Matcha, whisked to order near the Upper East Side.

Matcha in NYC

Whisked to order on 102nd Street.

Matcha is green tea ground into a fine powder and whisked with water, so you drink the whole leaf instead of an infusion. That is what gives it its bright green colour, its grassy, slightly sweet taste and its creamy texture once it meets milk.

At Frenchy Coffee we whisk every matcha to order behind the counter, and one Google reviewer summed it up as "the matcha is always perfect." Frenchy Coffee is at 129 East 102nd Street, between Park and Lexington Avenues, six blocks north of 96th Street, where the Upper East Side ends and East Harlem begins.

What matcha tastes like

Good matcha tastes fresh and vegetal, a little like young spinach or freshly cut grass, with a gentle bitterness and a natural sweetness at the end. Milk softens the bitterness and brings out the creamy side, which is why the matcha latte is the most popular way to drink it in cafés. The colour tells you a lot: bright green usually means fresher, better matcha, while a dull, yellowish green tastes flat. If you are new to matcha, start with a latte and a little sweetness, then try it less sweet as you get used to the taste.

Seasonal matcha flavours

Our matcha flavours change with the seasons. They live on the chalkboard behind the counter rather than on a printed menu, because they come and go. Ask the team what is pouring today, or follow us on Instagram for the latest flavour.

How to order your matcha

• Classic matcha latte: matcha whisked with water, then topped with milk.
• The seasonal flavour: whatever is on the board this month.
• Sweetness: tell us how sweet you like it when you order.

Not sure where to start? Ask for the most popular one and we will make it for you.

Matcha and a French pastry

Matcha's grassy taste works well with butter. A croissant, a chocolate croissant or a madeleine from our pastry case is the simple choice. If you want something richer, try a croffle: croissant dough pressed in a waffle iron, topped with white chocolate, strawberry or dulce de leche.

Matcha or coffee?

If you are torn, our drink menu has the full line-up: espresso drinks from $3, café au lait, cold brew with vanilla sweet cream cold foam, mocha and white mocha, and six lemonades.

Easy to reach from the Upper East Side

From the Upper East Side, take the 6 train to 103rd Street, two minutes from the café, or walk up Lexington or Park Avenue. From Museum Mile, walk east on 102nd or 103rd Street. We are also about a five-minute walk from Mount Sinai Hospital.