Such a great spot! The cream top drinks are some of the best, and the mochi donuts are a MUST TRY, fresh and unique. Everything was so good, and I'll definitely be coming back! read more
21 days ago
TRY THEIR MOCHI DONUTS, even if you don't like donuts! Trust me. They're so moist and soft and always taste fresh. The wait was an hour long to order & get our drinks on a Saturday morning; if there's a way to order ahead I highly recommend it. We tried their black sesame coffee and the flavor was delicious and not grainy at all like some black sesame drinks. Only complaint is the coffee flavor was not strong (order an extra shot if you like strong coffee). Would definitely come back and try their Vietnamese coffee and get some more donuts! read more
Delicious drinks and baked goods! Friendly and very sufficient staff! Kin Bakeshop has become my must visit and the main place I look forward to whenever we make a trip to Santa Barbara. Their drinks are addictedly delicious! I have tried several different ones from espresso, latte, to matcha and non-caffeinated drinks. Each one has been consistently great. 2 stars Due to their popularity, there's always almost a line out the door. However, if you follow them on IG, they do post update stories throughout the day about quantity status and how long the wait would be. They're pretty efficient, so even with a long line, I've never waited more than 20-30mins. 1 star The store is not meant for a sit down and hang out or study spot, but big enough to fit a good number of customers waiting around for drinks. 1 star They don't offer latte art or even hot drink, but ALL of their cold drinks and baked good are more than enough to make up for that! 1 star Really wish they'll start expanding soon. Central Coast can really use a great Asian coffee/bakery. As for now, I'll just have to drive down to Santa Barbara once or twice a month to get my Kin fix! This is the breakdown of my rating for coffee shops: Quality of coffee/drinks/food: up to 2 stars Consistently offer latte art: 1 Star Atmosphere: 1 Star Customer service: 1 Star read more
There was a line out the door, so we knew we were in the right place! But the line moved pretty quickly, so it wasn't too bad. I wanted to come here because of their unique Asian flavored drinks and desserts. The shop itself has a minimal, clean aesthetic. The menu is projected on the back wall, and there is some bench seating and small chairs/tables (we saw people using them as either). The Ssuk (Mugwort) drink on the menu caught my eye, so I had to try that! We also got one of their specials for the day, the Earl Grey Matcha Cream Top. Both were yummy and not too sweet! For desserts, I tried the Pandan Mochi Muffin and the Calamansi Meringue Pie Mochi Donut. Between the two, I enjoyed the mochi donut more! I love that they have weekly specials of their drinks and desserts that change weekly, so there's always something fun and new to try! read more
3 months ago
Updated review now that I've tried their mochi donuts and I'm here to report that they're the best I've ever had! I was able to get to Kin in the morning and they had all of their sweets available so of course I had to splurge and try multiple ones. Their coco Jasmine marscapone was a surprise standout. It was incredible! Their Dubai banana was also really yummy. And finally, who doesn't love chocolate cherry anything? I love how they're all really fresh tasting and not overly sweet. I also tried their strawberry rose matcha and it was amazing! My husband got the pistachio cream topped espresso and he really enjoyed it. Service was quick despite the already out the door line. read more
I love this place. Top 3 in California, seriously. The cup is TINY... but it is SO GOOD. Matcha comes with oat milk default. Cream top is the best I've ever had. Matcha can be a BIT powdery, I would say it's a little inconsistent considering I went multiple days in a row... but it was fantastic no matter what. The pastry was very yummy, but would pass on it. Similar to a malasada in Hawaii. read more
As someone visiting from OC who has very high matcha standards, I was so impressed by this cafe in Santa Barbara. We got the matcha einspanner and latte einspanner, both of which were very high quality and delicious. We also got their brûlée donut (not pictured), which tasted so good too. We came on a weekend and waited around 30 minutes, but it was very much worth the wait. The workers were so kind and helpful with their recommendations. It is very aesthetic inside but does get cramped, so I wouldn't recommend studying here. Will definitely come back whenever I'm back in SB!! read more
I was fortunate enough to be in town during their sunset soirée where they featured in an exclusive, upscale menu where they crafted mocktails, as well as their usual Matcha drinks and refreshers. They had a live DJ playing throughout the night while others mixed in, mingled outside and inside the shop. I was so happy I was able to catch it right after a wedding and I look forward to going to many more. read more
Business owner information
Tommy C.
