Visiting one of the Square Enix cafes in Japan is a treat, figuratively and literally. The cafes feature food and merchandise based on popular IPs such as Final Fantasy and Dragon Quest. You just have to be in Tokyo. But that will soon change. Square Enix is bringing an officially licensed cafe to Los Angeles. This will mark the first time a permanent Square Enix cafe opens in the United States.
Announced by Square Enix last month, the news coincides with the opening of another cafe location in Japan. Square Enix will also open a new cafe in Shinjuku, Tokyo.
According to a company press release, both cafes will open in spring of 2026. As in, this spring. As of the time of writing, the Los Angeles has yet to open. However, Tokyo-based news site SoraNews24 reports that the Japanese press release notes that they’ll open in early summer, so it may be a little more of a wait.
The LA Square Enix cafe, full title the Officially Licensed Square Enix Cafe & Shop Los Angeles, will seek to replicate those in Tokyo. The press release notes that it will offer “a full, authentic menu.” In the past, Los Angeles has seen Square Enix pop up cafes arrive with more limited offerings. There may still be some differences, as it will be operated by J-Pop Culture Cafe Inc. as opposed to Newton Corporation for those in Japan.
Whenever it opens and however similar it is to its Japanese counterparts, the news of a permanent Square Enix Cafe in LA will surely excite Square Enix fans. Personally, I’m hoping that it has the delicious Chocobo Pancakes and Aerith-inspired Strawberry parfait from the existing Shinjuku “ARTNIA” location (pictured above).
And this is shaping up to be a solid year for the gaming company. It saw Final Fantasy VII Remake ported to the Switch 2 this January, with Rebirth hot on its heels. We recently spoke with director Naoki Hamaguchi, who discussed the challenges the team overcame. Next month, the company will release another RPG, The Adventures of Elliot: The Millennium Tales.
As for the US cafe, it will open at 316 E 1st St., Los Angeles, California 90012. Fittingly, it’ll be located in Little Tokyo. Mosey on over to check it out soon.
Source: Press Release
