It was a really hot August morning, yet I woke up in excitement. I was set to go to the ‘Hogwarts Cafe’, a new eatery inspired by the beloved Harry Potter series by JK Rowling. As soon as I heard about this place, I could hear Dumbledore’s words from The Sorcerer’s Stone: “Let the feast begin!”, when Harry and his friends attend their first day at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Sigh.
Around noon, I got ready for the nearly 45-minute drive (yes, that’s much I love Harry Potter!) to this charming place, located next to the Media Housing Society in PWD. From the outside, the cafe appears to be a bookstore. As you step inside, you can’t help but notice a hanging broomstick and suspended candles, just like in The Great Hall.
The super friendly staff greeted me with immense joy and placed a copy of the Daily Prophet in front of me. It featured an image of Dumbledore, which made me immensely nostalgic of a time I was in school and had a vast collection of Harry Potter accessories (A warm furry blue pair of shoes with ‘HP’ embroidered in yellow, and a signature scar were my most loved possessions).
The place speaks volumes of the obsession the owners have with the franchise. There are wallpapers of Harry Potter at the entrance, and the walls inside are full of photo frames depicting various characters.
The most interesting part of the cafe for me was the menu: potions, Butter Beer, and the Goblet of Fire (a green apple lemonade) are quite likely to make you smile. The prices here are quite reasonable, with most items under Rs. 500. Though I kept wishing I could wave a wand and have an enormous feast presented before me (just like at The Great Hall).
Emad Ur Rehman, the owner of Hogwarts Cafe, has always been a Harry Potter buff. “I’ve grown up with Harry and Hermione, I always wanted a place for kids where they could experience the craze – just like we did.” He also said the cafe was a way to encourage patrons to read good books, as well enjoy quality, hygienic food.
