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Guide to Chicago

Ice cream and matcha

Made for those who seek the specific earthy bitterness of matcha in their ice cream.

Based on 604 Opinions
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Updated May 2026
01
Tulip's Tea on Tuesday image 1
Tulip's Tea on Tuesday image 2
Tulip's Tea on Tuesday image 3
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Tiny cafe with cute maximalist decor and cozy seating creates a warm, inviting atmosphere filled with plushies and handmade crafts. The space feels like an energy oasis, offering a friendly vibe despite limited seating and occasional crowding. Unique touches like crocheted mini flowers with drinks add charm to the experience.

Soft serve comes in Thai green tea, matcha, and ube flavors. Boba toppings often come free with soft serve. Drinks like matcha and ube lattes complement the ice cream options.

Strawberry matcha stands out with its customizable options and pairs well with boba. Matcha lattes come with unique twists like cheese foam or soft serve, adding variety to the offerings.

People are saying

"The tea service here is so friendly and welcoming."

"The owner's Matcha is so nice and helpful."

"The ice cream servers are super friendly and nice."

Good to know

1

The shop offers a membership deal that includes a drink and snack every Tuesday.

2

Vegan options are available on the menu for those with dietary restrictions.

3

The seating area is small, so it may be crowded during busy times.

02
SUGOi Sweets image 1
Chocolate shop

Small storefront bursts with plenty of color and cute, elegant packaging. Atmosphere feels inviting despite no seating, drawing attention with visually stunning bonbons and unique matcha soft serve. Offers high-quality chocolates and distinctive flavors not found elsewhere.

Soft serve comes with delicate care and love and includes vegan matcha and black sesame flavors that are rich and full of pure, high-quality matcha taste.

Soft serve stands out with its rich, pure matcha flavor and a vegan option that blends matcha and black sesame. Matcha quinoa chocolates and high-quality matcha powder are also available for purchase.

People are saying

"The chocolate here is unbelievably delicious and high quality."

"Their matcha soft serve ice cream has a deep, rich flavor."

"Their matcha soft serve is rich, deep, and not overly sweet."

Good to know

1

SUGOi Sweets offers a limited selection of dark chocolate flavors, typically two at a time.

2

Most bonbons are not vegan, with only one vegan option available.

3

All products are beautifully packaged, making them great for gifts.

03
Nikko Sushi Izakaya image 1
Japanese restaurant

Multi-level Japanese restaurant combines sleek modern decor with traditional elements and offers a fun, inviting vibe highlighted by EDM house music. The atmosphere feels upscale yet lively, with attentive service and a clean, elegant interior. Fresh sushi and a diverse drink menu complement the energetic setting.

Matcha ice cream stands out with a rich, memorable flavor. House-made Ube soft ice cream and classic vanilla offer creamy, satisfying finishes.

Creamy and not too sweet, the matcha soft serve blends well with vanilla for a smooth finish. The matcha ice cream stands out as exceptionally good and worth buying to go.

People are saying

"I thought the sushi here was the best in the city."

"I loved finishing with the ube vanilla ice cream."

"Their matcha soft serve ice cream is creamy and not too sweet."

Good to know

1

The all-you-can-eat option is available on weekends only.

2

Reservations are recommended for the all-you-can-eat service.

3

They charge extra for any leftover food from the all-you-can-eat menu.

04
Happy Bobas image 1
Bubble tea store

Colorful interior with neon zodiac signs and playful energy creates a cozy, kid-friendly vibe. K-pop music plays, adding to the fun and welcoming atmosphere. Unique decor features include lucky cats and light-up animal zodiac displays.

Ice cream features all natural ingredients with flavors like real banana and ube paired with Vietnamese coffee. Options include unique varieties and combinations like Dubai chocolate strawberries.

Bright flavor and very good quality stand out in their matcha. Drinks like the matcha latte boba and matcha smoothie taste delicious, with the matcha milk tea offering a refreshing balance.

People are saying

"The tea flavors here are so delicious and unique."

"The ice cream staff here is super friendly and gives great recommendations."

"The matcha latte boba tasted really good."

Good to know

1

Happy Bobas hosts special events and promotions throughout the year.

2

They have fun holiday activities for families during the festive season.

3

Happy hour offers discounts on drinks and snacks.

05
KURIMU CAFE Lincoln Park image 1

Space combines sleek modern design with color-changing neon lights and light-up benches, creating a trendy yet cozy atmosphere. Plenty of indoor seating invites lingering, while unique Asian-inspired ice cream flavors add a distinctive touch.

Soft serve stands out with a smooth texture and just the right sweetness, avoiding any iciness. Unique flavors like lychee, pandan, black sesame, ube, and durian offer a wide range of exciting options beyond the usual.

Soft serve features a strong matcha flavor with a balanced aftertaste. The matcha ice cream pairs well with boba and comes in a house made matcha cone.

People are saying

"The Japanese-style soft serve ice cream is delicious and creamy."

"I loved the unique ice cream flavors and textures."

"The matcha ice cream was outstanding."

Good to know

1

The cafe offers 12 rotating flavors, providing a unique selection each visit.

2

Parking can be challenging but is manageable near the cafe.

