Forest Tea Bar

Unfortunately the genmaicha matcha latte is one of the best matcha beverage I've had: so perfectly balanced, not too sweet, good quality matcha that really shines alongside the genmaicha. They absolutely do take their time whisking the matcha for that "zen" appearance (imo most of it seems performative - but who am I to say?), so only come here if you have the extra time to appreciate it. There wasn't many people when I went and it still took 15 minutes to come out, and the cup is about 2/3 the size of other places so it's definitely on the pricey side. Didn't want to love the drink as much as I did, so that really said something. Probably wouldn't come back here too much still

This matcha shop has been on my list for a long time, finally I have time to visit today! The matcha with rose flavor is my favorite, I believe is the best matcha I have had so far in the Bay Area! The design is neat and comfy. I will stop by again for my matcha when I go to Berkeley again ☺️☺️

Very high quality and delicious matcha. We got the strawberry and the hojicha, both very tasty and good balanced flavors. The cafe was very clean, chill, and relaxing atmosphere. I probably wouldn't wait over 30 minutes for two drinks again, but it was a fun experience and delicious drinks.

Best matcha bar in Berkeley - no, the world!!! Legit matcha with plant milk with varieties including rose, sesame, hojicha, and maple syrup sweetener. Amazing branding, calming music, and it's just very zen. L

Got a hot matcha rose latte which had a full bodied good quality matcha. The iced hojicha latte was excellent. Took us back to Japan.

All the matcha drinks were delicious!! Smooth, not too sweet—just really balanced. The immunity boost was especially good. The raw honey paired perfectly with the matcha, adding a touch of sweetness and spice in a way that was perfectly mixed. Also, you can tell they use quality ingredients. The black sesame was super smooth and nutty, and it complemented the matcha. The rose matcha was also amazing—fragrant and not overpowering. The interior was stylish and modern, with a calm, relaxing vibe that made it a great place to hang out or get some work done. Definitely coming back!

Pros: High quality matcha, service was excellent and friendly, atmosphere was a vibe. Cons: immediately enter in through a door that swings into the shop (instead of out to the street), which cannot be opened with more than 4 people in line inside because they placed the ordering kiosk facing the door. Got the iced matcha latte and the iced black sesame matcha latte - both were watery and lacking body and depth, albeit the black sesame was tastier and more complex. You have to pick up your drink at the bar where customers are sitting so you have to walk through the line of people ordering and the people at the counter then you have to go to the end of the counter to get a lid and a straw. The flow of the shop is quite terrible and not accommodating. Waited over 30 minutes for two drinks (wait to order and a longer wait for your drink). Had high hopes but disappointed. Social media aesthetic trap. Far more tasty shops that serve delicious matcha.

What a lovely, chic little shop. The matcha is so delicious. The matcha runs between $6.75 and $8+ per cup. The black sesame is my favorite.

Brief Summary - Ordering is done by a the kiosk - Small, cozy interior - Most of the seating is inside; and there are 2 outdoor seating - Not many parking space - Slow and peaceful atmosphere - Deep and rich match a flavor - If you order the matcha traditionally (not with milk), the nerikiri Japanese sweet gets a combo discount A new matcha cafe opened up in the Berkeley and Ashby area, and in my first visit there it is a new favorite. From the BART stations of either sides, there is a couple blocks of walking, so a bus or a car is easier. The easiest might be a bus because parking is scarce in Berkeley. Inside there are little tables lined up closely together. There is also a bar table if you want to sit and observe the matcha being whisked and prepared. There is one kiosk standing right in front as you enter inside. There is another monitor on the left to track the SnackPass order number. While you can't order via the SnackPass app, you can track your order through there (that's what we did). When called, they called by the name. I ordered the iced matcha latte with the nerikiri, my other relative ordered the matcha served in the traditional style with the nerikiri. When we were comparing orders, we noticed that if the matcha (traditional style) is ordered, the nerikiri's price converts into a discount. However, this discount is only available for one matcha (traditional) per one nerikiri. The combo discount doesn't apply if you order nerikiris as individual orders, even though you also ordered the traditional matcha set. I don't think I need to explain about the wait time; this cafe isn't for those who are in a rush. It's to enjoy sitting down and enjoy time pass. Find a place to sit, chat with your friends or catch up in your social media apps, and soon it will arrive. I'd say, it's fast for a peaceful cafe atmosphere. When the staff calls you by name and you approach the counter, the staff explains the nerikiri ingredients. The nerikiri change seasonally or monthly, so what I had in the photo might be a different sweet on a different day. I also like how the nerikiri was placed on a kaishi paper and eaten with toothpicks. A relative of mine who knows a little bit about tea ceremonies was impressed with how the traditions are followed. If you order this with the traditional matcha style, it also comes with a candied yuzu crisp. This is a wonderful, floral crisp. We were chatting amongst each other that this alone could be a great treat to buy and take home. Double thumbs up with this matcha cafe. I'd regard this one as a high favorite matcha place.

