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

See all

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

See all

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

See all

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

Kin Bakeshop - Donuts Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

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

See all

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 - Banana matcha, match einspanner, strawberry rose matcha, banana milk espresso cream top - Donuts Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

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

Kin Bakeshop - Donuts Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

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

Kin Bakeshop - Left to right: Matcha einspanner, espresso einspanner, blueberry matcha latte, and strawberry matcha latte - Donuts Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

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

Kin Bakeshop - Matcha and cookie butter latte. Mochi donuts. - Donuts Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

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

See all

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

See all

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

Kin Bakeshop - matcha einspeiner - Donuts Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

BEST DESSERTS & MATCHA IN SB !! I went with a group of friends, super yummy, and the atmosphere is so cute! For desserts we ordered the Raspberry Lychee and Ube Cheesecake Mochi Donut and Mango Donut. For drinks we got the Matcha Einspanner, Strawberry Matcha Latte, and the Coconut Matcha Cloud. The line goes out the door and curves onto the sidewalk so be prepared to wait. However, when you get inside there's a fun wall with a mirror to take selfies and a bunch of sticky notes to add your own messages. The staff were so kind and attentive and even let us have the very last Mango Donut. Would definitely suggest stopping by if you're in the area! read more

See all

The name is "bakeshop" but do not miss out on the drinks. This is definitely the best matcha spot in town. It's so good that I visited twice back to back during my limited time here. I tried matcha elsewhere and it was instant regret. For the matcha latte, the color was perfect and the tea was strong. And plenty of options for us lactose intolerant girlies since the matcha latte default to oat milk. You can also adjust sweetness and I went with 50%, which was perfect. Service is amazing and the store itself is gorgeous. I would recommend visiting during a weekday though. The line during the weekend was a little intimidating haha. It also seems that the pastries sell out fast, but I didn't get a chance to try. 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

See all

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

See all

This place was so good we went 2 days in a row! Whenever we are visiting new areas, we always look for new matcha places to try. We first came on a Saturday morning and there was a line, but it went by fast. The ambiance was very clean and simple, which made it very appealing. The drinks we ordered (strawberry Yakult, double matcha latte, and ube hojicha latte) were very delicious, and the food was also superb (brioche banana cream and brioche passion fruit). Staff was very welcoming and friendly as well, especially the staff member who took our order at the front. Definitely must visit if you are in Santa Barbara! read more

Kin Bakeshop - Banana and passion fruit brioche and strawberry Yakult, ube hojicha and double matcha latte. - Donuts Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

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

Kin Bakeshop - Donuts Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

Really loved their drinks! One of the best hojicha drinks I've had, the cream top was really good and not too sweet! read more

Kin Bakeshop - Hojicha Einspänner, matcha black sesame cream top, strawberry hojicha latte - Donuts Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

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

See all

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

See all

Service was superb. We got there super early, thank goodness because the long got line. There is plenty of seating. I ordered a pandan coconut matcha and my friend ordered a cream top ube matcha. Both were authentically tasty, great flavor. read more

Kin Bakeshop - Pandan Coconut Matcha and the cream top ube matcha - Donuts Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

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

See all

If you're a matcha & sweet bakes fan you can't be missing out on this place! They use high grade matcha powder so it's definitely on a stronger side & you can taste the bitterness more than other places but that is how i love my drinks to be! Their mochi donuts are to die for, i like that they change their flavors every week so i'm excited everytime i come to try out new stuffs. Cozy ambiance, limited seating and expect a long line though but worth the wait read more

See all

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

See all

It's been about six weeks since my visit and Yelp just reminded me to write a review... I forgot what drink I ordered, but it's pictured here and whatever it was it did not disappoint. One of the customers I made conversation in line with recommended. I get a doughnut and I'm so happy I listened because it's probably one of the best donuts I've ever had. In short, I give this place a 10 out of 10 for their Customer Service delicious drink and treat - line was long as I waited about 30 minutes however this place is definitely worth the hype and I can't wait to go back read more

