Best Matcha in Berkeley
Updated June 16, 2026 · Ranked by combined rating and review volume
Where to find the best matcha in Berkeley
EL TINY CAFE
El Tiny Cafe is a beloved neighborhood gem known for its strong, fresh coffee and delicious breakfast fare, including standout bagel sandwiches and flavorful tiny burritos. Reviewers rave about their authentic and customizable matcha, alongside popular options like Vietnamese lattes and Mexican mochas. The friendly staff and a menu packed with flavor make it a consistently deserving five-star spot.
Masterpiece Coffee
Masterpiece Coffee is a must-visit for serious coffee aficionados, specializing in exceptional pourover and alt-milk lattes crafted with unparalleled care. They distinguish themselves by sourcing unique beans from Yunnan, China, and roasting them in-house, ensuring a super focused and high-quality experience. This intimate setting is celebrated for its passionate artisans who curate each recipe with intentionality, delivering an uncompromising coffee experience.
Evergreen Cafe Berkeley
Evergreen Cafe Berkeley offers a delightful atmosphere with delicious food and a strong sense of community. Patrons consistently praise their elevated savory porridge, the best scones ever, and an amazing Persian breakfast, all made with fresh, quality ingredients. Beyond the impeccable coffee, tea, and matcha lattes, the cafe's cozy yet bright space, complete with greenery, makes it perfect for both casual visits and productive meetings.
Qahwa Time
Qahwa Time provides an amazing experience with its rich, smooth, and authentic Yemeni Mokha coffee, a true highlight for connoisseurs. They roast their beans daily on-site for drip coffee, and offer unique spiced traditional Yemeni black coffee, alongside popular caramel macchiatos and vanilla frappuccinos. The beautiful design and warm, relaxing atmosphere, complete with ample seating and late hours, make it a perfect spot to unwind with friends and family.
Forest Tea Bar
Forest Tea Bar is hailed as one of the best matcha spots outside of Japan, celebrated for its strong, smooth, and perfectly balanced matcha. Their emerald green matcha is made to order with an ideal milk-to-matcha ratio, with options like rose-flavored and genmaicha matcha lattes that truly shine. Despite the drinks being on the smaller side, the lovely atmosphere and dedicated staff make it a highly recommended destination for exceptional matcha and hojicha.
Contenders
Places submitted by the community. The top contender with more points than #5 gets promoted.
How we ranked the best matcha in Berkeley
Every place on this list is scored by a Bayesian weighted formula combined with a volume bonus. It rewards consistent positive feedback at scale, not just a high average rating — a 4.9-star place with 12 reviews ranks below a 4.6-star place with 800.
score = (v / (v + m)) × R + (m / (v + m)) × C + γ × log₁₀(v)
The prior m adapts to each neighborhood: it's the median review count among local candidates. So 200 reviews counts as “small sample” in dense markets like the West Village, but “solid” in quieter neighborhoods. Places with extreme review volume that clearly dominate their peers are promoted to #1. No paid placements — every spot earns its position via the public data.
Frequently asked about Berkeley matcha
What is the highest-rated matcha in Berkeley?
Evergreen Cafe Berkeley has the highest Google rating in our list of the best matcha in Berkeley, with 5.0 stars across 39 reviews.
Which matcha in Berkeley has the most reviews?
EL TINY CAFE has the most reviews of any matcha on this list — 170 ratings averaging 4.9 stars on Google.
How are the best matcha in Berkeley ranked?
Each place is scored using a Bayesian weighted formula that combines its average Google rating with its review count. This pulls small-sample places toward the local mean — so a 4.9-star spot with 12 reviews is ranked below a 4.6-star spot with 800 reviews. Volume and consistency matter, not just an inflated average.
When was this ranking last updated?
This ranking of the best matcha in Berkeley was last refreshed in June 2026 using the latest Google ratings and review counts. Restaurants and bars change constantly — always verify hours and current status before visiting.
Why isn't my favorite matcha on the list of best matcha in Berkeley?
To be considered, a place needs enough Google reviews for the rating to be statistically meaningful (at least 5 reviews, ideally 25+). Newer or hyper-local spots can be excellent but score lower until enough people review them. Boundaries also matter — a spot just outside the Berkeley area may show up on a neighboring ranking instead.