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!

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!

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.

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?

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.

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.

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!

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!

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

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.

Love the clean, spa-like aesthetic It was a bit crowded on a Saturday morning even for their soft opening. Ordering is via a touchscreen just in from the entrance so there's a bit of a space limit. That said it is a good system and they do have a screen that keeps tabs on the orders in progress vs ready so you can follow your order. They very clearly make drinks to order and use high quality ingredients. The matcha is legit. I was very very pleased. The black sesame matcha was my favorite between the two we ordered. The warm drink with nuttiness complemented the creamy matcha latte well. Definitely worth a visit for true matcha fans if in the area!

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!

Considering they're still in the soft opening stage, they are doing their best and hope they would appreciate customers' candid feedback. As with many other comments, they should consider expanding the milk options beyond oat and homemade cashew milk (extra cost). I came at the right time (just before closing) and the wait was fine. But I could see it being prolonged significantly during busy hours. Similar to Peets, each barista carefully "brew" to customize your drinks. In terms of quality, it's the best in Berkeley by far- kudos for sourcing REAL matcha from Uji. :) Parking was a challenge but I would come back again if I am in town.

Came in around 2:45pm on a Sunday and waited 25 minutes for my drink. The matcha latte on its own was $6.95 and they only had 2 options, oat milk or house-made cashew milk (+ $1.25). I chose cashew milk and my total came out to be $8.45. I wish there were more milk options. For the price, I really wanted to love my drink but I did not. Gorgeous green color and earthy flavor but the drink was grainy. I was expecting a smooth texture for the price and the hype.

Three tea bowls is back!! Back and better as forest tea bar!! They're still in their soft opening phase, and I was able to make it there ~1 hr before closing. They were pretty busy, but there's quite a bit of sitting area to wait for the drinks. The place itself is not huge, but it's very open and clean. Bigger than its original pop up location for sure though. There's some outdoor seating as well which is super cute. The people are also oh so sweet I ordered a regular matcha latte, no sweetener, no extra flavors. The matcha flavor was strong and umami. I personally prefer my matcha lattes creamy, so this was a bit too watery for my taste, but solid flavor. I especially love the varieties of matcha drinks. I don't think you can go wrong with any of their drinks tbh. Even the matcha with the wellness shot (ginger, tumeric..) was surprisingly really good haha

Came here on a Saturday afternoon and ordered: (8/10) Hojicha latte - they only use plant based milk so I got mine with oat milk and no added sugar, I actually really liked the drink! A nice smooth taste and not bitter even with no sugar. We ordered on the kiosk, they have a limited selection including a matcha rose latte and some ice cream (not available the day we went). I spent over $7 on it and the portion size is smaller than other shops. Also knocked down a star because we waiting roughly 20 min in line and then another 30 min for the drink. There is seating, a couple outlets, and a bathroom inside, I love how the baristas make the drinks at the counter and they seem friendly and knowledgeable. If it wasn't for the number of people waiting, the interior is very calming. This place is certainly good but I wouldn't recommend coming here until the hype dies down.

On my second visit to Forest Tea Bar, I tried a hot hojicha latte, sweetened, with oat milk, and I liked it. In general, I've only liked hojicha once or twice and have been disappointed most times I have tried to find one I liked again. Perhaps getting it sweetened helped or just that Forest Tea Bar is so good at everything they do. I met up with a friend and we got there before opening again to line up so we didn't wait long for our drinks at all. It was even shorter for me than when I came the first time. Forest Tea Bar is still super popular and in it's soft opening with big demand so it was busy the entire time we were there with a line well out the door. Seats were taken as well. However, people were definitely shuffling in and out as they finished up or took their orders to go. Plus there is a little batch of outdoor seating so I'm not too concerned about finding a seat. I will keep you posted on my thoughts as I fulfill my goal of working my way through the whole menu. Once again, no changes in my opinion, I still love this place and highly recommend! Perfection!

