Find out why these matcha cafes are highly recommended in Cebu!
(Photo courtesy of Venice Pemble)
Why is everyone obsessed with matcha?
According to Hong Yoo in The Korean Herald, it balances energy and calmness. It has longer stimulation than coffee despite having less caffeine, and it is believed to help in reducing stress. (2025)
The drink has become so popular among health conscious and hardworking zoomers in recent years that many have started their own matcha cafes.
In Cebu, you can buy a matcha latte at Dunkin’ Donuts, The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, and many popular coffee shop chains. Even the Starbucks matcha is a strong contender. However, local businesses have since upped their game.
Ask any matcha lover in Cebu and they will likely recommend these specialty stores as among the best on the island.
THE BEST MATCHA CAFES IN CEBU
The Spring
(Photo courtesy of Venice Pemble)
Located at MSY Tower in Cebu Business Park, The Spring is known for its warm and cozy interiors and their specialty coffee and matcha drinks. Their Matcha Latte is definitely a crowd favorite, and the staff will recommend that it tastes even better with their Banana Pudding.
Pair it with their highly praised Cassava Cake and you’re sure to enjoy the warmth and comfort the cafe is known for bringing.
Exact Location
MSY Tower, Cebu Business Park
Operating Hours
8:00 AM to 8:00 PM
- Your Daily Go Cafe (YDG)
Many consider YDG as the best cafe in Cebu for ceremonial grade matcha. They source their powder straight from Japan to get that authentic matcha flavor.
The cafe thrives on variety, letting customers choose the type of matcha to use. They offer Okumidori, a sweeter, single-source variant often considered the pinnacle of quality for matcha.
YDG highlights the ingredient in many ways, from infusing it in their cookies and signature basque cheesecake to teaching how to brew it at pop-up events and bazaars.
Exact Location
The Pad Co-Living, Banilad High Street, Cebu City
Operating Hours
Monday to Thursday
8:00 AM to 10:30 PM
Friday to Sunday
8:00 AM to 12:00 AM
- PEAK&PI
(Photo courtesy of Venice Pemble)
Fairly new to the scene, PEAK&PI is another specialty store that is widely recognized for their coffee and matcha drinks. One of their bestsellers is the Earl Grey Matcha.
Their small space makes for an intimate atmosphere for when you want to enjoy their matcha drinks alone or with friends. With their matcha selections from Kagoshima and Uji, Kyoto, you can distinguish the characteristics of their flavor profile and color. The baristas are also more than happy to tell you more about their matcha drinks.
Exact Location
Fuente Osmeña Circle, Cebu City (Beside Rajah Park Hotel)
Operating Hours
8:00 AM to 8:00 PM
- The Matcha Tokyo
They once had a limited-time pop-up in 2024 before officially opening branches at SM JMall and Oakridge Business Park.
This Tokyo-based cafe is known for marketing their use of 100% organic Japanese matcha powder, meticulously ground for a rich and smooth flavor. Once put through the traditional matcha-making process, the result is full of umami and nutrients.
Their matcha mochi is also a bestseller, filled with matcha-flavored soft serve ice cream. It might be a bit tricky to eat, but this sweet and uniquely earthy dessert is worth a try.
Operating Hours
Oakridge Branch: 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM
JMall Branch: Mall hours
- Strange Matcha
(Photo courtesy of Venice Pemble)
Somewhat considered a hole-in-the-wall establishment, Strange Matcha Cebu is known for their rather “strange” creations.
Their bestsellers, the Purple Matcha and Earth Matcha, use homemade ube milk and a butterfly pea flower tea, respectively, helping them stand out from the crowd through their innovative flavors.
Another menu item that Strange Matcha fans swear by is their Matcha Affogato, filled with velvety vanilla ice cream and topped with their ceremonial matcha and kinako powder. Other specialty blends include Thai Matcha Cream and Banana Creme Matcha.
Exact Location
111 Juana Osmeña Street, Cebu City (formerly Big Tom’s Burgers)
Operating Hours
12:00 PM to 8:00 PM
- The Matcha Stop (TMS)
Located alongside the entrance to a subdivision in AS Fortuna, this hole-in-the-wall matcha cafe is one of the go-to spots for classic and unique matcha experiences.
The baristas are dedicated to perfecting their matcha drinks, whether it’s a basic iced matcha latte or any of their signature drinks like the Matcha White Cloud, Matcha Strawberry, and Matcha Cinnamon.
The appeal of TMS comes from the peaceful atmosphere of its quaint location. True to its name, it’s an interesting pitstop to get your matcha fix.
Exact Location
Flovemar Subdivision, AS Fortuna Street, Mandaue City
Operating Hours
Tuesday to Saturday
12:00 PM to 9:00 PM
Closed on Mondays and Sundays
Now that we know the top matcha cafes in Cebu, let’s address the elephant in the room: the resurgence of matcha among Gen Z has caused problems for its worldwide production and distribution.
THE MATCHA SITUATION WORLDWIDE
With matcha cafes opening all around the world, businesses are expected to export more high quality powder. This has unfortunately caused a shortage in premium grade matcha manufactured straight from Japan.
An article from Tokyo Cheapo mentions that matcha production is slow and seasonal, making it rather limited for many. Tea leaves must be shaded for weeks to develop their signature sweetness, while grinding them into powder can take hours. (2025)
Also, Japan’s farming population has suddenly shrunk to only 20,000 in modern times, and the weather could destroy dozens of crops for production.
This is something matcha cafes unfortunately have to deal with on a regular basis. A shortage of supplies could mean the possible removal of their beloved matcha drinks.
Last January, YDG had to stop selling two of their signature matcha offerings because of the aforementioned shortage, plus unexpected factors such as the weather.
Despite this, many cafes continue to serve their own brand of the beloved drink, and matcha lovers in Cebu will be happy to know that they can still purchase their favorite matcha lattes.
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As more matcha cafes operate on a regular basis, the ones mentioned above should give you the best possible matcha experience when in Cebu.
If there’s one thing we know about these places, it’s that they aim to make good matcha. At the end of the day, that is what drives them to push through and serve the public.
REFERENCES:
Yoo, Hong. 2025. “Matcha goes mainstream with Gen Z and global stars.” The Korea Herald.
https://www.koreaherald.com/article/10524615.
Narain, Aarohi. 2025. “Matcha Shortage in Japan—Everything You Need to Know.” Tokyo Cheapo.
https://tokyocheapo.com/lifestyle/matcha-shortage-japan/.
