From ice cream to cocktails, lattes to desserts, we've found the best places in Hong Kong for you to get your matcha hit.
What’s the similarity between Hong Kong’s many ice cream shops, dessert places, and new cafes? That’s right – they’re all mad for matcha! Infused into both savoury and sweet foods – from ramen to yoghurt – the Japanese green tea powder carries a unique taste and it dyes everything it touches a beautiful shade of green. We’ve rounded up our favourite matcha cocktails, cakes, ice cream, lattes, and more, so that you can get your fix and harness its powerful antioxidants.
Best matcha treats in Hong Kong
1. Anything matcha at Matchali
Are you tired of trying things that claim they have matcha in them, but then they don’t taste anything like it? You won’t have to worry about that happening at Matchali. The matcha flavour always comes out clean and distinct in Matchali’s range of matcha drinks. Moreover, the brand has quite a few plant-based milk options and superfood add-ons to boost the health benefits of its matcha beverages. Our go-to is the Watermelon Passion Fruit Matcha – we love how the richness of the matcha balances with the refreshing blend of summer fruits.
Matchali has locations in Tsim Sha Tsui and Admiralty.
2. Lava Matcha scone at Holy Bake
Founded in April 2021, Holy Bake is a new local brand that specialises in scones. Among its variety of flavours, its Lava Matcha scone is one of our favourites. Not only is the matcha flavour surprisingly rich, but its molten matcha filling also oozes out beautifully after the scone’s been heated. Be sure to catch Holy Bake at its pop-up in Harbour City before November 30!
Holy Bake, Kiosk K, Level 3, Ocean Terminal, Harbour City, 3-27 Canton Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong, p. 9187 9001, 尖沙咀廣東道3-27號海港城海運大廈3樓Kiosk K號舖
3. Green tea cheesecake at Teakha
Aiming to bring people together through tea, Teakha sources its single origin tea leaves from small plantations around the world via Plantation by teakha, its sister brand. To pair with the cafe’s premium teas, be sure to try the green tea cheesecake, one of the most popular items at Teakha. This home-style cake is creamy yet filled with flavours of green tea, making it the ideal afternoon tea snack to share with your bestie over a nice cuppa.
Teakha, G/F, 18B Tai Ping Shan Street, Sheung Wan, Hong Kong, p. 2858 9185, 上環太平山街18B號地舖茶。家
4. M.A.D Matcha & Red Bean doughnut at 1966 Baking Alliance
Muffins VS doughnuts? Why not both? 1966 Baking Alliance, a new concept by the esteemed Maria’s Bakery, has found a way to combine the two. Instead of frying, the store bakes a soft dough made with Dutch flour, making the “doughnut” healthier and fluffier. Resulting in a muffin-like texture, this product is therefore named M.A.D – Muffin as Doughnuts. One of M.A.D’s many flavours is the Matcha & Red Bean. Name a more iconic duo – we’ll wait.
1966 Baking Alliance, Shop 246B, 2/F, Central Market, 93 Queen’s Road Central, Central, Hong Kong, p. 2371 6350, 中環皇后大道中93號中環街市2樓246B號舖1966烘培聯盟
5. Matcha cheesecakes at The Coffeeology
The Coffeeology is not just famous for its coffee – its cheesecakes are to die for, too. While the cafe rotates its cake menu once every two months or so, its matcha cheesecake comes back from time to time, and it’s always a crowd favourite. If you’re a fan of strong matcha flavours, we’d recommend the Double Matcha Cheesecake; whereas if you prefer something a little sweeter and creamier, the simple Matcha Cheesecake will be your best bet.
The Coffeeology, G/F, 12 Yiu Wa Street, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong, p. 2898 8805, 銅鑼灣耀華街12號地舖
6. Matcha Amazake at Green Gingko Tea
For those looking for a more serene and authentic tea house experience, head to Green Gingko Tea, just a few steps from The Coffeeology. A hand-brew tea bar that offers premier teas sourced mainly from Japan and China, Green Gingko Tea specialises in sencha, gyokuro, and matcha. You can take your pick from its menu and seasonal specials; or, you can interact with the tea baristas to inform them of your preferences. They will then choose two types of tea for you – including exclusive, off-menu items – like a “tea omakase”.
