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    Matcha Cafe Maiko

    4.5 (1.6k reviews)
    Closed 11:00 am - 9:00 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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    Hojicha biscoff soft serve
    Trisha T.

    Went here for some dessert. It was my first time but the service was excellent and the line moved fast. A bit small inside but there are places to sit after ordering. Everything looked great but i didn't want anything too over the top. My boyfriend and i tried the matcha swirl and hojicha swirl. Both were so good, the cones they have are perfect and crisp. Will definitely be coming back next time we're in Japantown :)

    Exterior
    Sally Y.

    At the lower level in Japantown adjacent to a beauty salon is Matcha Cafe Maiko. It's really a pick-up-and-go place. I ordered a matcha and milk swirl soft serve in a cup. Their matcha flavor is very strong but their milk flavor isn't as good as what's available upstairs. Still, they have other offerings and I look forward to trying other things!

    Maisie W.

    Fast, and great service! Matcha ice cream was pretty darn good. Can sit in the main court for seatings.

    Chau P.

    I can definitely see why the line was so long for this place. I've been to the matcha cafe maiko in Sacramento several times, but this place is definitely better. The matcha is a lot more rich and creamy. Although it's the line was long, it went by very fast. You can order at the register or the kiosk. My boyfriend and I got the banana cream matcha and double matcha, and enjoyed both. I personally like the banana one more as it was a little more fresh and less sweet.

    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.

    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.

    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.

    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.

    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.

    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.

    Chongwei C.

    Matcha Cafe Maiko is a pretty popular matcha dessert spot in Japantown, and almost every time I walked by, there were people going in and out, so I finally decided to give it a try. Overall, I thought it was good. Not something that completely amazed me, but definitely worth trying if you already enjoy matcha desserts. The biggest strength here is definitely the matcha flavor itself. A lot of matcha desserts nowadays are overly sweet to the point where you can barely taste the tea anymore, but here you can still clearly taste the earthy matcha flavor with a slight bitterness that makes it feel more authentic. The sweetness level was balanced well, so it never became overwhelming or too heavy by the end. If you prefer Japanese-style matcha flavors that actually taste like tea instead of pure sugar, you'll probably appreciate this place more than many trendy dessert spots. I tried one of their matcha soft serve items, and the texture was smooth and creamy without feeling overly rich. The matcha flavor stayed noticeable from the first bite all the way to the end instead of fading away after a few spoonfuls. Everything paired together nicely, and overall it felt like a lighter, more refreshing dessert. Especially after eating ramen or heavier food nearby in Japantown, it was actually a pretty nice way to finish the meal. The shop itself is fairly small, but clean and simple, with the typical Japantown dessert shop atmosphere. It feels more like a quick stop for dessert while walking around rather than a café where you sit for hours, but it fits the neighborhood well. The location is also super convenient if you're already shopping or exploring Japantown. Overall, I'd say it's a solid and reliable matcha dessert place. The matcha flavor is definitely there, and the quality feels consistent, but it wasn't something so incredible that I'd make a special trip just for it. Still, if you already like matcha or happen to be in Japantown, I think it's definitely worth stopping by and trying once.

    Matcha Soft Serve

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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… 

    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… 

    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… 

    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… 

    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… 

    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:… 

    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.… 

    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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    Saint Frank Coffee

    4.3
    (1.1k reviews)
    1.1 mi
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    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.

    First time here for coffee! It's quite a popular shop and you see many sitting inside or waiting in…read moreline. Luckily we didn't have to wait a long line. It seems like there's also an upstairs but did not get the chance to check it out. I got an iced latte with their almond macadamia milk, and they're also so nice to do complimentary cold brew! So we got an extra drink for free. Trying the iced latte, it was pretty disappointing lol. I thought it would be similar to like a Hawaiian style latte with macadamia milk, but it was a lot lighter than I thought. It was definitely very nutty, but it also just tasted like water down latte. Honestly not much going on with the drink, but it does taste lighter in general. Crazy have to pay $1.50 more to add on this milk. Overall, its alright. I do like the natural lighting coming into the shop, but nothing too special.

    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
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    Delah Coffee

    Delah Coffee

    4.6
    (639 reviews)
    1.8 mi
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    Feeling adventurous so ordered coffee from Delah for delivery. Process was quick and smooth…read more A lot of interesting latte flavors and specialties to choose from but ended up with iced Yemeni latte and rose latte as well as some milk cakes. Didn't realize the rose latte would come as a hot drink but it was still good. Opted for less sweet but was a little more sweet than expected compared to the Yemeni latte. Yemeni coffee was light and subtle with cinnamon. Milk cake was moist and not too sweet - texture reminds me of a les tres cake. Rose and saffron flavors were perfect and not too overpowering Turkish coffee is not bitter or too strong. Knowing this now, will try some of their other drinks when I'm looking for something light in the future!

    My friend and I were catching up after a long drought and chose to meet up at Delah because it was…read moreso we'll rated. It's located at the filthy corner of 4th and Clara, which made the outside smell of urine. Fortunately the cafe itself is pretty clean, which is a nice escape from the street. I ordered an Americano and my friend got one of their $8+ lattes, which were fine, but nothing special. My biggest gripe was the service and absolute scorn of the customer. My friend and I sat at the counter basically in a staring contest with the woman behind the counter, who just stared right back. After some 30 seconds, we finally flagging her down to place our order. After turning around the drinks suspiciously quickly, my friend and I sat down to catch-up in the empty cafe. Before long, the barista pumps up the volume, increasing higher and higher every 5 minutes or so, as if to signal to us that our time was up. I asked her to turn down the volume, which she tuned down from an 11 to a 7, but minutes later it continued to creep up, like the snooze setting of an alarm clock coaxing you to wake up - except in this case, to get out. Ultimately, the volume got unbearable and we finally threw in the towel and got out of there to let the barista enjoy her music. Definitely never going back there - they clearly don't want the business. Food: 5/10 Service: 0/10 Price: $$ Atmosphere: 4/10

    Photos
    Beehive bread and chai
    Beehive bread and chai
    Rose milk cake
    Rose milk cake
    Fresh croissant.

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    Fresh croissant.

    Matcha Cafe Maiko - coffee - Updated August 2026

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