What is a cat cafe and where can you find your feline fix?

Pet people, animal lovers, feline fanatics - whatever you like to call yourselves, if you’ve ever wondered “what is a cat cafe?”, you’ve come to the right place! From the history behind these furry establishments to what you can expect when visiting one, we take a deep dive into the wonderful world of cat cafes and why you really need to visit one! 

What is a cat cafe? 

There can be some confusion surrounding cat cafes, are they snuggly little nooks where kitties can enjoy a catch-up with their feline friends over bowls of milk, or are they for us humans? While we hope cafes for cats exist in an alternate universe, for the moment, cat cafes are places for us to hang out and enjoy a coffee in the company of some furry friends. Coffee + cats, what’s not to love? 

How do cat cafes work?

Now you know the answer to “what are cat cafes?”, you’re probably realizing there’s more to them than just the coffee. These unique spaces are ideal for cat lovers looking to get their furry fix as feline friends roam around their abodes at leisure, curling up in laps and rubbing their heads up against lucky visitors. Rule number one in cat cafes is that the fur babies are treated with respect in their space - that means no chasing or pestering them while they’re snoozing.  

While these cafes often house homeless cats in hopes of finding fur-ever homes for them, some cat cafes house pedigree cats, and a few are even breed-specific. Expect to pay a small fee to visit the cat cafe itself - this covers feeding costs and vet bills for the cats. Some cat cafes offer a complimentary drink, but usually you will have to pay for food and drinks separately. Expect to see coffee and cake on the menu as well as savory snacks and sometimes treats for the cats. Hygiene is a top priority in cat cafes, so kitties are kept separate from any food preparation areas and visitors are often asked to wear special shoes or coverings.

Where did cat cafes originate?

You can thank Taiwan for bringing the idea of cat cafes to life; the first of its kind was the Cat Flower Garden (now known as Kitten Coffee Garden or Cats & Dog Cafe), which opened its doors in Taipei in 1998. It didn’t take long for the idea to spread to Japan, and the first of many Japanese cat cafes, Neko no Jikan, opened in Osaka in 2004, closely followed by Neko-no-mise in Tokyo the following year. Following the success of cat cafes in Japan, hundreds of furry enterprises have since sprung up throughout Asia. The trend has also caught on in Europe, where Lady Dinah’s Cat Emporium in London, Le Café des Chats in Paris, and the Crazy Cat Cafe in Milan are among the most notorious. 

Cat cafes in the US

The idea of cat cafes took longer to catch on in North America than other continents, but the United States is now home to over 100 furry establishments. Cat cafes here differ slightly from those found in the rest of the world due to food industry regulations prohibiting animals in facilities that serve food. In order to get around this, food and drink can be purchased in the cafe then brought into the designated cat lounge if desired. We recommend purr-using some of the following cat cafes in the US if you’re a local or cat sitting in the area!

The Cafe Meow Cat Cafe, Minneapolis

Address and map pin: 2323 Hennepin Ave, Minneapolis, MN, 55405

Whether you’re looking for a spot to chill out, work, or cuddle some furry felines, The Cafe Meow has two paw-some locations. A reservation is recommended for those wanting to access the cat lounge, which costs $10.50 an hour on weekdays and $15 on weekends, but visitors can still come and support the kitties just by ordering a coffee in the cafe area. Home to 10-20 rescue kitties at any given time, The Cafe Meow is proud to announce it has facilitated over 800 adoptions so far - now that’s something to meow loudly about!

Mac Tabby Cat Cafe, Charlotte

Address and map pin: 3204 N Davidson St, Charlotte, NC 28205

Charlotte’s first-ever cat cafe opened in 2017, and since, then visitors from far and wide have been filling up on coffee and baked goods in the coffeehouse before stopping by the cat lounge, which is home to 12 adoptable and adorable kitties! Walk-ins are certainly welcome but reservations costing $12 for an hour on weekdays and $14 at weekends are recommended. Enjoy a warm welcome from both staff and feline friends, and hit up one of the events at their sister cafe in Downtown Concord. 

Pounce Cat Cafe, Savannah

Address and map pin: 404 W Broughton St, Savannah, GA 31401

Pounce Cat Cafe/Wine Bar has partnered with the Humane Society for Greater Savannah so visitors who enjoy the experience might consider adopting one of their fur babies! Reservations are recommended to guarantee your feline fix, and cost $15 per hour Monday through Thursday and $17 Friday-Sunday. Pastries are delivered fresh every morning and food and drink is served in an area where the cats can’t go to keep things clean. If we ever find ourselves in the area, we’ll be sure to pounce at the opportunity to go here! 

Working up an appetite? 

If all this talk of cat cafes has got your tummy rumbling, check out some other pet-friendly cafes all the way from Edinburgh to New York City!