Hello everyone. I am Atta, writing to you from our little café in Melbourne!These days, it feels like everywhere I look, people are enjoying a cup of matcha. At our two locations in Carlton and Collins Street, more and more customers ask for our matcha latte or the iced version, especially in the mornings. It makes me smile, because matcha has been part of Japanese life for a very long time. Now it is finding a warm home here in Australia, too.
With all that said, I do think that a lot of people have been surprised by matcha and how popular it is! For people who are used to seeing cups of coffee in every hand as they walk around Flinders Street, having a warm, green drink suddenly take its place must be a tad perplexing.
So, as Attakai’s number #1 representative (don’t tell Kai I said that), I feel it’s my duty to give our beloved customers a bit of backstory on how matcha became the drink of choice for so many Melbournians.
What Makes Matcha Special?
Even if you haven’t tasted it, you have likely heard the name of matcha out in the world. It’s hard to think of a drink more closely associated with Japanese culture (well, sake, maybe(?)) and it’s not like Australians are strangers to excellent tea!
However, when I’ve spoken to people out in the world, I’ve found that a lot of people are quite confused, as they think of matcha as two different things:
- Matcha the powder
- Matcha the tasty drink
Where the confusion comes from is the ceremony and process that goes into making one into the other. So, before I go running my bill again, let’s look at what matcha the drink is.
Matcha as a Delicious Drink
Matcha is a finely ground powder made from carefully grown green tea leaves. Unlike regular green tea, where you steep the leaves and then remove them, with matcha, you drink the whole leaf. This gives it a deeper flavour and more of the natural goodness inside.
The colour is a beautiful, vibrant green, and the taste is gentle but rich. At Attakai, we prepare it with care, whisking it into warm milk for our matcha latte or serving it cold and refreshing for those warmer days. Yum!
Why Matcha Feels Right for Australia Right Now
Australia has always cared about good food and healthy living. People here enjoy being outdoors, staying active, and looking after their bodies. Matcha fits naturally into that way of life. It offers a gentle energy that lasts through the day without the sharp rise and fall that some other drinks bring.
Many of our customers tell me they like that it gives them steady focus. There is caffeine in matcha, but it comes together with another natural compound called L-theanine. This combination creates a calm kind of alertness. You feel awake and clear, but not jittery. In a busy city like Melbourne, that balance is something many people are looking for.
The Wellness Side of Things
More and more people want drinks that feel nourishing rather than just quick energy. Matcha is rich in antioxidants and has been used in Japan for centuries as part of a mindful daily ritual. It suits the growing interest in cleaner, simpler choices.
We see this every day at the café. Office workers, students, and parents all stop in for a cup. Some choose it instead of coffee. Others enjoy it alongside our Japanese-inspired egg salad sando or a slice of shokupan toast. It has become part of their regular routine.
The Beautiful Colour and Feeling
There is also something lovely about the way matcha looks. That soft green colour is cheerful even on grey Melbourne days. It photographs well, which is why you see it so often on phones and social media. But beyond how it looks, holding a warm cup of matcha latte just feels comforting, especially in winter and the chillier months.
Inspired by Japan, Embraced by Melbourne
The thing Kai and I love more than matcha and Melbourne, it’s enjoying this brew at a Japanese-style cafe in Melbourne! In Japan, matcha is part of quiet traditions and everyday enjoyment, and we’ve come to love it as a symbol of warmth and wellness in this iconic Australian city.
We wanted to share that gentle spirit at Attakai. Our cafés are small and welcoming, places where you can sit for a while with a good drink and something simple to eat.
We are happy to see matcha becoming popular here because of the Australian love for quality ingredients and relaxed café culture has given matcha a natural place to grow.
A Drink for Everyday Life
What I like most is how matcha works for different kinds of days. Some mornings, customers need something uplifting before work. On quieter afternoons, others come in for a moment of peace. Parents bring their children and enjoy watching them try the iced version. It fits into real life without trying too hard.
At our Carlton location, you can sit down properly with your drink and a sando. At Collins Street, the window service makes it easy to grab a warm matcha latte while you are out exploring the city.
Something That Lasts
Matcha has real tradition behind it, along with qualities that people genuinely enjoy. In Australia, with our strong café culture and interest in wellness, it feels like it has found the right home.
We at Attakai are glad to be part of that story. Every time someone orders a matcha at Attakai, it makes us happy to share a small piece of Japanese comfort with our new city.
If you have not tried it yet, I hope you will stop by one day. We will make you a cup with care, and you can see for yourself why so many people are turning to matcha these days. It might just become part of your own daily rhythm, too.
With steady flippers and a warm cup in hand,
Atta
Attakai Café
Visiting Attakai
Our Carlton Location
This is our main cafe. It is a proper sit-down space where you can relax with food and drinks.
Address: 168-170 Bouverie Street, Carlton VIC 3053
Here you can enjoy our full menu. Fluffy shokupan toast, different sandos including our egg salad one, sides, and our matcha drinks. It is a warm and cosy spot, good for breakfast, lunch, or a quiet afternoon.
It is best if you want to sit down properly with friends or family. It is near Lygon Street and the Carlton Gardens. Many trams stop close by, including routes 1, 3, 5, 6, 8, 64 and 72.
Our Collins Street Location (Attakai Garden)
This is our smaller cafe window, perfect when you are walking through the city.
Address: 260 Collins Street, Melbourne VIC 3000 (inside Collins Arcade)
Here we focus on drinks. You can get our matcha latte, hot or iced, yuzu drinks, coffee and a few other warm options. It is ideal for a quick stop while shopping or exploring the CBD.
It is very easy to reach. Many trams run along Collins Street, and it is a short walk from Flinders Street Station or Parliament Station.