The 5 Best Matcha Cafés in Ithaca, NY (2026)

Ranked #1 on Yelp for matcha in Ithaca, Botanist Coffeehouse brings a city-level café sensibility to the Ithaca market — plants, natural light, and a drinks menu that takes matcha seriously as a specialty product. The pistachio matcha latte is the standout order, praised by reviewers as a beautifully balanced drink where the nuttiness of the pistachio amplifies rather than masks the matcha's earthy character. Multiple reviewers describe the iced matcha here as "the best I've ever had," which is either hyperbole or an indication that Botanist is doing something genuinely right. Based on its sustained Yelp ranking, it's likely the latter.

The top-rated café for matcha lattes in Ithaca as of 2026, Hound and Mare has built its reputation on a cozy, intimate atmosphere and a drinks menu praised specifically for excellent latte selections and smooth, well-crafted matcha. In a market as competitive as Ithaca — where specialty coffee culture is well-established and customers are demanding — a top rating for matcha lattes reflects genuine quality. Reviewers consistently highlight the smoothness of the preparation and the balance between the milk and matcha, two qualities that distinguish a properly made matcha latte from the rushed versions found at busier, higher-volume operations.

An Ithaca institution with multiple locations, Gimme! Coffee has been part of the city's café fabric for long enough to have served multiple generations of Cornell students. The matcha latte and chai latte are both highly rated, and the café's mission of environmental responsibility extends to a reusable mug discount — bring your own cup and pay less, a small gesture that reflects the café's ethos more broadly. Mornings are busy, particularly near campus; the afternoon slot is quieter and well-suited to a study session. For a first-time Ithaca visitor who wants a reliable, well-regarded matcha at a café with genuine local character, Gimme! is the dependable choice.

The on-campus option for Cornell students who want quality matcha without leaving the hill, Café Jennie was reviewed by the Cornell Daily Sun for its creamy, smooth matcha latte — rated 8/10 in the review. The glass ceiling letting in natural light gives the space an airy feel that distinguishes it from the typical campus café environment. Critically for Cornell students, both BRBs and CornellCard are accepted, making Café Jennie the most financially convenient matcha option on campus. Reviewed favourably by the university's own student newspaper, it occupies a niche that no off-campus café can fill: genuinely good matcha, on the Cornell campus, during your lunch break.

A well-rated neighbourhood café popular with both Cornell students and Ithaca locals, Bank Coffee has earned a solid reputation for quick, friendly service and good quality matcha — two qualities that are harder to find together than they should be. Reviewers praise the consistency of the matcha and the welcoming attitude of the staff, which has contributed to a loyal following in a market where multiple strong options compete for the same customers. For a reliable, no-fuss matcha latte from a café that treats you well, Bank Coffee is a dependable choice at any point in the Ithaca matcha crawl.