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Sydney Morning Herald
05-06-2025
- Lifestyle
- Sydney Morning Herald
Sydney's best matcha and bubble tea
Sponsored Eating outEssential cafes and bakeries The boundary-pushing new-wave cafes transforming the way we think about tea. Brought to you by T2 , register or subscribe to save recipes for later. You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. As featured in Good Food's Essential Sydney Cafes and Bakeries of 2025, presented by T2. See all stories. A growing number of Sydney cafes are specialising in neither tea nor coffee. Rather, it's a special third thing. This category celebrates all the forward-thinking cafes turning tradition on its head by serving express-brewed teas covered in cream-cheese foam; milky lattes whisked with hojicha; and pink-hued French Earl Grey in hot chocolate, with fairy floss. You'll find matcha and its many variations here. Yes, matcha is rooted in centuries of Chinese and Japanese tradition, but it stands apart from loose-leaf green tea due to its significant uptake in Sydney over the past two years. Harnessed for both its health and aesthetic properties, matcha has become synonymous with new-wave cafes, which serve it swirled with strawberry jam, whisked into cheesecakes and layered with thick milk foam. Want to know more? Read on for Sydney's best places to drink matcha and other specialty drinks. It's part of Good Food's Essential Sydney Cafes and Bakeries of 2025. Presented by T2, the guide celebrates the people and places that shape our excellent cafe and bakery scenes and includes more than 100 venues reviewed anonymously across 11 categories, including icons, those best for food, tea and coffee, and where to get the city's best sweets, sandwiches and baked goods. (These reviews also live on theGood Food app, and are discoverable on the map.) 1 / 4 Matcha latte and matcha muffin at Cre Asion, located in North Sydney (pictured) and Pyrmont. Dion Georgopoulos 2 / 4 Cafe Cre Asion, North Sydney. Dion Georgopoulos 3 / 4 Matcha is used to make a variety of baked goods at Cafe Cre Asion in North Sydney. Dion Georgopoulos 4 / 4 Cafe Cre Asion, North Sydney Dion Georgopoulos Cre Asion Step through the sheer curtains at Cre Asion to discover a pioneering matcha oasis in North Sydney, where the highest grade of this beautifully bitter Japanese tea has been whisked into specialty drinks and desserts since 2011. Japandi-style wood benches line the wall, facing glass pastry cabinets filled with verdant matcha green: fluffy swiss rolls, crumbly thick cookies and springy chiffon cake — also available in a nutty hojicha (roasted green tea) flavour with savoury azuki (red bean) cream. Good to know: Peruse the shelves for ceremonial-grade matcha powder and whisks. Multiple locations, Takeaway tea and strawberry matcha at Bubble Nini in Waterloo. Bubble Nini The cutesy aesthetic of this Sydney-born cafe chain might not be for everyone, but there's substance behind the library facade at the Zetland flagship. Teas are visually striking, varied (with options like premium green, jasmine and oolong), brewed to order and bright with flavour. The boba are the best part: preservative-free and made daily, infused with fresh ingredients like cherry blossoms, fresh fruit and strawberry jam. Must order: Ready to lean into the cute? Pair your hazy peach milk tea with a jiggly pudding cat. Multiple locations, Fruit toasts at Chubby Cubby. Chubby Cubby Cafe If Good Food presented an award for the biggest slice of banoffee, this calming hangout on busy George Street would most likely claim the trophy. Chubby rocks a range of extra-large fruit-covered shokupan toasts too, but we're most keen for the matcha latte crowned with thick whipped einspanner cream. Best for: Working on your laptop with matcha and cheesecake as writing fuel. 810 George Street, Haymarket, Mamuki's mango matcha smoothie. Nick Moir Mamuki Bake Bar Strawberry matcha lattes are all well and good, but how about a mango matcha smoothie at this Enmore Road newcomer? Green tea powder colour-boosts everything here, from the pastry cabinet's ace banana bread to the many Instagram-optimised drinks whisked to order. This cafe's robust stocks of matcha are drawn from three suppliers and working directly with Japanese farmers. Must order: The Matcha Cloud layered with coconut water and velvety foam. 147 Enmore Road, Enmore, Oriental Jasmine tea is the specialty at Molly Tea. Molly Tea Molly is a new kid on the burgeoning specialty tea scene block that is Burwood Road. The Chinese chain, founded in Shenzen in 2020, is recognisable for its pastel pink aesthetic, strong jasmine tea fragrance, and high-tech automated brewing equipment. Touch screens make ordering easy, explaining unexpectedly delicious blends such as the floral and refreshing 'pistachio jasmine coco' (green tea with coconut water and pistachio cream-cheese foam). Good to know: Molly has developed its own signature straw, three tiny tubes fused together, for better sipping. 