Contents
- 1 Hello Kitty and Friends Café
- 2 What is the Hello Kitty and Friends Café?
- 3 Where is the Hello Kitty and Friends Café located in Melbourne?
- 4 What are the themed zones inside the Hello Kitty and Friends Café?
- 5 What food is served at Hello Kitty Café Melbourne?
- 6 What drinks can you order?
- 7 What kind of merchandise is available?
- 8 What makes this café different from others?
- 9 When is the best time to visit?
- 10 Local Tips
- 11 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Hello Kitty and Friends Café
| Location | Level 1, Melbourne Central, La Trobe Street |
| Opened | May 9, 2025 – First permanent Hello Kitty Café in Australia |
| Zones | Cinnamoroll World, Hello Kitty Corner, Friends Garden, Kuromi & My Melody |
| Food Style | Japanese-fusion: bento boxes, soba, croffles, kawaii cakes |
| Drinks | Matcha, milk tea, strawberry fizz, mocktails |
| Merchandise | Exclusive Sanrio merch – mugs, bags, keychains, tees |
| Experience | Immersive, photo-ready, family-friendly spaces curated by top artists |
| Personal Tip | Go mid-morning for fewer crowds and sweeter lighting for photos |
What is the Hello Kitty and Friends Café?
Hello Kitty and Friends Café is a themed dining experience located in Melbourne Central that celebrates the Sanrio universe through immersive design, Japanese-inspired food, and exclusive merchandise.
It is not just a coffee shop or takeaway kiosk. Instead, it is a destination designed for exploration, interaction, and delight across all ages.
The Hello Kitty and Friends Café in Melbourne is more than a dining venue. It is a themed attraction that combines art, anime, and Asian cuisine into one immersive experience.
Opened in May 2025, it marks Australia’s first permanent Sanrio café, showcasing iconic characters like Hello Kitty, My Melody, Kuromi, and Cinnamoroll.
Visitors can enjoy bento boxes, croffles, creative drinks, and limited-edition Sanrio collectibles—all within a pastel paradise built for family fun, selfies, and sweet cravings.
My kids and I visited during the school holidays, and even my two boys were surprised by how cool the Kuromi corner looked. My youngest daughter, 7, was enchanted by the Cinnamoroll clouds.
Where is the Hello Kitty and Friends Café located in Melbourne?
The café is on Level 1 at Melbourne Central, near the Swanston Street entrance.
Melbourne Central is a shopping hub in the heart of the CBD. The Hello Kitty Café is located in the corner tenancy beside the Shot Tower, which inspired the local mural art inside the café’s Friends Garden zone.
Melbourne Central was a perfect choice for Sanrio’s flagship launch, blending inner-city foot traffic with local art references and family accessibility.
What are the themed zones inside the Hello Kitty and Friends Café?
There are four interactive spaces inside the café, each dedicated to a Sanrio character or concept.
The design team used pastel tones, oversized décor, and mural art to create Instagrammable corners for each visitor. Each area is also tied to the character’s personality or universe. These are the key zones guests can explore during their visit.
Each themed area at the Hello Kitty Café offers a unique vibe and seating layout.
- Cinnamoroll World – dreamy clouds, baby blue walls, floating seats
- Friends Garden – features the Shot Tower mural, nature-inspired tones
- Hello Kitty Corner – red accents, pastries-to-go section
- Kuromi & My Melody Lounge – purple-pink gradient, trendy booth seating
My kids immediately ran toward Kuromi’s section for photos. The staff told us it was the most popular photo spot, especially with teens.
What food is served at Hello Kitty Café Melbourne?
The menu is Japanese fusion, combining comfort food with playful presentation.
Every meal is themed and served in character packaging or with edible art. It is not just cute – it is also delicious. Expect portion sizes similar to typical lunch cafés, but with added flair.
The food menu includes hot meals, snacks, and sweets with Japanese influence.
- Main meals: bento bowls, soba salad, Japanese rosé pasta, poke bowls
- Light eats: croissant sandwiches, sushi-style stacks
- Desserts: Hello Kitty cakes, croffles with soft serve, burnt pumpkin cheesecake
We shared a Hello Kitty bento bowl and a My Melody strawberry croffle. My kids fought over who got the edible bow made from chocolate.
What drinks can you order?
There is a wide drink selection designed to suit both kids and adults.
From matcha to mocktails, each drink is named after a Sanrio character and presented in colourful cups. Drinks pair well with both sweet and savoury menu items.
The drink menu includes hot, iced, and blended beverages.
- Coffee and tea: matcha latte, milk teas, fruit teas
- Specials: Pom Pom Brûlée Milk Tea, Keroppi Kreme Matcha, My Melody Ice Strawberry
- Mocktails: Cinnamoroll cloud fizz, Sanrio soda splash
I ordered the Pom Pom milk tea and it came with caramelised crème brûlée foam on top—decadent and surprisingly filling!
What kind of merchandise is available?
There is an exclusive merch shop on site, offering items not sold anywhere else in Australia.
Most merchandise includes character-branded items and collectible designs only available at the Melbourne Central location.
The café shop sells limited-run Sanrio merchandise.
- Mugs, tumblers, and cups with Hello Kitty artwork
- Character keychains, coin purses, and badges
- Clothing such as printed T-shirts and tote bags
- Seasonal drops tied to school holidays or Sanrio anniversaries
We picked up a Cinnamoroll drink bottle and a Kuromi hoodie for my daughter. The staff also mentioned that new designs drop every few months.
What makes this café different from others?
What separates Hello Kitty Café from a typical themed coffee shop is the level of immersive design and story integration.
The Melbourne café was designed by local artists, including Eddie Zammit and illustrator Travis Price, blending kawaii culture with urban Melbourne street style.
Each seating zone offers a distinct vibe, and almost every surface is ideal for photos. There is even a character-themed playlist playing throughout the day.
Whether you’re visiting for the food, the aesthetic, or the merchandise, the café offers something more meaningful—a feeling of joy and childlike nostalgia.
When is the best time to visit?
The café is open daily from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., but the best time for families is between 10:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. on weekdays.
There are fewer crowds before lunch, and you will get better access to photo zones.
During our visit on a Tuesday morning, we found seating within minutes and had staff help us take a family photo in Cinnamoroll World.
Local Tips
- Allergy information: Most desserts are nut-free, but some contain dairy and gluten
- Birthday experience: You can bring a birthday crew but no party bookings yet
- Accessibility: Fully wheelchair accessible and pram-friendly
- Nearest parking: QV carpark across the road is most convenient
- Public transport tip: Take any tram along Swanston Street and get off at La Trobe
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is the Hello Kitty Café in Melbourne permanent?
Yes, the Melbourne Central location is permanent and opened in May 2025.
Do you need to book a table in advance?
No, the café operates on a walk-in basis, but it can get busy during weekends.
Are there vegan or vegetarian options?
Yes, the poke bowls and soba salads have vegetarian options.
Can I buy Sanrio merch without dining?
Yes, the merchandise store is open for all shoppers.
Is there a kids’ menu?
No, but the main meals are very kid-friendly in portion and flavour.
Are pets allowed?
No, only service animals are permitted.
Are there any rotating menu items?
Yes, seasonal items are added during school holidays and Sanrio anniversaries.
Best Coffee Shops in Melbourne
Before leaving Melbourne Central, coffee lovers might want to explore beyond the themed fun. While Hello Kitty and Friends Café offers playful drinks, those craving a more classic or specialty brew can find excellent options nearby.
Discover top-rated roasters, latte artists, and cosy espresso bars in our guide to the best coffee shops in Melbourne.
