4.5 for their afternoon tea! There were more misses than hits in terms of the food, but the whole experience was amazing and super fun because of the adorable Hello Kitty details and decor. Our server was kind and attentive, as well! We got the peach and apple teas and both were great. -- Food ratings -- Great: 1. Mini apple tart (great crumble topping and flaky crust) 2. Raspberry macaron (delicious and soft) 3. Strawberries and chocolate cream (light and refreshing) Just ok: 4. Pumpkin scone (too dense/dry) 5. Hummus pita bite (cute but nothing special) 6. Egg salad cup (decent egg salad but does not pair well with the waffle cone flavor) Bad: 7. Cucumber sandwich (soggy) 8. Chicken salad sandwich (croissant was good but there was too little filling; just one strip of mushy chicken salad) 9. Strawberry tart (oddly runny filling with an artificial strawberry flavor) 10. Hello Kitty mini cake (dry with an artificial strawberry flavor) I do recommend the afternoon tea for Hello Kitty lovers or celebrations. Their focus is definitely on presentation over taste, but that's ok with me because I had a great time here! I would come back to try their other cafe items from the front of the store (standard cafe counter). read more

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I really enjoyed my visit to the Hello Kitty Cafe. The food and drinks were great with everything having a hello kitty theme. The whole place has a really cute and fun atmosphere. Especially Stephanie, she was one of the staff members who was soooo helpful. She super friendly , very bubbly and just made my experience much more enjoyable. She made the visit feel really personal and it's clear she takes pride in her work. Would definitely recommend and will be back! read more

Hello Kitty Cafe - Cafes Near Me - Irvine, California

Stopped by with a few friends and we were able to secure a same day afternoon reservation for Tea Time. We started off with a birthday chocolate mousse and strawberries, ordered our tea flavors, and del in the 3-tier hello kitty tower filled with sweet and savory treats! We basked in the atmosphere and enjoyed our time surrounded by Hello Kitty decors. The staff were friendly and helpful with the menu. The teas were delightful and kept us warm. The cafe is nestled within the Irvine Spectrum shops. read more

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What a cute little Cafe! Came in with reservations and were sorted right away. The girls were super friendly. The staff was awesome. The place is very chill and cute! I ordered a picture perfect drink that came with our Polaroid picture. Super cute and the drink was delicious!!! Love love this place. The back side is so pretty. Everything was perfect!!! read more

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The Hello Kitty cafe is a super cute photo op. The food items heavily lean sweet, so this is the place for you if you have a sweet tooth. The tea selection is varied and there are non-tea options for kids. We were disappointed that the chicken salad croissants only had 1 small line of chicken salad piping instead of spreading throughout the center of the croissant. Some of the cups had chips in them, so that did take away from the aesthetics. The tables were also extremely close together so felt a little cramped while eating. Service was good, parking is easy since it's at Spectrum. read more

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This is a super cute spot. I grew up with Hello Kitty & Sanrio so it's nostalgic for me. Upon walking in I was surprised that it was so sparse inside. If you walk to the right, there's a big plastic hello Kitty, that would be great for photo ops. Just to the left of that is a window where you can watch staff making items in the kitchen. Next to the counter there were mugs and only a few other items for purchase. Would be nice if they had more merchandise. At the front counter is where they have all the items packaged, to go cookies, pastries, etc. No one ever said hi or welcomed us walking in. In fact the whole time I was there, the people were not at the counter. They were in the kitchen or behind somewhere. There was no line and only three other people in the store using the back wall for photo ops. I ended up just leaving because no one seemed to want to help at the counter. I'd love to maybe try a cocktail hour sometime in the future as a novelty, but that needs to be reserved well in advance and I was just stopping in. It's very cute and perfect for kids and photo ops, but I don't think you would need to go more than once. read more

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Located at the Spectrum Mall, near the ferris wheel. It's a small shop but packed with charm. They even host a tea party--tucked behind a whimsical door that says, "Have a sweet day." The prices are on the higher side, but that's normal for shops in that area. The entire shop is cuteness overload and worth a visit just for the experience. I tried the mini cinnamon donuts for $9, and they came out hot, fresh, and delicious. read more

