Toronto may have been a little late to the now-global matcha party, but as of the last year or so, it's safe to say that the city is firmly (and happily) in the grasp of a matcha chokehold. Before the craze around the Japanese tea-based drink properly reached us, though, there was Matcha Haus.

Founder Angela Yan was already deep into creating a business around the strikingly green, antioxidant-rich beverage before the first specialty matcha cafes started popping up on local streets.

As someone who was never much of a fan of coffee to keep her going throughout the day, she'd found herself frequenting matcha spots rather than coffee shops for pick-me-ups during her travels over the years — and ended up rightfully inspired. 

"I've always gravitated toward tea, specifically green tea and matcha, and noticed throughout my trips... especially to L.A. or New York... that there were so many different places specializing in matcha. And they had for five or ten years," she tells us.

So, she figured, why couldn't Toronto be next on the list? With a spot that could both heed what had been successful for shops in major hubs worldwide, but also set itself apart from them and introduce something new to the space.

"I decided to do my own research and bring something that was a little bit more unique to Toronto."

First, Yan worked to source a farm in Nagasaki to provide the high-grade ground tea leaves that would serve as the foundation of the menu, and then began experimenting with fun flavours and recipes (both staples and seasonal additions) to complement the distinctive tang of the tea.

She also, of course, secured a location: 324 Bathurst Street, just south of Dundas and across from Alexandra Park. The storefront, previously home to Bailey's Cafe, was revamped and brightened with soothing greens to match the fresh energy of the concept as the final details were ironed out.

By the time Matcha Haus was ready to open its doors with Yan's own take on the internationally beloved latte in summer 2025, the trend was really starting to boom locally with the debut of competitor Matcha Matcha some months earlier — something she actually welcomed as a way to effectively test and prove the strength of the market.

"In the time I was doing my research and development, Matcha Matcha opened, which to me was actually a really great signal because it told me that there are a lot of other people that also enjoy matcha the same way that I do, and that Matcha Haus had the same potential," she says.

"I had already solidified my matcha producers and partners, too, so for me, it wasn't as difficult as newer shops to secure long term inventory [as the product rapidly gained in popularity]. We work directly with the farm in Japan."

Matcha Haus ended up seeing so much success following its launch that Yan was able to expand with an outpost at 890 Queen St. E. in Leslieville just a few months later, in November. And, the brand is only continuing to grow from here.

"I'm really fortunate with our regulars," she tells us. "So many people come in on a daily basis or multiple times a week, and often bring their family, friends and coworkers. That's my favourite part, when people love your drinks and they're happy to share them organically."

Fortunate may be a small part of it, but it's not hard to see why else Matcha Haus has built up such a loyal following so quickly.

The menu is well curated, offering enough of an assortment of novel flavours without being overwhelming for first-timers or upsetting to matcha purists.

For those seeking the high-quality ceremonial-grade tea in its standard form, there's the classic matcha latte ($7), cortado ($7), or matchacano ($6), with the same three options available for hojicha, a similar (but more mellow and roasted) form of powdered Japanese tea.

These options show confidence in the raw product, and highlight the subtly sweet, silky character of the tea.

For anyone with a sweet tooth or who is feeling a little more adventurous, there are a number of creative options to choose from as well, from double pistachio and apple pie to Earl Grey lavender, strawberry yuzu, hazelnut creme brulee and more for matcha lattes (all $8.50-$9.50).

For hojicha lattes, there is a warmly spiced and zesty orange chocolate variety ($8.50) that brings some much-needed coziness to a winter day.

My personal favourite of them all is the rich, nutty, deep but perfectly balanced black sesame matcha latte — which honours the quintessential Chinese and Japanese dessert ingredient — that not only looks cool aesthetically, but is the only one of its kind in the city. It's a simply addictive taste that I have craved since my visit.

Matcha Haus also offers its own version of Toronto's viral specialty, the banana bread matcha latte that was first made famous by Forget Me Not Cafe ($8.50), as well as a banana bread matcha cream stuffed cookie ($5) to complement it.

The flavour combination feels inexplicably natural and is not at all too sweet, so its popularity is understandable.

The shop's small pastry case also houses stuffed croissants ($6.50) with a presentation worthy of gourmet delicacies. The pastry is airy and beautifully laminated, while the contrasting cream filling nestled within — either strawberry matcha or matcha cream — is also tame on the sweetness, delightfully umami, and deliciously smooth.

Perhaps the best part is that Matcha Haus makes all of their flavour syrups in-house from natural ingredients. As Yan says, "We don't try to cut corners. Everything is made with real lavender pods, real bananas, real fruit."

Most drinks can be enjoyed hot or iced, and all of them with whatever sugar level your tastes desire.

The cafe also boasts vegan cold foam, which can be nearly impossible to come by for those who are lactose intolerant or plant-based. This, along with the variety of alternative milks and mix-ins on offer, makes each drink extremely customizable so that everyone can fall in love with matcha.

"We're happy to make it however you like it," Yan says. "You want an extra shot of matcha, you want your milk extra hot, you want more or less milk, we can always make it for you. If you don't want sugar, you don't want this or that ingredient, just let us know. Everyone prefers their matcha different, and if you're spending money on a drink, you want to love it." 

It's that personalized, bespoke experience and warm customer service — along with the delicious recipes and Instagram-worthy presentation that show attention to detail — that is surely what keeps people coming back to Matcha Haus time and time again.

And soon, there will be even more places for matcha lovers to get their fix, with a third location landing in the next few months, and even more expansion down the line after that.

For now, you can visit Matcha Haus at 324 Bathurst St. and 890 Queen St. E.