Matchaful — Restaurant in New York

Matcha Pride on Prince

Nestled in the heart of SoHo, Matchaful on Prince St is truly a matcha sanctuary for aficionados and newcomers alike. A place where the electric energy of New York meets the calming allure of green tea, offering an oasis of tranquility amidst the hectic streets. The indoor dining area is a visual delight. Meticulously designed, it seamlessly blends modern white and green aesthetics with a touch of traditional charm. The serene ambiance, accented with greenery and natural light, sets a mood that encourages you to linger a little longer, savoring every sip of your latte. But the real stars of Matchaful are its baristas. Knowledgeable, passionate, and ever-willing to guide, they embody the brand's dedication to the art of tea. Whether you're a curious first-timer or a discerning tea enthusiast, these baristas ensure that every cup is curated to perfection. Their expertise shines through in the nuanced flavors and textures of each beverage, showcasing the profound depth and diversity of matcha specialty lattes. The vanilla zen is a crowd favorite. Moreover, their dedication to sourcing the highest quality matcha is evident in every sip. Vibrant, frothy, and brimming with umami goodness, their drinks are a testament to the purity and potency of the matcha ingredient. In a city dotted with countless cafes and eateries, Matchaful stands out not just for its exceptional beverages but for the holistic experience it offers. It's a space that celebrates the timeless beauty of matcha while offering a contemporary, chic setting to relish it. Matchaful on Prince St in SoHo is more than just a café; it's an experience. An enchanting fusion of tradition and modernity, flavor, ambiance and has known to have several social media celebrities come...

Matchaful is easily one of my favorite Matcha spots. The quality of their Matcha is superb!

I have been to Japan and this better. The aroma is rich, the bitterness is very low, and the taste is smooth and layered the way a true ceremonial Matcha should be.

One of the highlights is that they make their own almond milk and oat milk in house. Both are gentle, creamy, and bring out the Matcha’s flavor instead of covering it up. They also offer different sweetener options, which makes the drinks more personal and enjoyable.

There are a few areas that could be improved in how their Matcha is prepared.

The whisking was done too quickly. Instead of creating that fine foam with small bubbles that keeps the Matcha suspended, it was just a few circles and the powder sank to the bottom. A proper sifting step before whisking would also make a big difference in smoothness and taste.

The other detail is the water temperature. When I asked, they told me they use one hundred degrees. That is too hot for ceremonial Matcha and can scorch the tea, which can brings out bitterness. Matcha is sensitive and many of the Japanese spots I have visited always stay between eighty and ninety degrees max.

That range keeps the flavor not bitter and instead fresh, and smooth.

Even at home I find seventy five to eighty five degrees is the sweet spot. Boiling water can work for some blends, but it’s pushing it.

Even with these points, the Matcha itself is superb and one of the best I have ever had!

Matchaful is a five star experience and with a little more care in preparation it could even be better. Highly...

Matchaful used to have a pop-up, and now runs a vegan café. The space is charming, with a deep green accent wall, natural wooden benches, neutral cushions, and lovely plants adorning the interior. The staff was friendly and helpful. They have a variety of matcha, Hojicha, and even non-tea drinks. They also have pre-made vegan snacks and quick foods in a refrigerated section—like chia pudding or a bento box with purple sticky rice, radish, edamame, avocado, etc. Little sweet confections on the counter are enticing, too. You can get matcha traditionally prepared (usucha or koicha) or a variety of lattes with a choice of vegan “milks.” I had a lovely Kiwami iced matcha with their freshly made almond milk, the bento box, and their “caio cacao” sweet with rose and almond. Everything was delicious and beautifully presented. When I bought a canister of Kiwami after enjoying my latte and food, they also presented me with a free golden-colored tea scoop after verifying it was the first tin of matcha I purchased from them. Very nice touch! I highly recommend. Minor downsides: no restroom, and, while lovely, the wooden benches are not so comfortable after a while. —Traci aka...