They limit people inside, which is nice for crowd control. If there's a line beneath the stairs, that's why. There's a downstairs but overall the space is small with minimal seating and one washroom. Once in, ordering is simple and they make drinks right in front, a perfect little show where they're also available to answer questions though most people just record the experience. Matcha Latte - silky smooth, umami, and grassy. Honestly everything I would have imagined for a high quality matcha. Without added sugar, the latte simply tastes natural, perfectly connected to the grassy harvest. I'd say it's strong for those that typically drink sweetened or syrupy matcha but amazing for purists. Matcha Ice Cream - a bit sweet which undermines the matcha quality. There is a clear note of grassiness but deeply contrasted by a sweetness. Compared to the latte, it's sharp imbalance and almost similar to some of those grocery store bought pints. Not too impressive, would stick to a drink and maybe the hojicha. read more

12 Matcha - Matcha Latte and Ice Cream - Cafes Near Me - New York, New York

12 Matcha was a special request from my matcha-loving teen, and it definitely lived up to the experience she was hoping for. Located at 54 Bond St, between Lafayette St & Bowery, this buzzy NYC matcha spot is known for premium Japanese matcha which is carefully whisked to order. Be prepared to WAIT! You'll ll likely make new matcha-lovin' friends with waits up to 30 minutes (or longer). My teen made friends in line and ultimately felt the wait was worth it. One thoughtful touch: they provide umbrellas for customers waiting outside, which is especially nice in the humid NYC August weather. In the end, she left with her matcha cravings satisfied and, of course, a can of matcha powder to take home for later. TIPS * Closest trains: 6 to Bleecker St; R/W to Prince St; B/D/F/M to Broadway-Lafayette. * Not a fan of waiting in a crazy-long matcha line? Same!! Luckily, there are plenty of shops nearby to browse while your resident matcha aficionado waits it out. Umbrella and all. read more

12 Matcha - Be prepared for LONG lines & waits at 12 Matcha but at least they provide umbrellas while you wait! - Cafes Near Me - New York, New York

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7.5/10 I finally had a chance to stop by this place, and I was prepared for the long line. I went on a Thursday at 2 p.m. and waited around 20 minutes. I ordered the Matcha Americano and tea ice cream. The ice cream was impressive, with a concentrated and deep tea flavor, while the Americano was refreshing. I deducted points because of the service. The staff member who helped me seemed distant and didn't smile while taking my order or preparing the matcha. However, this may have been limited to the particular staff member who served me. read more

12 Matcha - Cafes Near Me - New York, New York

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12 Matcha is a whole experience, and a well-designed one at that. Even the line is thoughtfully curated: multiple signs informing you of the estimated wait time (we joined right at the 45-minute line - yikes - but it ended up being about 35 minutes), and big, sturdy umbrellas to keep away the sun. Once we got inside, we were able to order right away. Then we were called over to a little station where a friendly barista whipped up our lattes. I got an iced matcha latte with regular milk, made lightly sweet; matcha basque cheesecake; and a scoop of hochija ice cream. The latte was very good; the sweets were even better. Visually, the latte as served is nothing short of stunning: hyper-green matcha floating on top of the milky bottom half. Mixed together, my drink was just barely sweetened, which is a tad less sweet than I prefer. I think I would do medium-sweet next time because I like to balance out the earthy bitterness that even premium-grade matcha like this has. Also, I read that they use more matcha powder here than is often considered standard, which makes the drink taste more intense. Still, this was a very good matcha latte, strongly flavored but delicate. The matcha basque cheesecake was awesome. Rich and creamy but not too dense, ample matcha flavor, slightly caramelized on the top and side, a little bitter and medium sweet. The ice cream was perfect. Earthy, nutty, sweet, creamy, almost a little smoky. Searing was a little chaotic but we were able to find something downstairs right away. The bathroom is down there, too, FYI. read more

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We waited for about 45 mins to an hour on a Saturday afternoon (around 12 PM), but it was worth the wait. We were offered an umbrella and water while waiting. Once you order, they will call your name and you get to watch them make the drink. I got the honey matcha latte and it was delicious. We went downstairs to grab a seat, which can be limited due to the amount of people there. Ambiance was amazing downstairs, so it's nice to chat and relax, but I wouldn't stay too long as others may be waiting for seating too. read more

