The 5 Best Matcha Cafés in Manila (2026)

The most talked-about dedicated matcha spot in Manila. Chotto Matcha sources its tea directly from small, family-owned farms in Shizuoka, Japan — handpicked and ground using traditional stone mills, the same method used by high-end Japanese tea houses. The quality that results is immediately apparent in the drink: the flavour is complex, the colour deep and vivid, the texture smooth. The Floral Hanami Matcha and Marshmallow Cloudy Matcha have become Instagram staples not because they look good (though they do) but because they taste as good as they look — an unusual distinction in Manila's café scene. Forbes Town in BGC is a busy café cluster and Chotto holds its own in demanding company.

One of Japan's most celebrated tea houses, founded in Uji, Kyoto in 1860, with over 160 years of matcha tradition behind every cup. Tsujiri at Power Plant Mall brings that heritage to Manila in full — the menu spans traditional ceremonial matcha lattes, indulgent parfaits layered with soft-serve and red bean, and a range of matcha-based desserts that are difficult to find elsewhere in the city. For those who want to understand what makes Uji matcha special, Tsujiri is the clearest demonstration: the depth of flavour, the balance of bitterness and umami, and the colour are all distinct. The Rockwell location is well-suited to an afternoon visit from Makati.

The most intimate and ceremonially serious matcha experience in Manila — and arguably the most authentic Japanese tea experience in the Philippines. Kissako sources ceremonial-grade matcha directly from Uji, Kyoto, and operates on a dine-in-only policy that immediately sets it apart from every other café on this list. With a maximum of roughly ten seats, each visit becomes a proper tea ceremony rather than a café transaction — the preparation is unhurried, the environment carefully curated, and the quality of the matcha exceptional. The matcha tiramisu is a revelation: a dessert that has made Kissako famous in Manila's food community. Book ahead if you want a seat; walk-in space is very limited.

Manila's most accessible homegrown matcha brand and the city's best everyday option for quality at a reasonable price. The Signature Matcha Latte at Matchanese has become a benchmark in its own right: smooth, with a bright vivid green hue, and calibrated to be not too milky and not too bitter — the kind of balance that is harder to achieve than it sounds. Multiple milk alternatives are available (soy, oat, almond), making it one of the most inclusive options in the city for plant-based visitors. With multiple Metro Manila locations, Matchanese is the café you return to between the special occasions rather than saving for them.

The globally recognised Japanese specialty coffee brand known for its clean white stores and exceptional sourcing has established its Manila presence at Mitsukoshi Mall in BGC — a fitting location, given the mall's Japanese-inspired design. %Arabica's matcha programme reflects the same philosophy as its coffee: straightforward, high-quality, no theatrics. The matcha is ceremonial-grade, sourced from Japan, and prepared cleanly — the kind of cup that rewards returning to rather than trying once. For visitors who appreciate the %Arabica brand globally, the Manila location delivers the same standard. For first-time visitors, it's a reliable, unpretentious introduction to quality Japanese matcha in a striking setting.