Chiang Mai’s top 10 matcha cafes

Tucked into Chiang Mai but feeling every bit like Kyoto, Magokoro Tea House has earned every bit of its hype.

Their spirit is clear. ‘Because we believe that happiness and peace are the essence and meaning of life,’ they say, ‘we dedicate ourselves to providing that happiness and peace through what we love and do well: through our carefully selected teas…’ That intentionality and warmth is apparent throughout. And despite never having a shortage of customers, each person is treated with genuine care. Matcha here is thick, rich and aromatic, whisked traditionally and served in photogenic Japanese tea ceremony sets – each cup of ceremonial matcha paired with wagashi, the traditional Japanese sweet typically served alongside. The wagashi is a delicate, measured craft in itself; the expert hands behind Magokoro studied this 2000-year-old tradition in situ and have now brought it straight to Chiang Mai. Together, the rich depth of the matcha is beautifully rounded out by the wagashi's subtle sweetness.

191/1 Sridonchai Road. 10am-9pm

Head up to the second floor of the Anusarn building – a revitalised 1934 colonial-style hub now home to cafes, restaurants and vintage shopping – and you’ll find Kumbo Matcha – a matcha haven that feels like a world away from the street below. Up here, everything is airy and light, time feels like it stands still for a minute and watching the baristas craft your matcha in front of you, simple and refined, adds to the sense that this place doesn't need to try very hard to impress.

The menu is curated and intentional – quality over quantity. Like any reputable matcha spot they offer a range of powders including the namesake Kumbo Matcha, delivering umami-rich depth in every sip. For something a little different try the hojicha – a roasted green tea powder that mixed with coconut water hits that perfect sweet spot of refreshing, light and nutty. Browse locally crafted accessories and homewares while you sip – if you're not careful you'll leave with more than just a matcha latte in hand.

Charoen Muang Road, second floor of the Anusarn building.  8.30am-5.30pm

Home to the viral ‘soft matcha’ – a matcha latte topped with premium fresh cream that's indulgent, thick and unapologetically sweet. The matcha itself carries a subtle nutty undertone that cuts through the richness perfectly, although traditionalists may need a little convincing. Not a matcha convert yet? You can also order it as a soft latte – the usual tea, milk and warmth that feels a little more familiar. However, our favourite may have to be the pistachio matcha – perfect for anyone still riding the Dubai chocolate wave.

With multiple Baristro locations across Chiang Mai, each with its own theme, head to the Baristro Asian Style location for the full experience – a blend of Japanese, Korean and Lanna aesthetics across multiple zones with spacious indoor and outdoor seating. 

200 Suthep Road. 8am-6pm

Elevated minimalism meets contemporary takes on matcha – and every corner is a photo spot. If you're into clean beige and brown interiors with affordable drinks that actually deliver, this place is for you. Matcha Cabinet promises quality across the board – all powders are ceremonial grade, each drink comes with a flavour card explaining the notes and grade and every dessert is homemade. The signature ‘coco cabinet’ is a must-try, made using fresh coconut water straight from the fruit, topped with a cold, oat foam matcha. For dessert, the midori mochi tart is the one everyone keeps talking about – a rich matcha-spiked tart with chewy mochi hidden inside that earns every bit of its reputation.

Hussadhisawee Soi 4. 9am-5pm

Another spot under the Baristro umbrella, but where Baristro is all about the experience, Bar Cha is laser focused on matcha – and it shows. With over 13 types of powder from standard to premium, you can dive as deep into the matcha rabbit hole as you feel comfortable going. 

Wooden panels, Japanese design details and light filtering through in a way that feels almost romantic and makes it easy to stay for more than one cup. They also sell their own specialty matcha that you can take home, with notes ranging from creamy and nutty to floral and sweet umami. Don't leave without trying the daifuku biscoff cheesecake – it shouldn't work as well as it does.

Jing Jai Market Chang Puaek. 8am-6pm

Kiln Matcha may be Baan Kang Wat's best kept secret – or maybe that’s because it’s as hidden as anything gets in this hugely popular craft village. What we’re saying is that it’s  easily overlooked, tucked away on the second floor of the more popular GRAPH cafe – a ying-yang contrast to the caffeinated connoisseurs below. 

The story behind their matcha is exactly the kind of authenticity that makes the drinks so good. They drove through rice paddies and forests to reach Hoshino – a quiet village often cited as one of the most beautiful in Japan – and sourced their tea directly. Their careful consideration and expert craftsmanship comes through in every sip, which makes their slogan feel exactly right: not just matcha cafe, but ‘a curator of moments’ – maybe it’s time you had yours? 

Baan Kang Wat. 9.30am-6pm, closed Monday.

One look at their socials tells you how seriously they take matcha here – educational, behind the scenes and myth-busting – with the founder always featured front and centre. Starting with a single matcha strawberry drink years ago, an obsession quickly emerged and an entire matcha universe was opened up. Now it’s worth exploring for yourself. The cafe itself is most certainly a specialty shop that is nothing if not intentional. From the type of powder to the coconut water or fruit it's paired with, there's something almost scientific about how each menu item is crafted.

The menu is clear and easy to navigate (great for newcomers) and for each powder they display the grade, cultivator, origin and taste notes alongside a flavour chart so you know exactly what you're getting into. From someone who genuinely loves matcha, their passion shows in every cup.

Soi 6/1 Tambon Suthep. 10am-6pm

Quite simply, this is Chiang Mai’s very own Japanese-Thai fusion cafe, with a strong emphasis on expertly crafted matcha drinks. The baristas here are well-trained, ensuring your matcha comes out airy and fluffy while still holding that deep, rich flavour. Alongside their Japanese tea offering, they also put serious attention into Thai tea – taking a well-loved classic to the next level. Cha Guu falls under the Baristro brand, so the popular soft matcha is on the menu here too – but if you want to mix it up, the soft Thai tea is also worth trying. Food served is also noteworthy, spanning both Thai and Japanese plates, including the hamburg donburi and grilled pork with creamy omelette and rice.

129 Pa Tan Alley. 8am-6pm

Chaseki strips back all the unnecessary flourishes of modern matcha drinks and takes it back to basics. Beyond the drinks, they've built something genuinely educational around matcha as a Japanese tradition too – extending that into workshops that open up the history and craft behind it. Join a matcha workshop and sip your way through over 20 cups, learning about the origins of each powder and its underlying notes. Fall for a particular matcha? You can buy the powders in store, along with a traditional whisk and mixing bowl so you can get your fix at home too.

68 Santiluk Road. 9am-6pm, closed Wednesday.

A home cafe tucked on the side of the road beneath a bright, overflowing bougainvillea tree – when the flowers are in full bloom the whole place becomes a spectacular sight. The quaint, humble setting makes it feel like you're at a friend's place catching up over a cup of something warm – in this case, ceremonial grade matcha. No overwhelming menu, no gimmicks, just great matcha served in a space that is unhurried, local and easy. For newcomers especially, the smaller focused menu takes the pressure off and lets the quality of the matcha speak for itself.

Samlan Soi 7. 8.30am-5.30pm