Michelin-recognized chef Priscilla Curiel is bringing something fresh to the heart of downtown Chula Vista. Her newest venture, Divina Matcha, is a ceremonial-grade matcha café set to open next to her popular Mujer Divina Coffee & Burritos location. The space once housed her former restaurant, Tuetano Taqueria, which closed in late 2024.
This time, Curiel is trading tacos for matcha, focusing exclusively on handcrafted matcha drinks. Unlike her previous sit-down brunch or coffee ventures, Divina Matcha will be a grab-and-go café that celebrates quality, tradition, and bold flavor.
What You’ll Find at Divina Matcha
Each drink will be made to order using 100% premium ceremonial-grade matcha. Curiel shared on Instagram, “We don’t just mix – we whisk. Our lattes are bold, vibrant, and authentic.”
Freshness is key. There are no shortcuts here, just clean ingredients, proper technique, and matcha prepared the traditional way. While the flavor may be stronger than what you’re used to, that’s intentional. It’s how matcha is meant to taste.
Curiel is also experimenting with a small menu of baked treats. Think fudgy brownies, matcha scones, and soft buns, all made in-house. While she jokes, “I don’t want to cook anymore,” she’s been testing recipes since January to bring the right flavors to life.
Why Matcha Keeps Growing
Matcha is more than a trend; it’s a lifestyle shift. Made by grinding whole green tea leaves into a fine powder, matcha delivers more nutrients and antioxidants than regular green tea.
It’s especially popular for its calm energy. Matcha contains caffeine, but it also includes L-theanine, an amino acid that promotes focus and relaxation. That means you get steady energy without the crash.
As interest in wellness and plant-based options grows, matcha has found a place in lattes, smoothies, baked goods, and even skincare. From cafés to social media, it’s everywhere, and for good reason.
From Birria to Matcha: A Fresh Start
Tuetano Taqueria made Curiel a local favorite, especially for her birria dishes. But after shifting her focus to brunch and catering, the downtown space sat quiet. Now, it’s being reimagined as a cozy, modern café with soft pink and green accents, limited indoor seating, and a couple of outdoor tables for sipping matcha along Third Avenue. We would love to see the hours extended into the evening.
When is Divina Matcha in Chula Vista Opening?
We don’t have an exact date for when they will open, but we will keep you updated. Whether you’re a longtime fan of Chef Curiel or curious about matcha, this new café offers something different – carefully prepared drinks with a focus on quality and tradition.
Divina Matcha is expected to open soon at 216 Third Avenue in Chula Vista. You can follow their brand new Instagram account here. Are you looking forward to a new matcha place in Chula Vista?
