Matcha has become one of the most popular café drinks in Paris, appearing everywhere from specialty coffee shops to dessert cafés. Yet not all matcha experiences are the same. Some cafés focus on traditional Japanese preparation, while others reinterpret matcha through different culinary traditions.
Vietnamese cafés have taken a particularly interesting approach. Rather than treating matcha as a standalone tea, they combine it with ingredients already rooted in Vietnamese drink culture: coconut milk, salted cream, egg cream, and condensed milk. The result is a collection of drinks that feel familiar to matcha lovers while offering something distinctly different.
If you’re looking for matcha in Paris, here’s what it is, what it tastes like, and where to try some of the city’s most interesting versions.
What Is Matcha?
Matcha is a finely ground green tea powder traditionally produced in Japan. Unlike regular green tea, where leaves are steeped and discarded, matcha is whisked directly into water, meaning you consume the entire leaf.
The preparation process matters. Good matcha is sifted to remove clumps, whisked with hot water, and then served either on its own or combined with milk and other ingredients. When prepared correctly, it develops a smooth texture with a delicate foam on top.
Today, matcha appears in many forms:
- Pure matcha
- Matcha latte
- Coconut matcha
- Matcha with salted cream
- Matcha desserts such as tiramisu, cookies, and cakes
Paris has embraced all of them.
What Does Matcha Taste Like?
People often describe matcha as grassy, earthy, vegetal, or slightly nutty.
Good matcha has a balance between bitterness and sweetness. The first sip usually delivers fresh green tea notes, followed by a subtle umami character and a lingering sweetness.
The texture also plays an important role. A well-made matcha feels smooth and almost creamy, even without milk.
Different additions change the experience significantly:
- Coconut milk adds sweetness and tropical richness.
- Salted cream creates contrast between sweet, salty, and earthy notes.
- Egg cream introduces a richer, dessert-like texture.
- Rose flavors add floral aromas that soften matcha’s natural earthiness.
The best cafés use these additions to complement matcha rather than overpower it.
How Is Matcha Prepared?
Traditional matcha begins with powder whisked into hot water.
For a matcha latte, milk is added after whisking. The milk softens bitterness and creates a creamier drink.
For coconut matcha, coconut milk or coconut cream replaces part of the dairy component, creating a richer mouthfeel and natural sweetness.
Vietnamese-inspired cafés often push this further. Salted cream, coconut foam, egg cream, and condensed milk create new layers of texture while maintaining the matcha base.
This approach connects naturally with Vietnamese coffee culture, where ingredients such as egg cream, coconut cream, and salted cream have been used for decades.
Where to Try Matcha in Paris
Cộng Cà Phê
Located at 18 Rue Volney, 75001 Paris, near Opéra Garnier and Place Vendôme, Cộng Cà Phê is one of Vietnam’s most recognizable café brands.
Founded in Hanoi in 2007, Cộng built its reputation around drinks such as coconut coffee and later expanded internationally. The Paris location continues that tradition while offering several matcha-based drinks.
The standout options include:
- Matcha Latte
- Coco Matcha Glacé Pilé
- Coconut Matcha
- Matcha-based specialty drinks inspired by Vietnamese café culture
The setting recreates the atmosphere of 1980s Vietnam through vintage furniture, posters, and nostalgic design details.
Website: https://congcaphe.fr
What customers say:
“Came in for a quick drink before going to the opera and can’t believe how lovely the drinks are! Had the Coco Matcha Glace Pile and matcha latte, so so delicious!” — 華怜 (Reika)
“The coffee and matcha are excellent, truly capturing the authenticity of Vietnam, and the atmosphere is pleasant. I went on a Monday afternoon, it was quiet and the service was quick, perfect for studying or relaxing.” — Ml Son
Ha Noi 1988 Cà Phê
Located at 35 Rue Galande, 75005 Paris, Ha Noi 1988 Cà Phê sits near Notre-Dame and specializes in Vietnamese coffee and drinks inspired by Hanoi café culture.
Its matcha menu is surprisingly extensive. Visitors can order:
- Matcha Pur
- Matcha Latte Hot or Iced
- Matcha Sữa Dừa (Coconut Matcha Latte)
- Matcha Latte Kem Muối (Matcha with Salted Cream)
- Matcha Cốt Dừa Đá Xay (Blended Coconut Matcha)
- Matcha Iced Americano
The café also serves homemade Vietnamese desserts including flan and yogurt with black rice.
Website: https://www.viet-eat.com/en
What customers say:
“A very nice little café. The girl working there alone is so adorable. The matcha was a 10/10 a bit sweet and the Vietnamese flan was straight from heaven loved it! the café is small but cute and have springy vibes with all the flowers in there.” — Yass
Ha Noi 1988 Flowers & Archives
Located at 51 Rue des Archives, 75003 Paris, Flowers & Archives combines Vietnamese coffee, pastries, floral art, workshops, and Vietnamese cultural elements into a single concept. The space showcases Vietnamese ceramics, artwork, flowers, and specialty drinks in an environment that feels closer to a floral studio than a traditional café.
Its matcha selection is one of the most extensive in Paris:
- Pure Organic Matcha
- Matcha Latte
- Coconut Matcha Latte
- Rose Matcha Latte
- Matcha Latte with Salted Cream
- Egg Matcha
- Matcha Coco Cloud
- Matcha Orange
- Matcha Iced Americano
The café also serves Matcha Tiramisu, pastries, brownies, and seasonal desserts.
Instagram: @hanoi.1988.flowers
Website: https://www.viet-eat.com/en/flowers-archives
What customers say:
“A truly lovely little café in the heart of the Marais district. I went back two days in a row for matcha because it was so excellent. I highly recommend the one with salted cream on top; it was simply incredible, one of the best I’ve ever had.” — Leviatorr r
“I’d already had the chance to try our iced matcha latte with salted cream at a pop-up shop near Père Lachaise, and it was already delicious back then. The quality remains the same, but this time in our permanent shop, which is really well located and a pleasant place to relax. Definitely one of the best coffee shops in the Marais and in Paris.” — Nielsen Moussa
Frequently Asked Questions About Matcha
Is matcha the same as green tea?
Not exactly. Matcha is made from green tea leaves, but the leaves are ground into powder and consumed entirely rather than steeped.
Does matcha contain caffeine?
Yes. Matcha naturally contains caffeine, although many people find the effect smoother than coffee because of the presence of L-theanine.
Is matcha better hot or cold?
Both work well. Hot matcha highlights the tea’s aroma and complexity, while iced matcha feels more refreshing and often pairs better with milk-based preparations.
What is the difference between matcha latte and coconut matcha?
A matcha latte uses milk, while coconut matcha uses coconut milk or coconut cream, creating a richer texture and a naturally sweeter flavor.
Where can I find Vietnamese-style matcha in Paris?
Ha Noi 1988 Cà Phê, Ha Noi 1988 Flowers & Archives, and Cộng Cà Phê all offer Vietnamese-inspired matcha drinks, including coconut matcha, salted cream matcha, and other creative variations.
Looking for matcha in Paris? Visit Ha Noi 1988 Cà Phê, Ha Noi 1988 Flowers & Archives, or Cộng Cà Phê to explore everything from pure matcha and matcha latte to coconut matcha, salted cream matcha, and other drinks inspired by Vietnamese café culture. For menus, opening hours, and café information, visit viet-eat.com and congcaphe.fr.
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