You can say hello to Hello Kitty and her friends as they are set to make a grand arrival to our city this week! Head to the Grand Opening of the Hello Kitty and Friends Cafe and Sanrio Smile Shop this Friday, September 6th at 11am! At last, Los Angeles is getting its very own Hello Kitty Café and Shop — bringing a much-anticipated dose of Sanrio charm.
Universal CityWalk in Los Angeles is set to delight Hello Kitty fans with the announcement of the grand opening of the new Hello Kitty and Friends Cafe, along with a Sanrio Smile Shop, at Universal Studios Hollywood. Both venues are located adjacent to one another and open this Friday.
What can you expect at the Grand Opening?
The Grand Opening on Friday will include:
- Hello Kitty and Friends themed treats, beverages, and merch
- Meet and Greet with Hello Kitty
- Plus, the first 50 guests will receive a special gift!
What will the Hello Kitty and Friends Cafe serve?
The Hello Kitty and Friends Cafe is the first of its kind to open in Los Angeles. The cafe will be adorned with a giant signature Hello Kitty bow and framed by a pastel pink and white awning. Guests can enjoy a uniquely delicious grab-and-go menu. Plus, they offer the option to dine at any one of umbrella-covered tables located just outside the walk-up venue.
The cafe will offer a Sanrio-themed menu with an array of whimsical creations that include:
Desserts
- Hello Kitty Mousse Dome – A red chocolate dome-shaped caked with cinnamon mousse, apple pie filling and cinnamon streusel
- Seasonal Mousse Domes – Seasonal dome cakes inspired by Hello Kitty’s friends crafted uniquely based on their personalities and composed of chocolate mousse and a delicious combination of fruit fillings and sponge cake
- 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 – A set of raspberry, caramel, vanilla, pistachio and chocolate macarons
- Hello Kitty Cookie – A Hello Kitty-shaped sugar cookie topped with royal icing and rainbow sprinkles
Beverages
- Hello Kitty Strawberry Green Iced Tea – Strawberry green tea, pink sugar rim with strawberries and mint
- My Melody Lemonade – Strawberry lemonade, yellow sugar rim, garnished with strawberries and a lemon wheel
- Kuromi Berry Iced Tea – Blackberry tea, purple sugar rim and served with blackberry and mint
- Tuxedosam Lemonade – Blue raspberry lemonade, pink sugar rim served and a lemon wheel
- Keroppi Matcha Latte – Frozen matcha latte topped with whipped cream and matcha powder
- Chococat Frozen Mocha – Frozen coffee, chocolate boba, whipped cream topped with chocolate sprinkles
What can shoppers buy in the Sanrio Smile Shop?
The new Sanrio Smile Shop is located right next to the Hello Kitty and Friends Cafe, and it celebrates all things Sanrio and Hello Kitty. It offers a wide selection of themed collectibles perfect for both enthusiasts and new fans. The collectibles will feature Hello Kitty and her closest friends, Cinnamoroll, Keroppi, Kuromi, My Melody, Badtz-maru, and Chococat. Plus, shoppers can purchase iconic statement pieces in vibrant colors with favorites such as backpacks with Hello Kitty’s iconic bow, stylish Spirit Jersey, embellished hats, specialty cups and mugs, collectible pins, t-shirts, plush toys, keychains, jewelry, phone cases, lanyards, and much more.
Additionally, there will be an exclusive new line of curated merchandise that pays homage to the Hello Kitty and Friends Cafe by offering guests the opportunity to bring home a piece of its super cute atmosphere. The all-new Hello Kitty and Friends Cafe-themed merchandise is only available at the Sanrio Smile Shop with additional products being added throughout the rest of the year. The shop also features a dynamic in-store photo op spotlighting Hello Kitty and the Sanrio characters. It’s a perfect memorable moment for fans to enjoy.
Until now, fellow L.A. Hello Kitty enthusiasts had to make the trek to Irvine’s Hello Kitty Café or catch the Hello Kitty Café truck during its rare visits. The Irvine location is known for its delightful offerings, including Sanrio character mini cakes and lattes adorned with Hello Kitty’s face printed on the foam.
This addition to CityWalk promises a whimsical atmosphere similar to the much-loved Hello Kitty Cafes in Irvine Spectrum, Las Vegas, and Vancouver. Visitors to Universal Studios Hollywood already enjoy greeting Hello Kitty at the Animation Studio Store, which boasts an area dedicated to Hello Kitty and Sanrio products.
Be sure to check back here for the latest news, and everything you need to know about this delightful new addition to L.A.’s vibrant scene!
🎉Grand Opening: Friday, September 6th at 11am
📍Location: Universal CityWalk (100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City, CA 91608)