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I was having lunch across the street, so I figured I'll test my luck going to 12 Matcha hoping the wait won't be too long. On a Monday afternoon, it only took 15 minutes for me to get from the line to cashier. A lot of the other reviews already detailed the experience and what happens when you get there. They had a new honey matcha latte when I went. It's $1 more than the regular matcha latte, but I think it's worth the price. Their honey tastes good and has some brightness to it. When it was my turn to watch my matcha get whisked, I asked about their ratios. They use 6g of matcha powder with 30mL of room temperature water, followed by 30mL of hot water. Their chawan is narrower than most others I've seen. I didn't ask about it but now it makes me reconsider what type of chawan I want to use for myself. Ok you can buy their exact chawan for $60 too. I appreciate how standardized everything is. Iced drinks come with 4 ice cubes regularly. Light ice comes with 2 ice cubes. They measure all the milks and syrups too. I can taste the stronger matcha with their 6g of powder. I heard how this might be too strong for some people but not for me haha. I drink even stronger myself at home. However, I want to point out that even with a higher concentration, the flavor profile isn't necessarily much more intense. I can taste the cashew notes, and I was getting some wheat which is perhaps the barley they're calling out. I was looking forward to having more umami seaweed and natural sweetness. Maybe their matcha 01 blend would have that. Too bad we can't request to get our drinks using matcha 01. Imagine we could and it ends up being a $20 drink. Overall I appreciate the offering here in terms of the aesthetics and performance. I might not want that type of experience each time I come here, but it's valuable. I would want to come back simply because they give 6g of matcha which is way higher than all other places I've been to. Seating is awkward because you don't have a full sense of the available seats when ordering since there's two floors. FYI I was considering getting pastries but decided not to after seeing flies on the pastry spatula. read more

Matcha Latte: 10/10 Hojicha brownie: 6.5/10 - SO sweet, would definitely be good for two or more people. Ambiance was gorgeous and minimalistic inside. This place was reminds how part of enjoying food is enjoying the experience and presentation. There was a line the entire time I was here. Seating can be hard to get. I like that this is a laptop-free zone & also that their menu is pretty small and specific! read more

12 Matcha - Hojicha Brownie and Matcha Latte - Cafes Near Me - New York, New York

The matcha was really good. It's green, earthy, and high quality. The matcha ice cream taste like high quality matcha in a very creamy ice cream. read more

12 Matcha - Ice cream options and bakery - Cafes Near Me - New York, New York

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I feel mixed about this place! It's very popular so expect a very very very long line! We stood for a while and the sun was beating down on us but I thought it was so nice they provided everyone with umbrellas to shield us from the suns rays, that we would return once we went inside. The reason why the line is long is that they literally make your matcha in front of you and explain the process. This is also not a cheap experience. For something so "high end" I would expect for everything to be on point. After the long wait and being called to the front for our matcha to be made the guy who is going to make our matcha was literally all up in his nose. I had to ask him to please wash his hands before making our drink. He then told me he already did and then I said yes but you have just been touching your nose so please wash them again. Now to be fair he was very kind and did go wash his hands. However the fun process of watching them make your matcha and talking with them about it was just beet awkward. Also the seating situation inside isn't great. However the matcha was a deep green which is a plus and it was delicious! The concept was cool and I could see us coming back but hopefully we would have a better cleaner experience. read more

12 Matcha - Cafes Near Me - New York, New York

Every time I am in New York, I must get my dose of 12 Matcha. My daughter discovered the place on social media, and she recommended us to go. Ever since then, I've been addicted. The wait can be long, but we usually made our way to 12 Matcha right when they open. They serve other goodies as well, such as ice cream, flavored la madeleines, brownies, croissants and cheesecake. They make your drinks in front of you and are open to any questions you may have. The iced matcha have a perfect balance of sweetness and bitterness. On my last trip to New York, I took my dearest friend, and she expressed that it was the best matcha she ever had. We cannot wait to come back. read more

