At some point over the last two years, matcha transitioned from a niche preference to a genuinely ubiquitous presence. And while its ubiquity has brought inevitable commentary, the actual drink, made properly, is worth the attention it has received. The same is true of most things worth caring about. You can tell immediately when something has been made with intention and when it has not. That principle applies as much to a shoe as it does to a matcha latte.
The key phrase is made properly. A matcha latte prepared with ceremonial-grade powder, whisked correctly, with the right milk ratio, is a different experience from the version made from culinary-grade powder and steamed oat milk. The difference is immediately obvious once you have tried both.
In London
Jenki is our most consistent reference point. Two locations, Belgravia on Motcomb Street and Covent Garden on Monmouth Street, both apply the same approach: Japanese matcha preparation with precision, in spaces that feel calm without feeling clinical. The reliable signal that a cafe takes matcha seriously: they use Japanese powder from a named source, they ask you questions, and they do not just hand you something green.
For something with a longer history in the city, Tombo in South Kensington has been serving quality matcha since before the current wave of interest. The matcha soft serve is a genuine London institution.
In Paris
Jugetsudo in the Marais is the most remarkable matcha space we know in Europe. Owned by Maruyama Nori, a Japanese tea company founded in 1864, and designed by architect Kengo Kuma. Matcha is prepared in multiple grades at a counter facing an open kitchen. The space doubles as a boutique. It is on rue de Bretagne in the 3rd arrondissement.
Shodai, also in the Marais, is the more contemporary option, with sculptural lighting, minimalist concrete, and a menu spanning traditional ceremonial matcha to modern iced versions. Maison Matcha on rue du Temple has two Paris locations and sells matcha powder to take home.
For the shoe equivalent of finding something made properly in the size you actually need, see our guide to finding shoes in size 9 UK (EU43).
FAQ
Q Where is the best matcha in London in 2026?
A Jenki has two London locations, Belgravia on Motcomb Street and Covent Garden on Monmouth Street, both consistently reliable for ceremonial-grade matcha. Tombo in South Kensington has been doing it longer than almost anyone in the city, and the matcha soft serve is a genuine institution.
Q Where is the best matcha in Paris in 2026?
A Jugetsudo in the Marais, designed by Kengo Kuma and owned by a tea company founded in 1864, is the most remarkable matcha space in Paris. Shodai nearby is the design-forward option. Maison Matcha on rue du Temple has two locations and sells matcha powder to take home.
Q Why is it so hard to find shoes in my size?
A Because no brand has specifically been designed for it. Most brands stop at UK 8 (EU 42) or lower. Girls shopping in larger sizes are often left out entirely. That gap is exactly what Maévie is built to close.
Q What is Maévie, and why is it different from other shoe brands?
A Maévie is a footwear brand built specifically for teenage girls and young women whose size is not stocked in most brands. Footwear designed for their life, with the silhouettes, colourways, and details that reflect what they are actually wearing. The brand starts where the options stop.