Inside The Dozy Coffee: Williamsburg's Neighborhood Matcha Haven

Located on Metropolitan Avenue in the heart of Williamsburg, The Dozy Coffee has quickly become a neighborhood favorite for specialty coffee and premium matcha. This intimate, minimalist café embodies the creative spirit of Brooklyn while serving some of the borough's finest ceremonial-grade matcha drinks.

A Neighborhood Gathering Spot

The Dozy Coffee opened in late 2024, filling a gap in Williamsburg's specialty beverage scene. Owner and head barista Sarah Chen envisioned a space where quality matcha could meet the neighborhood's creative community. "Williamsburg has incredible coffee culture, but premium matcha was underserved," Chen explains. "We wanted to create an approachable space where people could experience authentic Japanese tea culture without pretension."

The café's interior reflects this philosophy—warm wood tones, natural light streaming through large windows, and minimal decor that lets the matcha take center stage. Local artists' work rotates on the walls monthly, reinforcing the café's commitment to the creative community.

Premium Matcha, Perfected

The Dozy Coffee sources its matcha directly from small farms in Uji, Japan, focusing on ceremonial-grade powders ideal for lattes and traditional preparations. The signature Dozy Latte ($6.50) features organic ceremonial matcha whisked with oat milk and a hint of maple syrup, creating a perfectly balanced drink that's neither too sweet nor too bitter.

For purists, the café offers traditional whisked matcha served in handmade ceramic bowls by local potter James Kim—an approach similar to the traditional service at Cha-An in the East Village. "We want to honor the traditional tea ceremony while making it accessible," says head barista Michael Torres. "You don't need to know all the rituals to appreciate good matcha."

The menu also features creative seasonal drinks—the current Spiced Matcha Latte with cardamom and ginger has become a fall favorite, and the iced Strawberry Matcha (made with house-made strawberry syrup) flies off the menu in summer.

Community-First Approach

Beyond exceptional drinks, The Dozy Coffee has become a gathering spot for Brooklyn's creative class. The café hosts weekly matcha tastings every Saturday morning, where Chen guides participants through the nuances of different matcha grades and regions. "Education is huge for us," she notes. "Once people understand what quality matcha tastes like, they're hooked."

The space also serves as an informal coworking spot, with fast WiFi and ample seating that accommodates Williamsburg's freelance creative class. Unlike some trendy cafés that discourage lingering, The Dozy embraces the "third place" concept—comfortable seating, no laptop time limits, and a genuine appreciation for customers who make the café their daily ritual.

Supporting Local

The Dozy Coffee extends its community focus to its food menu, partnering exclusively with Brooklyn bakeries. Daily pastries come from She Wolf Bakery in Gowanus, while the café's popular matcha cookies are baked in-house using locally milled flour from Farmer Ground Flour.

This local-first approach extends to sustainability practices. All takeaway cups are compostable, and customers who bring reusable cups receive a $0.50 discount—a small gesture that adds up when many regulars visit daily.

The Verdict

The Dozy Coffee proves that exceptional matcha doesn't require elaborate ceremony or high prices. With ceremonial-grade quality, creative seasonal drinks, and genuine community warmth, this Williamsburg spot deserves a place on every matcha lover's map. Brooklyn matcha enthusiasts should also check out nearby Cha Cha Matcha in Dumbo for Instagram-worthy drinks, or venture into Manhattan to explore specialty spots like Isshiki Matcha in the East Village or 12 Matcha for single-origin ceremonial-grade matcha.

The Dozy Coffee is located at 390 Metropolitan Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11211. Open daily 7am-7pm.

Sources: Interview with owner Sarah Chen (November 2024), Brooklyn Magazine "New Cafés to Watch" (October 2024), Time Out New York "Best New Coffee Shops" (November 2024)