192 Burwood Road, Burwood, Matcha everything at Moon & Back, Rosebery. Moon and Back Matcha meets innovation in this industrial-minimalist cafe beneath a modern apartment building in Rosebery. This is where you'll find ceremonial-grade matcha from the renowned Uji growing region in Kyoto, served with dainty skewers of house-made dango (chewy rice flour dumplings) or whipped into creamy clouds atop coconut water or milk. Cold brew coffee gets a floral flourish with jasmine, maple syrup and milk foam in the signature 'Kumo' drink. Best for: Appeasing your sweet-tooth on a solo date. 7/2 Crewe Place, Rosebery, Sneaker Laundry at Martin Place. Sneaker Laundry Lab This underground triple-threat sells specialty concoctions of coffee and matcha alongside grab-and-go Japanese-ish meals, all while sprucing up your dirty sneakers. Drop your shoes off and pick up a freshly whisked matcha with zesty yuzu, or served cold and milky with a 'cloud' of nutty kinako (roasted soybean powder) foam. There's no seating in the '00s-futurist space, but the fridge is stocked with onigiri from local master Oniballs in flavours including nasi lemak. Good to know: Spilled your matcha? Sneaker Laundry sells a great stain removing marker. Basement Level 3, 2 Elizabeth Street, Sydney, High-pressure tea brewing equipment at Tea & Co, Burwood. Tea & Co Take a seat on the polished concrete bench as you watch the espresso machines rasping with steam as they pressure-brew tea leaves to order. Within a minute or two the automated Big Brother voice booms out your order number, and there it is: a supersized (no, there aren't smaller sizes) 'snowy mountain osmanthus oolong fresh milk tea'. Translated: cold oolong tea with milk and cream cheese foam, or liquefied dessert for grown-ups. Good to know: Want some coffee with your tea? Tea & Co offers a specialised blend of the two. 1/180-186 Burwood Road, Burwood, Tea Republic This is no ordinary bubble tea spot. It's a light-filled space where baristas brew to order with freshly ground leaves and health-forward ingredients such as oats and coconut jelly. The fun is in choosing your tea and toppings: osmanthus to golden sencha; honey pearls to mini mocha. Tweak your ice level, sweetness and temperature, too, and enjoy your latest creation at the drink-in Mascot location. Must order: Roasted milk with all-combination toppings. Multiple locations, T Totaler, Sydney. T Totaler Husband and wife Amber and Paul Sunderland launched their premium Australian-grown tea brand in 2012 with the aim of changing the public perception of what tea could be. Now, they have 30 blends at their tiny flagship, which acts as a retail shop and peddler of the fabulous tea creations favoured by restaurants including two-hatted Bennelong. Bestsellers include a peppery masala chai and refreshing tea negroni cocktail. Must order: The signature French Earl Grey hot chocolate topped with Persian fairy floss. The Galeries, 500 George Street, Sydney, Good Food's Essential Sydney Cafes and Bakeries of 2025, presented by T2, celebrates the people and places that shape our excellent cafe and bakery scenes and includes more than 100 venues reviewed anonymously across 11 categories, including icons, those best for food, tea, coffee and matcha, and where to get the city's best sweets, sandwiches and baked goods. Download the Good Food app from the Apple App Store or the Google Play Store to discover what's near you. Restaurant reviews, news and the hottest openings served to your inbox. Sign up
Emirates Woman
20-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Emirates Woman
10 unique matcha cafés for the globe-trotter
