10 Cool Cat Cafes in the U.S. You Have to Visit

Is there any combo more pleasing than coffee and cats? We think not. Now you can get your fix of both with a visit to your friendly neighborhood cafe with cats. That’s right – cats cafes are a thing, and we’re loving it.

Check out our comprehensive cat cafes guide to learn more about this adorably trendy (albeit somewhat bewildering) phenomenon. We’re also taking a closer look at 20 paws-itively brilliant cafes with cats across the U.S.

What exactly is a cat cafe?

What to expect during your visit?

Benefits of visiting your local kitty cafe

Different opinions on the these cat places 

Koneko in New York City, New York

The Tree House in Chicago, Illinois

NEKO in Seattle, Washington

The Kitty Cafe in San Diego, California

Java Cafe with Kitties in Atlanta, Georgia

Whiskers in Kansas City, Missouri

Purrfect Day in Louisville, Kentucky

Mac Tabby in Charlotte, North Carolina

The Kitty Beautiful in Orlando, Florida

Rescued Treasures in Las Vegas, Nevada

What exactly is a cat cafe?

So, what exactly do these cafes involve? Think of it as a type of supervised pet rental. Patrons pay a cover fee to spend an hour or so snuggling with purring piles of fur while sipping peppermint lattes. Sometimes food is involved. Sometimes not. Either way, one thing is certain: these kitty cafes are a dream for any cat lover.

The first cafe with cats opened in Taiwan in 1999, with Japan quick to follow suit. Now, such places can be found throughout Asia and Europe. The U.S. is catching up on this hot trend, much to the delight of cat lovers across North America.

What to expect during your visit?

The coffee shops with cats are springing up all over the United States, and if you're in a bigger metropolitan area, there's a good chance a kitty cafe is just around the corner. Get creative with Sunday brunch and schedule a 2-hour session at your local cat place to see what all the fuss is about.

Reservations: Depending on the cafe's popularity, reservations may be a requirement. In most cases, this can be done online. Even if a cafe welcomes walk-ins, it's wise to reserve a time slot to avoid being turned away.

Cost: Typically, you'll need to pay a cover charge in addition to any beverages you buy.

Rules: Cafe owners establish rules to protect the well-being of their cats. Patrons must abide by certain policies, such as refraining from chasing the cats or resisting the urge to wake a slumbering Tabby.

Most of the places will post their policies on their website. Save yourself a scolding by following all of the cafe's policies on flash photography, holding or handling the cats, and age requirements (some cafes will not allow young children.)

Cat personalities: You're bound to experience varying degrees of socialization from the cats. Some will be friendly. Others will be shy. And just as their natural temperaments fluctuate, a cat’s desire to sit on your lap can change from one minute to the next. But hey – that's what we love about them, right?

Kid-Friendly?: A word of warning – before you bring your cat-loving tot along, check out the cafe's policy on younger visitors. Some kitty cafes restrict children, while others offer designated times for children to be welcome.

Attire: Naturally, you can dress as you please, but we have a few pointers. First, long-sleeves serve as protection against unexpected scratches, and slip-on sneakers are ideal if you can’t wear shoes in the cafe’s lounge area. Above all, choose an outfit you won’t mind being covered in hair.

Hygienic policies: Since food is often served alongside coffee and tea, allow me to settle any reservations you may have about cleanliness. Food prep is always kept separate from any areas the cats roam, and hygienic practices are strictly maintained. After all, no owner wants their cafe to smell like a giant litter box.

NO outside cats allowed: Bear in mind – you don’t bring your own cat to the cafe. The cafe will have its own resident felines who would love to keep you company. Depending on the cafe's particular mission, the cats may be permanent residents, or they could be rescues waiting to be adopted.

Benefits of visiting a local kitty cafe

There is mounting evidence that cats are good for our health. Feline companionship lowers stress, decreases blood pressure, and even diminishes one’s risk of developing heart disease. The positive energy you experience around cats can also boost your immune system.

