I have been a matcha lover for over 6 years, but due to stomach issues, I had to completely give up coffee at the end of 2021. The first few trips I went on in 2022 were a fun adventure of finding different matcha spots in new cities, and having great success with it. I was especially excited to check out new coffee shops in Mexico City – given how big the cafe culture is there – and thought my stomach would be able to handle some coffee here and there. Unfortunately, between an ulcer/gastritis flare up before my trip, and getting food poisoning during my trip, I had to avoid coffee altogether. Once I realized matcha was going to be my best friend again, I took it upon myself to try matcha from as many places as I could find. I am happy to report that I found some really great ones! Read on to find out where to go:
Derba Matcha
I found this spot both on purpose and by accident – let me explain how. It came up on Google Maps, and on my way to find it, I decided to stop into the new Andaz Hotel to wander around. As I was wandering around upstairs, I come to realize that Derba Matcha was INSIDE the hotel! I think the serendipity of how I found it added to the magic of the place itself. I instantly fell in love as soon as I “entered” the cafe (it is not really separated from the rest of the hotel), and fell into a trance after I sat down under the skylights with my matcha. As far as the matcha itself, they used ceremonial matcha and obviously knew how to make it correctly – and had oat milk too I believe – but I remember not being amazed by the matcha overall. Unforunately, I didn’t really love any of the matcha I had in Mexico City, but this one was a solid 8/10! As far as the overall experience, I would give it a 1000/10. I definitely recommend going on a weekday morning if you can, for the prime relaxation vibes!
Matcha Mio
Aside from Derba Matcha, this was the only other cafe I found dedicated to matcha, and they went all out! They had tons of different matcha drink options on their menu, a wall of tea and matcha supplies, and a beautiful mural of (what I imagine was) a matcha field on the wall. I also love that they serve the drinks in traditional chawans! I did find their matcha to be pretty bitter though to be honest, but I would go back and try again. Overall 8/10!
Bou
I first stopped by Bou because of their beautiful plant filled patios, and was happy to discover that they had matcha on the menu. I was even happier to find that they offer oat milk, because it was hard to find in CDMX. I sat outside and enjoyed my iced matcha latte, read a bit and of course took some pics. I even went back another time for more matcha because it was so good! Overall 10/10.
Hule
I stopped here for brunch one day and enjoyed a lox bagel and orange juice along with my matcha, both of which were delicious! I loved the presentation of this matcha latte – and the fact that they had oat milk – but the matcha was just ok to me, like 7/10. The cafe itself was super cute though (especially in the back where we sat) and it looks like they have live DJs at night, so overall 8/10!
Casa Cafe
I had been wanting to come here all week and finally made it for brunch on my last day! I was super excited to get a drink in a cute pink mug, and was even going to risk upsetting my stomach with coffee, but was delighted to find out they had matcha! I also believe they had oat milk here, which you can probably tell by now is my milk of choice. The matcha was also just ok – 5/10 – and the vibes and food weren’t quite as nice as I thought they would be, so 7/10. I think this place has potential, but the day I went I was surrounded by English speakers, which really annoyed me on my last day in CDMX! Although I am American, I try my hardest to avoid touristy spots when I travel, and between the fact that I spoke Spanish my entire time in Mexico City and that it was my last day there, I just didn’t want to hear English!
Helena
I do not have enough good things to say about this restaurant! I went purely for aesthetics, and was extremely pleasantly surprised by the food, drinks AND service! I wasn’t even planning on getting matcha there, but I made friends with the bartender and he was kind enough to make me a matcha latte to go, completely for free (which I did not get a picture of unfortunately). I don’t remember the matcha being anything amazing, but the restaurant itself is a 12/10, so worth going for lunch/brunch and getting a matcha while you are there!
Panaderia Rosetta
I honestly had no idea this place had matcha before I got there and looked at the menu, but I was super pleased that they did! I went for a pastry, and was happy that I got to have a matcha latte to accompany it. They did have oat milk I believe (I am forgetting which places did at this point so forgive me if I am incorrect), and it was pretty decent! The matcha was an 8/10, but the pastries were worth the hype (and wait), so make sure you go regardless of what drink you get!
I hope this guide helps my fellow matcha lovers, and I hope you enjoy La Ciudad de Mexico as much as I did! I definitely support trying coffee at some other cafes if you drink coffee as well – the cafe culture in CDMX is elite but not all places have matcha – but I highly recommend checking out the places listed here. Buen provecho! 🍵
