Matcha Cafe Maiko

OMG my iced matcha/ube float was AMAZING. The matcha was strong, borderline bitter, and the Ube icecream was solidly sweet and nutty, and true to flavor. It was such an eye opening treat, and so refreshing on a hot day~ I love that there are ‘buy one get one’ specials 2-5pm M-F. I am excited to bring people here!

+1

This is a cute place on Convoy. There are so many boba tea places here in San Diego. This place stood out. Their matcha is ceremonial grade only. When you enter, there is a sweet smell of baked goods floating through the cafe. The staff are friendly and efficient!

Seriously, if you're in the area and love unique and delicious dessert, you HAVE to try Mucha and Ube ice cream. Their ube flavor is incredible - perfectly creamy, sweet, and that distinct, yummy ube taste really shines through.

Best local dessert bar & Cafe in Kearny Mesa. Looking for dinner while walking and talking on the phone 👄 headed towards Chaba Kitchen or Crab Hut, but all the restaurants close at 9pm. I was hungry, but determined so in the spirit of trying something new I ventured into Matcha Cafe. Cute, open and welcoming space I was a little intimidated by the groups of friends, dates and diverse crowd but the staff is delightful. I explained it was my first visit, I wanted soft serve like the couple in front of me: smoked matcha, matcha and ube sooooo delish! I ordered the Maiko Special with all flavors (minus vanilla) with waffle 🧇 cone pieces on top. Sooo yummy and I was able to order to go but ended up just dining in and enjoying the vibe while people watching... I will be back for sure, they are open late until 11pm on weekends. They do not accept ca$h, but there is a rewards program if you share your cell number. Really well done franchise very enjoyable menu with great, fun service!

This is the ice cream I will give a hundred percent recommendations!! If you love Matcha, this is your happiest place to be. I’m a Matcha lover and I love all the Matcha flavored products. This matcha ice cream probably is one of the best I’ve ever had, because the flavor is so strong, you can definitely feel the real matcha taste. Plus it is not really sweet, I love it! We also tried ube and hojicha flavors, they are all good. Hojicha has a little bit roasted tea taste which is awesome as well. You have to check this place out!

+3

Matcha Cafe Maiko is absolutely everything you want in a dessert shop (and more)! If you love matcha, this spot is heaven, but even if you're not a fan there are plenty of options for everyone. The interior is very cute and welcoming, and it was packed inside on a Wednesday night with people chatting over delicious treats. Everything really gave a "this is the place to be" vibe, which I don't often see from a dessert shop. Ordering was easy at the self-serving kiosk, and our treat was ready in no time. l opted for the matcha parfait and it was incredible. The soft serve was not too sweet and very refreshing. It paired so well with the sweet red beans and pieces of fluffy matcha pound cake underneath, which soaked up the melty ice cream perfectly. The finishing touch was a layer of unsweetened corn flakes, which gave every bite a perfect crunch. Somehow, the whole dish was both decadent and light, and extremely addicting. Highly recommend this shop, and can't wait to visit again to explore more of their desserts!

Cute Cafe. Kiosks for ordering and Pictures with the Items which was perfect for my liking. Nice staffing and Matcha beverages were delicious. Tasted fresh and authentic instead of processed powder.

