You may have seen them on Instagram, drawing widespread attention in the digital sphere with their matcha cream drinks toppings and array of matcha-themed deserts served from pop ups around the city. However, Matcha Kyoto, one of Manchester’s favourite producers of the popular drink, have entered a new era by announcing the opening of their first permanent location.
Situated in Brazennose Street, just off Albert Square, they are well and truly in the heart of the city. The scant decoration inside, designed to give the impression that one has stepped off of a rainy Manchester street and into a Kyoto café, is minimalist and atmospheric, very effective for their particular brand.
The wooden chairs and bench do not make for the most comfortable spot for a midmorning drink, nor does the use of disposable plastic cups for all drinks, whether consumed in or out, register as particularly environmentally conscious. However, this spot is still worth a visit.
The matcha flavour they curate, a crucial concern for any sale of the drink, is excellent. With shipments of the green powder arriving from Japan every week, the hallmark delicate umami flavour comes through excellently, even in sweeter drinks with other competing flavours.
They are also continuing to serve a wide variety of matcha flavours; a rosé no. 1 matcha, an oolong matcha cloud, a matcha tiramisu float, and a white chocolate matcha all feature on the Spring specials menu.
However, it is not just drinks which are on offer. They are serving up a range of desserts including matcha tiramisu and banana pudding as well as a couple of savoury sandos with fillings including egg, mushroom and black truffle mushroom.
We tried the ube matcha latte with oat milk which had a delicate sweetness to it that masked the slight bitterness inherent in the matcha flavour, without obscuring the flavour of the green tea powder. The matcha was smooth and the cup contained a surprising amount for a small iced drink, making this an option we would definitely choose again.
At £5 or more for most of the small drinks (£6+ for a large) and almost £9 per sando, this probably isn’t an everyday purchase on a student budget, but for anyone looking for a high quality matcha fix over 14,000 km away from Japan, this should definitely be on the list.
Matcha has seen a boom in the UK in recent years, with the UK matcha market projected to be valued at more than £57 million by 2033.
Popularised by influencers celebrating the health benefits which the drink can bring and myriad of flavours they have imbued it with, it is now difficult to walk down any British high street without seeing the infamous green liquid on offer.
However, the beverage’s rising popularity has come at a cost. Fears of a matcha shortage have been reported amidst the increasing pressure on Japanese farmers to keep up with the exponential demand for the powder. These fears were exacerbated by heatwaves in the Kyoto region in summer 2025, which reduced yield from an area which is responsible for growing about a quarter of Japan’s tencha (green tea leaves ground to make matcha powder).
In conjunction with pressures on growers, concerns have also arisen over the ‘high-street-ification’ of matcha, which has ignored its historical and cultural significance to make it a fashionable accessory for performative Gen Zers. This has again raised the question of the line between cultural appreciation and appropriation.
So whilst we would absolutely recommend this spot for any particular Manchester matcha enthusiasts, it is always worth remembering where your drink came from as you take that smooth first sip.
Matcha Kyoto is open 7 days a week from 11am-7pm.
