With 24 merchants gathered at SM Mall of Asia, these five stops are a good place to begin.
I’ve always been more of a coffee person, but matcha has gradually found its way into my routine. I like mine iced, milky, and lightly sweetened, with enough bitterness and earthiness left to remind me that I am, in fact, drinking matcha.
Attending a matcha workshop at The Westin Manila also taught me that matcha is not one fixed flavor. Some varieties lean grassy and bright, while others taste creamy, nutty, or deeply savory. Milk, sweeteners, and preparation can completely change what comes through in the cup.
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This made Manila Matcha Fest feel like a good opportunity to keep exploring. Happening until August 16 at the Main Atrium of SM Mall of Asia, the 10-day festival brings together 24 merchants serving drinks, desserts, specialty products, and festival exclusives. There are also workshops, interactive activities, and installations to visit between cups.
The number of options can feel overwhelming, especially if you cannot reasonably drink your way through all 24 booths.
If you need help deciding where to begin, here are five brands worth adding to your list:
Matchanese
Matchanese is one of the more familiar names in Manila’s growing matcha scene. What started as an online business now has physical locations at SM North EDSA and The Podium. It also co-presents this year’s Manila Matcha Fest.
A good starting point is its signature matcha latte, which you can customize according to matcha strength and sweetness. Being able to choose from Levels 1 to 3 is particularly helpful if you are still discovering how strong you want your drink. Dairy-free alternatives are also available.
For something more indulgent, try the Matchanese Einspänner, a tea-based take on the Viennese drink traditionally made with coffee and cream. The dalandan and coconut variations are also interesting choices if you want local flavors with your matcha.
Shizu Matcha
Shizu takes its tea seriously, but its menu does not feel intimidating. The contemporary tea house uses first-flush matcha and prepares drinks to order, while still leaving room for combinations that are fun and easy to enjoy.
Its Cold Whisk Dango comes with matcha whisked in cold milk and a skewer of chewy rice dumplings. The matcha tonic with yuzu and soda water is a lighter, more refreshing choice, especially if you plan to visit several booths in one day.
There are more playful options, including lavender matcha and matcha Yakult. Shizu also has permanent locations in Caloocan and Quezon City, where its menu extends beyond drinks to sandwiches, pasta, small plates, and mains.
Hoshi House
Hoshi House brings together two things I personally enjoy: matcha and SEVENTEEN.
The small café on Dian Street in Palanan, Makati, takes its name from “hoshi,” the Japanese word for “star.” It is also inspired by Hoshi of SEVENTEEN, which explains the photocards, merchandise, and other details that fellow Carats will quickly notice.
I tried the regular matcha latte and enjoyed how straightforward it was. It was creamy and easy to drink, but the matcha still had enough presence. There was no need for an elaborate flavor
The atmosphere also deserves a special mention because the space is intimate, visiting feels communal. Matcha brings people through the door, but a shared love for SEVENTEEN makes it easier to start a conversation. As a Carat, that added another layer of fun to the experience.
Acay
Acay offers a very different kind of matcha experience. The drink studio is known for what it describes as the Philippines’ first Nitro Matcha, using nitrogen to create a smoother and airier texture.
Its Filipino identity comes through in the use of muscovado. The dark, caramel-like sweetness works with the earthy and nutty character of the matcha, although it can become the stronger flavor if you prefer your drinks less sweet.
Order the Classic Nitro Matcha with less muscovado syrup if you want to taste more of the tea itself. Acay makes one of the stronger matcha lattes in the lineup, so it is a particularly good stop for people who want a cup that does not disappear beneath milk and sugar. Also for the fest, they’re bringing back some of their seasonal offerings like Burnt Honey Cinnamon, Corn Miso, and Blueberry Cardamom.
Go-to Matcha
Go-to Matcha is another option for drinkers who want their latte strong and bold.
For something lighter, try the Matcha Lemon. The citrus gives it a bright and refreshing quality. It is also a useful change of pace after tasting several creamy lattes around the festival.
Bonus: Wasachi
Wasachi is not part of Manila Matcha Fest, but if you still have room for one more cup, consider this your sign to plan a separate visit.
Founded by Kyoto native Takuma Yamanaka in Tokyo’s Roppongi district in 2024, Wasachi opened its first international branch inside Fully Booked Kinokuniya at Power Plant Mall. Grab a seat by the bar if you want to watch the team prepare each cup. The menu keeps things simple, with pure matcha, matcha lattes, desserts, and a mango matcha latte exclusive to Manila.
I ordered the regular matcha latte with oat milk and personally loved it. It was smooth and creamy, but the matcha still came through clearly. Was it worth traveling all the way from the north? For me, yes. I would happily make the trip again.
Take your time between cups
Manila Matcha Fest is not a challenge to see how many lattes you can finish in one afternoon. With 24 merchants to explore, it helps to share drinks with friends, ask for lower sweetness when possible, and take a few breaks before joining the next queue.
The festival runs until August 16, 2026, at the Main Atrium of SM Mall of Asia. Admission is free.
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