Matcha Cita, a matcha-focused café, is now open in the West Loop. After a pop-up stint in Lincoln Park in 2021, Matcha Cita’s permanent location is 1017 W Lake Street, steps from the Morgan ‘L’ station (green and pink lines). A play on and reference to the timeless coffee date, Matcha Cita roughly translates to “matcha date” in Spanish.
Founded by Bianca Pearson with co-owner Vincent Lujan, Matcha Cita was born out of Pearson’s love of matcha and stylish interior design. Serving as Director of Sales and Marketing for over a decade at spots like Joy District and Flight Club Darts in Chicago, Pearson launched Pop and Props in 2019, a boutique balloon installation and event planning company.
"When I realized there was an opportunity to bring a trendy, fully matcha-focused café to Chicago, I began conceptualizing Matcha Cita. I wanted to create a photogenic space, and the menu, the decor, the music, everything was carefully curated to create an overall energetic, cheerful vibe,” said Pearson. “After our initial pop-up in Lincoln Park, I knew I wanted to open an all day café where guests could enjoy a delicious menu but also feel welcome to stay awhile.”
THE SPACE:
Matcha Cita offers seating for 20 guests in light corduroy pink and matcha green booths and at white marble café tables allowing for a co-working space for patrons looking for a work from home alternative. In the warmer months, customers can use the sidewalk patio outfitted with several tables and accented by a lavender door with green trim and an encaustic tiled wall outside. Guests will be provided tropical house music.
THE MENU:
Utilizing matcha, a powder made from green tea leaves that's high in antioxidants, and other superfood ingredients, the menu ranges in prices from $4.29 to $13.95 and features specialty matcha drinks, over 20 smoothies, juices, coffee from Lavazza, macarons, a selection of pastries from Vivian Hu of Chicago Desserts and more.
Options include hot and iced drinks like a Matcha Horchata with cinnamon and vanilla almond milk, Purple Haze with matcha, lavender, CBD, and oat milk, Pineapple Mango Matcha with lemonade, and a Pink n’ Pitaya Smoothie with pitaya, strawberry, banana, peanut butter, and vanilla almond milk. Guests can customize their drinks with fun accessories ranging from $1.95 to $3.95 including Make Me Pretty (collagen), Make It Luck (Lucky Charms), Make Me Mellow (CBD), Make Me Strong (protein) and Make It Matcha (matcha).
Food items include smoothie bowls like a Pitaya Bowl with blended pitaya, strawberry, banana and vanilla almond milk; sweet and savory Toasts including The Lox, Nella Nutella, Bruschetta, and Pomegranate; three flavors of Matcha Bubble Waffles; and an assortment of baked goods including Lavender Matcha Macarons and rotating House Made Pop Tarts.
Matcha Cita will be open Monday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Delivery will also be available.
Matcha Cita, a matcha-focused café, is now open in the West Loop. After a pop-up stint in Lincoln Park in 2021, Matcha Cita’s permanent location is 1017 W Lake Street, steps from the Morgan ‘L’ station (green and pink lines). A play on and reference to the timeless coffee date, Matcha Cita roughly translates to “matcha date” in Spanish.
Founded by Bianca Pearson with co-owner Vincent Lujan, Matcha Cita was born out of Pearson’s love of matcha and stylish interior design. Serving as Director of Sales and Marketing for over a decade at spots like Joy District and Flight Club Darts in Chicago, Pearson launched Pop and Props in 2019, a boutique balloon installation and event planning company.
"When I realized there was an opportunity to bring a trendy, fully matcha-focused café to Chicago, I began conceptualizing Matcha Cita. I wanted to create a photogenic space, and the menu, the decor, the music, everything was carefully curated to create an overall energetic, cheerful vibe,” said Pearson. “After our initial pop-up in Lincoln Park, I knew I wanted to open an all day café where guests could enjoy a delicious menu but also feel welcome to stay awhile.”
THE SPACE:
Matcha Cita offers seating for 20 guests in light corduroy pink and matcha green booths and at white marble café tables allowing for a co-working space for patrons looking for a work from home alternative. In the warmer months, customers can use the sidewalk patio outfitted with several tables and accented by a lavender door with green trim and an encaustic tiled wall outside. Guests will be provided tropical house music.
THE MENU:
Utilizing matcha, a powder made from green tea leaves that's high in antioxidants, and other superfood ingredients, the menu ranges in prices from $4.29 to $13.95 and features specialty matcha drinks, over 20 smoothies, juices, coffee from Lavazza, macarons, a selection of pastries from Vivian Hu of Chicago Desserts and more.
Options include hot and iced drinks like a Matcha Horchata with cinnamon and vanilla almond milk, Purple Haze with matcha, lavender, CBD, and oat milk, Pineapple Mango Matcha with lemonade, and a Pink n’ Pitaya Smoothie with pitaya, strawberry, banana, peanut butter, and vanilla almond milk. Guests can customize their drinks with fun accessories ranging from $1.95 to $3.95 including Make Me Pretty (collagen), Make It Luck (Lucky Charms), Make Me Mellow (CBD), Make Me Strong (protein) and Make It Matcha (matcha).
Food items include smoothie bowls like a Pitaya Bowl with blended pitaya, strawberry, banana and vanilla almond milk; sweet and savory Toasts including The Lox, Nella Nutella, Bruschetta, and Pomegranate; three flavors of Matcha Bubble Waffles; and an assortment of baked goods including Lavender Matcha Macarons and rotating House Made Pop Tarts.
Matcha Cita will be open Monday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Delivery will also be available.
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