Cha Do Raku

Jea

5.0

Maybe I'm a little biased toward Japanese comfort classics, but this entire setup feels like it was ripped out of a Kyoto alleyway. Japanese lady running the entire operation by herself, with a small tea room in the back.

The tea menu was a mix of premium sourcing from Taiwan & Japan. The owner mentioned the Japanese options are heavily focused on Uji tea. I've had Uji matcha before, but the pour here cranks the umami to an absolute extreme. It honestly tasted like 90% rich chicken broth with just a fleeting hint of bitterness at the very end.

Fascinating brewing mechanics as well. By using a 50:50 hot & cold water mix to hit exactly 40°C, she was essentially running a targeted extraction. Cooler water pulls out the sweet, savory amino acids like L-theanine, but it's not hot enough to drag out the bitter catechins locked in the leaves.

Also a standard pour numbs your palate through thermal shock & masks delicate flavors. But at just above body temp, TRPM5 channels fires at maximum efficiency. So the liquid hits your tongue at the perfect thermodynamic threshold where your brain is most hyper-receptive to those savory glutamates.

The food selection was low key what really hooked us tho. Ochazuke (rice in tea broth) was one of my favorite childhood comfort food, & it tasted exactly like the ones I had in Japan. The green tea broth used for this dish has a much lower umami profile with light, earthy notes. They cut their smoked salmon thick (like a steak), but serve it cold. That temperature contrast against the warm broth & the density of the cut made its texture really unique.

May 10, 2026

on Google

Miki

5.0

Their tea selection is huge & we ended up choosing what the owner recommended. The green tea was mind blowing. The tea is exceptional quality.

We also got 2 desserts & the complement the tea so well. One of them is rice mochi & the other is a creamy mousse cup. It feels like a little piece of Japan in Montreal. A truly amazing experience. However, seats are limited so you might have to squeeze in a little bit. Love the atmosphere, hospitality & tea!

Jun 27, 2025

on Google

P

5.0

Super petit salon de thé où l'on se sent transporter dans un petit coin du Japon. Ambiance très détendue mais l'endroit devient très rapidement rempli. Les propriétaires sont super gentils & la sélection de thé est très satisfaisante.

Sep 13, 2024

on Google

Rindra

5.0

L'endroit est très charmant & les propriétaires adorables. Ici vous retrouverez une grande sélection d'objets du thé travaillés de manière artisanale. Les prix ne sont pas donnés mais ça vaut le coup d'y faire un tour si vous passez sur le Plateau.

Sep 1, 2024

on Google

Jana

5.0

I am wowed at the vibes, the amazing tea selection, their presentation of the tea & food was out of this world! I will be back!! 😁

Aug 26, 2024

on Google

Tamilla

5.0

One of my faves in Montreal, so peaceful! Amazing selection of teas, snacks, & gifts

Jun 22, 2024

on Google

Gabrielle

5.0

Highly recommend for an authentic, cozy & intimate tea room experience. The best selection of quality teas & delicious snacks made in a small kitchen by the owner herself!

Mar 22, 2024

on Google

Christina

5.0

A neighborhood hidden gem with cozy vibes, friendly service, a large selection of teas, & delicious, innovative yet authentic desserts. Highly recommend the mochi dessert plate!

Mar 18, 2024

on Google

Marc-André

5.0

+++ Wide, well-curated, well-described selection of specialty teas. +++ Kind & attentive service. +++ Beautifully & tastefully decorated. --- Get ready to pay the price. This is an absolute gem. A small & lovely teahouse coupled with a cozy teashop, it makes for an easy win in the gourmet category. A selection of music plays all throughout, at times calming, at times cheery, but always interesting to hear. While the price tags tend to be on the higher end, with them come selected teas in a quality-over-quantity philosophy, along with artisanal teaware in a myriad of lovely shapes & colors.

Dec 27, 2023

on Google