A Guide to the Best Matcha Spots in London
Matcha: the vibrant green powder that us Londoners just can’t seem to get enough of. With new coffee shop chains like Black Sheep Coffee and Blank Street putting matcha front and centre, many other cafes and eateries are following in their footsteps. From Hampstead to Waterloo to Hoxton to Notting Hill, it’s impossible to walk down the street without seeing someone holding a bright green matcha latte.
Whether you’re a matcha connoisseur or a complete newbie, London has an abundance of places to get this increasingly popular drink. Read on to discover 14 best matcha spots in London.
1. Frothee
Since it opened in April, Frothee has become my go-to destination for matcha in London. A short walk from King’s Cross Station, Frothee is the brainchild of Hanife, a London-based photographer and social media manager, who’s passionate about matcha. She decided to set up her own establishment, with the help of her father.
Frothee caters to both coffee and matcha fans: you can find your typical espresso, flat white and cappuccino on the menu, as well as various matcha lattes, including:
Brown Sugar
Earl Grey
Strawberry
Jasmine
Spanish
Recommendation: Iced Spanish Matcha Latte
Address: 60 Caledonian Road, London N1 9DP
2. Kuro Coffee
It’s not surprising that Notting Hill is one of the best places in London to get your matcha fix. Colourful houses galore, there’s no shortage of backdrops for that perfect insta snap. Hidden away behind Notting Hill Gate, Kuro Coffee is a cosy café inspired by Japanese minimalism.
Kuro Coffee has a number of matcha lattes and speciality coffee. Beyond that, you can also try one of the freshly made baked goods from their nearby sister bakery, Kuro Bakery.
Kuro Coffee is pet-friendly so bring along your furry companion.
Recommendation: Iced Cloud Matchaccino
Address: 3 Hillgate Street, London W8 7SP
3. Jenki
With branches in Selfridges, Spitalfields, Covent Garden and Borough Market, Jenki is THE destination for Londoners craving matcha. With a cult following, you can expect huge queues.
Jenki takes its name from the Japanese word ‘Genki’, which symbolises energy and liveliness: the café aims to spread positivity, and encourage people to switch from coffee to matcha.
Jenki’s matcha is single origin, and comes straight from Uji in Japan, so you can guarantee that it’s high quality.
Their current special - Jasmine & Lychee Matcha Iced Tea - is a refreshing, fruity concoction that’s sure to cool you down in the heat.
Recommendation: Iced Strawberry & Elderflower Matcha Latte
Address: various
4. Natashkino
Natashkino was on my list for ages, but I finally ventured there this summer. Primarily an eco-friendly clothing store, Natashkino doubles up as a café, with gluten-free and dairy-free desserts.
Don’t miss their iconic pink matcha latte, which is strawberry flavoured and perf for the ‘gram. If you don’t fancy strawberry, customise your matcha with white chocolate or banana instead.
Natashkino is found in the lively West End, between Oxford Street and Piccadilly Circus.
Recommendation: Iced Strawberry Matcha Latte
Address: 17 Brewer Street, London W1F 0RJ
5. Matcha Metropolitano
Only in London can you drink matcha in a church. Back in 2023, Matcha Metropolitano set up shop in St Mark’s Church, a former chapel in the heart of the sophisticated Mayfair that was converted into a food court. As you step inside, it’s hard to miss the bold purple stand.
Matcha Metropolitano has an extensive menu, ranging from the classic Matcha Latte (which comes either hot or cold) to the more imaginative Matcha Boba Latte. Alternatively, if you want something with less caffeine, consider Houjicha, matcha’s toasty sister. Pair your drink with a cookie - current flavours include:
Pistachio & White Chocolate
Apple Crumble
Double Chocolate
Recommendation: Iced Strawberry Matcha Latte
Address: St Mark’s Church, North Audley Street, London W1K 6ZA
6. Karuto
Nestled in the first floor of Japanese restaurant INÉ by Taku, Karuto is an adorable pop-up that’s the epitome of “blink and you’ll miss it”. With Instagrammable sweet treats (such as the lemon madeleine teddy bear) and broad drinks menu, Karuto has quickly attracted matcha enthusiasts from near and far.
Karuto is open from 9:30am to 5:00pm on Tuesday to Sunday, and there’s ample seating inside (although it does get quite busy). On a sunny day, you could grab your coffee/matcha and cake (the Yuzu Miso Cheesecake is divine) and enjoy it on Hampstead Heath, which is a 15-20 minute walk away.
Recommendation: Iced Matcha Latte
Address: 16 Hampstead High Street, London NW3 1PX
7. Tombo
Situated around the corner from South Kensington station, Tombo is a lively restaurant that boasts an assortment of authentic Japanese meals, ranging from sushi to katsu curry to ramen. Their menu also features fun desserts such as Kakigori Shaved Ice and Purple Potato & Matcha Roll Cake.
Of course, you can’t miss their matcha drinks. Tombo’s Soho branch (which sadly closed a couple of years ago) was actually the first place I tried matcha, way back in 2017. While you can get your classic OG matcha, Tombo also offers creative alternatives: on my recent visit I opted for the Yuzu Matcha Soda, a combination of yuzu citrus jelly syrup, matcha and soda water.
Unfortunately, Tombo doesn’t take any reservations, so be prepared to wait a while during peak times. However, you can grab your matcha and a slice of cake to go.
Recommendation: Yuzu Matcha Soda
Address: 29 Thurloe Place, South Kensington, London SW7 2HQ
8. HeyTea
Adored by Lisa from Blackpink, HeyTea is a bubble tea store that has taken London by storm. It first emerged in China back in 2012, and has since expanded all over the world, with over 3,000 locations.
