Is Kinopio’s Cafe Worth it? We’ve Visited USJ and Tried (Almost) The Whole Menu…
On our most recent visit to Universal Studios Japan, we decided to properly test Kinopio’s Cafe (Toad’s Cafe)… and by that I mean we ordered five mains, four desserts, and the signature drink between the four of us. We may have slightly overdone it, but we were in our “we only live once” era, and there was just so much we wanted to try!
Was it necessary? Absolutely not.
Did we enjoy every second of it? Also yes.
If you’re wondering whether Kinopio’s Cafe is worth the hype, or what you should actually order, here’s everything we tried (and what we really thought) as we answer the question is Kinopio’s Cafe worth it?
Heads up! This post may contain affiliate links, which means if you click and make a purchase, I might earn a very small commission – at no extra cost to you. This helps to keep the blog going. Thanks for the support!
What Is Kinopio’s Cafe?
If you’re not already familiar with it, Kinopio’s Cafe is the main restaurant inside the Super Nintendo World area at Universal Studios Japan, and it’s one of the most popular dining spots in the park. Kinopio is what Toad is known as in Japan, and the cafe is themed like the Mushroom Kingdom from in the Super Mario series. Fake digital screens show Toads walking through the Mushroom Kingdom, then everything goes dark and stormy as Bowser and his team appear in the skies.
Everything here is:
Fully themed, from the decor to the food itself Beautifully presented and very, very Instagrammable
Knowing that people would want to take photos in the restaurant, the staff are wonderful. They were so kind, and offered to take our photo as soon as we sat down, as well as when the food arrived and our table was full.
Everything We Tried
We got a little carried away, and because we were booking via the online app, it was just so easy to click ‘add to order’ and end up with more food than you can eat! Or maybe that’s just us.
If you’re trying to decide what to eat, our order list should give you some inspiration.
👉 You can view the full Kinopio’s Cafe menu here
Main Courses
Super Star Anniversary Plate (Mushroom Lasagne & Fried Chicken)
This year is the 5th anniversary of Super Nintendo World, and to celebrate they are hosting a special celebration, including adding extra dishes to the menu at Kinopio’s Cafe. The Super Star Anniversary Plate is the main addition, and it looked as good as it tasted.
This was my favourite thing that we ordered because:
- the mushroom lasagne was rich and comforting
- the fried chicken was crispy and really good quality
This is a great choice if you want a bit of everything, and it felt like one of the more substantial meals on the menu.
Mario’s Bacon Cheeseburger
I generally avoid theme park burgers, but this is a rare exception to the rule. It was a solid, classic burger with great theming, but it was done really well. And the boys loved that they could bring the hat pick home!
As well as being juicy and filling, this is a great choice for kids that aren’t feeling particularly adventurous. Was it the best burger we had in Japan? No! But was it a delicious burger? Most certainly!
My verdict would be that this was not the most exciting visually, but one of the safest choices if you’ve got picky eaters.
Kids Hamburger Meal (with Mario Pick)
There are two different kids meals on the menu at Kinopio’s Cafe. These are a Mario curry, which is aimed at kids aged 6 and under, or the kids hamburger meal, which is aimed at kids aged 11 and under.
There’s nothing to stop kids eating from the adult menu (and mine did!) but the benefits of the kids menu are that they offer:
- A smaller portion, making it perfect for little travellers
- Much plainer option, aimed at kids who don’t want anything too far outside their comfort zone
King Bowser’s Hamburger Steak with Rice
This was Mike’s choice, and this one felt the most “Japanese” of all the dishes. The hamburger steak was covered by a pastry cage that made it look just like Bowser’s shell. It had a rich, savoury flavour, and felt more like a proper sit-down meal than theme park food. It was also really filling!
If you want something a bit different from burgers and pizza, this is a great option.
Portobello Mushroom Pizza
I thought this was a side order when I ordered it, but actually it’s more like a really light main course. It’s also one of the few 100% vegan dishes on the menu. This was one of the more “grown-up” options at Kinopio’s and I actually really enjoyed it.
It’s really flavourful, it’s much lighter than the carb-heavy burger options on the menu, and it’s a great choice if you’re looking for something that feels both flavourful and healthy. I ended up eating this all to myself (with burgers in front of them, the boys had no time for salad!) but it’s such a great choice if you’re not just eating for the novelty theming.
Delicious Desserts
Honestly? This is where Kinopio’s Cafe really shines. This was actually our second visit to Kinopio’s and on our first visit, back in 2022, we only had desserts as we couldn’t get a reservation until around 8pm (after we’d already eaten our evening meal!) We were impressed with the desserts selection on our first visit, and again on this visit too. So we couldn’t resist ordering one each:
Block Tiramisu
One of the most iconic desserts (and my personal favourite!) this is the most popular dessert at Kinopio’s Cafe for good reason. It looks exactly like a Mario block from the game and it’s surprisingly light but not too sweet.
Want something sweet to end your meal but don’t want that uncomfortably full feeling before hitting the next rides? This is a MUST order.
Double Cherry Chocolate Cupcake
The double cherry chocolate cupcake is the dessert I chose on this visit, and it was a top pick! This is a great choice if you love chocolate. It’s very sweet, very chocolatey….and very instagrammable! I posted this shot and sent it straight to all my friends!
