Cancel

Open app

Search

Matcha Cafe Maiko

4.5 (1.7k 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

You might also consider

More like Matcha Cafe Maiko

Recommended Reviews - Matcha Cafe Maiko

Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
Yelp app icon
Browse more easily on the app
Review Feed Illustration

Reviews With Photos

Matcha float
Hadleigh P.

My favorite matcha in Japantown. I know it's a chain but their matcha float with the soft serve is my go to. It always hits the spot for me and has made me fall in love with matcha

SOFT SERVE - MATCHA - $6.40
Tu-Anh N.

WHEN: Wed @2pm SOFT SERVE - MATCHA - $6.40 They have seasonal flavors but since this is my first time, I had to go with the matcha, and it was so good! This also comes with a homemade Waffle Cone that was quite tasty. Everything about this bad boy was delicious! It's also a nice touch they sprinkle some matcha powder on top! They don't have seatings inside the shop, but you have plenty of seating options throughout the mall.

Matcha Cheese Foam and Banana Hojicha Latte
Sophia H.

Came here yesterday (Friday) a little before 2pm. There was no line. We ordered on the tablet located near the entrance. I ordered a Matcha Cheese Foam. I upsized to a large, got half sugar, and subbed oat milk. The drink was really good. The matcha was strong, which I liked, and the cheese foam added a nice creaminess. Overall, solid matcha.

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!

Soft Serve
Akiko N.

Overall tastes good but I dislike the cornflakes in the soft serve as it doesn't add much texture or depth to the dessert. I would ask for removing the cornflakes next time. Wish they added more cake to it but I like the addition of adzuki beans (red beans) to the treat.

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.

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.

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 :)

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.

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.

Maisie W.

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

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.

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

See all

Reviews are largely positive. People highlight the matcha soft serve, variety of drinks, and friendly, efficient staff.

Read the full review summary in the app

3 months ago

Helpful 2
Thanks 0
Love this 2
Oh no 0
Photo of Elisa P.
1
50
114

1 month ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

2 months ago

Helpful 2
Thanks 2
Love this 3
Oh no 0

13 days ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

5 days ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0
Photo of Tu-Anh N.
1346
1071
6943

4 months ago

Helpful 2
Thanks 1
Love this 1
Oh no 0

3 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

4 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

4 months ago

Helpful 2
Thanks 1
Love this 2
Oh no 0

2 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

23 days ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

5 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

8 months ago

Helpful 11
Thanks 4
Love this 6
Oh no 0

3 months ago

Helpful 2
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

4 months ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 3
Oh no 0

6 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

3 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

7 months ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 1
Love this 0
Oh no 0

9 months ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 1
Love this 1
Oh no 0

8 months ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 1
Love this 0
Oh no 0

8 months ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

5 months ago

Helpful 2
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0

8 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

9 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

4 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

9 months ago

Helpful 2
Thanks 2
Love this 2
Oh no 0

9 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

11 months ago

Helpful 2
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

1 year ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0
Photo of Chongwei C.
82
122
260

5 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

7 months ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 1
Love this 2
Oh no 1

1 year ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 1
Love this 0
Oh no 0

1 year ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0

6 months ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 1
Love this 1
Oh no 0

7 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

4 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

10 months ago

Helpful 2
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0

8 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

1 year ago

Helpful 2
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 1

5 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

Page 1 of 42

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

You might also consider

Mitchells Ice Cream - Durian | Single $6.25 (pup cup is $1.50)

Mitchells Ice Cream

4.6(5k reviews)
2.9 mi•Bernal Heights, Mission
•$$

Amazing Ice Cream - what a spectacle…read more Mitchell's Ice Cream is an absolute San Francisco legendary institution that sets the gold standard for premium frozen treats. Located in the Bernal Heights neighborhood, this multi-generational neighborhood favorite serves up unparalleled quality, crafting their small-batch ice cream daily with an incredibly rich 16% butterfat base. The result is an exceptionally thick, smooth texture and deeply vibrant flavor profile that elevates both classic choices and their famous tropical, Filipino-inspired offerings like Mango and Ube. A major highlight of this beloved spot is their rare, night-owl-friendly schedule: they serve their delicious treats late into the night until 11:00 PM every single day. It is the ultimate late-night destination to satisfy your sweet tooth with the finest super-premium ice cream the Bay Area has to offer. Local Insider Tips * Take a Number: When you walk inside, immediately pull a paper ticket from the dispenser near the door to secure your spot in the queue. * Standout Flavors: While they rotate through 40 flavors daily, make sure to try their legendary Mango (imported from the Philippines since 1964) or unique options like Mexican Chocolate, Grasshopper Pie, and Ube. * Parking Tip: They have a tiny 15-space parking lot that fills up fast, so searching for street parking or walking is highly recommended. Thanks

As if they need another good review... This place is the…read morebest. Great for meeting friends, dates, picking up birthday or party cakes or ice cream, just don't forget to grab a paper number as soon as you arrive! Their selection is insane - so many flavors, lots of tropical, tons of mainstays (their oreo is fantastic), no cookie dough surprisingly, but the flavors and toppings are just so, so good...it's like time traveling back a few decades when it was simpler and ice cream was enough to make anyone happy, at least for awhile). Lots of non-dairy options too for those who need them. The people working here are always friendly and they always have good suggestions or a sample right away for the kids to keep the line moving but also happy. The key word, I've realized, is "happy." Mitchell's specializes in making everyone happier than when they arrived - every time.