Psychologically, cats help curb depression and anxiety. They banish loneliness and set our minds at ease with their hypnotic purrs.

Novelty can act as a balm to our souls, and visiting a new place with cats could be just what you need for a recharge.

New Cat in Home? How to help your new cat adapt.

Different opinions on these cat places

While most people appreciate the benefits (and undeniable cuteness) that cafes with kitties provide, some people oppose them, calling them out as inhumane exploitation of animals.

According to these naysayers, cats need stability and the cafes that operate as off-site adoption centers result in an ever-revolving door of constant change. They also point out that the persistent presence of strangers can be a source of stress for cats, who may not be fond of the extra attention.

There's also the potential for health violations. With so many cats confined to a small area, one sick cat could infect its fellow residents.

Regardless of how you feel about them, most owners have implemented strict policies to maintain the well-being of their furry residents. These policies include microchipping their cats and keeping vaccinations up-to-date.

Our recommendation: visit a cafe yourself to get a true sense of whether or not the cats are enjoying themselves. Your perspective may change once you visit a such cafe in person.

And now, let’s take a closer look at some of the cool kitty cafes across the country.

Koneko in New York City

Located in Manhattan’s Lower East Side, Koneko was the Big Apple’s very first cafehouse in New Your City with cats. Drawing inspiration from Japan’s first cafes with kitties, Koneko serves traditional Japanese eats with sake (or beer or wine, if you prefer). Savor your refreshments in the company of 20+ mood-boosting felines.

Bring your camera, and take advantage of the cafe’s Insta-worthy cat art and graffiti. Resident cats roam freely in any of the coffeeshop’s three main spaces: a sunny loft aptly named the Upper Cattery, a cozy Lower Cattery, and an outdoor “Catio.”

Some more cafes in NYC worth visiting include the Meow Parlor

and The Brooklyn Cafe.

The Tree House in Chicago, Illinois

If you find yourself in the Windy City, make a reservation at the Tree House Humane Society. This socially conscious shelter is the premier place to get your feline fix.

The Tree House has made it their mission to model exemplary cat care while nurturing the human-animal bond. They’ve joined like-minded organizations to advocate for the fair and thoughtful treatment of all animals. It sounds like a cause we could get behind.

Another coffee shop in Chicago worth visiting is The CatCade.

NEKO in Seattle, Washington

With two locations in Washington state, NEKO professes to be “more than just a kitty cafe.” These folks are dedicated to finding fur-ever homes for every cat on the streets. Partnering with Regional Animal Services of King County (RASKC) and Whatcom Humane, NEKO aims to rescue as many cats as possible.

The inspiration for NEKO came from the years its founder, Caitlin Unsell, spent teaching in Japan and Vietnam – two countries where these places with cats are all the rage. Upon returning to the States, Caitlin and her partner, Cory, made it their mission to open a cat sanctuary that doubled as a retreat for humans.

Another Seattle cafe worth visiting is the Seattle Meowtropolitan

The Kitty Cafe in San Diego, California

Get your “purr therapy” at the original Cafe in Southern California. They’ve been pouring award-winning coffee in the company of cats since 2015. Go on an empty stomach and enjoy a local pastry from Bread and Cie, a sweet treat from The Cravory, or a scrummy sandwich from Sunshine & Orange.

All kinds of cats have been housed by the coffee shop – senior cats, kittens, special needs cats, and blind cats. If you’re seriously considering adoption, the cafe’s owners invite you to schedule a meet-and-greet so you can engage with the cats and see which personality jives with you best.

For something a little more offbeat, why not try Cat Yoga? Stretch and relax while the cats roam freely about the room. This cat place offers evening classes suitable for all experience levels. Top things off with an espresso and some cat snuggle, and you’re golden.

