London Hosts Five-Day Mini Pig Café Experience

In March 2024, animal lovers and curious visitors flocked to an unusual pop-up experience in east London: a five-day café where you could sip drinks, share a picnic—and hang out with real miniature pigs. But this wasn’t just another Instagram trend. Organizers wanted to change how people think about owning so-called ‘teacup pigs.’

Yes, you could book a ticket, meet these pocket-sized pigs up close, and enjoy a pet-friendly picnic—without bacon on the menu, out of respect for the pigs.

What Was This Mini Pig Café?

The event took place at Moomin Cafes, a trendy spot in east London. For five days, visitors could pay to enter and spend time with live miniature pigs. The setting encouraged a ‘picnic with pigs’ experience, letting guests interact closely with the animals. The café made a point of not serving bacon—a small but clear sign of respect toward its porcine guests.

Why Did This Event Happen?

The pop-up was organized by Yelp, in partnership with animal welfare groups. Their goal? To educate potential pet pig owners. Site director Alex Shebar said he was inspired by celebrities like Paris Hilton who popularized ‘teacup pigs,’ only for many to abandon the animals later. London already has a growing scene of themed animal cafés—think cat cafés and owl cafés—but few focused on pigs. This one aimed to fill that gap while spreading awareness.

The Truth About ‘Teacup Pigs’

Miniature pigs are often sold as ‘tea cup pigs’ because they’re tiny at birth. But most grow to the size of a large dog—often surprising owners who didn’t expect such mature dimensions. That misunderstanding has led to many pigs being surrendered by owners unprepared for their adult size and needs. Shebar expressed disappointment at seeing these intelligent animals abandoned, and hopes experiences like this one will better inform future pet owners.

How Can Animal Cafés Help?

More cities are seeing animal-themed cafés—from cats to owls. But pig-specific cafés remain rare. This London pop-up served as both a meet-and-greet and an educational platform. By giving visitors a chance to see miniature pigs in person, and explaining their real size and care requirements, organizers hoped to prevent future abandonments and promote responsible pet ownership.

Frequently Asked Questions

What exactly was the mini pig café in London?

The mini pig café was a five-day pop-up experience in east London at Moomin Cafes where visitors could interact closely with miniature pigs. Guests bought tickets to spend time with the pigs during a picnic-like event. The café specifically avoided serving bacon out of respect for the animals.

Who organized the London mini pig café?

The event was organized by Yelp in collaboration with animal welfare and charity groups. The aim was to educate the public, particularly potential pet pig owners, about the realities of caring for miniature pigs.

Are miniature pigs really as small as people think?

No. Often sold as ‘tea cup pigs’ due to their small size at birth, most miniature pigs grow to be as large as a typical dog. Many owners are unprepared for their full adult size, which has led to many pigs being abandoned.

Why was there no bacon on the menu?

The café chose not to serve bacon as a sign of respect for the pigs. This small decision reflected the event’s focus on animal welfare and responsible pet ownership.

What was the goal of the mini pig café?

Beyond offering a unique meet-and-greet, the café aimed to raise awareness about the needs and realities of keeping miniature pigs as pets, and to discourage impulsive ownership based on misleading size claims.