The Chennai Matcha Hitlist

Perfect For: Matcha BeginnersCrafé keeps things simple with minimal aesthetics and a few industrial-style touches. It’s an easy space to work from, play board games, or catch up with friends without feeling overly dressed up.The fun extras, like the pickleball court for when a coffee run turns competitive and the Korean photobooth for a quick photoshoot, make it a perfect spot to catch up with friends.It uses carefully selected Japan-sourced matcha bases and turns them into playful flavour combinations that go beyond the usual latte.Editor’s Tip: Look out for the fun extras, including temporary tattoo stickers with your drinks and playful food pairings to go with your matcha.Vibe Check: Korean Photobooth Experience, Temporary Tattoo Stickers, Pet-Friendly, Clean Japanese-Nordic (Japandi) VibeWhat to Order: Hot Matcha Latte, Matcha Strawberry, Tender Coconut Matcha

Perfect For: The Traditional & Classic Matcha ComfortKUP Modern Kitchen & Coffee Bar feels like a little green hideaway. Plenty of plants, lots of natural light, and simple wooden tables with comfy low seats. Grab a spot, open your laptop, or just take a break with your matcha while the space helps you unwind.The Iced Matcha Latte is a good place to start, especially with one of their continental breakfast options. If you’re in the mood to slow down for a bit, take your drink outside and enjoy the quiet courtyard-like setting.Vibe Check: Open until 2AM, Treehouse Courtyard & Sunken Seating, Pet-FriendlyWhat to Order: AAA Ceremonial Japanese Matcha, Mango Matcha Tonic, Coco Cloud 9

Perfect For: Experimental & Sweet Matchas (Even Matcha Desserts!)The green canopy at The Perch feels like stepping into a quieter pocket of the city. Inside the cosy neighbourhood villa, trailing creepers, and shaded patio tables create an easy backdrop for opening your laptop, getting lost in a book, or stretching a quick coffee into an entire afternoon.Try the Banana Matcha, with its sweet banana base and thick green matcha layer, or the refreshing Mango Matcha, and pair it with crisp feta spanakopita. Grab the Double Wing Coffee if you’re switching sides, then claim a shaded corner and let the afternoon unfold.Vibe Check: A "Green Canopy" Third-Place Sanctuary, Courtyard Seating, Date-Friendly TablesWhat to Order: Lavender Matcha, Banana Pudding Latte, Biscoff Latte Matcha

Perfect For: Pure Origin Savor PuristsAlong ECR in Injambakkam, this 3,000-square-foot coastal-inspired café takes cues from Madras beaches, with a soft coastal palette, warm sunlight pouring in through a central skylight, and a curved counter at the heart of the space. The open, airy layout makes it an easy stop during a weekend drive.The matcha menu brings in premium leaves from Uji, Japan, with the focus firmly on their natural flavour. Try the layered Cherry Fizz Matcha, with cherry compote and a whipped matcha cream float, or keep it classic with an Iced Matcha Latte alongside one of their artisanal bakes.Vibe Check: Curved Terrazzo Service Bar, Coastal Aesthetic, Quiet-Retreat, MinimalistWhat to Order: Matcha Float, Matcha Tiramisu Latte, Matchagatto

Perfect For: Fruity and Vegan Matchas, Contemporary Matcha EnthusiastsPerfectly positioned to capture the vibrant, sunlit energy right along the coastal highway stretch, Bask by Coffee embraces an upscale, contemporary glasshouse beach-bistro design. Set inside a converted bungalow, the space mixes an airy glasshouse-style interior with a lush outdoor patio, giving you plenty of room to work or catch up. The fun bit is the 24-seater “Swipe Right Table”, designed for meeting new people and sparking conversations.Try their Vegan Matcha Latte with almond or oat milk, or go fruity with the Mango Milk Matcha and Strawberry Milk Matcha.Vibe Check: 24-seater Communal "Swipe Right Table", Sunlit, Glasshouse Patio SeatingWhat to Order: Matcha Latte, Mango Milk Matcha, Matcha Lemonade