Updated July 2024: Thanks for your comments of additional places that offer matcha lattes. It’s time to update this list! There are a lot more cafes offering matcha lattes in the last 3 years ๐
I’m officially hooked on matcha lattes especially after coming back from Japan where it was available at every Starbucks, Seven Eleven, most cafes and some market stalls. What is matcha? It’s a finely ground green tea powder made from tea leaves. It is usually whisked with hot water as a drink but can also be used in baking and in other foods. There are many health benefits since you’re consuming the whole leaf rather than just steeping the leaves and throwing them out.
Note that matcha lattes and green tea lattes are the same thing. There are now several cafes in Canberra that offer them so I thought I would share what I’ve found so far. In no particular order…
Good Neighbour
$6-7 for a matcha latte with soy milk. By the team from Gus’ Place, I love that the matcha latte is not too sugary and not mixed with anything else. On the other hand, I also really love the viral trend of an iced strawberry matcha which you can also get here.
Good Neighbour can be found at 1/55 Wentworth Ave in Kingston.
Maple and Clove
The matcha almond latte at Maple and Clove uses almond milk (I forgot to ask if it could be substituted for dairy/other milk). This was bitter but wholesome. I had to add some coconut sugar, however I was still happy with the creaminess and frothiness of the latte.
Maple and Clove can be found at 7 Burbury Close in Barton.
EightyTwenty
EightyTwenty in Braddon advertises a matcha latte on its menu using almond milk. I realised (too late) that I should have asked whether I could substitute the almond milk with cow milk, and they were happy to do so but had already made the latte. No matter. This version tasted a lot better with a bitter matcha taste. It was a bit too bitter for me but I added some coconut sugar to sweeten it. There’s also a matcha immunitea smoothie if you want to mix it up a bit.
EightyTwenty can be found on the corner at 18 Lonsdale Street in Braddon.
Caffe Cherry Beans
I was surprised to pass by this chain eatery which had a drinks menu out the front where I happened to notice matcha lattes. The small soy matcha latte came served in a wide green cup. I was a little concerned as the colour of the latte was more white than green, signalling a lot more milk had been used. It was very sweet and not enough matcha had been used making it a bit too milky for me. I forgot to take a photo of the latte though I must say there was no attempt at latte art, just blobs of frothy milk.
There are various locations for the Caffe Cherry Beans franchise – Westfield Woden and Belconnen, Gungahlin market place, Tuggeranong and the Canberra Outlet Centre to name a few.
Duatti
I found the matcha latte at Duatti to be too sweet but the guys at Duatti assured me that no added sugar is included. I’ll take their word for it but I did find it very very sweet. Duatti can be found opposite Woolworths at Westfield Woden.
Cha Time
A hot matcha latte was advertised at Cha Time in Acton and I just had to try it.
Served in a bubble tea cup, I liked that it wasn’t too sweet but the latte was far too watery for my liking. I don’t think I’ll be ordering this again.
Cha Time can be found at 1 Childers Lane in Acton (at the ANU).
Sip Coffee Bar
I walked past Sip in the city (near the bus interchange) where I saw a chalkboard out the front advertising matcha frappes. It was too cold for a frappe, but I figured if they can do that, they can do a latte version. I was right, and $3.50 got me a small matcha latte that I got to go. It’s not on the menu but all you need to do is ask. I did see the barista add two teaspoons of raw sugar in, so the latte was a sweeter version. Next time, I’ll ask for no sugar and see how it goes from there.
Sip Coffee Bar can be found at 131 City Walk in Civic (next to King O’Malley’s).
Oliver Brown
Oliver Brown’s large matcha latte ($4.30) is huge served in a very large cup (almost a mug). No complaints – not too bitter, not too sweet and not too milky. Just right. And there were a few chocolate buttons provided on my spoon as a pick me up. Yay.
There are various Oliver Brown stores throughout Canberra – Manuka, Civic, Dickson and Gungahlin.
Local Press
Along the Kingston Foreshore, Local Press Cafe have matcha lattes from $4.50 and iced matchas for $6. They also do turmeric and beetroot lattes.
Local Press Cafe is located at 35 Eastlake Parade, Kingston Foreshore.
7th and Bake
Another on the Kingston Foreshore, 7th and Bake have matcha lattes at $4.50 for a cup or $5.50 for a mug. Not only matcha, they also have taro, beetroot, turmeric, gingerbread, nutella and butterscotch lattes!
7th and Bake is located at 144/41 Eastlake Parade, Kingston Foreshore.
Bean & Table
Still on the Foreshore, Bean & Table offer matcha lattes and matcha frappes. The latte comes in a large mug so it’s good value. A bit too sweet for me but I’ll ask for less or no sweetness next time.
Bean & Table is located at 2 Trevillian Quay, Kingston Foreshore.
