This uptown coffee shop ranks among Yelp’s top spots for matcha. Why folks love it
Coffee shops are aplenty in Charlotte, but only one serves the “best of the best” matcha, according to Yelp.
Gotcha Matcha & Espresso in uptown landed on Yelp’s Top 50 Matcha Spots in the U.S., ranking at No. 37. The tea and coffee bar, which offers more than a dozen specialty matcha drinks, boasted a 4.9-star Yelp rating and nearly 60 glowing customer reviews.
It wasn’t the only North Carolina coffeehouse to make the list; Boba Baba café in Cary came in at No. 25.
Going beyond the standard pick-me-up, Gotcha Matcha uses high quality, ceremonial-grade matcha that appeals to novices and matcha enthusiasts alike.
“After a visit to Thailand, we were able to see all of the ways in which Matcha was infused in different beverages and desserts,” founder Eric Hicklen Jr. wrote on the café’s website. “Since then, we were able to create our own specialty matcha recipes, as well as espresso menu.”
What is matcha?
So what is matcha exactly? The green tea powder is made of finely ground tea leaves and whisked into boiling water to make a drink, according to Encyclopedia Britannica. It contains more caffeine that traditional green tea, and is nutty and slightly bitter in flavor.
High in antioxidants, matcha also said to have possible health benefits including stress relief and lowering blood pressure, the publication said.
The Yelp list, published March 9, spotlights the nation’s 50 best spots to grab a cup of the green stuff as rated by Yelp Elites — the platform’s most trusted and active members known for their thoughtful, well-written reviews. “Elite” status is usually awarded on an annual basis.
The business review site identified spots with a large share of reviews mentioning “matcha,” then ranked them using factors “including the volume and rating of reviews.”
In January, Gotcha Matcha expanded to a second location inside the Wells Fargo Center, just a short walk from its original spot at 200 S. Tryon St, CharlotteFive reported. Expect customer favorites like the Biscoff matcha latte, caramel matchiato and piña colada matcha.
Traditional coffee, loose-leaf tea and refreshers are also on the menu alongside a few pastries.
What they’re saying
Yelpers weren’t shy about their Gotcha Matcha favorites and shared rave reviews about their experiences:
- “This place has the most creative matcha drinks and you can customize them in almost in way. Central to the city and tucked away in an office building. I am glad they found a permanent spot that I can visit during the work week!” Courtney S. from Charlotte, NC
- “My drink definitely tasted just like Pina Colada! It took me awhile to drink the whole thing. I would probably just get a small next time. But for the first time ever, I drank an entire cup of matcha (and enjoyed it)!” — Michelle P. from Concord, NC
- “Came here once and will definitely return! The customer service was great! I ordered The Lav & an ube danish & was blown away! Can’t wait to try other items on the menu!” — Antonia C. from Charlotte, NC
- “I’ve had Gotcha Matcha a few times since they first opened in Southend and I’m never disappointed. I took my Mom yesterday and she LOVED it. I appreciate how enthusiastic the baristas are and they are extremely knowledgeable when it comes to the different options.” — Charm G. from Belmont, NC
Gotcha Matcha & Espresso
Location: 401 S Tryon St, Charlotte, NC 28202
Location: 200 S Tryon St, Charlotte, NC 28204
Cuisine: Coffee, tea, espresso
Instagram: @gotchamatchaclt
This story was originally published March 13, 2026 at 6:00 AM.