Where to enjoy the best matcha lattes in Montreal

For me, a good matcha latte relies on a few essential elements: high-quality, ceremonial-grade matcha, a good whisking technique, the perfect matcha-to-milk ratio, and, when adding flavor, a syrup that complements the matcha rather than completely masking it. Sounds simple enough, right? Yet, surprisingly few places in Montreal manage to tick all the boxes. Sometimes the matcha is bitter or even has a slightly fishy taste, sometimes there's way too much milk, and other times, it's an overly artificial-tasting syrup that dominates.

So, as a self-proclaimed matcha connoisseur (certified by absolutely no one), I've compiled some of my favorite spots and pop-ups in Montreal for when a craving for a good matcha latte strikes. Whether you've never tried matcha before, your first experience didn't quite win you over and you're ready to give it another go, or you're as obsessed as I am, here are some of the best matcha lattes to try in Montreal.

330 Marie-Anne Street East, Montreal, H2W 1B1

We're starting strong with what I consider THE best place to drink matcha in Montreal right now. Thé JinJin is a tea house inspired by Chinese tea culture that opened fairly recently in the Plateau, and judging by the line that forms outside almost every day, let's just say the secret's out. Luckily, it moves pretty quickly, and believe me, it's worth the wait.

I've been there twice already, and it's the creativity of the menu that has impressed me most. Among the drinks I tried was the Strawberry & Earl Grey Matcha, made with fresh strawberries from Jean-Talon Market. Its color is gorgeous, the sweetness is just right, and you can really taste the strawberry and the Earl Grey without either overpowering the matcha. In short, exactly how a flavored matcha should be made.

Then there's the Summer Honey Matcha, which takes a completely different approach. It combines cold-brewed Pu-erh tea with sweet clover-infused honey, topped with an ultra-silky cold matcha foam. The matcha is more subtle in this one, but the foam provides a creamy texture that works beautifully with the tea's freshness. And the creativity doesn't stop there: the menu also features creations like a white chocolate matcha or the Summer Mountain, made with pandan lemonade and jasmine tea.

And above all, don't miss the food. Their Hong Kong-style peanut butter French toast still lives on in my mind.

If you're in the area, Thé JinJin is definitely worth a visit, but don't wait until the last minute. They're open Wednesday through Sunday and close at 4 p.m. With queues often forming, it's best to arrive well before closing time. After seeing what they've managed to create for their summer menu, I'm already eager to see what they have in store for autumn.

1744 Rue William, Montreal, H3J 1R4

Seriously, I can't believe I hadn't tried this place before. Located in Griffintown, REBL Cafe is tucked away inside the REBL Boxing Club. The cafe is small and minimalist, but don't let its simplicity fool you: there's a lot of thought put into the menu.

After a short but very interesting conversation with the barista, I learned how each creation is tested and refined before officially appearing on the menu. Their syrups are also made fresh daily, and the barista even let me hold the bottle so I could feel how warm it was, as the syrup had just been made. It might seem like a small detail, but it immediately made me appreciate the care behind each drink even more.

I opted for the Apple Pie Matcha, made with their homemade apple syrup, high-quality matcha, milk, chilled cheese mousse, and a graham cracker crumble. And yes, it was as good as it looked. It tasted of cinnamon, apple, and, most importantly, matcha. The apple and cinnamon provided all those comforting flavors we associate with autumn without overpowering the matcha, while the chilled mousse made it even creamier. They also offer a Matcha Creamsicle that looks equally delicious and, on its own, gives me a good excuse to go back.

It's still a bit of a walk from the Georges-Vanier station, but believe me, it's well worth the extra few steps.

340 Notre-Dame Street East, Montreal, H2Y 1C7

This new address in Old Montreal opened its doors quite recently and, even if it sometimes takes a little time for a cafe to perfect its matcha game, Matcha Haus Atelier already seems to live up to its name.