12 Matcha - Cafes Near Me - New York, New York

Big fan of this spot - one of the best matchas I've had in this city. Stopped by on a weekday at 4pm - there was a short line outside, but it moved quickly and I only had to wait 10-15 minutes. They offered umbrellas to help with the hot summer sun which was very considerate. The menu is small, only a few drink options and foods. I got an iced matcha latte with oat milk and sweetener. They didn't charge extra for alternative milk which was a bonus. There are several stations at the counter where they call your name and you can watch them make the matcha, which embodied japan's matcha shops. it's a very carefully thought out production line: scales built into the countertop, ready to go warm water, and glass rinsers. the interior is always modern and minimalist with wooden furniture and plenty of seating. The drink was rich and smooth, with a very dark green matcha color. it was the perfect ratio of milk to matcha to ice. needless to say this will be a staple whenever I visit the city. read more

12 Matcha - Matcha latte - Cafes Near Me - New York, New York

Super cool experience of them preparing the matcha freshly in front of you. The ambience and setting is super cool and they 100 percent deliver quality ingredients in your drink. I opted for a matcha latte and honey matcha latte and you can really taste that nuttiness and earthy tone in their matcha. Quality from a matcha spot was just amazing. read more

12 Matcha - Cafes Near Me - New York, New York

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. read more

12 Matcha - Matcha latte (stirred) - Cafes Near Me - New York, New York

This is one of the spots that will be truly enjoyed by matcha lovers in NYC. After 2 years of having 12 Matcha on my list, I finally made it out! I came on a Thursday afternoon and there was an outside line. It was pretty hot that day and they offered guests 12 Matcha themed umbrellas to hold onto to protect themselves from the sun rays. They also went around and passed water to ensure no one gets dehydrated (this was amazing customer service). In total, I had around 15 people in front of me and waited around 20 minutes. When you come in, you notice immediately they have two floors. They have a basement level with extra seating, in addition to the small amount of tables on the top. It is all first come, first served. Their menu is pretty simplistic and if you are coming for drinks, they really just have a matcha americano and matcha latte (which I do not mind). You are able to adjust the sweetness level as well. I opted for a matcha americano with light sweetness and after making my order, I waited on the side for them to call my name. Once they call it, you go over to the station where your barista called you over to watch them make your drink. There you can ask them any questions. The experience was pretty cool. I brought my drink downstairs (also limited seating) to enjoy. My drink did not taste too grassy and had a great microfoam. For me, the sweetness was perfect, and I truly felt like the value was good for the quality of the matcha and the experience. I wouldn't say it's the best matcha I've ever had, but one of the top ones in NYC. read more

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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! read more

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If you go earlier in the day and on a weekday then the line won't be too bad. I waited about half an hour on a Friday afternoon. They definitely give you a very generous portion of matcha which gives it a strong flavor. I got the summer special going on right now which has honey and that was yummy. I also tried their matcha basque cheesecake which was soft and flavorful! I'm excited to try their tin matcha. One was $29 and the other was $52. There's a lot of seating inside and plenty of AC! read more

12 Matcha - Cafes Near Me - New York, New York

Line was out the door but they have signs to let you know an estimated time of how long the line will take. They also provide umbrellas for a hot sunny day. The inside is the best and most spacious I have seen in NYC so far. It has an upstairs and downstairs with tons of seating and outlets. The drink I got to watch them make which is such a unique experience and it was delicious. Not too sweet but also not too bitter! Will definitely return and recommend to other people! read more

12 Matcha - Honey matcha - Cafes Near Me - New York, New York

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So many people on social media raved about this cafe, so I bookmarked it before coming to NY. We decided to stop by after doing some shopping on a Thursday afternoon and there was already a line forming outside. It was scorching hot but glad they provided umbrellas. We waited about 10 minutes before someone let us inside. I wasn't sure what to expect but it was quite the experience. After ordering the matcha latte, I went to a station where the employee made the drink. It looked like she was doing a science experiment. The matcha was high quality and not too sweet, but I did wish that it was colder, especially since it was so hot outside. The seating downstairs is very intimidate and relaxing. I took my drink downstairs and was able to cool down on the sofa. Glad that I was able to stop by and check out this cool cafe. read more

12 Matcha - Cafes Near Me - New York, New York

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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. read more

