Cha Do Raku serves as a sanctuary for those interested in the nuances of traditional Japanese tea preparation. The menu centers on a vast selection of high-quality imported leaves, where precise brewing draws out deep, subtle aromatics in every cup. Alongside these tea offerings, the kitchen prepares homemade comfort food rooted in seasonal sensibilities. Savory dishes such as ochazuke anchor the selection, presenting a bowl of rice submerged in fragrant broth that provides a gentle, warming flavor profile. The space maintains an intimate character, keeping the focus entirely on the sensory experience of the tea and food. Every item reflects a steady dedication to authentic flavor balance and traditional presentation, resulting in a distinct environment where the quiet complexity of Japanese ingredients takes precedence.
Cha Do Raku is widely celebrated for offering an authentic, intimate, and relaxing Japanese tea experience that feels like a hidden gem. Guests frequently praise the extensive selection of premium teas, the fascinating brewing techniques, and the high-quality, homemade Japanese comfort food such as ochazuke and seasonal desserts. Many visitors appreciate the knowledgeable service, the clear explanations provided during tea ceremonies, and the welcoming atmosphere, noting that it serves as a tranquil escape. While the majority of feedback highlights the unique charm, expert presentation, and overall quality of the food and tea, a few mentions regarding smaller portion sizes, pricing, or seating comfort suggest a highly specialized but delightful environment that encourages repeat visits.
I made a reservation, I came at the hour scheduled. They told me'we don't have room', I was like,'yeah do you want I come later?.. because I precisely reserved to have a place here at this hour..'. They told me'no no' & proceeded to put me on the counter..
Ok, anyway... at some point they managed to find a place, so I went at small table very wobbly..
I came here to drink a good tea in a quiet environment, but unfortunatly, the owner decided it was better to blast stupid dance music with a big speaker..
So yeah, if you reserve, expect that it will be like you did not, & if you are seeking peaceful tea, expect instead nightclub ambiance.
Ah yes, & it costed me for just a tea, more than to eat a complete meal in a not expensive restaurant.
Super expérience pour la dégustation & cérémonie infusion thé vert froid. Shiho était merveilleuse pour expliquer & faire la cérémonie. Nous allons le refaire c'est certain!
Jul 25, 2026
on Google
🍽️
Know where to eat in Montreal before everyone else.
Get the first look at the hottest openings, secret menus, and RestoMontreal.ca's weekly top picks. Join 50,000+ foodies.
We had a lovely tea tasting experience. We were able to book easily online in advance, which made it very simple. The host was pleasant & gave great suggestions. We had the iced green tea that you infuse little by little with ice & water. It was a unique & wonderful experience. Will come back!
Cozy, intimate, excellent tea expertise & service. Delicious homemade seasonal Japanese treats as well, from matcha chocolate cakes to tea soaked risotto. The perfect place to relax.
I am wowed at the sea of tranquil energetic vibrations, the amazing tea selection, their presentation of the tea & food was out of this world! I will be back!! 😁
This place made for a very enjoyable outing. Ordering was quick & straightforward, the workers were welcoming, & the food turned out really well. The atmosphere also had a nice charm to it. I'd absolutely recommend trying this spot.
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.
A group of 7 of us in town for a bachelorette party enjoyed brunch at Cha Do Raku yesterday. Shiho was wonderful to coordinate with over email & kind enough to allow us to store our bags as we were on the way to the airport. The Japanese brunch experience was incredible - a simple yet elegant array of bites with a cup of tea to start & end the meal - & we were thrilled to explore the well-stocked tea & ceramics section of the store. Highly recommend for a calming & delicious experience.
