All Our Favorite Matcha Drinks in Honolulu

Matcha is always on trend and everywhere in town. We asked the team where they get their matcha drink fixes on O‘ahu.

June 12, 2025

Frolic Hawai‘i Team,

While assembling this team roundup, the question came up, “What counts as a matcha drink?” To which we say any drink with matcha in it, whether it’s the tea alone or mixed with any number of ingredients. So our team delivered a variety of matcha drinks from all over O‘ahu to suit every taste, whether you’re a tea purist or a sweet tooth.

Photo: Cody Kawamoto

Café Daisy

I love matcha for a sweet afternoon pick-me-up and a quick energy boost without the strong kick of coffee. The lavender matcha at Café Daisy in downtown is my favorite blend—with ice and oat milk, its bright, floral notes feel like a refreshing spring day in each sip. My fellow Frolic contributor Cody Kawamoto tried the iced strawberry matcha with oat milk during our last visit to Café Daisy, and he says it’s a winner too. —Darlene Dela Cruz

The Residences at Bishop Place lobby, 1132 Bishop St., Downtown

Photo: Gregg Hoshida

Cha to Gelato Zen

OG is as OG does. I like my loco moco simple, my shave ice with strawberry syrup and my spam musubi plain. So it’s no surprise that my favorite matcha drink is a simple cup of matcha from Cha to Gelato Zen in Kapahulu. Freshly brewed and whisked to order, the bitter grassy notes are a perfect complement to the traditional anmitsu I order in full OG fashion. —Gregg Hoshida

My quest to find a late-night tea shop led me to Cha to Gelato Zen on Kapahulu Avenue. I wouldn’t consider myself to be a matcha purist, but I know if a matcha will taste perfectly earthy and subtly sweet based on its vibrant shade of green. Cha to Gelato Zen does not cut any corners when making their matcha drinks, and they whisk each serving of matcha to order. Watching them prepare your drink behind the counter teaches you to appreciate the thoughtful process of making a well-crafted matcha rather than the instant gratification of a quick latte. My favorite strawberry matcha latte has fresh homemade strawberry puree that caters to Asian palates (not too sweet), milk or nondairy milk and a generous pour of high-quality matcha that never disappoints. —Mia Chung

744 Kapahulu Ave., Kapahulu, @cha_to_gelato_zen

Photo: Andrea Lee

Cooke Street Market

I didn’t really get the strawberry matcha latte hype until I had the one at Cooke Street Market, where that drink has become the signature item that’s put them on the map for matcha lovers. With house-made strawberry syrup (bits of fruit included) and matcha imported from Kyoto balanced with a choice of milk or oat milk, it tops all other strawberry matcha lattes I’ve tried by being not too sweet yet addictive. Plus, it’s huge for $8, enough to fill up two stomachs. —Andrea Lee

725 Kapi‘olani Blvd. C122, Kaka‘ako, csmhawaii.com, @cookestreetmarket

The Curb Pandan Matcha Latte Pc Jade Snow

Photo: Jade Snow

The Curb Kaimukī

Though I’m usually a matcha latte purist, I always make an exception for the pandan matcha latte ($6.50 for large matcha latte plus $0.75 for pandan syrup) from The Curb Kaimukī. I’m a sucker for anything pandan—a fragrant ingredient often used in Filipino and other Southeast Asian desserts. With its vanilla and coconut notes, pandan adds just the right touch of sweetness to both iced and hot matcha lattes. It’s one of my favorite indulgent pick-me-ups! —Jade Snow

3408 Wai‘alae Ave. Suite 103, Kaimukī, thecurbkaimuki.com, @thecurbkaimuki

Photo: Courtesy of Daily Whisk Matcha

Daily Whisk Matcha

I seek out cold matcha drinks on steamy weekend days when I want a caffeine boost but don’t feel like an iced coffee. The destination: Daily Whisk Matcha in Kaimukī for the matcha liliko‘i soda ($9). I gravitate toward sweet-sour anything, and this perky drink offers just the right amount of tartness with its house-made liliko‘i syrup and matcha over ice. Plus, it’s next door to Ten Tomorrow, offering the perfect excuse to browse while sipping my beautiful bubbly beverage. Simple decadence. —Diane Seo

