Last Updated on 1 December 2024 by Vanessa
The concept of cat cafés originated in Taiwan in 1998. The first one was founded in Taipei by Hsu Shu-ying. Inspired by the idea of providing urban dwellers with a relaxing environment and the companionship of cats, the café allowed visitors to enjoy beverages and snacks while interacting with resident feline friends.
The success of this pioneering venture sparked a trend that quickly spread to other parts of Asia and, eventually, around the globe. Today, Taipei is still the city with the most cat cafés in the world, even outranking Tokyo.
But which of these establishments are worth visiting? Most of them don’t even have English names or even websites, so they can be quite difficult to find for travelers.
To help you on your way, here are some of the best and most unique cat cafés in Taiwan.
Your guide to cat cafés in Taiwan
Kitten Coffee Garden, Taipei
Address: Kitten Coffee Garden, 111, Shilin District, Fuhua Rd, Taipei City 129, Taiwan.
Kitten Coffee Garden is Taipei city is considered to be the world’s first cat café, so it all started here in 1998. The cat café has changed its name over the years (the first time I visited, it was called Cats & Dog Café, because they had many cats and just one dog – which they still do).
Today, the café is still open but goes by “Kitten Coffee Garden”. It offers the quintessential cat café experience. The café serves various drinks, including hot, cold, slushy, and alcoholic, as well as sorbet and light meals.
There are various cat breeds on site. You can walk around and visit them, or they may visit you or even sleep on your table while you dine.
Kids are not allowed at this one.
Suggested by Nick Kembel from the travel blogs Taiwan Obsessed and Spiritual Travels.
Genki Cat Coffee, Taipei
Address: Genki Cat Coffee, No. 30號, Lane 829, Section 5, Zhongshan N Rd, Shilin District, Taipei City 111, Taiwan.
After visiting several cat cafés in Taipei with my two kids, I asked them for the favorite. They agreed without hesitation that the best one was Genki Cat Café.
Genki is specifically a Maine Coon café. While some cat cafés in the city only have a few cats, Genki has more than 20. Most of them are not shy, either. As soon as we entered, we were surrounded by cats.
In the two-hour session we got, we never got tired of petting, feeding, or just spending time with these beautiful creatures. The included drink came with a lid (the cats sometimes knock them over).
Genki doesn’t officially allow kids, but when we showed up, they said we were fine as long as they were quiet and careful. Several other cat cafés in the city simply won’t allow kids, so this one stands out for making this exception.
Suggested by Nick Kembel from the travel blogs Taiwan Obsessed and Spiritual Travels.
Cat Valley in New Taipei
Address: Cat Valley 貓谷, 231, Taiwan, Xindian District, Shuangcheng Rd, 175 3, New Taipei City, Taiwan.
Cat Valley in New Taipei is a unique sanctuary for stray cats, established with the vision of providing a secure and caring environment for felines in need. The initiative was born out of the owner’s personal love for cats and the observation of numerous strays in Taiwan lacking stable homes. Cat Valley serves as a haven for these cats, offering them a chance to live without fear, ensuring they receive proper care and attention in a homely setting.
The space has a distinctive appearance because it is housed in repurposed shipping containers and decorated with large, handwoven “bird nests,” serving as scratching posts and resting spots for the cats.
Children under 12 are not allowed.
NUKUNUKU Cat Café in Taipei
Address: NUKUNUKU Cat Café, 松壽路12號4樓, Sinyi District, Taipei 110, Taiwan.
NUKUNUKU is a therapy café that offers a warm and cozy environment with soft and fluffy cats. As the sister establishment of Fufu Cat Café, NUKUNUKU takes its name from the Japanese term signifying warmth, carefreeness, and snugness, aligning with its mission to foster a harmonious coexistence between humans and pets.
The café not only provides a relaxing space for visitors but also serves as a potential adoption venue for some of its cats.
However, note that entry is restricted for children aged 12 and below.
Camulet in Banqiao
Address: Camulet 貓欸, No. 3, Alley 270, Section 1, Wenhua Road, Banqiao District, New Taipei City, Taiwan.