+4

Matcha Cafe Maiko truly stands out as a rare gem! 💎 I was genuinely impressed to discover they use ceremonial grade Matcha—something I know from experience is exceptionally premium and not what you typically find in any ordinary cafes. Having bought ceremonial grade Matcha myself, I can confidently say their quality is on a completely different tier—smooth, vibrant, and complex rather than the bitter and flat notes you might expect from regular matcha blends. Their Matcha ice cream and black sesame ice cream exceeded all expectations—each bite was delicious, perfectly balanced, and rich without being overly sweet or heavy. I even brought my 2 friends visiting from out of town to here and we all loved it! These flavors will thrill anyone who appreciates authentic Asian desserts with depth and sophistication. The shop’s bread and snacks are also noteworthy; my friend’s young daughter actually preferred the bread here to her own dinner, which is quite a statement about how tasty and kid-friendly the food is! 😄 One thing I really love about Matcha Cafe Maiko is the lively, welcoming atmosphere. It's full of energy, with lots of young people relaxing and enjoying themselves. The owner’s kindness and genuine passion come through in every interaction, making the whole experience even more memorable. He clearly cares about his craft and customers—qualities I always appreciate. They are committed to quality with integrity without compromise. It’s a much healthier option than regular snacks in my opinion. My friend who grew up in Japan and her teenage daughter, both discerning about authentic matcha, were thrilled by the snacks here. Every item we tried reflected a high standard—no shortcuts, just premium ingredients and authentic recipes executed with care. As someone who values excellent quality and purity in everything, I wholeheartedly recommend Matcha Cafe Maiko. If you appreciate true, top-shelf ceremonial grade Matcha and thoughtfully crafted treats, this is a place you can count on for their excellence! 😋

My go to Matcha spot, nothing but positive things to say. Update: 1/23/26 I have been coming here weekly and recently the quality of the Matcha Latte has been all over the place, sometimes its the drink I remember, very strong matcha taste with a rich flavor, and other times it tastes severely watered down and bitter. Hopefully they can get the quality back under control.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ If you’re a matcha lover, Matcha Cafe Maiko is a must-visit! The quality of the matcha here is outstanding — rich, earthy, and perfectly balanced without being too bitter. Their soft serve and parfaits are beautifully layered and full of authentic flavor. You can really taste that they use premium Uji matcha from Japan. The café has a calm and cozy vibe, perfect for enjoying your drink or dessert while relaxing. The presentation is always picture-perfect, and the staff are friendly and patient, even when there’s a long line (which there usually is — it’s that good!). If you’re new, try the matcha float or the signature parfait — both are amazing! A true gem for anyone who appreciates real, high-quality matcha. 🍵💚

This is the second Matcha Maiko I’ve been to, and they had different menu options compared to the other location I frequently go to, which was nice to see because it meant I could try some new stuff. The matcha with Oreo was really good, and my friend got the matcha with banana cream on top and that was also delicious! Expect around $8-$10 per drink, but it’s a good treat nonetheless.

Excellent place for hojicha float ( green tea with a scoop of matcha/ube swirl ice cream). I prefer this over boba tea. Nice calm place for an afternoon snack break. I also bought a variety of ramen noodle packs from the Ramen Station next door.

Yummy desserts at Matcha Cafe Maiko near convoy street! We really liked the soft serve ube and hojicho flavors. Cute ambiance and connected to the ramen store next door. Friendly service and order was fulfilled quickly. Self order screens. Recommend!

If you’re a matcha lover then you already love this place. Multiple options to choose from, I just keep coming back to try something new. Although it is more on the pricier side, it’s worth every dollar. Just from trying a regular matcha latte, you can taste the quality and I like that you can adjust the sweetness to your liking. 10/10

Matcha was great, easy parking, great selection and great pictures when ordering on kiosk. The matcha is real not flavored and the ice cream soft serve was great.

The ube cold foam matcha latte was delicious, omg. Perfect amount of sweetness and flavor. I could drink one of them everyday.

We happened upon this cafe after a hike. Great spot for soft serve ice cream, the ube and vanilla swirl was my favorite. It also has a ramen spot and very similar to what one would find in Korea . We didn’t try it this time but will be back to try it. Definitely appreciated that they had a nice labeled area for vegetarian ramen :)

As a Matcha lover, I'm always on the hunt for my next great Matcha latte, and Matcha Cafe Maiko in Mira Mesa did not disappoint. My husband and I decided to stop by after a prenatal appointment, and I'm so glad we did. I've been to this location before and tried other Matcha drinks and treats, but this time I was in the mood for a Matcha latte, which I ordered unsweetened. It was absolutely perfect--rich, smooth, and perfectly balanced without being overly bitter. I also couldn't resist the ube basque cheesecake, and wow, it was moist, flavorful, and delicious. I'm already looking forward to coming back to try the strawberry Matcha! My only wish is that this location was closer to our home because I'd be here all the time if it were.