Photos
Mitchells Ice Cream - Junior: strawberry sorbet, single: french custard vanilla (04/2026)

Junior: strawberry sorbet, single: french custard vanilla (04/2026)

Mitchells Ice Cream - Oreo Cookie

Oreo Cookie

Mitchells Ice Cream - 1 scoop of mango ice cream

See all

1 scoop of mango ice cream

Sophie's Crepes - 02.17.24 E. Strawberry with Ice Cream and Chocolate $10.50

Sophie's Crepes

4.0(1.9k reviews)
0.0 mi•Lower Pacific Heights, Japantown
•$$

THE BEST CREPES!!!!!!! No joke, best crepes ever. From east…read morecoast to west, this is the absolute, hands down, best crepe spot. Nestled in the heart of Japan town's shopping center, right next to the bookstore- Sophie's crepes is. Very small bistro seating is available, but this place gets pretty busy. They have an extensive menu of both simple and layered flavors. The crepes here are thin and crispy, and come in a very cute crepe holder when served. I always get the strawberries and banana with Nutella, with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and whipped cream. The crepe won't last long, you'll eat it right up. My partner opts for a strawberry and whipped cream option, with raspberry jam- simple in comparison to my order. Sophie's is always our starting point in Japan town, and once you've placed your order, you cannot revise it. Make sure you hold onto your number, you'll need to provide it when your number is called. Enjoy, a must try in SF; even if you just go to Japan town for this one thing, trust me, it's worth it.

Stopped by Sophie's Crepes before catching a movie nearby and it was a good experience. The menu…read morehas a good variety of sweet and savory crepe options and the pricing seemed mostly fair. The shop is easy to find and on the smaller side with limited tables inside but there's more seating outside. Customer service was friendly and adequate. I We opted to order the mixed fresh fruit crepe and it was great and not overly sweet. It included whipped cream, vanilla ice cream, and some pieces of kiwi, banana and strawberry. The crepe itself was light and had a good flavor. I do wish the fruit pieces and ice cream were more evenly distributed but it was a nice sweet treat. I was hoping they would include more berries too. Also, the crepe can be messy to eat, so definitely grab some napkins. Otherwise, I recommend visiting Sophie's Crepes for a solid dessert. I'd like to return and try one of their savory crepes!

Photos
Sophie's Crepes - 10. Banana and Nutella

10. Banana and Nutella

Sophie's Crepes - D. Mandarin Orange with Ice Cream

D. Mandarin Orange with Ice Cream

Sophie's Crepes - Ham, cheese, and veggie crepe

See all

Ham, cheese, and veggie crepe

Salt & Straw - Turkey Stuffing & Cranberry Sauce in a cone (kinda bitter, don't like!); French vanilla (for the pup).

Salt & Straw

4.4(1.3k reviews)
0.4 mi•Pacific Heights
•$$

This heatwave is heating up and it's getting sunny in August. There are a few things you can enjoy…read moreto get some relief from the sun. On taco Tuesday more hot sauce isn't going to work to feel refresh. There is place where the tacos are frozen. This place also has many different flavors of ice cream such as pear& blue cheese and sea salt with caramel ribbons like some on my social feed. They also have pies like Wildflower Honey & Lemon Chess Pie and Cherry Coconut pie like some on my social media feed. It's a place for people who like it sweet and salty in SF. It's called Salt & Straw. On a Summer stroll on a sunny day in August I landed inside Salt & Straw in Pacific Heights on Fillmore street. I got the Tacolate a collaboration between Taco Bell and Salt & Straw. The ice cream taco was not too sweet and the sauces like the Wild Berry were tasty and the Mango Jalapeño was a bit savory. The waffle cone for the tortilla was crunchy. Overall it was refreshing and a place for the sweet and salty on a hot day in SF. When the sun is shinning and you need feel refreshed you can to a "shopping mall "or do a "pub crawl" and get something cold and "tall" or grab something sweet and salty like some in SF at "Salt & Straw" Get saucy with packets of "Taco Bell" sweet sauce and waffle taco "shell" and all the flavors tend to "gel" like ice cream with ribbons with sea salt with "caramel"

Like everything ice cream has gone boutique. Salt and Straw is a perfect example! And how about…read morethat name? This location on Upper Fillmore is in an appriopriate boutique location. It was a warmer day so business seemed to be active and booming. They have some interestingly named flavors, but that's the nature of a boutique business. I ordered a double scoop of the Freckled Mint Chocolate Chip, a vegan flavor in a cup. It actually was quite tasty and I did detect flecks of salt.. am I right? Service was friendly and helpful. OK, for a boutique ice cream fix this is the place. It is pricey, so just 4 stars. It is just ice cream after all.

Photos
Salt & Straw - Chocolate Pistachio Milk and Cookies

Chocolate Pistachio Milk and Cookies

Salt & Straw - Single scoop chocolate zucchini bread

Single scoop chocolate zucchini bread

Salt & Straw - Hoppy Apple Cider Sorbet and Apple Cider Donut

See all

Hoppy Apple Cider Sorbet and Apple Cider Donut

Matcha Cafe Maiko - coffee - Updated October 2026

Loading...
Loading...
Loading...