Among Green Gingko Tea’s matcha offerings, we find the Matcha Amazake particularly unique. Amazake is a traditional fermented rice drink in Japan, and it’s known to carry numerous health benefits, such as detoxing, anti-ageing, and energising. Furthermore, its natural sweetness goes really well with matcha. So, don’t miss out on this when you’re nearby!
Green Gingko Tea (上林茶舍) has locations in Sheung Wan and Admiralty.
7. Matcha affogato at Via Tokyo
The godfather of matcha in Hong Kong, Via Tokyo gets seriously creative when it comes to green tea. If you are looking for a total overload, then you can’t go past the matcha affogato, a warm matcha latte served with the house-made matcha ice cream, crafted from the finest Kyoto green tea and smooth Hokkaido milk. Simply pour the warm drink onto the ice cream and you’ll be lost in a matcha heaven.
Via Tokyo, Shop 1A-1B, G/F, Leishun Court, 106-126 Leighton Road, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong, p. 2895 1116, 銅鑼灣禮頓道106-126號禮信大廈地下1A-1B號舖
8. Matcha latte at Elephant Grounds
Those looking for a hearty matcha drink in Hong Kong need look no further than Elephant Grounds, a cafe that serves a delicious matcha latte that is always an Instagram favourite. This beautiful green beverage is an excellent coffee substitute for those looking to cut down on their coffee intake, and is always topped off with some stunning latte art.
Elephant Grounds has multiple branches across Hong Kong.
9. Matcha Colada at Aqua
Over in Tsim Sha Tsui, the team at Aqua have developed the way-too-easy-to-drink Matcha Colada cocktail. Using the finest green tea powder sourced from Nishio in Japan, the drink combines Tanqueray London Dry gin, dark Crème De Cacao, Coco Lopez coconut cream, and fresh pineapple to create a tasty summer cocktail – perfect for enjoying that stunning Aqua view.
Aqua, 29-30/F, Penthouse, 1 Peking Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong, p. 3427 2288, 尖沙咀北京道1號29樓
10. Green tea frozen yoghurt at Yo Mama
Perfect for cooling off in the summer heat, the green tea froyo from Yo Mama has a subtle taste, with just the right amount of flavour. We love pimping this bad boy up with some red bean and nata de coco to get some extra texture. Plus, how cute are these cups?
Yo Mama has various branches across Hong Kong.
Hiroshi (closed)
From matcha parfait and pudding to mille-feuille with matcha ice cream, Hiroshi has created some of the best matcha desserts in town. And the most popular item? Their matcha Swiss roll! Filled with a generous amount of matcha cream and layered with a light and well-flavoured sponge, it’s undoubtedly some of the tastiest Swiss rolls ever.
Hiroshi, Shop 502, 5/F, The ONE, 100 Nathan Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong, p. 2737 2665, 尖沙咀彌敦道100號The ONE 5樓502室宏
Nakamura Tokichi Hong Kong Ten (closed)
Purveyors of some of the world’s finest matcha goods, Nakamura Tokichi Hong Kong Ten is known for its delicious green tea inventions, and is the first branch of the famed restaurant outside of Kyoto. Sample traditional tea, lattes, parfaits, and more at the tea room that blends all of its matcha with a bamboo whisk, the way it is done in Japan.
Nakamura Tokichi Hong Kong Ten, Shop G65, G/F, Mira Place Two, 118-130 Nathan Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong, p. 2796 2538, 尖沙咀彌敦道118-130號美麗華廣場二期地下G65號舖中村藤吉
Ce La Vi (closed)
The team at Ce La Vi go all out when they create desserts, making irresistible offerings that taste divine, and the restaurant’s Matcha Tart is no exception. From inside a buttery shell, the warm molten filling oozes out when cut striking just the right balance of sweet and bitter notes. The dessert is served with 64% Valrhona manjari ice cream, and the intense colour of the tart makes it totally Instagrammable.
Ce La Vi, 25-28/F, California Tower, 32 D’Aguilar Street, Central, Hong Kong, p. 3700 2300, 中環蘭桂坊德己立街30-32號加州大廈25樓
