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    12 Matcha

    4.5 (252 reviews)
    Closed 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
    Updated a few days ago

    12 Matcha Photos

    Business Info

    12 MATCHA ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Dogs allowed

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    Recommended Reviews - 12 Matcha

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    Reviews With Photos

    Nick S.

    12 Matcha is a specialty matcha café focused on traditional preparation, high-quality matcha drinks, and a more refined café experience. We walked into a space that is part of the appeal, with a clean and carefully designed interior that makes it feel more like a destination rather than just a place to grab a drink. The attention to detail is noticeable, from the way the matcha is prepared to the overall atmosphere of the shop, and the seating area is comfortable enough to make it a nice spot for catching up, working, or taking a break while exploring the area. The main reason to visit is obviously the matcha. We tried their matcha latte and found the flavor smooth with a noticeable matcha taste without the strong bitterness that some traditional matcha drinks can have. It leaned a little sweeter than we personally prefer, but it was still balanced and easy to drink. The texture was creamy and the matcha quality was definitely better than many standard cafés that use matcha mainly for the color rather than the flavor. Their menu also includes other matcha-focused items like matcha ice cream, hojicha options, and desserts such as cheesecake and brownies, all of which pair well with the drinks and make the visit feel more complete. The hojicha options are a nice alternative if you want something with a deeper roasted flavor instead of sticking only with matcha. The biggest thing to consider is the wait. The popularity of 12 Matcha means the line can get long, especially during peak hours, and while the drinks are good and the experience is enjoyable, the long wait can take away from what is otherwise a really solid matcha spot. Going during off hours or on a weekday makes the visit much easier and lets you actually enjoy the space without feeling rushed. The staff were friendly, and the overall service felt intentional rather than just focused on getting orders out quickly. 12 Matcha is one of the better matcha cafés we have tried, especially if you care about the quality and preparation of the drink. The matcha itself is smooth and well made, and the atmosphere adds to the experience, making it a place worth visiting when you want a matcha-focused café experience that feels thoughtful and composed.

    Matcha latte (stirred)
    Haroon Z.

    Probably the best matcha latte I've ever had in the states, maybe some Japan ones were comparable or better. Just really tasty, I took a sip of the matcha without any milk and it was really nice and not too bitter already. Must try for matcha lovers if you're in nyc. Also hojicha brownie was yummy. Line wasn't too bad around 11:30 am on a Thursday but the line was really crazy around 2 pm Friday so only got to try this place once. It's really cool getting to see the process of them making it in front of you, great ambiance.

    Ariel D.

    12 Matcha was the most beautiful "almost." The ritual is immaculate. We joined the line of umbrellas outside, eventually placed our orders inside, then watched our assigned barista whisk the microfoam to perfection. MATCHA LATTE: 4/5. Earthy, and a touch too bitter in a way didn't feel balanced to me. The tea quality is high, but not as high as my go-to back home. MATCHA ICE CREAM: 3/5. Savory and gritty, which was a little confusing to me. But I recognize and own that I am a filthy non-purist. HOJICHA ICE CREAM: 4/5. Nutty, I do wish the flavor were deeper. HOJICHA BASQUE CHEESECAKE: 3/5. Tangy, very different than the ice cream. It split the group as a hit / miss. Not proud of it, but woman enough to admit it: I'm probably the problem. I feel like 12 Matcha is for people who have their life together. I am not those people.

    Matcha Latte
    Sharan S.

    Such a beautiful cafe with lots of seating. The line is pretty long, so be prepared to wait. My friend and I waited about 40 minutes in the afternoon on a weekday. The staff does come out and give people water and umbrellas to beat the heat, which I really appreciated. After ordering, they make your drink right in front of you to see the whole process. Matcha was creamy, nutty, and balanced. They use about 6 grams of matcha per drink, so it's pretty strong and caffeinated! I would definitely come here again.

    Interior
    Abigail J.

    Visited this place when I was in NYC and it was the best matcha that I tried the whole trip. Food: Incredible. This is probably the Matcha place that I use as a base when trying other Matcha places because their matcha was just so perfect and delicious. I also got some of their pastries, but the one that stood out to me was their hojicha brownie. It was so delectable! Service: AMAZING! From the person who was bringing us inside, to the server who took our order, to the server who was making our matcha. They were also informative and they were so kind to us. It just made the experience even better. Ambience: INSANE! I love how everything looked. I love the design of everything and it was so cool that they had a downstairs section where it was also a seating area. So spacious inside as well! Overall, this is the spot that I will be thinking of every single time I try a new matcha spot!

    Nhi T.