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A friend of mine mentioned this HELLO KITTY CAFE that is located in Spectrum Center. My husband and I decided to visit , we came in the late afternoon which is way past the last hours for their Tea time, so we just ordered something to try from their place: *COOKIE SET *STRAWBERRY CLOUD LATTE *CAPPUCCINO with LAVANDER Tables and chairs are only available at the Tea Room that they have, and outside the tea room it is just a space to order and to get your drinks and snacks to-go, they also have a small window to watch them making donuts, but outside their store there are a few tables and chairs provided by the mall that you can sit at. The cookies I got are cute and good, I enjoyed them, and my husband's STRAWBERRY CLOUD LATTE was delicious. I have had a CAPPUCCINO with LAVANDER in other stores before, but the one here I didn't like. Their staffs here are so nice. There's Plenty of parking in Spectrum Center. This place is great for any ages, especially to Hello Kitty fans. read more

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I completely understand that I'm biased because I will never be able to visit this location anytime other than the weekends when Irvine Spectrum becomes an amusement park. I also understand that pretty much anything can happen during peak hours. The few times I visited before the treats that I was able to pick up made the long wait worth it. Unfortunately, during my last visit, what I found unacceptable was the customer service, or should I say, the customer "unservice". I showed up about an hour before closing on a Saturday evening and was immediately drawn in by the brightly lit "hot donuts" sign. The line was barely out the door and immediately had a feeling something was wrong but ignored my intuition and proceeded to get in line. Once I got to the front of the line, I asked for maple donuts. To my surprise and dismay, the guy at the register said they aren't serving donuts anymore. When I replied that the sign is on and that's what I came for he said they were only serving donuts for bar service. To which I asked if I should just go in the bar and order there. At this point, if I was an employee at HK Cafe and I just realized what I was saying to a customer makes no sense at all, I would just apologize and ask them if there's anything else I could do for them. BUT noooooooo...this dude asks me "Do you have a reservation for the bar?" Customer service tip #1: don't gaslight your customers. Strike one HK Cafe. Since they weren't going to drop donuts for me, I figured since I came all this way, I might as well pick up a souvenir. Reluctantly, I asked for a keychain since it was front and center on the menu. Again, I got a look of irritation from dude at the register as he explained they are out of keychains. Customer service tip #2: don't false advertise. Strike two HK Cafe. Determined not to leave empty handed after coming all this way from San Diego, I asked for a couple sugar cookies since they were obviously tangible in a jar next to my face. $11.86 for two cookies. Exorbitant? Yeah, but the cookies are pretty good and the icing really does look like Hello Kitty. I reach for a $20 bill and once again annoy the guy at the register..."card only" is all that comes out of his mouth. Customer service tip #3: don't ever refuse the money! Not gonna throw a strike for this one simply because going cashless was pushed by the idiot government. BUT, what kind of business are you running?!? Up until the novelty ran out I would have given this place 5 stars. At the end of the day, a long-term successful retail business still relies on repeat customers. Sorry to say you just lost a repeat customer. read more

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If you haven't seen this adorable little shop at the Spectrum Mall, you have to go!!! The shop is small but so cute!. I've seen on Instagram they have a tea party, it looks like it's hidden behind a door that reads "have a sweet day". The prices were a bit high but who can resist a hello kitty cookie? Not me . Everything was so cute inside. If you haven't checked it out. You need to. PS. The cookies was very good. Next time I'm getting the bigger cookie read more

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Love My Visits At Hello Kitty Cafe!! Every Time I Visit Irvine Spectrum, Always Make A Hello Kitty Stop!! Welcoming & Friendly Staff!! Very Cute Hello Kitty Decor Everywhere!! This Cafe Is Always Busy, Line & Service Always Helpful & Efficient!! Cafe Menu Offers Coffee Drinks, Lemonades, Iced Teas, Blended & Seasonal!! Also Offers Sweets, Cakes, Macarons & Cookies!! Make A Reservation If You Like To Dine During Afternoon Tea!! Menu Includes Fresh Fruits, Savory, Sweets & Hello Kitty Pot With Your Tea Choice!! Everything So Cute & Delicious!! Enjoyed Afternoon Tea Many Times, During Self Visits, Family Fun & Celebrations!! Great Service!! Will Return To Visit Again!! ThankU read more

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I enjoyed my Matcha I got not the best but not bad. It is a really cute place to visit I definitely think it's more of a cool atmosphere. The hello Kitty on top was adorable. read more

