Overview
Gone are the days of dull, bitter matcha lattes. In recent years, the game has shifted — access to premium matcha has skyrocketed, and matcha drinkers in Australia are more informed and discerning than ever. Now, you'll find dedicated matcha spots all over Melbourne serving up top-notch green tea sourced straight from Japan and, more recently, China.
Whether you're a matcha purist or into its playful variations, there's a drink for you. Here are the city's best spots to get your caffeine fix without the crash.
Naau — CBD
Hidden on the northeast end of the CBD, Naau has quietly developed a cult following for its innovative matcha lattes swirled with raspberry jam or spiked with Italian pistachios. The peanut cream-topped matcha is also a fan favourite. For a dairy-free option, try the refreshing sparkling yuzu matcha.
Hikari — CBD
This Swanston Street cafe doesn't whisk matcha to order like some specialty spots, yet it still delivers that rich, smooth flavour you're after. Unsweetened by default, it's easy to customise with sugar or honey. Look out for their rotating specials like the Coconut Bloom — a layered drink of coconut water, jasmine tea and matcha cream.
Nimbo — CBD
If matcha's your thing, you'll love Nimbo, an all-day cafe and dessert bar created in collaboration with local brand Matcha Mate. Tea is sourced from Yame, a well-known Japanese growing region, and offered in countless variations. Find matcha lattes with ube cream, panna cotta-topped strawberry matcha and matcha milkshakes, plus matcha cookies and other sweet treats.
Moment Coffee — CBD
It's off the beaten path, but Moment Coffee is worth a special visit for their "China Matcha", a richer, stronger alternative to Japanese matcha (which you'll also find here). Best paired with soy milk, it offers robust tea flavour with just the right touch of sweetness. If you arrive early, you might also catch their matcha Basque cheesecake in the cabinet.
Operator San — CBD
Operator San is best known for its Japanese-inspired breakfast plates, but their matcha deserves the spotlight. Available in both standard and ceremonial grades, it's fresh and perfectly grassy, hand-whisked, and served with your choice of milk. For something different, try the layered matcha lattes topped with lavender or coconut and kinako (roasted soybean powder) cream. Can't get enough? You can even take home a canister.
Osoi — Brunswick
Long queues are a regular sight at Osoi, but loyalists agree it's worth the wait. Matcha is whisked to order, and you can sip it on the stairs beside the shop. Don't miss the Soleil Levant, a blend of green tea, matcha and muscat grape, or the Ichigo Matcha with housemade strawberry and brown sugar milk. But the classic matcha latte, made with a three-tea blend, is still the hero.
Meet Forest — South Yarra
This South Yarra shop is beloved for its thick slices of matcha Basque cheesecake and layered matcha crepe cakes, but its drinks are just as strong a pull. Try the blueberry jam matcha for a fun spin on the more common strawberry version. Bonus: the cafe is halal-friendly, with no alcohol or gelatin used in any products.
Kuuki Cafe — Sunshine
Nestled in a Sunshine shopping arcade, Kuuki is a tiny matcha spot serving both classic and specialty drinks made with tea from Shizuoka, at the base of Mt Fuji. Their Sakura Matcha — pairing unsweetened matcha with a creamy, pink cherry blossom-flavoured cream — is a must-try. There's also a rotating array of matcha biscuits, brownies and cupcakes to pair with your drink.
For more of Melbourne's best food and drink, check out the guides below.
Best Cafes in Melbourne
Best Coffee in Melbourne
Best Breakfast in Melbourne
By Quincy Malesovas
Images supplied