Matcha may seem like just another Instagrammable trend, but it is actually steeped in history. Having originated in China during the Tang dynasty, which reigned as early as 618–907, the production of raw matcha was banned there in the 14^th century. Japan cottoned onto the trade in the 16^th century and most of the world’s matcha is produced there today. Just a few years ago, you’d have been hard pressed to find authentic matcha in the Western world but now every coffee shop and local cafe will happily hand you a cup of the green goodness. It’s no understatement to say we’ve all gone mad for matcha. 

A firm favourite of the likes of Gwyneth Paltrow, Kylie Jenner and Brad Pitt, matcha is deemed a healthier alternative to coffee as it provides a steadier energy boost without potential side effects such as heightened anxiety. It can be served hot and cold, with or without milk, and sweetened – with the likes of blueberry, strawberry, and vanilla syrups, or with more inventive methods incorporating tastes of pistachio or tiramisu – or unsweetened. It’s also no longer just reserved for drinks, and many of London’s best matcha bars will also serve an array of matcha-infused Japanese desserts, pancakes, mousses and more. 

London isn’t short of matcha, but how does one separate the wheat from the chaff? We’ve done the hard work for you and rounded up the best chains and shops serving the most authentic matcha to order now. 

Jenki, across London

Images: Jenki

A firm favourite in the capital is Jenki. Instantly recognisable because of its emerald-green facade – which can be found in Spitalfields, Selfridges, Borough Market and Covent Garden – the chain launched in 2020 to also hop on to the matcha trend in the capital and offers some of the best green powders sourced from the foothills of Uji in Japan. From the bar, entry-level classics include the flat green – matcha’s version of a flat white – while signature drinks feature the rose and collagen or ginger and turmeric matcha lattes. Pair with matcha snickers, energy bites, olive oil cake and granola milk matcha. Ultimately, Jenki is on hand to satiate every green tea fix. You want it, they’ve got it. 

Visit jenki.co.uk

Tsujiri, across London

Tsujiri is a dessert tea house specialising in all things matcha, from ice cream and sweet treats to lattes and Japanese teas. Now located in the heart of Chinatown, as well as Camden and Stratford, Tsujiri was first established in 1860 in Japan and founded by Riemon Tsuji, a visionary who dedicated himself to crafting the highest grade of Japanese green tea, known as gyokuro. Carrying on his legacy, Tsujiri prides itself on offering the freshest and most authentic matcha experience, so if you’re a green tea fan, this should be at the top of your cafe list. Alongside all the classic serves, don’t miss the matcha tiramisu latte – best served with matcha almond biscuits, matcha chocolates and matcha madeleine sandwiches. 

Visit tsujiri.co.uk

Blank Street, across London

With more than 40 locations across London, Manchester, Birmingham, Edinburgh and Glasgow, Blank Street disrupted the coffee shop market when it launched in 2020. On a mission to provide high-quality coffee and matcha to the masses, and having been named Best Coffee Chain in the UK and Ireland in 2023, the brand unsurprisingly has a number of matcha iterations for you to sip on this summer. Signature serves include the blueberry matcha made with steamed housemade blueberry oat milk, as well as the Daydream – homemade vanilla bean, honey, and cinnamon syrup mixed with oat milk and matcha, served hot – as well as other sweet iterations based on popular desserts such as banana bread and strawberry shortcake. 

New for 2025 is the salted pistachio matcha. Having taken a year to perfect, it’s crafted from three high-quality natural extractions of pistachio in the form of the milk, the syrup and the cream, which is tied together with a touch of Himalayan pink sea salt and ceremonial matcha. See you there. 

Visit blankstreet.com

How Matcha, Marylebone and Notting Hill

One of London's most popular all-day matcha bars is How Matcha, renowned for bringing its community-driven cafe concept to the vibrant streets of Marylebone and, as of September 2025, Notting Hill. Its ceremonial grade matcha has been sourced directly from farms in Kagoshima and is the base for all of its serves. Drinks are nothing short of innovative here, with firm favourites including the Wasabi Matcha Shot, the Dirty Matcha and the Immune: matcha infused with cinnamon, ginger, turmeric, black pepper, bee pollen, and honey. 

Push the boat out with the Matcha Noir – featuring black sesame, roasted chestnut, activated charcoal – and the Sunburst, with matcha, strawberry jam, peach puree, banana and turmeric milk. If you can’t get enough of the green goodness, get your fix with How Matcha’s new soft serve for summer. Created in partnership with Wild Oats, indulge in an unsweetened Iced Oat Matcha Latte scoop or a Dirty Matcha flavour. 

Visit howmatcha.com

Wa Cafe, London

Wa Cafe is a classic Japanese patisserie with outposts in Ealing, Covent Garden and Marylebone, offering a pristine array of pretty cakes and, of course, inventive drinks. Manned by an expert team of patissiers, each cafe is adorned with clean, white interiors and offers customers both eat-in and takeaway options. Get your fix with the matcha milk roll or the matcha mochi an pan – a delicate green tea bread filled with sweetened Azuki beans – before ordering an array of green tea. Pair with a plethora of matcha lattes, all using ceremonial grade powder from Kyoto, and if you’re up for trying something new, opt for the hojicha latte with roasted green tea instead. 

Visit wacafe.co.uk

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