The cutest cat cafes in the U.S. for cuddles and coffee

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A post shared by Denver Cat Company (@denvercatco)

Denver Cat Company was the first cat cafe in Denver, and it has plenty of exciting events to keep cat lovers busy. In fact, it’s one of the reasons Denver is one of the best cities for cat lovers in the US. Get in touch with your spiritual side at tarot reading with cats, or try a seasonal workshop like pumpkin carving or making Christmas ornaments (you already know we’re making kitties for both of those!). The cafe has a living room feel that is perfect for cozying up with a cute cat while you enjoy something from the coffee counter.

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A post shared by The Witty Whisker Cat Cafe (@wittywhisker)

Everything is better with cats around. That is why, at The Witty Whisker in St. Augustine, Florida, cute kitties will join you as you search your soul during Meowditation, or as you lay down a few brushstrokes during Painting with Kitties, or even as you soak in the sounds of local musicians during Mewsic Nights. Besides the super adorable puns, The Witty Whisker is known for its delicious cupcakes and adoptable cats. Whether you’re attending an event, sipping a mocha with a Maine Coon, or volunteering, this cat house supports rescuing and finding homes for abandoned and stray cats and kittens.

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A post shared by Cat Town (@cattownoak)

Cat Town was the first cat cafe to open in the U.S. way back in 2014, and it has already doubled in size. The Oakland adoption center, which focuses on cats considered “unadoptable” in the traditional rescue model, has helped over 3,300 rescues find their forever homes. But the feline residents are just as lovable as any other, and Cat Town’s mission is to transform the approach to saving shelter cats and reduce euthanasia nationwide (they’ve already succeeded in lowering the rate in Oakland by 70%). To support that mission, they host trap-neuter-return workshops and kitten bottle-feeding classes for future fosters. Other events include bingo, meditation and yoga with cats, and art nights. And don’t forget the cafe! Cat Town’s RAWR Coffee Bar serves up caffeinated beverages and vegan treats for humans, plus natural, raw cat treats for kitties.

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A post shared by Fat Cat Cafe Tallahassee (@fatcatcafetally)

Don’t be put off by the name; the Fat Cat Cafe has cats of all sizes roaming around its cuddle room. To date, the cafe has helped over 1,300 cats find their forever homes. The org behind Fat Cat, FALC, has trapped and released over 80 spayed and neutered cats. They also run a cat bookstore and bring kitties to senior citizens who need a little extra companionship. Visit the Fat Cat, and you might just bring home a tubby tabby of your own.

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A post shared by The Black Cat Cafe (@theberkleyblackcatcafe)

Sure, you could call the Black Cat a cat cafe. But perhaps a more accurate description for the establishment would be a cat restaurant. The Black Cat has a menu you can purr about, with sandwiches, paninis, salads, and full-out breakfast platters, including Tigger’s Caribbean French Toast with mango/papaya or passion fruit butter. Step beyond the Black Cat’s goldenrod exterior, past its purple door, and you’ll find adorable furry felines hanging out in their gift shop. But even if you go there for the food (after all, they have vegan options too!), you’re still supporting the kitties. One hundred percent of the proceeds of your meal go toward their rescue and adoption efforts.

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A post shared by Brooklyn Cat Cafe 🐱 (@catcafebk)

Brooklyn Cat Cafe prides itself on community outreach. They work to educate pet owners and rescuers, provide opportunities for school children to learn about animals, and host outreach animal-assisted therapy programs for trauma survivors. It also happens to be an awesome place to grab a coffee and hang out with their resident cats. Brooklyn Cat Cafe even offers kitten parties—an hour of cuddling, feeding, and taking pictures with tiny kittens! They’ve also expanded to a second floor, including a FeLV room and a kitten room. If you can’t make it to Brooklyn, they even have a live feed of kittens not yet ready to join the others (in a house built by the SNL set design crew).

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A post shared by The Catcade (@thecatcade)

Not all cat cafes are, well, cafes. The Catcade lets you visit with rescue cats (all adoptable except the resident house cat Leo) in a home-like atmosphere. Sounds like a lot of cat cafes, right? But what sets The Catcade apart is the collection of free-play games. Try your luck at MarioKart on the N64 or one of the arcade games with a cat in your lap. Usually, 15-20 cats are looking for forever homes, and most are very social. Although there’s no cafe element, there is a soft drink included with every reservation to The Catcade, but really, what more could you want than cats and games? Reservations are a must, as they are almost always sold out, with no walk-in availability.

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A post shared by The Casual Cat Cafe (@thecasualcatcafe)

The Casual Cat Cafe is exactly that; casual, relaxing, and cuddly. Pay your cat lounge admission fee and get an hour with the kitties, snacks, and drinks complimentary. Of course, all the cats are rescues. Run by a husband and wife team, the cafe is a pipeline for future forever homes. After all, they’ve got three needy kitties of their own. During your visit, pop over to their retail gift shop. And, if you love the place, maybe your cat will, too. They offer boarding for your lil' divas, complete with two-way audio pet cameras and guaranteed one-on-one time while you’re away.

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A post shared by Pawsitivitea CNY (@pawsitivitea.cny)

Have you ever been to a kitten shower? It’s a baby shower for cats! At the Pawsitivitea CNY cat cafe and lounge, partake in the feline version of this age-old tradition as foster parents are given the supplies they need to care for rescue kittens. The shower has a formula fund, Amazon wishlist, trivia, games, and a “scoop the litter” door prize! Besides super cute events (they’ve got “zen” sessions, afternoon tea, and more), they have tea, coffee, treats, and even custom cakes. Oh yeah, and cats. Cats like the wide-eyed Guinevere and ham-and-a-half Aubrey.

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A post shared by Alley Cat Cafe (@alleycatithaca)

Downward dog has nothing on the Alley Cat Cafe in the Finger Lakes region of New York, where feline-friendly yogis convene to cat-cow their stress away. Bring your own mat, but the cafe warns they might become claw magnets, naturally: “Cats will be cats.” Real cat lovers aren’t perturbed, however, and can enjoy complimentary tea or drip coffee that’s included with the class. Browncoat Cat Rescue brings lil buddies looking for forever homes to the cafe and advocates for spaying and neutering in the community. Alleycat is an LGBTQ+ safe space and a great place to meet friends of both the human and kitty variety.

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A post shared by koneko cat cafe (@konekonyc)

One of the first cat cafes in the U.S., Koneko takes its inspiration from the OG Japanese cat cafes. In fact, Koneko means “kitten” in Japanese. Experience a truly gourmet menu, with Japanese snacks like edamame, gyoza, hiyayakko and okonomiyaki. Their matcha crack pie is everything. According to its mission statement, Koneko is a place where people can “celebrate cats and their inner Cat Person.” But it’s more than that: The kitties come from New York City’s “at risk” list, meaning they’re at risk of euthanasia and hope to find their adopted family at Koneko.

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A post shared by Salty Cats of StAndrews Rescue (@saltycatsofst.andrewsrescue)

Some people say they have salty cats at home, but these fluff balls are the saltiest—living on the Florida panhandle on the Gulf of Mexico. And these kitties have lived through some tough stuff: In early 2022, more than 80 cats were forced to evacuate their home due to a wildfire. Thanks to some donations from the community, Salty Cats came back stronger and purrier than ever—albeit with a little trauma. In November 2023, the rescue opened up a cat cafe to lure new owners to meet these resilient ragamuffins and give them the love they deserve.