Matcha once cream was potent and very good. The black sesame latte (which is hard to find among coffee places) was flavorful and good. Well worthy the stop on our way down to downtown SD

BEST MATCHA IN SAN DIEGO. By far the best matcha. It beats Paru or Saigon by a long shot. Drinks are made perfectly every single time. I love the matcha frappe or any of the matcha drinks. The owner is also very kind and I love watching them grow! I will say sometimes the service is slow so be prepared to wait 10-15 minutes for your drink

Antonio On The Map

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ If you’re a matcha lover, Matcha Cafe Maiko is a must-visit! The quality of the matcha here is outstanding — rich, earthy, and perfectly balanced without being too bitter. Their soft serve and parfaits are beautifully layered and full of authentic flavor. You can really taste that they use premium Uji matcha from Japan. The café has a calm and cozy vibe, perfect for enjoying your drink or dessert while relaxing. The presentation is always picture-perfect, and the staff are friendly and patient, even when there’s a long line (which there usually is — it’s that good!). If you’re new, try the matcha float or the signature parfait — both are amazing! A true gem for anyone who appreciates real, high-quality matcha. 🍵💚

Jay C

This is the second Matcha Maiko I’ve been to, and they had different menu options compared to the other location I frequently go to, which was nice to see because it meant I could try some new stuff. The matcha with Oreo was really good, and my friend got the matcha with banana cream on top and that was also delicious! Expect around $8-$10 per drink, but it’s a good treat nonetheless.

Liz Williams

Excellent place for hojicha float ( green tea with a scoop of matcha/ube swirl ice cream). I prefer this over boba tea. Nice calm place for an afternoon snack break. I also bought a variety of ramen noodle packs from the Ramen Station next door.

Wandering in Paradise

Yummy desserts at Matcha Cafe Maiko near convoy street! We really liked the soft serve ube and hojicho flavors. Cute ambiance and connected to the ramen store next door. Friendly service and order was fulfilled quickly. Self order screens. Recommend!

Francisco Arana

If you’re a matcha lover then you already love this place. Multiple options to choose from, I just keep coming back to try something new. Although it is more on the pricier side, it’s worth every dollar. Just from trying a regular matcha latte, you can taste the quality and I like that you can adjust the sweetness to your liking. 10/10

JJ Sullivan

Matcha was great, easy parking, great selection and great pictures when ordering on kiosk. The matcha is real not flavored and the ice cream soft serve was great.

Marcus Choi

Matcha once cream was potent and very good. The black sesame latte (which is hard to find among coffee places) was flavorful and good. Well worthy the stop on our way down to downtown SD

Maria Vizcaino

We happened upon this cafe after a hike. Great spot for soft serve ice cream, the ube and vanilla swirl was my favorite. It also has a ramen spot and very similar to what one would find in Korea . We didn’t try it this time but will be back to try it. Definitely appreciated that they had a nice labeled area for vegetarian ramen :)

Ashleigh Fairfax

The ube cold foam matcha latte was delicious, omg. Perfect amount of sweetness and flavor. I could drink one of them everyday.

Viennelyn Maier

As a Matcha lover, I'm always on the hunt for my next great Matcha latte, and Matcha Cafe Maiko in Mira Mesa did not disappoint. My husband and I decided to stop by after a prenatal appointment, and I'm so glad we did. I've been to this location before and tried other Matcha drinks and treats, but this time I was in the mood for a Matcha latte, which I ordered unsweetened. It was absolutely perfect--rich, smooth, and perfectly balanced without being overly bitter. I also couldn't resist the ube basque cheesecake, and wow, it was moist, flavorful, and delicious. I'm already looking forward to coming back to try the strawberry Matcha! My only wish is that this location was closer to our home because I'd be here all the time if it were.

