Like many others in Singapore, I’ve been fully swept up in the matcha wave. While I wouldn’t go so far as to call myself a matcha expert, I do love a good cafe-hopping adventure. And the newest one on my list? Cafe Gyoen Matcha Bar – a place that’s been all over my TikTok FYP, with content creators raving about it as one of the best matcha cafes in Singapore. Naturally, I had to check it out.
Cafe Gyoen Matcha Bar’s backstory
Originally tucked away in Serangoon Gardens, Cafe Gyoen Matcha Bar has since relocated to Club Street – reportedly due to increasing rental prices. They’ve branded themselves as Singapore’s first matcha speciality bar, serving high-quality matcha imported from Japan. What really intrigued me was the ability to customise your drink by region and strength – a rare touch that made me expect a next-level experience.
So, did it live up to the hype? Well… not quite.
First impressions: A bit of a queue confusion
My boyfriend and I popped by on a Saturday afternoon around 4pm. As expected, there was a crowd gathering outside, which usually signals good things (or at least good TikTok coverage). But the queueing system? Let’s just say it was giving early-2000s vibes. I was asked to scribble my name and number on a piece of paper to reserve a seat.
For a speciality bar with chic interiors and premium matcha, I was expecting at least a digital queue. Small thing, but it threw me off a little. Thankfully, there were only about three groups ahead of us, and we got in after a 20-30 minute wait. Hot day though, so a friendly PSA: bring your portable fan if you don’t want to melt in line.
Aesthetic vibes? 10/10
Inside, the place really delivered on the ambience. It’s warm, homey, and thoughtfully laid out – think soft yellow lighting, light wood furniture, and off-white walls that make the space feel open and peaceful.
The bar counter is a great touch if you enjoy watching your matcha being whisked in real time. For solo cafe-goers, the high tables even come with little hooks to hang your bag (we love a detail-oriented queen!).
Food & drinks: Beautiful… but underwhelming
Here’s where the story gets a little shaky.
The menu looks very promising at first glance. You can choose to have your matcha straight (without milk), and even customise it to be extra rich and intense. This is certainly a nice change from the usual “matcha latte or nothing” offerings at most cafes.
Matcha, but make it… mid?
My boyfriend went all in with the extra-rich MIE matcha ($11). According to the menu, this version is from a mountainous region and is described as delicate, grassy, and rich in nutrients. As someone who believes “the more bitter the matcha, the better,” he was pretty satisfied. Strong, earthy, no sugar – just the way he likes it.
I, on the other hand, was feeling like a basic girlie, so I got the Matcha Milk Cloud ($8.50). It looked… interesting. The foam on top tasted like jasmine green tea at first, which was refreshing, then mellowed out into a smooth, buttery layer that paired nicely with the matcha. Texture-wise, it was a win. But flavour-wise? I felt a little confused. Not bad, but not mind-blowing either.
The Matcha burnt cheesecake that didn’t quite make the cut
The matcha burnt cheesecake ($8), sadly, was a major letdown. It looked the part – layered beautifully with green and white, soft and creamy. But taste-wise? Zero matcha flavour. It honestly reminded me of a regular basque cheesecake, maybe from somewhere like Paparch. If you blindfolded me, I wouldn’t have guessed it was supposed to be matcha.
To be fair, the rest of the food menu looked more interesting. I noticed a lot of people ordering the sandos, which might’ve been the better call. There’s a stacked line-up of Japanese teishoku-style meals too – from Wagyu Hamburg ($25) and Softshell Crab ($24) to Shio Tori Chicken ($19) and Saba Shioyaki Fish ($21).
Is Cafe Gyoen Matcha Bar worth the hype? Depends.
I really wanted to love Cafe Gyoen Matcha Bar. The space is lovely, the menu is extensive, and I appreciate the attention to presentation and sourcing. But taste-wise? It left me wanting more. If you’re nearby or already in the Club Street area, it’s worth popping in – especially if you need a chill space for a catch-up sess with your friends. But would I go out of my way again just for the drinks and dessert? Probably not.
So, if you’re on the hunt for the best matcha cafe in Singapore, you might want to keep scrolling. Hungry for more? Check out our guide to the best home cafes and cool spots along Haji Lane.
Cafe Gyoen Matcha Bar
87 Club Street, S(069455)
Opening hours:
Mon, Wed – Sun: 11am – 9pm
Psst… curious which cafe drink matches your vibe? Take our personality quiz and find out!
