Private Akihabara Anime Adventure · Sat, Oct 24 · 11:00

Lunch at a maid cafe: the plan

Hi Matt and Brian! You asked where we'd go for lunch, so here it is. We'll head to one main spot, and I have three backups in case it's packed or you'd like a different kind of place. We can decide together on the day.

The plan

This is where I'd like to take you.

First choice

Maidreamin Heaven's Gate

Inside Heaven's Gate
Inside
Omurice with a ketchup drawing, and parfaits
Omurice with a ketchup drawing, and parfaits
Vibe
Loud, bright and full of energy, with live shows on stage.
Best for
First-timers who want the whole thing: songs, chants and a show.

Maidreamin is the biggest maid cafe chain in Japan, and Heaven's Gate is its largest shop in Akihabara, with 60 seats and a full stage. The maids take turns singing and dancing on it while you eat. Order the omurice (omelette rice) and a maid will draw on it in ketchup for you. If you want the full maid cafe experience on your first visit, this is it.

  • Where: 6F, Ichigo Akihabara Ekimae Bldg, 1-15-9 Sotokanda. About 10 seconds from the Electric Town exit of Akihabara Station (the white building with namco)
  • Saturday hours: 10:30–23:00
  • Good to know: Reservations are possible, so I'll try to hold seats for us ahead of time
Official page Open in Google Maps

Backups

Each of these feels different, and they're all a short walk from the rest of the tour.

For Steins;Gate fans

Cafe Mai:lish

Inside Mai:lish
Inside
Tea and scones
Tea and scones
Vibe
Cozy and a bit old-school, like a neighborhood cafe that's been around for years.
Best for
Steins;Gate fans, and anyone who wants a relaxed, classic maid cafe.
This is the real cafe that May Queen Nyan-Nyan, where Faris works in Steins;Gate, was based on. If you've seen the show, you'll recognize it.

It has been open for more than 20 years and still has that classic Akihabara feel. They serve real food like omurice and curry, so it works fine as a lunch stop. It's a little north of the station, toward Suehirocho.

  • Where: 2F, FH Kyowa Square, 3-6-2 Sotokanda
  • Hours: 12:00–22:00
Official site Open in Google Maps
Calm and classic

Cure Maid Café

Inside Cure Maid Café
Inside
Omurice
Omurice
Vibe
Quiet and calm, like an English tea room.
Best for
People who'd rather talk over tea and lunch than watch a show.

Opened in 2001, and often called the first maid cafe in Akihabara. It's quiet, closer to an English-style tea room with maids, and the tea is taken seriously (the shop is certified by the Japan Tea Association). Good if you'd rather sit, talk and eat without a show going on. They have curry and omurice for lunch.

  • Where: 4F, Onoden Bldg, 1-2-7 Sotokanda
  • Hours: 11:00–20:00
Official site Open in Google Maps
Big and easy for first-timers

@home cafe (Main Store)

Inside @home cafe
Inside
Omurice with a ketchup drawing
Omurice with a ketchup drawing
Vibe
Cute and cheerful, big and well organized.
Best for
First-timers who want something easy, or a fallback when other places are full.

One of the best-known maid cafes in Akihabara, open for over 20 years. It takes up five floors and has an English menu. A safe pick if the other places are full.

  • Where: 3F–7F, Mitsuwa Bldg, 1-11-4 Sotokanda (the Don Quijote building)
  • Hours: 10:00–22:00
Official site Open in Google Maps

Let's chat on Instagram

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@yukianimesensei

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