3

Free samples are available, allowing you to try flavors before ordering.

06
Living Water Tea House image 1

Space offers a calm ambiance with natural lighting and beautiful teaware that creates a cozy, welcoming vibe. Soft instrumental jazz plays quietly while people enjoy tea tastings at the bar or work quietly. The atmosphere resembles a peaceful retreat, ideal for tea lovers seeking a serene escape.

Rich tea-flavored gelatos stand out here, especially the Pu'er and Oolong varieties. The homemade gelato offers refreshing, flavorful options with samples often available.

High quality matcha offers a rich flavor without being overly sweet. The Uji Matcha Latte with oat milk and the iced matcha latte stand out as solid choices.

People are saying

"I loved the personalized tea tasting experience and learning about each tea."

"The owner and staff are so nice and kind."

"The live Matcha tea tasting experience here is beautiful."

Good to know

1

Reservations are recommended for tea tastings, especially on weekends.

2

The tea tasting experience lasts about two hours and includes nine different teas.

3

The owner provides detailed explanations about the sourcing and uniqueness of each tea.

07
Le French Patisserie image 1

Elegant bakery with European decor and marble interiors creates a bright, luxurious atmosphere. Outdoor patio offers a quiet escape with comfortable seating and soft music. Pastries and desserts stand out as artfully crafted and authentic.

Gelato and vanilla ice cream stand out here, with a variety that includes sorbet as well. The ice cream pairs well with French pastries and desserts like crรจme brรปlรฉe.

Pure matcha forms the base for drinks like the lavender matcha latte and iced rose matcha, offering a fresh, unsweetened flavor. Pastries and drinks blend matcha with flavors like pistachio and coconut, creating rich, smooth, and refreshing options.

People are saying

"I thought the desserts were awesome and yummy."

"The vanilla ice cream here was spot on."

"The pistachio matcha tart was unforgettable, rich, and smooth."

Good to know

1

Parking costs $21 at Navy Pier, where the bakery is located.

2

Cash payments may offer discounts compared to credit card transactions.

3

The bakery often runs out of popular pastries early in the day.

08
Taiyaki Chicago image 1
Ice cream shop

Ice cream shop offers vegan soft serve with dairy-free matcha and fish-shaped waffle cones. Atmosphere feels chill and clean with a somewhat bizarre vibe. Made-to-order treats come with various fillings and toppings, focusing on fresh, vegan-friendly options.

Soft serve comes in vegan matcha and red bean flavors, all dairy free. Taiyaki cones can be filled with custard or Nutella, adding an extra layer to the ice cream experience.

Soft serve matcha comes in custard filled taiyaki or unfilled versions, often topped with brown sugar syrup or crushed Oreos. A dairy free, vegan option is available and pairs well with red bean.

People are saying

"The Japanese food, especially the taiyaki, is freshly made and delicious."

"The matcha soft serve ice cream is divine."

"I loved the matcha soft serve with custard filling."

Good to know

1

Vegan options are available, including dairy-free soft serve and toppings.

2

Expect a wait time of 5-8 minutes for your order.

3

There are plenty of customization options for your taiyaki.

09
Cafe Libra image 1
Restaurant

Outdoor patio offers colorful umbrellas and comfy seating, creating a cozy, peaceful vibe ideal for relaxing or working. Upbeat music and games like Jenga add to the friendly, inviting atmosphere. The space suits both small gatherings and larger groups, with a layout that minimizes street noise.

Creamy gelato and ice cream come in super unique flavors with dairy-free options available. The waffle cones are crisp and pair well with the delicious ice cream.

Variety of matcha drinks includes banana matcha and coconut cream matcha latte. Coconut cream matcha uses Coffee Mate and tends to be overly sweetened. Matcha lattes are generally decent and good.

People are saying

"I found the coffee here to be well made."

"They have super unique ice cream and gelato flavors."

"The matcha here was good and the cafe is cute."

Good to know

1

Cafe Libra offers breakfast, brunch, lunch, and dinner with authentic Balkan cuisine all day.

2

The cafe stays open pretty late for a cafe.

3

Cafe Libra offers non-dairy options for their gelato and ice cream.

10
Sweet Drip image 1
Dessert shop

Bright decor and ample seating create a cozy, peaceful atmosphere ideal for relaxing or socializing. The space includes a grass wall for photos and offers casual seating for groups or solo visitors. A family-owned vibe adds warmth to the inviting environment.

Freshly made in-house ice cream offers unique flavors like Biscoff gelato and cheesecake. Sampling is allowed to help pick favorites.

Matcha here tastes chalky and possibly has added lavender, which changes the flavor. The Pistachio Matcha Latte stands out but overall the Matcha quality feels off compared to other places.

People are saying

"I enjoyed the rich Turkish coffee; it was truly on point."

"The ice cream here is made fresh in-house and is to die for."

"The Pistachio Matcha Latte was so good."

Good to know

1

Sweet Drip offers a variety of desserts including aรงai bowls, cakes, and puddings.

2

Expect higher prices, with items like cappuccinos costing around $7.

3

The cafe can get busy during peak hours, so plan accordingly.

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