Goal Pole Cake
This is probably the most fun cake visually, with its iconic goal pole flag and beautiful coloured layers. The taste was light and mild. Personally, I would prefer more intense flavours, but it was still sweet and creamy, and definitely the best looking desert on our table.
Super Star Plaza Berry & Apple Ice Cream
This is a tub of ice cream that is pre-packaged, and is a light and refreshing option with a strong berry and apple flavour. The boys enjoyed it, but it wouldn’t be at the top of my list, as it didn’t win any points for either design or originality.
What’s Actually Worth Ordering?
Visiting Kinopio’s Cafe and only ordering one dish, instead of almost the whole menu like us? That sounds much more normal! And if you don’t want to go overboard, but you do want to try the best of what’s on offer, here’s what I’d recommend you choose:
- BEST MAIN: Super Star Anniversary Plate
- BEST FOR KIDS: Mario’s Bacon Cheeseburger for big kids/teens or Kids Hamburger Meal for younger kids
- MUST-TRY DESSERT: Block Tiramisu (no question!)
- BEST DRINK: Super Star Lemon Squash
Planning Your Visit To Super Nintendo World
If you’re planning to visit Kinopio’s Cafe, you’ll need a ticket for Universal Studios Japan, and on most days, you’ll also need a timed entry slot for Super Nintendo World.
You don’t need to buy a separate ticket to get into Super Nintendo World, although some people choose to buy a Universal Studios Japan Express Pass so they’re guarenteed entry, and at a time that works for them.
Universal Studios Japan Tickets: Exactly What To Buy in 2026 (Without Overpaying) Is Universal Studios Japan Worth Visiting in 2026? Our Honest Family Review
We booked all of our Universal Studios Japan tickets and Express Passes in advance, which made the whole experience so much smoother.
QUICK BOOKING BOX:
👉For best prices and flexibility, book your Universal Studios Japan tickets here
👉 To skip the queues, you can pay extra for USJ Express Passes here
🎁 Use code THATMUMTRAVEL5KLOOK for an exclusive reader discount on USJ tickets
Kinopio’s Cafe Frequently Asked Questions
Is Kinopio’s Cafe Worth Visiting?
Yes, I would definitely recommend visit Kinopio’s Cafe, but with one important caveat. This is only an amazing restaurant if you’re a fan of the Super Mario Bros franchise.
You’re not coming here for the best meal of your life, although I will say it’s some of the best and certainly the best presented, theme park food I’ve ever tried. What you’re coming for is the experience, the theming and the fun. And is that’s what you’re looking for? Kinopio’s Cafe definitely delivers!
Do You Need To Reserve Kinopio’s Cafe?
No you don’t need to reserve Kinopio’s Cafe. In fact, when we visited in Apirl you couldn’t make a traditional reservation in advance (we did try!). Instead, Universal Studios Japan used a virtual queue system via the app. Here’s how it worked for us:
- You place your order in advance through the USJ app
- The app gave you a return time when your table would be ready
- When it’s your time to dine, you go to the restaurant entrance and show your phone to the staff to be let inside
- At the tills you then confirm and pay for your order (you can also add any extras or make changes here)
- After that, you’re shown to your table. It’s that easy!
It sounds a bit complicated, but in reality it works really smoothly, and because we arrived at the restaurant as it was opening, we only waited around 10 minutes to get into the restaurant and to our table.
Is Kinopio’s Cafe Good For Kids?
Kinopio’s is one of the most kid-friendly dining experiences we’ve done, and kids are both welcomed and expected. This is shown by the two children’s dishes on the menu: a hamburger plate or a curry plate.
Even if it wasn’t designed with kids in mind, everything about Kinopio’s feels aimed at kids. From the bright, colourful theming to the playful presentation of the food. Our boys are now 10 and 13, but when we first visited they were 6 and 9, and on both trips they absolutely loved it! The animated screens attracted their attention, and they genuinely loved the food.
If your kids are fans of Mario or Nintendo then I think this will be one of their favourite parts of the day!
Final Thoughts and Further Reading
Would I recommend visiting Kinopio’s Cafe and ordering quite so much food? Probably not. Would I do it again? Absolutely!
Kinopio’s Cafe is one of those experiences that just adds to the magic of Super Nintendo World.
It’s fun, it’s different, and it’s something the kids will remember long after the trip. Our boys gathered all the food picks and packaging, and they still use them to this day.
If you’re already planning a visit to Universal Studios Japan, I’d definitely try to fit it in, even if it’s just for dessert, like we did on our first visit. It’s such a fun restaurant that really adds to the whole Super Nintendo World experience.
Planning the perfect Universal Studios Japan day out? Check out these articles to help you:
👉Is Universal Studios Japan Worth Visiting in 2026? Our Honest Family Review
👉5 Best Universal Studios Japan Hotels (2026 Guide For Families)
👉Universal Studios Japan Tickets: Exactly What To Buy in 2026 (Without Overpaying)
👉How To Get To Universal Studios Japan (A Step-By-Step Guide)
👉Universal Studios Japan Ride Heights Chart 2026: Everything Families Need To Know With Free Downloadable Chart
👉Tokyo Disney vs Universal Studios Japan: Which Theme Park is Better for Kids?
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Heads up! This post may contain affiliate links, which means if you click and make a purchase, I might earn a very small commission – at no extra cost to you. This helps to keep the blog going. Thanks for the support!