Penny University
At Kingston’s Green Square, Penny University do a matcha latte but it’s pretty expensive at $7 for a small, and $8 for a large. It’s also blended with cinnamon and honey. I much prefer pure matcha. There’s also an iced matcha option but again blended with cinnamon and honey.
Penny University is located at 15 Kennedy St, Kingston (Green Square).
Gus’ Place
Gus’ in Civic offer matcha lattes with soy milk for $5 (regular) or $5.50 (large). A little sweet and I noticed a sugary matcha residue on the side of the glass but this melted quickly when I stirred it in. Matcha frappes are also available.
Gus’ Place is located at 8/68 Bunda St, Canberra.
The Bearded Bean
The Bearded Bean cafe in Civic offers a blended matcha chai latte. I find it rather sweet and don’t particularly like it with the chai blended in, but it could be good for any chai-lovers out there.
The Bearded Bean is located at 21 Genge Street, Canberra.
As You Like It Cafe
A reader, Julian, informed me that As You Like It Cafe in the city (near the ANU) now have matcha lattes. I’m actually really happy with it – a nice balance between bitter and sweet.
As You Like It Cafe is located at The Street Theatre on Childers Street, Canberra.
Kopiku
Located at the O’Connor shops Kopiku has your regular Western style food but also a small Indonesian food menu. They have matcha lattes, matcha frappes and iced matchas.
Find Kopiku at 1/5 Sargood St, O’Connor ACTย
Tokyo Canteen
At $8 for a matcha latte, this is by far the most expensive cup in Canberra! Tokyo Canteen can be found at the Eyre Street Market at the Kingston shops.
And some more to add to the list:
- Lil Milk Bar – Mawson
- Folks Gallery – Dickson
- The Knox – Watson
- Patissez – Manuka
- Gather – Braddon
- Sunday in Canberra – Gungahlin
- AM Cakes – Harrison
- The Greenhouse – Canberra Centre
- Dockside – Kingston Foreshore
- Early Edition – Kingston Foreshore
- Jina’s cafe – Civic
- Rye cafe – Braddon
- Good Neighbour – Kingston (also do a lovely iced strawberry matcha!)
- Le Bon Melange – Gungahlin
- Savoir French – Acton
- Tonic Espresso – Civic
I shall continue my hunt for a good matcha latte in Canberra. Is there anywhere else that I should check out? Please let me know ๐
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Sharyn
August 22, 2016 at 8:20 pm (8 years ago)‘As Nature Intended’ at the Belconnen Markets makes a fantastic matcha latte.
FoodPornJournal
August 23, 2016 at 8:45 am (8 years ago)Thanks, I did not know that! Must check them out ๐
Annabel
September 1, 2016 at 7:12 pm (8 years ago)Thanks for this article, great post! The Double Shot matcha lattes are good, and Tonic in civic also has them now!
FoodPornJournal
September 1, 2016 at 7:24 pm (8 years ago)Thanks for the tip. I didn’t even know there was a cafe called Tonic!
Irrevenant
September 9, 2016 at 1:15 pm (8 years ago)“Kingston and Co.” in Belconnen mall (just outside Target) also serves a nice matcha latte.
FoodPornJournal
September 10, 2016 at 8:44 am (8 years ago)thanks I must visit! ๐
Irrevenant
September 10, 2016 at 10:37 am (8 years ago)Also Roasted in Gold Creek, Nicholls (the older end near the Green Herring, not up in Federation Square).
FoodPornJournal
September 10, 2016 at 2:57 pm (8 years ago)Awesome thanks!
Lucy
February 26, 2017 at 7:11 pm (8 years ago)Local Press in Kingston does one and so far it’s my favourite by a long way.
FoodPornJournal
February 26, 2017 at 7:12 pm (8 years ago)excellent! will need to try it ๐
Julian
October 18, 2019 at 7:04 pm (5 years ago)As You Like It cafe in the city
FoodPornJournal
October 20, 2019 at 5:57 pm (5 years ago)thanks for the update!
Wita Puspita
January 10, 2021 at 1:20 pm (4 years ago)AM cakes Harisson ๐ delicious matcha latte and crepe cakes
FoodPornJournal
January 12, 2021 at 8:02 pm (4 years ago)thanks, will add it to the list!
FoodPornJournal
January 13, 2021 at 3:01 pm (4 years ago)thanks, have added it to the list! ๐
Lucy
January 13, 2021 at 2:47 pm (4 years ago)FYI Double Shot no longer doing them ๐
FoodPornJournal
January 13, 2021 at 3:01 pm (4 years ago)Thanks for letting me know!
Lucy
January 13, 2021 at 2:51 pm (4 years ago)Oh and the Green House in the Canberra Centre also does a good one now.
Dave
May 2, 2024 at 8:23 am (8 months ago)Fantastic effort!
It would be great to note two things when you review (and potentially update existing ones).
1. Matcha powder was blended using the traditional method of bowl and whisk or just straight into milk jug.
2 Matcha powder was pure or pre-blended with sugar.
Thanks