Kin Bakeshop
199 S Turnpike Rd, Santa Barbara, CA
Crema's Take
“This Santa Barbara gem has earned its reputation for creative matcha drinks and pillowy mochi donuts that justify even the notorious 30-minute waits—expect a permanent line but unapologetically worth it. The menu strikes an impressive balance between thoughtfully crafted specialty beverages (think banana cream matcha and black sesame coffee) and delicate pastries that taste as good as they look, all executed with real care rather than hype. Come hungry and patient, and you'll understand why locals keep coming back for the quality that makes the wait disappear.”
What to expect
Google Reviews
Expect to wait in line regardless of what time you arrived, no matter weekend or weekday, morning or afternoon. Mochi is good, but although I enjoy the Matcha Strawberry Latte to some extent, I didn’t end up finish it. Service is fine, they even offer you a small cup of tea while you wait.
10 out of 10. There was a long line (30 min wait) and worth it if you want quality. I got the banana cream top matcha. Well balanced, no sweet overkill. My husband got the brown cookie butter espresso, normally has his coffee black but mentioned it was super good. He was hesitant to mix it with the spoon since he liked tasting the different layers. After he mixed it he said it was a good combination.
We visited Kin on a Saturday around 1:30 PM. There was a line when we arrived and it took us about 15 min to order and receive our food and drinks. When we arrived, there was very few items left. Probably about 5 - 6 mochi donuts (2 flavors) and a similar number of ube mochi muffin. They also ran out of some of their limited time drinks. We got an ube mochi muffin, black sesame cream top einspänner, and Hojicha black sesame cream top. The mochi muffin was really good - it actually tasted like ube and had a good texture from the mochi. Both drinks were beautiful and had really good black sesame flavor. Between the two, I really liked the hojicha black sesame cream top. I understand why this place has a line. I would definitely come back for the hojicha black sesame cream top and to try more of their baked goods.
We got black sesame matcha and black sesame coffee, cookie butter cheesecake brioche and berry chantilly mochi donut. Everything was absolutely delicious! Sth to consider: there’s a permanent enormous line to order. It took us over an hour total to get our drinks and desserts. But I would still love to come back and try other things from their menu.
Mochi donuts were super good and flavorful! Texture is super soft like very soft if you’re into soft droopy pastries. So yummy and the seasonal matcha drink I ordered so amazing!! Especially the soft top was delicious! I can tell they put lots of love and patience into their food, I will definitely be coming back whenever I’m in town again! I ordered one donut of each flavor including my coffee and everything came out to be below $25, so far nothing here lacks flavor as advertised!
Crema Reviews
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