Gainesville's Green Renaissance
- avapravlik
- 24 hours ago
- 3 min read
Ranking the best matcha spots in town
By: Ava Pravlik
Credit: Foxtail Coffee Co.
With the rise of wellness culture, “Pilates princesses” and the ever-trending clean-girl aesthetic, a new method of caffeine consumption has emerged as the It-Girl of beverages: matcha. The powdered green tea has evolved into a lifestyle statement, packed with antioxidants and fitting seamlessly into an indulgent yet intentional morning ritual.
Just like a classic coffee, Gainesville’s shops have embraced the viral matcha trend while adding their own unique twists on the beverage, each with a distinct vibe and flavor profile. Over the past week, I set out to uncover the best matcha in town, sampling everything from corporate staples to local gems. Here’s what I found:
Honorable Mention: Afternoon Coffee’s Lavender Matcha
Location: 619 S Main St
Price: $6.00 + $1.00 for syrup
Afternoon Coffee has recently become my go-to pit stop following my Saturday morning runs, so it felt right to begin my quest here.
I’m usually an almond milk girl, but Afternoon’s menu is limited to oat milk when it comes to non-dairy options, so I ordered my latte with oat milk and lavender syrup.
The first sip feels like inhaling a spring morning – soft, clean and perfumed. The matcha itself is mellow rather than grassy, letting the lavender shine without tasting soapy. It’s the kind of drink that makes you want to slow down and start your morning with a people-watching session on the patio. While not the strongest in terms of flavor, Afternoon’s matcha is the most refreshing I tried, serving as a solid morning pick-me-up.
Runner-up: Wyatt’s Coffee’s Vanilla Matcha
Location: 202 SE 2nd Ave
Price: $6.00 (12 oz), $6.50 (16 oz) + $1.00 for syrup
Wyatt’s Coffee is a spot that feels effortlessly cool with its minimalist interiors, indie playlists and baristas who truly know their craft. Their vanilla matcha captures that same balance: stylish yet understated.
The drink hits the tongue with smooth, creamy sweetness before unfolding into the signature earthiness of matcha. The vanilla doesn’t overpower; rather, it flawlessly rounds out the matcha’s natural bitterness, creating a flavor that feels warm, balanced and comforting. The luscious, almost buttery texture speaks to the superior quality of the powder. It’s a matcha that feels elevated and perfectly concocted.
Winner: Foxtail Coffee’s Pistachio Matcha
Location: 2851 SW 35th Dr
Price: $5.20 (regular), $6.06 (large) + $0.75 for syrup
Foxtail Coffee’s reputation precedes it, but nothing could have prepared me for the pure bliss that is their pistachio matcha latte. From the first sip, it’s an experience – smooth, nutty, slightly toasty and flawlessly balanced. The pistachio adds a luxurious richness and a unique twist that I hadn’t experienced until coming to Foxtail.
The matcha flavor remains distinct and vibrant, cutting through the pistachio’s sweetness with its natural umami undertone. The froth is cloud-light, the color a luminous green that speaks to top-tier quality. It’s indulgent and cozy, yet energizing and crisp. Simply put, it’s the kind of drink that makes you want to officially make the switch from coffee to matcha.
Matcha has become a mindset, a status symbol and a lifestyle indicator. In a city fueled by students, athletes and creatives, Gainesville’s matcha scene feels like a true reflection of its people: grounded yet ambitious, and buzzing with energy.
Whether you’re chasing the floral calm of Afternoon, the velvety depth of Wyatt’s or the silky decadence of Foxtail, each sip celebrates the balance between health and indulgence, ritual and rush.
As an avid coffee drinker myself, I’ve officially decided: Gainesville, it’s time to go green.
Ava is a fourth-year advertising major and French minor at the University of Florida. This is her fourth semester writing for Rowdy Magazine. When she’s not writing, she enjoys long-distance running in her free time.