Pretty good matcha and the atmosphere is nice, lots of natural lighting. Seems like this is a good spot to work or study, but it's pretty packed right now. I waited about 35-40 minutes (1:30pm-2:20pm) to receive my three drinks. What I tried: - Genmaicha Matcha Latte: The matcha is subtle and the genmaicha shines a lot more. Very nutty and roasty from the rice. - Uji Matcha Latte: This was pretty light but very refreshing. I think this is great for a post lunch or afternoon treat. - Organic Matcha Latte: This was a bit clumpy, but surprisingly the strongest out of the three we tried. I would get this for a caffeine boost!

It's really hard to find a good quality matcha spot that matches its hype on Instagram. We were glad to find that Forest tea bar does indeed live up it to online reputation. We got the matcha latte and the uji matcha was strong / high quality as promised. I wished they also had regular milk as an option as I'm not a fan of the additives in oat milk. Overall it was a good experience and the cafe is bright and airy with plenty of seating. Ordering was also a breeze with the touchscreen!

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.

Excited to have a specialty matcha bar in the east bay! They're currently in soft opening so not everything in the menu is available but I can't wait till it does! I have my eye on that tofu soft serve! The wait is a little long, but totally understandable because they handwhisk everything! The standouts so far: genmaicha latte and the fact that the DEFAULT milk is oat!! YAY!!

This place feels like a labor of love and a passion project for someone who really cares about excellent matcha. Arrived ten minutes after opening (11:10a) on Sunday and waited in line for about eight minutes to place my order at the kiosk. You can see the staff mixing each drink to order with lots of love and focus on each ingredient and step in the process. My order took 30 minutes to come out, but I didn't mind at all because there is nice outdoor seating to relax in and there is a screen that shows what drinks they're working on so you have an idea of when where you are in line. Default milk is oat (Califia barista blend) and only other option is house cashew. Excellent for any non-dairy friends. Hojicha latte - (hot) excellent flavor and texture. They use a lot of Hojicha so the texture is nice and thick. It's mixed beautifully too, especially for how much powder they use - it's the first time I got to the bottom of a drink and there were no lumps of unmixed powder at the bottom Black sesame matcha latte - (hot) black sesame flavor is so good, nutty and toasty. It does overpower the matcha though, so if you are looking for a stronger Matcha flavor, I would go with a different flavor drink. Also extremely well made, lots of attention to detail, I really enjoyed both drinks. Good job Forest Tea Bar team! Excited to come back

A new matcha favorite! I loved my experience at Forest Tea Bar. We got the iced matcha latte and an iced black sesame matcha latte too. Both were excellent. The matcha is super crisp and really vibrant in flavor. The black sesame matcha might be my new favorite combo. The black sesame added a a bit of nuttiness to the drink which made it the perfect treat. Will be coming back to try more.

Forest Tea Bar is a new matcha spot serving authentic matcha lattes located next to the Equinox on Shattuck. Pulled up on a Saturday and the line wasn't too bad, but they did pause orders for 30 minutes. They're currently open Fri-Sun only, so plan ahead. Limited seating, aesthetic ambiance, and oat milk is their default. Tried all 3 of their classic matcha lattes and ranking goes uji,gen,original Uji - Sweet, your classic matcha latte GenMatcha - Had a sharp nutty, roasted flavor almost like hojicha. After taste reminded me of a popcorn milk tea. Has a punch to it Original - Smooth and slightly savory Overall good spot, think the best you'll find in the east bay. And for that, it's a 5/5

Seen Forest Tea Bar all over my social media and even a news article-- naturally had to come check it out for myself. Visited with my sister on a Sunday afternoon (around 4pm). Thankfully it wasn't super busy. There were still a lot of people inside, sitting, chatting and waiting for drinks. The ambiance inside is so serene and peaceful, even amongst the chatter. I like the way the bar is set up so you can see the baristas making the drinks. It feels like a performance. We tried the Sesame Matcha Latte and Uji Matcha Latte. Liked that their default is Oat Milk-- with a good ratio too. Both drinks were very tasty. The matcha flavor was rich and both were not too sweet. The sesame matcha was very potent. You could argue that the default cup size is small but I thought it was just right. Overall, I think they've had a strong start to their soft opening and I bet they'll get better as time goes on!

