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    Matcha Cafe Maiko

    4.5 (1.6k reviews)
    Closed 11:00 am - 10:00 pm

    Matcha Cafe Maiko Photos

    Business Info

    MATCHA CAFE MAIKO ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Good for kids

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    Recommended Reviews - Matcha Cafe Maiko

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    Matcha Soft Serve
    Madison B.

    Ambiance: Matcha Cafe Maiko is one of a few tea shops specializing in Matcha flavored drinks and desserts in Japantown. There is no seating located in this particular cafe but plenty of outdoor seating directly outside. The general area can be pretty crowded due to the other store fronts within the mall so if you want a more relaxed matcha tea shop to do work or relax it would be better to order and then leave. Service: They have both a kiosk and a barista taking orders. Staff were friendly and working efficiently and quickly to fill the orders as they were being placed. Wait time: Generally depends on when you go since Japantown mall is a heavily toured area by locals and visitors to the Bay Area but I'd say roughly 10-15 minutes max from standing in line to receiving your drink. Food: The matcha ice cream has a deep matcha flavor with a nice concentration of powder which can be tasted in the soft serve. They also top the soft serve with a light dusting of matcha powder to further enhance the flavors. The cone was soft and light with a gentle sweetness that pairs really well against with the earthiness of the matcha.

    Hojicha frappe with boba
    colette b.

    Everything from Matcha Cafe Maiko is special. Ironically, for some mysterious reason, I don't actually like matcha, which feels like a personal failing every time I walk in. Luckily, their other tea offerings are just as good, so I never feel left out. The black sesame latte is a longtime favorite, but today I went with the hojicha frappe and it was excellent. It's not as creamy as, say, a Frappuccino, and the ice crystals are a little larger, but honestly that works in its favor because the roasted hojicha flavor comes through so much more clearly. Deep, toasty, and not overly sweet. Their sundaes are also ridiculously fun, loaded with all kinds of bouncy, chewy little goodies that make your dessert an activity rather than just a course.

    Haiyang H.

    Love their matcha soft serve. Not overly sweet with a dash of matcha on top. Fast service good each time. It is at the lower level of the mall. Not as crowded as the other shops at the main level. Regular matcha tea is also decent.

    Matcha sundae with strawberry syrup - $6.54
    Vinkin Ken T.

    I recently tried their new seasonal flavor, black tea soft serve. I mean, just WOW! I really like this flavor. I'm not sure how long they will have this flavor but I definitely want to have it again. I can really taste the black tea flavor. It has a slight bitterness and just the right amount of tea flavor that it's not overpowering. The sweetness level was also just right. Next to the matcha flavor, this is my 2nd favorite flavor. I tried their waffle cone for the first time and was surprised it wasn't that sweet either which I liked. Now if they offered a matcha flavored waffle cone, that would be amazing. A bit of a warning though, I think it was the caffeine that kept me awake past midnight. They also have this fermented tea drink right now called, "Bodai." It was unique but not something I'd get again.

    Soft Serve
    Surbhi S.

    If you're even remotely obsessed with matcha and ice cream, consider this your sign to run to Matcha Cafe Maiko in Japantown. I ordered their matcha + vanilla swirl soft serve in a waffle cone, and honestly it was the chef's kiss. The balance between the earthy, slightly bitter matcha and the smooth, creamy vanilla was absolutely on point. Neither flavor overpowered the other -- they blended together in that perfect harmony that true matcha fans appreciate. The texture was exactly what you want from soft serve: silky, light, and melt-in-your-mouth smooth. And the waffle cone? Fresh, crisp, and the ideal crunchy companion to the creamy swirl. Ambiance: The cafe itself is on the smaller side, but don't let that deter you. There's plenty of seating right outside in the mall area, making it a great spot to sit with your cone and indulge in some quality people-watching. It can get a bit loud during busy times, but the lively Japantown energy honestly adds to the experience.

    Hojicha Float &  Matcha Frappe
    Alexander A.

    A solid Matcha Cafe Maiko location. I remember visiting it years ago when it first opened, and I still stop by regularly whenever I'm in Japantown. My go-to order is usually a hojicha latte or float. I enjoy the more roasted flavor. The soft serves and parfaits are also good when I'm craving more of a dessert treat. The service is quick, even when there's a line out the store. However, the setup and layout could be improved. It's difficult to see the menu on the wall while waiting in line. And the placement of their kiosk should be moved closer to the counter so that people don't have to awkwardly decide if they should wait for the kiosk or order with an employee.

    Hojicha black sesame Soft Serve
    Erik V.

