Somerset House, London
My adventure at the Hello Kitty Cafe in London was nothing short of delightful, packed with whimsy, cuteness overload, and just a dash of sticker shock. From the moment I stepped through the pastel pink door adorned with the iconic Hello Kitty bow, I was whisked away into a world where everything was sprinkled with a generous dose of kawaii charm.
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The cafe is located in Somerset House, London and it is not here to stay for long. You have until 14th April to visit.
Door to the café with a menu outside.
Inside the Café
After a seemingly endless thirty-minute wait, we finally made it inside. The entrance welcomed us with a warm setup of tables and chairs, guiding us deeper into the café where the till stood ready to take our orders. While the options for light bites were a bit restricted, the extensive selection of drinks more than made up for it.
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Despite the supposed protocol of ordering before seating, it appeared that everyone was too impatient to secure a spot, paying little heed to the rule. However, amidst the hustle and bustle, it was evident that the café was dedicated to satisfying every palate with its diverse menu offerings.
Soy matcha latte
My Order
I ordered a soy matcha latte paired with cookies and cream KitKat. The matcha latte, priced at £3.90, struck me as a fair deal, and its taste lived up to expectations. However, the same couldn't be said for the £1.20 Kitkat. It felt rather small and lacked the anticipated flavours. Nonetheless, the adorable Keroppi topping my matcha latte added a delightful touch to the experience.
Thoughts?
The café, while adorable, feels like a once-in-a-lifetime visit. Luckily, our weekday trip meant a short 30-minute wait, but it can stretch to a crazy 2-hour queue sometimes on the weekends. Finding the café amid Somerset House was a bit tricky, but spotting the huge Hello Kitty statue in the photo assured us we were in the right place.
I was expecting more out of the café interior as the seating arrangements were not the cutest and we also had limited time in the cafe, 20 minutes in total to be mindful of others. So, you have to rush everything which can ruin the whole experience. But overall, it was a nice experience to have visited a childhood memory.
The café is open until 14th April 2024 so if you are looking to visit, you better be quick!