Matcha has been around for centuries – ancient Chinese buddhists donned it ‘the elixir of the immortals’ and Japanese teishu (hosts of traditional tea ceremonies) have long been serving it in choreographed rituals. The finely grounded green tea powder is loaded with vitamins, antioxidants, fibre and chlorophyll. Aside from its health perks, it’s also praised thanks to its bold, astringent flavour and faintly sweet aftertaste. Many cafés in Sydney have caught onto the green tea craze and are dishing out matcha in all forms, from soft serve ice creams to all-Aussie lamingtons. These are our pick of the bunch.
Want more dessert? Check out our guide to the best sweet treats in Sydney.
After brunch? Here's our list of the best breakfasts in Sydney.
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Order the: Matcha croissant ($4.80)
This Wolli Creek outpost does an unexpected take to the traditional French pastry. The croissants here are stuffed with creamy custard – imagine a cross between a canoli and a pain au chocolat – and the contrast between the buttery pastry and the sweet and creamy matcha custard is a winner.
Order the: Matcha fondant ($8)
You’ll find this mini corner cafe just across from Central Station and it has garnered a name for itself thanks to its Japanese pastries. Come for the matcha fondant platter, which holds a collection of beautifully plated sweets: a molten chocolate cake with a matcha-infused ganache and matcha gelato. The moist chocolate cake hides a gooey lava filling that gushes out when you pierce the centre with a fork.
Order the: Matcha lava French toast ($18)
It’s no easy feat to make a splash in the Surry Hills breakfast scene – a precinct already densely populated with ace cafes. But this Japanese-influenced hot spot is making its mark with an inventive menu that features a lobster congee and croissants with crab and egg salad. Then there is the lava French toast. The center is carved out and filled with creamy matcha ganache. This toast treasure box is then dressed with condensed milk, a sweet foil for the natural bitterness in the green tea.
Order the: Matcha mochi float ($6.50)
This Regent Place hot spot serves all things matcha – parfaits, shaved ice, soft serve, frappes, lattes, you name it. If you are new to the scene, the menu may seem confusing to navigate at first, so we recommend going for the matcha mochi float, which is an iced latte topped with creamy soft serve and a glutinous ball skewer. Because the drink is mixed with milk, the creamy base balances out the strong matcha flavour. The central CBD location and inexpensive price point (most of the items come under $10) means the dessert hall attracts a jostle of people at all hours of the day. Thankfully, the wait is never too long.
Order the: Matcha pancake ($20.50)
This snazzy cafe has all you need to perk up your social media feed: botanical, pastel coloured interiors and beautifully plated dishes. The ol’ flapjack gets an Insta-ready makeover here, in a bright chartreuse colour, with mixed berries and maple syrup. Aside from the visual wow factor, it also feels like dessert for breakfast thanks to the carefully layered fluffy whipped cream and sweet caramelized banana on top.
Order the: Matcha lamington ($6)
When Australia’s favourite bakedry treat meets Japanese matcha, the result is a green lamington that is mildly sweet and perfectly fluffy. The sponge has been rolled in matcha icing before putting on its coconut coat and the crumb is solid but not dry. If that’s not enough matcha for you, go for the matcha latte, which delivers a powerful green tea flavour, balanced with a faint swetness.
Order the: Moss cake ($15)
This upscale Chippendale dessert bar is hailed for its delicate creations and exquisite pastry presentation. True to its the name, the moss cake features a fluffy pistachio sponge and matcha cookie crumbs that conjure images of a dense, green forest floor. The base of the dessert is a layered pudding made up of white chocolate cremeux, pistachio pudding and caramel jelly. It comes garnished with crisp green apple slices, adding much need freshness to the richness of the dessert.
Order the: Matcha brownie ($6.50)
Cafe Kentaro’s matcha brownie has all the qualities you like about the classic comfort dessert (it’s dense, fudgy, and rich) with a sneaky matcha infusion. It also comes studded with sweet white chocolate chunks and is bigger than a deck of playing cards, making it a great dessert option for anyone with a sweet tooth and a big appetite.
Order the: Ice blended matcha latte ($7)
This Indonesian-inspired café serves creative brunch numbers like pandan buttermilk pancakes and an elaborate potato hash with sauteed greens. Matcha wise though you’ll want to order an ice blended latte, which boasts a sweet fragrant hit with a kick of green tea for when you want something cool to drink.
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