Alyssa Wolf

BEST MATCHA IN SAN DIEGO. By far the best matcha. It beats Paru or Saigon by a long shot. Drinks are made perfectly every single time. I love the matcha frappe or any of the matcha drinks. The owner is also very kind and I love watching them grow! I will say sometimes the service is slow so be prepared to wait 10-15 minutes for your drink

Jon Ray Dantes

Cute Cafe. Kiosks for ordering and Pictures with the Items which was perfect for my liking. Nice staffing and Matcha beverages were delicious. Tasted fresh and authentic instead of processed powder.

The matcha soft serve brought me right back to Japan. The black sesame was disappointing next to the matcha ice cream. We got the Jelly special (2 people shared this). The mochi balls are flavorless. The jellies were great!! Recommend just the matcha soft serve in a cone if you’re a purist. It would’ve been 5 stars if I only got the matcha soft serve!

This place is open till late which great. Seating is tough to come across and thats on a weekday. You order through a kiosk screen and everything is well described on there. The waffles take a little time to prepare but parfait was available pretty quick. I didn't like the matcha and hojicha icecream flavor much even though I like those flavor. The ube and vanilla flavor tasted good. The bubble waffles were warm and crisp. Their ice cream is not the richest in flavor and is more on the airy side. One waffle + ice cream is too much for a dingle person and would prefer to share it.

Not your typical Matcha commonly found in San Diego cafes, this place offers genuine premium Matcha, you can taste and see the difference.on top of offering premium matcha, this place serves a variety of unique and traditional Japanese treats ranging from pumpkin spice Dango to Green tea soft serve in a warm melon pan. Additionally, they sell prepackaged green tea treats such as matcha sets and matcha chocolate bark! Great gift for matcha lovers. The place is small and the interior is plain would recommend taking your order to go. Tip: go on a Wednesday they have sale buy one get one 50% off 2-5pm

It took a while before I was informed that ordering was done on the tablet kiosk. I ordered the strawberry matcha with oat milk and it was delicious. Parking was easy to navigate in and out. Also, the café wasn't too busy and the lunch rush had just begun.

Matcha Cafe Maiko is a delightful haven for matcha enthusiasts and dessert aficionados alike. Stepping into this cozy cafe in Kearny Mesa, San Diego, one is greeted by the enticing aroma of freshly brewed matcha and the promise of delectable treats crafted with care. From the moment we walked in with our son, we were captivated by the warm ambiance and welcoming atmosphere. The menu, boasting an array of tantalizing offerings, piqued our interest with its promise of premium ingredients and authentic flavors. Opting for their famed matcha and ube mixed soft serve, we were treated to a delightful treat. The soft serve was impeccably smooth, with each spoonful bursting with the rich essence of matcha and the subtle sweetness of ube. It was a true indulgence that left us craving more. Accompanying our sweet indulgence was a serving of tempura snack, showcasing the cafe's commitment to excellence in every bite. The tempura was flawlessly fried to golden perfection, encasing fresh shrimp that practically melted in our mouths. It was a testament to the cafe's dedication to quality and freshness. What truly sets Matcha Cafe Maiko apart is its unwavering commitment to authenticity and quality. With ingredients sourced directly from Uji, Japan, renowned for its premium matcha, every sip and every bite transports patrons on a culinary journey imbued with tradition and excellence. Moreover, the impeccable service we received further enhanced our dining experience. The staff was attentive, knowledgeable, and eager to ensure our visit was nothing short of exceptional. In addition to its culinary delights, Matcha Cafe Maiko offers a haven for families, making it the perfect destination for a memorable outing with loved ones.

This matcha is yummy, but definitely on the sweeter side if u are into that or not. I love how many different dessert options there are! I will definitely be back to try some more sweet treats they have 😋

Hip clean place. I ordered a matcha caffelatte and it was very good. They have a variety of matcha base drinks, with adds on, like bobbas. Overall very good.

Matcha ice cream has good flavor but it's serving size is enough for 2 people. I wish they offer smaller portion for single sinners.

It's a good sense to put edible gold paper on a thick green tea ice cream.It feels luxurious. Green tea tastes stronger than other places. The other ice cream with red beans has taping, so it feels different. Personally, I liked this more because I ate it with mochi.