Brian, we really really appreciate your thoughtful words and your…
This is my love letter to kin. Y'all don't understand when I say I've been waiting to go to here for over 2 years AND IT FINALLY HAPPENED THIS WEEKEND. ...and it was worth the hype yall. I might have been a little ambitious and went back to back days and tried 3 drinks in 2 days... The strawberry drinks were my fav and they were SO good because they use real strawberries in their puree so you can taste the chunks. The tea was also SOOO strong and you can tell they use quality powder. I'm craving the strawberry matcha or hojicha again as im writing this. The black sesame matcha was good too but the black sesame definitely dominated the matcha so it felt like i was just drinking black sesame cream which i love black sesame but just wished there was a stronger matcha taste. I'd recommend this drink if you're looking for more of a creamier, dessert-like drink. As for the treats, the ube mochi muffin was my favorite. It was my first time trying a mochi muffin and I liked how chewy it was! We went too late so they ran out of all mochi donut flavors except the cinnamon one but it was still good cuz it tasted like a churro :) i NEED to come back so i can try the rest of the drinks and desserts...until next time the wait is pretty long ~30mins to 1 hour probably depending on when you go. i went on a saturday afternoon and a sunday morning and had to wait both times interior is INSANELY cute and well decorated! read more
BEST matcha bake shop in Santa Barbara! The line out the door speaks volumes, it's absolutely worth the wait. My friends and I wanted a little pick-me-up on a Sunday afternoon, and I'm so glad we drove 20 minutes out to give this place a try! Not only was the matcha delightful, but they also gifted us a complimentary donut for my bachelorette weekend. It was perfectly sweet, which I loved because I'm not a fan of overly dense or super sweet treats. The service was incredibly kind. Even while dealing with so many customers in one day, they greeted everyone with a smile and such a welcoming attitude. The place is also really clean and well-kept. This spot will definitely be added to my go-to list whenever I'm in Santa Barbara! read more
4 months ago
I came with a group of friends and family in the morning and we were disappointed that the brioche donuts were not available. We tried the mochi donut instead, and while it was still very good, it did not quite hit the spot that the brioche donut would have. The drinks we got were all very tasty. The matcha flavor was strong and not overpowered by the cream or fruit flavors and had a nice, vibrant color. The strawberry matcha latte was surprisingly the least favorite of the group--the strawberry flavor was lacking, especially compared to the blueberry one. I would definitely return to try their other options if I'm ever back in the area! read more
Business owner information
Tommy C.
We’re super bummed out as well that you didn’t get to try our brioche…
1 month ago
I would highly recommend the coconut matcha cloud and to get it early - it sold out by 11 AM on a Sunday. Certain drinks on the menu have limited quantities available. It came with a thick layer of cream top and the matcha flavor was perfection. When mixed with the coconut water, it was delightful. So refreshing and the perfect drink for the summer! read more
Delicious drinks, but wait was 1 1/2 hours long on a Saturday early afternoon. Drinks 9/10 I visit Santa Barbara a few times a year and struggle to find a good matcha place like the cafes they have in the LA area. I was so excited to find Kin's Bakeshop on Yelp. I went with my dad and sister and we tried the: -Blueberry Matcha -Black Sesame Matcha -Matcha Einspanner I was the most excited for the Black Sesame Matcha, but unfortunately I think they forgot to add the sweetener. I went back to the cafe to get it fixed and one of the baristas gave me some sweetener in a separate cup to add and it tasted much better after. The Blueberry Matcha was one of the best blueberry matchas, if not the best, I've ever had. The blueberry flavor tasted fresh and rich. All three matchas tasted high quality. I will note that they are on the smaller side and quite pricey at between $8-$8.50 each. Service 9/10 Mistakes happen, but I kind of wish they had just remade the drink since they forgot the sweetener and I was unsure of how much to add. Overall, service was great and baristas were efficient, but not hurried as they worked through an insanely long line. Ambiance 8.5/10 Ambiance would be great if it wasn't so crowded. While we were there, no seats were free and there was very little standing room with the line wrapping around the neighboring businesses. The aesthetic of the shop was very cute, very personalized with thoughtful trinkets as well as both cozy and clean. Note: they also have a bathroom. Already looking forward to going back! Hopefully on a less crowded day. read more
