7 Mumbai cafes that will be matcha made in heaven for every matcha lover

If there is one thing Indians are known for, it's their love for tea so it's unsurprising to find majority of the population jumping on the matcha tea bandwagon. Sure, chai may be the choice of beverage for most Indians, but this Japanese version of it makes for a refreshing change, especially during summer days. Matcha addiction is real and all the cool girls are obsessed with it. If you are not already on the matcha train or if you tried and disliked it, chances are you have been asked to "try the ceremonial grade one" plenty of times. Matcha is not only uniquely flavoured (it's an acquired taste alright!), but it also boosts brain function, promotes heart health, provides antioxidants and aids in weight management. These days, girl dads have their calculators out, figuring out a budget for their teen daughters' obsession with the leafy drink. To cater to them, Japanese-centric cafes are increasing by the week across the city, with matcha replacing the past addictions of coffees and chai. 

If you are a matcha lover and looking for new spots to visit or are attempting to leave the state of FOMO and try the green drink firsthand, then bookmark these 7 spots in Mumbai which are the answer to your matcha cravings. 

1. Blondie By Bastian 

Everyone and their aunty has already posted their mandatory selfies with benne dosas from Blondie by Bastain. Even SOBO girls have made the trek to Bandra early on Saturday mornings to try the new cafe that is all the rage on social media. Blondie by Bastain is another notch in the belt of actress Shilpa Shetty and her thriving food business. The cafe is serving all types of delicacies; one of the highlights among them being matcha beverages. The cafe has its own matcha bar that produces all kinds of matcha lattes; both hot and cold.  For those who can't bear the summer heat, the Watermelon Matcha Latte is the answer. Turn your matcha into a decadent dessert by opting for the S'mores Matcha Latte. Pair these delicious drinks with light meal options like croissant sandwiches or butter garlic benne dosa. 

2. Tokyo Matcha Bar 

As the name suggests, Tokyo Matcha bar is all about a choice selection of specifically matcha drinks. Founded by coffee enthusiasts Meher Kohli and Michelin star chef Rahul Ramnani, the cafe combines the ceremonial Japanese green tea with everything from thick sea salt caramel matcha frappuccinos to wild berry matcha iced tea, lending a menu that's right out of a matcha lover's dream. 

3. Boojee

The cafe chain, Boojee, is a cool spot to experiment with a range of matcha variants; from Hot Blonde Matcha to Iced Coconut Matcha. It's enough to be an instant fix for tea cravings when you need a refreshing hit.

4. Mokai 

Mokai is an Asian-inspired coffee house in Bandra that serves ceremonial-grade matcha sourced directly from Uji in Japan. Try fan-favourites like blueberry matcha for a touch of berry-heavy flavour in your drink, or opt for a gut-healthy drink like the Mango Yakult Matcha Cold Foam that layers earthy matcha with the probiotic drink and mango cold foam.   

5. Journal 

As Mumbai enters its 'occasionally-loved by some and dreaded by others' monsoon, the air is bound to get a bit chilly. That's the perfect excuse to enjoy a hot cup of matcha. Enters Journal with its limitless hot matcha options which are sourced from farms in Shizuoka, Japan.  

6. Cafe Zane 

Nothing serves nostalgia 'Bombay' vibes quite like an ice cream soda does. Zane Cafe at Todi Mills in Mumbai gives earthy matcha a fresh twist by combining it with delicious ice cream soda. 

7. Veronica's 

Are you even a Mumbaikar if you haven't waited for 45 minutes on a weekend to eat at Veronica's?  The quirky cafe in Bandra has got people lining up to try their delicious sandwiches and coffee roasters.  Veronica's was quick to add matcha to its menu after the herby drink gained popularity and now has XYZ on its menu.

Edited by Dayle Pereira