In Dallas, the matcha boom is undeniable. Once a rare find on café menus, the frothy drink made from finely ground Japanese green tea leaves has surged in popularity, inspiring entire cafés dedicated to perfecting its many forms. According to The Japan Times, global demand for matcha has tripled over the last 12 years. For Dallas matcha-lovers, that demand is being met with ample cafes serving matcha in tasty, creative ways. After all, a great matcha isn’t just a drink — it’s an experience.
Here are seven excellent cafés in Dallas that understand the nuances of the ceremonial tea.
Hyphen Space
Matcha meets imagination at this café, photography studio, and creative co-working space. Co-founders Alyx Nguyen and Vivian Luu pair homemade syrups, organic cane sugar and natural ingredients with Sugimoto Tea Company matcha. Standouts include the pandan-flavored Pandemonium ($8) and the jasmine blossom ($8), a creative take on jasmine milk tea. The duo also use their sleek space for beginner-friendly matcha workshops ($35) and music nights. 4100 Commerce St., #6, Dallas, hyphenspace.co
Local Jonny’s
Local Jonny’s is a coffee shop and general store located in Addison’s mixed-use Work/Shop development. Matcha is a staple here, with spring specials like blueberry cream matcha ($7), layered with made-from-scratch blueberry syrup, flavored milk, and blueberry cold foam; and the pineapple ginger matcha ($7), which incorporates coconut milk, giving it a fresh tropical flavor. For a drink with some oomph, customize an iced cherry matcha with pistachio cold foam. The off-the-menu bev is popular among regulars in the know. 5471 Belt Line Rd., Dallas, localjonnystx.com
Kyotobrew
Before opening their all-day café and bar, Kyotobrew, sisters Estelle Hernandez and Hannah Kirst traveled to Japan to study tea ceremonies, visit local farms, and find the perfect matcha vendor. They partnered with Tsuji family farm in Uji, Japan, known for its award-winning teas that are shaded and stone-milled for enhanced flavor. At Kyotobrew, a whisked matcha tea ($5), sweetened with house-made syrup, has become a guest favorite. Matcha also stars in the bar program, crafted by Dallas-born, Japan-raised mixologist George Kaiho. His signature cocktail, “the Matcha, by George!” ($14), combines mezcal, coconut cream, matcha, lime, and egg white. 121 Historic Town Sq., Lancaster, kyotobrewtx.com
Killer Joe
Located in Old East Dallas, Killer Joe brings a slice of New York to town with indulgent matcha lattes. Co-owners Cristine Sweet and Christian Napolitano combine creativity and intentionality into drinks like the pistachio caramel matcha latte ($7), infused with cardamom and topped with house-roasted pistachios. Sweet goes the extra mile and makes the sea salt caramel from scratch. Another matcha favorite is the rose water matcha latte ($6), which incorporates fragrant Arabic rose water from Richardson in lieu of traditional syrup. 108 N. Fitzhugh Ave., Ste. 100, Dallas, killerjoetx.com
Chasen Matcha Bar
Chasen Matcha Bar is a petite weekend-only café in Oak Cliff devoted to ceremonial-grade matcha from Fukuoka, Japan. Known for being “perfectly green,” the shop serves eyecatching drinks in fruity flavors like the upside-down strawberry ($7) with compote and cold foam. Bougie berry ($7) has blackberry-raspberry compote, while the Oreo cold foam matcha ($7) is flavored with vanilla and has a crushed Oreo topping. For something subtly sweet, the taro cloud ($7) pairs matcha with taro cold foam. 416 N. Tyler St., Dallas, chasenmatchabar.com
La Maison Bleue Cafe
Founder Anna Cho prioritizes freshness and ingredients that are free of additives and preservatives for the tea-based drinks at La Maison Bleue Cafe. Her Kuro Mitsu Matcha ($7) is made with housemade kuromitsu, a black honey syrup made from Okinawa’s kokuto sugar, in lieu of simple syrup; the Matcha Zenzai ($9) is handcrafted with red bean sauce and torched Japanese shiratama dango on a stick; while the popular Sakura Cream Matcha ($8) is topped with fluffy pink Japanese cherry blossom cream. Cho’s shop is tucked inside the sole Texas location of the popular Japanese grocery store, Mitsuwa Marketplace. 100 Legacy Dr., Plano, lmbcafe.com
Everything Madeleine
This bakery in historic Downtown Carrollton is one of Dallas-Fort Worth’s only bake shops fully dedicated to madeleines, and it’s a great place for matcha. Everything Madeleine opened last fall by South Korean baker, Seunghee Park. The shop has become a fast favorite among locals, with customers racing to grab treats before they sell out. Find a signature matcha latte ($6) on the menu, layered with sweet milk, vanilla cream, and matcha sauce. For an indulgent pairing, try the bakery’s matcha macadamia madeleine ($4), which marries premium matcha with macadamia nuts, with an iced earl grey matcha ($6). Made in limited quantities, the iced early grey matcha is made with earl grey syrup, milk, and matcha foam. 1105 Vandergriff Dr., Unit 3103, Carrollton, everythingmadeleine.com
