Best matcha in Chicago, IL
Matcha in Chicago, IL has moved from a coffee-shop afterthought to its own category. The best cafés in Chicago, IL use ceremonial-grade matcha from named Japanese growers (Uji, Nishio, Kagoshima), whisk it properly with a chasen, and serve it in three formats: straight, iced latte, and hot latte. Roasters maps the cafés in Chicago, IL doing it right. Roasters currently counts 139 cafés in Chicago, IL, #3 in the USA.
Preparation matters as much as the powder. A properly made matcha is sifted (to avoid clumps), whisked with a chasen in a W-shape (not stirred), and served in a wide bowl or over ice with milk. The best matcha lattes in Chicago, IL balance the matcha with whole milk, oat, or barista-grade alternatives — never overpowered by sugar or syrup.
The matcha grade tells you everything. Ceremonial-grade is the bright, vivid green powder you'll see in the best specialty cafés — first-harvest leaves, stone-ground, vegetal and sweet. Culinary-grade is duller, bitter, and meant for cooking. The cafés the Roasters community ranks highest in Chicago, IL only use ceremonial.
Matcha guides: where Chicago, IL ranks
In the national table Chicago, IL is #3, with New York, NY on top; worldwide it ranks #23 of 3,601.
Ranked by how many specialty cafés each city lists, Chicago, IL is #23 among the 144 cities with this guide.
In the USA, the “Matcha” guide also covers 26 other cities.
44 cities in the Americas have enough specialty cafés (30 or more) for a “Matcha” guide, Chicago, IL among them.
Also on Roasters for Chicago, IL: WiFi & laptops, Brunch, Open late, Quiet cafés, Running, Espresso, Filter coffee and Cold brew.
Find matcha cafés
in Chicago, IL.
All 139 cafés in Chicago, IL, on one map, with community reviews. Free on iOS and Android.
About matcha in Chicago, IL
What's the difference between a matcha latte and a regular matcha?
A regular (straight) matcha is matcha powder whisked with hot water in a bowl — bright, vegetal, unsweetened. A matcha latte is matcha mixed with steamed or cold milk, served in a cup or over ice. Best cafés use ceremonial-grade matcha for both.
How many specialty cafés does Roasters list in Chicago, IL?
139 cafés and roasters, which puts Chicago, IL at #23 of the 144 cities with a “Matcha” guide.
Is Chicago, IL the only place in the USA with this guide?
No. 26 other cities have one, led by New York, NY.
Is this one of the bigger “Matcha” guides?
Yes: Chicago, IL ranks #23 of 144 by the number of specialty cafés it lists.