Kin Bakeshop - Donuts Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

I was worried that this place would be overhype but it's genuinely the best matcha I've ever had. They make really good drinks beyond the specialties, the matcha itself is really good. The people here are super nice too and helpful with the menu. it's a bit small but i think that's also because of how many people are here lol. definitely recommend waiting in the line to try this spot. it's very clean and like modern chic look. The mochi donut doesn't really taste like the flavor but it was fun to try. read more

Kin Bakeshop - earl grey matcha cream top and oat milk matcha latte - Donuts Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

See all

Arrived on a Wednesday at 12:30. Received baked goods at 12:50 and drink at 1pm. Yes, there was a line, but things moved along. If you're in a rush, don't increase your own anxiety by visiting. Save this trip for a a day where you have some time, maybe at hour--to enjoy the whole experience: asking questions, ordering, and enjoying the goods in the space! Calm music, not too loud. Most customers seem to be high school or college students who know what they want. Earl grey hojicha cream top: hojicha latte with a little earl grey syrup topped with earl grey cream top. Can taste the earl grey in the cream and the latte portion--it is not overpowered by the hojicha! Delicious drink. Banana sesame mochi donut: like a chewy banana bread with a lightly sweet sesame glaze. A fun treat! Ube mochi muffin: very, very tasty, if one likes Ube. Slightly crispy outside, very chewy inside and toasty, nutty Ube flavors throughout! 10/10 all around! Will have to come back and try the rest of their extensive drink menu. read more

See all

I came to kin and tried their black sesame matcha. The drinks are smaller compared to other places but do have a stronger taste. The cream top was very thick and yummy. Inside was very cute and the workers were very nice and bring the drinks out to you. I would definitely come again! read more

Kin Bakeshop - Inside - Donuts Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

See all

I visited Kin Bakeshop and was blown away. Hands down, this is the best matcha I've ever had--smooth, rich, and perfectly balanced. The ube mochi muffins were incredibly chewy and flavorful, and the Valentine's passion fruit mochi donuts were a wonderful treat--light, unique, and not too sweet. Everything was fresh, creative, and clearly made with care. read more

See all

I've passed by Kin a bunch of times but the line was always so long. I always wondered if it was worth the hype. And I can tell you that it definitely is! My six-year-old daughter literally asked "What do they put in these? They're so good!". The line will probably be long. Every time I've passed by the line has been at least 20 people. But it's worth it! Their donuts are so good, soft, perfectly sweet, and so cute. Thai tea was delicious! The service was really friendly. It was also really quick. Lots of people sitting inside, made it a really lively environment. Lots of adorable decor. We will definitely be back! read more

Kin Bakeshop - Donuts Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

This is now I must visit whenever I come to Santa Barbara! I love that the flavors are always rotating, but also always so creative and and delicious since we came in the middle of the day. The wait was about 20 minutes long, but luckily not the longest it's ever been. There's a bit of seating inside and a few tables if you choose to eat there. The service is really nice! read more

See all

Been here several times now and every time it's been a wonderful experience! The food is great. Love the donuts, every flavour I've tried has been amazing! The drinks too! Even though they regularly change the flavours and I think I want the same one again and again, I find the new ones they bring out are just as good. The service is fast and they are always very friendly. The ambience is ok, it's very simple with small decorations like flowers. Would be even better with outdoor seating or just more comfortable seating .. read more

Kin Bakeshop - Mochi donuts - Donuts Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

I googled best matcha in the area and it landed me at Kin. Kin has a very minimalistic cool clean vibe to it that I really like. The service is great, and I love that they present your drinks on that little tray. Honestly, the best matcha I've ever had. It's smooth and creamy, and the Ube was so yummy. It was sweet without being too sweet. Everything tasted quality. I would DEFINITELY recommend this spot. The coffee drinks also looked amazing. The flavors change so that's a fun draw to visit! read more

