The 13 Best Cat Cafes Across The US
Whether from storybooks or real life, we're all familiar with the image of a grandmother petting a cat who's purring in her lap. Cats just have this magical quality that inspires many of us to slow down and savor the little things in life. At cat cafes, that's particularly true; it's impossible not to relish every sip of coffee as a friendly feline nuzzles up to you.
The first cat cafe opened in Taiwan just before the turn of the 21st century, and several years later, the craze spread to Japan. However, it took a few decades for cat cafes to start multiplying in the U.S. (the first one didn't pop up until 2014). Now, dozens exist across the country. The appeal of these cafes isn't limited to coffee and cuteness. Collectively, cat cafes have offered thousands of whiskered friends shelter as they navigate the space between homelessness and adoption into their forever homes.
Each cat cafe has its own character; some are known for offering themed events, while others are said to be the purr-fect places to study. Using online reviews and awards, we've rounded up a handful of the best cat cafes across the U.S. Each one listed has a food and beverage program, and bonus points went to those with more expansive menus. We also prioritized featuring cat cafes with unique attributes, such as themed menu items. Before visiting, take note of any entry fees, reservation requirements, and possible age restrictions.
Mount Purrnon Cat Café + Wine Bar
Some cat cafes treat the "cafe" part as an afterthought, but not Mount Purrnon Cat Café + Wine Bar. In fact, this Virginia establishment, located not far from Washington, D.C., also functions as a wine bar. The menu features several dishes you'd typically pair with wine, including grilled cheese sandwiches, a hummus and pita plate, and a charcuterie board. Meanwhile, the soft pretzel bites might be destined for consumption alongside one of the myriad beer, cider, and mead options. Coffee, tea, and other nonalcoholic beverages like hot chocolate are also available. Once you've had your fill, there's nothing left to do but enjoy the company of the cats upstairs.
This cat cafe may be located in historic Old Town Alexandria and pay homage to our country's colonial roots, but it's not all about U.S. history here. The cafe also offers unique events like a crystal singing bowl meditation and a Halloween candy and wine pairing. You can even purchase a monthly pass if you want to work remotely or study here regularly. Well over 1,000 cats have been adopted from Mount Purrnon so far, and you can check out profiles of all the cats in residence online.
(703) 567-1138
109 S Alfred St, Alexandria, VA 22314
Mauhaus Cat Cafe & Lounge
Mauhaus Cat Cafe & Lounge partners with Stray Haven Rescue to ensure every cat you see is spayed or neutered, microchipped, and vaccinated. So if you fall head over heels for a kitty while visiting and know you have the time and space to provide them with a loving home, you won't have to jump through many hoops to do so. On average, Mauhaus adopts out between two and four cats every week, so it's worth visiting once a month or so to meet the new residents.
This cat cafe doesn't just tend to its feline friends with love and care; it also ensures that visitors of all backgrounds feel welcome. Low-sensory nights are offered monthly for visitors who don't handle loud music, bright lights, and crowds well. Plus, children of all ages can enjoy the cafe and lounge, which isn't true for all the establishments on this list. The menu fluctuates, but you might find savory snacks, pastries, coffee, and more up for grabs.
(314) 384-2287
3101 Sutton Blvd, Maplewood, MO 63143
Meow Parlour
We couldn't leave Meow Parlour, the first cat cafe in New York City, out of this roundup. Established in 2014, Meow Parlour helped set the trend for cat cafes in America, and you'll see that reflected in how smoothly and professionally the cafe is run. It's a chic space with plenty of aesthetically pleasing wood accents and climbing equipment for the kitties. If you're looking for an off-the-beaten-path tourist activity, this is it. Spending time with locals is important, after all, and that includes cats.
The menu at Meow Parlour is small, but includes items like coffee, lemonade, tea cakes, and cookies, making it a great destination for an afternoon snack. There are treats for kids and adults alike, but make sure to book your visit according to the ages of everyone in your party, as guests under 9 years old have a dedicated time slot. Finally, Yelpers report that the friendly staff and fun merchandise make this cat cafe especially worth visiting.
43 Essex St, New York, NY 10002
Neko Cat Cafe
From birthday parties to cat yoga to casual visits, there are plenty of reasons to visit Neko Cat Cafe. This establishment was founded by Cory James and Caitlyn Unsell, who caught the cat cafe fever in Japan and Vietnam. James and Unsell lived and worked in East Asia for years, giving them ample time to note what worked well and what could be improved at various cat cafes across the region. Luckily for cat lovers on this side of the pond, James and Unsell eventually moved back to Washington, where they established two branches of Neko Cat Cafe: one in Bellingham and one in Seattle.
The menu at both locations includes beers, ciders, and Japanese-themed snacks like mochi. In Seattle, you can also go for macarons, wine, and sake. At each location, these offerings can be enjoyed in the cafe area, which is separated by windows from the cat room. In Seattle, up to a dozen kitties roam on the other side of the glass, while around two dozen call the Bellingham branch home. Note that reservations are not required for the cafe area and that families with kids should follow the adult-to-child ratios in place for safety reasons.