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Ordered: Iced Matcha Latte (~$7): regular milk and mildly sweet Aya's take: Okay, 12 Matcha, I admit you're not all hype. We stopped by around 12pm on a Sunday and naturally, there was a 30-min line. I had time to kill so I decided to wait. The one perk while on line is that they have umbrellas making your wait slightly more pleasant if it's too sunny or rainy. Once we finally made it in and ordered, we got the Iced Matcha Latte. Before they make your order, one of the workers calls your name to a certain "station" so you can watch it being made. That definitely contributes to the virality of this spot. The Iced Matcha Latte is made with their Matcha 02 which is bold, nutty, and balanced. It has notes of cashews, roasted barley, and sweet cream. They source their matcha from Haruhide Morita, an award-winning tea master and Hotta Katsutaro Shoten, a fifth-generation family producer. It was the perfect green color, so smooth and creamy, and each sip was rich and retains the integrity of the high-quality matcha. I was genuinely impressed! The matcha is a 5/5 and one of the best I've had in the city but because of the wait, my overall rating drops to a 4/5. If you can try it out, you won't regret it! read more

12 Matcha - Iced Matcha Latte (~$7) - Cafes Near Me - New York, New York

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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! read more

12 Matcha - Cafes Near Me - New York, New York

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! read more

12 Matcha - Matcha latte - Cafes Near Me - New York, New York

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! read more

12 Matcha - Cafes Near Me - New York, New York

this was one of two matcha places i got to visit in my three days in NY and i wish i just went twice! someone reviewed and said this place wasn't as good as others and i beg to differ. if you're a matcha purist, you Will enjoy 12 matcha. no cream tops, no syrups. comparable to gokago in japan if you've been! the wait seems to be pretty long usually but they offer umbrellas and ice water on hot days which is nice! all staff were super kind, patient, and accommodating. seating can be kind of tough since it's a beautiful space and people will spend quite some time here i got an iced matcha latte with oat milk and less sweetness! 6g of matcha MMMM. their oat milk doesn't mess with the matcha flavor either. they call you up while they're making your drink so you can watch and film and whatever. it's super smooth, strong, with no bitterness at all. less sweet was good for the "not too sweet" people but i imagine regular sweetness would still be good too. i ended up buying a tin for my friend! they use 02 in their lattes and it's $29 for 20g. would highly recommend to matcha enjoyers!!! coming from a matcha snob read more

12 Matcha - matcha latte - Cafes Near Me - New York, New York

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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!! read more

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I am the kind of person who does not mind matcha, but will pick coffee over matcha every single time. However, entire experience is one I would go through again. There is a line outside, however, it moves failry quickly and umbrellas are offered for shade from the heat. The menu very straightforward, which I appreciated as I tend to struggle with too many choices. I got an iced matcha latte, and it was absolutely delicious. The color of the drink was the perfect bright green, and it tasted smooth and refreshing. There was pretty adequate seating with the two floors. I carried my drink with me walking around NYC, and it still tasted excellent even after the ice melted. I enjoyed being able to watch the drink being made and the fact that it was not too sweet. Additionally, had the yuzu madeleine, which was soft and a good mix of sweet and citrusy. Truly a great location for matcha lovers! read more

12 Matcha - Cafes Near Me - New York, New York

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. read more

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Came here because I heard this is the best matcha place.......but I was lied to. Don't get me wrong, the inside looks really pretty and the overall vibe is aesthetic. Luckily, during the time I went, I only waited around 20 minutes BUT i know this line can get REALLY long. Once we entered, everyone was welcoming and nice. I really like how they make the matcha right infront of you. When I took a sip......it just tasted like boring matcha. I feel I have made better matcha myself. I definitely don't think the matcha here is worth it...especially for the line and the price. To me, it feels like you're paying for the aesthetic rather than actual good matcha. You're not missing out on anything if you don't come here. If you see a huge line, I say just pass along and go elsewhere. read more

12 Matcha - Cafes Near Me - New York, New York

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Vibe/ambiance: clean, modern Service: made to order matcha Items ordered: Basque cheesecake 7/10 Ice cream 6.8/10 (oddly salty?) Matcha: 8.5/10 read more

12 Matcha - Cafes Near Me - New York, New York

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The best matcha in NY? I think so! Setting: In SoHo, this matcha spot with high ceilings and an interactive experience, has two floors with limited seating. Service: Once you order at the counter, the baristas chat with you as they make your matcha meticulously. Matcha: It was lightly sweet and perfectly earthy! You can choose between hot/iced and your sweetness level. It was truly a refreshing experience. read more

