Reviewers describe Café 2nd Gen as a standout for inventive drinks and quality coffee, with highlights including ube matcha, jasmine matcha, tiramisu latte, date tahini latte, and a kafta sandwich, plus Vietnamese coffee with creme brulee toppings. The drinks are praised for being well crafted and not overly sweet, and the menu is noted for ambitious twists and seasonal flavors. The staff are consistently described as friendly and welcoming, contributing to a warm, cozy atmosphere, though the space is relatively small and seating can be hard to come by, so many visits are to go. A few concerns include price for the small cup size and occasional too much ice or sweetness in drinks. Parking around the area is challenging, but the cafe is regarded as a valuable neighborhood spot with high repeat visits and a loyal following.
I went to Matcha 2nd Gen Café on March 1st with friends… one of those freezing winter evenings where you just want something soft & comforting after being slapped by the wind.
The first thing I noticed was how kind the staff were. It immediately set the tone. I was served by the owner, Sarah, who answered all my questions & gave thoughtful recommendations based on my mood. I'm very indecisive when I go somewhere new because I want to try everything… which is exactly why I bring friends. More options, more tasting… don't tell them I said that. Love you girls !!
We ended up trying a few drinks:
• Matcha 2nd Gen with coconut milk (my pick)
• Iced matcha with ube topping (Farzy's pick)
• Iced salted tiramisu matcha (Jules's pick)
My favorite flavor was the ube… but I'd ask for a little less ube topping & more matcha next time since it leans a bit sweet. Still really good, just depends on your preference.
One thing I appreciated is that the matcha base actually tastes like matcha. Not overly milky, not hidden under sugar. This is not a spot for fake matcha lovers… & I mean that in the best way.
We also tried their cinnamon brioche, & that surprised me. I'm usually more of a donut person & don't go for cinnamon rolls often , but the texture was soft, balanced, & not too sweet. It was done really well.
The space itself feels thoughtful… from the drinks to the little details like games you can grab & play at your table. They were playing'With You' by Chris Breezy along with other early 2000s R&B, which added to that cozy, nostalgic feeling I love.
The café is still very new, opened about 6 months ago by Sara, her husband, & a friend, & you can feel the care in everything. They also rotate seasonal drinks, so the menu we tried was their March selection.
It ended up being one of those simple outings that just felt good. Cozy time escaping the brutal winter winds… good matcha, good energy, & a place I'd come back to when I want a emotional support matcha or Vietnamese coffee .
I'm just a foodie & travel lover who enjoys trying new places & experiences & sharing them along the way. If you like scrapbook-style posts & discovering spots like this, come hang out with me on TikTok @foxy.appetite & IG @foxyappetite 🫶
Mar 22, 2026
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I visited Matcha 2nd Gen Café on March 1st with friends, on one of those freezing winter days where you just want something warm & comforting.
The service stood out right away. The staff were genuinely kind, & I was served by the owner, Sarah, who took the time to answer my questions & guide me through the menu based on what I felt like having. It made the whole experience feel more personal.
We tried a few drinks:
• Matcha 2nd Gen with coconut milk
• Iced matcha with ube topping
• Iced salted tiramisu matcha
The ube was my favorite flavor, but I'd recommend asking for a lighter amount of topping if you prefer something less sweet & more matcha-forward.
One thing I really appreciated is that the matcha actually tastes like matcha. It's not overly milky or sugary, which makes this a great spot for people who enjoy a more authentic flavor.
We also had the cinnamon brioche, which was soft, well-balanced, & not too sweet. I'm usually not a big cinnamon roll person, but this one was definitely worth trying.
The space is simple but thoughtful, with small details like board games available & a cozy playlist (early 2000s R&B when we visited) that adds to the overall atmosphere.
The café is still relatively new, opened about 6 months ago, & you can feel the care behind it. They also offer seasonal drinks, so the menu changes regularly.
Overall, a cozy & well-executed spot for quality matcha & a relaxed visit. I'd definitely come back.
Alors là, première fois pour moi & j'ai goûté un matcha + ube .. & WOAW c'est si bon ! Juste dosé ! C'était parfait 🤭 je n'exagère pas ! J'ignorai que le UBE avait ce goût là
2nd gen truly upgraded the matcha game!!! I had THE pleasure to try both their sticky date & tiramisú matcha drink. Damn! Phenomenal!!! I highly recommend the sticky date one. My sister also tried the UBE matcha drink & said it was one of the best she has ever had. Pass by if you're around, Sara & her team are kind & deserve the hype! 🥰💕
I have been here twice & the drinks are always so good! I could tell they use high quality matcha & coffee. I highly recommend the ube coffee & matcha.
Everyone who works there is also very nice & friendly.
Feb 14, 2026
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Best ube matcha ever!!! I highly recommend it to everyone. I'm so happy they finally opened their own cafe. They used to have a shed outside in Dix30 last summer so I'm glad to see them evolving & having a successful business! Their drinks are amazing & the price is very reasonable for the quality you get. The staff here are also so sweet every time I come :)
Ube matcha was very rich so felt more like a dessert rather than a drink. Seasonal jasmine matcha was really fragrant & unique! Down side is the amount of ice in their drinks; a bit too much
J'adore ce nouveau café dans le quartier! Café Second Gen est rapidement devenu, selon moi, le meilleur coffee shop du Vieux-Port. Leurs cafés sont uniques & créatifs, comme leur incroyable café à l'ube & le latte pomme-miso , deux boissons presque impossibles à trouver ailleurs, & encore moins aussi parfaitement réalisées. Chaque visite est un petit plaisir, & l'ambiance est toujours chaleureuse. Sans oublier la propriétaire, qui est tout simplement la plus adorable de toutes. Une vraie perle! / I'm absolutely in love with this new spot in the neighborhood. Café Second Gen is easily the best coffee shop in the Old Port. Their drinks are unique & inventive, especially their ube coffee & the apple-miso latte - flavors you'll rarely find anywhere else, & certainly not made this well. Every visit feels special, & the vibe is always warm & welcoming. & the owner? Truly the sweetest of them all. A real gem.
Un des meilleurs matcha au ube que j'ai pu tester jusqu'à maintenant. Le goût était très riche & le service était super rapide. L'endroit était très lumineux & relativement calme.
Seul bémol pour le prix : 17$ pour deux matchas (taille unique, pas de choix + grand ou + petit).
Finally had the opportunity to try this new café in downtown, & it did not disappoint. The interior is industrial-inspired, with a few seats & charging spots available. We ordered the classic Vietnamese iced coffee & the hot Matcha 2nd Gen (matcha latte with condensed milk). Both were excellent. The matcha was rich & well-whisked - perfect for those who enjoy a classic matcha taste.
If you want to try their specialty & more trendy combinations (matcha/Vietnamese coffee with foam toppings like ube or tiramisu), you will need to order the iced version instead.
Nov 1, 2025
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I had the Cafe Viet Ube & it was really good honestly. I'm more of a straight double espresso guy but I really enjoyed this unique blend. Will definitely be back to try something else! Also, super friendly owners :)
Excellent drinks & plenty of fun options! It was my first time trying a matcha latte with ube cream & I loved it. I'll definitely come back to try more.
J'ai pris le ube matcha & mon copain a pris le café vietnamien avec un topping de crème brulé. Les deux boissons étaient excellentes! Le service était aussi 10/10 & super rapide.
