Hello Kitty Cafe Irvine

“If you or a special someone are a fan of Hello Kitty, then Hello Kitty Cafe will not disappoint. There’s a small room with counter service in the lobby that offers drinks, sweets and HK merch. The Bow room is themed down to every detail and is adorable. The room itself is small but roomy, offering 3, 4 top tables, limited bar seating, a 2 top table and a larger booth. This is the reason you need to make reservations pretty far in advance. You wait it the lobby where the counter service is and they come out and call you at your time (they were very prompt). Once you’re seated you have your choice of teas (each person gets a pot), and it’s served with an adorable chocolate mousse/strawberry dessert. The food tower comes out shortly afterwards . There are 9 small bite items for each person on the tower, with a mix of sweet and savory. Food was very good and displayed nicely with hello kitty shapes and decorative details. Servers were pleasant and attentive. The overall experience was a good one, and we all enjoyed ourselves. I highly recommend giving it a try for a special occasion or fun girls afternoon. Be aware, it is a bit pricey at $65 pp, and there’s an automatic 18% gratuity added that tacks on another $40+. Also, they charge you $30 pp at the time of reservation, which is non refundable if you don’t cancel within a specified time frame. This seems like a reasonable policy given the limited space and the desire for reservations. Enjoy!”

“Walking into the back private sit-down area of the cafe is like a dream. Everything is tastefully decorated in light pink, white, and gold. Staff are exquisitely trained to provide excellent service and are friendly, helpful, and accommodating. Those looking to experience an elevated tea and prefixed light lunch while enjoying hints of Hello Kitty will be pleased. The atmosphere, food, drinks, and service are enjoyable, even for those who don't know much about the Hello Kitty franchise. It's approximately $65/person for about 4 courses of small bites paired with a beverage of your choice. Portions are small (bite-sized) and most foods have dairy and gluten in them. Value for the price may be better with larger portions and/or more healthy allergy-friendly options, but overall, it is an amazing place to visit. Fans will not be disappointed. We took my girls and mother in law to celebrate a birthday and the staff kindly accommodated adding some cupcake Hello Kitty character decorations to the food for our birthday girl. They also brought out a special birthday cake for her and decorated her first course with chocolate dust in the shape of a birthday cake. Needless to say, she's been talking about her experience ever since and is begging me to take her back.”

“Absolutely amazing for a first-time tea experience, let alone for my 21st birthday this year on October 23rd! Made a reservation for my special day earlier this month on the 3rd of October and the afternoon tea set along with the tea was an indulgent experience! I came with a close friend to our reservation, and we both got separate pots of tea, since every person can choose their own pot of tea. They first started us with a cup of chopped strawberries and airy chocolate cream, and it was delicious! I got the Birthday Tea, which consists of raspberry and hibiscus flavor, and it wasn’t tart, but rather delightful and sweet. My friend got the Apple Tea, and both teas were surprisingly fragrantly sweet. The treats were cute, small and bite size but combined with the other treats and drinking tea, we got pretty full within the tea session. The staff explained the tiers to the both of us and it was all so enjoyable. Overall, everything was super cute, and the staffs working were attentive, as well as asking us in the beginning if there were any dietary restrictions which can be super helpful for people who have special food accommodations! The experience overall was super fun and the food was delicious. So if you’re wanting to fulfill your childhood dreams in the form of tea time with Kawaii influence, or are a Hello Kitty or Sanrio fan like I am, Hello Kitty Cafe’s got you covered! This experience and place is what childhood nostalgia and dreams are made out of! 💖💝🎂🍰☕️🫖✨”

“Hello Kitty Café is a themed café experience that leans heavily into the charm and nostalgia of Sanrio, making the atmosphere just as much a part of the visit as the food and drinks. The space is designed around soft colors, cute details, and Hello Kitty-inspired decorations that make it feel more like stepping into a character-themed world than a traditional café. The attention to detail throughout the space is what makes the experience stand out, especially if you enjoy taking photos or are a longtime Sanrio fan. The café offers a mix of desserts, pastries, and drinks that match the playful theme. The desserts are designed to be visually appealing with Hello Kitty-inspired touches, from decorated cookies and macarons to cakes and specialty treats. The madeleines are a simple but enjoyable option, with a light texture that makes them easy to snack on. The apple pie is another highlight, offering a nice balance of sweetness and texture without feeling overly heavy. The drink menu also fits the theme well, with options like strawberry-based lattes that bring the colorful aesthetic together. The main appeal here is really the overall experience rather than just stopping by for a dessert. The tea room adds a more elevated feel with a dedicated sit-down setting, while the main café area works well for a quick visit to grab a drink or treat. The staff adds to the experience with friendly service that matches the welcoming atmosphere of the space. Because the café is built around a specific theme, it is the type of place where expectations matter. It is less about finding the most innovative desserts and more about enjoying the combination of food, décor, and the Hello Kitty experience. The cute presentation and photo-friendly environment make it a fun stop, especially for fans of Sanrio or anyone looking for a memorable café visit. Overall, Hello Kitty Café succeeds at creating a fun and immersive experience. The desserts and drinks are enjoyable, but the biggest reason to visit is the atmosphere and attention to detail. It feels like a place designed for slowing down, taking photos, and enjoying a little bit of nostalgia.”

“We did the afternoon tea service at the cafe. The vibes are super cute and the back room where they do the tea service is very chill. Overall the food was good, but a lot of what you get are sweets (not savory) and a lot of the sweets were really, really sweet. For a kid it would be a dream, but for the adults in attendance it was a bit of a cavity. We would have loved it if they balanced the savory/sweet a bit better, and if the pastry and baked items were fresher. All of the items they give you do feel premade and out of a refrigerator. And all that considered, I think it's a bit pricey for what you get. You're paying for the character themed atmosphere certainly. There are better places to go for afternoon tea service that have better, fresher food and tea, yet would have cost less. The staff were very nice, but just FYI, they add on a mandatory 18% gratuity to your bill, which didn't sit well with me - even if the service was subpar you'd still be paying them 18% tip - and even though the service was polite, the servers quickly bring you food and tea and check in once or twice, but otherwise they're not super involved. In total the tea service cost us $163 for two of us, which was certainly a bit of sticker shock even though I knew the pre-fixed cost upfront. You can go to other places in this area and get divine fresh food and baked goods in a full tea service for 2 for as low as ~$100, but again, here you're paying an upcharge for the novelty of everything being cut out with a hello kitty cookie cutter, or designed with a little chocolate bow. If you really love hello kitty it's worth it, and I'm sure the kids love it, but just know what you're getting :)”