More Than the Bear Necessities: Inside Matcha Panda’s Chestnut Street Location
The Chinatown favorite’s Rittenhouse outpost at 2033 Chestnut comes complete with traditional stone grinding wheels, a book-style menu, and a stuffed animal in every booth.
If you’ve walked past 2033 Chestnut lately, you may have noticed things look a little different — and smell a whole lot better.
The former Black Market CBD and Kratom shop is now Matcha Panda, the Chinatown favorite known among Redditors that’s quietly built a cult following for their fresh-ground, made-daily matcha.
The Fresh Grinding Revolution
Matcha Panda grinds their Japan-sourced matcha fresh every single day using traditional stone wheels that look like they belong in a museum. You can actually watch the process happening behind glass — two granite wheels slowly turning, transforming tea leaves into powder.
Their menu book explains (more on that in a moment) that founder Tamaki noticed matcha in the U.S. often lacks the green color and rich flavor he grew up with in Uji, Japan. The solution? Bring the traditional grinding process here. Everything in the cafe — from bubble tea to crepe cakes to gelato — gets made from this daily-ground matcha.
Your New Favorite Study Spot (With Friends!)
But the matcha isn’t the only thing worth checking out. Walk toward the back and you’ll find something unexpected — a Japanese-inspired dining room with warm wood booths, circular lighting, and the most delightful detail: each booth comes with its own stuffed animal companion.
We’re talking pandas (obviously), elephants, and other cuddly friends that make studying or catching up feel extra cozy. It’s the kind of touch that shows someone really thought about creating an experience, not just serving drinks.
Learning While You Sip
Speaking of thoughtful touches — the menu here isn’t just a menu. It’s literally a book that walks you through matcha history, explains grading and processing, and tells the founder’s story. You’ll actually learn things without feeling like you’re in class.
If you’re a Lady M fan — the beloved New York crepe cake spot — you’ll immediately get what Matcha Panda is going for. One of the co-owner’s love for the brand shows up in their delicate, layered crepe cakes made with fresh matcha. But the menu doesn’t stop there — bubble teas, gelato, cream puffs, and specialty coffee all get the fresh-matcha treatment.
Take the Grind Home
And if you fall for the matcha (which — fair warning — is a real possibility), you can take home the same powder they grind daily. No more wondering if that matcha sitting in your cabinet is still fresh.
Matcha Panda brings something distinct to this stretch of Chestnut Street — an approach rooted in tradition, an atmosphere that makes you want to linger, and a menu that helps you understand what you’re drinking and why it matters. Plus, when’s the last time you shared a meal with a stuffed elephant?
The cafe joins the growing list of spots making Chestnut Street a destination for locals and visitors alike. It’s the kind of place that makes you want to slow down — whether you’re studying, working, or just enjoying a matcha drink with your new cuddly friend.
Follow them on Instagram here for specials and more, and do let us know what you tried!
