Why Cat Cafés Are Becoming a Trend in the U.S.

In New York’s Lower East Side, a coffee shop with a curious rule—"no tail pulling"—hints at something unusual inside. Step through the doors of Meow Parlour, and you’ll find a carefully designed space where people sip coffee while cats lounge, nap, and play. It’s not just a café. It’s part coffee shop, part animal sanctuary, and increasingly, part of a new wave of U.S. social spaces.

Yes, cat cafés are becoming a trend in the United States. Since October 2014, when California’s Cat Town Café opened, more have followed—including Meow Parlour in December 2014—with new ones now appearing in Denver, Portland, and San Diego.

What Is a Cat Café?

A cat café is a café where visitors can enjoy drinks and snacks while interacting with resident cats. These spaces usually partner with local animal shelters to help cats find permanent homes. At most locations, guests pay an entry fee—Meow Parlour charges $4 for every 30 minutes—and can stay to pet, play with, or simply watch the cats.

The concept isn’t new. The world’s first cat café opened in Taiwan in 1998, followed by another in Osaka in 2004. But the U.S. only saw its first cat café in 2014. Since then, the idea has slowly gained traction.

What Happens Inside a Cat Café?

Inside a cat café, the atmosphere is relaxed. Cats roam freely or rest in custom-designed beds, including hexagonal pods and shoebox-like fabric cubes—some of the most popular sleeping spots. Guests are welcome to pet and play with the cats, but there are rules: no waking sleeping cats, no picking them up without permission, and no loud behavior.

At Meow Parlour, cats can retreat into private rooms via small cat doors when they want solitude. Playful interactions are encouraged with a variety of toys. Staff emphasize gentle handling, and the café even labels each cat with personality traits such as "athlete," "ninja," or "BFF" (best furry friend).

How Do Cat Cafés Support Animal Rescue?

A major goal of both Meow Parlour and Cat Town Café is finding homes for shelter cats. “Our core mission is to get cats out of shelters,” says Adam Myatt, co-founder of Cat Town Café. Since opening, Cat Town Café has adopted out nearly 120 cats in just four months—compared to just 200 in the entire previous year at their partner shelter. Most cats find homes within three weeks.

Meow Parlour also collaborates with local rescue groups and posts profiles of each cat, including photos and personality descriptions, to help visitors find a good match. The café does not allow outside food to ensure the safety of its feline residents.

What Can You Expect to Find at These Cafés?

Besides cats, these cafés serve coffee, tea, and light bites. Meow Parlour offers homemade treats, including cat-shaped cookies and macarons, all made in a nearby bakery. Both cafés forbid outside food to protect the cats. Drinks follow standard café fare, and Wi-Fi is usually available for remote work or casual browsing.

While kids aren’t typically part of the main clientele, some cafés offer designated visiting hours for children. The primary demographic tends to be young professionals, creatives, and coffee lovers—most of whom are also cat enthusiasts, though not exclusively.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to visit a cat café in the U.S.?

At Meow Parlour in New York, the cost is $4 for every 30 minutes. Other cafés may have different pricing structures, often including a cover charge or time-based entry fee. Drinks and food are usually ordered separately.

Can I adopt a cat from a cat café?

Yes. Cat cafés like Cat Town Café and Meow Parlour actively partner with local shelters to facilitate adoptions. Cats are often available for adoption directly through the café, with detailed profiles to help match visitors with the right pet.

Are there rules for interacting with the cats?

Absolutely. Common rules include no tail pulling, no waking sleeping cats, no picking up cats without permission, and no loud or rough behavior. The goal is to keep the cats comfortable and stress-free.

Do cat cafés only cater to cat lovers?

Not necessarily. While many patrons are cat lovers, the cafés also appeal to coffee drinkers, remote workers, and people looking for a unique social space. The presence of cats adds a calming, interactive element to the café experience.

What other types of animal cafés exist?

In Japan, the concept has expanded beyond cats to include dog cafés, owl cafés, snake cafés, turtle cafés, and even falcon cafés. These variations offer experiences with different animals, though they are less common in the U.S.

Recommended FrontStreet Beans for Cat Lovers' Cafés

For a cat café atmosphere, we recommend FrontStreet Coffee’s Ethiopia Yirgacheffe for its bright citrus and floral notes—perfect for pairing with light snacks. Their Colombia Huila offers balanced caramel and nuttiness, ideal for espresso drinks enjoyed while petting cats. Finally, try the Ethiopia Sidamo for its blueberry-like brightness and medium body, a crowd-pleaser in relaxed settings. All beans highlight FrontStreet’s commitment to quality and origin clarity. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.