4 days ago
17 days ago
My husband and I ordered a double matcha and black sesame latte. It was delicious . You can really taste all the ingredients. The service was also good read more
They were closed the first time I stopped by so was very happy this time to have made it just in time before they cut off the line. I tried the matcha einspanner and it was very good. I am usually wary when anything sweet is added to matcha drinks because it can so easily overpower the matcha flavor and taste, however the sweet cream was not too sweet and complemented it rather than overpower the matcha flavor. I also tried the Ube Cheesecake mochi donut and it was good, but I think the star of the show are the matcha drinks. Minimal decor, if you didn't know what type of business it was it would be hard to tell just by looking in since everything is put away when they close. Menu is projected on the wall. Seating not very inviting, probably to prevent the crowd from staying too long. read more
15 days ago
Recently moved to Santa Barbara for school & all the students rave about this spot so I had to check it out. Check out their Instagram page for weekly specialty drinks and wait times. I liked how they displayed the menu with a projector & it sort of reminded me of Din tai fung because you can see the employees making the drinks. I'm a fake matcha lover so I wasn't a big fan of the Einspanner, I had to ask for extra syrup sweetener to make it more enjoyable for me. Next time, I'd like to try their mochi donuts read more
You know when you see a line the food will be amazing! I've never had anything like these donuts before. They're soft, moist, and fluffy. I tried the cinnamon sugar, pandan raspberry, princess shortcake, and the gluten free ube muffin... They were life changing. Regular donuts will never be acceptable ever again after this lol. The menu offerings change so just be aware of that. The staff were so polite and helpful. read more
A MUST! Found this place on yelp! Thank you to my yelpers! Me and my family were in town for the weekend. This place is located in a shopping center and had a line even before they opened. Thankfully the line went fast! I ordered the sesame espresso and it did not disappoint. We got there yummy donuts ! The place is small but don't let that stop you. I've been dreaming of my bev since then. read more
I want to start my review by talking about the stellar customer service experience I received while visiting Kin's for the first time. The young lady up front was very welcoming and provided amazing service! This place has been so popular on social media and they are known for their matcha specials. If you follow them on instagram they post their daily specials and provide great updates of their inventory and wait times (a genius idea may I add). My personal favorites were the matcha einspanner and their strawberry matcha latte. For mochi donuts I especially enjoyed their lemon blueberry ricotta and brown butter turon specials. Inside they have nice seating and some stools but it gets very busy so the seating area can fill up. They also provide umbrellas if there is a long line and a hot sun outside. I highly recommend this place so be sure to check it out! read more
The service here is great despite it being so busy. They also offer barley tea while you wait and it's delicious! I've passed by twice in the morning on my way to Santa Barbara and the line is usually really long so I decided to go around 3PM. There was still a line, but it died down after we ordered. I usually go for a matcha, however if it is your thing, I really recommend trying out their hojicha. It was delicious! A bit sweet, nutty, and earthy. read more
I've been daydreaming of their hojicha black sesame everyday since I got it last weekend. I highly recommend this drink!! We arrived about 10 minutes after opening time and there was already a 20 minute line out the door. Someone would come out frequently to hand out samples and provide umbrellas for the wait. Once inside, we were greeted by the cashier, who was super sweet and welcoming! (The barley tea was delicious by the way). Because we went earlier in the day, their brioches weren't ready yet, but I definitely would have wanted to try them!! My friend ordered a matcha but she actually wasn't super impressed even though I think they're known for their matcha here. I'm glad I had a chance to try this place out! read more
BEST matcha in Santa Barbara. Visiting from San Jose (where there's a great amount of good quality matcha) and needless to say this was definitely up there. You could tell the quality of the matcha is great and the cream top is so vanilla-y and delicious. Service was top notch, they were very sweet and gave us tips to enjoy the drinks better. read more