I am super sad and disappointed about our meal yesterday at the Hello Kitty Cafe. If you told me last year or so when we started our Valentine's Day tradition of going to the Hello Kitty Cafe that we would have gotten sick from our meal, I wouldn't have believed you. But immediately after our Afternoon Tea meal, my partner and I (pretty soon after) both got sick. We were both commenting on the amount of sugar that was on the platter. To be fair, this is the Hello Kitty Cafe, so it's to be expected... but we're not sure if the sandwiches even sat right with us. For $65 per person, the fact the we didn't really enjoy any of the options (aside from the tea) really stunk. On top of having to rush out to end up in the bathroom at home... this was not the way either of us wanted to spend our night when we booked this. Heartbroken to say that I'm not sure we'll be returning for at least their back room options. read more

Hello Kitty Cafe - Cafes Near Me - Irvine, California

Had an excellent time with my daughter for her birthday. Would definitely recommend to any Hello Kitty lovers out there. read more

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This was a super cute experience! The drinks and mini donuts were tasty! We for the ice coffee with marshmallows & cereal. Service was prompt Cute inside to take pictures. I will be back for the Afternoon Tea or the Drink Experience! read more

Super cute! It takes forever to get the right reservation but definitely worth it! lol Inside it's super cute, a hello kitty girls dream! Customer service is great, super sweet and attentive. Food was good and super cute! Definitely worth the experience. read more

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I recently visited the Hello Kitty Café at Irvine Spectrum for the Afternoon Tea Set experience. The ambiance was adorable, beautifully themed, and perfect for Hello Kitty fans. Making a reservation was simple, and the booking process was straightforward. Guests are required to pay the $60 per person fee in advance when making the reservation. One thing to be aware of is that upon arrival, an additional 18% gratuity and Irvine sales tax (7.75%) are charged, which increases the overall cost beyond the advertised price. While the presentation was cute, the snacks and tea did not feel worth the $60 per person price tag. The experience lasted about 45 minutes, and there wasn't much reason to stay longer since the snacks are not replenished. Overall, the atmosphere was enjoyable and photo-worthy, but the food and beverage offerings did not provide enough value for the cost. Unfortunately, I would not consider the Afternoon Tea Set experience worth the price. read more

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Super cute place to go to to bring your kid or bring some happiness to your inner child. I ordered the peppermint, hot chocolate and the cookies and cream mini donuts. They were both delicious. The donuts were made fresh right there. You can watch the window how to make it. There is another section to go in and actually eat and have a sit down but you have to have reservation for that. Is a cute little set up with a backdrop for you to take a photo for the holidays. I love coming here because my child is screaming for happiness every single time I come. I love that they changed their menu seasonally as well. read more

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I walked out of here feeling like I got scammed. Sure the hello kitty theme was cute, but the main room you see on the photos isn't open. Come here for overpriced coffee in a tiny cup! and it was watered down too bleh read more

Beautiful and super cute cafe that focuses on aesthetic. The drinks and desserts are really great too. The apple pie was very delicious, not too sweet and great texture. The decorations are cute and perfect for photos. Staff are extremely friendly and helpful. read more

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Absolute dud, waste of time, underwhelming.... There is literally nothing to do here other than buy a cookie and a drink. They don't even have a gift store or any racks of merchandise. Whoever owns/operates this store should be fired immediately. We arrived ready to spend some money and be wow'd by Hello Kitty overload and what a flop. Don't go.... total waste of time. read more

I love Hello Kitty and I wanted to come here for a while. I got small donuts(matcha and strawberry) and these are fresh made. So yum. I got Strawberry cloud matcha drink and Kitty's ribbon powder on the top and it was so yummy as well. read more

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I only visited once for a birthday celebration and would not come back. The experience was so overpriced for what it is. Our party was a group of 4 and was $65ea and 18% of gratuity was automatically added on. The portion sizes were small. I wouldn't not be back. Pros: The service was good and it's well decorated. read more

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I could not get a reservation here for lunch after several tries so I de used to try my luck at dropping in. Came in at 10am as soon as they open and they were able to squeeze me in at 11 AM at the bar. I had the absolute best time with my son. We both really enjoyed the experience. read more

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My daughter was so excited that I finally took her here. We were very disappointed with what we ordered. Everything is super cute. Its all just too sweet for our taste. The sugared donuts had way too much sugar and thats all you got. Mybdaughter friend tossed them. My daughter got the cookies and cream donuts and they were a tad better, but again too sweet. The drinks were also way too sweet. read more

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Cute place- definitely a vibe. This establishment is definitely for the "gram". This cafe has definitely a cute setup and aesthetic. The visual is what is the highlight of this place. Now in regards to the actual food and drinks definitely subpar and underwhelming. For Hello Kitty aficionados this is definitely a must but for any other person, I don't recommend the drinks at all. You're better off just exploring the place taking some pictures and call it a day. Save your money for better cafe :) read more