    I come every month for the seasonal flavors. This month is black sesame and hojicha! This is my favorite soft serve place in the city. The soft serve is nice and creamy. I recommend the waffle cone. I'm always impressed by the structural stability of the waffle cone, it doesn't break apart as the soft serve melts. The store is nice and cute in a very convenient location in the mall. There are tables you can sit at outside the store but still in the mall. The staff are friendly.

    Megan D.

    I really like this matcha maiko location! It's tucked away in the downstairs corner of the mall. The matcha latte and matcha lemonade are my favorite drinks. The matcha latte is creamy and full sweet isn't super sweet in my opinion. The matcha lemonade is sour and refreshing if you don't want a milky drink.

    Matcha Soft Serve
    Jia M.

    Probably my favorite place to get matcha soft serve in the Bay Area. I love the strong bitter taste of matcha! The soft serve is also not too sweet. They give a generous amount of ice cream, it fills up pretty much almost all the way to the bottom of the cone. This is located in the West Mall of Japantown - down the stairs.

    Katy W.

    Quick and easy to order drinks from a cashier or an iPad. I ordered my usual strawberry matcha and it's the same amazing quality as their other locations. There's nowhere to sit or throw away your trash. It's not a cafe to hang around or for meetings

    Outside
    Laura L.

    Solid matcha! Matcha isn't bitter at all and the matcha itself tastes good. If I had people who were iffy about green tea, I'd definitely take them here. The portions are generous and the service is quick.

    The best Matcha soft ice-cream outside of Japan
    Sona K.

    This was so yummy delicious soft served matcha ice-cream I had outside of Japan! Last year, I had the best matcha ice cream in Kyoto. One I had today brought me that same flavor and pleasure.

    Large Hojicha Latte Float with Matcha Soft Serve: Requested no ice
    Rose T.

    The OG location of this growing chain is located on the bottom floor of the East Mall in Japantown. Every time I see Matcha Café Maiko, it's hard to resist! Originally, I would always order their soft serve in a cone but my go-to now is usually a latte float b/c it's the best of both worlds. I've been to several locations and it always seems like this one has the longest line, but it moves fairly quickly because there's a cashier and a kiosk. This time, I decided to go with a large Hojicha Latte Float with Matcha Soft Serve ($7.60). +IMO this is one of the best matcha soft serves b/c it's creamy, packed with matcha flavor, and not too sweet. +Hojicha latte was roasty, nutty, and not too sweet. +No upcharge for no ice -Hojicha was grainy, especially towards the bottom. Side notes: 1.) Self-serve napkins, spoons, and straws 2.) Tables available inside and around the mall 3.) Walking distance from MUNI 22, 38, 38R bus stops *Verdict: 4.5 stars rounded up to 5 d/t fast and friendly service. Solid spot for soft serve even if you're not a matcha fan since they always have vanilla and rotating flavors.

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    Matcha green tea soft serve. Delicious and not too sweet. Daughter went back for seconds

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    Matcha Cafe Maiko Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Matcha Cafe Maiko

    Does Matcha Cafe Maiko accept reusable cups that customers bring in? Trying to avoid plastic as much as I can.

    Do they have anything dairy-free besides the tea?? 😅

    They have plant based milk for drinks

    Does your softserve contain eggs?

    Yes. I thought it didn't, but I am allergic and I had a severe reaction to it. Be careful if you are allergic to eggs. I'm okay now though :)

    When is jasmine tea flavor coming back?

    Hi Andrea, Jasmine will most likely make its return in July (next month will be Hojicha). Unfortunately we only have 2 machines in each location and we can only rotate flavors… Read more

    Is the Maiko Special (mixed) Parfait at the Premium Matcha Cafe gluten free? One worker said it is, one said it has cake in it and that it is not.

    Hi Anthony I apologize for the miscommunication but the Maiko Special does have our chiffon cake in it which is made with flour hence is not gluten free. Hopefully that helps… Read more

    Do you have nondairy ice cream?

    Sorry not at the moment but we are working on it :) We do have non-dairy options for all our drinks though!

    I usually get a float here and one of the things I love about it is the crunchy, roundish ice cubes. However I was there last week and there were regular ice cubes like I would get from my own fridge. Is this a permanent change?

    Hi Leng S, Im sorry but we had to change our ice machine recently as the previous roundish ice cube maker was very unreliable and required constant repairs. After much… Read more

    How many oz does the cup that your Maiko Special parfait is in hold? I know your large cup is 16 oz, but I was kind of hoping it possibly came in the medium size?

    Hi there Im sorry but our Maiko Special only comes in one size which is already a 12oz serving cup. Hope you have a great weekend!!

    Is gold on the menu or do I have to ask for it?

