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Decoding Savills' Matcha Index: Bengaluru Ranked Low — Chai To Matcha Shift Key For IT Talent?
Tech cities aren't just about high salaries and big offices anymore. The new Savills Matcha Index shows that cafés and lifestyle spaces matter a lot for tech workers. But first things first. What exactly is Savills Matcha Index? It is a part of bigger Tech Cities Index which measures how liveable a city is for tech workers. It focuses on matcha latte availability, café quality, and prices, using them as a way to measure social spaces that support work and networking.
Basically, this index is not really about matcha itself but about how well a city mixes work and lifestyle. It also gives companies and investors a guide to which cities can attract and keep talent. Cafés are now seen as modern “third spaces" where people brainstorm, meet and collaborate outside the office.
According to a report in the South China Morning Post (SCMP), citing the latest release of the index, cities like Singapore and Beijing have ranked among the top cities. Bengaluru, despite its tech reputation, doesn't feature in the top ranks due to its limited café scene. The study suggests that lifestyle and workspaces now matter almost as much as jobs and pay.
As per the report, Top-ranked cities include Tokyo, London, Seoul, Toronto, San Francisco and Amsterdam. They are followed by Singapore, Los Angeles, New York, Beijing, Austin and Chicago. Beijing is especially notable for cheap matcha lattes starting at $3.61 (approximately Rs 364), which makes it easy for the city's tech workers to enjoy.
“The Matcha Index reveals a clear pattern: tech cities that successfully blend lifestyle and innovation tend to thrive. While the Index may appear playful, it underscores a serious truth: vibrant café cultures, whether centred on espresso or matcha, are vital to urban liveability and connectivity. These spaces foster spontaneous interactions, networking, and a seamless blend of work and leisure, making them essential to the social fabric of modern tech hubs," said Charlotte Rushton from Savills World Research as quoted on the Savills official website.
Coming back to Bengaluru, the city is growing as a tech hub but cafés aren't yet dense enough, matcha options are limited, and prices can be high compared to what's available. Hyderabad faces similar challenges which shows that India's tech cities still have room to improve. This gap also shows an opportunity: building cafés and wellness spaces could help Bengaluru keep and attract top IT talent. It's clear that lifestyle matters as much as office for young professionals.
Leading cities like Tokyo ($4.66/Rs 418 average), Seoul ($4.15/Rs 373), and London ($5.54/ nearly Rs 500) successfully combine traditional tea or coffee culture with modern workspaces. The focus is less about the drink itself and more about the role cafés play in work ecosystems. Bengaluru's current lower scores point to potential growth areas.
The index also signals business opportunities. For Indian cities like Bengaluru and Hyderabad, growing café culture can enhance talent retention, support networking and even influence real estate demand. Wellness cafés, co-working coffee spots and hybrid social hubs are now key to attracting global professionals. Investors and companies can read these trends as signals for where to focus infrastructure and lifestyle investments. In other words, matcha is a metric not just a drink.
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Bengaluru's overall tech-city ranking improved in the broader Savills Tech Cities Index 2025, where it ranked 16th globally and remaining the only Indian city in the top 30. The city benefits from a large talent pool, a thriving startup ecosystem and improving infrastructure. Factors such as mobility, office upgrades and quality-of-life enhancements contribute to its growing appeal. But café density and variety remain lower than in cities like Singapore or San Francisco.
Ultimately, the Matcha Index shows that cafés are more than just places for a drink—they are social glue for tech ecosystems. They act as networking hubs, creative spaces and informal offices rolled into one. For Bengaluru and Hyderabad, improving café culture could translate into higher urban liveability, better talent retention and stronger real estate demand. With the right push, Bengaluru and Hyderabad could climb the ranks and start sharing the spotlight with top-tier tech cities around the world.
Source: News18
Related Posts: Savills Matcha Index, tech cities, café culture, Bengaluru tech hub, urban liveability, talent retention, coworking spaces, lifestyle spaces
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