We tried the Matcha Latte and Black Sesame Matcha Latte, both were smooth, balanced, and super tasty. The shop has a cozy, aesthetic vibe with friendly and quick service. Perfect spot for a matcha fix!

For reference: I usually drink my matcha straight - just with hot water. So I normally like all my drinks AND desserts with strong matcha flavor. Forest Tea Bar used to be called Three Tea Bowls before they had their own storefront. DRINKS: Their menu is very limited and drinks only come with either oat milk or you can pay extra for cashew milk. I normally enjoy drinking my lattes with oat milk because I prefer the creamy texture. We tried their regular matcha latte and matcha black sesame. - matcha latte: solid and high-quality matcha latte. However, I prefer my matcha to have a stronger taste. I watched them make my latte, and the consistency of the matcha was more on the thinner side (usucha). I prefer more of the koicha style when making lattes. - black matte latte: this is basically a matcha latte with a thick concentrated shot of black sesame. I love that they used a thick black sesame paste because you can taste both the matcha and the black sesame without one overpowering the other. - hojicha latte: the taste was too light for me, I would not repurchase. - matcha ginger: ginger was not overpowering at all, but provided a nice and light flavor! I've never seen this combination before, but they made it work! SERVICE: You order on a giant screen, and they wait your drink to be made, hand-whisked with a bowl and chasen. There are about 2-3 staff at the counter making your drinks, so you can anticipate about 5-10+ mins for your drinks, depending on how busy it is. We came after yoga and they just opened so we were about 5th in line and took about 10mins to get our drinks. AMBIANCE: Love the interior! Very modern yet traditional vibes. I love how they display the different tools used to make matcha. The interior is quite small, not great for school or office work, but great for just chatting while sipping on your latte. They also have outdoor seats. Overall, I recommend trying once, but probably wouldn't come back since these lattes are drinks I can normally make at home to my preference.

Soft Opening Review. They used to do pop-ups and just opened their own storefront! Ordered: - Uji Matcha Latte - Black Sesame Matcha Latte - Hojicha Latte Their default milk is oat milk, but they also offer house made cashew milk for an additional charge. The matcha is high quality and handwhisked right in front of you. I was actually surprised by the hojicha as it's probably one of the best I've ever had. The black sesame matcha latte worked well together and did not overpower the matcha even though the black sesame paste looked pretty thick. The vibe is minimalistic with an aesthetic interior. Overall, I'm SO happy about this new addition to Berkeley. Definitely my new go to matcha spot in this area!

Everyone's here for the matcha tea but I was intrigued by the tofu ice cream - yay. I spied a kakigori maker in the back of the shop, hope to see some on the menu soon!

High-quality matcha, good service, and definitely giving "hip Tokyo" vibes. I ordered the regular matcha latte, which had a deep umami flavor and vibrant color. Hands-down, one of my favorite matcha spots in the Bay Area. Four stars because parking is tough given the location, and the kiosk/queue setup is not a great experience because the kiosk is directly in front of the entrance. The door swings inward, so it creates an awkward and crowded situation for folks trying to enter/exit the cafe and/or wait in the queue to order on the kiosk. I'd suggest moving the kiosk to a different location inside the shop in order to provide a better guest experience. Hopefully they expand their hours as we will likely be back!

Great atmosphere. I felt as if I was in a cafe in Asia. True minimalist vibe. Small seating inside and outside. Great for small party of 1-3. Service was good. Simple no frills. Go to the kiosk and order your drink. Pick up the drink at the small bar. Drinks are made right in front of you where there is limited seating at a bar like counter. This place specializes in matcha so not much in the way of other drinks. But the matcha was exceptionally good. I have gone several different times and found my favorito to be the Hojicha Matcha...perfect balance of nutty and earthy. Definitely recommend giving this place a try for you matcha lovers.

My friend and I were on a mini matcha tour in the area. Our first stop was at a nearby boba establishment where we got a matcha drink and although refreshing, it tasted very generic and the quality wasn't great. Next stop, Forest Tea. We arrived at opening hour and to our surprise, there were at least 15 people in line! So far, a good sign. We ordered a matcha to share and HOLY MATCHA. This was probably the best matcha in the bay are by far. They really mastered their craft and you can tell as you watch them make your drink. No fancy curtain, no kitchen, you can literally watch them in the open. Kudos.

