✦ Arcane Maid Café ✦
About Us
Who we are, how we got here, and what to expect when you come in. We’re a maid café and card shop in Arcadia, and we’ve been doing this since 2016.
Part 1
Our Story
Arcane Maid Café started in January 2016 as a pop-up at anime events. We were one of the first maid café pop-ups in the US. We wanted it to feel like a place to hang out, so next to the desserts we set up PC and console gaming and tabletop games, which you didn’t see at maid cafés back then.
The name Arcane comes from the Latin word arcānus, which means secret. We also liked that it sounds like the kind of magic only a few people know.
How We Got Here
- Getting started (2016 to 2017). Our first event was Anime Impulse 2016. We kept doing events there until 2019.
- Festival pop-ups (2017 to 2018). The pop-up became a regular at festivals around California, including Aniplex’s AkibaFest in Little Tokyo and OC Japan Fair in Costa Mesa. The point was to give people here a real taste of the maid cafés in Akihabara.
- AniFest (2018 to 2020). After more than a dozen events at anime conventions, anime festivals and food festivals, we put on our own festival, AniFest 2018 in Torrance, CA. A total of 1,883 people came out.
- The pandemic (2019 to 2021). We postponed every event and followed the lockdown and safety rules. We spent that time working on our food and getting better at photo and video production.
- Food festivals (2021 to 2024). Next we ran food booths at big food festivals like 626 Night Market and OC Japan Fair. They kept inviting us back.
- Finding a building (2023). We placed in the top three food booths for sales volume. Around then, an old friend and partner asked us to come look at a building. It was empty, run down and needed a lot of work.
- Saying yes (2023 to 2024). We took it on. Our own team did the demolition, cleanup, construction and touchups by hand.
- The renovation (2023 to 2024). It took our staff two months to redo the whole place. We prepped the concrete for floor planks, reupholstered the seats, repainted the tables, fixed the walls and ceiling, hand-drew the 2D art on the walls, and built the kitchen out to commercial standard.
- Arcane Maid Café in Arcadia (2024 to present). Our permanent café in Arcadia, CA opened in March 2024. Now we get to do the thing we started out doing, which is welcoming guests home.
Part 2
The Maids
Our maids greet every guest as Master or Princess. In 2024 our team had 14 members. Your maid will say a little magic spell over your food and drinks, and they draw custom art on omurice and lattes. On select days there are live performances too.
Maid titles. Each maid has a title: Trial Maid, Kouhai Maid, Senpai Maid or Sensei Maid. Trial Maids are the newest members of the team. The café is done in a 2D anime style, with art drawn on the walls by hand.
You can see who’s on the team on our Meet the Cast page. Maids rotate through the day, so you’ll meet whoever is on the floor when you visit. If you’d like to work here, we’re always looking for reliable, professional people for maid or butler, back of house, and event staff or volunteer roles.
Part 3
Food & Drinks
We serve Japanese comfort food, hand-crafted bubble tea, espresso and parfaits. It’s a cozy, family-friendly café with a 2D anime look. The menu changes daily and items depend on availability.
Maid Café Extras
- Food blessings. Your maid says a little magic spell over your order to make it taste even better. You can say it together: おいしくなぁれ、萌え萌えきゅん ♡
- Menu items with drawings. Some items come with a custom drawing from your maid, and you get to pick what’s drawn.
- Akihabara live shows. Order the Akihabara Arcane Combo and your maid will do a live performance on our stage. Shows are on select days only.
- Maid café combos. Combos usually come with food, a drink and a prize item. If anyone at your table gets a combo, everyone at the table needs to order at least one plate entrée.
A few things from the menu: Taro Milky Tea and Dragonmaid Lemonade from the bubble drinks, the Fuwafuwa Vanilla Chan Latte, the Neko-Chan Ice Cream Parfait (inspired by Maid Nagi’s cat), Tokio Takoyaki, and the Golden Omu-Omu Omurice. Maid entertainment depends on how many staff are in and how busy we are. We also ask for no substitutions or special requests.
Part 4
Card Games & Events
The café is also a card shop, and we run TCG tournaments every week. New and experienced players are both welcome, and we have house decks if you’re just starting out.
- Sunday: hololive OCG tournaments at 1:00 PM, casual and competitive, with prizing.
- Tuesday: One Piece Card Game tournaments at 7:00 PM (Bandai TCG+).
- Thursday: Pokémon Play, casual open play at 7:00 PM.
- Friday: Gundam Card Game weekly tournaments at 7:00 PM (Bandai TCG+).
Standard weekly events are $10.00 entry. Check the events calendar for release events, entry cups and special tournaments.
Past Collaborations
- ARC World Tour 2024 (March 2024): the Polar Star Coffee booth with Arc System Works.
- Steins;Gate Cafe (Oct to Nov 2024): the Riichi City x STEINS;GATE 15th anniversary collaboration.
- Phase Connect x Arcane Maid Café (Dec 2024 to Jan 2025): eight VTubers, sixteen menu items and twelve live performances.