Girls night out with my cousin and my niece. My thoughtful cousin made reservations for us to come here for the cocktail service experience to celebrate my birthday. We arrived to the Hello Kitty store 15 minute prior to our reservation time and waited by the Bow Room entrance with no greeting or instruction by their staff. The Bow Room staff will come out exactly on reservations times and get you. A sign or pre-direction about that would have been helpful. While we were getting seated we were told it was a 75 minute experience. I wasn't a fan of their service in general. When we asked which drinks were cute, they said all of them are cute. Not helpful at all. And not to mention I don't even agree. The one she ended up recommending to us was just a drink where they take a polaroid picture of you and stick it on the cup. Lame... I had low faith in them so I went with the drinks that are served in the hello kitty cup. At least it won't be ugly. I got the Empress Kitty ($22). Honestly the name would make more sense if they used empress gin for the empress kitty. Drink was average. My cousin got the Watermelon Sugar ($22) that also came in a hello kitty cup but with different accessories. My poor niece got the Tarobly Cute ($18) which was not cute at all, closer to terrible than taroble. It was purple. They had a frame they dusted some stuff on it that was suppose to look like a hello kitty but as my cousin words perfectly it was more like GHETTO KITTY. We also shared the Afternoon Tea Sampler ($18) which came with a strawberry and cocoa parfait, mini tart, and macaron. It was enough to assure us not to come back for their actual afternoon tea experience. Low quality low skill execution. My cousin makes way cuter creation as a home baker. Also we saw the cookies and cakes they sold in front, not impressed. They seem to have limited menus cause they were quick to take our menus after we ordered. It discouraged me from ordering subsequent rounds. So much troubles for a disappointing experience. Poor execution. I tagged along cause my cousin wanted to go but I didn't even expect much of the experience, and still managed to feel disappointed. Sigh. read more

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This review is just for the cafe, not the Bow Room. I rated the Bow Room in a separate review as they have their own Yelp page. The cafe itself has plenty of cute desserts to choose from. I wish I would have gotten some mini cakes too. We got a Mixed Berry Pocket Pie $6.50 and a Badtz Maru Blackberry Fizz drink $7.50. The pie was like a hello kitty pop tart but better. The drink was pretty good as well. Not too sweet. I wish they had seating inside (other than the bow room) to be able to enjoy your desserts in a hello kitty setting. I also wish they had an actual store attached to the cafe. So much potential. Maybe in the future if the stores next to them ever close. read more

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The Hello Kitty Cafe is adorbs overload! The inside is so cute I didn't want to leave! The cold brew peppermint mocha was sweet and delicious, and the gingerbread cookie is almost too cute to eat. It smells amazing and I'm honestly scared to ruin it. The fresh hot mini donuts.... made on the spot and impossible to pass up. Warm, fluffy, and so good! I got the maple kind! Cute drinks, cute treats, cute everything! Total must visit! read more

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There was a super long line to get in, but it moved fairly quickly. I did go at night, so the options were more limited but I was still able to get what I wanted. I got the pumpkin spice hot chocolate & the strawberry cake. Both were delicious! (The cake is very sweet fyi) The store is pretty small but it is a cute & fun experience! read more

Hello Kitty Cafe - Strawberry Cake - Cafes Near Me - Irvine, California

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I really liked: Rainbow Mini Donuts I liked: Tarobly Cute Sanrio Surprise The Hello Kitty Cafe in Irvine is a cute stop for fans of Sanrio or anyone curious about themed cafes. It's fun, pink, and playful, but for me, it felt like a one-time #goodeats experience. Rainbow Mini Donuts were the highlight. Fresh, warm, and not too sweet, with a fruity pebbles flavor that really came through. Tarobly Cute lived up to its name. Creamy, nutty, and well-balanced. Sanrio Surprise was on the super sweet and bubbly side. Definitely a candy-drink kind of vibe. The cafe is cute, and the backroom feels like a Hello Kitty speakeasy with an overload of pink. That said, I actually wish it were a bit more Instagrammable. It has the theme, but it's missing a few over-the-top elements that would take it to the next level. Prices are a bit steep, but that's expected for a themed spot. Service was solid. The staff checked in often and made sure our waters were always full. Overall, it's worth checking out if you're a Sanrio fan or going with someone who's excited for their first time. Personally, I probably wouldn't go again unless I'm bringing someone new. read more

