Sipping and Spilling the Tea: My favourite London & Birmingham's Matcha Spots

A tale of two cities, two matcha missions. Forget your flat whites or pour-over coffee, we're talking about the good stuff. The earthy, slightly bitter, and oh-so-soothing nectar of the gods, also known as matcha.

Wa Cafe, Marylebone: The OG London Spot

Great Match and Hojicha latte

First up, London. When it comes to Japanese cafes, I've been eyeing up Wa Cafe for ages, and it did not disappoint. The Marylebone branch is a little shoebox, so good luck getting a table on a Saturday without a death stare from a few other hopeful patrons. It's a proper little slice of Japan, a world away from the busy London streets outside.

Fluffy strawberry spongecake

Great flavour but texture is a let down

The matcha latte was a dream. Not too sweet, not too grassy - just a perfect, creamy balance that makes you feel like you've got your life together. And the cake! That strawberry sponge cake was a revelation. It was so light and fluffy it practically floated off the plate. What I really love about Wa Cafe is that they serve so many typical Japanese bakery items and cakes that you just don't see anywhere else in the UK (apart from the M&S strawberry sando I've talked about before here). The honey toast was a bit of a letdown, sadly. A bit too hard, like it'd been sitting there for a bit too long, but the flavour was still on point. Overall, a great spot for an authentic treat.

OCHA Cafe, Birmingham: The Unexpected Gem

Small cosy cafe - Google Image

Now, onto Birmingham. I was surprised to find a Japanese cafe tucked away in the Chinese Quarter. It’s a tiny place, but the vibes are immaculate. It gets busy, so be prepared to stand around looking a bit lost for a while.

While the selection isn't as vast as Wa Cafe. The matcha and hojicha lattes were solid. I’d still put Wa Cafe slightly ahead, but OCHA is by no means a slouch. Their Basque cheesecake was also very good. Creamy, rich, and with that perfectly caramelised top. But let’s be real, nothing will ever beat the one I had in Madri (here for the review). I'm still dreaming about it. Maybe they'll do a matcha version one day and I'll book my flight back immediately.

These two cafes prove you don't need to be in Japan to get a decent matcha fix. They're both worth the trip, even if you have to fight for a seat.

Verdict: Wa Cafe wins for authenticity and pastry selection, but OCHA offers a strong, unexpected matcha moment in Birmingham.

Restaurant Info

Wa Cafe Marylebone

Address: 6 Thayer St, London W1U 3JQ
Website: https://www.wacafe.co.uk/

OCHA Cafe

Address: 25 Hurst St, Birmingham B5 4BB

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