Kris

Hip clean place. I ordered a matcha caffelatte and it was very good. They have a variety of matcha base drinks, with adds on, like bobbas. Overall very good.

Daniel H

Matcha ice cream has good flavor but it's serving size is enough for 2 people. I wish they offer smaller portion for single sinners.

The drink tasted amazing, but I was very disappointed with the presentation and portions. As shown in the photo, the ice cream was hollowed out in the middle to make it look full, but in reality there was very little inside—just a thin outer layer shaped like a triangle. On top of that, I asked for less ice and still received a little under half a cup (for a large). Extremely disappointing.

mace

The drink tasted amazing, but I was very disappointed with the presentation and portions. As shown in the photo, the ice cream was hollowed out in the middle to make it look full, but in reality there was very little inside—just a thin outer layer shaped like a triangle. On top of that, I asked for less ice and still received a little under half a cup (for a large). Extremely disappointing.

Maybe it's the fact that i'm just now realizing i'm not a fan of matcha. The other issue is I don't find their lack of customer interaction very pleasing. Sometimes it makes it feel that's if they're doing us a favor by serving us. Again, This may be a new business model, but I'm not a fan of ordering at a kiosk and having a number yelled out with my order left on a counter...

$24 for two sesame hojichas with no additions — no boba, no toppings, no foam, no syrup. At this point it’s cheaper for me to buy a whisk, a months worth of ceremonial matcha and make 30 far superior drinks at home. Used to come here all the time when we lived in Clairemont, not happening again any time soon

Dean G. Propst

Maybe it's the fact that i'm just now realizing i'm not a fan of matcha. The other issue is I don't find their lack of customer interaction very pleasing. Sometimes it makes it feel that's if they're doing us a favor by serving us. Again, This may be a new business model, but I'm not a fan of ordering at a kiosk and having a number yelled out with my order left on a counter...

The matcha quality here is okay. It's not bad but it isn't amazing either. The matcha was not whisked anywhere near enough however and still had lots of powdery matcha coming with the straw. If you like this kind of drink than it's great for you. It also costs $1.50 extra for oat milk. There are now other alternatives in the area with much better matcha for the same price.

I wanted to share my experience from my recent visit because I was quite disappointed. I placed three drink orders: • Matcha latte • Banana pudding matcha latte • Cheese matcha latte with boba One of my matcha lattes did not come out for a very long time. There was no one at the register, and while I waited, I kept seeing customers who ordered after me receive their drinks. I eventually had to ask about my order, and I was told it had been forgotten. Even after that, I still watched several other customers receive their drinks before mine. In addition, the banana pudding matcha latte was not well blended, and the boba in the cheese matcha latte was undercooked and had a hard texture. Overall, this was a very disappointing experience, especially considering that I had already left a tip at the kiosk register. I left feeling frustrated and regretful about my visit. I hope you can use this feedback to improve your service and quality.

Jihyun Sevel

I wanted to share my experience from my recent visit because I was quite disappointed. I placed three drink orders: • Matcha latte • Banana pudding matcha latte • Cheese matcha latte with boba One of my matcha lattes did not come out for a very long time. There was no one at the register, and while I waited, I kept seeing customers who ordered after me receive their drinks. I eventually had to ask about my order, and I was told it had been forgotten. Even after that, I still watched several other customers receive their drinks before mine. In addition, the banana pudding matcha latte was not well blended, and the boba in the cheese matcha latte was undercooked and had a hard texture. Overall, this was a very disappointing experience, especially considering that I had already left a tip at the kiosk register. I left feeling frustrated and regretful about my visit. I hope you can use this feedback to improve your service and quality.