    You have to ask for it, although, it might have been a special for a limited time only.

    Is the consistency of the soft serve here creamy and dense, like Matcha Love, or ice crystal-ly and frozen yogurt-like, like Uji and Pinkberry? Also, what is the yellow skin on the ice cream made of? (Yelp won't let you ask a second question.)

    It's pretty smoothy and creamy yet light at the same time... yum!

    How much for the gold one?

    $9.50

    Will you be offering Hokkaido milk ice cream?

    Hi David So sorry we just saw this question that was posted a while back. We plan on serving different seasonal flavors in the near future including Hokkaido Milk. Thank you… Read more

    Hi when will you have dairy free options?

    We currently offer almond and soy milk options on all our lattes. Hope to see you soon :)

    Will you guys be serving hojicha soft serve as well?

    Hi Jenny We are currently serving 2 flavors: Matcha and Vanilla. However, we are planning on… Read more

    What's the daily open hour?

    Hi Deery, We are still in our soft opening phase (3pm-8pm for these next few days) and back to normal hours during and after our grand opening:… Read more

    Will there be dairy free/gluten free options?

    Hi Samira, We will have dairy free options for our Matcha Latte and our Hojicha Latte. All our drinks/floats are gluten free.… Read more

    Is it open yet?

    Sorry our grand opening is scheduled for early-mid March. Please follow us on Instagram @matchacafemaiko for the latest updates on our opening date. Thank you!!

    When will this be open? -12/3/17

    Sorry our grand opening is scheduled for early-mid March. Please follow us on Instagram @matchacafemaiko for the latest updates on our opening date. Thank you!!

    View All 25 Questions

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    Q Specialty Coffee

    Q Specialty Coffee

    4.2
    (284 reviews)
    1.1 mi
    $$
    Certified professionals
    Locally owned & operated

    I got invited here to shoot some content for them, and I'm very glad for that opportunity…read more Content aside, I did genuinely enjoy their drinks. The strawberry matcha was my favorite. They used a strawberry cream top instead of a puree, which I actually enjoyed. It added a nice creaminess to the drink, and the matcha was very smooth and strong. It worked well together. I also tried their double hojicha, and while I enjoyed how nutty and strong the hojicha was, I did find it a little bit grainy. I wish it was a little smoother like the matcha was. I usually don't drink/like coffee, but the guava cold brew sounded so interesting I couldn't resist. The fruity jasmine tea somehow paired so well with the coffee and made it a nice refreshing drink. I was also lucky enough to try the matcha crepe cake, which I believe they get from Lady M. It had really nice layers and was light, but unfortunately it was a little too sweet for me. Overall a very solid matcha/coffee option in SF. They have a beautiful interior too, perfect for catching up with friends. Servers were sweet as well!

    I loved their matcha! I ordered the strawberry cloud matcha…read morewhich is sweet but not too sweet. The cloud was nice and thick. I enjoyed the dried strawberries on top-nice touch! And the cups are very durable which appreciate. The place is on the corner with limited parking but we managed to find a spot. The restaurant is nice with a good amount of small tables. It was very busy and a long line but we didn't wait too long. The service was decent. The bathrooms were trashed and there was no toilet paper. It was not near closing either.

    Photos
    An IG photo nook 4/19/26
    An IG photo nook 4/19/26
    Pistachio lady m crepe cake
    Pistachio lady m crepe cake
    Velvet Matcha Cloud; Dubai Chocolate Mille Crepes

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    Saint Frank Coffee

    Saint Frank Coffee

    4.3
    (1k reviews)
    1.1 mi
    $$

    All around pleasant experience in terms of both the service and coffee. I had the flight and…read morethought it was overall good. They explained that the flight includes an espresso shot, espresso shot with milk, hot coffee, and iced coffee. I hadn't had a straight espresso shot before, so this wasn't for me personally just because it was so overpowering. I enjoyed the other three though. Like the majority of SF, parking is difficult to locate. I was dropped off nearby the location. There is indoor and outdoor seating; I was able to grab an empty spot late in the morning on a weekend, but I don't think seating is always readily available. It's not a huge space.

    Maybe I had very high hopes, nevertheless I wasn't slblown away by the coffee, the almond macadamia…read moremilk or the small bites offerings. At 11 am on a Sunday they were out of their best- black sesame Kouign Amann and the Raspberry Almond Croissant, which I took care of by paying a visit to Juniper bakery (sister business) later in the day. The Mocha with the house made nut milk fell flat. It needed something. I am not a fan of syrupy coffees and appreciate the more purist approach but this one just didn't do anything for me. The chai latte which I would never order was actually the best chai latte I have ever had, it was smooth like silk. Maybe I just had the wrong coffee order. Besides that, got the hot chocolate and the coffee tasting. I was surprised there was no explanation provided with the coffee- I figured it's all Honduran but an overview of some sort would have helped. I enjoyed all the coffees in there except the latte. Will visit again, earlier in the day so they are not out of their best sellers and try a different order.

