Competing with coffee and bubble tea for the drink of choice in Hong Kong, matcha has taken the city’s F&B scene by storm, with matcha lattes and matcha ice cream proving particularly sought after.
What is it about this Japanese green tea powder that’s seen its popularity soar in recent decades? Some people attribute matcha’s success to its low caffeine quotient and high cancer-fighting antioxidants, whilst others rave about its bright, sweet, vegetal flavour.
Whatever the reason, we’ve hunted down the best matcha-focused cafés in Hong Kong, where to go whether you prefer your matcha in beverage or dessert form.
Hong Kong’s top matcha cafés
1. nana’s green tea
Debuting at AIRSIDE mall in Kai Tak in autumn 2023, nana’s green tea, Japan’s largest matcha-branded café chain, has quickly expanded in Hong Kong with a second outpost at new mall THE SOUTHSIDE in Wong Chuk Hang. The café’s specialities run the gamut from matcha latte (HKD45), to matcha shiratama parfait (HKD88), to matcha chocolate crunch frappé (HKD58).
nana’s green tea, Shop B128, B1/F, AIRSIDE, 2 Concorde Road, Kai Tak, 2117 1309
nana’s green tea, Shop 206–207, 2/F, THE SOUTHSIDE, 11 Heung Yip Road, Wong Chuk Hang, 2117 0639
2. Via Tokyo
Open for over a decade, Via Tokyo remains a dependable spot dishing out a myriad of matcha-flavoured desserts made with matcha imported from Kyoto. The café’s creamy and intensely flavoured Uji matcha soft serve (HKD45/HKD47) is the most popular sweet treat of them all, though we also dig the triple matcha pudding (HKD78).
Via Tokyo, Shop 1A–1B, G/F, Lei Shun Court, 106–126 Leighton Road, Causeway Bay, 2895 1116, WhatsApp 9850 3656
3. Matchali
Home-grown matcha brand Matchali, founded by cousins Cara and Laura Li, sources the finest ceremonial-grade matcha powder from a fifth-generation tea farm in Uji, Kyoto, to craft its health-conscious matcha beverages made without refined sugar. For a classic drink, it’s difficult to beat Matchali’s matcha latte (HKD47/HKD55/HKD60), but we also love the speciality red bean matcha latte (HKD60/HKD65) and seasonal creations like the white chocolate matcha latte (HKD63/HKD68).
Matchali, G/F, 5 Moon Street, Wan Chai, 9880 7661, book here
Matchali, Shop 2, G/F, 12–14 Lyndhurst Terrace, Central, 9803 6360
4. THE MATCHA TOKYO
Based in its namesake Japanese city, THE MATCHA TOKYO currently boasts 10 shops in Hong Kong showcasing matcha creations made with organic premium matcha. This brand’s matcha is light and delicate without even a hint of bitterness. Our go-tos here include the silky-smooth Tokyo Rich (HKD40) matcha latte, coffee-tea hybrid matcha espresso latte (HKD51), and, for something heartier, strawberry matcha parfait (HKD50/HKD68).
THE MATCHA TOKYO, multiple locations across Hong Kong
5. BASAO tea
BASAO has zen teahouses both in Mainland China and Hong Kong that provide an immersive and peaceful tea-drinking experience. Along with the brand’s signature seaside honey oolong and rock oolong lattes is its cracking matcha latte (HKD52), prepared traditionally with a bamboo whisk known as a chasen. On the food front, the tofu mousse matcha cube (HKD60) is a light-as-air matcha-infused chiffon cake wrapped in velvety tofu mousse.
BASAO tea, G/F, 17 Moon Street, Wan Chai, 2952 3313
6. Matsuya’s
A humble neighbourhood spot in Sai Ying Pun, Matsuya’s specialises in sweets made with top-of-the-line matcha from tea grower Marukyu Koyamaen in Uji, Kyoto, which has been in business since the 17th century. The matcha lava cake (HKD75) at this dessert shop is a must-order, as is the matcha roll cake with red beans (HKD58).
Matsuya’s, Shop F, G/F, Yen Shun Mansion, 142–150 Third Street, Sai Ying Pun, 2512 2620, WhatsApp 5508 1811
7. Tealosophy Tea Bar
Tealosophy is an import from Macau with a simple, chilled Japanese aesthetic. The premium hand-whisked pure matcha (HKD52) comes from a range of regions throughout Japan. When we want something more refreshing, the matcha coconut water (HKD58) is the answer. The café’s Shizuoka matcha cheesecake dessert set (HKD78) is a recommended teatime treat.
Tealosophy Tea Bar, G/F, Win Hing House, 36–38 Wyndham Street, Central
8. Mame to Cha (豆と茶)
Hailing from Tokyo, Mame to Cha is one of Hong Kong’s latest and greatest matcha members. The takeaway shop uses organic matcha sourced from the brand’s own farm near Mount Fuji to craft is signature matcha latte (HKD37), matcha sakura latte (HKD43), and matcha frappé (HKD43) – divine both in taste and price!
Mame to Cha, Shop 2B, G/F, Bo Fung Gardens, 1090–1094 King’s Road, Quarry Bay, 6205 7509
9. Aokomi
Newcomer Aokomi sets itself apart from the matcha pack in Hong Kong with its in-store stone millery, brewing its matcha each day from freshly ground tencha, first-harvest green tea leaves imported directly from trusted tea farms in Uji. The pioneering matcha café in Sai Ying Pun features different gradings of traditionally prepared straight (from HKD88) tea made from single-cultivar matcha, as well as its own proprietary matcha blends.
Aokomi, Shop 3, G/F, Island Crest, 8 First Street, Sai Ying Pun, 2743 8011, WhatsApp 5784 1285
10. First Sip
Coming in strong in Sheung Wan is First Sip, an inviting, modern spot where coffee and matcha meet smoothies and açai bowls. In terms of the ceremonial-grade matcha on offer, there are eight flavours up for grabs, from the classic matcha latte (HKD45/HK50) to our personal favourite, Blueberry Baddie (HKD50/HKD55), blended with blueberry milk. If you’re feeling fancy, you can add on a layer of vanilla or matcha cold foam (+HKD10) or a swirl of matcha whipped cream (+HKD5).
First Sip, Shop 2, G/F, Connaught Marina, 48 Connaught Road West, Sheung Wan, 9400 2568
11. Soul Coffee & Matcha
This small, minimalist café in Central is an offshoot of another well-known coffee shop, IDFC in Causeway Bay. We’re tempted by just about every Uji matcha drink variety available at Soul, the iced banana bread matcha latte (HKD58) and iced apple matcha cloud (HKD54) in particular. The wide-ranging matcha selection at Soul can’t be beat in terms of ingenuity.
Soul Coffee & Matcha, G/F, 30 Graham Street, Central
12. KYO Matcha
KYO Matcha, a global Japanese-inspired chain focused on matcha drinks and desserts, has chosen Kai Tak for its Hong Kong home. The matcha gelato (from HKD58) here comes in tiered matcha strengths, and you can even make yourself a matcha affogato via a matcha shot (+HKD20) pourover. Unique menu items on the beverage side include the matcha rice milk latte (HKD55/HKD60) and strawberry matcha tofu (HKD85).
KYO Matcha, Shop B113, B1/F, Cullinan Sky Mall, 10 Concorde Road, Kai Tak, 9869 8642