Kin Bakeshop - Ube matcha - Donuts Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

See all

Was in town and wanted some coffee so stopped by. What a great experience! First of all shout out to Rachel who was working the front. She explained all of the coffee options and was tremendously helpful on her recommendations. We ended up going with the einspanner. It was creamier than most and had a fluffy cream top that was to die for! Bury me in that stuff! Also had to have a donut. We went with the cinnamon and the blueberry mojito. The mojito one was our favorite. Please note we went at 10 and there was indeed a line but it moved relatively fast. There's a parking lot right in front so parking was easy. There are a few tables inside and it's a small cute place. All in all 10/10. read more

See all

I will always make a trip out here because their coffee, service and sweet treats are amazing! Typically, the line is not too long and it goes by fairly fast. The parking lot is huge and easy to navigate. The shop itself is somewhat small but you can identify it easily by the line going out the door! The ambiance and vibes were amazing! My favorite is the banana matcha but all their drinks are delicious! Definitely recommend trying this place or being a regular if you are local. read more

See all

Came here on a weekday and it was pretty busy, mostly with high schoolers from across the street. The shop itself is really cute minimal inside with a nice outdoor space to sit and enjoy your drink. The staff was super kind and even had a tea sample out for tasting, which was a nice touch. I ordered the sesame matcha, and my husband got the einspanner latte. We also tried the banana pudding mochi donut. And of course, I had to grab a pup cup for my dog ,they offer them, so how could I not? The matcha was incredibly thick, creamy, and flavorful. The sesame cream on top paired perfectly with the earthiness of the matcha. The einspanner latte was also delicious !! Rich, smooth, and indulgent. My dog definitely approved of her pup cup too! Overall, I'd recommend stopping by if you're passing through on your way to downtown Santa Barbara. Cute spot, great drinks, and friendly service. read more

Kin Bakeshop - Donuts Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

See all

line is always out the door and drinks are amazing/high quality- however, size is small for the price! best matcha spot in Santa Barbara by far read more

Kin Bakeshop - hojicha einspanner, guava matcha, pistachio cream matcha - Donuts Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

See all

Kin Bakeshop was remarkably popular, with a line out the door on a Saturday. The line moves pretty quickly, so it's not too bad a wait, in my opinion. Once you get closer to the front of the line, you'll have a clearer view of the menu, which is projected onto the wall behind the register. The menu is pretty interesting, especially its seasonal options, which included a carrot cake matcha when I was there. The interior of the shop is minimally decorated, and the seating situation is a bit cramped. It's definitely not a cafe super suitable for studying or doing work. DRINKS: I got offered a small cup of barely tea after ordering, which was a pleasant little amenity. The drinks you actually order will be brought out to you on a tray, which was an unexpected formality. Strawberry Matcha Latte (4/5) - I'm no expert, but I thought the matcha tasted pretty high quality. I enjoyed the strawberry flavor, but I wish it were a tad more tart to offset the bitterness of the matcha. My friends enjoyed their drinks, but I can't remember what exactly they ordered. I will say the drinks are pretty small compared to what I'm used to for the price I paid. Since the cups were pretty small and filled to the brim, it was also notably hard to mix. read more

Kin Bakeshop - Strawberry Matcha Latte - Donuts Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

Have tried the Black Sesame Hojicha with oat milk. Very cool beverage. Loved the "cream" on top. I'd prefer if it was a bit less sweet. I tried the black sesame matcha with oat milk. It was tasty but didn't have much of a black sesame flavor. The matcha flavor was tasty until I got towards the bottom. Then there was too much matcha and it became bitter. Love the apricot/mango donut. I plan to return and request the black sesame hojicha and ask if they can make it less sweet. Great service. read more

Kin Bakeshop - Black Sesame Matcha - Donuts Near Me - Santa Barbara, California