itteki- Matcha + Coffee + Sandwich + Cakes (Southbank)

itteki Matcha + Coffee + Sandwich + Cakes brings a Japanese tea focus to Southbank, with its Shop 9 venue at Freshwater Place. The café centres on ceremonial-grade matcha alongside coffee, bakery items and lunch offerings, making it a useful stop for a morning drink, a light meal or an afternoon treat. Its menu includes hot and iced coffee, sandwiches, wraps and a lunch box, while the broader brand also sells matcha powder and equipment for home preparation.

Matcha is the main point of difference. itteki says it sources ceremonial matcha from Japanese regions including Uji and Shizuoka, using shade-grown, first-harvest leaves that are stone-ground. The café’s stated aim is to make Japanese matcha culture accessible to both experienced drinkers and newcomers, with a focus on the powder’s smooth texture, green colour and umami character. The website also mentions creative drinks such as Strawberry Matcha and Pistachio Lattes, alongside Japanese-inspired treats, although the available menu information is more detailed for its coffee, bakery and lunch sections.

For coffee drinkers, the listed options range from espresso and Americano to cappuccino, flat milk, mocha and iced coffee variations. The bakery selection includes a butter croissant, chocolate brownie and blueberry scone. Lunch is covered by a chicken sandwich, chicken wrap and lunch box, with the listed fillings and accompaniments giving a clearer sense of the food style than the venue name alone. Seasonal menus for spring and winter, as well as separate gelato and juice menus, are also referenced on the site.

itteki’s story began in South Yarra, where the café opened in December 2022, before the website listed its Southbank presence from 2025. The name means “a single drop” in Japanese, reflecting the brand’s emphasis on care, precision and the rituals surrounding tea. Its stated atmosphere is calm, minimalist and serene, shaped by Japanese tea ceremony values while remaining part of Melbourne’s contemporary café scene. It should appeal most to matcha enthusiasts, curious first-timers and coffee drinkers who want something beyond a conventional café order. The brand also says it runs matcha and coffee workshops and works with local businesses, extending its focus beyond the café counter.