Bangalore’s Matcha Map: Where to Sip Green And Be A Matcha Girlie

Okay, we’re sure most of you would agree with us when we say, Sakura Matcha Bar really started the matcha revolution in Bangalore. They started out initially doing pop-ups before setting up what is touted to be Bangalore’s first matcha bar. Serving ceremonial-grade matcha, Sakura now has a cult-like following that resulted in their second location opening in the city. Apart from their matcha drinks, they also serve limited-time matcha desserts, onigiri, soft serves, and other bakes and desserts. Oh, and don’t forget to cop some merch while you are there. We got our pink matcha girlie cap, and honestly, it’s sort of like our therapy/thinking hat for real. 

What To Try: The OG, Strawberry Matcha Latte, Lavender Matcha, Hojicha Latte

Cost For Two: INR 600

Timings: 11 AM to 8 PM (Victoria Layout) and 10 AM to 10 PM (JP Nagar)

Instagram: @sakuramatchabar

We have been consuming their Lavender Matcha (minus the chocolate) by the litres, so much so, the staff recognises us the moment we walk in. Which is all we ever want from a cafe — to be recognised for your drink. The sunlit cafe serves a range of hot and cold matcha beverages and desserts along with a full-blown cafe fare and coffee programme. Their drinking matcha is ceremonial-grade, since we think and know we deserve the best. Oh, and their space is so cute, it’s sunlit during the day. Great spot to work out of or go on matcha dates with your girlfriends.

What To Try: Lavender-Chocolate Matcha, Yuzu Matcha Lemonade, Matcha Latte, Chicken Katsu Sando

Cost For Two: INR 750

Timings: 10 AM to 10 PM

Instagram: @purpose.matcha

Indiranagar’s OG matcha spot, before the green revolution happened in the hood, this pet-friendly space does a whole range of matcha drinks and then some. We love the cute, pebbled outdoor space to slow down and sip on our matcha — okaay, we inhale our matcha. They also have bakes to go with your food, including a Matcha Cheesecake and Korean Buns. While we haven't attended any of their events, our friends and followers have, and they do recommend keeping an eye out for their events. They did a matcha sip and paint workshop, so that's cool. 

What To Try: Classic Whisk, Strawberry Matcha, and Hazelnut Matcha

Cost For Two: INR 750

Timings: 12 noon to 10 PM

Instagram: @turtlematcha.blr

Rachel David’s pop-up brand, Ela Matcha, has found a cosy little brick-and-mortar space above Freedom Tree in Indiranagar. Ela positions itself as a South Asian Matcha Bar, so you’ll find flavours such as cinnamon, turmeric, and even chai and filter kaapi rubbing shoulders with more mainstream flavours of strawberry and vanilla. Weekends are quite packed, as we've found out a couple of times, and the waiting time can be a bit long, but we quite like the space and its many corners. Rachel calls it an izakaya meets chayakada (tea shop in Malayalam), we see the vision, especially with customers getting some kadi (bites in Malayalam) in the form of rose cookies.

What To Try: Kerala Vanilla Matcha Latte, Banana Matcha Latte, and Blue Pea Matcha Latte

Cost For Two: INR 700

Timings: 11 AM to 8 PM. Closed on Mondays. 

Instagram: @ela.matcha

Haruka Nagahashi wanted to bring the Japanese tea culture to India, and TEKA is that. Located in Indiranagar, which frankly is becoming Bangalore’s matcha belt, the cafe space consists of a tatami-style room where tea ceremonies to workshops are held, and a more expansive space with the matcha counter on one end. According to Haruka, the matcha is sourced from Uji, and she also does a limited number of hojicha-based drinks. Weekends pack a crowd, and there are monthly matcha workshops, so you can do more than just sip on matcha. If you are feeling peckish, they also have a selection of light bites, including mochi and cheesecake.

What To Try: Matcha Latte, Adzuki Matcha Latte, Yuzu Matcha

Cost For Two: INR 750

Timings: 11 AM to 8 PM 

Instagram: @teka.coffeeandjapanesetea

JP Nagar’s Instagram-popular matcha spot (one too many Reels have shown up on our feed) does classic and interesting flavours, including honey, raspberry, and even the currently popular ube. Apart from the drinks, they also do soft serves and floats. The ube and ube matcha swirls have been targeting us specifically on Instagram. Since it’s Instagram-popular, expect to be part of someone’s Reels while you’re sipping on the drinks, as it’s a small space. Plus, the interiors are done in such soft pink that it instantly begs to be in your gallery. Also, they are open until 1 AM. Who’s having matcha at 1 AM (us!)?

What To Try: Iced Matcha Latte, Raspberry Matcha, Toasted Coconut, Ube 

Cost For Two: INR 750

Timings: 11 AM to 1 AM 

Instagram: @siplatcha

Kaori by Chiran is housed inside Izanagai, a Japanese restaurant in Indiranagar. We had their matcha at pop-ups, and according to the team, the matcha is sourved from Chiran, Kagoshima, Japan. Also, one of the few places that do hot and iced ceremonial-grade matcha, so if you do like your drink hot, then you know what to do. They also have a limited selection of Japanese-style desserts and ice cream. We also like the space because it’s al fresco seating, and nothing like sitting and sipping your matcha in the Bangalore breeze.

What To Try: Matcha Latte, Hojicha, Matcha Float 

Cost For Two: INR 650

Timings: 11 AM to 8 PM 

Instagram: @kaoribychiran

It’d be criminal if Koramangala didn’t have a matcha spot, really, but luckily, there’s Mai Matcha Haus. The cafe is small and cute, and the perfect stop for a cup of matcha, really. They also do hojicha and a selection of bakes and light bites, so you can actually plan a matcha date here. They also do a limited selection of coffee for those who still prefer their drinks dark instead of green. Also, one of those few places that take the flavours seriously — think banana bread to biscoff.

What To Try: Su Matcha, Banana Bread Matcha, Coconut Matcha

Cost For Two: INR 800

Timings: 10:30 AM to 8:30 PM, Tuesday to Thursday, and 10 AM to 9 PM Friday to Sunday. Closed on Mondays.  

Instagram: @maimatchahaus

Delhi-based Got Tea has made its debut in Bangalore with its first location in HRBR Layout. Apart from serving bubble tea, they offer a diverse range of matcha drinks, which they have been doing since they first started serving in 2020. They source their matcha from Japan, and they regularly host matcha workshops so if you are a noob in this green world, you'll get the chance to get your matcha facts in order. 

What To Try: Green Matcha, Matchamisu, and Matcha Lemonade

Cost For Two: INR 600

Timings: 11 AM to 11 PM

Ratings: 4.6/5 on Google

Instagram Handle: @gottea_official