The place first generated buzz on social media thanks to its Black Sesame Matcha, a combination I'd practically never seen anywhere else. Obviously, I had to try it for myself. But, well, if I was going to make the trip to Old Montreal, I wasn't going to just order one matcha. For research purposes, of course. So I also ordered the Matcha Lemonade, a choice I wouldn't have naturally gravitated towards, but one I definitely didn't regret.

As soon as the two drinks arrived, their vibrant green color immediately caught my eye, as did the matcha-to-milk and matcha-to-lemonade ratios, which already looked very promising. I naturally started with the Black Sesame Matcha, and from the very first sip, a loud "mmmmm" escaped me. Perhaps I got a little carried away, because the next sip was essentially a generous dose of black sesame paste. That would probably be my only minor complaint. Since they use a paste rather than a syrup, it doesn't mix with the milk as easily at first. But give it a few minutes, and the rich, slightly nutty flavor of the sesame eventually permeates the entire drink.

One other detail to know: Matcha Haus Atelier only offers plant-based milks. For the Black Sesame Matcha, I chose macadamia milk, and I highly recommend you do the same. Its slightly nutty flavor perfectly complements the sesame.

Now, let's talk about the Matcha Lemonade. I won't lie to you: the lemon is definitely there. If you like tangy and ultra-refreshing drinks, this one's for you. But to my surprise, I didn't find that the lemonade completely overpowered the matcha flavor. On the contrary, the matcha softened the intensity of the lemon and created a balance that I really didn't expect to enjoy so much. Several cafes already have their own interpretation of matcha lemonade, but this one has particularly stuck with me. If it were still the middle of summer, I'd definitely go get another one.

Several locations

It's no longer a secret: Spirulina knows how to make a good matcha. With several locations in Montreal, it's become one of my go-to spots when I'm craving something reliable and, above all, a matcha that actually tastes like matcha. Whether it's their classic latte, their somewhat controversial Banana Bread Matcha, the Sticky Date Matcha, or my most recent discovery, the Pumpkin Spice Matcha Latte, Spirulina always seems to strike the right balance.

What I particularly appreciate is their way of playing with flavors without losing the matcha in the process. Their homemade syrups are often quite thick, almost like a paste, which allows them to deliver a lot of flavor without drowning the drink in sugar. The Pumpkin Spice Matcha is a perfect example. The blend of spices was rich and comforting, to the point where each sip literally tasted like autumn, without masking the matcha. And for me, that's one of the best tests to see if a flavored matcha is truly successful.

It's even more impressive when you consider that matcha represents only a small part of their rather generous menu, which ranges from coffee to smoothies and juices, not to mention avocado toast and much more. Despite all this choice, their matcha creations never feel like they were added to the menu simply because it's trendy.

3027 Notre-Dame Street West, Montreal, H4C 1N9

Ahh, my dear Café Mina Mina. That adorable little café where I almost always end up stopping when I'm at the Atwater Market or strolling along the Lachine Canal.

In recent months, their Mango Cream Matcha has been generating quite a buzz, and rightly so. The drink combined mango puree, Camellia Sinensis matcha, and a lactose-free (yes, lactose-free!) chilled mango foam. And as if it couldn't get any better, the result tasted exactly like mango lassi. Needless to say, the matcha fanatic and desi in me was very sad when it finally disappeared from the menu.

Thankfully, a new seasonal creation arrived to fill the void: the Blackberry Matcha. Naturally, I had to try it myself, and I was pleasantly surprised. I'm not usually a big fan of blackberries, but the drink had a really nice tartness, with just enough sugar to balance it out without masking the matcha flavor. Even I, who almost never choose anything with blackberries, would gladly order it again.

And if fruity matcha flavors aren't really your thing, their classic Earl Grey Matcha is always a safe bet.

51 Rue Sherbrooke O, Montréal, H2X 1X2

It's impossible to make a list of the best matcha lattes in Montreal without mentioning Osmo x Marusan. I mean, imagine being a Japanese café and not having good matcha? Fortunately, they're far from disappointing, and frankly, there's very little on their menu that isn't excellent. From sandos to curries, coffee, hojicha, and, of course, the star of this article: the matcha.

