Last Updated on October 8, 2026 by admin
A cat coffee shop, or cat cafe, is a cafe where you can drink coffee and spend time with resident cats. In the US most cat cafes work with rescues, so the cats are usually up for adoption. Expect to book a timed visit, pay a fee for your session, and follow house rules about handling the cats. Search “cat cafe near me” and check the cafe’s booking page before you go.
How cat coffee shops work
Most cat cafes keep the cats in a separate room from the food counter. You order a drink, then go into the cat lounge for a set time slot. In the United States, health departments generally require the cat area to be kept apart from where food is prepared, which is why many cafes have a glass wall or a separate entrance to the cat room.
Many North American cat cafes do not own the cats. They partner with shelters, nonprofit rescues and foster networks, and the cafe acts as a living adoption room. New York’s Meow Parlour, for example, says all of its cats are available for adoption and recommends booking ahead. Oakland’s Cat Town runs its cafe alongside an adoption program.
Cafes in Japan and other parts of Asia are more often about spending time with the cats than adopting them, and some keep purebred cats as permanent residents.
What to expect on your first visit
| Question | What is typical |
|---|---|
| Do I need a reservation? | Usually recommended, especially on weekends. Many cafes take walk-ins only if slots are free. |
| How long is a visit? | Most sell set time slots. Check the cafe’s site for lengths and prices, which vary a lot by city. |
| Is food allowed in the cat room? | Rules differ. Some allow lidded drinks only; others keep all food and drink out. |
| Can kids come? | Often yes, with an adult, but many cafes set a minimum age. Check before booking. |
| Can I adopt on the spot? | Usually not. You apply through the cafe or its rescue partner and go through their screening. |
Cat cafe etiquette
- Let cats come to you. Sit on the floor or a low seat and offer a hand to sniff.
- Do not pick up cats unless staff say it is okay.
- Leave sleeping cats alone and do not chase cats that walk away.
- Use only the toys the cafe provides, such as wand toys, and never your hands as a toy.
- Do not feed the cats anything, including treats you brought from home.
- No flash photography.
- Wash or sanitize your hands when you enter and leave, especially if you have cats at home.
Are cat cafes good for the cats?
It depends on how the cafe is run. A well-run cafe limits visitor numbers, gives the cats hiding spots and high perches they can retreat to, has rest areas off limits to guests, and has staff watching interactions. Adoption-focused cafes can also help shelter cats get seen by people who would not visit a shelter.
Welfare groups do have concerns. In 2025 the UK’s RSPCA said cat cafes should be phased out, warning that the setting makes it very hard to meet cats’ needs, as Sky News reported. Cats are often stressed by crowds, noise and living with many unfamiliar cats. Signs that a cafe is getting it right: calm cats, clean litter areas, clear rules, limited group sizes and staff who will step in.
A short history of cat cafes
- 1998: The first known cat cafe, Cat Flower Garden, opened in Taipei, Taiwan.
- 2004: Japan’s first cat cafe, Neko no Jikan, opened in Osaka, and the idea spread quickly through Japan.
- 2014: Cat cafes reached North America. Montreal had the first ones in Canada that year, and Cat Town Cafe in Oakland, California, opened in October 2014 as the first in the US. Meow Parlour, New York City’s first, opened the same year.
- 2015: “Cat cafe” was added to the online Oxford Dictionary of English.
These dates come from the cat cafe history compiled on Wikipedia and its cited news sources. Some articles claim a cat cafe existed in Vienna in 1912; we found no reliable source for that story. For more background, see our piece on why cat cafes became so popular.
How to find a cat coffee shop near you
- Search “cat cafe” plus your city in a maps app, then check opening hours on the cafe’s own website, since small cafes change hours often.
- Check whether the cafe partners with a local rescue if adoption matters to you.
- Read the booking page for time slots, fees, age limits and rules.
- Call ahead if you have allergies or are bringing children, so staff can tell you what to expect.
In Texas? See our guide to cat cafes in Texas. Thinking of starting one? Read how to open a cat cafe.
Adopting from a cat cafe
If you fall for a cat, ask staff how adoption works. You will usually fill out an application with the cafe or its rescue partner, and there is an adoption fee. Cat Town, for example, lists adoption fees starting at $50. Spending time with the same cat across a few visits is a good way to see its personality before you commit.
FAQ
What is a cat coffee shop?
A cafe where you can spend time with resident cats while you have a drink. In the US most are linked to rescues, so the cats can be adopted.
Do cat cafes cost money?
Yes, almost all charge for time in the cat room, and drinks are usually extra. Prices vary by city and session length, so check the cafe’s booking page.
Are cat cafes sanitary?
US cafes typically keep the cats separate from the kitchen to meet local health rules. You will usually be asked to wash or sanitize your hands.
Can I go to a cat cafe if I am allergic to cats?
It is risky. The room is full of cat dander. If your allergy is mild, talk to your doctor first and keep your visit short.
Can you adopt a cat from a cat cafe?
At most US cat cafes, yes. You apply through the cafe or its rescue partner and pay an adoption fee.