If authentic matcha "tastes like grass," then call us a cow with the way us matcha girlies still drink it up, LMAO. Seriously though, there's something very That Girl about enjoying some zen time with a cup of matcha in a cozy, aesthetic cafe. Looking to get your Japanese green-tea fix?
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Check out this list of cafes around the Metro with excellent matcha:
Tsujiri
Location: Level 2, S Maison at The Conrad, Pasay City); L/G, SM Aura, Taguig City; Level 2, The Podium, Ortigas, Mandaluyong City; Level 2, Greenbelt 5, Makati City; R3, Power Plant Mall, Rockwell, Makati City; Level 2, SM City Clark, Pampanga
Though they opened their first Metro Manila store seven (!) years ago in 2017, Tsujiri has remained top-of-mind for matcha lovers. It's no surprise though, considering the quality of Tsujiri's matcha concoctions. Tsujiri was founded in 1860 by Riemon Tsuji, who refined the cultivation of gyokuro (the highest grade of Japanese green tea) with a method that is still being used by other tea houses to this day.
Today, you can enjoy this top-quality matcha through Tsujiri’s varied selection—if you enjoy matcha at its purest form, indulge in a cozy Signature O-Matcha, which is pure ceremony-grade matcha or you can have it in a refreshing Iced Yuzu O-Matcha. Tsujiri is also known for their picture-perfect matcha desserts like the Tsujiri Sundae with layers of genmai (brown rice crispies), matcha soft serve, Azuki beans, chestnut, and shiratama dango (mochi balls).
Matcha Mama
Location: B1 Mitsukoshi Fresh, Mitsukoshi Mall, Taguig City; Level 4, Food on Four, SM Aura, Taguig City (grab-and-go bottles only); 2/F WPL Building, Katipunan Avenue, Quezon City
Not only does Matcha Mama whisk up high-grade matcha from Uji, Japan, but they also have a pretty-in-pink aesthetic for very demure, very cutesy gals. Chill at their clubhouse along White Plains with interiors that reflect their minimalist green-and-pink aesthetic, or grab a bottle of their signature Matcha Latte, Spanish Matcha Latte, or Lavender Matcha Latte at their to-go booth at Mitsukoshi Mall. Matcha Mama also fosters a community of matcha lovers with pop-ups, get-togethers, and matcha-themed workshops like matcha making and tea tasting.
Shizu Matcha Bar
Location: 9 General Tinio, Morning Breeze Subdivision, Caloocan City
Shizu Matcha Bar is the perfect place to have that zen solo date with your cup of matcha, thanks to their clean and cozy Japanese-inspired interiors. This "contemporary tea house" serves up both classic matcha drinks and some unconventional concoctions like the Cold Whisk Dango which has matcha whisked in cold milk and served with a skewer of dango or sticky-rice dumplings, or the refreshing Matcha Tonic which has matcha, yuzu, and soda water. They also regularly host workshops and pop-ups where you can support local artists.
Matchanese
Location: G/F The Block, SM North, Quezon City
Starting as an online purveyor of matcha concoctions, Matchanese now has a physical matcha bar at SM North EDSA with more branches coming soon. Their classic Matchanese Latte is perfect for matcha beginners, thanks to their customizable "matcha strength" which comes in Levels 1 to 5. You can adjust its sweetness, too, and switch out the default dairy milk to oat or coconut. Meanwhile, if you like your matcha latte extra sweet and creamy, the Spanish Matchanese Latte is the drink for you. Aside from drinks, you can also cop merch to show off your love for Japanese green-tea with "That Matcha Vibe" and "Powered by Matcha" shirts.
ITO
Location: Aguirre Street, Legaspi Village, Makati City (reservations only)
Looking for a unique experience for you and your fellow matcha lovers? Book a tea session at ITO. Each session runs for approximately one hour, and runs like a tasting menu focused solely on Japanese tea. There's the Japanese Tea Series which features Matcha Usucha, Hojicha Tea Soda, a seasonal tea, and snack, and the Matcha Series 2.0 which has Matcha Usucha, Matcha Soda, Matcha Ice Cream, and a snack. Each session is intimate as ITO is only able to host 5 people during their afternoon sessions, and 6 people during their evening sessions. Plus ITO's minimalist yet edgy interiors is sure to make it on your Instagram feed.
Matcha Later
Location: 5385 Don Pedro Street, Poblacion, Makati City
Look for their cute sleeping-dog logo, and you'll find Match Later. Relatively new to the matcha scene, Matcha Later is a peaceful hideaway from the bustle of Makati City. This "matcha slow bar" specializes in ceremonial grade matcha and premium hojicha from Kyoto, Japan, which they use in a variety of drinks and desserts. The Kumo, which you can get in matcha or hojicha, is a comforting drink thanks to warm, foamy milk. You can also indulge your sweet tooth with the Caramiso, an iced matcha or hojicha latte which comes with caramel and a miso cream foam. If you're in the mood for something more decadent, treat yourself to a Kyoto-Style Tiramisu which comes in either Matchamisu or Hojichamisu and has layers of ladyfingers soaked in either matcha or hojicha and mascarpone custard cream.
The Matcha Tokyo
Location: G/F Mitsukoshi Mall, Taguig City, G/F Gateway 2, Cubao Quezon City; G/F Opus Mall, Bridgetowne, Pasig City; G/F Ayala Malls Vertis North, Quezon City
Opening its first Metro Manila branch in November 2022, The Matcha Tokyo is quickly becoming popular among matcha lovers. This global brand from Japan has several branches both in Japan and in Asia like Shanghai, Hong Kong, Bangkok, Dubai, and Manila. To fully enjoy their "100% organic matcha" that they grow themselves, get the Japan Premium or Kyoto Uji, which comes in either hot or iced—plus, you get to watch their baristas perform a Japanese tea ceremony. Not to be missed as well is their exclusive Manila drink, the Matcha Ube Latte which comes with a layer of ube cream foam. Their newest branches in Opus Mall and Ayala Malls Vertis North now also feature an exclusive dine-in selection with kakigori, parfaits, and a delectable Matcha Carrot Cake that’s blanketed by a matcha cream-cheese sauce.
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