Let’s talk matcha. Made from finely ground green tea powder matcha is caffeinated but thanks to the amino acid L-Theanine, the caffeine is released much more slowly into the body than caffeine from coffee. This means you skip the sudden energy spike (and drop) you get with coffee. Swish, right? Coffee’s longstanding reign may be nearing its end.
Whether you’re a matcha convert or you’re curious about the vibrant green tea that's taken the world by storm, Tāmaki Makaurau has you sussed. From traditional matcha to refreshing iced versions and trending strawberry matcha, this city delivers with cosy cafes and spots that are hella ‘Gram-worthy. We’ve curated the Urban List edit of the best spots to find your perfect match-a.
Cups at the ready, here's Auckland's best matcha.
Kompass Coffee
2 Kitchener Street, Auckland CBD
Image credit: Kompass Coffee | Instagram
Kompass Coffee is the creme de la creme when it comes to the Auckland matcha scene. For a classic hit, order your matcha hot or cold and—here's our favourite part—choose your level of sweetness from "sweet", "less sweet", or "no sweet". And for those days when you want something a little fancy, they do a bangin' strawberry matcha but their einspänner's the true star of the show served as a hot or cold matcha base topped with house-made sweet cream.
Ellie Cafe
57 Fort Street, Auckland CBD
Ellie Cafe is your charming local spot with a warm, inviting atmosphere and a focus on freshly made treats each day. Their matcha is a delightful blend of bold and subtly coconutty sweet, crafted from premium Uji matcha imported straight from Japan. Bonus? They don’t charge extra for alternative milks, so you can enjoy your matcha just the way you like it.
D.O.S.E On High
5 High Street, Auckland CBD
D.O.S.E On High is a sleek Japanese espresso bar with a minimalist black interior that's just straight up vibey. Their matcha—which is Asahina made in Japan—is for the seasoned sipper—it's an earthy, no-nonsense brew which delivers a pure hit of green, with a shot of pandan if that's your vibe. Ideal for those who crave matcha that's unapologetically strong and not sweetened, D.O.S.E On High is a great pit stop for your daily drop of green goodness.
Issys
110 Kitchener Road, Milford, Auckland
Image credit: Issys | Instagram
If the algorithm has you chomping at the bit for a strawberry matcha but sweet drinks don’t tend to be your thing, Issys is the place to hit. Their traffic light-esque matcha is made with ceremonial powder with a sensational umami after-taste and pairs well (both aesthetically and taste-wise) with their subtle strawberry jam. Insider intel: While strawberry matcha is classically served iced, Issys’ is just as great hot. They also do caramelised pistachio croissants, just sayin’.
Receptionist Cafe
Unit 7/59-67 High Street, Auckland CBD and Exchange Lane, Auckland CBD
Receptionist Cafe is a quaint, concept-driven cafe where your charming receptionists are dressed in suits. It doesn’t just look the part—they serve a matcha that’s as authentic as it gets, sourced directly from Uji, Japan. Their matcha strikes the best balance: smooth and only slightly sweet. For a real caffeine kick, try their dirty matcha with an espresso shot—a double dose of energy to power your day.
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Omusubi Cafe Plat
29 Vulcan Lane, Auckland CBD, Auckland
It’s no secret we love a ‘Gram-worthy fit-out but if it turns out to be all style no substance, we’ll give it a miss. The opposite is true, too. Omusubi Cafe Plat is an unassuming spot on Vulcan Lane specialising in Japanese rice balls and matcha. Made with powder imported from Japan, their matcha has smooth umami notes and no added sugar (unless you request it). Don’t leave without snagging a couple of rice balls for the road.
Folds Patisserie
297 Dominion Road, Mount Eden, Auckland
Image credit: Folds Patisserie | Instagram
Folds Patisserie sees your strawberry matcha and raises you iced mango and yuzu blends, and they sure hit the spot. Forever ahead of the curve, matcha was a regular feature (in both drink and cake form) at Folds Patisserie long before our feeds got matcha-fied. They’ve got the classics down but it’s their ever-evolving inventive creations that keep us coming back.
Oh Açaí
Market Pop-Ups
An açaí bowl pop-up might seem out of place in a list of Auckland’s best matcha but while Oh Açaí specialises in vibrant (and sensational) purple bowls, they also sling one helluva green. Appearing most Saturdays at The Shed Collective Farmers’ Market in Oratia and most Sundays at the Grey Lynn Farmers’ Market, the crew offers a blend of ceremonial grade matcha with oat or almond milk. Make it saucy with a swirl of passionfruit sauce or have it boosted to double-down in pure matcha goodness.
Remedy Coffee
1 Wellesley Street West, Auckland CBD, Auckland
This lively little central city café is packed with personality—and matcha! Remedy Coffee provides both ceremonial-grade matcha—a mix of Okumidori, Matsu, and Yabukita—and a premium matcha which is a Uji and Sandomidori blend. Straight from Japan, their matcha is the real deal. Feeling adventurous? You’ve got to try their Okinawa Time—a premium matcha latte with coconut water that's revitalising and unique, just like this homey spot.