12 Matcha - Menu - Cafes Near Me - New York, New York

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Pretty good tasting matcha. The workers give a healthy helping and put on a show when making your drink. The flavor was strong and not milky read more

12 Matcha - Cafes Near Me - New York, New York

Service: 5/5 Matcha: 3.5/5 This place has been on my list for awhile now. Everytime I walk by there's a line, but the day I came there wasn't that long of a line so I decided to wait. I waited 35 minutes to get to the front. I didn't realize they only have 2 drinks on the menu. I got an iced matcha latte and asked for it to be slightly sweetened. The reason there's such a long line/ wait is because they only have 4 stations where they make drinks. And each drink takes like 10 minutes to make. They use these water tanks with branches from this one tree where it affects the pH level for the water they use. I love how they do take their time and it's a process to view. The green matcha is stunning!! But tbh it wasn't anything mind blowing and I wasn't that impressed by my drink. I would say go check this place out if the line isn't that long or if you have the time/patience. But it was not the best I've ever had. read more

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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 read more

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I heard much hype around this place, and I saw the long lines, but multiple people who have tried the matcha here assured me that that this place was worth it. They were correct. I happened to come on a day where there was no line, and I got an iced matcha latte, a matcha basque cheesecake, and a yuzu madeleine. The matcha latte had great flavor, and you can see the matcha developing a nice velvety texture as the baristas make it in front of you. The cheesecake isn't too sweet, but the yuzu madeleine was the star dessert -- sweet, sour, pillowy, and buttery. Even with no line outside, it still would take 15ish minutes for you to get your drinks and food, because of the matcha preparation process. If you have time to wait (and patience to scope out a seat), it's well worth it. read more

12 Matcha - Matcha latte, basque cheesecake, yuzu madeleine - Cafes Near Me - New York, New York

Unfortunately, this spot DOES live up to the hype! And unfortunately, the wait IS worth it! Came on a Sat afternoon and waited 45 min, WHEWW. They let ppl in by groups. This spot has 2 floors, but it's indeed PACKED, but seats turnover appropriately. The menu is lean by design. You pretty much only adjust sweetness or milk alt, which has no addtl charge! We got Iced Matcha Lattes with Oat Milk. I got the lowest sweet level, which was perfect! We also got their Basque Cheesecake, which was light, airy, and not too sweet - SO GOOD! Would def return during a down time to avoid the longer wait. read more

12 Matcha - Iced matcha latte; Basque cheesecake - Cafes Near Me - New York, New York

She's popular, she's busy, she's well known, and all for good reason. 12 matcha somehow retains a refined vibe, while being inviting at the same time. Theres plenty of comfortable seating on both floors, with outlets and wifi. It's a great place to get work done, if you can get a seat that is. You and your matcha go through a journey together: from ordering at the counter, to getting called up when your matcha is being made, where you get a one-to-one experience with the barista whisking your drink. It's a somehow personal and intimate experience, despite the constant influx of customers. I also notice that workers will stop by to offer to fill up your water, which is nice. The matcha itself is also good! It's not too herbal, and they make it just the right amount of sweet. I've been a couple of times, and they're very consistent with the quality of their matcha. It always comes out to the prettiest shade of green too! I also had their hojicha basque cheesecake, and I highly recommend! It's a nice creamy, nutty alternative to the matcha, and is super tasty in its own right. All in all, 12 matcha does live up to the hype, sadly. It really does get packed, so keep that in mind if you want to visit! read more

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Definitely recommend coming early because there will be a line out the door. The menu was very short, but I got a Matcha latte with oat milk. The barista will call your name and you get to watch how they make the Matcha and experience the whole process. They also sell basque cheesecake and some pastries. I got extra sweetness for my latte and soo glad I did because the matcha taste is strong. If you don't like strong matcha taste, you probably wouldn't like this place but I enjoyed it very much! read more

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Very rich earthy quality matcha in the drinks and ice cream! It's a long wait because they really do take their time with your order and show you how it's made. You get moved to an assigned station and watch as they make you your matcha. It's very focused on quality matcha so the taste can be very deep and earthy and would for sure be a fav among matcha connoisseurs. For beginners trying to get into matcha though, I would suggest maybe another place that provides a bit more sweetness and lighter palette. Otherwise overall great! read more

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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. read more

12 Matcha - Matcha Latte - Cafes Near Me - New York, New York

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. read more

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