HeyTea is famed for its cheese brew boba drinks, but it’s the Cloud Coconut Blue and Matcha Bobo Coconut that really captivated matchaholics worldwide. The matcha flavour may not be as strong as some of the other places on this list, but it’s still rich and creamy - plus, the blue and green layers make these drinks totally picture-perfect!
Recommendation: Cloud Coconut Blue
Address: various
9. Mitsuba
Venture to West Kensington for the peaceful Japanese café Mitsuba. Famous for its super cute Miffy and Totoro breads, Mitsuba also has a fantastic variety of drinks - take your pick from fruity iced tea, fresh milk bubble tea, popping jelly tea, and of course, matcha (flavours include fragrant lavender, tangy mango and velvety chocolate).
Feeling peckish? Japanese brunch is a hit at Mitsuba. Opt for the following:
Egg Royal
Tokyo Salmon Breakfast (grilled salmon with two onigiri rice balls, egg, miso soup, veggies plus a mochi dessert and tea)
Kyoto Vegetarian Breakfast (tofu in spring water and miso soup)
As Mitsuba is further out than the other cafes on this list, it’s normally quiet during the week, making it a good place to study or catch up with work.
Recommendation: Iced Lavender Matcha Latte
Address: 92 North End Rd, London W14 9EX
10. Konveni
Situated in the peaceful Ravenscourt Park, Konveni is a friendly cafe specialising in all things matcha. Its standout flavour is ube, a purple yam that originates from the Philippines and tastes sweet and nutty, with a hint of vanilla.
The matcha is whisked directly in front of you, so you know it’s legit.
Other drinks available at Konveni include:
Spanish Matcha Latte
Mango Matcha Latte
Sencha (Japanese steamed green tea with a subtle grassy taste)
Houjicha
Genmaicha (Japanese brown rice green tea)
The baristas also whip up seasonal specials, like Sakura (Japanese cherry blossom) and Date.
Recommendation: Iced Ube Matcha Latte
Address: 399 King Street, London W6 9NJ
11. Smatcha
Smatcha is an eye-catching stand in Westfield and Brent Cross, with a variety of colourful matcha drinks. What sets Smatcha apart is its emphasis on yuzu - an East Asian citrus fruit that tastes zesty and is rich in vitamin C to boost your energy and overall health. You can enhance your drink with superfoods like bee pollen, collagen or ashwagandha. So you’ll have something that’s pretty, tasty AND healthy at the same time - a win-win situation!
Recommendation: Mango Matcha Yuzu, Red Grape Matcha Yuzu
Address: (Westfield) 1st Floor, outside Sephora, Westfield London, Ariel Way, London, W12 7GF; (Brent Cross) Ground Floor, The District, Brent Cross Shopping Centre, Prince Charles Way, London, NW4 3FP
12. Early Bees Coffee
Don’t let the name fool you, Early Bees Coffee has a fantastic array of matcha lattes. Be tempted by the Honey Cloud Matcha Latte, Sakura Matcha Latte, Pistachio Matcha Latte, or Tropical Matcha Latte. Non-matcha options range from coffees such as Espresso, Americano and Latte, to innovative lemonades, like Cherry & Lavender and Pear & Jasmine.
The café has welcoming and modern atmosphere, so you can sit in, but if it’s sunny out, get your drink to go and stroll through the nearby Lincoln’s Inn Fields.
Recommendation: Honey Cloud Matcha Latte (ideal for anyone who’s new to matcha - it’s absolutely heavenly, and oozes with honey!)
Address: Unit 1B, 100-110 High Holborn, London WC1V 6QL
13. Moko Made
If you’re in the Hoxton/Shoreditch area, make a pit stop at Moko Made Café. This hidden gem will transport you to Japan, with its quirky décor, authentic menu, and tranquil ambience.
Moko Made fuses together Japanese and British cuisine, specialising in toasts served with jam, avocado or red bean paste, sandwiches, and tempting desserts (such as Matcha Brownie, Lime & Coconut Cake, and Kinako Roll Cake with Azuki Red Bean Cream). For lunch, you can enjoy a deal, which includes onigiri (rice ball) and miso soup.
Unsurprisingly, Moko Made has some of the top matcha in London. While I went for the Matcha Honey Latte, its main drawcard is the Iced Matcha Float - iced honey matcha latte with a scoop of matcha ice cream.
Recommendation: Matcha Honey Latte, Iced Matcha Float
Address: 211 Kingsland Road, London E2 8AN
14. Katsute100
For something a bit different, visit Katsute100, a delightful tea room that merges European and Japanese traditions. With branches in Islington, Covent Garden, Broadway Market and Brick Lane, Katsute100 is all about taking it slowly and escaping from the hustle and bustle of the city. The name ‘katsute’ represents nostalgia, history and moments in time.
Katsute100 entices you with irresistible cakes, such as Matcha Cheesecake, Strawberry Shortcake and Matcha Brownie. In terms of drinks, Katsute100 serves matcha and houjicha-based drinks, as well as Japanese loose-leaf teas.
Recommendation: Iced Watermelon Matcha Latte
Address: various
Iced Honey Matcha Latte from Moko Made
Honourable mentions:
Matchado (King’s Cross + Chiswick)
Japan Centre (Piccadilly)
Tea Parlour (Piccadilly)
Rin (Richmond)
Aguamiel (Covent Garden)
Cup + Lid (Marylebone)
How Matcha (Marylebone)
Matcha Mochi Cafe (Euston)
So there you have it, my guide to the best matcha spots in London. Hopefully this post has helped you find your new fave matcha destination - whether you prefer something sweet, or you like the real deal. I’ve mainly shared my top iced matcha lattes, but the great thing about this earthy substance is that you can get it hot too - it’s perf all year round!