The employees were very kind and sweet, letting me know that they are there if I need any assistance. Unfortunately though, my order did not taste good whatsoever. I ordered a Maiko Jelly Parfait, with my two soft serve choices being matcha and hojicha. The hojicha did not taste right at all; it genuinely tasted like chemicals and I could not palate it. The texture of it was also very runny. I overheard a worker apologize to another customer that something was runny (later realizing it was the hojicha soft serve), but in my opinion they should have just said it was unavailable. The matcha cake in my parfait tasted like it was soaked in alcohol. I can say that the texture of the mochi balls was very nice, and the matcha soft serve was good, but the jelly wasn’t sweet at all. I know that desserts aren’t always super sweet, but this was a different level.

Honestly, made me really sad after coming here because we drove an hour and a half and spent 25 dollars just to get two of the maiko jelly parfaits. We weren’t warned in advance that the hojicha soft serve machine was coming out runny. The flavor of the hojicha tasted like chemicals and overall just not good. It would have been better if they listed it unavailable for the time. The matcha cake tasted like alcohol. I would have been happy to switch my flavor if I was told in advance. All of the jelly tasted the same and wasn’t sweet at all, and neither was the dessert in its entirety. :( Two stars because the matcha soft serve had a good matcha flavor, and the staff were friendly even if they were understaffed.

Sara Hamza

The employees were very kind and sweet, letting me know that they are there if I need any assistance. Unfortunately though, my order did not taste good whatsoever. I ordered a Maiko Jelly Parfait, with my two soft serve choices being matcha and hojicha. The hojicha did not taste right at all; it genuinely tasted like chemicals and I could not palate it. The texture of it was also very runny. I overheard a worker apologize to another customer that something was runny (later realizing it was the hojicha soft serve), but in my opinion they should have just said it was unavailable. The matcha cake in my parfait tasted like it was soaked in alcohol. I can say that the texture of the mochi balls was very nice, and the matcha soft serve was good, but the jelly wasn’t sweet at all. I know that desserts aren’t always super sweet, but this was a different level.

ashterouid

Honestly, made me really sad after coming here because we drove an hour and a half and spent 25 dollars just to get two of the maiko jelly parfaits. We weren’t warned in advance that the hojicha soft serve machine was coming out runny. The flavor of the hojicha tasted like chemicals and overall just not good. It would have been better if they listed it unavailable for the time. The matcha cake tasted like alcohol. I would have been happy to switch my flavor if I was told in advance. All of the jelly tasted the same and wasn’t sweet at all, and neither was the dessert in its entirety. :( Two stars because the matcha soft serve had a good matcha flavor, and the staff were friendly even if they were understaffed.

I’m absolutely disgusted and beyond disappointed. I had been starting to love Matcha Cafe Maiko and was excited to treat myself, so I ordered two Matcha Banana Puddings. Everything seemed fine at first, but once I was halfway home and took a closer look at my cup — I was horrified. There was a long blonde hair stuck between the lid and the cup, with the other half literally dangling inside my drink. I can’t begin to explain how nauseating it was to realize I had been sipping from that. This is not just gross — it’s unacceptable. Hair nets should be a basic requirement when you’re serving food or drinks. Cleanliness is non-negotiable, especially at a place people go to enjoy a treat. I would highly encourage HR speaking to whoever has blonde hair and was clocked in working at exactly 11:46am May 16th 2025. This is a safety hazard. This experience has completely shattered the trust I had started building with this spot. So upsetting, and I won’t be returning anytime soon. Do better.

The quality of the boba is terrible, the whole drink is ruined. All the boba have clumped together into one mass.(( sad

me and my friend ordered the same exact drink and mine came out clumpy and just all milk. The taste was so different. I’m pretty sure they didn’t sift the matcha or mix it right. I asked them to at least mix and it’s still milk with a side of clumpy matcha. With this price point in this economy I will not be coming back if I order a drink and have gamble $8 to see if it will even taste good. Very disappointed since I’m not local either

Why are you erasing my review??? The female boss spilled the matcha on she’s clothes, but he's cleaning she’s own instead of apologizing My son's new clothes are all splattered, so I think I'll have to pay more for laundry

김현태

Why are you erasing my review??? The female boss spilled the matcha on she’s clothes, but he's cleaning she’s own instead of apologizing My son's new clothes are all splattered, so I think I'll have to pay more for laundry