The best matcha-infused treats in Toronto
Though matcha green tea is best known for its extensive range of health benefits, it can also be used to make one heck of a treat. These tearooms, cafés and patisseries are expert in everything from the matcha latte to matcha macarons to matcha ice cream. Here are our top picks for matcha green tea infused desserts and beverages in Toronto. [Image credit: iStock.com/RyanJLane]
Nohohon Tea Room
467 Queen St W, Toronto, ON M5V 2A9Matcha Lattes at Nohohon Tea Room: At Nohohon (meaning “a pleasant state of mind”), traditional Japanese tea ceremony meets the hustle and bustle of downtown Toronto. Their menu has a unique array of matcha blends like the Matcha Macchiato (a decadent fusion of matcha and caramel), the Pumpkin Spice Matcha (tastes just as good as it sounds), and the Furano Fields (a relaxing matcha latte infused with lavender). Every drink is hand-whisked and made using traditional Japanese utensils and techniques. They also have vegan and gluten-free choices for those with dietary sensitivities.
0109 Dessert And Cafe
2190 McNicoll Ave, Scarborough, ON M1V 0B3Matcha Cheesecake and Matcha Red Bean Lava Cake at Café 0109: Though this little sweet-smelling café is farther north than you might be used to travelling, it’s definitely worth the trek for their matcha red bean lava cake or a slice of their matcha cheesecake. The matcha cheesecake is thick and rich, and the moist matcha lava cake just oozes red bean lava the moment your sink your fork in. Pair either one with the house-made matcha green tea gelato and you’ll definitely want to stop by every weekend.
NADÈGE
855 Oxford St, Etobicoke, ON M8Z 1L6Matcha Macarons at Nadège Patisserie: With three locations scattered all over downtown, Nadège offers up a wide selection of macaron flavours, but their matcha green tea macaron is a definite must-try. There’s nothing more satisfying than effortlessly biting into the soft crust and then getting into the chewy centre bursting with matcha flavour. For those who are curious as to how Nadège’s macarons and other delicious creations are made, the patisserie has a window looking into the kitchen so you can see how all the action unfolds.
Riddle Room
3-332 Bloor St W, (Rd), Toronto, ON M5S 1W6Matcha Lattes at Riddle Room: Leave behind the days of basic leaf and heart designs in your drinks – the animal latte art at Riddle Room is, to borrow a term from my editor, seriously next level. The baristas in this laidback board game café are true ninjas at their art; the milky bear smiling up at me from the top of my matcha latte even had pupils and fleek eyebrows. Any regrets you may feel at drinking away your new friend will be soothed by the velvety warmth of the actual latte.
Dessert Lady Cafe
7 Saint Thomas St, Toronto, ON M5S 2B7Matcha Tiramisu at Dessert Lady Café: The tiramisu here is everything tiramisu should be: fluffy, decadent, and oh-so-filling. The top layer of vanilla mascarpone cream is rich and slightly bitter because of the light dusting of matcha powder on top, but this only provides a great balance for the thick layer of honey-sweetened green tea ladyfingers. Together, they create quite the adventure for your palate. Dessert Lady also offers up their tiramisu in a cup, great for anyone on the run and craving a delicate dessert.
Bakery Nakamura
9-3160 Steeles Ave E, Markham, ON L3R 4G9Matcha Turtle Pastry at Nakamura Bakery: Located in J-Town, a Japanese hidden gem located right in Toronto, this bakery is a matcha goldmine. The most unique is the turtle pastry, which is literally turtle-shaped bread with custard stuffed inside and a crunchy matcha cookie shell. It’s super fun to eat, and for those who are still craving, they also have a matcha layer cake with white chocolate curls, thick matcha sponge cake, and red bean.
Petit Nuage
707 Dundas St w, Toronto, ON M5T 2W6Matcha Cake Rolls at Petit Nuage: Though this cute and chic bakery is small, the treats here are a big deal. The matcha cake roll, which can be enjoyed either by the slice or the entire roll, is a thick matcha sponge cake rolled with even thicker cream inside. Depending on what inspires Stephanie (owner and head baker) that day, the additions in the cream can vary from any combination of red bean, Ontario peaches, cornflake bits, and black sesame.