Matcha cafés have taken the world by storm and most certainly our Instagram feeds. When it comes to searching, leave that to the matcha experts at Emirates Woman . Unique matcha cafes around the world blend traditional Japanese tea culture with modern culinary creativity, offering immersive and flavorful experiences. From Matcha Cafe Maiko in Honolulu, where matcha soft serve and parfaits are crafted with Kyoto-imported tea, to Nana's Green Tea in Tokyo, a sleek chain that modernises traditional Japanese desserts, these spots have garnered cult followings. In Sydney, Cre Asion stands out for its minimalist, Zen-inspired design and its artisanal matcha pastries and macarons. Meanwhile, Cha Cha Matcha in New York and Los Angeles brings a pop-art, Instagram-worthy twist to matcha lattes and soft serve, appealing to a global youth audience. Each café showcases regional influences—whether it's ceremonial-grade matcha, inventive fusion desserts, or eye-catching aesthetics—making them distinct destinations for tea lovers and trend seekers alike. These cafés not only serve exceptional matcha but also provide unique atmospheres and experiences that highlight the global appreciation for this vibrant green tea. MACCHA HOUSE Matcha Kan – Tokyo Here, they serve a menu featuring carefully selected matcha from 'Morihan,' a long-established Kyoto tea house with over 180 years of history. Popular items include matcha lattes, matcha soft serve ice cream, a DIY matcha whisking experience, and their renowned matcha tiramisu. For an authentic experience this is a must-visit specialty matcha cafe. Koncrete – Dubai View this post on Instagram A post shared by KONCRETE®️ (@koncretespace) If you're thinking clean spaces – Koncrete is the place to be. This Emirati-owned café showcases a spacious, sleek and minimalistic space to unwind. Visitors can savour drinks such as the Coco Matcha – an organic and refreshing blend of coconut water, topped with premium creamy matcha. This delicious beverage combines an exciting blend of both tropical and earthy flavours which stem from the matcha powder itself. Cafe Cre Asion – Sydney Known for its Japanese minimal design and food since 2011. Cre Asion is a hidden gem nestled in the laneways of Surry Hills, Sydney, offering a serene escape with its minimalist Japanese-inspired ambiance and exceptional matcha-infused. The café's name, 'Cre Asion,' is a play on 'creation,' reflecting its dedication to crafting unique and artistic treats. Guests can indulge in a variety of matcha-based offerings, including matcha lattes, matcha fondants, and matcha muffins. The matcha flavor is authentic and rich, appealing to true matcha enthusiasts. UMAMI Matcha Café To Go – Paris This charming takeaway spot nestled in Paris's 17th arrondissement, offers a delightful array of matcha-infused beverages and Japanese-inspired treats. Located at 5 rue Pierre Demours, near the Ternes metro station, this café caters to matcha enthusiasts seeking quality on the go. Their menu features a variety of hot and cold matcha drinks, including lattes and specialty beverages, all crafted with high-quality Japanese matcha. Additionally, patrons can enjoy an assortment of matcha-flavored pastries and desserts, such as matcha cheesecakes and yuzu-infused treats. The café also boasts a delicatessen corner, offering a selection of Japanese products and ingredients for those interested in recreating the flavors at home. With its minimalist décor and friendly service, UMAMI Matcha Café To Go provides a cozy stop for a quick yet satisfying matcha experience in Paris. Maja Spa & Wellness Studio – Bali View this post on Instagram A post shared by PAULA SANZ (@paulasanzb) At Maja Spa & Wellness Studio in Canggu, Bali, matcha enthusiasts can indulge in a refreshing cold matcha latte, expertly crafted with high-quality tea and often complemented by pastries like banana bread. This serene café offers a tranquil environment, making it an ideal spot to relax after a rejuvenating spa treatment or a revitalizing Pilates session. Whether enjoyed in the cozy ambiance of the spa or conveniently delivered via Grab, Maja Spa's matcha offerings provide a delightful blend of taste and wellness. Ksana Matcha – Bangkok With a store designed to look like a cave, they aim to make the cafe a hideout for people to recharge and get rest from the busy city, a very cool concept of 'escape from chaos'. The café is a matcha specialist and importer delivering the finest ceremonial matcha directly from Japan. Cha Cha Matcha – New York View this post on Instagram A post shared by Cha Cha Matcha (@chachamatcha) Cha Cha Matcha is a vibrant and trendy café chain in New York City, known for its high-quality matcha beverages and Instagram-worthy aesthetic. Founded in 2016 by Matthew Morton and Conrad Sandelman after a trip to Japan, the brand has become a staple in NYC's matcha scene . Innovative combinations like the 'Blue Drink' with collagen and lavender honey and the matcha soft serve are perfect for a sweet treat. Peaq Wellness – Dubai The first social wellness club in the Middle East is all about matcha. For more information visit So, for your next travel plans, you'll definitely be Matcha-ready! – For more on luxury lifestyle, news, fashion and beauty follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and Instagram Images: Supplied Feature Image: @majaspa
