When Nana’s Green Tea opened its Seattle location in 2018, it brought something the city had never seen before. The Japanese green tea cafe, which originated in Tokyo in 2001, chose Seattle as its first mainland United States location for its global expansion, and the matcha they serve here is anything but ordinary.
The secret starts in Uji, Kyoto. Nana’s Green Tea sources all of its teas from Yamamasa Koyamaen, one of the most historic tea farms in Japan, with a legacy dating back to the 1600s. The artisans at the farm handle every step of the process themselves, from farming and hand-picking the leaves to stone milling them into the matcha powder that ends up in your cup. That level of involvement from farm to cup is rare, and it shows in the final product.
Shift manager Sarah told Seattle Today that the farm’s hands-on approach is what gives their matcha its signature well-balanced flavor. Every harvest, the team at Yamamasa Koyamaen deliberately works to maintain that consistency, ensuring every visit to Nana’s Green Tea delivers the same high-quality experience.
That quality carries through to the menu, and no item represents it better than the matcha mochi parfait. It is the dessert Nana’s Green Tea is most known for, layering their premium matcha with traditional Japanese flavors, including red bean paste and shiratama mochi. For first-time visitors, it is the order that makes everything click.
Beyond dessert, the cafe offers a menu that blends tradition with approachability. From hot and iced matcha lattes to hojicha drinks and savory rice bowls, the space is designed to introduce guests to Japanese tea culture without making it feel intimidating. The interior reflects that same philosophy, clean and minimal, encouraging customers to slow down and experience each sip rather than rush through it.
In a city known for its deep coffee roots, Nana’s Green Tea carved out a different lane by leaning fully into authenticity. Instead of adapting its identity to local trends, it brought centuries-old tea craftsmanship directly to Seattle. For many customers, that balance of heritage and modern presentation is what keeps them coming back, not just for the matcha, but for an experience that feels intentional from farm to cup.
Nana’s Green Tea is located in Seattle and is open to the public.