Very authentic and high quality matcha, nice relaxing ambiance and you can watch the employees make the drinks in front of you! I got the black sesame matcha, and the black sesame flavor was pretty strong and nutty, and not too sweet- I thought it was a perfect balance. The rose matcha was also very good, although a little sweeter.

Such high quality and authentic matcha in downtown Berkeley! The wait was a bit longer since they're in their first couple months of being open, but the drinks were definitely worth the wait. The interior is clean and modern, and there is a decent amount of indoor and outdoor seating.

Let me preface this by saying that while I am a bit of a matcha purist, I do appreciate a good matcha latte and this place is an amazing spot to get one. There aren't many good match places in the East Bay so I'm thrilled to see this place open in the Berkeley/Oakland area. I also appreciate that the menu here is quite different from most other places with offerings such as genmaicha matcha latte (my personal favourite), rose matcha latte, and black sesame matcha latte. They also offer regular matcha lattes and if you're feeling really bougie, you can get the Uji matcha latte. In terms of milk choices, they offer either oatmilk or a in-house made cashew milk for an upcharge. I definitely recommend trying the drinks both ways though if you want the cashew milk, you'll need to come early since it sells out pretty quickly. My only wish is that they would also carry regular whole milk. Even though this place has only recently opened, it gets crowded very quickly, especially on the weekend. I've come here at 10:45am on a Saturday (15 minutes before they open) and the line is already down the block and school isn't even back yet.

We stopped on a Friday afternoon when we chanced upon a parking spot just in front of the building. No lines and a few customers chatting while sipping their drinks, a very peaceful ambiance to savor our drinks. We ordered their famous black sesame matcha latte and a blended mori ceremonial matcha. Both drinks came quickly, the matcha came in a bowl on its own tray with a small sweet as is the usage in Kyoto, and we were soon joining the public in our quiet appreciation.

I came by with my bestfriend who's a HUGE matcha enthusiast on mid day sunday! Line was pretty long , but did not reach out the door yet. We looked on the menu outside before standing in line inside. Inside is not insanely huge so there was a bit of a crowd. I thought the decorations all around were so beautiful to look at. It was also nice to see people handcrafting each matcha drink as well. It took about 20 mins to receive our order. We got the organic black sesame matcha latte and the organic rose matcha latte (sub w cashew milk). Both tasted yummy. For the black sesame matcha latte, the sweetness of this drink comes from the black sesame. The black sesame did eventually overpower the taste of the matcha. 8/10 As for the rose matcha latte, It is super creamy and lightly sweetened. We couldn't taste the matcha as strong but that's maybe cause we got cashew milk 7/10 . It tasted more nutty. Overall, I had a great experience here and do recommend for people to come and try!

If you're searching for a high-quality, solid matcha spot, I highly recommend Forest Tea Bar. Not only is the matcha incredible, but there's something special about being able to watch them make your drink... t's like a quiet ritual, and honestly, chef's kiss. The ambiance is so calming, it feels like stepping into a little pocket of matcha heaven. Whether you're treating yourself to a solo date or catching up with friends, this place is easily one of the best. I personally tried the organic Matcha latte with no sweetner which had strong flavors - personally i appreciated as im not a huge sweets person. but for someone who's used to their Matcha with a bit of sweetness or prefer that, then you might want to add sweetener or opt for a different drink. A much sweeter drink, but was still very delicious that I recommend would be the organic black sesame Matcha latte. The Strong flavors of the black sesame with the matcha was an unexpectedly great pairing. - very limited indoor and outdoor seating available - street parking available along with some public parking structures nearby

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.

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!

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.

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.

So glad we happened to try Forest Tea Bar on the Friday of their soft opening! The line wasn't too bad (unlike what I saw that weekend) and the wait we did have was so worth it. The zen atmosphere and their interesting flavor options definitely have me wanting to go back soon. We ordered their signature Black Sesame Matcha Latte and their Genmaicha Matcha Latte, the second was my absolute favorite flavor of matcha I've had and so unique! Pros: - quality matcha - unique matcha latte flavors - peaceful atmosphere - small bench/table seating - bar-type service, so you can see the workers making every drink Cons: - no bathroom - no wifi; generally not a good working cafe

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.

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.

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.

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.

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