The 5 Best Matcha Cafés in Shanghai (2026)

The most iconic matcha address in Shanghai — and the most photographed. The Matcha Tokyo chose Wukang Road for its flagship Shanghai location deliberately: the canopy of century-old plane trees lining one of the Former French Concession's most beautiful streets is the perfect setting for a premium Japanese matcha brand. Everything on the menu is made from 100% organic matcha — from matcha soft serve and specialty drinks to matcha mochi croffles that have become a viral standalone product. The store also sells matcha powder and matcha milk jam to take home. For visitors making a single matcha stop in Shanghai, the Wukang Road location is the one.

An ice cream sensation that draws sprawling queues at all hours — and earns them. Azabuya's matcha ice cream comes in eight grades of increasing complexity, with the colour deepening visibly as the umami nuttiness and vegetal grassiness intensifies. It is an unusually educational experience: you can taste the difference between grades side by side, making Azabuya as useful for developing your matcha palate as it is for satisfying a craving. The Wulumuqi Lu location has become a neighbourhood institution; Taikoo Hui brings the same quality to a higher-traffic setting. No artificial additives or preservatives in the ice cream, which accounts in part for the texture.

One of the most viral matcha destinations in Shanghai — consistently featured on Xiaohongshu and Chinese TikTok as a must-try, with the matcha gelato and lattes being the most shared items. Jiushi Ye has built a loyal local following that goes well beyond social media virality: the quality of the matcha is consistently praised in food reviews alongside the visual appeal. The Grand Gateway 66 location in Xujiahui is the most accessible from the metro. For visitors who want to understand what Shanghai's own local matcha fans are excited about — rather than international brands — Jiushi Ye is the answer.

A neighbourhood café that has earned a devoted following for combining quality matcha with genuinely creative flavour pairings at accessible prices. The standout drink is the ice matcha osmanthus latte — earthy, creamy matcha paired with the fragrant sweetness of osmanthus flower in a combination that is distinctly Shanghai rather than generically Japanese. Alongside the drinks, the matcha pineapple bun has become an unexpected favourite — a fusion pastry that works better than it has any right to. The café is small, a little rough around the edges, and entirely focused on what's in the cup and on the plate. South Shaanxi Road Metro exit makes it easy to find.

Shanghai's matcha pioneer — founded with a specific mission to encourage authentic, traditional matcha culture in the city rather than sweetened adaptations. The philosophy here is simplicity and purity: sugar is actively discouraged, and oat milk is the recommended pairing to allow the delicate vegetal and floral notes of quality matcha to express themselves fully. The result is a café that appeals to visitors who already know what good matcha tastes like and want it served in the traditional spirit. The Jiao Tong University location makes it a neighbourhood regular for the area's residents and a worthwhile detour for anyone who cares about matcha done correctly.