    Went with a friend on a Sunday and luckily, the line wasn't too bad. Waited about 30 minutes to get into the cafe and once I walked in I understood the hype. The interior was super chic. I loved the simple and modern decor and the glass water tanks with what looked like branches in them. There was plenty of seating with tables on the first floor and the basement. The basement also had a tasting room which was cool to see. The service was fast and I liked how they paced their lines so that customers could have a good experience inside. They would let a small group of people in at a time and once you were inside the service was quick. We got two matcha lattes that were lightly sweet and a slice of the hojicha basque cheesecake. The matcha lattes were some of the best I've ever tried. They were the perfect level of sweetness and you can really taste and appreciate the quality of the matcha they use. (9.5/10) They also call your name up to whisk the matcha right in front of you before they pour it over the milk. My barista was super friendly and ready to answer any questions I had about the process. It was a pleasant experience, and they also serve your items to you on a nice tray and will even bring it directly to your table if needed. The hojicha basque cheesecake was also amazing. The cake was creamy, slightly sweet, and the hojicha flavor was strong. (9/10) I was really impressed by it because basque cheesecake is usually a hit or miss for me. I would highly recommend it and it paired well with our lattes. The service was super attentive, picking up empty cups and straw wrappers almost immediately. The prices are also very reasonable and much cheaper than I though it would be in New York. The quality of the lattes and the cheesecake really sells it for me and I will definitely be back when I am in the city!

    Matcha latte
    Miranda M.

    I saw this spot online and had to stop by. I went a little after they opened and there were only 2 people in line. I like that there are only two drink options. Once your drink is about to be made, they call you up and you can watch them whisk and pour your drink. I found this nice to learn about process, but can see how this would elongate any lines when it gets busy. I ordered the matcha latte with almond milk for here. They have an option to lightly sweeten. The pricing is incredibly fair at only $7. The matcha was a deep green, a bit nutty, and well balanced with the milk. I'd be intrigued to try to the hot Americano matcha when the weather is cooler. I will definitely be back and highly recommend going early!

    Emileen Y.

    Late to review but tried this place out with a friend back in March when we were visiting from out of town. We had known there would probably be a wait but we decided to check it out anyway. The line didn't look too bad and we got in to wait around 3:30 pm. Tip: bring an umbrella for the sun (or rain)! We ended up waiting for about an hour which was more than we expected but at some point we decided to commit to the wait and it was worth it. You get to watch them make your drink and it was all made with intention and with high quality ingredients. The staff were so helpful and the interior was also beautiful. There's seating both upstairs and downstairs as well. I would definitely come back if I was ever in the area!

    menu
    Esther T.

    Tiktok made me do it. But seriously this is the best matcha I've ever had. The service was really fast despite the wait. I went on a random Tuesday afternoon 1:30pm ish and waited 15 mins so I think I got lucky. They offer umbrellas for people in line which is super considerate given the heat wave. The matcha latte is $7 which is a decent price considering the quality and thought put into their drink. They use charcoal to purify the water resulting in a much smoother matcha flavor. The barista was super sweet and let me gawk and ask whatever questions popped up. I recommend coming during off-peak hours for your first time and getting an iced light sweet matcha. Wear comfy shoes I saw people in heels suffering in line.

    Jenn L.

    12 Matcha is 100% worth the hype. I went on a Thursday and there was still a line, but it wasn't nearly as bad as what I've heard weekends are like. Definitely try to come during the week, but expect a wait either way. One thing I loved was that they gave umbrellas to people waiting in line since it was so hot outside. Such a thoughtful touch. And the matcha? Easily the best matcha I've ever had in my life. Smooth, rich, and incredibly high quality. I'll definitely be back whenever I visit nyc again!!

    This is next level Matcha
    Pamela L.

    This is my second time here, I wanted to revisit with my son. This is one of my favorite matcha spots in NYC. I like my matcha bitter, nutty with that deep green color and this place does it like it's an art form. There is only two matcha drinks to choose from. - Matcha Latte - Matcha Americano You can request to have it lightly sweetened. Order at the counter and wait for one of the baristas to call out your name. Then stand in front of them where they go through the ritual of making your matcha drink. Our barista was awesome and informed me that I can ask him any questions while he makes it. I saw him opening the lid to a huge ceramic urn and adding little scoops of hot water. I asked him why he did that and he said it's to activate the green powder after he whisked it. Loved that he shared this cool info with me. The whole process takes quite a while, hence the reason for the long lines. Take as many pics and videos as you want. If you order dessert, they will bring it to you on a tray. Seating is limited so be patient. I also love that one of the staff member brought over a couple glasses of water to us without us even asking for it. We tried their Matcha and Hojicha Basque Cheesecakes. It's creamy and the flavors came through. Service is tops here; they greet you as you come and go with a smile. This building is in direct sunlight and it can get scorching hot when you wait in line. The guy managing the crowd will hand you an umbrella to help shield you from the sun. 10/10

    Matcha latte and matcha cheesecake
    Rumi C.

