My Favorite Matcha Spots

By: Nirnaya Senthil Kumar

If you’re anything like me, then you are constantly craving an ice cold matcha during every class. I have to admit, unfortunately, I have caved and gotten multiple in one day before. It feels like no matter how hard I try, the matcha I make at my apartment never seems to compare to matcha from a cafe. So here are some of my favorite matcha haunts around campus and in the city, all of which are around the same price range; I’m also including some of my usual modifications I get at these places too. 

1. Joe & The Juice

   1. Easily one of my favorite places to go while I’m waiting for my train at Union Station, this restaurant not only has delicious matcha but the best avocado sandwich ever. Usually, I am a fan of lavender matcha, but in this case, I suggest getting vanilla matcha - as the lavender flavor here doesn’t hit as strongly as I normally prefer. The vanilla has just the right amount of sweetness while still adding some flavor. 

2. Matchacita

   1. An entire cafe dedicated to matcha obviously deserves a mention on this list. Nothing beats the unique flavors here, and my personal favorite is the Rose Latte - rose-flavored matcha. The last time I got it, I believe they even added rose petals on top, which was a lovely touch! If you’re willing to go a little off-campus then you won’t regret going to Matchacita. 

3. Sawada Coffee

   1. I think about the ambiance at this place so often, it is easily the coolest coffee spot in the city. If you are more of a strong, earthy type of matcha lover, then Sawada’s plain matcha is perfect for that. I am not usually a fan of strong matcha, but I enjoyed it here, surprisingly -  they even have modifications if you prefer although I can’t speak to it since I haven’t tried them (yet).

4. Froth

   1. While the matcha here is good, I am mainly adding froth to this list since it is the best sip and study spot. It is open till 7 PM so my friends and I will normally go early in the morning and study till it closes. The cafe is filled with comfortable seating both indoors and outdoors, and of course, they have a variety of matcha/drink options. 

5. Cor Coffee (on UIC’s campus)

   1. A hidden gem on UIC’s campus, this is the coffee shop attached to the Newman Center and one of my personal favorites. I love the comfortable seating and its proximity to all my classes, not to mention the lavender matcha here is one of the best I’ve ever had! I know the lavender flavor is only seasonal, but they do always have vanilla, which is equally as delicious in their iced matcha latte. It is also a nice alternative to the usual spots like Ground Up or Two Shades. 

Honorable Mentions

1. French Press at University Hall

2. Ground Up 

3. Goddess and the Baker

4. Two Shades 

If there is a place not on this list, then let me know because I am clearly always up for an ice cold matcha latte. I hope this article doesn’t encourage you to spend ungodly amounts of money on matcha (as I have unfortunately been doing), but hopefully you’ll try out some of these cafes if you haven’t already!