12 Countries Where You Can Find Cat Cafes

7/3/2023

Petting cats can be incredibly soothing, promoting feelings of relaxation and reducing stress and anxiety. The rhythmic motion of petting releases endorphins, those feel-good hormones that can lift our spirits and enhance our overall mood. Whether it's the soft touch of their fur or the gentle purring vibrations, petting cats has a remarkable ability to nurture our souls and bring a sense of peace and contentment. Hence, the birth of the cat cafe!

Calling all cat lovers! Read on to see where to go to pet cats while savoring your favorite beverage.

Cat Cafe

1. Taiwan

Though many believe that cat cafes originated in Japan, the first one on record was actually Cat Flower Garden (AKA Kitten Coffee Garden), opened in Taipei, Taiwan, in 1998. Since then, many more have sprung up all over Taiwan, like Genki Cat and Meow Mi Cafe.

2. Japan

Cat cafes quickly became popular in Japan, and now you'll find cat cafes throughout the country. This list from Interac describes five of their most popular cat cafes.

3. The United Kingdom

The Birmingham Kitty Cafe is a brightly colored coffee shop and animal rescue in England. Scotland's first cat cafe, Maison de Moggy, is located in Edinburgh, where, along with their darling kitties, you'll find hot and cold drinks and cakes. Head over to Glasgow where you'll find a lovely little cat cafe called Purrple Cat Cafe, which even offers toddler sessions for the wee cat friends to be introduced to the furry felines.

4. The United States

Cat cafes seem to be taking off in my home country of the U.S. Kuhului, on the Hawaiian island of Maui, is home to Cat Cafe Maui, which offers coffees and cat adoption services. My home town of Houston, Texas, is home to El Gato Coffeehouse Cat Cafe, where they work together with El Gato Charities to help their furry friends find fosters and their "fur"ever homes. Nine Lives Cat Cafe in Indiapolis, Indiana, also helps their kitties get adopted. And La Gattara Cat Cafe in Phoenix, Arizona, is an animal rescue featuring cats, coffees, board games, yoga, and much more! South Carolina has several cat cafes, like Purr and Pour Cat Cafe in Georgetown, Pounce Cat Cafe + Wine Bar in Charleston, and Mews + Brews Cat Cafe in Summerville. California is full of cat cafes, with locations all up and down the state, in San Francisco, Los Angeles, San Diego, Oakland, and more.

Cat Cafes Exist Throughout Europe, Asia, and North America

5. France

Paris is home to two fantastic and wildly popular cat cafes - Chat Mallows and Le Cafe Des Chats. In Nice, you'll find La Ronronnerie, where you can enjoy cats, coffees, and sweet treats.

6. Cambodia

In the capitol city of Phnom Penh, you'll find several cat cafes, including Ministry of Cat, Catera Cambodia, and CHHMA Catfe.

*Phnom Penh also has a doggy cafe, Corgi in Town (not just for corgis).

7. Iceland

This adorable cat cafe in Reykjavik houses their precious feline friends until the cats find their "fur"ever homes.

8. South Korea

South Korea is home to a number of cat cafes, like Cats' Playground and Cat Garden in Seoul and The Lazy Cat in Busan.

9. Singapore

Another Asian country known for its cat cafes, Singapore features favorites like Meomi Cat Cafe and NekoTown Cat Cafe.

10. Germany

Cat cafes exist throughout Germany. In Aachen near the Belgian border, you'll find Katzencafe Aachen. Cat Cafe Miezhaus is located in Bielefeld, and you'll find Katzentempel locations in Nuremberg, Munich, Rosenheim, and Erlanger.

11. Czech Republic

Another European country that loves its cat cafes is Czechia. In Prague, you'll find Cat Cafe Prague and Cat Cafe. Even lesser-known cities like Olomouc and Brno-Sever have their cat cafes, like CoffeeCat and The Cat Cafe.

12. Austria

When visiting Vienna, don't miss Neko Wien Cats and Barista Cats. Cat'N'Coffee in Innere Stadt offers a full food and drink menu and hosts events like Cat n' Yoga.

Many cat cafes also either work with or as animal rescues, helping to re-home their furry friends. Some cat cafes have rules limiting the minimum age at which children can enter. Some require appointments; other do not. Most do not allow you to pick up the cats. Please make sure you check the rules and requirements prior to making your way to the cat cafe.

Is there a cat cafe in your hometown? Let me know in the comments!