Atelier Shu
6D Kent Street, Newmarket, Auckland
Image credit: Atelier Shu | Alice Rich
Auckland's cutest dessert shop, Atelier Shu, is serving up some bangin’ matcha too. They use premium-grade matcha powder from Yamamasa Koyamaen, Japan, resulting in a vibrant green colour of matcha that’s as pretty as it is delectable. Could you want anything more than an iced matcha paired with a scrumptious madeline?
Benedict's Cafe
1/30 Saint Benedicts Street, Eden Terrace, Auckland
A beloved spot for those after a big brekky Benedict's Cafe, pioneered by owners Emma Zhao and Jay Yang, also excels in matcha. Their matcha is mildly sweet, and showcases a deep green hue that signals high-quality ingredients. You’ll appreciate the rich, complex flavour that highlights the café’s dedication to delivering authentic matcha.
Leafe Cafe
Westfield, Level 2/277 Broadway, Newmarket, Auckland
Hidden away in the Newmarket Westfield mall, Leafe Cafe offers an energising break from your shopping spree. With its vibrant green and leafy ambiance, it’s the ideal location to try the green-tea goodness. Their matcha is rich but more on the sweeter side, making it a fantastic introduction for those dipping their toes into the green scene.
Blackdrop Eatery
44 Broadway, Newmarket, Auckland
Image credit: Blackdrop Eatery | Instagram
Blackdrop Eatery is a must-visit for anyone on a matcha journey, with an impressive collection of matcha drinks on the menu all of which are created with premium-grade Thea matcha. Famous for their insta-worthy strawberry matcha, they also serve a classic matcha that's a bit sweeter, making it a great gateway for first-timers. For those feeling adventurous, the matcha foam and cold brew earl grey is a showstopper. Pair your drink with one of their heavenly cookies, like the matcha strawberry jam—because you can never have too much matcha.
Toastie
106 Carlton Gore Road, Newmarket, Auckland 1023
Known for their specialty coffee and mouth-watering toast (ummm.. Bulgogi toast anyone?), Toastie also takes matcha to new heights. Their Strawberry Matcha Garden is a standout—rich, creamy, sweet, and totally indulgent. For the purists, they also serve a classic matcha that’s anything but ordinary, using their own secret recipe with ceremonial-grade matcha. Whether you’re feeling adventurous or prefer sticking to the basics, Toastie’s got your matcha cravings covered.
‘biskit Cafe
215 Parnell Road, Parnell, Auckland
Image credit: 'biskit | Instagram
Laid-back, counter-serve cafe ‘biskit is a local go-to for breakfast but it also serves up both classic and strawberry matcha. Have your matcha and eat it too with matcha-stuffed croissants, muffins, and more. It’s the perfect spot to satisfy your sweet tooth.
Dear Deer
130 Onehunga Mall Rd, Onehunga and 58 Davis Crescent, Newmarket and 739 Whangaparaoa, Stanmore Bay and 23 Gossamer Drive, Pakuranga Heights, and Shop 3/120 Main Highway, Ellerslie
With multiple locations across Auckland, Dear Deer, helmed by Yukichi Shikano, brings its authentic Japanese touch to the local matcha scene. This hardcore coffee roaster dishes up a matcha using Bon Accord Matcha powder, made in New Zealand but with the matcha grown in Japan. With classic matcha lattes on offer, or a dirty matcha latte with a single shot of espresso, you’re never far from a quality matcha.
Vanilla Cafe
5 Williamson Avenue, Belmont, Auckland 0622
Image credit: Vanilla Cafe | Instagram
Vanilla Cafe is an underrated location made for aficionados or first timers alike. They proudly use Thea Matcha, sourcing organic, premium-grade matcha from Uji, Japan. Their classic iced and iced strawberry are summer staples and their matcha Basque cheesecake—a verdant green, thick and creamy slab—is straight out of a matchaholic’s dream.
Chur Bae
Shed 13A/90 Wellesley Street West, Auckland CBD, Auckland
Chur Bae is your go-to for a unique Asian fusion breakfast that’ll have you saying “churrrr” after every bite (nope, we're not sorry). Pair that with their matcha which is a creamy dream. It's smooth and not overly grassy, balanced flawlessly with just a hint of cinnamon for an unexpected twist. It’s just right for those who want their matcha without the bitterness but still full of flavour.
Hazy Tiger
22 Durham Street West, Auckland CBD
Image credit: Hazy Tiger | supplied
As self-identifying matcha addicts, we’ve always got an eye out for the next best matcha manifestation so you can bet we were delighted when we spied the Thea Yuzu Matcha cocktail on the menu at Hazy Tiger. The trippy wonderland of Korean eats may not be the first spot that springs to mind for a matcha mission but it certainly should be. Just as coffee was destined to be married with booze in an espresso martini, a lush matcha (especially one that comes in a dainty green goblet spiked with yuzu) is simply sublime.
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Main image credit: Blackdrop Eatery | Instagram.