Barcelona Matcha: 5 Cafés to Find Japanese Matcha

The matcha boom is spreading in Barcelona, Spain.

As you walk around the city, it’s not unusual to come across specialty coffee shops serving Matcha Lattes.

Barcelona is also seeing a growing number of cafés that go beyond simply offering matcha on their coffee menu and specialize in matcha itself.

If you’re looking for matcha in Barcelona, here are five cafés worth checking out:

In this guide, I’ll introduce each café, including what makes it unique and the matcha it serves.

And for those specifically looking for authentic Japanese matcha, I also looked into where the matcha used at each café is actually produced.

5 Matcha Cafés to Visit in Barcelona

Matcha has become known around the world as one of Japan’s most iconic drinks.

However, the global matcha boom is changing the market.

Today, matcha is produced outside Japan as well, so ordering a Matcha Latte in Barcelona doesn’t necessarily mean the matcha comes from Japan.

That’s why, in addition to each café’s atmosphere and menu, I also looked into the country and region of origin of the matcha they use.

1. IKENOCHA

If you’re looking for an authentic Japanese matcha experience in Barcelona, IKENOCHA is one of the first places to check out.

Run by Japanese owners and located just two blocks from Casa Milà, IKENOCHA serves authentic matcha made with Japanese matcha, along with light bites and sweets such as matcha cheesecake and onigiri.

You can also purchase matcha from Uji, Kyoto, one of Japan’s most famous matcha-producing regions, through IKENOCHA’s official website.

If you want to experience authentic Japanese matcha in Barcelona, IKENOCHA is definitely worth a visit.

2. Bonsai Coffee & Matcha

Bonsai Matxa i Cafè is a unique café in Barcelona where you can enjoy Japanese matcha in a slightly different way.

What makes this café interesting is that it doesn’t simply serve Matcha Lattes. Instead, its menu treats matcha almost like espresso.

Just as you might choose your coffee beans or preferred espresso drink at a specialty coffee shop, Bonsai lets you choose the matcha itself and order a cup that suits your taste.

There’s also a wide variety of matcha to choose from.

Bonsai Matcha, the company behind the café, sources its matcha directly from Japan and states on its official website that it works with Japanese tea farmers and manufacturing partners.

If you’re looking for a different way to experience matcha beyond the usual Matcha Latte, Bonsai Matxa i Cafè is well worth checking out.

3. NORI MATCHA

NORI MATCHA is a specialty matcha café where you can choose from three different levels of matcha intensity. Along with classic Matcha Lattes, the menu also features creative drinks such as matcha with coconut water.

The café also offers a great selection of homemade matcha desserts, including Matcha Cheesecake and Matcha Brownies. If you’re a matcha lover in Barcelona, it’s definitely worth checking out.

NORI MATCHA also sells a range of Chinese matcha in 100g packages through its official website.

While many people associate matcha with Japan, NORI MATCHA uses matcha produced in China.

If you’re more interested in enjoying delicious matcha than specifically looking for Japanese matcha, NORI MATCHA is one of the matcha cafés in Barcelona worth visiting.

4. Matcha Crew

Matcha Crew is a specialty matcha café with several locations around Barcelona. Its Carrer de València location is within walking distance of the Sagrada Família, making it an easy stop while sightseeing.

One of the best things about Matcha Crew is that there are plenty of ways to enjoy matcha beyond just a Matcha Latte. The menu includes Matcha Mille Crêpe Cake, Matcha Ice Cream, Matcha Mochi, and other options that make it especially appealing to matcha lovers.

According to its official website, the matcha it uses comes from Japan, although I couldn’t find specific information identifying the tea producer.

From a Japanese perspective, however, there was one thing that caught my attention.

On its official online store, some products with Chinese-language labeling are listed alongside its matcha products.

That said, if you want to enjoy matcha in different forms, from lattes to cakes, ice cream, and mochi, Matcha Crew is definitely a café worth checking out.

5. SAGA Coffee Stories

Last but not least is SAGA Coffee Stories, a café I often visited during my time in Barcelona.

It isn’t a dedicated matcha café, but rather a specialty coffee shop that also serves Matcha Lattes.

I wasn’t able to confirm the origin of the matcha they use, but their Matcha Latte pairs really well with milk. It has a smooth, mellow texture while still retaining the pleasant bitterness you would expect from matcha.

And if there’s one thing I personally recommend ordering with your Matcha Latte, it’s the almond croissant.

It’s seriously delicious, and the combination with a Matcha Latte is definitely worth trying.

There’s also a Free Laptop Space at the back of the café, and I often saw digital nomads working on their laptops there.

Barcelona has plenty of dedicated matcha cafés, but SAGA Coffee Stories offers something a little different.

It’s a place where you can enjoy great coffee or a Matcha Latte while relaxing or getting some work done.

It was personally my favorite café in Barcelona, so I had to include it on this list.

Should You Choose Japanese Matcha?

My answer is: matcha doesn’t necessarily have to come from Japan.

In fact, NORI MATCHA, which I introduced above, uses matcha produced in China. It has received positive reviews from customers, and you can enjoy delicious matcha drinks and desserts there.

With the growing popularity of matcha around the world, tea sold as matcha is now produced not only in Japan, but also in countries such as China and Vietnam.

That said, if you’re buying matcha for the first time, I believe choosing Japanese matcha can reduce the chances of ending up with a disappointing product.

One term you should be particularly careful with is Ceremonial Grade.

Ceremonial Grade is not an official matcha grading system in Japan, so the label alone cannot tell you whether the matcha is high quality or even whether it comes from Japan.

» Is That Really Ceremonial Matcha? The Truth Behind the Label

When choosing matcha, look for transparent sellers that provide information about where their matcha comes from, including the farmers and manufacturers behind it.

Then, take it one step further and pay attention to the region where the matcha was produced.

It’s similar to choosing wine or coffee.

Learn where it comes from, taste different varieties, and discover what you personally enjoy.

Just as you can explore the differences between wine regions or coffee origins, you can enjoy the different characteristics of matcha from different regions.

Whether it comes from Japan or not is only the beginning.

Taka

Digital Nomad & Matcha Brand Founder

My name is Taka from Japan. I spent five years traveling across Europe as a digital nomad. Today, I run my own Japanese matcha brand and share practical knowledge about launching a matcha business.