
Southern Africa • Eat & drink • Foodie finds: the best matcha lattes in Cape Town
The matcha latte scene in Cape Town has moved well beyond the green drink niche into something of a local obsession. We’ve sipped our way across the city to find matcha lattes that actually deliver on flavour, not just foam and food colouring. Whether you’re a matcha loyalist or just curious to swap your usual flat white for something greener, we’ve got you covered. At these spots, you’ll find baristas experimenting with everything from mango infusions to elderflower-accented cups. It’s no longer just about caffeine – it’s about ritual, community and a playful nod to both Japanese tradition and Cape Town creativity. In this article, we’ll take you through the places that do matcha a little differently – there’s a spot here that will make you see matcha in a whole new light.
Top photography courtesy of Claire Gunn and Seebamboes
01
Nice To Matcha opened its doors in late 2023 in Sea Point and quickly earned a reputation for its friendly vibe and fresh-flavour combinations. Nice To Matcha’s bright shopfront and leafy accents make it one of the most Instagrammable spots on the strip. Inside, you’ll find a clean, white-and-wood aesthetic punctuated by living plants and natural light – an intentional nod to matcha’s roots in mindfulness and simplicity. They serve organic ceremonial-grade matcha lattes, pouring each latte tableside to showcase the latte-art finish and the seal of quality that comes with a precise, 3-step whisking method. They do some fun seasonal flavours like African ginger lemonade, strawberry, mango and vanilla bean with sea salt.
Photography courtesy of Nice To Matcha
02
Founded in late 2023 by Chelsy and Marius Theron, Norfolk Deli was born out of a desire to create a warm, community-focused deli in the heart of Sea Point. Chelsy and Marius envisioned a place where locals and visitors could enjoy artisanal bakery treats, freshly brewed coffee and innovative drinks that highlight both quality and creativity. In a bold move to elevate their beverage offerings, Norfolk Deli teamed up with Ceremony to bring customers a premium matcha drink that is hard to resist. This collaboration opened up a whole new level to the matcha game, with Norfolk Deli serving up some seriously innovative seasonal fruit-infused matcha drinks. Some of the exciting past editions include the Iced Mango Matcha and the Dark Cherry. The drink’s vibrant green hue practically glows against the minimalist, trendy backdrop of the deli, making it a must-have for your next Instagram snap.
Photography courtesy of Norfolk Deli
03
Mochi Mochi, by Torii, claimed the title of South Africa’s first mochi salon when it opened in 2023. The concept combines traditional Japanese sweets with playful South African flavours – and of course, matcha is front and centre. You’ll find matcha truffle-sized mochi, matcha soft-serve and a classic matcha latte prepared with finely ground powder and steamed milk. The décor is kawaii-inspired with pastel accents, clean lines and cute displays of colourful mochi truffles – even their gallery wall features local artists reinterpreting Japanese motifs and cherry blossoms hang above marble tables. If you need a little sugar with your tea, this is the place to be.
Photography courtesy of Mochi Mochi
04
Hey Stranger Coffee Collective was founded by co-owners Thomas and Natalia Marincowitz with the dream of bringing Melbourne’s speciality coffee culture to Cape Town’s city centre. The interior features marble counters, rustic timber seating and lush greenery to create a third-space where strangers truly become friends. Led by baristas Wezo and Neyasha – both veteran competitors in national barista championships – the team serves a ceremonial-grade superior matcha latte alongside Father Coffee single-origin brews. Their matcha is whisked traditionally, resulting in a velvety mouthfeel that highlights the tea’s natural sweetness and umami depth.
Photography courtesy of Hey Stranger Coffee Collective
05
Love Matcha was founded with the vision of sharing the magic of authentic matcha, with a journey starting in the lush tea fields of Uji, Kyoto. Love Matcha can be found in the buzzing Mojo Market in Sea Point. The stall’s vibrant green signage and clean counter invite curious passers-by. You can watch the baristas up close, each step laid bare thanks to the open, modular setup – it’s like getting a front-row seat to the entire coffee-making ritual. It’s set up like a little matcha lab – green-lettered boards list plain matcha lattes alongside fruit editions like the elderflower, passionfruit-ginger and strawberry. They’ve even spun matcha into cocktails for after-hours sipping, which pairs perfectly with some bites from the neighbouring food stalls.
Photography courtesy of Love Matcha
Share this
Sign up for the latest hotspot news from Southern Africa.
• 50+ curated spots
• Where to stay, eat, shop and play
• Covers Cape Town and the Cape Winelands