Most people searching for a matcha cafe near Williamsburg end up at 70 Greenpoint Ave—technically across the neighborhood line in Greenpoint proper. Kettl doesn't fit the grab-and-go matcha latte model. Instead, the space revolves around a six-seat tasting counter where staff walk through regional differences between Uji harvests, a communal table for walk-ins, and a separate to-go area. The matcha here carries nutty, comforting depth because the shop sources directly from Japanese growers, bypassing the commodity supply chain that flattens flavor into a single green note.
Karpo tracks live hours at both Kettl locations and maps the quickest route from wherever you are in Brooklyn. Check before you head over to see which spot has counter availability.
Two Locations, Two Purposes
Kettl runs its flagship at 70 Greenpoint Ave, open Monday through Thursday from 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM, Friday and Saturday until 8:00 PM, and Sunday until 7:00 PM. That location handles the full catalog: loose teas, ceramics, and a tasting counter where you can book omakase service or curated flights through Resy. Walk-ins sit at the communal table. If you only want matcha, the shop opened a second location at 38 Norman Avenue—Kettl Matcha Sen Mon Ten—dedicated entirely to matcha and open 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM Monday through Thursday, 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM Friday through Sunday.
The Norman Avenue spot strips away the broader tea selection and focuses on regional matcha education. Store displays explain differences between growing areas, so you understand why one tin tastes grassy and another tastes sweet before you order. Both locations accept Apple Pay and contactless payments, and parking is validated if you drive.
How the Tasting Counter Works
The six-seat tasting counter at 70 Greenpoint Ave runs on reservations made through Resy. Staff prepare teas in front of you, adjusting water temperature and steep time based on the leaf type. You can order omakase service, where the selection changes seasonally, or pick à la carte from the current menu. Sweets are available to pair with the tea. Reservations let you claim one of the six counter seats; without one, you sit at the communal table and order from the same menu but miss the detailed preparation walkthrough.
The counter experience takes time. Expect to spend an hour if you order multiple teas or a flight. Staff explain harvest timing, oxidation levels, and roasting methods as they work. The setup suits anyone who wants to understand what they're drinking rather than simply consume it.
Direct Sourcing and Regional Depth
Kettl's catalog comes from direct relationships with Japanese growers and producers, which means the matcha and loose teas shift with harvest cycles. The matcha tastes nutty and comforting rather than bitter or chalky because the shop selects for quality at origin instead of buying from a distributor. Regional information appears throughout the store, breaking down differences between Uji, Kagoshima, and other growing areas so you can choose based on flavor profile rather than guessing from a generic label.
The shop also stocks Japanese ceramics, many sourced from the same regions as the tea. You can buy a bowl, whisk, and tin of matcha and leave with everything needed to replicate the preparation at home. The retail section operates independently from the tasting counter, so you can shop without sitting down.
What to Expect on Arrival
The Greenpoint Avenue location sits in a low-key stretch of the neighborhood, not on the main Bedford Avenue corridor. The interior is minimal: the six-seat counter dominates one side, the communal table sits in the center, and the to-go area lines the opposite wall. If you arrive without a reservation, you wait for a communal table spot or order to-go. Friday and Saturday evenings see the longest waits because the shop stays open an extra hour and draws people finishing dinner elsewhere.
The matcha-only location on Norman Avenue has no seating. You order at the counter, wait while staff prepare your drink, and leave. That setup works if you want matcha without the ceremony or if the Greenpoint Avenue location is full. Both spots are quiet—no music, no loud conversations—so they function better as a focused stop than a social hangout.
Practical notes
Kettl sits at 70 Greenpoint Ave in Greenpoint, not Williamsburg, though the two neighborhoods blur at the edges. The shop opens at 9:00 AM Monday through Sunday, closing at 7:00 PM most nights and 8:00 PM on Fridays and Saturdays. Book the six-seat tasting counter through Resy if you want the full preparation experience; walk-ins sit at the communal table. The second matcha-focused location at 38 Norman Avenue operates 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM Monday through Thursday, 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM Friday through Sunday, with no seating. Both locations accept Apple Pay and contactless payments. Parking is validated. Pricing is not published, but expect to pay more than chain matcha cafes given the direct sourcing and counter service. Call 917-909-1309 or email contact@kettl.co for specific questions.
- Address: 70 Greenpoint Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11222 (Greenpoint)
- Hours: Mon-Thu 9 AM–7 PM, Fri-Sat 9 AM–8 PM, Sun 9 AM–7 PM
- Price: Not published; expect premium pricing for direct-sourced matcha
- Booking: Resy reservations for six-seat tasting counter; walk-ins at communal table
- Getting there: Located in Greenpoint, near the Williamsburg border; parking validated, accepts Apple Pay
Tags: #MatchaCafeNearMe #KettlGreenpoint #GreenpointCafe #BrooklynMatcha #JapaneseTeaNYC #UjiMatcha #CoffeeAndDessert #MatchaBarBrooklyn #TeaTastingNYC #DirectSourcedTea #GreenpointAve #BrooklynTeaShop #MatchaSenMonTen #NYCMatchaSpots #BrooklynCafeGuide
Sources consulted: kettl.co · resy.com · maps.apple.com
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Ask Karpo first
Before heading to Kettl, ask Karpo which location is open now and whether the tasting counter has availability. The app pulls live hours for both the Greenpoint Avenue flagship and the Norman Avenue matcha bar, then maps the fastest route from your current spot. Karpo can also suggest nearby stops in Greenpoint if you want to plan a longer walk through the neighborhood after your tea.
