Restaurant + Hospitality
MATCHAFUL - TRIBECA
New York, NY - 2026
A closer look at the everyday ritual. For Matchaful’s TriBeCa café, we brought matcha preparation into view with a lowered bar that lets guests follow the whisking process. Building on the design language developed for Williamsburg, the space pairs warm wood and expressive stone with a custom maple bench resting on natural boulders.
Photography by
Montana Cooper
Design Intent
Bring the making into the experience. We lowered the preparation bar so guests could watch their matcha being whisked, and planned circulation around the rhythms of service. A small shift in perspective that brings people closer to the care behind each cup.
Reference + Influence
Everyday Ritual, Wabi Sabi Ease, and Modern Tradition carry through from Williamsburg, finding a new expression in TriBeCa. Matchaful’s connection to Japanese tea traditions guided the space, with preparation in view and natural materials that invite a closer look.
Material Details
A continuous curve of solid maple rests on three Renaissance Beige boulders, bringing smooth wood and irregular stone together at the entry. The contrast carries through the space, with a boldly veined marble counter and warm wood adding their own texture and character.
Every decision, from how a barista moves through a space to whether a customer can witness the preparation of their drink, shapes how a brand is understood.
