One of the most recognizable bows in the world is that of Hello Kitty. It makes perfect sense that the international superstar cat would adorn her brand-new sweets cafe with a giant pink bow on the facade. You can't miss this overly cute Kawaii eatery that just opened in Universal Studios Hollywood amidst the hustle and bustle of CityWalk.
Overview of Hello Kitty and Friends Cafe at Universal Studios Hollywood
Snacks, sweets, drinks and treats? Sign me up! The only hope when seeing an absolutely adorable-looking food is that it tastes as good as it looks. And the brand-new Hello Kitty and Friends Cafe at Universal Studios Hollywood delivers! These toadally Instagram-able desserts and drinks pack the flavor as well as the cuteness.
Where Is Hello Kitty Cafe?
CityWalk is located at 100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City, CA 91608. It is the area between the parking structures and the entrance gates of the Universal Studios Hollywood theme park and is open to the public without the purchase of a theme park ticket.
Parking is available at the theme park structures for $35 daily. General parking is available for $10 after 5 p.m. and discount parking for only $5 is available with the purchase of a Universal Cinema movie ticket.
CityWalk is open 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sundays through Thursdays and 11 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. The cafe is open during these same hours.
Hello Kitty and Friends Cafe is located on the right side of CityWalk all the way toward the theme park. The bright pink cafe and shop are directly across from Tilly's and Dodgers Clubhouse and in between Sunsations and the Universal Studio Store.
How To Order
This is a quick-service location. That means you walk to the counter and order your food and drinks and take them away with you. You are handed a buzzer after your order is completed. Said buzzer will go off when your food is prepared and ready to be picked up at the window to the left of where you ordered. You can watch the team prep the drinks and food through large glass walls on the building's facade.
You might find a line out in front of the cafe during busy times. The separate lines for the cafe and shop are directed by team members and move pretty quickly.
Universal passholder and military discounts are available.
Where To Eat
There are a few shaded tables in front of the Cafe, both high-top and low-top. If those are all full (which they most likely will be) there is bench-style seating all along CityWalk and many tables in the food court area up the main escalators.
All the foods are boxed individually and placed in a paper bag. It's easy to take your treats with you so you don't have to eat them right away or wait for a table. Hello Kitty Cafe is the perfect place to grab a treat for yourself on the way out (depending on what time you leave the parks), or as a special surprise for someone at home.
Hello Kitty and Friends Cafe Menu
Sweets
- Hello Kitty Mousse Dome — cinnamon mousse, apple pie filling and cinnamon streusel
- Chococat Mousse Dome — chocolate mousse, peanut butter ganache and chocolate crisp pearls
- Seasonal Mousse Dome — currently an ube mousse dome, though seasonal flavors will change
- Strawberry Cake — vanilla sponge cake, strawberry jam and whipped white chocolate ganache
- Berry & Cream Churro — berry stuffed churro with cream cheese frosting
- Birthday Cake — confetti cake layered with white chocolate mousse topped with whipped white chocolate ganache
- Macaron Set — raspberry, caramel, vanilla, pistachio and chocolate
- Hello Kitty Cookie — sugar cookie topped with royal icing and sprinkles
The cakes are encased in a whipped white chocolate ganache. We were so surprised by the texture! Rather than a soft frosting, the whipped ganache creates more of a bouncy gelatin-like texture. There is a pretty decent layer of ganache around the cakes, so although they are little, they are decadent. The birthday cake was our favorite — classic flavors with a unique twist!
Beverages
- Hello Kitty Strawberry Green Iced Tea — strawberry green tea, pink sugar rim, strawberries and mint
- My Melody Lemonade — strawberry lemonade, yellow sugar rim, strawberries and mint
- Kuromi Berry Iced Tea — blackberry tea, purple sugar rim, blackberry and mint
- Tuxedosam Lemonade — blue raspberry lemonade, pink sugar rim and a lemon wheel
- Keroppi Matcha Latte — frozen matcha latte, whipped cream and matcha powder
- Chococat Frozen Mocha — frozen coffee, chocolate popping boba, whipped cream and chocolate sprinkles
Sanrio Smile Shop
Located just next door to the café is the all-new Sanrio Smile Shop. This retail location celebrates Hello Kitty and her friends as well as her brand-new cafe! You can find everything from backpacks and plushies to T-shirts and mugs.
Customizable "build a bow" Hello Kitty headbands can be purchased within. There are a range of bow styles and each headband has a compatible snap piece to easily attach different configurations.
We give the sweets at Hello Kitty and Friends Cafe a big thumbs up! But they are definitely sweet. So don't plan to eat a meal here, because you'll only find sugar topped with sugar. That being said, the flavors, artistry, theming and incredibly kind staff will keep us coming back for a dessert at the end of our park day or trip to the movies.
What are you most excited to try at Hello Kitty and Friends Cafe? Let us know if the comments section below. This and many other CityWalk locations make for a great beginning or end to a Universal Studios Hollywood day. Save some green when you purchase discount Universal Studios Hollywood tickets through Undercover Tourist, so you can expand your dining budget!
Related: Our Guide to Universal Studios Hollywood Events
Related: Our Hip, Hoppin' Guide to Universal CityWalk Hollywood
Hoppy planning!
