Kin Bakeshop: Satisfy Your Sweet Cravings in Santa Barbara

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.

This review is long overdue. I remember moving back to the central coast after being away for ten years and seeing stuff about pop ups for Kin. Then one day they posted that they’d finally be opening their brick and mortar. As someone who grew up on the central coast through the 90s and early 2000s there was such little semblance of Asian American businesses, especially outside of Chinese takeout spots. This area has grown immensely and Kin is one of those amazing standouts. I see a lot of the negative reviews revert mostly to people being upset at long lines, lack of urgency with the front people, or prices. But I think you need to consider that Kin having a line isn’t exactly their problem. And with one single person taking orders there’s also a literal entire team in the kitchen making everyone’s orders. The prices match the quality (and I can only assume the overhead and rent in this area is wild). The owner and team are clearly incredibly passionate about what they do. They are sooo aware that they have intensive lines that they keep their IG story posts updated fairly frequently to share what the line duration currently looks like AND quantity of items left. They do specialty items or sometimes collaborate with guest bakers which is why the lines get long—But don’t let that deter you. If you just want to pop in for a nice drink you can most likely get a short line by noon (or just avoid the days they do limited specials). Anyways, I got to try their weekend special. The carrot cake espresso cream top and their passion fruit brioche donuts. Life changing!

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.

first off-kin is delicious, my go to order is a savory/tart donut and a vietnamese iced coffee, it is small and there is always a line but I have never minded that! :) but second-the owner clearly cares about the people and his products and it shows, the last time I went, the owner came out of the kitchen with a basket and offered people waiting in line umbrellas to protect them from the sun-I wish I could give them more stars just for this act of kindness.

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!

Visited the shop during my trip to SB. Tried the matcha eispanner and black sesame hojicha, which were both so yummy. I left my bag behind and thankfully the staff kept it safe for me. I was super grateful that the owner got back to me and stayed after closing so that I can pick up my bag before my drive back to LA. Amazing staff!!! Definitely recommend and will visit again when back in SB.

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.