    100% best matcha I've had in NYC. Worth the line because it is crafted for you so carefully and with the most beautiful water jugs! There isn't the most amount of seating but if you get a spot inside, it's so lovely to sit and people watch as you enjoy your drink. The cheesecake was great too, but should be shared among 2-4 people because of how decadent and dense it is.

    matcha latte
    Kurt T.

    There was a line when I showed up on a hot summer day, but they were handing out umbrellas to people waiting outside, which was a genuinely thoughtful touch. Little things like that go a long way. Walking in, the water filtration system immediately catches your eye. It is front and center and it tells you right away that they take this seriously. They carry two matcha varieties for retail, but all the drinks are made with one of them, which makes sense when quality is the priority. I kept it simple and got a sweetened matcha latte. As someone who drinks a lot of matcha, I can say this is one of the best I have ever had. Rich, smooth, and well balanced. No grassy bitterness, nothing off. Just a really dialed in cup. The space itself is nice too. Some seating upstairs and a downstairs area as well. Worth the wait, worth the trip.

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    12 Matcha Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - 12 Matcha

    Is the matcha gluten free?

    Hi y'all! Is this place vegan friendly ? I heard they have oat milk. I'm curious about the ice cream and cheese cake also TIA?

    Hi Jess, thank you for reaching out— yes, we provide oat and almond milk. You can also try the matcha americano with just water + our proprietary matcha blend. Our ice cream and cheesecake are not VF— we are working hard to expand our menu offerings… Read more

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

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    Cute inside this old building, playing old music feels like you jumped into the late 50s, early…read more60s. Really makes you feel like you jumped into a Time Machine. They've kept this place in good condition. Lots of seating and menus everywhere. It once was an Art Deco bank, you can kind of get the feel of that just from looking around. If you look at the mural behind the cash out point it gives you a little touch of history what once happened within these walls. I ordered the salmon toast. It was a little hard but I like the cream cheese was thinly spread not just thrown in like many places. The salmon was good and the mint tasted fresh. The capers were like slightly toasted and crispy, i've never had them like that before and I loved it. I think the toast was just missing a little drizzle of olive oil on top. To be honest, I think the capers were my favorite part. They were just this unique texture. I've never experienced before. I also got an iced lavender chai latte to go. It was so light and delightful, with the perfect blend of lavender. I really enjoyed this place and would totally come back again.

    without a doubt, the most beautiful café in all of Manhattan…read more- inside of this old bank there is so much to discover. little hidden rooms and ample seating everywhere inside of the dimly lit halls. the perfect spot to study for an entire day or maybe for a date or whatever is your prerogative. - the service is very fast. order in front of the gorgeous mural, take a number, and they'll come find you. the hot coffees and teas come with little biscuits. the up charge for even a splash of alt milk Is a little ... outdated - the breakfast sandwich was surprisingly good. the fluffy block of eggs are filled with different herbs and the slabs of ham are thick, salty, and juicy. - the Wi-Fi is strong so is the coffee. what more could you want?

    Photos
    Interior
    Interior
    Ham and cheese croissant
    Ham and cheese croissant
    12oz Latte (~$6) with Housemade Lavender (+$1.50)

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    12oz Latte (~$6) with Housemade Lavender (+$1.50)
    Bibliotheque

    Bibliotheque

    4.3
    (131 reviews)
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    Had our son's welcome party for his wedding here. We couldn't have asked for a better location,…read morecommunication,service, and atmosphere. I would highly recommend Bibliotheque for any gathering you may have We had about 90 attending and it worked out tremendously. Awesome folks to work with. We live in Ohio and the process was a breeze. Thank you Bibliotheque for all your help!! Terry D.

    My friend told me to meet her at the Bibliotheque, and so I did, not knowing what I am walking into…read more(no googling before hand). Wow, what a beautiful space! When you enter there is a bar you can sit at and two large high top tables next to it. As you walk further in there is a lounge with couches and various sizes tables. The whole space is surrounded by books! Heaven! We ordered a chai, matcha and a ginger cookie. Shout out to the woman taking my order for comping me my drink for my birthday! Everyone from the staff was friendly - I really enjoyed being there. The only thing I would say is someone should come by to check on the tables more often as I had to return other people's abandoned drinks. But you know what first world problems, am I right? Maybe they can have a sign or mention to customers to return their own cups before leaving. I sort of can't imagine why people don't... It is quite popular spot so you need to be very patient and strategic if you want to grab a table, as well as sprinkled with a little bit of luck. We unfortunately got there a little late. I went there at 3pm and hunted for a table and my friend got there by 330pm. By the time we ordered and started drinking our coffees - we were informed the lounge area will be closed at 4pm to prepare for the evening wine bar. Oh right this cafe turns into a wine bar in the evenings! How cool! At 4pm we thankfully grabbed one of the high tables - sharing it with another couple but it was large enough for the 4 of us. The lights dimmed and the atmosphere changed to more intimate. We unfortunately had to leave at 5pm, but I imagined picking up a James Baldwin book, ordering some white wine and enjoying both.... Mmm definitely next time. Maybe sometimes after work - sounds like a great wind down.