- hololive production x CAPSULE Cheer UP! Cafe (Oct to Dec 2025).
- Vtuber Maid Cafe Indie Party Volume 1 (2026): a three-week celebration with eight independent VTubers.
We still do events outside the café, too. You can find us at AniFest, OC Japan Fair, Anime Night Mart and others.
Part 5
House Rules
Our rules are here so everyone has a safe, good time. They make it clear what to expect, they protect our maids’ privacy, and they keep the café friendly and respectful for everybody.
The Short Version
- Respect the maids. Treat the maids with respect at all times. No harassment, abuse or inappropriate behavior.
- Follow the rules. That includes our rules on photos, physical contact, and anything that disrupts other guests.
- No personal information. Maids will not share phone numbers or social media accounts with guests.
- No physical contact beyond a friendly handshake or high five.
- Nothing inappropriate. Maids will not engage in inappropriate, sexual, or offensive behavior, language, or gestures.
- No alcohol is served by the maids.
- Maids stay in the café. Maids do not leave the café with guests.
- No preferential treatment. All guests are treated equally.
- No personal services outside the designated services offered by the café.
- Keep it clean. Dispose of your trash and keep your table area tidy.
- Dress appropriately. The café is family-friendly and all ages, and we’ll ask you to set aside oversized cosplay props.
- Follow the menu process and any special instructions from the maids.
- Be patient when the café is busy, and avoid interrupting maids while they work.
- Respect other guests and their enjoyment of the café.
- Be mindful of time. Typical seating time is one hour. When we’re busy, we may ask you to give up your seat for the next guests.
- Be polite to the maids and other guests.
- Have fun! Enjoy your visit, and look out for the people around you.
Part 6
Common Questions
These are the questions we get asked the most.
What is a maid café?
A maid café is a kind of cosplay restaurant. The servers, called “maids,” wear French maid outfits and take care of you with food, drinks and entertainment.
Is there a dress code for visitors?
Yes. Please wear clothes that are appropriate for a public place. The café is family-friendly and all ages. If your cosplay has oversized props, we’ll ask you to set them aside so there’s room for everyone.
Do I need to make a reservation?
No. We’re first come, first served, and walk-ins are welcome. Certain packages include VIP services that let you schedule an appointment in advance. We don’t take reservations over the phone, but you can call about an hour ahead to check the wait time.
How much does it cost to enter?
There’s no door charge or entry fee. Maid café packages usually include food, a drink and a prize item, and you can also order anything on the menu à la carte, like at a regular café.
How long can I stay?
There’s no strict time limit, but if the café is busy we may ask you to give up your seat so we can seat the next guests. Typical seating time is one hour.
Can I bring my own food or drinks?
Sorry, no outside food or drinks. The one exception is food and drinks from Quicky’s Cafe next door.
Can I choose which maid serves me?
Our maids rotate through the café during the day, so every guest is welcomed home by whichever maids are on the floor. Get to know everyone on our Meet the Cast page!
Can I take pictures or videos?
Yes. Please tag us on social media so we can repost. Be mindful of other people, and don’t record anyone without their permission.
When is the best time to visit?
Weekday afternoons are usually quieter. Weekends and lunch and dinner time can get pretty busy.
Do you sell merchandise?
Yes. We carry Arcane Maid Café merch, merch for individual maids, and general anime goods like trading cards and gachas. You’ll find them in the glass cases at the front desk and in our online shop.
Can I host a private event or party?
Contact us and we’ll talk through a private event reservation. There’s an additional fee to reserve space at the café.
Is there a Discord server?
Yes. You can find the Discord link on our social media pages.
Part 7
Visit Us
We’re at 171 E Live Oak Ave in Arcadia, just east of Pasadena. Walk-ins are welcome and you don’t need a reservation. There’s a parking lot right out front.
Hours
Wednesday to Sunday
12:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Please call in for special requests or large parties.
Extra
Quick Facts
Arcane Maid Café
Maid café and TCG game shop in Arcadia, CA
Founded January 2016 (first event: Anime Impulse 2016)
Café Arcadia, CA, opened March 2024
Building 2,422 sq ft
Dining Area 810 sq ft
Seating 28 (maximum occupancy 54)
Stage 8′ × 8′ platform (64 sq ft)
Outdoor Seating No
Kitchen Built out to commercial standard by our own staff
Pop-ups AniFest, OC Japan Fair, Anime Night Mart and more
Hours Wednesday to Sunday, 12:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Team Size 14 members (2024)
Name Origin Latin arcānus, meaning secret
The Little Details
Colors. Café color lilac purple, café flower wisteria, café gemstone amethyst
Café animal. A cat, specifically a Siamese
Song and anime. Café song “Pare Pare Parade”; café anime Maid Sama
What to Expect
Welcome Home. Every guest is greeted as a Master or Princess.
Food blessing. Your maid says a little magic spell over your order to make it taste even better.
Drawings. Custom drawings on select menu items, like omurice and lattes.
Akihabara Live Show (select days). A live stage performance when you order the Akihabara Arcane Combo.