For this edition of Guide to Greenwich, I visited CFCF Coffee, The Granola Bar, and Gregorys Coffee to discover which café serves the best iced matcha in Greenwich, Connecticut. I judged each drink based on taste, price, and proximity to Sacred Heart Greenwich.
The Granola Bar
My first destination was The Granola Bar. The Granola Bar has multiple locations in Connecticut and New York, including in Westport, Darien, Fairfield, Stamford, Woodbury, Rye, and New York City. I decided to visit the Greenwich location, which is a 15-minute drive from Sacred Heart. When I arrived at the café, the curb appeal was inviting and the staff welcomed me politely. The iced matcha cost $6.25 and was ready in about three minutes. I took my matcha to-go and tasted it on the way out.
This particular matcha was very different from any other variation I have tried. The distinctive taste of matcha felt absent, and the vanilla extract overpowered the taste of the beverage. Although it did not have a powdery texture, which was promising, the vanilla extract and milk were severely overwhelming. The true taste of matcha is more grassy, and this characteristic was missing from my drink. In my opinion, the matcha tasted good, just not like a true matcha.
CFCF Coffee
Next, I visited CFCF Coffee, a café which primarily serves coffee and pastries. There are two locations in Greenwich, as well as a location in Riverside. I visited the location towards the top of Greenwich Avenue, which is 16 minutes away from Sacred Heart. When I arrived, around 2 p.m., the café was moderately crowded with a few seats still open. I felt welcomed by the staff as they greeted me warmly and the line was not too long. In addition to the welcoming staff, the café had a home-like feel. The matcha I ordered was $6.45, which seemed a little pricey for a small size, but not unreasonable, considering the comforting atmosphere and kind staff.
CFCF’s matcha tasted like a true matcha. I ordered a small with skim milk, and it was a great combination of milk and matcha powder. It still had a grassy taste, but was not overwhelming. I tasted no excess powder, as the barista had blended it into the liquid smoothly.
Gregorys Coffee
Lastly, I visited Gregorys Coffee on Greenwich Avenue, a quick walk from CFCF. It is also 15-minute drive from Sacred Heart and parking was easily available around 2 p.m. The café had an aesthetically pleasing appearance and enticed me as I entered. Gregorys Coffee was not too busy, and a few customers were quietly studying in the corner. The matcha I ordered was $5.60, cheaper than the previous two beverages. In addition to the cheaper price, the staff served me my drink extremely quickly.
Although it was not exceptional, the matcha at Gregorys Coffee was adequate. The matcha powder seemed under-blended, which distracted me from the quality of the taste. However, the actual taste was high quality. Overall, I enjoyed the perfect mixture of milk and matcha, but the texture of the matcha was disappointing.
Winner
After visiting all three locations, I chose CFCF Coffee’s matcha as my favorite. The texture of the matcha powder and milk blended together tasted extraordinary. The actual taste of the matcha powder was phenomenal and it was clear to me that the beverage was thoroughly prepared. CFCF is in close proximity to Sacred Heart, and the staff is efficient and hardworking. I enjoyed my experience at this café the best, and, although it was the most expensive matcha I reviewed, it was worth the price.
Featured Image by Bella Boone ’27