Hot or iced, their matcha is always delicious, and there are several ways to enjoy it. You can stick with the classics like a matcha latte, switch things up a bit with their refreshing Matcha Tonic, or try one of their seasonal creations. Their latest, the Iced Mango Matcha, is made with a fruity mango puree that actually tastes like mango rather than just sugar, while still allowing enough room for the matcha flavor to shine through.

Add one of their sandos or a pastry to your drink, settle into their distinctively brutalist-style space, and you have pretty much everything you need for a perfect little afternoon break.

145 avenue Mont-Royal E, Montreal, H2T 1N9

Another Japanese spot on this list! Ohayo Café is a small, rather discreet café in the Plateau neighborhood that, in my opinion, really deserves more hype. With the quality of their food and matcha, you could almost expect them to go viral every couple of weeks. The place is already popular, sure, but I still feel like a lot more people should be talking about it.

I went there once or twice, and I still remember the excellent beef keema curry I ate there, which, surprisingly, reminded me of my mother's Indian lamb keema. But anyway, that's a topic for another article.

The drinks menu offers plenty of choices, but only a few matcha options, and personally, I see that as a good sign. Rather than putting matcha in everything imaginable, they seem to prefer focusing on a few creations and executing them well. You can stick with the classics like a hot matcha latte or try their signature and seasonal creations, such as the Earl Grey I tasted over a year ago, the Matcha Yuzu Limo, or their seasonal Passion Iced Matcha.

From what I remember of my last visit, they also used a light hand with the syrup, which allowed the matcha flavor to remain prominent rather than being overwhelmed by the sugar. And considering that I still remember that matcha more than a year later, I think that speaks volumes.

In fact, as I write these lines, I realize that it has been far too long since I last returned to Ohayo Café.

Pop-ups and more

Sometimes you have to look a little further than the cafes to find truly good matcha. Luckily for me and everyone living on the South Shore, Matchasipp is a small matcha company based in Brossard that prepares its creations with 100% ceremonial-grade matcha.

I had the chance to try some of their drinks a while back, when I was still developing my matcha palate, and even then, I remember being impressed by the quality and creativity behind their creations. Matchasipp was already ahead of the curve. Their vibrant green color immediately caught my eye, but it was the flavor combinations that truly set them apart.

Their creations change every week, and somehow, they seem to be getting more and more original. Past flavors have included a Sweet Potato Matcha Latte, an Oreo Matcha Cloud Latte, and a Strawberry Matcha Latte topped with crème brûlée mousse. The toppings are optional, by the way, but trust me: get the topping.

What I find particularly interesting is that you can also choose from different matchas depending on your preferred flavor profile. Some have more umami notes, others are more fruity or floral, and each one offers something completely different. Once you start noticing these nuances, ordering matcha becomes a whole new experience, and that's yet another reason to discover Matchasipp.

And even though Matchasipp operates from home, they've managed to make the ordering process surprisingly convenient. Delivery is free in Brossard, with a small fee for some other areas, and several pickup options are also available around Montreal. You can even order your matcha in a travel pouch, perfect for taking with you during the day (or for a short road trip).

Since the flavors change regularly, the best thing to do is to take a look at their Instagram page to see what they are cooking up this week.

I went to my first Goodluck Matcha pop-up at the beginning of summer and was instantly hooked. Gabriel, the genius behind Goodluck Matcha, hosts one or two pop-ups a month during the summer, each time with a new selection of matcha creations, each more original than the last. I first discovered his drinks on TikTok, and when I saw that one of his upcoming pop-ups would feature a Mango Sticky Rice Matcha, of course I had to go. But once there, I couldn't resist the Jasmine Matcha either. Yes, I ordered two matcha lattes just for myself. Don't judge me.

