Looking for a fun outing with friends, family, or even a solo date in NYC? If you love adorable collectibles, then you absolutely need to add the Jellycat Diner Experience at FAO Schwarz to your bucket list. Located in Rockefeller Center, FAO Schwarz is one of New York City’s most iconic toy stores. Known for its playful atmosphere and wide selection of toys, from Barbie and LEGO to Build-A-Bear and Jellycats, it’s a must-visit spot for anyone who loves a little bit of fun and childhood nostalgia.
On the first floor of FAO Schwarz, you’ll find the Jellycat Diner, a setup where you can “order” and “cook” your own plushie from the Jellycat Amuseables collection. The diner looks like a retro restaurant, with an adorable counter, chef’s setup ready for the cooking to begin. It’s the perfect spot for taking cute photos while enjoying a unique experience.
To take part, you’ll first need to book a reservation online. The experience is extremely popular, and time slots fill up fast, so reserving ahead of time on the FAO Schwarz website is the best way to guarantee your spot. When you arrive for your reservation, check in with the friendly staff. You’ll be greeted by the energetic employees and they will hand you a Jellycat Diner “menu,” listing all the plushie food items available to “cook up.” Prices vary depending on what you choose. Larger items like the Amuseables Milkshake, Cheesecake, Pancakes, Waffle, Burger, and Hot Dog cost around $70, while smaller “side-dish” plushies like the Pickle, Happy Boiled Egg, Coffee Cup, and Nibbles Cookie are around $40.
Once you’ve chosen your item, the fun begins! The staff walks you through the “cooking” process, flipping, mixing, and plating your plushie before boxing it up in a cute take-out container. The entire experience lasts about ten minutes, but it’s packed with such a fun, lighthearted and childlike experience that anyone can enjoy. You can tell the staff really love what they do, and their excitement makes the whole thing even more special!
Each Jellycat Diner experience comes with a few exclusive goodies that make it feel even more personalized. Every purchase includes an enamel pin shaped like your plushie item, a Jellycat sticker sheet, customized gift packaging with your name on it, and a reusable “take-out” tote bag to carry everything home in.
Even if you don’t end up booking the full diner experience, it’s still worth visiting FAO Schwarz to check out the setup and browse the Jellycat section nearby. The display alone is adorable and perfect for photos, and you can always purchase one of the regular Jellycat plushies from the shelves as a more affordable alternative. They have so many options in store for cheaper options so it is still worth checking out!
If you’re looking for a cute, unique and nostalgic activity in New York City, the Jellycat Diner Experience at FAO Schwarz is a must-do. Whether you go with friends, family, or treat yourself to a solo visit, you’ll walk away with not only a new plushie friend but also a fun and memorable story from one of NYC’s most iconic toy stores!