Shodai Matcha opens - Donaustadt becomes a hotspot for enjoyment fans!

Shodai Matcha opens - Donaustadt becomes a hotspot for enjoyment fans!

In the heart of the Danube city, a new café opened its doors on October 9, 2025, adding an exciting variant to Vienna's coffee culture. Shodai Matcha, the first café in Vienna to combine Asian patisserie with Japanese flavors, has opened at the Westfield Donauzentrum. The opening attracted numerous fans of the green trendy drink, so that the queue wound several times in the shopping center. Quality is very important here, and this is reflected not only in the products, but also in the concept of the café.

Matcha, a finely ground green tea, has its origins in China but has become a particularly popular ingredient in Japan. The exquisite “Uji” variety from Kyoto Prefecture is used in Shodai Matcha. The managing director of the Donaustadt branch is the young Kyla Sophia Padua, who has been with the brand since it first opened in Vienna. Particularly exciting: The café's matcha-based desserts and drinks are all about enjoyment and aesthetics, with a creative selection of sweets. The elaborately created matcha latte and the new crepe cake are real highlights of the menu.

A touch of Asia in Vienna

Shodai's offering extends to a variety of innovative dessert variations that are pleasing to both the eye and the palate. In addition to the classic matcha latte variants, there are also bubble teas that go perfectly with the desserts. Bingsu ice cream, a delicious dessert from South Korea, will soon be part of the range. Restaurateur Weny Sun raves about the successful opening: “We had a record queue, which shows how well the Viennese are accepting Asian patisserie!”

With a clear vision, Shodai aims to bring the diversity of Asian dessert art closer to the general public. The concepts are particularly aimed at offering real enjoyment and avoiding rapid sugar consumption. For the operators, taste is the most important thing - and that is noticeable in every spoonful.

The matcha trend and its challenges

However, the matcha trend is not just limited to Vienna: the green powder is very popular worldwide and has reached a market size of 4.3 billion dollars, with growth attributed to its health benefits. Matcha is said to boost metabolism, promote concentration and increase well-being - so it's no wonder that the drink is also very popular with us. However, the popularity of matcha is also causing increasing concerns about availability. Japan, the largest supplier of matcha, is facing production shortages due to increased demand. Tea producers need to expand their acreage and the Japanese government plans to support producers.

Shodai Matcha in the Danube city is another building block in the success of this fascinating type of tea. With a clear focus on quality and creative recipes, the café brings a piece of Asian culture to the Viennese gastronomy scene and makes the Danube city even greener.

For anyone who would like to try out the delicacies for themselves: Shodai Matcha's opening hours are Monday to Friday, 12 p.m. to 9 p.m., and on weekends from 12 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. It's definitely worth a visit to discover the variety of flavors and experience the matcha trend up close.

For more information about Shodai Matcha, visit the official website: Shodai.

Find out more about matcha activities worldwide on Food Navigator and keep an eye on current developments in Viennese gastronomy My district.