The Best Places for Matcha in Amsterdam

Amsterdam has gone through a quiet but clear shift over the past few years. Alongside the coffee culture that has defined the city for decades, a new ritual is emerging: matcha. Not the sharp, bitter variety you once found in blender-formula bottles, but genuine ceremonial grade matcha, prepared with knowledge and care.

Here is a look at the matcha scene in Amsterdam. What makes a good matcha bar? And why, despite a growing supply, are there still so few places that truly get it right?

What Makes a Good Matcha?

Before looking at specific places, it is worth understanding what sets quality matcha apart from the average café offering.

Quality of the powder. Ceremonial grade matcha is made from the youngest, first-harvest leaves of shade-grown tea plants, slowly milled on granite stones. It is intensely green, naturally sweet, and rich in L-Theanine. Culinary grade is coarser, more bitter, and comes from older leaves. For a latte or in baking, culinary grade is perfectly fine, but for a traditional preparation, ceremonial grade is the only choice.

The preparation. Matcha should be brewed at 70 to 80°C, not at boiling. The water should be filtered or at least soft, so minerals do not affect the taste. A bamboo chasen gives the best texture, but a milk frother can work for lattes too if used correctly.

Freshness. Matcha oxidises quickly once the tin is open. A good café stores its matcha in sealed tins, ideally cool and dry, and uses it within a few weeks of opening.

KYŌ-KLUB Amsterdam

Naturally, we start here. KYŌ-KLUB is located at Kinkerstraat 334 in De Kinkerbuurt and is built entirely around matcha and Japanese tea culture. All drinks are prepared with ceremonial grade matcha from Uji, Japan, sourced directly from small producers.

Alongside classic matcha latte and usucha, KYŌ-KLUB also offers hojicha (roasted green tea) and kocha (black tea), both available as drinks and as products to take home. The space is quiet, simple, and welcoming — a place that encourages you to slow down.

What sets KYŌ-KLUB apart is the focus on origin and quality. We do not work through middlemen and we do not bring matcha to market that we do not drink ourselves every day.

What to Look for When You Order Matcha Elsewhere

If you are out in Amsterdam and want to order matcha at a café you do not yet know, there are a few signals that quickly tell you whether quality is there.

The colour. Ceremonial matcha is vibrant, bright green. Yellow-green or olive-green suggests culinary grade or old powder. A latte made with quality matcha has a clear, warm green tone.

The taste. Good matcha is not bitter. If your first impression is bitterness or a scratchy feeling, that is a sign the powder is low quality or incorrectly prepared: too hot, or not whisked enough.

The amount of powder. A good matcha latte contains 2 to 3 grams of matcha. Café versions that taste pale and flat are often made with half a teaspoon of culinary grade dissolved in 200ml of milk.

The preparation. Do not be afraid to ask how it is made. A barista who knows her craft will happily tell you about the powder, the water temperature, and the whisking technique.

Making Matcha at Home

Perhaps the best thing about Amsterdam's growing matcha scene is that it is encouraging more people to make matcha at home too. You do not need much: a bowl, a bamboo whisk, a measuring spoon, and good powder.

Start by sifting 1.5 grams of matcha into your bowl, add 60ml of water at 75°C, and whisk in a quick W motion until a light foam forms. That is your base. Add warm or cold milk for a latte, or drink it pure if you want the full flavour.

Once you know what good matcha tastes like, you will recognise it anywhere. And then the places that take it seriously become your regulars.

In Closing

The matcha world in Amsterdam is growing, and that is good news. But supply is growing faster than quality. Be discerning, ask questions, and do not be fooled by beautiful packaging or a green cup that is more food colouring than tea plant.

Good matcha is worth seeking out. If you are not sure where to start, now you know where to find us.