If just the thought of seeing a cat makes your heart go warm and fuzzy, then this list is for you.
We've come a long way since the first-ever cat café in Taiwan opened in 1998, and cats cafés have become more common across the globe, including Beijing. But before you decide to go, remember a few basic rules:- Wash your hands or use a hand sanitiser before playing with the cats.
- Be gentle with the cats. They're animals, not toys!
- Not all places allow guests to feed the cats. Make sure to ask before you do.
Check out our favourite hangouts for that purrfect café fix:*If you are considering adopting a pet but don't know where to start, click Read More at the end for eight organisations that might be able to help you.
Mao Xi猫小院猫主题餐厅
Currently one of Beijing's more popular cat cafés with several branches spanning across the capital, it shouldn't come as a surprise that weekends can get packed with fellow paparazzi's chasing after these felines' attention and stolen shots.
On weekdays when guests are fewer, you get to have more cats to yourself. We went on a weekday where we got to chat a bit with the staff shared about the café's occupants – 32 cats in total. But you won't see them all at once, as only 15 cats at a time are brought out to mingle.
For those keen to feed the adorable pets, canned cat food are available at 12RMB a pack. Also try their cat-themed dishes, from kitty hot cocoa, cat paw triple chocolate mousse to cat-themed meals.
Pro-tip: Get more cats to come to you by lightly tapping the kitty food bowl on the table to signal that it's chow time. You'll be surrounded in no time!
Mao Xiaoyuan 猫小院猫主题餐厅 Fifth Floor, Sanlitun 3.3 Mall, 33 Sanlitun Lu, Chaoyang district (5136 5886) 朝阳区三里屯路33号3.3大厦五层. Open 10am-10pm daily.
Lovely Time Cats Café 小时光猫咪咖啡馆
This lovely cats café is located along Beiluoguxiang, the quieter and less touristy neighbour of Nanluoguxiang just separated by a long wall. The shops along this street are generally smaller so you might miss the cafe's entrance.
The two-storey café has tables to dine in on both floors, but the cats mostly reside on the ground floor. On the second floor is a little indoor garden overlooking the hutong area.
First floor
Second floor
Second floor
You'll need to get ready for some lifting if you're planning to carry these bigger cats.
If you're a dog-lover as well, you'll be happy to know that just 500 metres away is a dog café run by the same owner, and so they both pretty much have the same ambiance. Neither café can brag a huge space, and so if there are too many people inside you might end up in a waiting line. These cafés don't allow guests to feed the pets.
Lovely Time Cats Café 小时光猫咪咖啡馆 84 Bei Gulou Xiang, Dongcheng district (186 1145 8117) 东城区北鼓楼巷84号. Open 10am-10pm daily.
Cat Tales Coffee 名猫休闲馆花园主题咖啡西餐厅
If your child is feeling disappointed at not being able to carry the cats at Lovely Time, then head over to this kitty home instead. Just five minutes away, this two-storey café mostly has younger cats, and generally much easier to handle for kids.
The café also sells cat food (20RMB),
First floor
Second floor
Cat Tales Coffee 名猫休闲馆 98 Guloudong Dajie, Dongcheng district (8408 3862) 东城区鼓楼东大街98号. Open 10.30am-11pm daily.
Lazily Enjoying Life Cats cafe 懒样儿加菲猫主题休闲吧
Ever heard of a Garfield-themed café? Well, now you have. This café is home to a number of exotic shorthairs lounging around and playing with the different cat toys scattered around the space. The café has two floors, both with different sets of games and activities for guests.
The café owner was there when we visited, introducing us to all eight cats and showed us how to properly care for them.
It's not just the cats that make this a kid-friendly space. There are games available to keep the kids entertained when the resident felines need a break.
Lazily Enjoying Life Cats Café 懒样儿加菲猫主题休闲吧 204 Dongshe, 2 Dongshe Xi Jie, Chaoyang Lu, Chaoyang district (138 1140 4168) 朝阳区朝阳路兴隆西街2号东舍204室. Open 11am-10pm Tue-Fri; 11am-9pm Sat-Sun
Cats Party 猫咪主题休闲吧
The two-storey café features a lovely view on its second-floor space with features very similar to Lazily Enjoying Life cats café.
There are also some toys that children can use to play with the cats, including a little cat stick for these little guys to paw at. Little snacks for the cats are also free of charge.
Cats Party 猫咪主题休闲吧 Unit 1816, 18 Floor, Building 2, Jiayue Guangchang, Xinya Jie, Daxing district (182 0100 5725) 大兴区欣雅街嘉悦广场2号楼18层1816. Open 10.30-7.30pm Tue-Fri; 10.30am-10pm Sat-Sun
Thinking of adopting instead? Hit 'Read More' for more info
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