Maid Cafe Review: @home 7F

Go if: you want to get a real taste of Akihabara. And if you want to learn the actions of 'Moe Moe' janken

@home has emerged as one of the most popular and successful maid cafes in Akihabara, and rightly so. It is very very well advertised for a start; the first thing your are likely to see upon leaving the station through the electric town exit, is a large billboard for @home. And the maids are much cuter and more attractive than those in other maid cafes. This is obviously a very subjective opinion but certainly it seems that their hiring policies might be a little more rigorous than other places. Most importantly, @home has established itself as a recognizable brand in a sea of individually owned maid cafes. There is plenty of merchandize to buy and methods of promoting customer loyalty. In this building alone there are three floors containing different styles of maid cafes operating under the @home brand. This review is about the 7F.
To make a rather glib comparison, @home is the Royal Host of maid cafes. It's has excellent customer service, is reasonably priced with decent food, and yet, as with most chain restaurants, there is a slightly sterile atmosphere. This is certainly something that the cafe hides pretty well through the variety of entertainment it offers. There are occasionally performances by the maids including song and dance numbers as well as a game of junken with more 'moe' actions to replace the original ones. Ever wanted to play pop up pirate with a maid? Step right up. There are a number of small games you can play with the maid of your choice for the paltry sum of ¥500, or alternatively get a polaroid with your favorite for the same price. There is certainly a lot here to amuse and entertain, and I personally like to take people here as it really encapsulates the best aspects of the maid cafe experience. Watch your friends squirm as the maid teaches them the special song and dance you have to perform in order to infuse your drinks and food with more love, or as our waitress put it 'moe power'. The food and drink is surprisingly decent and there are enough interesting designs for the food that you can have a bit of a giggle as you order lunch.
One of the best things about @home is the point card system. Please take the time to read the list outside that details the different levels of card; ranging from the first level 'My Master' through 'Familiar Master' to the final level of 'Legend'. Be warned, in order to find out what bonuses you get for the title of 'Legend' you have to have visited the cafe 2000 times. So if you have nothing planned everyday for the next six years, I suggest you give it a shot!
Finally, a warning. I once went there in the early afternoon on a weekday and had to wait 45 minutes before I could be seated. This place is popular. Really popular. Don't even try on a weekend or national holiday unless you don't mind sticking around. Still, for all or the entertainment it offers, @home 7F comes highly recommended.

@home website

Maid Cafe Review: Mai:lish

Go if: you want to relax in the company of French Maid costumes

Café Mai:lish is a safe introduction to the potentially seedy world of Maido Kissa’s (Maid Cafes). Located off the main street and about a ten to fifteen minute walk from Akihabara Station, it’s not the easiest place to find. However it is one the oldest and most famous Maid Cafes, although I am well aware that is a very relative term. Light, spacious, clean and charming it might come as a shock to the first time visitor who was unsure what to expect but was dreading (or hoping for) the worst. Whilst it seems unnecessary to state the obvious, the staff are indeed very polite and personable; however there is more of a detachment from the customers than in some other establishments. They will take you order and engage in polite small talk with you but there are no games or activities which you can play with them as in other places. The selection of food and drinks is pretty impressive and there is an English menu available if you ask for it or just look slightly confused when anyone tries to speak to you. I personally recommend the rare cheesecake. Whilst not exactly cheap, it is fairly reasonable. Expect to pay around ¥1300 for a coffee and some cake. There is a large television on the wall which usually plays the Mai:lish DVD on loop (available in the gift shop for section for a surprisingly high price), but sometimes plays classic movies or TV shows. There are large standees on the same wall portraying the more famous Maids that work at the café in anime form, and it is fun to try and guess who is serving you on the day, partially because they bear little resemblance to their real life counterparts. There is also a small gift shop featuring Mai:lish themed cutlery, dolls, stationary, calendars and all other manner of knick knacks. There is also a point card system which rewards repeat visitors with some of their merchandise. Like many cafes there are also special theme days which are advertised in advance. Previous theme days have included cosplay day and the graduation from a fictitious French high school. Much of the appeal of Mai:lish comes from the personalities created for the staff, and it’s reflected in the merchandise, costume and portraits of the different maids. Whilst at many Maid cafes the staff often move on and are replaced, there is a comforting air of permanence and familiarity between the staff members. This no doubt adds to the comfortable and relaxing environment.
Mai:lish is a great aid café for first-timers and those who want to be able to say that it’s something they have done without much cause for personal embarrassment. The other customers are quiet and reserved and during the daytime on a weekday, usually there are more female customers than there are male ones. However due to the popularity of this establishment it is strongly recommended that visit on a weekday and preferably in the afternoon; on the weekends waits of around an hour are commonplace. Mai:lish is a Maid cafe where you could take even your own mother. Trust me; I can say that from personal experience.

Mai:lish homepage