    Photos
    View from back of the shop.
    View from back of the shop.
    Yuzu macadamia cookie and orange cream latte
    Yuzu macadamia cookie and orange cream latte
    Black Sesame Kouign-Amann

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    Black Sesame Kouign-Amann
    Black Bird Bookstore and Cafe

    Black Bird Bookstore and Cafe

    4.5
    (253 reviews)
    4.4 mi
    $$

    Community-oriented cafe in the Outer Sunset district!…read more Blackbird is located across the street from Hook Fish, meaning that parking is packed and hard to find, so use public transit! I have gone to Blackbird a handful of times and have enjoyed the experience each time. Blackbird is primarily a bookstore, but they do have an outdoor window where you can order drinks ranging from matcha (Rocky's Matcha, if you're curious about which brand they use), lattes, and tea. They also carry a good amount of pastries (even mid-day, they have a lot of goodies), which I really appreciated. When you order your drink, you have to enter inside the bookstore to wait for your drink to be called, but you can take the time to stroll around and look at their book selection and trinkets. Heads up: the seating here is limited but very lovely. Inside, there are a couple of community tables, but their outdoor area is absolutely magical, with lush greenery and benches for you to enjoy your drinks. This time around, I got one of their seasonal drinks, a honey lavender vanilla latte, and I paired it with an Earl Grey olive oil loaf. The portion of the pastry was generous and moist, while the icing was not too sweet. Overall, a great pick for a cafe if you're in the area.

    I visited Black Bird for the first time because I was attending an author talk. Upon seeing their…read morecafe, I decided to order a few items. Matcha latte with whole milk : It's very savory which is great, unsweetened by default. I thought this was one of the better matchas I've had if you want to be able to taste the matcha strongly. Olive oil spelt cake: It reminds me of pound cake. Not that sweet except the frosting/icing. It was okay but as someone who's not as fond of that kind of cakey texture, I'd probably not get it again. They have a really lovely garden and patio in the back. There is also a bathroom. The acoustics and set up for events isn't great, though. It was hard for me to concentrate on the speaker for the book talk since you can hear the noises from the cafe behind and also the sounds of other store customers all around you. That was the only downside, but I think it's a very charming bookstore otherwise.

    Photos
    Rose Pastry
    Rose Pastry
    Hot chocolate with the most amazing foam
    Hot chocolate with the most amazing foam
    Front area of the first floor

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    Front area of the first floor
    Sweet Glory

    Sweet Glory

    4.7
    (305 reviews)
    2.4 mi
    $$

    I've actually never been to Sweet Glory's storefront, but have enjoyed many of their crepe cakes…read morefrom amazing people bringing them over for family events. Sweet Glory's cakes are beautiful, not too sweet, super tasty, and tastes as what it says. They have the standard crepe cake flavors, and some others such as Durian. I didn't think I'd enjoy Durian based on my experience with the actual fruit, but the cake itself was pretty tasty after getting over the scent. I loved their earl gray crepe cake. Nicely textured cream and perfect consistent thin crepes. Their matcha one was really good as well. Whenever someone brings a cake from Sweet Glory, I just instantly light up as I know it'll be so so goood. Not cheap, but it's a well built and tasty crepe cake, so don't expect that to be cheap. :)

    Pickup order for crepe cake slices to take back home. Many Asian inspired flavors which we love…read more - tiramisu mille crepe cake - passion fruit mille crepe cake - pandan coconut mille crepe cake - japanese sesame basque burnt cheesecake - hazelnut chocolate mille crepe cake Favorites includes the passion fruit mille cake and the black sesame burnt cheesecake. Passionfruit had a bright flavor that made it feel "lighter" as a dessert. The layers on all the cakes were very discernable, especially texturally. The taste of each cake was very fresh and abundant, being true to the flavor.

    Photos
    Japanese Sesame Basque Burnt Cheesecake
    Japanese Sesame Basque Burnt Cheesecake
    Pandan Coconut Mille Crêpe ($11) + Hōjicha Latte w/ oat milk ($7.50)
    Pandan Coconut Mille Crêpe ($11) + Hōjicha Latte w/ oat milk ($7.50)
    Pandan basque cheesecake ; Lychee rose cooler

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    Pandan basque cheesecake ; Lychee rose cooler

    Matcha Cafe Maiko - coffee - Updated June 2026

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