Matcha. That green drink made from the Camellia Sinensis bush and famously popularized by Japan. It can be traced all the way back to the Tang Dynasty in China from the 7th-10th centuries, but is now found in any standard Asian supermarket, boba shop, and even the Mitty cafeteria lineup. And everyone’s opinions on its flavor seem to vary from a polarized “inject this into my veins” to a bitter “why am I drinking grass?”
Each matcha spot is ranked based on a five-star scale with five criteria: color, cost, presentation, flavor profile, and atmosphere. You really can’t go wrong with any of these picks, but each has its own unique ambiance, flavor profile, and style of drinks that appeal to different customers. As a self-proclaimed matcha fanatic, I hope you enjoy these spots as much as I did and maybe find your next favorite drink!
Here is my 2026 Bay Area Guide to Find Your Perfect Matcha:
Most Refreshing: Matcha Town
Pictured: Pink Guava Matcha ($6.50)
Located in Cupertino Village, Matcha Town is a relatively new establishment, having only opened in January to long lines and lots of buzz. Although there is very limited seating, its modern feel with marble counters and bright lighting contributes to a higher-end, elegant ambiance (although ironically this is the least pricey matcha in the review). This pink guava matcha matched the aesthetic; its light floral tones and fruity aroma made it very palatable and refreshing. The matcha was a rich green and smooth, yet also had a unique nutty flavor that grew on me as I drank it. It’s easy to understand why this is a customer favorite, along with other floral-themed drinks such as their jasmine matcha or white champaca matcha float. I recommend this place for anyone who loves light drinks or sophisticated floral flavors.
Color: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Cost: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Presentation: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️(personally not a fan of skinny straws)
Flavor profile: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Atmosphere: ⭐️⭐️⭐️ (not much seating)
Best Pictures: Cere Tea
Pictured: Strawberry Matcha Einspanner ($7.75)
Ceré Tea is a small shop located on Prospect Road and a convenient five-minute drive from Mitty. Their most popular and compelling items definitely include their Einspanners—a Vietnamese-style of drink where the tea or coffee is topped with a generous dollop of sweet cream.
Although a bit pricier, this strawberry matcha einspanner came out mouthwateringly beautiful and ready to be featured on an Instagram story. Not only was it beautifully layered with strawberry puree, vibrant matcha, and thick cream, but all the components worked together harmoniously to create a pleasurable experience, down to the satisfying crunch of the freeze-dried strawberry. The strawberry’s tartness and matcha’s bitterness cut through the rich cream and made it a great dessert latte. I will definitely be back to try the many other options, and I recommend you bring a digicam to capture the beauty of their creations.
Color: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Cost: ⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
Presentation: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Flavor profile: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Atmosphere: ⭐️⭐️⭐️.5 (small space)
Most Zen: Matsu Matcha
Matsu Matcha is tucked into the corner of a large plaza on El Camino. Though its exterior may seem plain, the inside welcomes you with its soft, natural lighting, wooden tables and decor, and bonsai trees scattered throughout the store. They offer many unique flavors like this seasonal Mulberry Matcha Latte and a Matcha Cookie Butter Latte. If you like being adventurous and aren’t scared of bold flavors, this may be your place! Personally, even as a fan of mulberry, I thought the flavors lacked some unity, but I enjoyed the new flavor profile. Matsu Matcha is definitely known for their intense matcha flavor— they even have gelato ranging in matcha concentrations— so hardcore matcha fans may appreciate their strength. The calming atmosphere definitely encourages a good book read or a chat with a friend, so come for the zen vibes or new flavors!
Pictured: Mulberry Matcha Latte ($8.75)
Color: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
Cost: ⭐️⭐️
Presentation: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
Flavor profile: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Atmosphere: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Most Vibrant: N7
N7 is also a well-known local boba shop in the Strawberry Park plaza on Moorpark.
Matcha is only one of the many options they offer alongside tons of boba flavors and Vietnamese coffees. Yet I urge you to try this matcha because, well, look at that color. The electric, almost glowing green, indicates good quality and did not disappoint.
I tasted the perfect mix of umami, nutty, and vegetal, and it was not too creamy or overwhelming. The red bean and coconut flavors also complemented the matcha nicely, and didn’t overpower the matcha flavor like many easily do. This experience makes the splurge worth it, and the store has nice lounge-style seating that is perfect for relaxing.
Pictured (Left to Right): Azuki Red Bean Matcha and Coconut Matcha ($8.00 each)
Color: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Cost: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Presentation: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Flavor profile: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Atmosphere: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Most Popular: Izumi Matcha
Would this be a Bay Area review if Izumi Matcha wasn’t featured? I think not. The Izumi Matcha in Cupertino is one of their two locations, and both have lines out the door multiple days a week. If you have a sweet tooth, the crème brûlée matcha swirl is definitely up your alley, but opt for the yuzu matcha if you’re in the mood for something brighter and more refreshing. While Izumi definitely lives up to the hype regarding the bold coloring, fun flavors, and cute Sonny Angels that line the counters, quality can sometimes be sacrificed because of how packed it always is— the matcha itself can sometimes be a bit grainy or bitter. All things considered, it is definitely still worthwhile to try, but maybe branch out from TikTok recommendations, and you may be pleasantly surprised!
Pictured (Left to Right): Creme Brulee Matcha Swirl ($8.75) and Yuzu Matcha Tea ($7.75)
Color: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Cost: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Presentation: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
Flavor profile: ⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
Atmosphere: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Most Performative: Maruwu Seicha
Pictured: Ube Matcha Latte ($7.50)
This last spot requires a trip to San Francisco’s Japantown, but it is definitely worth the trip. They offer seasonal flavors like pistachio and ube, but also have classic strawberry, along with an assortment of gelatos, soft serves, and egg tarts. All of their matcha items have a very smooth mouthfeel and balanced taste with ceremonial-grade matcha sourced directly from Uji, Kyoto. The Hokkaido milk—a premium Japanese milk with high fat content—in this latte balances the strong matcha and sweetened ube for a delightful sip. There may not be a more performative and aesthetic experience than browsing Japantown, taking photo booth pictures, and strolling through the city’s scenic hills with a matcha in hand. So that’s the tea—visit Maruwu Seicha for some quality matcha, and maybe you’ll meet like-minded matcha maxxers!
Color: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Cost: ⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
Presentation: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
Flavor profile: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
Atmosphere: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (can be a bit busy)
So whether you’re chasing aesthetics or actually good flavor, the Bay’s matcha scene proves you don’t have to settle for anything that tastes like grass.