Cat café Camulet, located in Banqiao, stands out for its unique dining experience. You can sit on floor cushions while indulging in a variety of cat-shaped delicacies like cat ear noodles and cat-shaped toast.
Ten cats will keep you company while you savor their meals. Cat toys and snacks are available so you can engage more with these charming feline residents.
R-Star Coffee in Taichung
Address: R-Star Coffee, No. 101, Zhongming South Road, West District, Taichung City, Taiwan.
R-Star Coffee is a highly popular cat café located in Taichung. This unique establishment stands out with its distinctive features, including a standalone building and an attached courtyard. It’s an ideal spot for Instagram-worthy photos. By the way, it operates as a multifaceted space that combines a bridal photography studio with a cat café.
R-Star Coffee is home to over seven resident cats.
The café’s culinary offerings include a variety of beverages, such as coffee and other drinks, as well as a selection of light snacks, pasta, and rice.
Toast Chat in Taipei
Address: Toast Chat, No. 58, Lane 290, Guangfu S Rd, Da’an District, Taipei City 106, Taiwan.
Located in the alleys near the Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall, Toast Chat is a highly popular cat café in Taipei. Renowned for its quality decor, generous portions of delicious meals, and the presence of five resident cats, the café draws crowds even before its opening hours.
Toast Chat stands out as an unlimited dining time restaurant, allowing visitors to enjoy a leisurely meal and cat interaction without time constraints, a rarity in the East District. It’s a must-visit for those seeking a delightful combination of great food, a relaxed atmosphere, and the company of adorable cats.
Neko & Kafe in Taipei
Address: Neko & Kafe, No. 2-3號, Tianshui Rd, Datong District, Taipei City 103, Taiwan.
Neko & Kafe is one of the best cat cafés in Taipei. It’s clear from how they run their business that they treat their cats with care and respect, and do their best to support the animal welfare movement in Taiwan.
When you first step into the double doors of this two-story café, you’re greeted at the counter and given a run-down of the store’s policies. The first floor features a small shop with cat-themed trinkets and the main café is on the second floor.
This cat café offers a full menu at a reasonable price (120 – 400 NT) and you can stay for a maximum of two hours. Children ages 6-12 are only allowed to visit on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, and reservations are only available by phone.
All the cats at Neko & Kafe are adoptable and they have a system of rotating the cats out just so they don’t become too fatigued by the human interaction.
I loved how the space was set up and had a great time hanging out with the cats.
Suggested by Gi Shieh from The Sensible Fay.
FUFUCatCafe in Taipei
Address: FUFUCatCafe, No. 53, Section 2, Wuchang Street 3F, Wanhua, Taipei 108 Taiwan.
FUFUCatCafe is a popular cat café in Taipei that has been around for as long as I can remember.
This establishment is home to various breeds: everything from your common tabby to more unique Sphynx cats.
They’re open every day from 12 pm – 9 pm and take both online reservations and day-of guests.
Their payment structure is confusing. It’s based on time–50 NT for every 10 minutes with a maximum charge of 500 NT once you hit 100 minutes. A single beverage is included in the price, but additional treats like cakes and cookies cost extra.
They have strict instructions for interacting with the cats (you’re not allowed to pick them up!), and there were 15 to 20 cats. None of the cats are adoptable. Regardless, I had a great time getting to know each of their personalities and spending an afternoon with them.
If you’re ever in Taipei, I highly recommend taking a break from your typical itinerary and just spending a quiet few hours hanging out with these adorable cats.
Suggested by Gi Shieh from the travel blog Homebound Taiwan.
Conclusion
Do you resonate with our curated list of all the best cat cafés in Taiwan, or did your favorite spot not make the cut? Share your thoughts in the comments, and let us know if there’s a hidden gem you believe deserves recognition.
While you’re at it, remember there are countless cat-centric activities in Taiwan to make your trip even more purrfect.
And if you’re still looking for a place to stay, have a look at these adorable cat-themed hostels in Taiwan.
Visit next => Houtong Cat Village (info & tickets)
Check out these other cat café guides
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