9 Christchurch Cafés Serving a Matcha Made in Heaven

Tucked away along High Street in the heart of Christchurch CBD, Akin is a polished player in the city’s cafe scene. With a clean Japanese-Scandi aesthetic, it’s a beautiful environment to surround yourself in – matched by a stellar food and drinks offering. While coffee reigns supreme here, matcha has its time in the spotlight, with a Viennese spin. Akin serves their matcha Einspänner style, which is basically like a latte except with a cloud-like layer of cold cream on top. Yes. Please.

Champagne and dessert – could a more perfect duo exist? Sweet Soul Patisserie is a portal to Paris, set in an opulent and sophisticated space just off Cashel Street. The glass cabinet is home to culinary works of art, with delicious desserts disguised as glossy red apples, elegant Madeleines, puffy chocolate eclairs, and so much more. The best part? They taste even better than they look. Sweet Soul’s offering changes seasonally, and matcha is a favourite ingredient in the kitchen, so expect to see it crop up on the menu. Oh, and matcha lattes are always available if you’re not choosing the Champagne route.

This effortlessly cool Southwark St spot has proved matcha to be a fit pairing for their menu of yum things on toast, giving it a permanent place on the drinks menu. They keep things pretty classic, focusing on perfecting a smooth and creamy brew while avoiding ‘grassy’ territory. Served hot or iced, you have the option to add a touch of vanilla, maple, or strawberry. Adding one of Estelle’s sweet treats from the counter into the mix may just be the best decision you make all week.

In September 2024, Ōtautahi Christchurch got a whole lot brighter. Blue Moon Bakehouse also opened. Coincidence? We think not. “Bake away the blues” is the motto here, with a range of golden croissants, cakes and fun drinks designed to uplift any mood. Matcha is given prime space on the drinks list, with the option to choose your sweetness level and flavour (be it strawberry, tiramisu or pistachio). In the dessert department, it’s not uncommon to see a touch of matcha added to pastries and cakes.

On the ever-busy corner of Papanui Road and Bealey Ave, there couldn’t be a more appropriate place for a calming matcha. NOKI adds plenty of interest to Christchurch’s brunch scene, with a menu and cabinet infused with the flavours of South Korea. Ask any matcha maven, and they’ll only have good things to say about NOKI – especially when it comes to the maple matcha specialty. For a double hit, take a moment to peruse the cabinet, which has been known to feature strawberry matcha donuts. Say no more.

Providing the best excuse for a drive to the bays, Soulful Coffee opened at the end of 2024 in a cute and petite building looking out across rolling hills and the sparkling sea. With a soothing matcha green palette for the front door, roof trim, and interior walls, their reputation for a great matcha latte shouldn’t come as a shock. Find a cosy spot inside or head out into the sunshine to enjoy your brew with a Bellbird Bakery cheese and chilli scroll. If you can’t make it out to Diamond Harbour, check out Soulful’s original caravan parked up in Ferrymead.

For dessert lovers, Fluffy Bake Shop proves challenging to stay away from. This Tuam Street bakery has one of the most glorious cabinets in the city, illuminated by a dreamy line-up of golden pastries, pillowy donuts, beautiful tiered sponge cakes, and much more. As well as presented in liquid form, matcha features as an ingredient in many of the sweet delights, from silky basque cheesecake to ‘crookies’ (a croissant and cookie hybrid).

Have you heard? There’s a new jellybean-green cart parked up in Merivale that’s pulling in a big crowd of matcha fans. Gigi’s Coffee & Matcha opened last December with a menu as green as its exterior. Go for your standard hot or iced matcha, or jazz things up with a novelty flavour combo like strawberry, blueberry, maple macadamia, or white chocolate and vanilla. If you get in early enough, there’s some delicious baked goods waiting on the counter too.

Gelato & Tea brings a lot of fun to Riverside Market, specialising in iced treats in bold and interesting flavours. Their specialty is, unsurprisingly, creamy homemade gelato alongside a range of drinks, from bubble and fruit teas to smoothies and milkshakes. We can happily confirm that Gelato & Tea are very much on the green tea train, offering matcha-infused desserts at every turn. Slurp up a Japanese matcha and honey bubble tea, grab a scoop of matcha gelato, or try their latest spin on a classic dessert: matcha tiramisu.