Multiple locations
Crumbs & Whiskers
With one branch in D.C. and one in L.A., and plenty of great photo ops amid the cafe's chic interiors, we're not surprised that Crumbs & Whiskers has become such a celebrity hotspot. Oh, and the cats definitely have something to do with its well-earned fame. Around two dozen or so kitties are in residence at each location, and over 5,000 have been adopted since the business was founded in 2015 by Kanchan Singh, who was inspired by her experiences at a cat cafe in Thailand.
The menu includes items like coffee, matcha, lemonade, sparkling tea, and baked goods. In D.C., those baked goods come from the highly esteemed Levain Bakery (meaning they're freshly made and consistent in quality, something worth knowing about Levain). Anyone aged 7 or older can visit Crumbs & Whiskers, and those 13 or older can do so without an accompanying adult. No matter what, advance bookings are strongly encouraged. Parties and private events can be booked here, too.
Multiple locations
Don't Stress Meowt
With one location in Tulsa and one in Oklahoma City, don't stress meowt was the first cat cafe to open in Oklahoma. Founded by husband-and-wife duo Michaela and Adam Fitzpatrick, this cafe is connected to a cat grooming and boarding service, as well as a cat merchandise business (make sure to check out the cat-themed goods sold at the cafe).
Each location is divided into two parts: the cafe area and the cat lounge. Advance reservations are highly recommended for the cat lounge, but you can dine in the cafe area as a drop-in visitor while still watching the kitties play on the other side of the window. Up to 40 cats at a time frolic in the Oklahoma City venue, while as many as 50 reside in the Tulsa branch. Folks of all ages can visit, but small children require an accompanying adult.
The menu at this cat cafe includes beverages with feline-themed names like Meowtcha, Clawtte, Espurrso, and Catupuccino. If your stomach is rumbling, you can also go for a pawnini or a mochi taiyaki (fish-shaped treats distinct from bungeoppang). Beverages, but not food, are allowed in the cat lounge, and there's Wi-Fi in case you'd like to work on the cafe side.
Multiple locations
Wired Whisker
Depending on when you visit a cat cafe, you may find that most of its residents are taking cat naps. On average, cats sleep between 12 and 16 hours per day, so that makes sense. But with customers eager to pet cute kitties, cats may find it hard to sleep, let alone rest. That's why Wired Whisker created a Decompression Room, inaccessible to guests, to help its cats avoid overstimulation. There are also events like the Guided Pet Loss Support Group. This thoughtful approach is part of why we love Wired Whisker. That, and the fact that the cafe offers an expansive menu (we're food lovers, after all).
The drink menu includes seasonal options like the Caramel Apple Frappe and the Moonstone Matcha Latte, as well as evergreen options like macchiatos and golden milk lattes. Over on the food menu, you'll find several breakfast items like a chile verde burrito and hash brown bites, as well as sweet treats like local ice cream and apple chai crepes. There's even onigiri, a Japanese specialty that nods to the Asian origins of cat cafes. Note that you can bring lidded drinks into the cat lounge, but not food.
(218) 481-7107
1823 E Superior St, Duluth, MN 55812
Pawsitivitea CNY
Are you a pessimist or an optimist? You'll have no choice but to see the glass half full when you're surrounded by kitties at Pawsitivitea CNY, a cafe and cat lounge in Syracuse, New York. Pawsitivitea CNY partners with rescue organizations and shelters to provide a home for up to a dozen cats at a time (including three permanent resident cats). Reservations are highly encouraged but may not be necessary on weekdays. Definitely check out the events page before hopping in the car in case you'd like to participate in activities like craft night, cat yoga, or even a drag show.
Pawsitivitea CNY has adopted out hundreds of cats since opening in 2020, which is no small feat, but it's worth talking about the food here, too. The menu is substantial enough to cater to different tastes, including those of visitors as young as 5 and as old as 100. Seasonal specials like pumpkin chocolate chip blondies are available, alongside year-round items like the Happy Paws tea (which contains catnip) and the Freddie Purrcury latte. Drinks are allowed in the cat lounge, but not food.
(315) 807-8936
2100 Park St, Syracuse, NY 13208
Mew Haven Cat Cafe
The first of its kind in Connecticut, Mew Haven Cat Cafe has sent over 1,200 cats to their forever homes since opening its doors in 2018. Every cat you see jumping onto a chair and climbing furniture at Mew Haven comes from Halfway Home Rescue, a volunteer-run organization. The hard work is balanced by a lot of fun at this cafe, which offers events like sound baths, needle felting and embroidery workshops, and Meow-Jong.