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I was so excited to finally try the Hello Kitty Cafe -- it's been on my list for a while! Unfortunately, the experience didn't live up to the hype. From the moment we walked in, it felt like the staff only gave attention to guests who were dressed in designer clothes or carried luxury bags. We felt rushed and overlooked, which really took away from the fun, whimsical vibe we were hoping for. The tea itself was actually pretty good, but the portion was tiny for the price. I get that part of what you're paying for is the aesthetic and branding, but even as a one-time experience, it felt underwhelming. read more

Hello Kitty Cafe - Cafes Near Me - Irvine, California

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I'm a huge HK fan so I was excited to come!We booked two days before and you must show or cancel 24 hours ahead otherwise you will be charged (need to add a credit card to hold reservation). They will text you to confirm the day before. We were immediately greeted and brought back to the bow room. It's a small room, the bar is in the back and the bathroom is in the front. Everything is decorated so cute and in pink. We sat at a booth and ordered our drinks and snack. We ended up ordering two drinks each (8 total),which came out to about $200. Each drink was about $18-23. It's not cheap, but worth it to come at least once. The drinks change each season. Right now it's fall/Halloween themed. I also bought a HK sweater at the cafe in front for $65. The staff was so nice and helpful. read more

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So adorable with all the pink and Hello Kitty decor! We made reservations for cocktail hour in the Bow Room and arrived a bit early, but they were able to seat us right away. There is a 75-minute time limit, and each person is required to order at least one drink. Our server was super friendly and helpful. I tried the Afternoon Tea Sampler, which included a strawberries & cocoa crème parfait, a seasonal mini apple tart, and a macaron -- all cute and delicious! We had such a fun time here. read more

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Since was hot, wanted to ensure the kids are hydrated and here we are. No line, what a huge surprise. Small menu, manly cookies and small cakes. Service was friendly and fast. Place was clean. I had the black tea mango with boba. It was perfect for the heat. It was not sweet, in fact it was perfect for me. Also tried the mini donuts, nice a warm. Cook d upon ordering, but somehow for me they seemed under cooked. read more

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Super cute experience if you are in the Irvine spectrum mall (not sure id drive to this just for itself). We tried hot chocolate, apple tart (seasonal), and lemonade (too sweet for my taste); kids loved it. Super friendly welcoming service. We got food to go and ate at community tables outside (the only seating that they have is for their High tea experience in the "secret room", but that's quite pricey and requires advance reservations) read more

Hello Kitty Cafe - Cafes Near Me - Irvine, California

Something about this place just draws me in. It could be the pink aesthetic or the nostalgia of my youth begging my mom to take me to Sanrio at South Coast Plaza. Either way, super cute and super fun little cafe. I don't go often, have probably only been a couple of times. Their mini cinnamon donuts are a MUST !!! I mean these little things are warm, soft and sugary! Amazing !!!!! The strawberry matcha on the other hand .... not my fave. Once you drink the strawberry syrup at the bottom, the match then becomes flavorless. I haven't tried much else there. All of their desserts look amazing so I would go back and try for sure. Get ready to drop a pretty penny, the strawberry matcha is $9! In case you encounter a long line, don't worry, it moves fast. I say try it !! read more

Hello Kitty Cafe - Cinnamon Donuts - absolutely delicious - Cafes Near Me - Irvine, California

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It is a cute little spot and it feels like you just stepped in a magical world. There is only standing room and the menu is very limited. I got the strawberry cloud latte but it didn't really have any taste to it. I gave it two stars just because of how cute it is in the inside. read more

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Highly recommended for hello kitty & tea lovers . We made reservations for the hello kitty cafe high tea as soon as we the reservations opened up a few months prior. We absolutely loved our time here. Checking in was easy! The tea service itself is pretty standard. We loved everything! It was so special, cute & very detailed, even the butter had a little hello kitty pressed into it. Anything upfront you can also order to go so you don't have to wait on a long line. read more

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My review is geared more towards the bow room experiences, as I have done both afternoon tea and cocktail hour. The cocktails are pricy, but very unique and tasty! Definitely worth the visit. Service is always great, and I love all the Hello Kitty details inside. Afternoon tea is great for a special occasion. I feel like they could do a little better maintaining everything, however. Last afternoon tea we went to, things like the teapot were chipped which really took away from the experience. It does not seem like they have many back-ups, and for how much this place charges, and for how busy they are, I feel like they could put more effort into keeping the location looking like new. The bathroom inside also looked like things were falling apart. Overall a great spot, but just needs a little more love to keep it at 5 stars. read more

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