The top four matcha cafes near RMIT's City campus

From specialty cafes to Japanese dessert bars, matcha has taken over Melbourne. And at RMIT, we’re lucky to have so many amazing options on our doorstep!

In fact, matcha has become such a cultural phenomenon that RMIT even has it’s own student club for matcha aficionados.

But what exactly is matcha? Well, it’s more than your average green tea. It's a finely ground powder made from specially shaded green tea leaves, and it’s bursting with flavour and health benefits. Unlike many green teas that are processed by machines which chop and roll, matcha undergoes a special grinding technique. Traditional methods use granite millstones to pulverize the dried leaves, and this meticulous process, known as tencha grinding, is key to achieving matcha's vibrant green colour, fine texture and delicate flavour.

So where are the best local cafes to get your matcha fix as an RMIT student? Here are our top four favourites near campus.

#1: K5 Kona

Our favourite thing about K5 Kona? It’s on campus! Nestled among a number of eateries along RMIT’s bustling Bowen Street, K5 Kona offers a menu that includes original matcha, cloudy matcha and ube matcha.

For those in the know, a deeper green hue is generally a good indication of high-quality matcha, as it means the tea leaves were young, shade-grown, and harvested at the optimal time. And the lattes at K5 are a vibrant, enticing shade of green.

Balancing umami with a delicate sweetness and hint of bitterness, it’s easy to see why their matcha offerings have made it on to our list.

#2: Hikari

A mere 300 metres from campus, Hikari is a small cafe with a big heart.

Hikari means “light” in Japanese, and it’s easy to see why they chose this name: the interior is light- filled and bright, and has been fit out with Victorian ash timber and Japanese mosaic tiles.

The cafe is committed to authenticity, and their partners in Japan source and roast the best single origin teas — both matcha and hojicha — from small local farms in Kyoto.

The store also stocks a small, hand-picked range of Japanese ceramics, Hirota glass products and beautiful fragrances.

#3: Matcha Kōbō

Just 450 metres from RMIT’s City campus, Matcha Kōbō has become a cult favourite in Melbourne. Renowned for their meticulous approach, they even have Australia's only in-house stone mill for slow-grinding matcha!

The venue is beautifully designed, with elegant shoji panels concealing a no-shoes zone and cushioned floor-seating, for an authentic Japanese experience. Their matcha is sourced from Uji, a city south of Kyoto, and every cup of ceremonial-grade matcha is whisked-to-order.

If you’re still not convinced, they were a finalist in the best matcha and specialty drinks category in Good Food’s Essential Melbourne Cafes and Bakeries of 2025!

#4: Operator San

An easy 500 metre walk from campus, Operator San is a matcha lover's dream come true. Right next door to the historic Queen Victoria Markets, the cafe serves a variety of visually striking matcha drinks, including strawberry, lavender and kinako matcha lattes.

San, Japanese for “three”, is the third Operator venue from Valerie Fong and Randy Dhamanhuri. The interior is warm and cosy, with lots of timber cladding and indigo blue flags, or “noren,” dividing the space into different zones.

If you’re not satisfied with a latte alone, they also serve delicious meals which blend Melbourne brunch classics with Japanese flavours, like breakfast ramen and katsu curry benedict.

And if you’re an RMIT student looking for your next fix? Join RMIT’s Matcha Club! Not only will you meet other like-minded matcha enthusiasts, but the student-run club also hosts movie screenings, K-pop karaoke, tarot readings, group outings and much more.

Story: Sophie MacGillivray

Five winter activities for students to enjoy in Melbourne

While the winter months in Melbourne can get chilly, there’s no need to hibernate while you wait for summer. Especially when there’s so much to explore near RMIT’s City campus!

The best things to do between classes at RMIT

From rock climbing and Sunday brunches to study space hopping, our international students share the top fun things you can do to pass the time in between your classes.

Five ways to make friends at uni

Learning ways to meet like-minded people as an international student can greatly enhance your overall experience abroad.

Acknowledgement of Country

RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business - Artwork 'Sentient' by Hollie Johnson, Gunaikurnai and Monero Ngarigo.

More information

The top four matcha cafes near RMIT's City campus