    Photos
    Our bar area accommodates approximately 30 guests.
    Our bar area accommodates approximately 30 guests.
    Prosciutto sandwich
    Prosciutto sandwich
    The lounge area houses almost 10,000 books and fine art from Rashid Johnson, Robert Longo, and Roy Lichtenstein, among others.

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    Sweet Moment

    Sweet Moment

    4.3
    (1.2k reviews)
    0.6 mi
    $

    I haven't been here in a hot second (I'm talking years) and finally decided to come for some shaved…read moreice on a warm day. There's plenty of tables to sit at and there's also a restroom. We tried the melon shaved ice $22 for the large which was a bit pricy but it was quite delicious. We were worried that the large might be too much for two people but honestly we were able to finish it without a problem. The melon pieces were sweet, the ice is milk based so it was creamy and flavorful on its own. We barely used the condensed milk that it came with (and we loved how they put it on the side for us instead). At the bottom of the shaved ice was cereal pieces and mochi which gave a nice different texture. We also tried their drinks specifically their blue lemonade and mango-ade which I thought was just ok. The highlight is definitely their shaved ice. Definitely go for the large as the small seemed much smaller and for double the price, you can get almost 2-3x more. Overall: it's a great place to grab a shaved ice and relax . The atmosphere is chill and you can stay without feeling rushed.

    This was definitely anything but a Sweet Moment…read more I came here fully influenced by Instagram and TikTok. The shaved ice looked dreamy, fluffy, and full of flavor. What I got instead was a cup of sadness with commitment issues. The shaved ice somehow had no flavor. None. I have had ice cubes straight from my freezer with more personality. Easily the most disappointing dessert I have had in NYC, and I have been living here my whole life, so please take that as you will. I kept waiting for the "sweet moment" to arrive and it never did. Just me, flavorless ice, and regret. If you are craving dessert, keep walking. This was a moment, yes, but sweet it was not.

    Photos
    Utensils and trash area
    Utensils and trash area
    Small Black Sesame Redbean Bingsoo
    Small Black Sesame Redbean Bingsoo
    Matcha Strawberry Bingsoo

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    Fontainhas

    Fontainhas

    4.3
    (48 reviews)
    1.6 mi

    I really enjoyed Fontainhas…read more When you step in, there are huge windows that bring in lots of natural light and the place is decorated beautifully. I loved seeing the plants along with hints of pink, orange, and yellow throughout the art and furniture. It's a gorgeous space. Service was good, nothing much to mention. For food, we ordered the royal chai, mango lassi, breakfast kathi-rito, and the condensed milk bun. The standouts were the royal chai and the breakfast kathi-rito. The royal chai was creamy, salty, perfect sweet, and silky. It had notes of cinnamon and saffron, paired with sea salt. I loved this drink. The breakfast kathi-rito was tasty. I loved the potatoes, cheese, egg, avocado, and whatever else was in it. The sauce on the side was delicious. Not exactly sure what it was but it was sweet with a kick. The mango lassi did not have enough mango flavor for me, I couldn't justify paying $10 for it. The condensed milk bun was good but it was similar to any other sweet bun in an asian bakery. I'd pass on both of these. Overall, I'd highly recommend checking out Fontainhas. It'd be a perfect spot to check out if you're in the area for the Brooklyn Flea, or just Dumbo.

    Since my optimistic initial review, I've had the chance to re-visit Fontainhas a few times and…read moresample more of the menu. I'm sad to say that this has turned out to be a disappointment, catering to the Matcha-drinking Alo-wearing DUMBO crowd. One Google reviewer referred to the cuisine here as "gentrified", which I'm inclined to agree with. The filter coffee was absolutely atrocious - one is not supposed to be asked "with or without milk?" when ordering filter coffee. The paneer sandwich was supposedly made with Amul butter, but any charming nostalgic aspect of this dish was removed by the dry layer of ghas-phus above the paneer bhurji. I am all for fusion as the propeler of culinary innovation, but I do not want to live in a future where Sweetgreen has infiltrated the foods that I hold near and dear to my heart.

    Photos
    Fontainhas
    Bhel salad
    Bhel salad
    Fontainhas

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    12 Matcha - cafes - Updated July 2026

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