The Mango Sticky Rice Matcha was even better than I expected, mainly because it actually tasted like the dessert it was inspired by. The mango wasn't overpowering, which was a good thing, because you could really taste the sticky rice too. There was coconut, a creamy texture, and… rice? At first, I wasn't sure because I found it hard to believe he'd actually put rice in a drink. A few weeks later, I ran into Gabriel again and asked him. And yes, he confirmed that there were indeed real pieces of rice inside. Clearly, Gabriel wasn't kidding when he called it Mango Sticky Rice, and I was genuinely impressed.

As good as it was, I think the Jasmine Matcha was perhaps even better. Made with milk and premium jasmine tea, then topped with matcha cream, it hit me with its floral jasmine notes from the very first sip. The matcha flavor in the cream was more subtle, but it blended so well with the jasmine and gave the drink a smooth, creamy finish.

Of course, I went back to a second Goodluck Matcha pop-up in July. This time, the theme was "fruit cart," with four drinks on the menu: Guava Oolong Matcha, Blueberry Pie Matcha, Peaches & Cream Matcha, and Banana Pudding Matcha. And you can be sure I ordered all four. Again, don't judge me.

I was convinced the Banana Pudding would be my favorite, and while it did indeed end up among my favorites, it was the Guava Oolong that completely surprised me. Like the Jasmine, it was topped with matcha cream, while the base combined oolong tea, guava nectar, and milk. The result was tropical and rather unexpected, while still retaining that comforting quality where the tea flavor remained prominent, which I had so loved in the Jasmine.

And if all this is giving you a bit of FOMO, there's still one more chance. Goodluck Matcha will be holding its final pop-up of the season on September 26th and 27th, with the return of several of its most popular creations, including the Jasmine and Guava Oolong. A word of advice: arrive early. The lines can get quite long, and the drinks tend to sell out quickly.

See you at the next pop-up! And yes, I'll probably be the one ordering several matcha just for her again.

Matcha pop-ups are always on my radar, so when I heard Mashukin Café was hosting one at DIX30, literally minutes from my place, you can bet I had to check it out. One small detail: it was only a few hours before I had to leave for the airport. If that doesn't prove my dedication to matcha research, I don't know what will.

I first discovered Mashukin Café on social media and have been keeping an eye out for their various pop-ups ever since. The story behind the project makes the concept even more interesting. Maxine, the owner, left her teaching career to launch her own matcha business and spent several months tasting matchas from different farms in Japan before finding the one she wanted to serve. She explained that she chose a matcha with a milder profile, without the strong bitterness that can sometimes discourage people during their first experience. So, if you're taking your first steps into the world of matcha and are still worried it might taste like grass, Mashukin Café could be a great place to start.

During their August pop-up, I obviously couldn't limit myself to just one drink, so I tried three: mango, strawberry, and lavender. What I found particularly interesting was how the flavors were integrated. Rather than letting the fruit or lavender dominate, each drink was topped with a flavored cold foam, which kept the flavors more subtle while adding a lovely touch of creaminess. The matcha itself was just sweet enough to balance everything out, resulting in drinks that were easy to enjoy without sacrificing the matcha flavor.

Mashukin Café's next pop-up will be on September 18th at Angus Market. So, if you were looking for an excuse to give matcha another try, this might be it. And maybe avoid making the same mistake I did and scheduling your visit right before heading to the airport.

And that concludes my list of some of the best matcha lattes in Montreal! Yes, I admit, it's a bit shorter than some lists of this kind, but that's entirely intentional. Every place mentioned here is one I've personally tried, genuinely loved, and felt deserved a spot on this list. No hearsay, no "I saw it on TikTok, so it must be good." Let's just say this list has been rigorously matcha-tested.

That said, my matcha research is far from over. I still have so many places on my list to discover, not to mention those that haven't even opened yet, like Café Jiji, whose opening I'm already eagerly awaiting.

For now, these are my choices. But knowing the Montreal matcha scene, I have a feeling this list will only get longer.

Bon matcha testing!