This cafe is unique in that it offers 50-minute visits as well as 3-hour sessions for those who'd like to work or study. The cafe is just 2 miles from Yale, and students get discounted rates. On the cafe side of the property, you can ask for one of several themed drinks on the menu, such as the Tiny Tiger (a Thai tea latte) or a Ginger Cat (a ginger honey tea latte). To accompany your beverage, a small assortment of baked goods like vegan brownies and Oreo cinnamon rolls is on display. If you'd like, you can take these items into the cat lounge as long as you don't leave them unattended.
(475) 441-7877
904 Whalley Ave, New Haven, CT 06515
Cats & Caffeine
Cats & Caffeine opened in 2022 and is the first cat cafe in Tampa. You can't miss its bright pink aesthetic, which gives Barbie vibes and adds to the playful feel of the space. Of course, the fluffy white carpets help on that front, too. Events like kitten yoga and movie nights are on the table at this cat cafe, as are private parties. You can even purchase gift certificates for others (perfect for the people in your life who seem to have everything already).
Aside from its Instagrammable nature, this business is also doing serious work on the animal welfare side. Cats & Caffeine has partnered with rescue organizations like Cat Lovers Inc. and Purrs & Whiskers Inc. to adopt out hundreds upon hundreds of cats over the years. You can find over two dozen cats in the lounge at a time.
If you're hungry for food in addition to kitty love, check out the menu. On it, you'll find several types of coffee and matcha, kombucha, soda, and baked goods like muffins and brownies. And let's not forget the cake pops. Yes, of course there are cake pops. From their viral beginnings, they have become a staple of myriad cutesy coffee shops like this one.
4033 Henderson Blvd, Tampa, FL 33606
Coffee Cats
Coffee Cats is the first cat cafe in Iowa, and it partners with the Animal Rescue League of Iowa to provide a temporary home for up to a dozen cats at a time. Visitors to Coffee Cats are welcome to study, chat, or otherwise relax in the cat lounge, which is separated from the cafe area by a windowed wall. Although food is prohibited to keep the kitties safe, you are allowed to take lidded beverages inside as you immerse yourself in cat paradise.
We're pleased to report that Coffee Cats gets creative with its themed menu, which features witty names like the White Caramel Purrsian coffee and Lavenfurr Mocha. Traditional espresso drinks and brewed coffee are also available, as are teas, hot chocolate, Italian sodas, and smoothies. For food, you can choose from locally sourced pastries, cookies, and weekend donuts or, if you're craving something savory, a plant-based salad, wrap, or snack box.
(515) 897-5410
312 5th St, West Des Moines, IA 50265
Aristocat Cafe + Tea House
If you're reading this list, there's a good chance that "The Aristocats" was your favorite Disney movie growing up (who needs fairy princesses when you've got cats?). Regardless, all cat lovers will find Aristocat Cafe + Tea House delightful, especially those excited by the prospect of trying different teas and coffees.
Regardless, all cat lovers will find Aristocat Cafe + Tea House delightful, especially those who are excited by the prospect of trying different teas and coffees. Indeed, more than 90 kinds of loose-leaf tea grace the menu at this cat cafe (make sure to understand the differences between tea categories before ordering). Locally roasted coffee is also available in a variety of forms, including French press and espresso-based beverages. Wine and cava are available to those 21 and older. Meanwhile, baked brie, tartines, salad, macarons, and mochi are just a few examples of the elevated food offerings.
The cats, though, might make you forget your meal entirely. Sure, you could dine by the windows and smile as they come up to greet you (a nice option for those with allergies). But you'll find it hard to resist the urge to drop everything and head into the cat loft to adore them. Reservations are encouraged, though walk-ins are accepted if space is available.
111 N Liberty St, Harrisonburg, VA 22802
Mac Tabby Cat Cafe
As of publication, the three branches of North Carolina's Mac Tabby Cat Cafe have sent a whopping 2,573 cats to their forever homes since the business was first established in December 2017. But that number isn't the only thing that's helped this cat cafe stand out from its competition, and even top a national ranking of cat cafes in 2025. Let's start by talking about the menu.
There's nothing wrong with a cat cafe whose menu is limited to drip coffee and a few pastries from the local bakery. As much as we love food, we also acknowledge that cat cafes are more about the cats than anything else. Still, it's refreshing to find one that offers health-driven smoothies with spirulina and broccoli alongside craft beer, wine, and, yes, coffee. Baked goods like cookie bars and brownies are available, too.
At each branch of Mac Tabby Cat Cafe, the cat lounge is separate from the cafe and houses a dozen cats. Anyone 7 or older can access the cat lounge, but younger children must visit during the Saturday morning "Kitty Time" slot. Compared to the other cat cafes on this list, ticket prices are relatively affordable.
Multiple locations
Methodology
We curated this list of cat cafes using online customer reviews and past awards. We also looked at top lists from USA Today, Modern Cat, and more during our research. All of them offer food and beverages, with some menus being more extensive than others. We especially favored cafes that stood out for offering an excellent ambience and well-curated menus. In our research, we found a few wonderful cat lounges that don't serve food or drinks, and since they aren't technically cafes, they were excluded from this roundup.