Matcha has skyrocketed in popularity over the past year for plenty of reasons: its earthy taste, clean aesthetic, health benefits, reputation as a coffee alternative… or maybe just for being performative? Whatever the reason may be, it’s clear that matcha has earned its place in today’s cafes, especially with specialty matcha spots popping up all over Chicago.
As a matcha connoisseur, I’ve made matcha lattes at home and have even worked at a matcha startup. After trying over 15 matcha spots in Chicago (and counting), I’m here to tell you where to find the most vibrant, bold matchas around Chicago. No milky, weak matchas here!
MATCH-A
One of the most viral matcha spots in Chicago, MATCH-A is a rare example of a cafe that lives up to the social media hype. The moment you walk into its West Town location and see the staff hand-whisking matcha, the minimalist interior with silver cups and tables and the featured artwork in the back, you know you’re in the right place.
Their signature drink, the sea salt matcha double cream, is made with 4.5 grams of ceremonial-grade matcha and topped with rich, heavenly cream with just a touch of sea salt. It’s creamy and not too sweet, allowing their premium matcha to shine through. Try it once, and suddenly you can’t go back to the regular Starbucks matcha.
This spot can get pretty crowded on the weekends, but I’ve never had to wait more than 15 minutes. They also recently opened a second location in the Loop, so go grab your matcha and get ready to be amazed!
Nichi Matcha
Nichi Matcha is a Friday-only pop-up in the South Loop serving some of the most creative specialty drinks. Just hear me out: creamy matcha meets jasmine tea and a toasted marshmallow topping. Or try ube puree swirled into velvety matcha, finished with chewy taro mochi. For something more fruity, there’s a banana milk matcha topped with fluffy banana pudding. And if none of those combinations sound appealing to you, there’s plenty more on the menu.
On a Friday, I ended up waiting for around 40 minutes. That might sound a bit obscene just for matcha, but the drinks were nothing short of spectacular. The matcha is strong, and the creative flavors—especially the ube and jasmine tea—come through beautifully. Plus, there’s a cute station where you can bedazzle your matcha cups with sparkly stickers.
Unfortunately, Nichi Matcha closed their doors on October 30th, and I’m already missing their creative drinks. Fingers crossed they’ll make a comeback someday!
Cafe Mako
Cafe Mako is a petite, Japanese-inspired cafe located in the heart of Lincoln Park that serves specialty drinks such as their mango sticky rice matcha. The cafe sources its matcha from Uji, Japan, which explains why the drinks cost around $9-10. I definitely wasn’t thrilled about paying that price, but I’ll admit that both of the drinks ordered were heavenly.
I tried the mango sticky rice matcha and the matcha snowcap. The mango sticky rice matcha was indulgent, made with actual sticky rice and topped with a coconut cloud foam, while the matcha snowcap is a classic matcha latte topped with the same coconut cloud foam. Both drinks feature strong matcha that isn’t overpowering, with just the right amount of sweetness.
Taquería El Jardín
A family-run taco joint might not be your first guess for where to find great matcha, but Taquería El Jardín is an unexpected gem in the Chicago matcha scene. They use 4.5 grams of vibrant, ceremonial-grade matcha, resulting in a strong, creamy latte that isn’t too sweet.
Besides the classic matcha latte, they offer specialty flavors, including cookie butter (my favorite!), canela horchata, and banana cream. This popular spot can get pretty crowded on the weekends, but the wait is definitely worth it. Check out this matcha bar in West Town and grab some authentic, inexpensive tacos while you’re at it!
SUGOi Sweets
SUGOi Sweets serves affordable, high-quality matcha lattes, with the option to upgrade to premium matcha from the Japanese brand Marukyu Koyamaen. Lattes start at just $6, making this one of the more affordable spots on the list. They also sell matcha tins in-store, along with handmade chocolate bonbons and mochi. Make sure to also try their vegan matcha soft serve – it’s smooth, creamy, and full of matcha flavor.
Final Thoughts
Whether you’re a matcha enthusiast like me or just getting into the matcha craze, these five spots are worth adding to your Chicago cafe list. They have all earned a spot on my regular rotation, but there’s always room for another matcha latte!