Kin Bakeshop is hands down some of the best matcha we've ever had. The coconut matcha was definitely the star, so refreshing and perfectly balanced. Fair warning: the lines can get long, but it's 100% worth the wait. Pro tip: follow them on Instagram because they post what's available and what's sold out. We came a bit later in the day and missed out on the cinnamon sugar mochi donut, so now we've got a solid reason to come back. For drinks, we tried two matcha options (one with a foam top and the other with coconut water) plus a Thai tea, everything was amazing. The vibe is super chill with a clean, minimalist aesthetic, and a cool projector screen menu. Seating is limited, but it didn't take away from the experience. This is definitely going to be a must-stop anytime we're in Santa Barbara! read more
Kin really benefits by its proximity to UCSB college students. The lines are long, and honestly (as an Asian Ame.) I've never seen so many Asian people lined up; it really feels like you're at a trendy cafe in Koreatown, LA or San Francisco. It appears that this is a mainstay for UCSB Asian/ Asian Ame. students. The shop itself is extremely minimalist- concrete, stark white walls, and light wood touches. So it's actually not that cozy and inviting to sit and spend a lot of time. And honestly there isn't room with all the traffic coming through. The workers seem to be younger college students, and they are all friendly and the hard-working baristas are able to handle the long drink lines. My first time I got 3 mochi donuts and they were super fresh, melt in your mouth. My 2nd trip, I think the donuts were sitting in boxes so they didn't have that fresh gooey texture. But the rotating flavors are so interesting, with deep flavors. I really appreciated my Black sesame one. The match and tea based cold drinks are highly IG -able. The creamy foams are impressive. Kin is a unique, very Asian addition to this area. read more
Not sure if it's worth the hype to be honest!! Line was long. Mochi donuts were high quality - chewy and fresh. The strawberry yuzu lemonade one tasted artificial but the brown butter crispy and apple pie were very good. The matcha wasn't the best I've had but the cream top was really good. read more
7 months ago
We were in town on a roadtrip and decided to stop at Kin. The drinks are all aesthetically pleasing and honestly I had a hard time deciding but eventually went with the matcha einspanner. Glad to say the drink had both substance and style. The flavor was full and bold, the cream was sweet but just right. The lines were long-ish but trust me the drinks were worth it. The mochi donuts looked good but I didn't get to try them this time around. I wish I could try more drinks but definitely going to keep Kin as a bookmark for future visits! 4/5 mainly because the price is fairly steep but thankfully the drink itself was good. the read more
3 months ago
we came on a sunday afternoon. there was a long line out the door and took about 45ish minutes to get to the front of the line. the inside has limited seating but outside the shop has some more. i was really excited since sb has been missing a matcha place for the longest time. we got two matcha einspeiner. it was pretty good with a strong matcha flavor (though a little more on the bitter side than an umami flavor). and it was really creamy which balanced out the matcha flavor well. read more
So *aesthetic* with great taste to boot! I think the stars were the drinks with the heavy cream to0z make sure to drink it by sipping to get the full flavor and texture experience. I liked the mugwort drink, but believe their take on thai tea was better and probably the best thai tea I've had. Expect a long line, but a short wait after placing your order. They serve barley tea gratis after you place your order. Limited seating area meant for conversing and not for working so keep that in mind. read more
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More info about Kin Bakeshop
199 S Turnpike Rd
Unit 103
Santa Barbara, CA 93111
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(805) 705-8498
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https://www.kinbake.com
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Ask the Community - Kin Bakeshop
Do you offer almond or soy milk as an option for drinks?
Hello! We are sorry but the only alternative milk we offer currently is oat milk.
Hello! Do you have decaf as an alternative espresso?
So sorry we currently don’t offer decaf!
Are there any gluten-free donuts?
We currently do not but do have gluten free mochi muffins regularly with rotating flavors
What time and day you open? The open hour on Yelp and Google are different.
Hello! We’ve double checked and both seem to be consistent on our end? But apologize if you’re not seeing that on your end! Our normal hours are Monday, Thursday-Saturday from 9:30a to 4p. And Sundays 10a-3p :)…
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