Another place to visit in San Diego: Cat & Craft

Java Cafe in Atlanta, Georgia

When Hadyn Hilton opened JavaCatsCafe in 2017, she purposely chose a family-friendly location. She envisioned a place where children and families could gather to enjoy wholesome activities – all in the company of cats.

The cafe continues to pursue this goal, striving to “bring the citizens of Atlanta joy through the love of an adoptable cat and exceptional coffee.” For the $12 price of admission, you’ll enjoy a complimentary coffee or tea and one blissful hour of kitty cuddles.

Additional cat place to visit in Atlanta includes El Gato Coffeehouse:

Whiskers in Kansas City, Missouri

Whiskers gets it right when they claim to offer “the best of both worlds.” Cats & Coffee. What more could you ask for?

The kitty cafe come from the KC Pet Project, each of them arriving with a clean bill of health. While the owners are dedicated to finding forever homes for their cats, they’re also invested in the benefits the cafe can bring to its human visitors. They point to studies that illustrate the mood-boosting benefits of feline companionship, maintaining that cat snuggles can mitigate stress, combat depression, and even lower blood pressure.

The cafe’s thoughtfully designed kitty playground provides areas for the cats to play, snuggle, or nap, and visitors can help themselves with books or a cafe games.

Purrfect Day in Louisville, Kentucky

You’re sure to have a purr-fect time at the Purrfect Day in Louisville. As the city’s first cafe with kitties, Purrfect Day offers coffee, beer, and wine, as well as grab-and-go grub and delectable desserts. This socially conscious organization is committed to changing the way we look at pet adoption. To that end, they’ve made it their mission to facilitate a “better matchmaking experience for cats and people alike.”

Whether you’re thinking about adoption or you’re just looking for a unique solution to date night, your purr-fect day awaits.

A second place to visit in Louisville is the Lucky Cafe and Lounge with Cats

Mac Tabby in Charlotte, North Carolina

Mac Tabby owners welcome you to unwind with a glass of Pinot and the fine company of their 12 free-roaming cats. With a separate space for refreshments and cats, you can grab a quick bite to eat while enjoying the feline antics through a viewing window. The cats come from a local rescue, Catering to Cats and Dogs, and they all arrive spayed or neutered, tested for feline leukemia, microchipped, and vaccinated.

Walk-ins are welcome, although entry depends upon availability. To be safe, make a reservation.

Another coffee shop and boarding for cats to visit in Charlotte: Daily Mews and Boutique

The Kitty Beautiful in Orlando, Florida

This popular spot in the Sunshine State is a one-part coffee shop and one-part cat haven. Order a morning pick-me-up and head over to the separate cat room where you can delight in the quirky behavior of resident felines. A small cover charge is required, but trust us—it’s worth it.

All the adoptable cats at Kitty Beautiful are spayed or neutered, receive appropriate vaccinations, and are microchipped.

Itching to try something new? Check out their Cat Yoga events or “Mewvie Nights.” Reservations are strongly recommended, especially on weekends.

Another cat place worth visiting in Orlando is the Cat Orlando Cafe.

Rescued Treasures in Las Vegas, Nevada

Rescued Treasures is on a mission to eradicate cat homelessness. The organization is committed to improving the quality of animal life. To do so, they’ve implemented several strategies, including spay/neuter programs, promoting proper cat care, and providing resources to support animal rescues.

At Rescued Treasures, you’ll find free WiFi, complimentary beverages and snacks, and delightful (and adoptable!) cats. All resident felines have tested negative for FELV/FIV, are spayed or neutered, are microchipped, and are up-to-date on all vaccinations.

There’s no doubt about it – these cafes are the cat’s meow! Do you have a favorite cat cafe? We’d love to hear about your experience! Give us the lowdown in the comments below.

About the author Liz is a freelance blogger and copywriter with a soft spot for all things feline. She lives in Western New York with her husband, daughter, and three fabulous cats. Connect with Liz at Lizwritesforyou.com.

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