At CHALAIT you will feel the loving and relaxed atmosphere as well as the calming and clarifying effects of the matcha ceremony itself. In 2015, founders Michelle and Ramon Puyane opened Manhattan’s first matcha-focused coffee and tea shop. The couple honors the old tradition with a “from farm to cup”- philosophy and sources the matcha directly from farmers in Japan. Our editor-in-chief Antonia met Michelle at CHALAIT and loves the simple menu which is based on an espresso bar and offers matcha lattes, matcha Americanos and more. The café is flooded with light through the huge glass windows and creates a pleasantly open feeling in the middle of New York. That’s what makes it so special because you can sit by the window and comfortably sip your matcha while people watching on the streets of NYC. Chalait also serves fine loose leaf tea and seasonal dishes inspired by the couple’s favorite recipes.