Hello Kitty and Friends Café officially opens at Melbourne Central

Grab your bows and your besties – the Hello Kitty and Friends Café has just opened! Tucked right under the Melbourne Central clock (yep, directly across from JB Hi-Fi), this place is pure Sanrio magic, and we’re still recovering from the cuteness overload.

From the second you walk in, it’s clear: this isn’t just a café, it’s an entire moment. Every table, every wall, every inch is dripping in adorable detail. The Friends Garden area is bursting with character (literally), while the dreamy Cinnamoroll World dining room blends soft pastels with subtle nods to Melbourne’s city charm. Like, it’s giving kawaii-core meets laneway chic.

The menu? Oh, she’s cute and delicious. Think bento boxes that are too pretty to eat, classic chicken curry with a Sanrio twist, juicy burgers, and fresh poke bowls that feel like a Tokyo lunch date. The dessert lineup is tight but tempting – we’re already planning our next visit just for that pumpkin burnt cheesecake. (We’re obsessed.)

But the real serve? The signature drinks. We got our paws on the Strawberry Matcha and Iced Chocolate, and not only were they tasty – they came with the cutest little bows on the straws. Slay. If you’re feeling bold, go straight for the themed drinks like the Keroppi Kreme Matcha or Pom Pom Brûlée Milk Tea. They’re Instagram gold and taste like happiness.

And let’s not even talk about the gift shop unless you’re ready to cry over your bank balance. Exclusive merch, plushies, apparel, artwork, and pastel pieces you’ll want in every colour – it’s dangerously easy to fall in love with everything.

Whether you’re planning a cute catch-up, a birthday brunch, or just want to live your Sanrio fantasy, this café is officially the destination. Whimsical, iconic, and unapologetically adorable – meet you under the clock.