Singapore gets its first cat café, bringing us almost up to speed with cities like Taipei and Tokyo, which led the way in the kooky Asian café factor race (once we get our own toilet café, we’ll be even).
Located at Boat Quay, Neko No Niwa is more of a cat petting zoo than an actual café. The space, divided into two, is set up here by local cat lover Tan Sue Lynn and her partner, Sam, who not only hope to provide a space for kitty cuddles and cake, but spread the word for responsible cat ownership and shelter adoptions.
The cats in residence – a motley bunch of 11 friendly fuzzies usually in varying states of elegant repose – were all rescued locally, and their stories are documented in an orientation booklet that also details the dos and don’ts when interacting with them.
For those who are there to feel up some felines, there’s a cover charge to enter the play area ($12/hour, $5/every subsequent half hour) – reservations are recommended. Food and drinks are extra (though there’s no obligation to purchase anything), but if you’re feeling peckish, there are some good options available at the small café section of the room.
Tan reached out to makers whose products they liked in particular to stock a small selection of snacks to munch while hanging out with the cats. Bites on offer include The Muffinry’s lemon curd tart ($5.50), light chiffon cakes by Chinatown maker Pure Pandan, and a fridge-full of Ice Cream Cookie & Co dessert sandwiches ($5.90). To wash it down, the small menu of beverages include reasonably-priced coffee ($2.50-$3.50), as well as teas by New York’s Harney & Sons ($3). Natasha Hong