It’s not the traditional matcha drink, but especially on days when temps are high, I find myself longing for the matcha liliko‘i soda from Daily Whisk Matcha. Premium matcha is whisked till frothy then paired with tart house-made liliko‘i syrup and soda water for a fizzy, oh-so-refreshing treat. —Brie Thalmann

1114 11th Ave., Kaimukī, dailywhiskmatcha.com, @dailywhiskmatcha

Photo: Cody Kawamoto

Junbi

Can’t decide between a matcha or coffee fix? The Coffee Chaffe ($9.32) at Junbi Waikīkī blends the best of both worlds in one surprisingly harmonious drink. I’ll admit, I was skeptical at first. It’s my go-to whenever I’m cruising around the Royal Hawaiian Shopping Center. This layered creation starts with a swirl of liquid brown sugar syrup, followed by your choice of milk (I went with oat), then topped with a vibrant matcha and a bold shot of espresso. Give it a good shake before sipping—it’s a layered flavor trip. Think sweet, creamy brown sugar up front, followed by nutty espresso and a grassy matcha finish. Bonus: they offer a kama‘āina discount of 10%. —Cody Kawamoto

2301 Kalākaua Ave. Bldg C, Space 102AB, Royal Hawaiian Shopping Center, Waikīkī, junbishop.com, @junbiwaikiki

Matcha Café Maiko

Matcha Café Maiko’s matcha frappé ($5.90 for a medium, $6.60 for a large) was my gateway drug to matcha drinks. When we lived in Waikīkī, my mom and I would be there practically every weekend, and I will still brave the traffic to get my fix. The icy treat is so refreshing on a hot day while I holoholo around Waikīkī and hits the spot with its smooth yet not too sweet blend of matcha and milk. Show your ID to the cashier for an 8% kama‘āina discount, and keep in mind that only card or tap payments are accepted. —Andrea Lee

2310 Kūhiō Ave. #143, Waikīkī, matchacafe-maiko.com, @matchastand_maiko

Photo: Grace Maeda

Mele Mele Bakery

Mele Mele Bakery is a hidden gem tucked in a silo at the old Waialua Sugar Mill. The Uji matcha is sourced from Yamasan in Kyoto, Japan. Although the spot offers specialty matcha drinks like a rose matcha latte and matcha yuzu lemonade, my go-to order is just a simple matcha latte ($7)—that’s just how good the high-quality matcha tastes (very earthy!). The cozy café is one of my favorite spots to spend a lazy morning sipping on a matcha latte. —Grace Maeda

67-106 Kealohanui St., Waialua, melemelebakery.com, @melemelebakery

Photo: Grace Maeda

Pō‘ai by Pono Potions

The Alohamora ($7.50) at Pō‘ai, Pono Potions’ flagship café, is a coconut lover’s dream. As someone who loves coconut and matcha, it’s one of my favorite sweet treats to sip on. With coconut milk as the base, the matcha is flavored with Pono Potions’ coconut syrup and topped with a refreshing liliko‘i foam. —Grace Maeda

1119 Smith St., Chinatown, ponopotions.com, @ponopotions

Sage Creamery matcha latte with house-made strawberry compote (left) and matcha latte with pīkake syrup (right). Photos: Thomas Obungen and Katrina Valcourt

Sage Creamery

More of a hojicha kinda guy, I’m not totally into the current matcha craze. However, there is one beverage that makes me look the other way because it tastes like I’m sipping on dessert. It’s Sage Creamery’s iced matcha latte with house-made strawberry compote ($9). This drink is my jam with grassy notes from the hand-whisked matcha, rich whole milk and sweet, sweet strawberry jam that lines the bottom. Served layered in this order, it looks like a pastel Italian flag. Considering you can get it at an ice cream shop, it makes sense that it totally tastes like a Japanese parfait. —Thomas Obungen

I’m no matcha aficionado, but I do prefer it to iced coffee when I need an afternoon pick-me-up without too much caffeine. I love the iced matcha latte at Sage Creamery with the addition of house-made pīkake syrup ($8)—just sweet and floral enough to awaken my senses without tasting like perfume. You can also get ube, vanilla bean, strawberry or lavender syrup, but you likely won’t see jasmine on too many other menus around town, so live a little. —Katrina Valcourt

91-3575 Kauluakoko St #3005, ‘Ewa Beach, sagecreamery.com, @sagecreamery